Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Week 28 - Becoming Like Christ in Serving Others

Rose — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:01:21 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Today’s lesson will help the participants to understand the principle of serving others with the gifts that God has given us. Since our desire is to become like Christ, we should serve others just as Christ has served us with great humility.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn how to serve others with the gifts God has given
Learn how to become like Christ in serving others.
Discover how serving others help you to grow and glorify God

Introduction

In 1 Peter 4:10 we read that “Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he has received from God. There are many people today who have received gifts from God and they do not know how they are supposed to use these gifts to edify others. Today we will learn how to identify the gifts that God has given each of us and how to put them to use in our local church.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Gen 45. 1 Sam 16:14 -23 and 1 John 1:6-7.

Team Work

Team work is a biblical principle because even when God created the Universe, He did not do it by Himself but He involved the other members of the Trinity. In Gen 1:2 we see that the Holy Spirit “moved upon the face of the earth”, and therefore God accomplished the work of creation in 6 days.

The term TEAM can be taken as an acronym of: Together Everyone Achieves More. It is common sense that very little can be achieved by one person, and this fact was demonstrated by Jesus Christ himself when he chose the twelve disciples to do ministry with him. As the Son of God, Jesus could have chosen to do things differently and even work by himself, but he chose the disciples to train them for the larger task of reaching the whole world.

When using firewood for fire, the logs have to remain close together in order to achieve maximum potential and if one of the logs is removed from the fire and isolated, then it eventually loses its fire and becomes cold and useless. The same applies to those Christians who choose not to fellowship with the others and deny their church the use of their gifts, because sooner than later, they become cold and isolated and the gifts begin to wane.

In summary therefore, let us remember that we are striving to become like Jesus and one major quality that distinguished Jesus as a man was the ability to serve others with humility. Even after he left earth, he still promised the disciples that he will send them a “helper” the Holy Spirit. May we become like Christ in the area of serving others with the gifts that God has bestowed upon each of us.

In the reading passage today, we see how Joseph served his brothers in Egypt without counting the sins that they had committed unto him previously. One way that the devil always wants to kill Christian ministry is by making people keep an account of the wrong things that others have done towards them, because the devil knows that by doing so, the person is rendered useless in the service of God and the church.
Let us therefore not deceive ourselves because “if we keep living in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, . .”. (1 Jn 1:7) Team Work involves fellowship with one another.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 28

What do you think Peter means by saying “for the good of others” in 1 Peter 4:10? Please explain
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Why do you think Peter wants you to serve others with the gifts that God has given you in 1 Peter 4:10? Please explain
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How can you know the gift(s) that God has given you today as a child of God? Please explain
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How does serving others with your gift help you to become like Jesus today? Please explain
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Why do you think Joseph helped his brothers in Egypt? Please explain using Gen 45:5
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Do you think serving others helps to accomplish God’s purposes in your life ? Please explain using Gen 45:5-6
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What lesson do you learn from reading 1 Sam. 14-23? Please explain
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In your own words please explain briefly why you think Team Work is important in church today. Please explain
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Bible Study Week 27 - Developing the Mind of Christ - The Readiness Principle

Rose — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:41:03 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

Today’s lesson which is known as The Readiness Principle will prepare us for the “Qualified Stage” where we will learn how to prepare our minds for action by girding (tightening) it up. If your will is set, and your mind has grown through constant renewal, you will be qualified for any test God allows to come your way. Be ready and alert!

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Learn how to gird up their minds for action
Learn how to demonstrate a mental readiness at all times
Discover how mental readiness qualifies you to serve in ministry

Introduction

In the Qualified Stage, you prepare your mind for action by girding it up. Jesus was alert, or ready, as various groups attempted to trap Him with trick questions in Luke 20:20-40. He was qualified because he spent many hours with His Father in prayer and in the Word. This is the same way we should live as Christians who have the mind of Christ; imagine an athlete who appears for the Olympic Games without ever having practiced for the games! He would find that his muscles are not flexible enough to do the games that he is competing in. just because he has won that particular game before does not qualify him to win again and again unless he spends his time preparing himself. This is also true for Christians who think that they can have the mind of Christ without any effort; they are fooling themselves, because they will be disqualified by the Judge (Jesus Christ) when the race begins!

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Matt 25:1-12 and Luke 20: 20-40.

The Readiness Principle

Jesus understood the Readiness Principle very well because he prepared his disciples to continue with his work after he had left earth. Jesus spent time with his disciples and even told them “Truly, truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12). Jesus qualified the disciples to do greater works than those that he himself had done, and this is also God’s will for us today as we also seek to have the mind of Christ.

Just like Caleb and Joshua were qualified because they refused to see themselves as grasshoppers (Num 13:30-33), we also will only be qualified if we refuse to see ourselves as defeated. Many Christians have already disqualified themselves from ministry because they look inwardly unto themselves instead of looking upwardly to the One who has already been qualified by God, Jesus Christ His beloved son. God qualified Jesus when He spoke during the Transfiguration on the mountain and said “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him”. (Matt 17:5).

In the parables of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins, Jesus demonstrated the Readiness Principle very well, because the five foolish virgins were not ready with their lamps when the bridegroom finally arrived and therefore they were disqualified from entering into the marriage ceremony. Christian who have the mind of Christ are alert and qualified for service just like the five wise virgins were ready.

In summary therefore, let us remember the three principles which are: The Will Principle (Beginning Stage), The River Principle (Growing Stage) and lastly the Readiness Principle (The Qualified Stage), whereby we are qualified for service by God.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 27

Who do you think is meant by the phrase “gird up the loins of your minds” in 1 Peter 1:13? Please explain
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What is the purpose of being sober and hopeful as a Christian today according to 1 Peter 1:13? Please explain
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How do you think Jesus was able to demonstrate mental readiness and wisdom? And how can we today demonstrate mental readiness? Please use Luke 20:20-40 to explain.
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Why do we need to be ready as Christians according to the parable of the virgins in Matt. 25:1-12? Please explain
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How were the five virgins qualified in Matt 25:1-12? Please explain
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What happens to those who will not be ready according to Matt 25:1-12? Please explain
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Why do you think Jesus prepared his disciples for ministry?
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How can we prepare ourselves today for ministry? Please explain
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In your own words please explain briefly what you have learnt about the “Readiness Principle” today and how you will apply it in your Christian life.
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Memorize 1 Peter 1:13

“Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

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Bible Study Week 26 - Developing a Christ-Like Mind - The River Principle

Rose — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:01:03 +0000

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 12:2 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 7:18). 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 15:1-8 and John 4:7-15

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 4:11. 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 8:36).

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 1:3).
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 15:2 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

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What is the obvious sign of growth and newness according to Psalms 1:2? Please explain
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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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Why was the Samaritan woman not understanding what Jesus said in John 4:11 ? Please explain
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Why do you think many people do not understand the Word of God today? Please use Romans 12:2 to explain
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What is the purpose of “pruning” the branches in John 15:8? Please explain

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What happens to those who do not bear fruit according to John 15:8? Please explain
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What is the purpose of bearing fruit according to John 15:8? Please explain

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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 7:38 : Rivers of Eternal Life

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

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Bible Study Week 25 - Developing a Christ-Like Mind By Self-Will

Rose — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:01:59 +0000

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 2:52). 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:-

Learn how to set their minds on things above and not on things here below
Learn how to allow God to renew and sharpen their minds as Christians
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:

The Beginning stage which is characterized by the Will Principle
The Growing stage which is characterized by the River Principle
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 3:2); a similar idea occurs in Phil 4:8. 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 20:1-13 , Phil 4:8 and Meditate on Col 3:2

Name of Christ for today: The Lord our Righteousness (Jehovah Tzidkanyu: Jer 23:6).

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 23:34). 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 5:39). 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.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 25

What do you think was Moses’ weakness in dealing with people according to Numbers 20:1-13? Please explain
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What are some of the lessons that you think you can draw from Moses as a leader today? Please explain
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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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Please differentiate between INSTINCT and WILL?
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What does it mean to set your mind according to Col. 3:2? Please explain in your own words
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Please define the Will Principle briefly? Please explain
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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.

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Bible Study Week 24 - Developing a Christ-Like Mind

Rose — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:18:32 +0000

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 Spirit and us. The Bible tells us that ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). 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:-

Learn how to set their minds on things above
Learn how to allow God to renew and reignite their minds
Learn how to gird up their minds for action.

Introduction

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

The Beginning stage which is characterized by the Will Principle
The Growing stage which is characterized by the River Principle
The Qualified stage which is characterized by the Readiness Principle

Today we will study the first stage which is 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 our 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. When we study the life of Jesus Christ, we see that on many occasions. He chose not to revenge, even when He hang on the cross, he said “Father, forgive them. . . “(Luke 23:34). 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 5:39).

The Will Principle is one of the most difficult and crucial stage 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. We should learn to exchange our will for God’s will, and that is why last week we saw the WWJD slogan (What Would Jesus Do?). We have to begin thinking the thoughts of Christ!

Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Acts 9:1-16 and meditate on Col 3:2

Name of Christ for today: The Lord our Righteousness (Jehovah Tzidkanyu: Jer. 23:6).

The Will Principle

The first principle of developing a Christ-like mind is the “Will Principle“. In the Will Principle, we begin a process whereby one has to decide by themselves to develop a Christ-like mind. God created us with a free will and so it is important for us to know that in this process, the Holy Spirit will only guide us in it as far as we allow Him, because we have a free will. The Bible says “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). A similar idea occurs in Phil 4:8 “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worth of praise, let your mind dwell on these things”.

Decision making is not a problem with animals; but with human beings, the will is that part of the mind over which you have control. Animals act on instinct which is the opposite of a will.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 24

What is the safest way to maintain purity in the face of temptation? Please use Psalms 101:3 and 1 Pet 5:8-9 for your answer.

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What are some of the things that you think would cause a Christian to be impure today? Please use Galatians 5:19-21 to explain

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Do you think that drinking can make one to be impure in his mind? If yes please explain how?

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Name two things that can show that Christians are responsive to God. Please explain

a)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

b)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

” Conclude today’s lesson by reviewing the four characteristics that you have learnt so far, and ask God to work in you to produce these four characteristics as you develop a Christ-like mind.

Prayer Points

Talk to the Lord about your life and what God is doing in you and through you.
Thank God for removing the veil from your mind in Christ and ask Him to do so for others so that they may also have the mind of Christ.
Acknowledge today that it is only through Christ that you can maintain a pure and responsive mind.

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Bible Study Week 23 - Having a Christ-Like Mind

Rose — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:19:54 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will guide the participants to understand what it means to have a Christ-like mind.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Discover how to set, renew and gird up their minds in order to develop spiritual minds
Know how they can submit their minds to Christ and begin to develop the mind of Christ

Introduction

Begin today’s lesson by reading the Bible verse and name of Christ for today. Work on your memory verse. Then use the suggested prayer to begin your study. Can you remember the two characteristics that we learnt last week? Write them here below and confirm your answers.

1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Matt 16:13-17 and Memorize Titus 1:15 Name of Christ for today: Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15)

Prayer to Begin the Lesson: Jesus, Image of the Invisible God, show me the Father. Help me come to know the Father as You reveal to me what He is like. Since He is invisible, help me to focus my eyes on you and the example of your life.
Amen.

The Power of a Christ-like Mind

Imagine, when Jesus asked his disciples “whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Jesus got all sorts of answers from his own disciples! They really did not know who he was except for Simon Peter who said “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And we see what Jesus told Simon, that flesh and blood had not revealed it to him but the Father who is in heaven. Someone once said “Christianity is by revelation and not perspiration”. There are many Christians today who do not really know who Christ is!

Paul speaks about the mind in Titus 1:15 saying ‘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”. Purity is depicted as the natural state of the Christian. Impurity is reached by corruption of the mind and conscience, so let us guard our minds against impurity today more than ever.

Today’s Christ-like Characteristics

1. Pure

There are two other characteristics that are needed to maintain a Christ-like mind and these are purity and responsiveness. We need to have a desire to become pure in our thinking; it is not easy because we are constantly being bombarded by impurity as we are in this world. If your desire for purity is sincere, God will provide you with the way of overcoming impurities. Your safest choice is to escape temptation entirely. The psalmist used this approach when he said “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” (Ps. 101:3). Strength comes prior to temptation, not during it. In order to overcome we need to make that decision to remain pure before the temptation comes.

2. Responsive

A Christ-like mind is also a responsive mind in the sense that the person is willing to learn i.e. he is teachable. Many people today who are not willing to attend Bible study are unresponsive to God, meaning they do not want to learn and therefore they are “un-teachable”. When Jesus appeared to his disciples on the evening of the resurrection, “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures”. (Luke 24:45). We see the opposite of responsiveness in 2 Cor 3:12-16 where Paul says about the Israelites “their minds were blinded” (v.14). Paul says that “unto this day when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart” (v. 15). In Christ however, the covering is taken away. To be unresponsive to God is to be spiritually ignorant. For example, the disciples were responsive when they asked the Lord, “Lord, teach us to pray”. And just like Simon Peter in our passage today, we need to be sensitive to God’s Holy Spirit today so that He can reveal some things which seem difficult to others. It is by spending time in prayer and reading God’s word that we become sensitive to God’s Spirit.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 23

What is the safest way to maintain purity in the face of temptation? Please use Psalms 101:3 and 1 Pet 5:8-9 for your answer
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What are some of the things that you think would cause a Christian to be impure today? Please use Galatians 5:19-21 to explain
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Do you think that drinking can make one to be impure in his mind? If yes please explain how?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Name two things that can show that Christians are responsive to God. Please explain
a) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

” Conclude today’s lesson by reviewing the four characteristics that you have learnt so far, and ask God to work in you to produce these four characteristics as you develop a Christ-like mind.

Prayer Points

Talk to the Lord about your life and what God is doing in you and through you.
Thank God for removing the veil from your mind in Christ and ask Him to do so for others so that they may also have the mind of Christ.
Acknowledge today that it is only through Christ that you can maintain a pure and responsive mind.

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Bible Study Week 22 - Becoming Like Christ

Rose — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:46:27 +0000

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 8:29). 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 1:22 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 12:2 and John 12:2 and memorize Phil 2:5-8

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 8:6)
Single-minded- “I am afraid, lest . . . your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3).
Lowly-”in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Phil 2:3)
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 1:15).
Responsive- “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk 24:45).
Peaceful-”The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6).

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 2:1). In Christ we have everlasting life (John 3:36). Jesus went further than saying we live. Jesus said that He came in order that we might have abundant life (John 10:10). 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 4:6)

When we feast on the word of God during our fasts,
We are able to accomplish great Spiritual feats.

Amen.

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Bible Study Week 21 - Benefits of Prayer and Fasting

Rose — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:01:16 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will guide the participants to know and understand that fasting results in spiritual benefits. A true fast that pleases God will not go un-noticed, because God keeps His word.

Lesson Objective:

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

Understand the spiritual benefits of fasting
Understand how God moves during fasting
Understand the secret of fasting as a sacrifice

Introduction

Begin Today’s lesson by reading: 2 Chron 33:1-20, Est 4:1-17 and Jonah 3:1-10

A Sacrifice of Broken Hearts

Fasting is never about ourselves, but always about God, as the psalmist David duly wrote when he had sinned against God by killing his servant Uriah; “a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” David had reached the realization that God could actually recant (take back) His Holy Spirit from him (David) as He had done with Saul when Saul had also sinned against God. But the difference between David and Saul is that David repented in tears and ashes and acknowledged his sin before God whereas Saul did not show remorse. Our God is a God who is moved by our sorrow and repentance just as we have read in the above passages; God does not take delight in punishing His people, and when we come to God with genuinely broken hearts, God is moved into action and He withdraws His wrath from us.

Fasting is one way that reveals that we are seeking God’s face during severe periods of trouble akin to what Queen Esther experienced even as she faced the possible extinction of the Jewish race by evil Haman. When one is more acutely in tune with God through fasting, God then answers in his compassionate and generous ways (Isaiah 58:8-14). Imagine, God pronouncing upon one of Judah’s most wicked kings, Manasseh, severe punishment for leading the people in detestable idolatries. But when he showed the slightest sign of turning from sin as he humbled himself through fasting, God was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea and restored him to his kingdom.

Fasting is therefore an ancient tradition that has been proven and used even by kings. Why did Manasseh, Esther and the king of Nineveh succeed in moving God into action? The secret is that they showed self-denial and complete dependence on God and not on their strategic plans! May God help us to discover their secret and act as they did as we seek to live victorious Christian lives, “For we live, move, and exist because of him” (Acts 17:28)

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 21

After reading the story of King Manasseh in 2 Chron 33 and the king of Nineveh, please list three things that you think made God listen to them.
a)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Do you think these things can apply to you as a Christian living in the 21st century? Please explain
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What do you think happened in Esther’s case? How did God move on behalf of queen Esther?

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Reflection 1 Kings 19:12: God Speaks Softly

“After the earthquake there was a fire—but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the soft whisper of a voice”. Let’s try not to miss God when He speaks; only when we are listening quietly will we hear Him.
Amen

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Bible Study Guide Week 20 - The Power of Prayer and Fasting

Rose — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:41:56 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

This lesson will guide the participants to know the power of combining fasting with prayer. Many spiritual battles are overcome by prayer and fasting. Fasting in the life of a Christian can be compared to the oil in a vehicle; the vehicle needs fuel to move, but it also needs oil to make the engine run smoothly.

Lesson Objective:

This lesson will guide the participants to:

Understand the power of fasting during prayer
Understand why, when and how we should fast
Understand the rules of pre- fasting and breaking a fast

Introduction

In this on-going series on spiritual warfare, we have been carefully examining the six pieces of the armor and each of their functions in spiritual warfare according to Eph 6:11-17. In Ephesians 6:18 Paul gives a final admonition concerning spiritual warfare to the Ephesians saying “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication . . .”

As we already dealt with praying in the Spirit in previous lessons, today we begin a new series on prayer and fasting as we look into this final admonition by the Apostle Paul. How can we as Christians watch (pray) with all perseverance and supplication?
Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: Jonah 3:1-10, Mark 14:32-41 and Matt 6:16-18

The Agony of Fasting

Fasting is one of the hardest things for a Christian to do yet those who have experienced fasting know it is a very powerful weapon in the hands of the righteous. David understood very well the struggles of fasting when he wrote and said “My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness. (Psa 109:24).
Although fasting is one of the most powerful tools in Christianity it is the most neglected spiritual practice. Fasting requires one to be spiritually mature and disciplined and it also requires one to prepare spiritually and physically no matter how short or long it may be. Firstly, we should examine our hearts, and detect any un-confessed sin. The Bible teaches that we should repent our sins before God will hear our prayers. In our prayers of confession we should confess the sins of omission as well as the sins of commission that we may have done.

Although fasting is mainly a spiritual exercise, it begins with the physical and it is important to “wean” our bodies slowly for two or three days before the actual fast. Weaning means cutting down on some foods to ease the hunger or discomfort that may be experienced during the early stages of fasting. Such foods include sugar and caffeine products. However, fasting is not simply going without food, but a time to take our eyes off the physical, and concentrate on the spiritual.

When you look at the life of Daniel, you will notice that he was not a person who indulged in rich foods. Daniel was a man who could therefore fast for 21 days. True spiritual fasting is a time of personal revival and centering your total being on God. Mealtimes can be transformed into special occasions to read the word of God and pray for yourself, your family, your church, and the saints and your nation plus any other needs that one may be having.

Next week we will continue by looking into motives of fasting and how Christians can fast effectively and persevere in prayer and fasting.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 20

In your own words please explain Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:18 and whether it can apply to you as a Christian today? . . . . . .. . . . . .
When you read Jonah 3:1-10 who do you think should be involved in fasting? Please explain
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Jesus speaking about fasting in Matt 6:16 said “Moreover WHEN you fast” he did not say “IF” you fast, therefore would you say Jesus gave us an option for fasting? Please explain
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What is the main lesson that Jesus taught us about fasting in Matthew 6:16-18 ?
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Do you think people should know that you are fasting? Why? Please explain
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Please explain how you believe fasting helps in spiritual warfare according to Eph 6:18. Please give examples from your own experience or from people in the Bible.
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What would you say is the main reason why we should fast? Please explain
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How should we approach a fast in regards to our sinful nature as we seek God? Please explain
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Luke 22:44; Sweat Drops of Blood

“. . . and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to ground…”

Our Lord and Savior Jesus persevered with sweat drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane for our sake, may this help us to persevere as we fast and pray also for others.

Amen

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Bible Study Week 19 - Spiritual Warfare - Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit

Rose — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:15:53 +0000

Purpose of This Bible Study Lesson

In this lesson we will learn how the helmet of salvation functions in spiritual warfare and also how to use the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, to protect us from spiritual wickedness.

Lesson Objective:

This lesson will guide the participants to:

Know the purpose of the Helmet of Salvation in spiritual warfare
Know how to use the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God
Discover how these two weapons can be used during spiritual warfare

Introduction

Paul writing about spiritual warfare to the Ephesians’ church advised them “to take the helmet of salvation” (Eph 6:17) because he knew fully well that there is no other protection against the enemy other than being in Christ. Salvation therefore accords to us the much-needed protection against the enemy in the form of a helmet, whilst the word of God acts as a sharp two-edged sword.

Begin Today’s Lesson by reading: 1 Sam 17:32-58 and Matt 4: 1-11

Overcoming Spiritual Giants

The battle between David and Goliath is considered a type of spiritual warfare between good and evil; Goliath was six cubits tall and his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron. Many theologians say that six is the number of the anti-Christ. (See also the size of the image of Gold that king Nebuchadnezzar made in Dan 3:1 and compare with 1 Sam 17:4). Unlike Goliath, David chose not to put his trust in Saul’s armor as Saul was just a man like him, but he chose to put his faith in God because God had delivered him before from other situations. However, Goliath who was a representative of evil and he chose to put his faith in his size and his armor.

David’s salvation had been demonstrated by God’s great deliverances when he had fought with the lion and the bear; and similarly, our great deliverance has also been demonstrated through the work that Christ accomplished at the cross on our behalf. David could easily have succumbed to Goliath’s threats but he chose to ignore them and instead invoked the name of God against Goliath. David’s great might was seen in his humility of using stones carefully chosen from the brook; the stones in this case signify the Rock who is God, David’s deliverer as he describes God in 2 Sam 22:2.

How many times have we faced a spiritual giant and succumbed to its size and enormity and listened to its lies and threats instead of looking unto God the rock of our salvation as David did? Let us always invoke the name of our God and fight the enemy with loaded words from the Bible instead of empty words; and may we always remember that it is not our physical size that matters, but the fact that the helmet of salvation continues to protect us, and that we have a living sword that is sharper than that of our enemies. Lastly, when faced with problems, let us remember that Christ is our Rock, (2 Colossians 10:4), a rock that is able to exterminate all giants on our behalf.

Bible Study Questions For Discussion - Week 19

Very briefly please describe what you think Paul meant by “helmet of salvation” in regard to warfare in Eph 6:17? Please explain
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How can you describe David’s action of rejecting Saul’s amour in 1 Sam 17:39? Please explain
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In the battle between David and Goliath, what do you think was David’s protection against Goliath? Please explain
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Compare the dialogue between David and Goliath in 1 Sam 17:44-47 and that of Jesus in Matt 4:3-10 and draw a parallel Between the two conversations. Please discuss
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Would you interpret the words spoken by David against Goliath and those spoken by Jesus against Satan as the “Sword of the Spirit”? Please explain
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Why do you think a Christian should always carry the sword of the Spirit as a weapon? Please explain
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Do you think Christians today are using the [tag-tec]sword of the Spirit[tag-tec] effectively? If no please explain
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Please give examples of how the Christian today can sharpen their swords? Please explain
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Reflection: 1 Sam 17:47- The Sword of Words

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s and he will give you into our hands”. Our weapons are not physical but spiritual and they are able to deliver us against any spiritual giants even today.
Amen

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