CHRIS KINSLEY
CHRIS KINSLEY LifeWay Press Nashville, Tennessee
2014 LifeWay Press No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to LifeWay Press, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0144. ISBN: 978-1-4300-3250-2 Item Number: 005647985 Dewey Decimal Classification Number: 231.72 Subject Heading: JESUS CHRIST--KINGSHIP \ HEAVEN \ KINGDOM OF GOD Printed in the United States of America Student Ministry Publishing LifeWay Church Resources One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234-0144 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. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Contents About the Writer.... 4 Introduction... 4 Session 1: King of the Kingdom.... 5 Session 2: Enemies of the Kingdom.... 9 Session 3: Citizens of the Kingdom...13 Session 4: Completion of the Kingdom....17 Session 5: Mission of the Kingdom....21 Highlights from the Study... 25 Notes.... 26 Plan of Salvation.... 32
The Kingdom About the Writer Chris Kinsley serves as the Communications Director for The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He responded in faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ when he was eight-years-old and to a call to ministry when he was seventeen. He is the author of various books, scripts, curriculums, and Bible studies for organizations such as Student Life, WinShape, NavPress, and others. He holds a B.A. in Christian Studies from Mississippi College and a M.Div. from Beeson Divinity School on the campus of Samford University. Prior to his current role, Chris spent 12 years in both church and parachurch student ministry. He and his wife, Liza, make their home in Helena, Alabama, with their daughter, Story, and son, Haven. Introduction The kingdom of God is found throughout Scripture and is a primary focus of Christ s teachings. But what does the kingdom of God really mean to us? How do we enter the Kingdom? Is the Kingdom here? Is it coming? This study will help you answer these questions and discover glorious truths about the kingdom of God. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 In Matthew 6, Jesus shared profound truths with the multitudes gathered to hear His message. In that sermon, Jesus included what has become known as the Lord s Prayer and modeled what an effective and powerful prayer life should focus on. While the Lord s Prayer has become a central prayer in the lives of Christians, the kingdom of God concept is one that is often misunderstood. This study will take an in-depth look at what it means to be a part of God s Kingdom and to live our lives with an eternal mind-set! 4
GET STARTED FINISH THIS SENTENCE O KING OF THE KINGDOM nce upon a time... In the beginning... 5
The Kingdom THINK ABOUT IT Kingdom Defined WHAT HAS TO EXIST FOR THERE TO BE A KINGDOM? LIST AS MANY CHARACTERISTICS OF A KINGDOM AS YOU CAN. The King Identified WHAT QUALITIES WOULD A PERSON NEED TO POSSESS IN ORDER TO BE THE PERFECT KING? Read John 1:1-18. Everything that has been made was made through Jesus. That means He has power over everything. Therefore, He rules over everything. From the beginning, He has been the King over all. WHY DO YOU THINK JOHN BEGINS HIS GOSPEL BY POINTING TO THIS REALITY? 6
SESSION ONE The King Is... IDENTIFY CHARACTERISTICS OF JESUS FROM JOHN 1:1-18 THAT PROVE HE IS THE PERFECT KING. The King Does... IDENTIFY ACTIONS OF JESUS FROM JOHN 1:1-18 THAT REVEAL HE IS THE PERFECT KING. The kingdom of God has existed from the beginning. However, when Jesus came to earth bringing grace and truth, He revealed it more fully. The Kingdom won t be completely realized until Jesus comes again, and all mankind bows before Him. 7
The Kingdom DIAGNOSIS Often in fairy tales, the king is removed from his people and lives an elite and privileged life. This is not the case with the greatest King. He left His throne in heaven to live among us and to rescue us from the penalty of our sin. He offers eternal life in His Kingdom to those who respond to His grace and humble themselves before Him. It is important for us to recognize where we stand in relation to Him. Are we His loyal subjects or are we trying to create our own kingdom? Spend a few moments thinking through how you have responded to Jesus as King. HAVE YOU SUBMITTED YOUR LIFE TO HIM AS LORD AND KING? IF SO, SHARE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. IF NOT, WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK? MOVE IF YOU WERE THE ONLY REFLECTION OF KING JESUS SOMEONE HAD, WHAT WOULD THAT PERSON THINK JESUS WAS LIKE? WHAT CHANGES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE IN ORDER TO BRING THE MOST GLORY TO HIS NAME? PRAY Take some time now to thank the Lord for being the perfect King. Thank Him for allowing you to know Him and ask that He would continue to reveal Himself to you in the days and weeks ahead. 8