Sep 29 2008
Bible Study Week 26 - Developing a Christ-Like Mind - The River Principle
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:-
- Learn how to walk in the power of a renewed and refreshed mind
- Learn how to grasp the Truths contained in the word of God
- 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.
). 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.
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.
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).
Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 26
- Who do you think are the righteous according to Psalms 1? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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. ? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - In reference to the tree in Psalms 1, how does the Holy Spirit help our growth as Christians today? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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? ? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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. to explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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. ? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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. ? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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. ? Please explain
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. - 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.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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
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