Bible Studies for Life. Learner Guide KJV / SUMMER 2011t

Transcription

1 Bible Studies for Life Learner Guide KJV / SUMMER 2011t

2 Plan of Salvation Your heart tends to run from God and rebel against Him. The Bible calls this sin. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Yet God loves you and wants to save you from sin, to offer you a new life of hope. John 10:10 says, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. To give you this gift of salvation, God made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. You receive this gift by faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Faith is a decision of your heart demonstrated by the actions of your life. Romans 10:9 says, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. If you are choosing right now to believe Jesus died for your sins and to receive new life through Him, pray a prayer similar to this to thank Him for your new life: Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. I now accept Your offer of eternal life. Thank You for forgiving me of all my sin. Thank you for my new life. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You. If you prayed this prayer, share your decision with a Christian friend or pastor. If you are not already attending church, find one in which you can worship and grow in your faith. Following Christ s example, ask to be baptized by immersion as a public expression of your faith. 2 Life Focus

3 CONTENTS The Main Event Me vs. God Earthly vs. Heavenly Greedy vs. Contented Selfish vs. Generous 32 Make It Personal My Rights My To-do List My Relationships My Assignment My Service 68 Team Up! Love Forgive Build Up Agree 94 Special Focus The Bible in Focus 06 You Gave 24 The Way We Give 38 Freedom! 54 Unity 100 A Heart for Haitians

4 LIFE FOCUS LEARNER GUIDE KJV A guide for learning Bible truths for ages 12 to 17 Volume 3, Number 4 Summer 2011 PRODUCTION and MINISTRY TEAM CAROL ELLIS Content Editor TESSA MORRELL Production Editor JOHNNY SHUMATE Graphic Designer ED CRAWFORD Senior Graphic Design Specialist PAUL TURNER National Student Ministry LeadeR LYNN H. PRYOR Editorial Project Leader Send questions/comments to Content Editor, Life Focus Learner Guide KJV One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the Web at MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL JIMMY HESTER, Senior Director Student Ministry Publishing DAWN CORNELIUS, Managing Director Student Ministry Publishing DAVID FRANCIS, Director Sunday School SCOTT STEVENS, Director Student Ministry GARY H. HAUK, Director, Publishing LifeWay Church Resources Printed in the United States of America Dear Reader, It s summertime! For many of you that means staying up late, sleeping in, hanging out with friends, going on vacation with family, and maybe doing a lot of nothing. You may have plenty of time to play video games, go shopping, and collect more stuff. Because summer usually provides a change in your daily schedule, you may feel free! free from the alarm clock, free from school and homework, free from the same old routine. Summertime may also allow you to spend more time with others. The Bible has a lot to say about our possessions, freedom, and relating to others. Over the next few months the studies in this book will address those topics. In June you ll explore the biblical perspective of material possessions and be challenged to know God better as you learn about the discipline of stewardship. During the month of July you ll discover ways to develop a Christlike character and live in the freedom given through Christ as you take ownership of your faith. In August, the emphasis on relationships will help you make your faith known. As you make your plans for summer, I hope you ll include time for Bible study with others and on your own! I can t think of a better summer read than God s Word! Blessings! Carol Life Focus Learner Guide KJV (ISSN: ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version. 4 Life Focus

5 WRITERS Rachel Lovingood became a Christian at age 19 while in college. She is a writer and speaker. She and her family attend Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Rachel and her husband Jeff have three teenage children: Trevor, Kelsey, and Riley. Rick Brodie became a Christian at age 7 in Sunday School. He is the minister of education at First Baptist Church, Kingland, Georgia. Rick and his wife, KaDee have three grown sons. Jessie Pendergrass became a Christian at age 9 at church. He is a security officer and lives in North Carolina. One of his favorite memories from high school is participating in and playing piano for FCA meetings. Summer

6 The Bible in Focus Have you ever thought much about where your things come from? Check out pages to help you figure it out if you don t already know! But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chronicles 29:14 6 Life Focus Photo: Johnny Shumate

7 And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him; for he was to pass that way. Luke 19:2-4 So, you might be very familiar with the story of Zaccheus, but take a look at it again for an example of how grace compels generosity. See page 34. Photo:Biblical Illustrator Summer

8 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11 Is there is a difference between trying to live as a Christian by doing all the right things and by living through faith? See pages Life Focus Photo:iStock

9 Have you ever had a disagreement with someone? Discover how you can resolve disagreements on pages 94-99! And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Genesis 13:8 Photo:iStock Summer

10 unit 1 Questions to Ponder: It s my stuff, right? What s more valuable than money? How can I find contentment? Why should I share with others? The Main Event Have you ever felt like there was a battle going on inside of you? Like what you want to do is at war with what you know God wants you to do? That is a pretty good picture of what happens in the life of a Christ follower. In one corner is your old selfish nature and in the other corner is the new you that is guided by the Holy Spirit. These two opponents war against each other to see which will control your life every day. In this Main Event unit you will be challenged to know God. You ll learn about some of the specific struggles that take place regarding material possessions and discover what the Bible has to say about them. The bell is about to be rung! Let the match begin! 10 Life Focus

11 Photo: istock Summer

12 Life Question It s my stuff, right? june 5 week of Can a teenager use a laptop to serve and honor God? Dakota does. Last year he went on a mission trip with his middle school youth group. He took along his video camera and shot a lot of footage during the week. At the end of the trip, Dakota made a highlight video of all that God had done during the week. It not only helped all those who had not gone on the trip to see what God did, it also reminded the students who participated of the special week they had being used by God. Dakota got started doing videos and presentations mostly because of his interest in technology. Then he began to see there was a bigger reason. While watching the footage and listening to the music he used making the mission trip video, Dakota realized that he needed to surrender his life to God and let Him be in control. In Beautiful 12 Life Focus the Blood, a song Dakota used in the video, the lyrics suggest that surrendering can be freeing! Dakota said, I once saw a sign that said, If Jesus is your copilot, switch seats, and switching seats is what I felt I needed to do. Dakota s motivation to put time and effort into making and editing videos comes from his relationship with the Lord and his desire to help increase the kingdom of God in creative ways. He said it this way, It s more than just clicking a button or pressing record when you know you re doing it for Somebody who died on the cross for you. You put a lot of effort toward that video knowing that a nonbeliever may watch it. For people like me who are not very good when it comes to public speaking, I can use my talent and resources to bring glory to God. Everyone has something they can use to honor God and spread the news of the gospel. You just have to be willing.

13 Me vs. God Possessions. Do you own them or do they own you? Do you ever think about the stuff you have and the stuff you wish you had? How much of your life is spent chasing after things and feeling good about yourself when you get them? What role does God play in your desire to own more? There is a great danger in our world today for people to get more focused on their stuff, or their desire for stuff, than on God. It s like a constant battle between the desires of the flesh and what God wants for me me vs. God. God Owns Everything (1 Chron. 29:10-11) Read 1 Chronicles 29: This prayer of David took place after he witnessed leaders of households and tribes of Israel, and commanders and officials in his service follow his example and make generous contributions for the building of the temple. David was the king and most people would assume that he owned everything. However, he stood up in front of all the people and made a bold statement that contradicted that assumption. Fill in the blanks below according to verse 11. Thine, O LORD, is the, and the power, and the glory, and the, and the : for all that is in the heaven and in the is. When was the last time you acknowledged God as the rightful owner of everything? 10 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Photo: istock Week of June 5,

14 God owns your stuff but He has allowed you to use it or manage it for a time. With that understanding, how would you rate yourself as a manager? Pick the one that best describes you or write your own. 3 I m taking care of my stuff my own way. 3 I don t even like the things I have, so why does it matter? 3 I need more stuff if I m going to be able to do anything with it. 3 Who cares what I do with it? It s just stuff. 3 I want to honor God with my stuff, but what does that mean? 3 I try to please God by how I manage my things, but I probably could do better. 3 Other One thing that King David recognized, and you need to realize, is that you will be held accountable for how you handle the things you have here on earth. What do you think it means to be accountable for what you do with your stuff? Not only does God own everything, He gives us whatever we have. 12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, God Gives Us What We Have (1 Chron. 29:12-16) Read 1 Chronicles 29: David s prayer provides a great example of recognizing that the Lord is one who owns everything. Look back through verses and count the number of times David said thee, thou, or thine in reference to God. Write the number in the space below: Notice that no person was getting credit for the wealth being gathered for the building of the temple, but they were acknowledging God as the giver of all. David continually stressed that they were only giving back to God what He had already blessed them with and that each needed to give generously. Obviously some could give more than others, but all were giving in the same spirit and attitude. You can be the same way whether you are one who has many material possessions or one who has few. They can all be given back to God to be used by Him and for His honor and glory. 14 Life Focus

15 Make a list of your material possessions. When was the last time you thanked God for all He has given to you? Do you spend more time complaining about what you don t have than being grateful for what you do have? Have you ever thought much about where your things come from? Look at your list and mark the ones you can tell came from the Lord. that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 16 O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. Did you mark all of them? Although things can come to us in different ways, everything we own comes from God. And, even though we cannot give to God anything that is not already His, He is pleased when we give back to Him. God Is Pleased When We Give Back to Him (1 Chron. 29:17-20) Read 1 Chronicles 29: David took generous giving to another level by addressing the heart issues involved in giving. He stressed that God looks at the Photo: istock Week of June 5,

16 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. 18 O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: 19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision. 20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord your God. And all the congregation blessed the Lord God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshiped the Lord, and the king. heart of the giver and is pleased or displeased by what He sees there. What kind of giver are you? Do you hold onto your things so that nothing can happen to them or are you freely using what you have to honor God? David described this evaluation as trying or testing the heart. If you honestly were to test your heart, how would you score? Mark the meter below with your heart score. it s my stuff! joyful and willing to give In verse 19 David asked God to give Solomon a perfect heart so that he could keep and carry out the commandments. If your heart score was low, maybe you need the same thing that David prayed for Solomon a perfect heart. What do you think it means to have a perfect heart? When your heart is focused on God, He has your whole heart; but when things of the world and your selfish nature continue to battle for priority, your heart becomes divided and less inclined toward God. Use the space around the heart below to list some things that steal your heart s attention from God. Why does God care about your attitude toward your possessions? Because it reveals the true nature of your heart and that is big stuff. If you want to please God and live a life that honors Him, you must give up fighting God about what you do with your material things and use them for His glory. When you do that the victory will be yours! 16 Life Focus

17 Look back at the list of possessions you made on page 15. Choose three of those possessions and determine ways you can honor God with those things. Complete the chart below my stuff ways I can honor God In the space below, write a prayer to God acknowledging that He owns everything and has provided you with all that you have. Ask for His guidance as you seek to use something you have to minister to someone this week. To continue this study about honoring God with your stuff, take home and complete the Staying Focused page (pp ). Week of June 5,

18 Staying Focused june 5 week of Think about the different battles you face. Would you say that you have been winning the fight for the way you manage your possessions or is God in control there? In your study from 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 you considered the question: It s my stuff, right? List the three main points from that session.* Put a star beside the one you have the most trouble with in your daily life. Hopefully you learned that all you have comes from God and should be used to honor Him! This session really focused on what you have and how you manage those things. If you had to name your very favorite possession, what would it be? How have you been guilty of not using that thing to honor God? Understand that it is sin not to manage your things the way that God wants you to. Stop right now and confess the ways that you have been disobedient in this area. Now write out a prayer of commitment asking Him to give you the strength and wisdom to follow the example set by David in 1 Chronicles and to have the right attitude about your stuff. *The three main points: God owns everything. God gives us what we have. God is pleased when we give back to Him. Summer

19 Staying Focused june 5 week of One great way to change your attitude or your behavior is to memorize Scripture that applies to that particular area. Memorize This Key Verse: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 Write this verse on several sticky notes and attach them to some of your most frequently used things. Each time you use those items this week, read the verse. By the end of the week, you should be able to recite the verse from memory! Preparation for the Next Session: For the Week of June 12, 2011: Earthly vs. Heavenly What s more valuable than money? Read Matthew 6:19-34 and think about the things you treasure. Do you focus more on earthly treasure or heavenly treasure? Next week s session will challenge you to trust God to provide all you need. 128 Life Focus Learner Guide KJV / 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in the USA.