September 2, 2018 1 What kind of lifestyle does the attitudes listed in 3:3 lead to, and what is the end result? 2 3:4-6 reveals that all three persons of the Trinity are involved in bringing salvation to man Describe the role of each: God (v 4) Holy Spirit (v 5) Jesus Christ (v 6) 3 What is the end result of being justified by faith through God's grace (3:7)? 4 To whom does Paul require devotion to doing good (3:8)? Reality Check Titus 3:3-11 The work of grace is paramount in every aspect of a Christian's life Grace redeems us through the gift of God's Son Grace reforms us through bringing about a change in attitudes and actions Grace rewards us at the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ From the work of grace, Paul moves into the product of grace Christian citizenship It is important for believers to be good citizens, while at the same time, not compromise their faith 5 What does 3:8 have to say about putting our faith into action? Also see Romans 2:13 and James 1:22? 6 What are believers to avoid at all costs (3:9)? Why? 8 What does Paul have to say about people who are divisive in the church (3:10)? 9 What does Paul have to say about people who are divisive in the church (3:10-11)? 10 Why is the truth of the Gospel so important when dealing with people who are antagonistic (contrary)? How will godly behavior affect these opponents of Christ (2:8)? Examine the following qualities of a Christian lifestyle and circle the response that best reflects your present level of commitment 1 -Very strong 2 - Average 3 - Needs work Sound Doctrine 1 2 3 Sound speech 1 2 3 Seriousness about Sincerity Godly matters 1 2 3 Toward others 1 2 3 Self Control 1 2 3 Respect for leaders 1 2 3 Gentleness 1 2 3 Meekness 1 2 3
September 9, 2018 1 What negative command did James give in verse 1, and what was the basis for such a mandate? 2 What scenario does James set up in verse 2? 3 What two suppositions are made in verses 2-3, and why is it wrong to make such distinctions (2:4)? 4 What two benefits do the poor who love Christ have (2:5)? Open Arms James 2:1-10 How we deal with people of different economic classes is a challenge for most folks No financial situation is without it s challenges, but how we perceive them is different between Groups If you have less, envy and jealousy is a challenge If you have less you can easily have improper expectations of those who have more If you have more resources, you can become suspicious of those who have less or you can have an inflated estimation of yourself The first thirteen verses of chapter two deal with how Christians are to treat people of varying degrees of financial standing In our text, James is not writing about the actions of either the rich or the poor, but about the Christian's relationship to both groups We are to treat all equally as persons who stand in need of what only the Lord Jesus can supply 5 Are there other criteria other than economics that might lead us to make such distinctions? If you can think of any, name them here 6 Practically speaking, why was it foolish for the early Christians to give priority to the rich (1:6-7)? 7 What is to govern our treatment of others regardless of whether they are rich or poor (2:8)? Also see Matt 22:37-39 8 According to verse 9, how are those who show favoritism characterized? 9 Why is breaking this one law such a serious offense (2:10-11)? 10 The "whole law" spoken of inverse 10 includes the six commandments which govern human relationships Thus, when equated with the sins of verse 11 how does this emphasize the seriousness of treating people unequally? Also see Gen 5:14 If you are completely honest, how do you view people who have substantially less materially than you? Substantially more? How does your view of material possessions compare with God's view? Spend some quiet time thinking about it this week
September 16, 2018 1 What did Peter say was near (4:7)? 2 What do you think it means to be serious (4:7)? 3 Describe what a disciplined prayer life is like (4:7)? 4 What did Peter want his readers to do above all (4:8)? Why? Gracious Hospitality 1 Peter 4:7-11 A common question among older Christian teenagers is "what is Gods 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 Gods 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 5 What is a certainty between people that necessitate the command of 4:8? 6 Describe what hospitality looks like in practical terms (4:9)? 7 What is the purpose for spiritual gifts according to 4:10? 8 What responsibility before God do we have concerning our spiritual gift(s) (4:10)? How does one do that? 9 What two critical types ministries are referred to in verse 10? 10 How is God glorified when we use our abilities (4:11)? Also see Matt 5:16 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?
September 23, 2018 1 In testing Jesus' knowledge of the Law, what did the lawyer want to know (10:25)? 2 How did Jesus respond to the lawyer's question (10:26)? 3 Why do you think Jesus referred the lawyer to the Law (Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18) in responding to his question? 4 What did the lawyer's follow-up question reveal about his real motives (10:29)? 5 What happened to the traveler in Jesus' parable (10:31)? Intentional Love Luke 10:25-37 This lesson contains one of the more familiar passages in the Bible - the parable of the Good Samaritan 'From the parable we learn three principles about loving our neighbor: (1) Lack of love is often easy to justify, even though it is never right; (2) Our neighbor is anyone of any race, creed or social background who is in need; and (3) Loves means acting to meet the person's need Wherever you live, there are needy people close by There is no good reason for refusing to help" 1 6 Keeping in mind that the priest and the Levite were both religious men, what possible reasons might they have had for not rendering aid to the injured man (10:31-33)? Also see Lev 21:1; 15:2 7 In contrast to the priest and Levite, what action did the Samaritan take upon discovery of the wounded man (10:33-35)? 8 In 10:36, Jesus reverses the lawyer's original question (V 29) At what conclusion did the lawyer arrive (10:37)? 9 The Samaritan exemplifies the qualities of all that Jesus taught about love What are some excuses we use for not following his example? "Confronting the needs of others brings out various attitudes in us Jesus used the story of the good but despised Samaritan to make clear what attitude was acceptable to Him If we are honest, we often will find ourselves in the place of the expert of the Law, needing to learn again who our neighbor is Note these different attitudes toward the wounded man: To the lawyer, he was a subject to discuss To the robbers, he was someone to use and exploit To the religious men, he was a problem to be avoided To the innkeeper, he was a customer to serve for a fee To the Samaritan, he was a human being worth being cared for and loved To Jesus, all of them and all of us were worth dying for" 2 1 Notes from the Life Application Bible Tyndale House Publishing Co, Wheaton, IL 2 Ibid
September 30, 2018 Authentic Joy 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 With the help of Timothy and Silas, Paul had established the church on his second missionary journey somewhere around 50-51 AD (Acts 17:1-10) Because their very lives were threatened, the three founders of this church were forced to leave the area without grounding the new believers in some important doctrinal issues As Paul writes back to this church, he expresses his joy in the church As it has faced it s challenges, believers where standing strong Paul wants to encourage them 1 While Paul is the author of this letter to the Thessalonians, who else is identified in 1:1? 2 What does Paul's greeting (1:1-3) reveal about his feelings for the church? 3 What did Paul remember about the Thessalonians that convinced him their faith was genuine (1:3)? 4 In spite of the short time the church had been in existence, of what was Paul certain (1:4)? 5 In what manner had Paul preached to the Thessalonians in establishing the church (1:5)? LifeWay Christian Resources 6 What role did the Holy Spirit play in Paul's establishment of the church in Thessalonica (1:5-6)? 7 Though welcomed with great joy, what did Paul's message also bring about for this early church (1:6)? 8 What were the results of the steadfastness of the Thessalonians in the face of persecution (1:7-8)? 9 What change had taken place in the lives of the Thessalonians as a result of Paul's preaching (1:9)? 10 What were the Thessalonians anticipating that also gives Christians today hope and encouragement (1:10)? How would Paul's words, in this first chapter, have been an encouragement to the Thessalonians? Paul's letter to the Christians at Thessalonica provided more than instruction It offered affirmation and encouragement Who do you know who is zealous, yet young in the faith that you could affirm and encourage? What specific actions could you take this week?