Hard%Sayings%of%Jesus% % An%Adult%Bible%Study% %

Transcription

1 % An%Adult%Bible%Study% % byjoelc.seifert Leader sguide Lesson1 Translations!Traditions!andTroubles! 4 Lesson2 DoesJesusContradictHimself? 10 Lesson3 TheUpsideADownKingdom 15 Lesson4 JesusChallengesOurViewofOurselves 21 Lesson5 JesusIsComingBack...Soon? 26 Lesson6 UnbelievableFaith 32 Lesson7 WhoIsJesus? 37 Lesson8 MoreRighteousThanTeachersoftheLaw? 43 Lesson9 UnlessYouHateYourFatherandMother Lesson10 BeLikeSnakes! 54 Lesson11 PearlsBeforeSwineandBreadtoDogs 59 Lesson12 WordsFromaHardPlace 64 Lesson13 HardSayings SoThatWeWon thear? 70

2 Page 2 Thematerialonthisdiskmaybeadapted,printed,andcopiedbythepurchaserofthiskit. However,thefollowingnoticemustappearatthebottomofeachpageofthestudent lessons: %2015%Northwestern%Publishing%House.%All%rights%reserved.%Reprinted%by% permission.% % Ownershipofthismaterialbelongstoeitheracongregationoranindividual,butnotboth. Purchase%by%a%congregation:PurchaseofthismaterialbyacongregationgivesBible studyleadersofthatcongregationpermissiontoadaptandcopythismaterialforusein oneormoregroupswithinthatcongregation.(dualparishesmaypurchaseonecopyfor useinbothcongregations.) Purchase%by%a%pastor%or%other%Bible%study%leader:Purchaseofthismaterialbyan individualgivesthebuyerpermissiontoadaptandcopythismaterialforbibleclasseshe orsheteachesorsupervises.buyerhaspermissiontousethismaterialonlyinthe congregationheorsheiscurrentlyservingorattending. Allhymns,unlessotherwiseindicated,aretakenfromChristian)Worship:)A)Lutheran) Hymnal(CW). 1993byNorthwesternPublishingHouse. AllScripturequotations,unlessotherwiseindicated,aretakenfromtheHolyBible,New InternationalVersion,NIV.Copyright 1973,1978,1984byBiblica,Inc. Usedby permissionofzondervan.allrightsreservedworldwide. The NIV and NewInternationalVersion aretrademarksregisteredintheunitedstates PatentandTrademarkOfficebyBiblica,Inc. Scripturesmarked ESV arefromesv Bible(The)Holy)Bible,)English)Standard)Version ). Copyright 2001byCrossway,apublishingministryofGoodNewsPublishers.Usedby permission.allrightsreserved. ScripturesmarkedKJVarefromtheKingJamesVersion. NorthwesternPublishingHouse 1250N.113thSt.,Milwaukee,WI53226b NorthwesternPublishingHouse Published2015 ISBN978b0b8100b2715b2

3 Page 3 Leader s%notes% ThisBiblestudyisoneintheBibleDiscoveryseriesandcomplementsthebookbythesamename publishedbynorthwesternpublishinghouse. TherealreadyarebooksofdifferingvaluesonthedifficultsayingsofJesus.BesidestheNPHbook, anotherhelpfulresourcemaybehard)sayings)of)jesusbyf.f.bruce.(consultitwithsomecaution however.whilebrucegiveshelpfulhistoricalinsights,hedoeshavea low viewofscripturethat assumesthereareerrorsinthebible.) ManyoftheexistingbooksseektogivecommentaryoneverydifficultsayingofourSavior.This studytakesaslightlydifferentapproach.eachlessondealswithsayingsinacategorythatis difficult.whiletherearemanyhardsayingsofchristthatwon tbecoveredinthisstudy,this approach,lordbwilling,willhelpequipstudentsofgod swordtowrestlewithotherpassageson theirown. SomecongregationsmaywishtocoversomeofHard)Sayings)of)Jesusinshorterperiodsoftime. Herearesuggestedlessonstouseforaspecificnumberofweeks: 4bWeekPlan Lessons1,3,6,9 6bWeekPlan Lessons1,3,6,9,10,11 8bWeekPlan Lessons1,3,6,9,10,11,12,13 10bWeekPlan Lessons1,3,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13 IncludedwiththisBiblestudyisaPromotionalToolKit.Thefilesmaybeusedtohelppromotethe classinprintandelectronically. Godblessyouasyouleadhispeople.

4 Page 15 Hard%Sayings%of%Jesus% Lesson3TheUpsideLDownKingdom Worship% ReadresponsivelytheselectedversesofPsalm73. Leader: SurelyGodisgoodtoIsrael,tothosewhoarepureinheart. Group: Butasforme,myfeethadalmostslipped;Ihadnearlylostmy foothold. L: ForIenviedthearrogantwhenIsawtheprosperityofthewicked. G: Theyhavenostruggles;theirbodiesarehealthyandstrong. L: Thisiswhatthewickedarelike alwayscarefree,theyincreaseinwealth. G: SurelyinvainhaveIkeptmyheartpure;invainhaveIwashedmyhands ininnocence. L: WhenItriedtounderstandallthis,itwasoppressivetome G: tillienteredthesanctuaryofgod;theniunderstoodtheirfinaldestiny. L: WhomhaveIinheavenbutyou?AndearthhasnothingIdesirebesides you. G: Myfleshandmyheartmayfail,butGodisthestrengthofmyheartand myportionforever. Prayer:HeavenlyFather,lifeinthisworlddoesn tworkinthewaythatwewould expect.leadustotrustnotwhatweseewithoureyesbutwhatyourword convincesourheartistrue.amen. Introduction% LookingatAsaph swordsaboveinpsalm73,notewhathewasstrugglingwith ashelookedatlifeinthisworld. Lifeonearthdoesn tlookthewaywe dexpectitto.thechildrenofgod oftenhaveamoredifficulttimeinthislifethanthewicked.thewickedseem toprosper,andtherighteousareoppressed.itdoesn tseemlikeitshouldbe thisway!

5 Notes Page 16 Listsomeexamplesfromlifenowthatmightmakeyoufeelthesame way. Honesty is often rewarded with hatred. Telling others about Jesus can result in persecution. Putting God first might mean your career takes a step back. Christians are sued for not supporting gay marriage. Dishonesty works the system and seems to reward those who are being dishonest. WheredidAsaph scomfortcomefrom? His comfort came from understanding the final destiny. God s promises aren t just about life on earth. They will be fulfilled in heaven. His eyes were opened when he listened to the words and promises of God. WhyisitsurprisingthatGodrecordsAsaph swordsforus?what makesitwonderfulthathedid? These words are from an inspired believer struggling with doubt. But what a blessing for us! When we struggle with doubt or with the unfairness of the world, Asaph struggles with us and points us to the answer. We are not left drowning in our doubt. Studying%God s%word% TheBeatitudesareeasilymisunderstood.They veoftenbeenviewedasa manualofhowto getrightwithgod afterall,thisisthewaythatgod tellsustobeorasummaryofwhatitmeanstobeachristian. TheBeatitudesareJesus wordstopeoplewhohadbeguntofollowand believeinhim.theywerepartofthekingdomofheaven.inthe Beatitudes,Jesusexplainsthatlifeinthekingdomworksdifferentlythan lifeinthisworld.it sakingdomofgrace,forgiveness,andmercy,instead ofaworldofpowerstrugglesandselfareliance. Butmorethanthat,thisisrealityforabelieverinChrist.It stheway existencetrulyworks,eventhoughmuchofitishiddenfromoureyesfor now.afterall,it slifebyfaithinthesonofgod. ReadMatthew5:1L Ingroupsofthreetofive,pickoneoftheBeatitudesthat s particularlydifficultforyoutohearandunderstand.sharewith thoseinyourgroupwhatmakesitsohard.

6 Page 17. Notes Leader,spendsometimeintheBeatitudessothatyoucananticipate andrespondtothevariousanswers. 2. TryrewritingsomeoftheBeatitudesfromtheperspectiveofthis world. Blessedarethestrong,fortheywillgetwhattheywant. Blessedarethosewhosteponothers,fortheywillfinishfirst. Blessedarethosewhonevermourn. Somethingtobepreparedfor:someinclassmightsuggestthatthe worlddoesvaluetheseprinciples.ifthatcomesup,dochallengeit. Theworlddoesgivelipservicetotheseprinciples andthatisan echoofgod smorallawinourhearts.butwhenpushcomestoshove andlivinglikethiscallsforsacrifice,itisgenerallyrejected. 3. JustasAsaphlearned,havingtherightperspectiveonthislife makesallthedifference.livingaccordingtothebeatitudesseems tobringpain,notblessings!yetwhatdoesjesusclueusintothat weneedtorememberatthosetimes?listsomeotherbible passagesthathelpreinforcethesametruthforyou. Inverse12Jesustellsusthat greatisyourrewardinheaven. These aren trulesforsuccessinthisdyingworld,butthewaywelive becauseweknowthetruthsofheaven. WecouldlistpassagesthattalkaboutSatan sdominioninthisworld (Ephesians6:12ff),howthisisan evilage (Galatians1:4),or commendingthosewholivedbyfaitheventhoughitbroughtthem hardships,becausetheywerelookingforwardtoheaven(hebrews 11:13ff). 4. Getpractical:Howcanyouhelpremindyourselfofthewaythe worldreallyworksforabeliever? SpendtimeinGod swordandwithhispeopletoremindyourself howrealityworks!lookbackovertimesinyourlifewhenyouwere meekormourningorpoorinspirit.canyouidentifysomeblessings Godbroughtintoyourlifethroughthesetimes? ReadMatthew5:38L42. ConsiderespeciallyJesus firstwordshere.wherewasthis said?it wassaidinscripture!youcanfindthosewordsinleviticus24:20and Deuteronomy19:21.

7 Page 18. Notes 5. Jesuswasn tcontradictinggod sword.tounderstandthese words,animportantdistinctionisnecessary.thiswasoriginally partofgod s civillawcode forthenationofisrael.itwasaway tomakesurethe.punishment.fit.the.crime.whowerethesewords reallymeanttoprotect?buthowwerepeopleusingthem? Thesewordswerespokentothegovernmenttoensureafair punishment.tothatextent,theyservedtobothprotecttheinjured onefromnotreceivingjusticeandprotecttheguiltyfrombeing unjustlypunished. However,individualpeoplefoundinthesewordsanexcusefor vengeanceandseekingouttheoppositeofmercyintheirprivate dealingswithpeople. ItmightbegoodtopointoutthatGodgivesthe civilgoverning authorities differentresponsibilitiesthanthosehegivesto individualsintheirpersonallives. Romanschapters12and13explainthis.Romanschapter12saysthat wearetoloveandprayforourenemiesandnotgetrevengeas individuals.romanschapter13saysthatthegoverningauthorities bearthesword topunishthosewhodowrong. 6. Jesusisn tforbiddingselfadefense.youcouldparaphrasehiswords thisway:yourfirstconcernshouldn tbeaboutgettingevenbut showinglove. Perhapstheleadercanalsoemphasizethatstewardshipofourlife andpropertyisalsoafactor.jesusisnottellingusthatwecannot defendourselvesifsomeoneattacksus.heisn tsayingthatwehave toletsomeonestealfromus.forcingapersontotravelamilewasa lawthatromansoldierscouldusetoconscriptcitizenstohelpcarry suppliesforamile.jesusistellingustobewillingtogotheextramile tohelpothersandfulfillourdutiesascitizens. Givingtotheonewhoborrowsfromyou meanstobewillingtolend tothoseinneed.martinluthermadeacommentthatthisdoesn t meanthatiamtogive toeveryscoundrelthatcomesalongand deprivemyfamilyorotherswhomayneeditandwhoiamobligedto help...wearetogivetotheonewhoreallyneedsit (Luther s) Works,Vol.21:117). 7. Thisishard!Whatdoyouneedtorememberasyoutrytoputthis intoaction? WecanlookatthewayJesusdiditforus.Itcertainlycameatacost forhim,butitwasthegreatestgood!mayweshowthatsamemercy toothers.

8 Page 19.. Notes ReadMatthew5:43L Let sstartattheendofthissection.howdoesjesusmakethese difficulttasksevenharder? Jesusholdsupastandardthatisimpossibleforusonourownto achieve.hesaysweneedtodothis(lovingourenemies)perfectly, evenwhiletheyhateusandpersecuteus!doyoulovethemembers oftheterroristgroupisil,thepedophile,thechildmurderer,orthe rapist?oh,howquicklyweareconvicted! 9. Fillintheblank:Ifyoushowlovetothepeopleinyourlifewho loveyou(andthat sit!),you reactinglikeawonderfulpagan. 10. Howdothewords yourfatherinheaven comfortandencourage uswhenwerealizethatwehaven tkeptthecommandsofthe SermonontheMountperfectly? Godisalready ourfather bygrace.throughjesushehasalready establishedthisrelationshipandmadeushischildren.nowhecalls us,motivatedandempoweredbygod sloveandforgiveness,tolive aswhoweare! Summary% KeyPoints: Jesussayslifeinthisworlddoesn tworkthewayitseemsitshould. Becausethat strue,muchofwhathesayscanseemupsidedown tous. God swillforourlivesissummedupinlove.ourfirstconcernisto lovethosearoundus.thisisn thardbecauselove.isbadbut becausethismeanslovingpeoplewhohurtus. AChristiancanfindthereasonandstrengthtodothisinGod slove forus. During%the%Week% 1. Considerkeepingaprivate forgivenessjournal. Recordsome hurtsagainstyouandprayforthestrengthtoforgivetheperson. Writeoutsomeconcretewaysthatyoucanshowlovetotheone

9 Page Notes whohurtyou.fromtimetotime,burnorshredthesepages,soit doesn tbecomea keepingarecordofwrongs! 2. Whiletheworlddoesn toperateaccordingtothebeatitudes,god stillgivesusglimpsesoftheirfulfillment.pickonelongastanding relationshipinyourlife.canyouthinkofanytimeswhenyour patienceandmeeknessbroughtblessingstoitwhenyouhadbeen hurt?canyouthinkoftimeswhenafellowchristianshowedthese attitudeswhenyoudidn tdeserveitanditbroughtblessings?