15 of 25. Finding Hope in Ghana at Last. Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:12-18 (ERV)

Transcription

1 Finding Hope in Ghana at Last Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:12-18 (ERV) Brought Near to Christ Remember that in the past you were without Christ. You were not citizens of Israel, and you did not know about the agreements with the promises that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God. 15 of 25 Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ. Christ is the reason we are now at peace. He made us Jews and you who are not Jews one people. We were separated by a wall of hate that stood between us, but Christ broke down that wall. By giving his own body, Christ ended the law with its many commands and rules. His purpose was to make the two groups become one in him. By doing this he would make peace. Through the cross Christ ended the hate between the two groups. And after they became one body, he wanted to bring them both back to God. He did this with his death on the cross. Christ came and brought the message of peace to you non-jews who were far away from God. And he brought that message of peace to those who were near to God. Yes, through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit.

2 Finding Hope in Ghana at Last Finding Hope in Ghana at Last 15 of 25 With few opportunities in Ghana, many women turn to prostitution for money. But when their world collides with Christ, they finally find hope for something more. Discuss: How can our circumstances remain unchanged, yet hope abounds when we come to know Christ personally? Memorize: Ephesians 2:12-13 (ERV) Remember that in the past you were without Christ. You were not citizens of Israel, and you did not know about the agreements with the promises that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God. Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ. Pray: Pray for the women of Ghana: that they would come to know the hope of Christ.

3 Experiencing Healing in Senegal 16 of 25 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25 (ERV) By His Wounds You Were Healed One of you might have to suffer even when you have done nothing wrong. If you think of God and bear the pain, this pleases God. But if you are punished for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for bearing that punishment. But if you suffer for doing good and you are patient, this pleases God. This is what you were chosen to do. Christ gave you an example to follow. He suffered for you. So you should do the same as he did: He never sinned, and he never told a lie. People insulted him, but he did not insult them back. He suffered, but he did not threaten anyone. No, he let God take care of him. God is the one who judges rightly. Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed. You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives.

4 Experiencing Healing in Senegal Experiencing Healing in Senegal 16 of 25 Influenced by a traditionally Muslim culture, it can be hard to break through to the people of Senegal, but the Bible is providing a path to healing. Discuss: What does it mean to be spiritually healed? Memorize: 1 Peter 2:24-25 (ERV) Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you were healed. You were like sheep that went the wrong way. But now you have come back to the Shepherd and Protector of your lives. Pray: Pray for the Christians in Senegal: that they may continue to see the fruit of their labor among the people.

5 Finding Peace in Kenya through Bible Study 17 of 25 Scripture reading: Romans 5:1-8 (ERV) Right With God We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God s glory. And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us. Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.

6 Finding Peace in Kenya through Bible Study Finding Peace in Kenya through Bible Study Many in Kenya have sought refuge there from other war-torn countries. They are finding true peace and refuge through studying the Bible of 25 Discuss: How can we experience the peace of God through our troubles? Memorize: Romans 5:1-2 (ERV) We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God s glory. Pray: Pray for the refugees in Kenya, that they would find the true refuge of their souls in Jesus Christ.

7 A Beggar Finds Bread in Russia Scripture reading: Hebrews 2:9-13 (ERV) Through His Suffering For a short time Jesus was made lower than the angels, but now we see him wearing a crown of glory and honor because he suffered and died. Because of God s grace, Jesus died for everyone. 18 of 25 God the one who made all things and for whose glory all things exist wanted many people to be his children and share his glory. So he did what he needed to do. He made perfect the one who leads those people to salvation. He made Jesus a perfect Savior through his suffering. Jesus, the one who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. He says, God, I will tell my brothers and sisters about you. Before all your people I will sing your praises. He also says, I will trust in God. And he says, I am here, and with me are the children God has given me.

8 A Beggar Finds Bread in Russia A Beggar Finds Bread in Russia 18 of 25 Many a beggar in Russia suffers from hopelessness. Through the Bible, they find sustenance for their heart and soul. Discuss: Why do you think Christ has been called the Bread of Life? Memorize: Hebrews 2:9-10 (ERV) For a short time Jesus was made lower than the angels, but now we see him wearing a crown of glory and honor because he suffered and died. Because of God s grace, Jesus died for everyone. God the one who made all things and for whose glory all things exist wanted many people to be his children and share his glory. So he did what he needed to do. He made perfect the one who leads those people to salvation. He made Jesus a perfect Savior through his suffering. Pray: Pray for those that are without hope in Russia: that they would find the author of true hope this Christmas.

9 Devoted Malaysians Bring the Gospel to their Country 19 of 25 Scripture reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11 (ERV) God Has Given Us Everything We Need Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want. Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who don t grow in these blessings are blind. They cannot see clearly what they have. They have forgotten that they were cleansed from their past sins. My brothers and sisters, God called you and chose you to be his. Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God s called and chosen people. If you do all this, you will never fall. And you will be given a very great welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a kingdom that never ends.

10 Devoted Malaysians Bring the Gospel to their Country Devoted Malaysians Bring the Gospel to their Country 19 of 25 In a life filled with the ups and downs of feast and famine, a small group of devoted Malaysian pastors deliver encouragement and Bibles. Discuss: What does real devotion to God s will look like in your life? Memorize: 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ERV) Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. Pray: Pray for the pastors in Malaysia, that they would be strengthened in their passion to reach their people.

11 Proclaiming the Gospel to the Villages in Mozambique 20 of 25 Scripture reading: Psalm 96 (ERV) Praise the Lord Sing a new song [a] to the LORD! Let the whole world sing to the LORD! Sing to the LORD and praise his name! Tell the good news every day about how he saves us! Tell all the nations how wonderful he is! Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does. The LORD is great and worthy of praise. He is more awesome than any of the gods. All the gods in other nations are nothing but statues, but the LORD made the heavens. He lives in the presence of glory and honor. His Temple is a place of power and beauty. Praise the LORD, all people of every nation; praise the LORD S glory and power. Give the LORD praise worthy of his glory! Come, bring your offerings into his courtyard. Worship the LORD in all his holy beauty. Everyone on earth should tremble before him. Tell the nations that the LORD is King! The world stands firm and cannot be moved. He will judge all people fairly. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be happy! Let the sea and everything in it shout for joy! Let the fields and everything in them be happy! Let the trees in the forest sing for joy when they see the LORD coming! He is coming to rule the world. He will rule all the nations of the world with justice and fairness.

12 Proclaiming the Gospel to the Villages in Mozambique Proclaiming the Gospel to the Villages in Mozambique 20 of 25 It take hours and walking many miles to reach the remote villages of Mozambique. Despite these challenges, one pastor is determined to proclaim the Good News of Christ. Discuss: It may not be miles or walking for hours, but what are you overcoming in your daily life to proclaim the gospel of the Lord? Memorize: Psalm 96:1-3 (ERV) Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole world sing to the LORD! Sing to the LORD and praise his name! Tell the good news every day about how he saves us! Tell all the nations how wonderful he is! Tell people everywhere about the amazing things he does. Pray: Pray for the feet of those that walk to bring good news to the lost in Mozambique.

13 An Act of Mercy in Ethiopia Brings Life Scripture reading: Colossians 1:9-14 (ERV) The Son Paid the Price Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you. This is what we pray: 21 of 25 that God will make you completely sure of what he wants by giving you all the wisdom and spiritual understanding you need; that this will help you live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases him in every way; that your life will produce good works of every kind and that you will grow in your knowledge of God; that God will strengthen you with his own great power, so that you will be patient and not give up when troubles come. Then you will be happy and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have what he has promised to give all his holy people, who live in the light. God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.

14 An Act of Mercy in Ethiopia Brings Life An Act of Mercy in Ethiopia Brings Life 21 of 25 The stark reality of poverty can make mercy an act of extreme generosity in Ethiopia. By giving a baby girl the chance to live and thrive, her life was redeemed from certain death. Discuss: What surprising and unusual circumstance has the Lord put in your path to give you the opportunity to display His mercy? Memorize: Colossians 1:13-14 (ERV) God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins. Pray: Pray for the mercy and redemption of the Lord to reign in Ethiopia.