Aug 19 2008
Bible Study Week 22 - Becoming Like Christ
Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson
This lesson will guide the participants to understand that the goal of every Christian is to become like Christ.
Learning Goals
This lesson will guide the participants to:-
- Learn to think the thoughts of Christ
- Challenge the learners to become Christ-like in thinking
The overall goal will be to guide the participants to develop and cultivate a deeper intimacy with God in prayer and in His Word.
Introduction
The lessons on this topic are based on a study guide book entitled The Mind of Christ by T.W. Hunt and Claude V. King (2001). The authors say that it is the Holy Spirit who will enable the participants to grasp the significance of becoming like Christ as a Christian, because that is why God created us. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom 8:29Rom 8:29
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:
). So even as you begin this series, pray and ask God to reveal the truths about this subject to you, because God’s desire is that you be like Christ.
The authors also encourage the participants to approach this course practically as it is intended to be more practical than theoretical; it should be studied with a view to immediate application i.e. applying the word in our lives as James 1:22James 1:22
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
exhorts us saying “Keep on being doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves”. Another aspect of this series is that there are more activities included to make it practical. For example, you will discover the Name of Christ and make a prayer before starting the lesson in order to reinforce your Bible study.
Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: 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.
and John 12:2John 12:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him.
and memorize Phil 2:5-8Phil 2:5-8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
Name of Christ for Today: The Bread of Life
Prayer to Begin the Lesson: Jesus, I am hungry and thirsty after your righteousness. I do want to be like you. You are the Bread of Life itself. Fill me with yourself so that I may experience the abundant life you came to give. Amen.
The Personality Test
One of the aspects of your personality that God will measure constantly for Christlikeness is your mind. Becoming like Christ is a lifelong process and it will not be finished this side of heaven, because God is continually molding and shaping your life into the image of Christ. We need to allow God to work with us day by day, and the only way we will do this effectively is by spending time with God in prayer and in His Word daily.
Six times the New Testament describes or implies what the Christian’s mind is be like. In each case, the word mind is mentioned. From these we can derive six adjectives that describe God’s ideal for your mind. These characteristics are as follows:
- Alive-”the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6Rom 8:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: ) - Single-minded- “I am afraid, lest . . . your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:32 Cor 11:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. ). - Lowly-”in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Phil 2:3Phil 2:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 [doing] nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; ) - Pure- “Unto the pure all things are pure; but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Tit 1:15Tit 1:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. ). - Responsive- “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk 24:45Lk 24:45
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
45 Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; ). - Peaceful-”The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6Rom 8:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: ).
Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 22
Let us begin our lesson by looking at the first and last characteristic “alive” and “peaceful”. Paul tells us, “the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). Without Christ we are dead (Eph 2:1Eph 2:1
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2
1 And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trepasses and sins,
). In Christ we have everlasting life (John 3:36John 3:36
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
36 He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
). Jesus went further than saying we live. Jesus said that He came in order that we might have abundant life (John 10:10John 10:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly.
). You demonstrate this life (or death) constantly by the choices you make. When you set your mind on the Spirit, you experience life.
Name of Christ for Today’s Lesson: The Bread of life
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit”. (Zech 4:6Zech 4:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.
)
When we feast on the word of God during our fasts,
We are able to accomplish great Spiritual feats.
Amen.
Tags: Bible study, Bible study guide, christian, Jesus Christ, mind of Christ
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