Bible Study Guide

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Purpose of This Lesson

Last week we learnt about the Will Principle where as Christians desiring to develop Christ-like minds we have to surrender our will to God so that he can control our lives and this is the “Beginning Stage”. Today we will look at the 2nd principle- The River Principle; which is the “Growing Stage”.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

1. Learn how to walk in the power of a renewed and refreshed mind
2. Learn how to grasp the Truths contained in the word of God
3. Discover the power that comes from being transformed from within.

The River of Renewal

In Romans 12:2Romans 12:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  

Paul says “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The Christian life is a life constant renewal! The apostle Paul wrote about the war he had with his own flesh when he said “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. (Rom 7:18Rom 7:18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good [is] not.  

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). The process of renewal and transformation is not a short-term process but long-term and it can only be achieved after total submission of our will to God. The process of renewal and transformation causes us grow and become mature in Christ so that we can bear the Fruit of the Hoy Spirit. Only clouds that are heavy with moisture give forth rain and only trees that are mature give forth fruits.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Ps 1, John 15:1-8John 15:1-8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 ¹ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. ⁶ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples.  

and John 4:7-15John 4:7-15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. ⁸ For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food. ⁹ The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. ¹¹ The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water? ¹² Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? ¹³ Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: ¹⁴ but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life. ¹⁵ The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw.  

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The River Principle

There are only two types of people in the earth, those without Christ and those with Christ living in them. Those without Christ are dead spiritually but those with Christ are alive spiritually because they have the “Living water” in them. And this water nourishes their inner man. The Samaritan woman thought Jesus was talking about natural water in John 4:11John 4:11
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?  

. And when she wanted the Living Water that Christ was offering her, Jesus asked her about her life. We cannot attain a renewed state of mind if we still want to cling to the things that have held us captive for a long time. She was truthful about her life and we also need to be truthful so that Jesus can help us. When we come to Christ, he deals with our past and we become new creatures. The life of this Samaritan woman was known to Christ and nothing about us also is hidden from Him.

Many people have not dealt with their past and they cannot therefore move forward and attain the mind of Christ, just like this woman, we need to let go of our past and be free because “whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36John 8:36
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
36 If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  

).

The Psalmist says about the righteous that “They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.” (Ps 1:3Ps 1:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  

).
If we are to succeed in our Christian lives and begin to bear Kingdom Fruit, we need to know that successful people are disciplined people and growth (increase) comes with discipline. That is why Jesus clearly warned us about this discipline by God in John 15:2John 15:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.  

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saying “He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit”. Are you bearing fruit already? Then expect “pruning” from the Father so that you may be clean and bear more fruit! Are you like a dead branch that does not bear fruit? Then expect the consequences of being totally disconnected from Jesus (The Vine).

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Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 26

1. Who do you think are the righteous according to Psalms 1? Please explain
   
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2. What is the obvious sign of growth and newness according to Psalms 1:2Psalms 1:2
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.  
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   ? Please explain
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3. In reference to the tree in Psalms 1, how does the Holy Spirit help our growth as Christians today? Please explain
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4. Why was the Samaritan woman not understanding what Jesus said in John 4:11John 4:11
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: whence then hast thou that living water?  
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   ? Please explain
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5. Why do you think many people do not understand the Word of God today? Please use Romans 12:2Romans 12:2
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  
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   to explain
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6. What is the purpose of “pruning” the branches in John 15:8John 15:8
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples.  
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   ? Please explain
   
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7. What happens to those who do not bear fruit according to John 15:8John 15:8
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples.  
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   ? Please explain
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8. What is the purpose of bearing fruit according to John 15:8John 15:8
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and [so] shall ye be my disciples.  
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   ? Please explain
   
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9. In your own words please explain briefly what you have learnt about the “River Principle” today and how you will apply it in your Christian life.
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Memorize John 7:38John 7:38
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.  

: Rivers of Eternal Life

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water”

Tags: Bible study, Christ-like mind, Christianity

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will guide the participants to understand that developing the mind of Christ is a process which involves the Holy Spiritand our self-will. The Bible tells us that ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52Luke 2:52
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.  

). If you are to have the mind of Christ, you must expect newness, because the mind of Christ is not a stagnant mind.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

1. Learn how to set their minds on things above and not on things here below
2. Learn how to allow God to renew and sharpen their minds as Christians
3. Learn how to gird up their minds for action as disciples of Christ

Introduction

There are three stages in the process of developing a Christ-like mind and these are:

1. The Beginning stage which is characterized by the Will Principle
2. The Growing stage which is characterized by the River Principle
3. The Qualified stage which is characterized by the Readiness Principle

The Bible says “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2Col 3:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.  

); a similar idea occurs in Phil 4:8Phil 4:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  

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. Decision making is not a problem with animals; but with human beings, because animals act on instinct which is actually the opposite of a will. Moses disobeyed God and hit the rock twice instead of speaking to it as God had instructed him, because of his anger towards the people; he missed the Promised Land because he allowed his will to be controlled by his emotions.

Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Numbers 20:1-13Numbers 20:1-13
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
20 ¹ And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. ² And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. ³ And the people strove with Moses, and spake, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah! ⁴ And why have ye brought the assembly of Jehovah into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our beasts? ⁵ And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. ⁶ And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tent of meeting, and fell upon their faces: and the glory of Jehovah appeared unto them. ⁷ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, ⁸ Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink. ⁹ And Moses took the rod from before Jehovah, as he commanded him. ¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; shall we bring you forth water out of this rock? ¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle. ¹² And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed not in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. ¹³ These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he was sanctified in them.  

, Phil 4:8Phil 4:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  

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and Meditate on Col 3:2Col 3:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.  

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Name of Christ for today: The Lord our Righteousness (Jehovah Tzidkanyu: Jer 23:6Jer 23:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.  

).

Prayer to Begin the Lesson: Lord you are my Righteousness. My righteousness is as filthy rags to You. Please guide me through the process where Your life becomes my life and where Your righteousness becomes my righteousness. Help me to set my mind and heart to You. Amen. (Sing the Hymn: All To Jesus I Surrender: (35) Hymn Book).

The Will Principle

Today we will study the first stage i.e. the Beginning Stage which involves learning the Will principle. As a Christian today we must decide, choose or determine the focus of our minds because that is the starting point of developing a Christ-like mind. Often you cannot control your emotions but you always have control of your will. For example, if someone insulted you, your feelings would be hurt but you have a choice to either insult them back (revenge) or ignore and forgive them. When we study the life of Jesus Christ, we see that on many occasions, He chose not to revenge, even when He hangs on the cross, he said “Father, forgive them. . . “(Luke 23:34Luke 23:34
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.  

). Again when Jesus taught his disciples, he said “do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too” (Matt 5:39Matt 5:39
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  

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). We have to give up our wills and get God’s will! The Will Principle is one of the most difficult and crucial stages for us as Christians to learn, because we as human beings have been created with our own will, but if we are to develop the mind of Christ, then we need to allow God to have total control of our will. Remember last week we learnt the WWJD slogan (What Would Jesus Do?). We have to begin thinking the thoughts of Christ If we are to behave like Him! Its not easy, but we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit.

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Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 25

1. What do you think was Moses’ weakness in dealing with people according to Numbers 20:1-13Numbers 20:1-13
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   20 ¹ And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. ² And there was no water for the congregation: and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. ³ And the people strove with Moses, and spake, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah! ⁴ And why have ye brought the assembly of Jehovah into this wilderness, that we should die there, we and our beasts? ⁵ And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink. ⁶ And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tent of meeting, and fell upon their faces: and the glory of Jehovah appeared unto them. ⁷ And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, ⁸ Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock; so thou shalt give the congregation and their cattle drink. ⁹ And Moses took the rod from before Jehovah, as he commanded him. ¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; shall we bring you forth water out of this rock? ¹¹ And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle. ¹² And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed not in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. ¹³ These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he was sanctified in them.  
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   ? Please explain
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2. What are some of the lessons that you think you can draw from Moses as a leader today? Please explain
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3. Do you think that you as a Christian having God’s word today you also disobey God by failing to hear him when he speaks to you as Moses did? Please explain
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4. Please differentiate between INSTINCT and WILL?
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5. What does it mean to set your mind according to Col. 3:2? Please explain in your own words
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6. Please define the Will Principle briefly? Please explain
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7. According to today’s lesson, who should own your will as a Christian? Please explain
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Prayer Points

• Ask God to give you a focused attention to the things above
• Offer your will to God. Seek His will as you begin the process of developing Christ’s mind
• Pray for your Bible Study team by name and ask God to work in them to surrender their will to Him.

Tags: Bible study, Christ-like mind