Luke 13:31-35
1. What did Jesus' prophetic vocation mean to Him?
Jesus said "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!"
This shows that Jesus was clear where He came from and where He was going. He came His eyes fixed on what the Father wants Him to do.
1 Peter 5:1-11
2. How does Peter describe the rewards?
God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Forgetting to remember
Deuteronomy 4:23-31
1. What does God remember and what do we forget?
Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Hebrews 4:1-11
2. What are the lessons of the Israelites' wilderness journey?
We should have faith upon knowing the gospel of Christ and thus we can then find rest in God.
However, it still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.
1. What does God remember and what do we forget?
Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Hebrews 4:1-11
2. What are the lessons of the Israelites' wilderness journey?
We should have faith upon knowing the gospel of Christ and thus we can then find rest in God.
However, it still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bitter or Better
Mark 14:32-36
1. How did Jesus face His time of trial?
Jesus sat down and prayed. He was deeply distressed and troubled. He said "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death".
Then he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him."Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
James 1:2-7
2. How does James counsel those who face trials?
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.
1. How did Jesus face His time of trial?
Jesus sat down and prayed. He was deeply distressed and troubled. He said "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death".
Then he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him."Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
James 1:2-7
2. How does James counsel those who face trials?
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Different perspective
Psalms 4:1-8
1. How does the psalmist respond to distress?
The psalmist asked God to give him relief from distress and be merciful to him and hear his prayer. He reminds himself not to sin during anger and search his heart and be silent. He offers right sacrifices and trust in the LORD for the LORD have filled his heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
2. How does Paul worship in a time of trouble?
Paul worshipped, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."
1. How does the psalmist respond to distress?
The psalmist asked God to give him relief from distress and be merciful to him and hear his prayer. He reminds himself not to sin during anger and search his heart and be silent. He offers right sacrifices and trust in the LORD for the LORD have filled his heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
2. How does Paul worship in a time of trouble?
Paul worshipped, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."
Thursday, January 3, 2008
'A gospel of sin management'
John 17:13-19
1. How are the disciples to be sanctified?
The disciples are to be sanctified by the Word of God, which is also the truth. We are in the world but not of the world.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
2. How does Paul describe what it means to be saved?
To be saved means it involves the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief in the truth. Through the gospel, we can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us stand firm and hold to the teachings, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
1. How are the disciples to be sanctified?
The disciples are to be sanctified by the Word of God, which is also the truth. We are in the world but not of the world.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
2. How does Paul describe what it means to be saved?
To be saved means it involves the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief in the truth. Through the gospel, we can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us stand firm and hold to the teachings, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
'Are you saved?'
Psalms 119:33-40
1. How does the psalmist link following God to His Word?
The psalmist wants to follow the Lord's decrees so that he will keep them to the end. He wants to have understanding, keep God's law and obey it with all his heart in the path of the Lord's commands. He asked God to preserve his life according to His Word and righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
2. In what way is Timothy to be 'thoroughly equipped'?
Timothy is thoroughly equipped by the Word of God. For the Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. How does the psalmist link following God to His Word?
The psalmist wants to follow the Lord's decrees so that he will keep them to the end. He wants to have understanding, keep God's law and obey it with all his heart in the path of the Lord's commands. He asked God to preserve his life according to His Word and righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
2. In what way is Timothy to be 'thoroughly equipped'?
Timothy is thoroughly equipped by the Word of God. For the Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Divine discipleship
Ephesians 4:20-24
1. What does Paul mean by being 'made new'?
You are to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 John 3:1-3
2. As the children of God, what is our hope?
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
1. What does Paul mean by being 'made new'?
You are to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 John 3:1-3
2. As the children of God, what is our hope?
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
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