[ I LLUMINATE ] Christ as Present Teacher Understanding the Way of Jesus Unit 1 March 4 Knowing God / 3 March 11 God Brings Us Together / 11 March 18 The Wisdom of God / 19 March 25 The Value of Knowing God / 27 Unit 2 April 1 God Feeds Us / 35 April 8 God s Power / 43 April 15 The Power of Words / 51 April 22 The Hands and Feet of Jesus / 59 April 29 Following Christ s Example / 67 Unit 3 May 6 Depending on God / 75 May 13 Love Fulfills the Law / 83 May 20 On Christian Community / 91 May 27 Put Your Trust in God / 99 Illuminate (ISSN 2471-0520) Editorial and business office, 211 N. Meridian St., #101, Newberg, Oregon 97132, is published quarterly by Barclay Press (publisher of Christian education curriculum for the Evangelical Friends Church North America Region) at 211 N. Meridian St., #101, Newberg, Oregon. $4.25 per quarter. $6.50 per quarter for largeprint edition. Second-class postage paid at Newberg, Oregon. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Illuminate, 211 N. Meridian St., #101, Newberg, OR 97132. Printed in U.S.A. Scripture text New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [ILLUMINATE] Friends Bible Study March, April, May 2018 spring quarter Volume 7, Number 3 Editorial Team: Cleta Crisman, Eric Muhr, and Kati Voth
ILLUMINATE scope and sequence fall winter spring summer 2011-12 Genesis Luke Acts Exodus, Numbers 2012-13 Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy John The Spiritual Gospel Joshua, Judges, Ruth Romans, Galatians 2013-14 1, 2 Samuel Matthew 1, 2 Kings, 1, 2 Chronicles 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 1, 2, 3 John 2014-15 Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians Minor Prophets Hebrews 2015-16 Major Prophets Psalms John Witnessing to Truth 1, 2 Corinthians, 1, 2 Thessalonians 2016-17 Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Mark James, 1, 2 Peter Revelation 2017-18 Christ as Present Teacher Finding Purpose Together Matthew 3 6 Christ as Present Teacher Understanding the Way of Jesus Matthew 6 11 Christ as Present Teacher Learning to Live Matthew 11 19 Christ as Present Teacher Learning to Love Matthew 20 28 2\ Illuminate uses New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) for the printed lesson text. The scholarship of this translation along with the use of gender-inclusive language make NRSV a good basis for these studies. Churches and individuals are encouraged to use their preferred Bible translation when studying these passages. Scripture texts have been selected with attention given to providing a comprehensive, although limited, study of the Bible. The outlines for these Bible studies and the lesson materials are prepared to support and reflect the faith and practice of evangelical Friends. Understanding the Way of Jesus
Knowing God Matthew 11:25 30; Psalm 19:1 4; 1 Corinthians 1:26 2:5 Beyond the Selected Text Matthew 23:1 12 Focus on the Word Key Verses Isaiah 55:6 11 Throughout his ministry, Jesus consistently taught Jeremiah 9:23 24 that humility is a prerequisite for blessing and intimacy with God. It is also critical to effectiveness 1 Corinthians 10:12 17 in ministry. 2 Corinthians 11:17 31 All three passages in this week s study work Philippians 3:2 11 together to demonstrate that God is not impressed with those who are impressed with themselves, but 2 Corinthians 3:4 6 rather looks for those who recognize their need for salvation and are therefore open to truth. I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Matthew s passage refers to the lowly and humble shaming the wise through their understanding. The heavens are telling the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). In this passage, we see that the skies declare the reality and glory of God for everyone to see. Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). Paul give us an example of the exact attitude that God desires in his children. 1 Knowing God /3
Matthew 11:25 30 25 At that time Jesus said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 4\ Understanding the Way of Jesus
Questions for Comprehension 1. Who do you think Jesus is referring to as infants? Why do you think he called them that? Is Jesus saying that to be wise and intelligent is wrong? 2. What might Jesus mean when he says, All things have been handed over to me? 3. Describe what Jesus might mean by yoke. Questions for Reflection 1. What do you think would have happened if God had only revealed truth to intellectuals and those already considered wise? 2. In what way(s) does Jesus reveal the Father to those around him? 3. Who would have been the weary and heavy-laden ones? Application If you are a follower of Jesus, how do you experience his yoke? Is it easy? Are the burdens he gives you light? Take some time to journal about this, asking Jesus to show you what you may be putting upon yourself that is not from him. Listen for his response. Knowing God /5
Psalm 19:1 4 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun. 6\ Understanding the Way of Jesus
Questions for Comprehension 1. What might the psalmist mean by glory more than just being a beautiful scene when he says that the firmament (heavens, skies) proclaims God s glory? 2. Verse 2 states that the day pours forth speech, but verse 3 says there is no speech. How do you explain this? 3. How do you relate this passage to Jesus words in Matthew 11:25? Questions for Reflection 1. Many people find that being out in nature gives them a sense of being closer to God. Is this true for you? Why or why not? Share with the group. 2. Compare this passage from Psalm 19 with Romans 1:20: Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they [the wicked] are without excuse. 3. Think about the fact that every person who can see looks up at the sky at some point in the day or night. Every person feels the wind, the rain, the hot sun on their skin. Does this give you a sense of kinship with other people? Why or why not? Application When you look at the sky, do you think of God? When you see the stars, do you think of God s presence among them as well as here on earth? This week, make it a point to notice both day skies and night skies, and sit in silence, pondering the presence and power of God. Knowing God /7
1 Corinthians 1:26 2:5 26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:1 5 1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. 8\ Understanding the Way of Jesus
Questions for Comprehension 1. Why do you think Paul reminds his readers of their humble calling? What might have prompted this reproof? 2. Read verses 27 29 again. Discuss the motives in God s actions. Do you see this as loving or as punitive? 3. Paul seems to put himself down in chapter 2:1 5. Why do you think he did that? Questions for Reflection 1. This passage is reminiscent of the Feast of Booths, where God told everyone to leave their homes and build shelters of tree boughs to remember who brought them into the Promised Land. Why do you think we need reminders like this? 2. Verse 30 is a powerful truth, one that deserves some reflection. Discuss the implications of these words in your daily life how would it be different if this were not true? 3. Paul says in verse 4: My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Have you ever seen anyone teach like this? How is it that weak and unimpressive speech can demonstrate power and the presence of the Holy Spirit? Application Do you depend on your ability or intellect or knowledge or wisdom in your ministry to others? Is it possible that God s power is limited by your lack of dependence upon God? Invite the Spirit to show you how to be humbly dependent on God for blessing, power, and anointing in your work. Find rest in the promise of God to make you adequate for what God has called you to do. Knowing God /9
Friendly Perspective by Rich Miller This may be one of the most quoted sections of the gospel; it is certainly one of the most beautiful. Jesus bares his soul here when he speaks of his unique relationship to the Father and of his willingness to embrace us in our weakness and weariness. I grew up a city-suburb boy, not really knowing anything about farming. When I first came across this Scripture I had no idea what a yoke was and didn t have a clue about how it could help me learn from Jesus or how it could give me rest. I didn t even know that it was a farming implement used to make oxen do the hard job of tilling the soil or hauling trees. Of course, once I found out, I was still confused about how it, being a tool of labor, could lighten my load. But as I read these words attentively and considered their meaning, I realized that it is precisely the weariness of labor, whatever it may entail (including just the effort of living), that gives us access to the gentle mercy of Jesus. He is willing and takes one side of the yoke upon himself thus lightening the load. I find that as I go to him when I am exhausted by life and overwhelmed with its disappointments, I can rest in his gentle encouragement that all will be well. Not that I will be released from the cares of the world or that all of a sudden the things that are wrong will be righted, but I will have an awareness that he is walking with me along the journey, willing to carry the greater burden of the weight. When we are weary and even when we are sailing along let us remember to allow Jesus to be our co-yoke-bearer and let him carry our burden. 10\ Understanding the Way of Jesus