Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Week 34 - A Biblical View of Suffering

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:03:46 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Other Helpful Resources

1. Download Bible Lessons in PowerPoint format here

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2. How to Study Your Bible: The Lasting Rewards of the Inductive Method

3. How to Study Your Bible for Kids (Discover 4 Yourself® Inductive Bible Studies for Kids)

This lesson will lead you to understand that suffering is part of God’s plan to purify you.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Discover the Biblical view and hope of suffering as a Christian
Discover the process and attitude God expects from us in the midst of suffering.
Discover the promises God gives about suffering from His Word.

Introduction

One day, while at the Island of Patmos the apostle John was given a glimpse of eternity; John heard a loud voice from the throne telling him that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won’t be death anymore. There won’t be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first things have disappeared.” (Rev 21:4). God, who is all merciful, will deal with suffering once and for all by creating a “holy city” (Rev 21:2).

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: John 9:1-4, 2 Cor. 1:1-10 and Psalms 23:1-6

Pressure Makes Diamonds

A certain man was shown a vision of his life by the Lord; he saw himself walking on the shores of a sea and on the sand; in a flash, he noticed that during those times which were the most difficult of his life, only one set of footsteps appeared and this troubled him a lot. He turned to the Lord and asked Him “Lord, how come you left me to walk alone when I needed you the most during the most difficult moments of my life?” and the Lord gently replied to him, “son, I did not leave you, I have promised never to leave you nor to forsake you, when you saw only one set of footsteps, those are My footsteps because it was during the most difficult moments of your life, that I carri

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ed you”.The Psalmist also wrote saying “Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4). The apostle Peter writing to the saints scattered all over Asia Minor told them ” After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you in Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, establish you, strengthen you, and support you.”(1 Pet 5:10.).

Throughout the ages, Christians have continued to ask the same question “why does a good God allow suffering?” the simple answer to this question is that when sin entered the world, then evil was introduced. Adam and Eve were the first casualties because they had to endure the loss and pain of losing their son Abel, when he was murdered by his own brother Cain. Job is another example of a person whom God allowed to undergo a lot of suffering yet he was innocent. Satan is the author of evil and because of him; the world has continued to reel under the weight of evil. And Christ himself still bears the scars of the suffering that he received on the Cross in order to pay for the sin that came through the first Adam.

Scientists discovered that when coal which is trapped under the stratosphere of the earth is pressurized to a certain degree, it hardens over a period of time and the coal is transformed into diamonds due to the process of carbonization. In this regard, suffering is the pressure that causes us to be transformed and be glorified by God. Our hope now rests on the fact that if God has glorified Christ through suffering, then He will also glorify us because we are joint heirs with him. (Rom. 8:16).

Sometimes our own sins cause us to suffer, but sometimes suffering comes so that God will be glorified, just as we read in John 9:1-4.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 34

What is your understanding of suffering? Do you think the process of suffering helps you to become a better Christian? Please explain how
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think it is important for you today to endure suffering as a Christian? Please explain using 1 Peter 2:21-23, Rom 5:3-4 and Rom 8:16-17
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Why do you think suffering occur in the world today? Please explain
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Do you think that every suffering in a Christian’s life as a result of sin? Please use John 9:1-4 to explain
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What kind of attitude should we have towards those who are experiencing suffering? Please explain using 2 Cor 1:4
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Is it possible to “boast (rejoice) in our sufferings”? What does suffering produce in the end? Please explain using Rom 5: 3-4
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Do you consider corruption as a form of suffering? How can Christians react to the vice of corruption found in our society today? Please explain
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Please share any experience you may have on suffering and how God helped you endure/overcome? Please explain
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Memorize Romans 8:18

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us”.

Reflection

Helen Keller, blind and deaf from early childhood said “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and my God”

Action

Begin to thank God for anything that you consider as suffering today.

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Bible Study Week 33 - Pressing Toward The Mark

admin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:01:52 +0000

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Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Other Helpful Resources

1. Download Bible Lessons in PowerPoint format here

2. How to Study Your Bible: The Lasting Rewards of the Inductive Method

3. How to Study Your Bible for Kids (Discover 4 Yourself® Inductive Bible Studies for Kids)

This lesson will lead you to understand that God’s primary purpose is to conform you to the image of His Son, who is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Discover the purpose of being conformed to Christ’s image
Discover the process of being conformed to Christ’s image.
Discover the importance of being an image-bearer of Jesus Christ

Introduction

In the book of Genesis we learn that when God created human beings, He wanted them to have His image; He said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. . . And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen 1:26a-27). Man was therefore meant to bear God’s image but sadly that image was distorted by sin and that image now appears as though being seen through a shattered mirror. It is only when we are reconciled back to God through His Son Jesus Christ do we gain the original image.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Romans 8:1-17, Gal 5:22-23 and James 3:13-17

Conforming to Christ’s Image

The English dictionary defines the opposite of conform as “rebel” and that is exactly what the Adam race has become, a people who have rebelled against God’s plans. In Rom 8:29 Paul gives an assurance to believers in Rome about God’s conforming work in them by saying that “For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:”. Paul realized that Adams race is a corrupted race, but Christ’s race is a special race of whom the apostle Peter writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said of this race that “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Pet 2:9).

The purpose of being conformed to Christ’s image therefore is so that we “may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness” to become a beacon of light in a dark and desperate world.
The process of being conformed to the image of Christ is not an easy one because it involves the total surrender of our will to the will of God. The starting point is to yield our hearts to God fully and seek Him with all our being. Again the task is made harder because our faith is being tested by the various trials that we undergo, just as Peter warned us saying “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have to suffer various kinds of trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more valuable than gold that perishes when it is tested by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Purification is a process that God uses to remove the dirt and dross of the impurities in our faith which is compared to Gold; and to the believer suffering acts as a purification process.

When Christ was confronted by the Pharisees about whether to pay taxes to Caesar or not, He asked them to show Him a coin, and looking at it, He asked them whose image was engraved on the coin and they replied that it had an image of Caesar. This settled the whole matter when He told them “render unto Ceaser the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”. We also bear an image of God and we therefore belong to God, because He has reconciled us to Himself through His Son.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 33

What are the eight virtues that come from above according to James 3:17? Please list them
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Why do you think it is important for you today to pursue the mind of Christ? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think most people experience conflict within them in regards to their desires? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
How can you describe the word “desire’? How can we overcome ungodly desires?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What kind of desires should we have as Christians today?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Do you think it is possible for us to have godly desires today as Christians living in the 21st century? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What is the evidence of a godly life according to Gal 5:22-23? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In your own words please explain briefly why you think some Christians are still bound by the works of flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21. Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize Philippians 1:6
“And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus”.

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Bible Study Week 32 - Becoming Like Christ in Your Desires

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:32:09 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will help you to understand that the process of developing the mind of Christ is through Christ-like desires. Knowing how Jesus thought and what he showed concern for can help you know what God wants to develop in you.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Discover the carnal desires that war against spiritual desires;
Discover that a disordered mind leads to ungodliness;
Discover that Christ can set you free from mental conflict.

Introduction

There are many Christians today who are in bondage because of having desires that are in conflict with the desires of the Holy Spirit. Many of these desires are earthly, selfish and devilish in nature and do not bring glory to God because they are centered on the individual rather than on God. Today we will learn that we have to allow Christ to become the center of everything that we do because this brings glory to God.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Romans 8:1-17, Gal 5:22-23 and James 3:13-17

GODLY Vs. UNGODLY DESIRES

In James 3:17 we find eight virtues (qualities) that describe the mind of Christ that we all need to pursue; James writes that: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere”.
The reason why most people experience conflict within them is because they have desires that conflict with other desires. For example, they want to be peace-loving but they are not submissive to one another or they are not considerate of each other. Does any of the above qualities conflict with any of the others? E.g. does purity ever conflict with peace? Or peace with mercy? No they do not conflict, and they do not clash with one another. All these qualities work with, not against one another as they enhance one another.

Jesus’ one passion was to do His Father’s will. Scripture indicates this one desire dominated his life from at least his 12th year, through the beginning of his ministry at age 30, and then to about age 32. The night before Jesus died, He prayed, “I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given Me to do” (John 17:4); and this is the attitude we should always have as Christians, to glorify God here on earth with the things that we are doing.

The mind of Christ has order; it is an integrated mind because everything works in harmony and unity. Each virtue works perfectly with all the other virtues.
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists the works that hold us bondage and which Christ wants us to be free from. He says “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that.”

God wants us to replace all these with the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Gal 5:22-23 where Paul writes “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. Let us begin to examine our desires and align them to match with the desires the godly desires that Christ had.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 32

What are the eight virtues that come from above according to James 3:17? Please list them
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think it is important for you today to pursue the mind of Christ? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think most people experience conflict within them in regards to their desires? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
How can you describe the word “desire’? How can we overcome ungodly desires?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What kind of desires should we have as Christians today?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Do you think it is possible for us to have godly desires today as Christians living in the 21st century? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What is the evidence of a godly life according to Gal 5:22-23? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In your own words please explain briefly why you think some Christians are still bound by the works of flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21. Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize James 3:17

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure,
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere”.

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Bible Study Week 31 - Becoming Like Christ in Excellence

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:02:04 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will help you to know that it is God’s will that you become Christ-like in the life of faith that you live and that you imitate Christ’s nature of excellence.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Discover the qualities that distinguished Christ’s character of excellence
Discover the process of becoming a man or woman of excellence
Discover the price and sacrifice of spiritual excellence

Introduction

As you mature and become intimate with God, you will discover the ways of God, as the Psalmist wrote in Psalms 103:7 that “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.” God wants very much to reveal His ways to us because we are His children whom He has called unto righteousness and holiness. It will take strict discipline on our part to understand and follow the path of excellence that Christ has set for us. Excellence was a trade mark of the men and women of old listed in Hebrews 11 who walked with God by faith and pleased Him by faith because “without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6).

Therefore, in order to grow in excellence, we must live a life of faith because it pleases God and also believe that we “can do all things, through Christ which strengthens” us” (Phil 4:13).

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Daniel 6:1-5, Heb 11:1-11

Spiritual Exercise Gives Birth to Spiritual Excellence

Jesus talking to one of his disciples Phillip after he had asked him to show them the Father told him that “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9).

In telling this disciple that whoever had seen him had seen the Father, Jesus is teaching his disciples the lesson of faith because they need to believe that Jesus was sent from God, and in John 14:12 Jesus stressed again this fact by saying that “Truly, truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father”.
The emphasis by Christ himself in this portion of Scripture is that whoever believes in him will do greater works than those that Christ had done while he walked on the face of this earth. There are three things that distinguished Christ’s ministry here on earth:

He always did things to please his Father; i.e. he was not a man-pleaser. When we do ministry, we should not do things to please men, but the One who has called us.
He was a humble man, because he wanted God to get credit or glory for the things that he did. God will not share His glory with anybody and that is why many Christians today lack excellence because they want to do things that bring glory unto themselves and not glory for God.
Jesus withdrew to a lonely place for prayer because a life of spiritual excellence is a life of prayer. Many great men of God like Daniel, Elijah and Moses were disciplined in a life of fasting and prayer. James says that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. (Jam 5:17). Prayer strengthens our spiritual muscles and disciplines us to perform the “great works” that Christ has said we will do

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 31

What are the three main things that distinguished Christ’s ministry on earth? Please explain
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Why do you think it is important for us do works that please God as Christians today? Please explain.
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What role do you think humility plays in becoming like Christ in excellence? Please explain
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Why do you think we should become prayer warriors if we are to excel in becoming like Christ? Please explain
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How does faith help us in attaining spiritual excellence? Please explain using Heb 11:1-11
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Why should faith become our trademark in seeking excellence? Please explain using Heb 11:6
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What is the evidence of an excellent life according to Daniel 6:3? Please explain
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In your own words please explain briefly why you think you should cultivate a spirit of excellence in your Christian walk today. Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize 1 Corinthians 9:24

“Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize.”

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Bible Study Week 30 - Becoming Like Christ in Your Purpose

Rose — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:01:07 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will help you to understand that the process of becoming like Christ is by knowing your purpose as a child of God and fulfilling that purpose. Just like Christ was born for a specific purpose and he accomplished it at the cross, you have also been born to fulfill a specific task and purpose, and your duty is to discover it and fulfill it with God’s help.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn that they have a unique and specific purpose in life to accomplish
Discover that they can fulfill that purpose with the help of the Holy Spirit
Discover the role that righteousness plays in fulfilling this purpose

Introduction

Last week we learned that a disordered mind is an ungodly mind which leads to ungodly desires. Your spiritual growth will take place when you begin to water the garden of your mind with God’s righteousness as Matt 6:33 say “But seek ye first His kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Many Christians are so concerned with earthly desires that they completely fail to seek the things that matter; the things of the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Righteousness is an English word which when translated means “right-standing” i.e. to be upright with God. Righteousness is the key to unlocking your purpose and fulfilling your task here on earth.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Acts 9:1-22 and Eph 2:1-10

Prepared For a Purpose

Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Abiding in, remaining in, holding fast, continuing in Christ is foundational to becoming a man or woman of purpose.

In Isaiah 64:6, our righteousness is compared to “filthy rags” and therefore if left on our own we cannot discover God’s purpose because of our sinful nature; we therefore have a great necessity to abide in Christ who is “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer 23:6), why. . .? “For we live, move, and exist because of him. . .” (Acts: 17:28).

In the above passage, we see how Paul existed before he met with Christ and how his purpose and task was distorted until he met Christ. Before meeting Christ, Saul (became Paul) only existed to fulfill his own evil and devilish desires, but when he was changed his purpose in life was made known to him and he began a life-long journey of fulfilling that task by the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ talking to Ananias about Paul said “. . . he is a chosen instrument of mine. . .” (Acts 9:15).

Having been made right with God through Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit (vs.17.), Saul began his ministry, not of persecuting Christians but persuading people to become Christians; what a great transformation that took place in this man called Saul to the glory of God! And It was only after Saul discovered God’s purpose him that life became meaningful to him; this is the same with us, as we will only have a meaningful life as Christians when we discover God’s purpose for us and fulfill it.

A long time ago, God prepared us for “good works” through Christ (Eph 2:10), and our task today is to discover those works and fulfill them, by abiding in Christ “Our Righteousness”.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 30

What are the eight virtues that come from above according to James 3:17? Please list them
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think it is important for you today to pursue the mind of Christ? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think most people experience conflict within them in regards to their desires? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
How can you describe the word “desire’? How can we overcome ungodly desires?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What kind of desires should we have as Christians today?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Do you think it is possible for us to have godly desires today as Christians living in the 21st century? Please explain.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What is the evidence of a godly life according to Gal 5:22-23? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In your own words please explain briefly why you think some Christians are still bound by the works of flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21. Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize 2:10

” For we are his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared long ago to be our way of life”.

Prayer

Pray that God will help you to discover your purpose and that He will also help you to fulfill it through Christ Jesus, who has become your righteousness.

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Bible Study Week 29 - Becoming Like Christ in Your Desires

Rose — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:01:07 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will help you to understand that the process of developing the Courtesy+of+Wikipedia+Christ" rel="tag">mind ofCourtesy of Wikipedia Christ is through Christ-like desires. Knowing how Jesus thought and what he showed concern for can help you know what God wants to develop in you.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Discover the carnal desires that war against spiritual desires
Discover that a disordered mind leads to ungodliness.
Discover that Christ can set you free from mental conflict.

Introduction

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Romans 8:1-17, Gal 5:22-23 and James 3:13-17

GODLY Vs. UNGODLY DESIRES

The reason why most people experience conflict within them is because they have desires that conflict with other desires. For example, they want to be peace-loving but they are not submissive to one another or they are not considerate of each other. Does any of the above qualities conflict with any of the others? E.g. does purity ever conflict with peace? Or peace with mercy? No they do not conflict, and they do not clash with one another. All these qualities work with, not against one another as they enhance one another.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 29

What are the eight virtues that come from above according to James 3:17? Please list them
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think it is important for you today to pursue the mind of Christ? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think most people experience conflict within them in regards to their desires? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
How can you describe the word “desire’? How can we overcome ungodly desires?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What kind of desires should we have as Christians today?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Do you think it is possible for us to have godly desires today as Christians living in the 21st century? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What is the evidence of a godly life according to Gal 5:22-23? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In your own words please explain briefly why you think some Christians are still bound by the works of flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21. Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize James 3:17
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure,
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere”.

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Bible Study Week 28 - Becoming Like Christ in Serving Others

Rose — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:01:21 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Today’s lesson will help the participants to understand the principle of serving others with the gifts that God has given us. Since our desire is to become like Christ, we should serve others just as Christ has served us with great humility.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn how to serve others with the gifts God has given
Learn how to become like Christ in serving others.
Discover how serving others help you to grow and glorify God

Introduction

In 1 Peter 4:10 we read that “Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God. There are many people today who have received gifts from God and they do not know how they are supposed to use these gifts to edify others. Today we will learn how to identify the gifts that God has given each of us and how to put them to use in our local church.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Gen 45. 1 Sam 16:14 -23 and 1 John 1:6-7.

Team Work

Team work is a biblical principle because even when God created the Universe, He did not do it by Himself but He involved the other members of the Trinity. In Gen 1:2 we see that the Holy Spirit “moved upon the face of the earth”, and therefore God accomplished the work of creation in 6 days.

The term TEAM can be taken as an acronym of: Together Everyone Achieves More. It is common sense that very little can be achieved by one person, and this fact was demonstrated by Jesus Christ himself when he chose the twelve disciples to do ministry with him. As the Son of God, Jesus could have chosen to do things differently and even work by himself, but he chose the disciples to train them for the larger task of reaching the whole world.

When using firewood for fire, the logs have to remain close together in order to achieve maximum potential and if one of the logs is removed from the fire and isolated, then it eventually loses its fire and becomes cold and useless. The same applies to those Christians who choose not to fellowship with the others and deny their church the use of their gifts, because sooner than later, they become cold and isolated and the gifts begin to wane.

In summary therefore, let us remember that we are striving to become like Jesus and one major quality that distinguished Jesus as a man was the ability to serve others with humility. Even after he left earth, he still promised the disciples that he will send them a “helper” the Holy Spirit. May we become like Christ in the area of serving others with the gifts that God has bestowed upon each of us.

In the reading passage today, we see how Joseph served his brothers in Egypt without counting the sins that they had committed unto him previously. One way that the devil always wants to kill Christian ministry is by making people keep an account of the wrong things that others have done towards them, because the devil knows that by doing so, the person is rendered useless in the service of God and the church.
Let us therefore not deceive ourselves because “if we keep living in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, . .”. (1 Jn 1:7) Team Work involves fellowship with one another.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 28

What do you think Peter means by saying “for the good of others” in 1 Peter 4:10? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think Peter wants you to serve others with the gifts that God has given you in 1 Peter 4:10? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
How can you know the gift(s) that God has given you today as a child of God? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
How does serving others with your gift help you to become like Jesus today? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Why do you think Joseph helped his brothers in Egypt? Please explain using Gen 45:5
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Do you think serving others helps to accomplish God’s purposes in your life ? Please explain using Gen 45:5-6
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
What lesson do you learn from reading 1 Sam. 14-23? Please explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
In your own words please explain briefly why you think Team Work is important in church today. Please explain
……………………………

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Bible Study Week 27 - Developing the Mind of Christ - The Readiness Principle

Rose — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:41:03 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Today’s lesson which is known as The Readiness Principle will prepare us for the “Qualified Stage” where we will learn how to prepare our minds for action by girding (tightening) it up. If your will is set, and your mind has grown through constant renewal, you will be qualified for any test God allows to come your way. Be ready and alert!

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn how to gird up their minds for action
Learn how to demonstrate a mental readiness at all times
Discover how mental readiness qualifies you to serve in ministry

Introduction

In the Qualified Stage, you prepare your mind for action by girding it up. Jesus was alert, or ready, as various groups attempted to trap Him with trick questions in Luke 20:20-40. He was qualified because he spent many hours with His Father in prayer and in the Word. This is the same way we should live as Christians who have the mind of Christ; imagine an athlete who appears for the Olympic Games without ever having practiced for the games! He would find that his muscles are not flexible enough to do the games that he is competing in. just because he has won that particular game before does not qualify him to win again and again unless he spends his time preparing himself. This is also true for Christians who think that they can have the mind of Christ without any effort; they are fooling themselves, because they will be disqualified by the Judge (Jesus Christ) when the race begins!

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Matt 25:1-12 and Luke 20: 20-40.

The Readiness Principle

Jesus understood the Readiness Principle very well because he prepared his disciples to continue with his work after he had left earth. Jesus spent time with his disciples and even told them “Truly, truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12). Jesus qualified the disciples to do greater works than those that he himself had done, and this is also God’s will for us today as we also seek to have the mind of Christ.

Just like Caleb and Joshua were qualified because they refused to see themselves as grasshoppers (Num 13:30-33), we also will only be qualified if we refuse to see ourselves as defeated. Many Christians have already disqualified themselves from ministry because they look inwardly unto themselves instead of looking upwardly to the One who has already been qualified by God, Jesus Christ His beloved son. God qualified Jesus when He spoke during the Transfiguration on the mountain and said “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him”. (Matt 17:5).

In the parables of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins, Jesus demonstrated the Readiness Principle very well, because the five foolish virgins were not ready with their lamps when the bridegroom finally arrived and therefore they were disqualified from entering into the marriage ceremony. Christian who have the mind of Christ are alert and qualified for service just like the five wise virgins were ready.

In summary therefore, let us remember the three principles which are: The Will Principle (Beginning Stage), The River Principle (Growing Stage) and lastly the Readiness Principle (The Qualified Stage), whereby we are qualified for service by God.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 27

Who do you think is meant by the phrase “gird up the loins of your minds” in 1 Peter 1:13? Please explain
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What is the purpose of being sober and hopeful as a Christian today according to 1 Peter 1:13? Please explain
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How do you think Jesus was able to demonstrate mental readiness and wisdom? And how can we today demonstrate mental readiness? Please use Luke 20:20-40 to explain.
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Why do we need to be ready as Christians according to the parable of the virgins in Matt. 25:1-12? Please explain
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How were the five virgins qualified in Matt 25:1-12? Please explain
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What happens to those who will not be ready according to Matt 25:1-12? Please explain
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Why do you think Jesus prepared his disciples for ministry?
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How can we prepare ourselves today for ministry? Please explain
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In your own words please explain briefly what you have learnt about the “Readiness Principle” today and how you will apply it in your Christian life.
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Memorize 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

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Bible Study Week 26 - Developing a Christ-Like Mind - The River Principle

Rose — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:01:03 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Purpose of This Lesson

Last week we learnt about the Will Principle where as Christians desiring to develop Christ-like minds we have to surrender our will to God so that he can control our lives and this is the “Beginning Stage”. Today we will look at the 2nd principle- The River Principle; which is the “Growing Stage”.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn how to walk in the power of a renewed and refreshed mind
Learn how to grasp the Truths contained in the word of God
Discover the power that comes from being transformed from within.

The River of Renewal

In Romans 12:2 Paul says “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The Christian life is a life constant renewal! The apostle Paul wrote about the war he had with his own flesh when he said “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. (Rom 7:18). The process of renewal and transformation is not a short-term process but long-term and it can only be achieved after total submission of our will to God. The process of renewal and transformation causes us grow and become mature in Christ so that we can bear the Fruit of the Hoy Spirit. Only clouds that are heavy with moisture give forth rain and only trees that are mature give forth fruits.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Ps 1, John 15:1-8 and John 4:7-15

The River Principle

There are only two types of people in the earth, those without Christ and those with Christ living in them. Those without Christ are dead spiritually but those with Christ are alive spiritually because they have the “Living water” in them. And this water nourishes their inner man. The Samaritan woman thought Jesus was talking about natural water in John 4:11. And when she wanted the Living Water that Christ was offering her, Jesus asked her about her life. We cannot attain a renewed state of mind if we still want to cling to the things that have held us captive for a long time. She was truthful about her life and we also need to be truthful so that Jesus can help us. When we come to Christ, he deals with our past and we become new creatures. The life of this Samaritan woman was known to Christ and nothing about us also is hidden from Him.

Many people have not dealt with their past and they cannot therefore move forward and attain the mind of Christ, just like this woman, we need to let go of our past and be free because “whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36).

The Psalmist says about the righteous that “They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.” (Ps 1:3).
If we are to succeed in our Christian lives and begin to bear Kingdom Fruit, we need to know that successful people are disciplined people and growth (increase) comes with discipline. That is why Jesus clearly warned us about this discipline by God in John 15:2 saying “He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit”. Are you bearing fruit already? Then expect “pruning” from the Father so that you may be clean and bear more fruit! Are you like a dead branch that does not bear fruit? Then expect the consequences of being totally disconnected from Jesus (The Vine).

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 26

Who do you think are the righteous according to Psalms 1? Please explain

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What is the obvious sign of growth and newness according to Psalms 1:2? Please explain
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In reference to the tree in Psalms 1, how does the Holy Spirit help our growth as Christians today? Please explain
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Why was the Samaritan woman not understanding what Jesus said in John 4:11 ? Please explain
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Why do you think many people do not understand the Word of God today? Please use Romans 12:2 to explain
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What is the purpose of “pruning” the branches in John 15:8? Please explain

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What happens to those who do not bear fruit according to John 15:8? Please explain
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What is the purpose of bearing fruit according to John 15:8? Please explain

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In your own words please explain briefly what you have learnt about the “River Principle” today and how you will apply it in your Christian life.
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Memorize John 7:38 : Rivers of Eternal Life

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water”

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Bible Study Week 25 - Developing a Christ-Like Mind By Self-Will

Rose — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:01:59 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will guide the participants to understand that developing the mind of Christ is a process which involves the Holy Spiritand our self-will. The Bible tells us that ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). If you are to have the mind of Christ, you must expect newness, because the mind of Christ is not a stagnant mind.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn how to set their minds on things above and not on things here below
Learn how to allow God to renew and sharpen their minds as Christians
Learn how to gird up their minds for action as disciples of Christ

Introduction

There are three stages in the process of developing a Christ-like mind and these are:

The Beginning stage which is characterized by the Will Principle
The Growing stage which is characterized by the River Principle
The Qualified stage which is characterized by the Readiness Principle

The Bible says “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2); a similar idea occurs in Phil 4:8. Decision making is not a problem with animals; but with human beings, because animals act on instinct which is actually the opposite of a will. Moses disobeyed God and hit the rock twice instead of speaking to it as God had instructed him, because of his anger towards the people; he missed the Promised Land because he allowed his will to be controlled by his emotions.

Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Numbers 20:1-13 , Phil 4:8 and Meditate on Col 3:2

Name of Christ for today: The Lord our Righteousness (Jehovah Tzidkanyu: Jer 23:6).

Prayer to Begin the Lesson: Lord you are my Righteousness. My righteousness is as filthy rags to You. Please guide me through the process where Your life becomes my life and where Your righteousness becomes my righteousness. Help me to set my mind and heart to You. Amen. (Sing the Hymn: All To Jesus I Surrender: (35) Hymn Book).

The Will Principle

Today we will study the first stage i.e. the Beginning Stage which involves learning the Will principle. As a Christian today we must decide, choose or determine the focus of our minds because that is the starting point of developing a Christ-like mind. Often you cannot control your emotions but you always have control of your will. For example, if someone insulted you, your feelings would be hurt but you have a choice to either insult them back (revenge) or ignore and forgive them. When we study the life of Jesus Christ, we see that on many occasions, He chose not to revenge, even when He hangs on the cross, he said “Father, forgive them. . . “(Luke 23:34). Again when Jesus taught his disciples, he said “do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too” (Matt 5:39). We have to give up our wills and get God’s will! The Will Principle is one of the most difficult and crucial stages for us as Christians to learn, because we as human beings have been created with our own will, but if we are to develop the mind of Christ, then we need to allow God to have total control of our will. Remember last week we learnt the WWJD slogan (What Would Jesus Do?). We have to begin thinking the thoughts of Christ If we are to behave like Him! Its not easy, but we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 25

What do you think was Moses’ weakness in dealing with people according to Numbers 20:1-13? Please explain
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What are some of the lessons that you think you can draw from Moses as a leader today? Please explain
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Do you think that you as a Christian having God’s word today you also disobey God by failing to hear him when he speaks to you as Moses did? Please explain
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Please differentiate between INSTINCT and WILL?
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What does it mean to set your mind according to Col. 3:2? Please explain in your own words
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Please define the Will Principle briefly? Please explain
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According to today’s lesson, who should own your will as a Christian? Please explain
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Prayer Points

Ask God to give you a focused attention to the things above
Offer your will to God. Seek His will as you begin the process of developing Christ’s mind
Pray for your Bible Study team by name and ask God to work in them to surrender their will to Him.

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