April 2, 2017 Victory Over Fear Romans 8:31-39 Not everything that happens in life is good People, and to varying levels, all people go through some horrendous experiences in life Sometimes as a result of our sin, sometimes as the result of others sin, and sometimes by the proverbial "act of God," we suffer loss of family, jobs, health, relationships, possessions, esteem, reputation, and the list goes on and on It can be devastating what we experience While we can avoid much pain by living holy lives, we still suffer at others sin, a through history holy people have suffered because they are targets because of their faithfulness to God 1 What is the progression of the activity of God in believers lives (8:30)? 2 What impact should verses 30-31 have on your attitude as a Christian? 3 What made Paul confident that God takes care of His people (8:31-32)? 4 On what basis can Christians stand strong against the accusations of our world (8:33)? 5 How are we as Christians to respond when Satan, the great accuser, hurls charges of condemnation and guilt our way (8:33-34)? 6 What deprivations does Paul list in verse 35? Which of these deprivations had Paul faced? What does Paul say about these deprivations? 7 In 8:36 Paul quotes Psalms 44:22 What does Paul describe believers as experiencing? How common was this in Paul's day, how about today? 8 Does Paul say believers are defeated by the things described in verses 35-36 (8:37)? 9 What possible tragedies, hardships or circumstances are able to separate us from the love of Christ (8:38, 39)? How The truth of today s lesson is that we do have a choice concerning who or what controls our lives Although it requires personal discipline, every per-son can live a victorious Spirit-filled life Make a list of the struggles you currently face in our war with Satan Ask the Holy Spirit to help you focus your mind on His desires for Try our Video Sunday School Lesson Previews Available for both Bible Study for Life and Explore the
April 9, 2017 5 What did Jesus say was written (24:46)? Victory Shared Luke 24:44-49 Jesus' crucifixion had left the disciples confused and fearful They had literally given all to follow Him-homes, families and jobs Then they had seen their expectations and visions shattered as he was laid in the tomb -dead Then, at the height of their despair, reports of the Lord's resurrection began surfacing As the disciples gathered together to discuss those reports, Jesus suddenly appeared among them In this lesson we will find that Christ has both commanded and commissioned believers to carry the message of His resurrection power to all nations 1 What was the reaction of the disciples when Jesus appeared in their midst following His resurrections (24:36-37)? 2 What did this indicate about their perception of Jesus' death? 3 What did Jesus do to convince the disciples of the reality of His resurrection? (v 36) (vv 39-40) (v 42) (v 45) 4 How were the disciples finally made to understand the prophecies related to Jesus in the Scriptures (24:43-44)? 6 After Jesus had opened the disciples' minds to the Scriptures, what responsibility did He give them (24:46-47)? 7 Where was this activity to take place (24:47)? Where were the disciples to start? 8 Why did Jesus say the disciples so equipped to share this good news (24:48)? 9 For what were the disciples told to wait? What effect would this have on their ability to be successful witnesses (24:49)? If the Gospel is such good news, why are Christians sometimes reluctant to tell others about Jesus? Who has God placed in your life so you can communicate the good news to them?
April 16, 2017 He Is Risen Luke 24:1-8, 36-40 1 When did the women go to Jesus' tomb, what did they take with them (24:1)? What was their purpose? 2 What did they find when they arrived (1:2)? Was this what they expected? Why or why not? 3 What did they do next, what else did the discover (24:3)? 4 What do you imagine they felt or were thinking (24:4a)? The followers of Jesus were engulfed with grief because the One in whom they had placed their trust lay in a tomb dead! The first disclosure that the miraculous had taken place was to the women, who were the first to approach the tomb In the days that followed, sorrow and grief were replaced with excitement and joy as the risen Lord appeared to those who loved Him so, During the forty days He spent with His followers after the resurrection (Acts 1:3), Jesus opened their minds to understand what He had been teaching them It was a totally transformed group who then proclaimed the triumph of the risen Lord 5 What startling thing happened next and how did they respond (24:4b-5a)? 6 What question did the angels ask the women who went to the tomb and how is the answer to this question central to the Gospel (24:5-6a)? 7 What great prophesy had Jesus made before he was arrested (24:7-8)? 8 List the things Jesus did to help the disciples understand the reality of His resurrection (v 36) (v 37-38) (v 39-40) 9 What was the reaction of the disciples when Jesus appeared in their midst following His resurrections (24:36-37)? 10 What did this indicate about their perception of Jesus' death? What did you learn from this lesson about God's role in our understandin of the gospel? If the Gospel is such good news, why are Christians sometimes reluctar to tell others about Christ?
April 23, 2017 Life in Christ Luke 9:18-26 Have you ever noticed in reading the want ads how employment opportunities always seem to promise the world to applicants? Few, if any, live up to their promises In the spiritual realm, Satan "offers the world" but he doesn't reveal the fine print the cost The Bible addressed the question of cost in Mark 8:36: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Unlike Satan, Jesus puts the conditions for following Him up front "If any man come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23) The price is high, but the end result is salvation and eternal life 1 People obviously knew Jesus by name, so what was the purpose of Jesus' question in Luke 9:18? 2 What were some of the common theories concerning the identity of Jesus (9:19)? 3 What was Jesus more concerned about than the opinions of the crowds (9:20)? Why? 4 How did Peter respond to Jesus' question and how did this amount to a declaration of faith (9:20)? 5 What did Jesus then begin to teach His disciples about His ultimate mission on earth (9:21-22)? 6 What threefold qualification did Jesus give for those who desire to be His disciples (9:23)? 1) 2) 3) 7 Explain what you think it means to do each of the above 1) 2) 3) 8 How did Jesus compare all the wealth and pleasure of the world with the value of a soul (9:24-25)? 9 What did Jesus say would be the ultimate cost for those who are ashamed to openly live for Him in this present world (9:26)? If you took inventory of your life up to this point, would it be characterized more by seeking to lose your life or save it? Explain What is there about denying one's self that makes a more willing servant of Christ? Try our Video Sunday School Lesson Previews Available for both Bible Study for Life and Explore the
April 30, 2017 6 How are we handle the spiritual gifts God gives us 4:10? Life in the Church 1 Peter 4:7-11 A common question among older Christian teenagers is "what is God's will for my life? In fact, this question often lingers into adulthood In the book Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby addresses the real issues to this lifelong puzzle "The issue to dwell on is not what is God's will for my life, but rather what is God's will" Once we determine this, we must constantly determine whether we are living in God's will 1 What momentous event does Peter say is immanent (4:7)? What does Peter say we should do in light of this event? 2 Peter urges his believers to take two approaches to their prayers (4:7), what are they and why are they so important? 3 What did Peter want his readers to do above all (4:8)? Why? 4 What is to be our attitude towards helping others (4:9)? 5 What leads us to start complaining even as we are doing "good? 7 What is the purpose for spiritual gifts according to 4:10? 8 What Spiritual Gifts are mentioned in verse 11? 9 How is God glorified when we use our abilities (4:11)? Also see Matt 5:16 10 What belongs to Jesus according to Peter (4:11)? How would knowing that the world was going to end this year change the way you think or act? Examine the lists of spiritual gifts found in Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:8-11; and Eph 4:11 What gift has God given you that could be used to serve others? How?