Category: Studies (Page 5 of 7)

Then to Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied.

~Job 1:8-9

Materials Needed: Whiteboard or easel.

Notes to the Leader: This study is unique in that it will look at two very different but related elements of Christianity, Satan and the freedom of choice. The topic of Satan is often avoided because of the stereotypes of the “devil” or just the general apathy for discussing the “evil one,” a negative power out to destroy the very soul of each person. However, Satan is real and we should get to know him. You will in this study.

Also, the idea of free will or freedom to choose eternal life will be touched upon. All this will be done through a study of the beginning verses of the Book of Job.

Introduction

The Book of Job is considered both by secular and religious scholars to be one of the finest pieces of literature in the history of human writing. It is a mixture of prose, poetry and drama. This story is, in a sense, a contest between Satan, Job & God.

Describe in your own words, the characteristics of God that would allow for the conditions set forth in the story of Job?

• Confidence comes to mind, both in God’s own understanding of His absolute power and in Job.
• God sets limits on Satan’s ability to impact Job.
• God retains Job’s free will to choose each step of the way.

Whose integrity is at stake here: Job’s? Satan’s? God’s? What exactly is being tested?

• God needs no test. He knows He is absolute.
• Satan’s power is being tested.
• Job’s faith is being tested.

Section One: This Man Called Job

Have someone in your group read Job 1:1-5

What can you determine about Job and his character?

• Morally healthy, spiritually mature, upright, wealthy, a person of position, a good family man, a leader among his people, etc. God affirms this same opinion twice (Job 1:8, 2:3). Don’t confuse Job’s morality with sinlessness. Job himself admits he is a sinner (Job 6:24).

Is Job a good father?

• His interest in the moral health of his children seems to indicate so (Job 1:4).
• Job serves as a spiritual priest for his family and regularly gathers them for worship (Job 1:5).

Note: In these times, wealth was considered a reward from God for those of righteous character. Job was considered the “greatest man of the East” and, by his holdings of land and cattle, was considered very wealthy. Hence lies the conflict of this biblical story – whether or not God rewards the righteous with prosperity.

Section Two: Discussions In Heaven

Have someone in your group read Job 1:6-12

Who’s present at this most noteworthy command performance?

• The sons of God. These are the angels, specially created beings who are under the sovereign authority of God.
• Satan. The term Satan means adversary or opposer. He is one of the sons of God; he is real, evil and personal.
• God.

In the conversation between the Lord and Satan in chapters 1 and 2, we can learn some important facts about our enemy. How many can you come up with?

Take time here and write these down on a whiteboard or easel for your group to see. This may be the only time that they really spend time thinking about who Satan is.

• Satan is not equal to nor on the same level with God, but a created being. – Verse 1:7; 2:2
• Satan is not omnipresent. – Verse 1:7,12; 2:2,7
• Satan’s sphere of influence is limited to earth, where he roams to and fro like a hungry lion, preying on unsuspecting victims. – Verse 1:7; 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8
• Satan is man’s accuser. – Verse 1:9-11; 2:4
• Satan is insolent and arrogant. – Verse 1:9-11
• Satan’s goal is to undermine faith and separate people from God. – Verse 1:11; 2:4
• Satan is permitted by God, according to God’s plan, to attack us. – Verse 1:12; 2:6
• Satan’s ability to hurt us is limited. – Verse 1:12; 2:6
• Satan’s goals can be frustrated by human choice. – Verse 1:22; 2:10
• Some of what God is doing in our lives is a demonstration directed toward Satan. – Verse 1:8; 2:3
• Tragedy and disease are inflicted by Satan, not by God. – Verse 1:12; 2:6-7

What is the premise that Satan is making to God concerning Job?

• Job would not be as faithful to God if he weren’t paid so well for it! Take away Job’s wealth and his righteousness will also leave.

Do you think that God already knew that Job would be safe against Satan’s attack?

Read Genesis 1:26-28 God has created human beings with freedom of choice. While there is risk in this design, we are free to make decisions which brings sin and its consequences on themselves and creation.

Why do you think that we were created with this freedom?

• Without freedom, mankind can never truly reflect the glory of God, because authentic righteousness can never be produced by automatons, tyrannized slaves, or bribed stooges. Only free beings can produce it. Love, which is righteousness at its apex, is real only if it is freely chosen or given.

Who can inflict pain? God, mankind, Satan?

• While some Scripture can lead us to believe that God afflicts His people, in Job, we learn a different viewpoint. God as creator and king of the universe is ultimately responsible for what goes on under His reign, including tragedy and pain. But God is not the tempter (James 1:13). In Job, we discover that Satan is the inflictor of pain, though he can do so only with God’s permission.

Why do you think God would allow such a test of Job and Satan to take place? Can you see any motives or good that comes from such a contest?

• God’s reasons are not explained. However, what is clear that Job was being used by God in His confrontation with Satan.
• The New Testament indicates that angelic beings – both good and bad – are learning God’s wisdom and order from watching us (1 Corinthians 11:10; Ephesians 3:8-11; Hebrews 12:1).
• We are also reminded that our battle of faith is not against people but an unseen enemy in a heavenly (spiritual) dimension (Ephesians 6:10-19).

Section Three: The Problems Begin

Have someone in your group read Job 1:13-22

What were the first series of tragedies that affected Job?

• 500 oxen and 500 donkeys were stolen and ranch hands killed.
• A flock of 7,000 sheep and their shepherds were killed by fire.
• Job’s 3,000 camels have been stolen by Chaldean marauders and the ranch hands again were also killed.
• A tornado kills all 10 of Job’s children. Only one servant is spared.

How does Job respond to all this bad news? Does he blame God?

• He is of course human and overcome with the tragedies. Job offers no angry accusations, however, at God.

Read 1:21-22 to your group for Job’s response.

Section Four: Back to Heaven

Have someone in your group read Job 2:1-6. Instruct them to look specifically at verse 2:3.

How do you interpret this dialogue between God to Satan?

• His life in shambles, Job still trusts God. Satan speaks as if it has been God who has attacked Job. God is not the destroyer. However, God accepts responsibility. This is not an easy concept to understand. We are called to trust God and His motives.

Note: “Skin for skin” is an Eastern proverb. It may be a way of suggesting that God has allowed Job to be tested on a superficial level.

What is Satan suggesting in verse 2:4?

• As you recall, God did not give Satan permission to harm Job physically (v. 1:12). Satan suggests that the way to break Job is to give him a personal affliction.

Section Five: Job’s Physical Pain

Have someone in your group read Job 2:7-10

Job’s skin erupts with sores. Elephantiasis, the very worst form of leprosy, fits the symptoms described throughout the Book of Job. Job’s pain now becomes social, psychological, and spiritual.

Job’s wife enters the story to play a key role.

Why do you think that Job’s wife said what she did in (Verse 2: 9)?

• Choose one:
  • She was a second Eve, tempting her husband to curse God and die.
  • She was playing the devil’s advocate.
  • She joined forces with Satan.
  • She was speaking out of her own pain.
  • She was praying for Job’s merciful death.
  • She was confused and didn’t know what she was saying.

Note: While there is little doubt that her advice was poor, we must keep in mind that Job’s wife had also lost her wealth, her children and was in the process of watching her husband die a slow and painful death. Job’s response to her shows kindness and understanding. How many of us could act the same way in similar circumstances?

What is the erroneous assumption that is corrected by these verses in Job 2:7-10?

• People of integrity do not suffer; that suffering is a result of a lack of integrity, guilt, or sin. As we can see, Job, a person of integrity, lacking guilt or specific sin with regard to his tragedies an afflictions suffered greatly.

In Job’s response to his wife, he contrasts a popular view held by people today. What is that view?

• God’s very existence and authority is questionable.

Bible Truth Being Taught

Human trials are part of an invisible conflict in which God uses people to demonstrate His glory and goodness to the angelic world.

Our Response

To increase our awareness of our importance in God’s grand strategy to overcome evil.

“Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?”

~Nehemiah 5:9

Materials Needed: White board or easel.

Notes to the Leader: Nehemiah could be called forceful, goal-oriented; a man with a temper; all business; capable of out planning and outfighting his enemies; fair but hard to please. These are the attributes in modern society that are most admired. Great leaders often are described with many of the same characteristics as those found in Nehemiah.

In this study, we will see the softer, more compassionate side of Nehemiah. You will also cover the importance of mission and generosity. Yet, the lesson goes further to show that the divisions among believers must also be overcome so that God’s work is not compromised.

Introduction

Using your whiteboard or easel, make a list of your group’s responses to the following question:

What are the personality traits, the characteristics of the successful people you most admire?

Now look over the list you have built and ask your group to place a checkmark next to those characteristics that you would consider to be those of compassion, caring or gentleness. These would be attributes such as transparency (easy to understand and lives with an open door policy; generous, helps others; cares and is active to help the disadvantaged; evangelistic, willing to pass on the foundations of their faith.

If you have no check marks: This is typical of the world’s view of success and leadership. Rarely do we ever know about or care about the gentler side of great people. Your emphasis with this study will be to open their minds to Godly leadership.

If you have a group with marks: Your group is advanced in their thinking. Your emphasis with this study will be to reassure and affirm their opinions.

Section One: The Poor Always Seem To Get Poorer

Read Nehemiah 5:1-5 to your group. Nehemiah’s strategy to build the wall and defend the construction was brilliant. However, his plan required every able-bodied man and some of the women and children to work twice as long as normal (Nehemiah 3:12).

Now , compare the impact of this type of work schedule on the priests, merchants, craftsmen, and wealthy landowners to that of the peasant farmers living in the Judean hillsides.

For the professional and wealthy, it was possible to neglect their duties for several weeks at a time.

For the poor (peasants), neglecting their fields for even a day was very difficult. As a result, the peasants were drawn into debt.

The driving nature of Nehemiah and the difficult work schedule finally drove the poor of the land to cry out and complain.

Who were complaining about the work and what was so unique about their complaints?

• Four groups of poor complained:
  • Those with many children could not feed them.
  • Those with fields, vineyards and homes found themselves compelled by famine to mortgage their assets.
  • Some borrowed money to pay taxes.
  • Some had sold their children into slavery because of their poverty.
  • The uniqueness of their complaint was that it was their brothers, fellow Jews, who were ignoring the poor, loaning the money and allowing the slavery to take place.

Have someone in your group read Deuteronomy 24:10-13.

Were the Israelites upholding the principles of borrowing and pledging as instructed by God?

• We interpret the “waiting outside one’s home” to mean that the lender is to be respectful of the borrower. The cloak was considered the last possession of a person because they used it to keep warm when they slept. One was never to take away one’s ability to survive. In Deuteronomy, we see that God’s concept is love and concern for one’s neighbor was a moral act. The concept of pledging had only involved items of token value. However, over time, the Israelites had modified it to the concept of collateralizing a loan.

Can you think of how this concept of collateralizing entered the Jewish culture?

• The idea was prevalent in the societies around them. It crept in as the Jewish people adopted the ways of other cultures. This was especially true of indenturing a son or daughter. (see Deuteronomy 28:43-44 for God’s warning,
• Read Deuteronomy 15:1-6 (for matters of debt)

Section Two: The Rich Always Seem To Get Richer

Have someone in your group read Nehemiah 5:6-8.

What was Nehemiah’s reaction to all of this?

• He recognized this as wrong and sinful, he stopped all work and began to take corrective steps.

Why do you think that Nehemiah had let things get so bad?

• He very well could have been too focused on his goal of rebuilding the wall.

What characteristics of Nehemiah allowed him to respond so quickly to correct this matter?

• He was a man of God and knew the Law;
• He was not reactive but gave the matter careful thought (v. 7) immediately;
• He maintained a compassion and love for his fellow man (v. 6).

Why do you think that Nehemiah responded so quickly to the issue?

• This was a matter concerning the well-being of his people. It was a problem from within that he was moved to solve.

How did Nehemiah get the Jewish leaders to respond to call against usury and slavery?

• Nehemiah had been purchasing Jewish slaves back from the Gentiles so that he could set them free. Nehemiah shamed them by his own actions.

Why should we all be so concerned over the actions of all Christians or church members when we see them taking advantage of others?

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 All Christians are given a place in the body of Christ through which they contribute to the spiritual life and growth of every member of the body and receive instruction for their own improvement from all members. Every member is of equal importance and in the right place as assigned by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7). We insult Christ if we plead ignorance or show indifference.

Section Three: Who Is My Brother’s Keeper?

Have someone in your group read Nehemiah 5:9-11.

Do you think that Nehemiah cared about what impact his response would have on the rebuilding of the wall?

• Nehemiah did not care what impact his command had on the attitude of the “rich and famous.” He knew that his command was the will of God and that was his only concern. Right the wrong. No politics here.

Note: The reference to “fearing God,” the Shema (first words of Deuteronomy/the Jewish confessions of faith) begins with an instruction to fear the Lord. Keeping the covenant with God (obeying His laws) was therefore, considered equivalent to fearing God.

Who would have a harder time adhering to Nehemiah’s request and to God’s laws: those in bondage or slavery; those in debt; those who had nothing; or those who were wealthy and held positions of nobility?

• The wealthy and nobility.

Do you consider your walk with Christ, and the adherence to His laws an easy or hard task?

• This is just open discussion for your group. There is no right or wrong answer. It is an excellent time for you to give your group practice in sharing. Sharing is one of the key skills necessary to spread the Gospel’s message effectively.

What group do you think God places you in with regard to wealth and position?

• A straw vote here is fine.
  • Wealthy/Position of Nobility
  • Poor/Needy
  • In the Middle

What response or set of actions placed the wealth and nobility back into God’s favor?

• Recognition and adherence to God’s laws, including: compassion for those in need and a love for their fellowmen.

Section Four: Loaning Money

Have someone in your group read Nehemiah 5:12-13.

Was Nehemiah asking that no one should borrow or lend money or that all debts be canceled?

• No. Nehemiah had taken a position that it was wrong to take collateral, charge exorbitant interest and to foreclose by taking people into bondage and slavery. He wanted compassion to rule the principles of lending. While the debts stood, Nehemiah wanted the abuses introduced by men to stop.

What was Nehemiah trying to do with the nobles and officials with regard to their oath and the shaking out of his robe?

• Nehemiah was focusing in on the real issues that reside with repentance. He was not satisfied that the nobility and officials understood that they were wrong. Nehemiah wanted them to understand that they had to change their lives and the way that they did business. He made them sign an oath and presented them the knowledge that God would respond should they not uphold their commitments.

Section Five: Nehemiah’s Example

Have someone in your group read Nehemiah 5:14-19.

What was Nehemiah doing through the example he was setting?

• Nehemiah knew that written oaths aside, people could easily slip back to their old ways. Through his example of unselfishness, he chose not to abuse his position of power as others had done in the past. Instead, he set a daily example of generosity.

What do you think Nehemiah’s daily dinners for 150 accomplished?

• Besides the continued demonstration of a loving and sharing attitude, his ability to communicate his faith was no doubt spread among his followers faster. Openness and sharing with others is all part of God’s wonderful plan.

Summary

Why is it so important for church leadership to resolve internal problems such as Nehemiah ran into quickly? What could happen to the church itself if they are left unresolved?

• Not to do so risks the well-being of the Church itself. Division among church members is Satan’s way of disrupting the good work of the Church.

Bible Truth Being Taught

When God’s people become divided and harm one another, only their commitment to His Word can reunite them.

Our Response

To look to God’s Word for eternal truths that transcend and heal divisions in the body of Christ.

O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

~Isaiah 37:16

Materials Needed: None.

Notes to the Leader: This is a discussion-oriented study. It’s purpose is to show that success does not necessarily mean we are pleasing God. In good times and our affluent society, it is easy to come to the conclusion that because live is good, there is no more to do. However, faith in good times and bad are to be part of the Christian life.

While the Scripture is from the Old Testament, its relevance to today’s society is very contemporary. This study will require reading of Scripture and discussion. In order to give your group adequate time to hear and relate to the verses, you may want to ask several people with differing translations of the Bible to re-read the verses.

Introduction

Can trust be formed in an environment of only perfect harmony?

• When everything is going well, we of course, rejoice. No stress, just peace and tranquility. Yet, most of us would agree that it is the trials of life that bring forth significant growth in one’s trust in virtually anything. This is true between people as well as between our God and us.

What is the basis for your trust in the following areas?

• Government – It has survived many trials (war, depression, political turmoil, etc.)
• Banks and our monetary system – There is a reason why the world has loaned us so much money so that we have become the largest debtor – we have the resources to be stable and pay it back.
• Your church – To most of us, our has stood by us through good and bad times. Its congregation has probably remained non-judgmental and supportive.
• Driving – Personally, this is my weakest area of trust. It’s good to have air bags, ABS brakes and a vehicle that rates five stars in the crash test.

When you reflect upon how the world has twisted biblical truths to accomplish worldly goals, what are some of the ungodly philosophies that come to mind? How do each cause difficulties for believers?

• Holidays and their conversion into materialistic rituals.
• God is love, therefore, He will not punish us for our ignorance of His will.
• The Holy Word of God was really written by men and, therefore, is not accurate.
• The Holy Word of God is accurate and, therefore, can be taken literally, without the aid of the Holy Spirit.
• God will provide. This is carried forward into laziness and a view toward materialistic provisions.
• Because things are going well, God is pleased. Because things are going poorly, God is displeased.

Section One: Trusting God In Difficult Times

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 36:1-22.

What typical response do you see in verse 7 that non-believers typically make with regard to our God?

Note: The Assyrian army was besieging the town of Lachish, a fortified city 30 miles from Jerusalem. In Sennacherib’s confidence, he pulled out his commander to go to Jerusalem and taunt Hezekiah’s officials. This was done at the aqueduct (v. 36:3).

• In the commander’s own ignorance, was his inference that Judah had betrayed God by destroying the idolatrous altars and high places. So typical of many nonbelievers: while not even pretending to have faith themselves, they presume to critique or comment on beliefs that to them are meaningless.

What else did the commander say?

• See Isaiah 36:6-9: Neither the armies of Egypt nor the God of Israel would rescue the people of Jerusalem.
• See Isaiah 36:10: The Lord had ized him to destroy Judah.

Read Romans 1:21 to the group.

What makes people so blind as to our God?

• When God gives up on someone (after they have continually mocked and rejected Him), their hearts can no longer see what we see.

Which one of the misunderstood biblical truths do you see violated here?

• Because the commander was, up to that point, successful, he assumed that it would continue.

How do we make this same mistake in today’s society?

• The United States, your city, your church by all standards are operating successfully. However, that should not relieve us of the responsibility to constantly assess our motives and the principles to which we subscribe. Affluence and success are not necessarily proof of following God’s will.

Why did Hezekiah’s officials want the commander to speak in Aramaic?

• So the people would not become demoralized.

Why did the commander refuse?

• So they would be demoralized. It was, of course, the primary objective of his visit to Jerusalem, to win without a battle.

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 36:21.

What was Hezekiah’s orders regarding their discussions with the commander?

• He ordered them to keep quite. This is often the best advice when the enemy seems to have the upper hand.
• How does this example translate to our role as Christians today?
• There are times when God’s wisdom does direct us to give an answer for our faith and there are times when we are wise to remain silent.

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 37:1-38.

What was Hezekiah’s first response to the trouble that lay ahead?

• Isaiah 37:1 – He went to the temple and prayed.

What do you notice about the prayers?

• Hezekiah then humbly sought God’s counsel. Isaiah had good news for Hezekiah. Sennacherib would return home and die by the sword. Sennacherib mocks our God in verses 37:10-13. Based on the outcome of this story, it is not wise to mock our God.

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 37:16-18.

What are the components of Hezekiah’s simple prayer?

• Hezekiah shows his intention to rely solely upon God’s glory, not his own.
• Hezekiah does not ask for revenge, only that the world will know God is in charge.

Notes: Verses 37:36-38 record the amazing fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The Lord sent a destroying angel to the Assyrian camp, killing 185,000 enemy troops in one night. After this, a devastated Sennacherib could only return with his crippled army to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. There he was eventually assassinated by two of his sons, all according to prophesy.

Section Two: Trusting God When We are Sick

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 38:1-8.

What is the real message in this story about Hezekiah’s healing?

• God does hear and answer the prayers of His people: so much so that prayer can affect even history.

Read Isaiah 38:7 to the group.

What was the sign that God gave Hezekiah?

• The shadow cast by the sun would go back ten steps. (The stairway of Ahaz was probably westward facing).

Why did God have to provide such a visible affirmation of His promise to extend Hezekiah’s life?

• This encouraged Hezekiah’s faith at a time of great need. God works in our lives the same way.

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 38:9-22.

What can we learn about Hezekiah’s healing experience from his lament and song of praise?

• Hezekiah was not immediately healed. He continued in sickness and approached death.
• This brought Hezekiah to think how easy it was for God to end his life. This brought humility.
• Hezekiah reflected upon his life. The illness brought about a self-examination of priorities.
• When Hezekiah was brought to his knees, then God healed him.
• Hezekiah’s response: this gives him another chance to praise God for His love.

Note: In 38:21, Isaiah directed some attendants t make a paste from some figs and put it on the king’s boil. Yet regardless of the scientific (God-created) applications, Hezekiah’s response is praise to God for working through this medicinal technique. God works both within natural means and supernatural means. We are to give Him praise in either case.

Section Three: Trusting Our Own Understanding

Have someone in the group read Isaiah 39:1-8.

Comments to add after the reading: Hezekiah accepted the good wishes of the envoys from Babylon. Hezekiah shared much with them but later, the Babylonians would use this information against Judah (39:2).

What was it that Hezekiah did wrong?

• God had promised to give His people all the protection they needed. Hezekiah thought otherwise and tried to increase his nation’s security through an alliance with the Babylonians.

What is the message for us all in this part of the story?

• Even after all God did for Hezekiah, he fell back on relying upon worldly resources for protection. Hezekiah didn’t need worldly resources and God didn’t like him relying upon them either.

How is this same attitude and mistake being made today?

• The longer we remain protected by God, the less prone we can be to trust Him and the more likely we are to pursue folly. Just pick up a paper or watch the news.

Bible Truth Being Taught

God wants us to respond to life’s hardships by remaining faithful to Him, rather than to act like foolish people, forgetting Him in good times and turning to Him in hard times.

Our Response

To emphasize the importance of turning to God in faith with all our problems, big and small.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

~Proverbs 31:30

Materials Needed: Whiteboard or easel.

Notes to the Leader: This is a discussion-oriented study. The role of women in the Christian church is, unfortunately, one of the many controversies argued among denominations. While this study is not intended to put to rest those controversies, it represents one view, an Old Testament view of women’s gifts in support of God’s kingdom.

The study is intended for both men and women. It explores only a small portion of the entire Biblical perspective on the roles women should take in their work, in their families and in their church. It is strongly suggested that you group other studies together on this topic to offer a broad perspective.

Introduction

Plan to build a list on a whiteboard or easel. Use this question to open up the group and get everyone to participate. There are no right or wrong answers here, just opinions.

What are the elements in society, both in the U.S. and in the other countries of the world, that serve to stereotype women as subservient to men?

• Religion (e.g. some Mid-Eastern)
• Television and the media, books (e.g. the roles women take as characters)
• Workplace
• Family history (early patterning)
• Educational systems

What status do you think women hold in the Old Testament Jewish society?

• Women were held in high regard.
• The Hebrew word for man is Ish; woman is Ishah, indicating she was created equal (Genesis 2:23). The four mothers, Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel were always held in high esteem. This is clear from Scripture. Miriam rescued Moses (Exodus 2:1-9), led Israel in celebrating its deliverance through the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21), and was influential until her death. God’s prophet Micah lists her with Moses and Aaron among the liberators of Israel (Mica 6:4). Israel’s women contributed to the resources needed for the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 35:22). Finally, just some of the heroines of the Bible are: Deborah (Judges 4-5), Ruth (Book of Ruth), Hannah (1 Samuel 1), Abigail (1 Samuel 25), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:24-25), 1 Kings 1:11), the wise woman of Tekoa (2 Samuel 14), Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14-20), Queen Ester (Book of Ester), and many more.
• While the Book of Proverbs was primarily written as a training manual for young men, it begins with women as models (Proverbs 1:8; 1:20-33; 4:6-9; 8:1-36; 9:1-12) and ends with Proverbs 31, things a mother taught her son, including a description of a wife of noble character who exemplifies the best of Proverbs’ wisdom.

Section One: Who Was The Woman Behind the Teaching in Proverbs?

King Lemuel wrote Proverbs 31. It consists of the things his mother taught him.

Have someone in the group read Proverbs 31:1-2.

What can you tell about King Lemuel’s mother from these verses?

• We do not know her name but know she was a godly and wise woman.
• She had two sons whom she influenced, Lemuel and Agur.
• She saw the teaching of her sons as the fulfillment of vows she had made to God, perhaps before they were born (v. 2).

By what right is the queen mother expressing to teach her sons?

• By blood. “O son of my womb.” The right of motherhood and childbirth

With the challenges facing children in the world today, How is it that we can hope to teach them and influence them?

• Use this as an opportunity to build another list. Once you are completed (again there are no right or wrong answers), read 2 Timothy 3:16 to the group.

Now, how would you answer the question?

• Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is not only our hope but our power.

Section Two: The Primary Concerns of a Mother

Whose responsibility does sex education fall onto? The Father, the mother, the school?

• It is the joint responsibility of both parents (Read Proverbs 6:20-35; 23:24-28; 31:1-3 to the group).

Why do you think the issue of sex is so apparent in the Bible?

• We are called by God to prepare our children before we send them out into a sex-saturated society.

Have someone read Proverbs 31:3 to the group.

What is the real message behind Lemuel’s mother’s comments?

Sex is addictive. It has the power to dissipate physical and mental energies and wealth.

Have someone read Proverbs 31:4-7 to the group.

What was the queen mother’s second concern?

• Misuse of alcohol. In this specific example, it is pointed out that drunkenness produces forgetfulness of the law, which leads to unjust judgement (v. 5).

In verse 6 and 7, Is the queen mother advocating the use of alcohol to get relief from life’s problems?

Note to the Leader: The Hebrew verb “Give” is plural, meaning the statement is not specifically addressed to Lemuel. Because of this, it is to be taken as no more than an observation on the way alcohol is used. This is an excellent example of why one should be on guard against the pure literal use of the Bible. Without study and knowledge, one could draw erroneous conclusions. Use the answers you receive to stress the point of proper Biblical study.

• If your group is comprised of youth, discuss peer pressure and how it affects their decisions on alcohol.
• If your group is comprised of singles, discuss the dating scene and how alcohol can distort or destroy relationships.
• If your group is comprised of people with children, discuss how they set an example for their children.
• If your group is comprised of older people, discuss the impact alcohol has had within their lives. You will be surprised by the openness and willingness of those affected by alcohol to share their stories.

Please note: There are separate studies with regard to alcohol. See Alcohol, is it wrong to drink it? for more information.

Have someone in the group read Proverbs 31:8-9.

What is it that the queen mother considers important for the role of a king (leader)?

• Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
  • All who are destitute.
  • The poor, afflicted and humbled.
  • The needy and helpless.

Does this mean that we should all rush to the “Liberal Left” and become a society taking care of everyone?

• We must be careful to understand the purpose of leadership. A leader must organize, protect, care about the moral character of his people. The queen mother points out that it is the most needy, the destitute, those on their last legs that have no power and cannot speak for themselves that must not be forgotten. She says nothing about taking the responsibility over for the masses of society. If one examines our society in America today, we have missed the mark. Our leadership has stepped in to organize and direct life for a large group who, with proper incentives, could care for themselves. Yet, at the same time, ignored the real poverty, “street people”, those who have no hope. There are other groups too that fall into the category of being in “real poverty.” This section can offer the opportunity for a lively debate on government policies, the role of the Church and the individual responsibilities of citizens.

Section Three: The Perfect Woman (Biblical Definition)

Proverbs climaxes with an alphabetic poem. Each verse begins with the succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet from aleph to tau.

Why do you think the Book of Proverbs would end with such a poem?

• Several possible reasons:
  • The queen mother taught her son, Lemuel, in this way so he would not forget this when he when to choose a wife.
  • Lemuel may have written this as a tribute to his mother.
  • It may have been chosen to end the Proverbs as a model for the young men to remember, a godly woman makes the difference (unlike the pagan women who were liberated and strong).

Have someone in the group read Proverbs 31:10-31.

For the men, How do you interpret these verses?

For the women, How do you interpret these verses?

• Notice that there is not one use of the words should, ought, or must. This poem is a tribute, not a directive.

What can you tell about the woman in Proverbs 31?

• She does not feel chained to the kitchen sink, imprisoned by housework, or held back by her husband or her responsibilities as wife and mother.
• She realizes her potential as a person.
• She has independence within an interdependent relationship.
• She has power and freedom to do what she is capable of doing, not in competition but in partnership with her husband.

What to you see as far as the husband’s response to this woman in Proverbs 31?

• He has full confidence in her, encouraging here to be everything she can be (v. 11, also Ephesians 5:25-28).
• He makes a point to praise her and affirm her abilities (vv. 28-29).
• He values her (v. 10) and shows his approval publicly (v. 31). There is no attempt to “keep her in her place” or “lord over her” in order to assert his supremacy. He is not here rival but her ally.
• He respects her as queen of the house and she functions not a slave but as the responsible leader she is capable of being (vv. 15, 27).
• She, in turn, respects him, works with him to provide a secure and orderly home (vv 18, 21, 25), and enhances his position in the community (v. 23). Her energies are “noble.” (v.29) or in Hebrew, hayil, meaning virtuous, worthy, reputable, capable, strong, resourceful, active.

Note: The woman in Proverbs 31 has some advantages: she has servants to help manage the household and her business enterprises (v. 15). She and her family wear the best of clothes (vv. 21-22). She has money to invest (v. 16). He husband is a leader in the community (v. 23).

Bible Truth Being Taught

The Bible acknowledges the worth and influence of godly women, and describes them as possessing a full complement of capabilities and gifts as persons created in the image of God.

Our Response

To recognize and accept that a Christian women’s gifts and abilities are from God and for all to support godly women in becoming everything they were created to be.

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

~Acts 11:26

Materials Needed: Easel or whiteboard.

Notes to the Leader: This study looks at the diversity of the early church. It examines the Biblical principles that call all Christians together. To get the most out of this study, plan on having class members read the various Bible verses that are highlighted throughout the study. If there are multiple translations of the Bible represented within your class, have others share their translations also. Now begin this lesson with a warm up. That is, general open discussion that lets everyone share their opinions. Make sure that everyone is open and neither accepts nor rejects anyone’s opinion.

What makes a gathering of people, a group, comfortable with each other?

• Respect for each other
• Similar interests or beliefs
• Common goals

How does a group become exclusive?

• Avoiding dissimilar interests
• Becoming judgmental against outsiders
• Setting standards that few can meet

When you meet someone new, what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable?

• Through open discussion, build a list of items that the entire class can see. You may want to start at one place in the classroom and have each person add to the list. This type of non-threatening question is a very good way to let people practice the art of sharing.

What makes us grow as individuals?

• Challenges
• Being pushed beyond our comfort zone
• New experiences
• New surroundings
• Fear
• Faith

Section One: Review God’s Master Evangelism Strategy, Scatter His People So They Tell All

The distances were 150 miles to Phoenicia, 250 miles to Cyprus, and 300 to Antioch. The Holy Spirit’s work can be seen here. People, not skilled in evangelism, nor interested in becoming world travelers were suddenly the evangelists of the day.

Where do you see the Holy Spirit work in your city today?

Make a list on the whiteboard.

Section Two: The City of Antioch

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman empire with a population of 500,000 people (Only Rome and Alexandria were larger). It was a center of worship for pagan deities, filled with immorality. Trade goods and culture flowed through Antioch from the Mediterranean to the west and the desert to the east. Gentiles that had converted to Judaism were in large numbers. It is thought that Antioch was Luke’s home town.

Have someone read Acts 11:19 to the group.

What was the significance of this milestone in Christian history?

This would be the actual turning point at which the message of the Gospel was preached to the Gentiles.

Have someone read Acts 11:20-21.

As a refresher, what was the reason for the Grecian believers to flee?

• The stoning and Stephen and Saul’s search and destroy techniques against Christians.

What was the message being spread?

• The good news about Christ (v. 20).

Can evangelism take place by only demonstrating it through the way one lives and believes?

• No. While evangelism contains a period of preparation where our visible lives do influence and impact others, eventually, evangelism must contain the message of Christ.

What do you notice about the actual message in verse 20?

• Share a Hint: Look at how the Grecian believers are describing Christ.
• They did not talk to the pagans in Jewish terms. Missing from their message was “Messiah.”

How should we use this knowledge to help us relate the message of the Gospel to others?

• We need to remember to use terms that are understood. Heavy reliance on Scripture verses, etc. can often go right over the heads of those we want to share our faith with. The message of the Gospel is not complex. It is worthy of reflective thought so that each one of us is prepared to share it with others.

Did the pagans in Antioch believe and were they saved before they had the in-depth understanding of Christian terminology?

• That is the whole point. Salvation comes from the basic acceptance of Christ and our faith placed in His offer to us, not the depth of knowledge in Scripture or theology.

Does this mean that after someone is saved, there is no more to do?

• Absolutely not. Salvation is separate from the task of leading a productive Christian life. If our salvation and faith our truly complete, it is Christ who changes and directs our lives so that we are productive on His terms, not necessarily our terms.

Re-read Acts 11:21 to the group.

What drew those early pagans to Christ?

• “The Lord’s hand was with them, and …. people believed.”

Section Three: How One Church Helped Another Through Encouragement

Read Acts 11:22-26.

What was the significance in the appointment and commissioning of Barnabas?

• It was a break in the pattern of sending out everyone with one of the original apostles. Barnabas went out alone.
• The qualifications of Barnabas were:
  • He was born and raised a Cypriot from an island about 150 miles west of Antioch.
  • He was a Jew whose native tongue was Greek.
  • Although Barnabas was not a priest, because he was of the tribe of Levi (from which priest were chosen), he would have received rigorous training as a child. He knew the Scriptures.
  • He was raised in a wealthy family but after he believed in Jesus, he sold his land and gave the money to the poor. What does this show? Evidence of complete abandonment to the Lord (Acts 4:36-37).
  • He had experienced the daily life of the original community of believers and had been taught by the apostles for several years (Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35).
  • The Greek word translated “sent” is from the same root word as for apostle (v. 22); Later he and Paul would be called apostles (Acts 14:14).
  • He was a good man (v. 24).
  • He lived by faith, in the energy of the Holy Spirit (v. 24).

Re-read Acts 11:23.

What was it that Barnabas did when he got to Antioch?

• He affirmed the work of the Holy Spirit through:
  • Joy – He was personally delighted over the evidence that he could see of the Lord’s hand and showed it.
  • Encouragement – He did not question or criticize the faith of the new converts. He praise and exhorted them.
  • Perseverance – He told the to “remain true to the Lord.”
  • Total commitment – “with all their hearts.”

What was the result of Barnabas’ affirmation?

• Evangelism at its best (re-read Acts 11:24).

What do you notice about how the early Church went about its evangelism?

• Usually with teams of people. Teamwork (Acts 11:25-26).
• Barnabas went out and searched for Saul (the Apostle Paul). What characteristics about Saul made him ideal for evangelism?
• Saul was multi-lingual.
• He had a vision for the Gentiles.
• Saul had demonstrated boldness and effective use of the Scriptures (9:22,28-29).
• In spite of Saul’s background, what did Barnabas do with Saul?
• He discipled Saul.

Section Four: The Makeup of the First Christians

Have someone in the group Read Acts 11:26-30.

Who do you think gave the early Christians their name?

• While it frequently debated as to whether the name was a conscious name created by the early believers, it was not the name they usually went by. Therefore, it is generally thought to be a nickname given to them by the pagans. Possibly even a name to ridicule them.

Read Acts 11:20, 24 to the group.

Think of yourself as an early Jewish convert to Christianity. Who would have had the most difficult transition?

• Issues like circumcision, ceremonial purification, etc. were all dropped in favor of a focus of knowing Christ. We own these early Jewish believers much for their tolerance.

Read Acts 11:23-24 to the group.

What was it that seemed to be the catalyst for explosive growth?

• Harmony of believers.

Read Acts 11:26 to the group.

What does it mean to be a disciple?

• At Antioch, to be a Christian was to be a disciple. Great numbers of people sat under Barnabas and Saul for a year, learning not just the facts of the Gospel, but learning to follow the model of “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit, whose life constantly exudes the grace of the Lord (v. 24).

Have someone in the group read Hebrews 10:25.

What was one of the key habits of the early Christians at Antioch?

• Fellowship.

What is the tie between becoming a disciple and fellowship?

• The internet doesn’t cut it here. To fully understand and become the model as described in the Gospel, fellowship is a requirement. We need to spend time together in pursuit of our Lord.

How can we tell if God’s grace abounds at a Church?

Let’s take the Antioch test below. Have someone in the group read Acts 11:23, 27-30.

What was the evidence of God’s grace that Barnabas was able to see in the Church in Antioch?

• There was a spirit of unity in which Jews and Gentiles accommodated one another in order to fellowship.
• They showed an eagerness to learn (v. 26).
• They exhibited evidence of spiritual gifts (vs. 24; 13;1-3).
• The Gentiles showed generosity in their response to the needs of their Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem (vv. 28-30).

Bible Truth Being Taught

Through the sovereign strategy of the Holy Spirit and the daring of a few pioneering Jewish believers, the Good News about the Lord Jesus spread to the Gentiles.

Our Response

To delight in the church as an exciting mixture of people of all races, nationalities, classes, spiritual backgrounds and gifts, put together by the Holy Spirit.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I, Send me!”

~Isaiah 6:8

Materials Needed: White board or easel.

Notes to the Leader: One of the functions of Bible Study is to grow a personal relationship with our God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Trinity is not the easiest to understand. In the Old Testament, however, we gain insight to the very nature of our God. His saving grace, His loving character and His demanding commitment become more clear.

As a secondary part of this study, you will explore the requirements of a Godly leader. The study will also explore some of the meaning of symbolism within Scripture and give some opportunities to practice interpreting God’s Word.

Introduction

What does it mean to trust someone?

• Reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

Aside from God, who do you trust the most and why?

• We generally choose someone who has displayed a consistency of truth with regard to our relationship with them. They tell is like it is; are reliable; and bring strength to the relationship.
• Why is it that even when someone who we trust lets us down (maybe once or twice), we still trust them?
• While trust takes a long time to form between two people, and can be destroyed quickly, it is the very essence of the idea of trust that says we give the benefit of the doubt to someone we really trust.

Why is it that we can tolerate some degree of imperfection among our human friends but if God does not constantly demonstrate His character, ability, strength and truth in our lives, we doubt?

• Many times, we fail to give to God the same benefit of the doubt we extend to each other. God, who knows us intimately, who has created a personal plan for each of our lives, is never wrong. When God seems to step away and become distant, it is our feet that have done the walking, not His.

This lesson is about the failure of the Jewish nation to trust and obey God and Isaiah’s perfect obedience when called by God.

Section One: The Vineyard

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 5:1-7.

Who is the owner of the vineyard? Who represents the grape vines?

• The owner is God and the vines are the Jewish nation, taken out of bondage and planted into the promised land.

Who planted the vineyard?

• God (vv. 1-2)

Who did God call to be the judge between Himself and His vineyard?

• After God presented the facts clearly, noting that He had done all He could for His vineyard, He let the people be the judge (vv. 3-4).

What was the conclusion that is drawn?

• Tear down the protective hedge row and let the vineyard be trampled (v. 5). Instead of rain there would be drought (v. 6).

Why would God let the vines be destroyed?

• The fruit they produced was bitter.

What is the “fruit” that God is talking about here?

• Worship and sacrifice for ritual’s sake;
• Failure to protect the weak;
• Collapse of leadership through bribes;
• Lack of repentance;
• Failure to take care of the orphans and widows.

Is Isaiah’s song relevant to the peoples of today? How?

• Unfortunately, yes.

Use this opportunity to discuss with your group and possibly create a list on the white board or easel, a comparison of the “Fruit” of Isaiah’s time and today’s society.

Section Two: Down with Sin

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 5:8-10.

What is the modern day greed of our nation and the world?

• We are still focused on amassing large quantities of wealth through homes, investments, luxuries, etc. No matter how much someone has, more is considered better.

What was God’s judgment?

• Homes would be left empty. In spite of their greed for more and more, they would be left with less and less. Their land and their ventures would be cursed with infertility (see Deuteronomy 28:38-39).

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 5:11-17 and Isaiah 5:22-25.

Particularly who was God speaking about and what type of drinking?

• Leaders, heroes, getting up early in the morning and drinking all day into the night.

What had the Judges (leaders) done to those who were corrupt?

• Acquitted the wicked (v. 23).

Do corrupt leaders of today receive the same type of acquittal?

• You must be the judge. There seems to be similar patterns in today’s justice that we see in Isaiah’s time. The rich get away with things and the poor go to jail.

What was God’s judgment?

• The leaders would starve, go thirsty (v. 13)
• The rulers would be shamed (v. 15) while God would receive glory
• Their proud Jerusalem would become a place for sheep to graze.

How do you think God feels about those who despise His Word and His Law?

• Read v. 25 to your group. They would be destroyed like grass in a prairie fire.

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 5:18-21.

What is the “worldly wisdom” that is mentioned here?

• Fear of the Lord. These people have made a joke of God’s judgment and are calling it upon themselves so they can watch. This is the height of stupidity.

As supplemental Scripture read Romans 1:28 to your group.

When people set themselves against the Lord, they risk His turning them over to their own depraved minds. In this state, moral values are skewed, and their consciences are defective. Yet these people still believe that, through their intellect, they have a handle on life (Isaiah 5:21).

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 5:26-30.

How do you reconcile these images with the notion that our God has inexhaustible love?

Isaiah’s prophesy teaches that God’s righteousness and justice are also pure and immutable. Once His judgment starts, there is no stopping it until justice is repaid and evil is finally eradicated.
Section Three: Isaiah’s Orders

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 6:1-7.

In Exodus 33:20 and John 1:18, we are told that no human, Isaiah included, can look upon our God with full vision. We must interpret these verses to conclude that Isaiah was able to perceive a manifestation of the Lord’s appearance as he describes here.

How should we interpret the seraphs and their six wings? Why are we given such graphic detail?

• The two wings covering their faces represent reverence and awe before the Lord
• Two other wings covering their feet suggests humility
• The remaining two were perpetually flying — always at work in praise to God.

What other important symbolism can you find in these verses?

• Isaiah confessed his sin before God and all who were in the temple. The prophet realized his own need for the Lord to cleanse him. Only through atonement, could Isaiah praise God.
• When the seraph touched Isaiah’s lips with the hot coal, we see the redeeming power of God to purge and forgive sins.
• Isaiah’s sins were immediately forgiven.

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 6:8-13.

• What was Isaiah’s response?

He became one of our greatest volunteers.

Now see if your can interpret this scripture?

Isaiah 6:9-10 The people would hear but not respond nor understand Isaiah’s message.

Why should Isaiah have followed (or volunteered) for a job which would could not achieve its objectives even before it was ever started?

• This is the very essence of our faith and our walk with our God. We are called to obedience to do God’s perfect Will. Our human knowledge cannot perceive God’s plans from beginning to end. Like the workers at an automotive assembly plant, no one has the vision to see the entire process. Parts coming in from all over the world, moving through acres of production facility, each person only seeing a small part of the entire process. Yet out comes a car at the end. Each bolt, screw and component is just as important to the overall quality of the car. Yes, we are called to tighten our “bolt” based upon God’s perfect plan for solving the world’s transportation woes. We nudge, assemble, tighten, fix with faith that God knows His outcome.

Bible Truth Being Taught

God calls us to be His children, and He expects our unconditional commitment.

Our Response

To be willing to risk anything and everything necessary as we live in total commitment to God’s plans and His will.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

~Isaiah 7:14

Materials Needed: Whiteboard or easel.

Notes to the Leader: This lesson looks at faith versus fear. It is best given to a group that is comfortable sharing with each other.

This lesson will also look at our belief in the virgin birth of Christ. This study supports the Christian belief that to be both man and God, Christ’s conception and birth are not of man’s doing.

Introduction

How do our fears change with age?

• When we are young, our fears are centered around our activities. Will I pass my test? Will I be liked by my classmates?
• As we enter our mid-years, we become concerned with our families. Our center of life becomes our relationship with our spouse, our children.
• As we age, health, our ability to survive without employment, our eternal place, become the focus of our lives.

Use a whiteboard or easel. Divide it into a left hand and right hand sides. Let your group build a list for the next question on the left.

What do you fear today?

There are no wrong answers here. People’s fears are real, regardless of what we may think of them.

• Now build a list on the right side.

What does God promise us?

• Unfortunately, not the specifics we would like. In most cases, if you build a list of what God promises us, it will not match the same list of fears.
• He has a broader viewpoint, promising an eternal place that is very different from the world we live in.

When chaos and difficult circumstances seem to be the reality of today, what do people place their confidence in?

• Good judgment
• Influential friends
• Pleasing personality
• Bank reserves
• Education

However, the obvious answer, of course, is to only place our faith in the Lord.

Section One: A Message to a King

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 7:1-9. Verse 2 shows the fear of the people of the House of David (the Jewish Nation).

Why would they be so fearful?

• The people were relying on their own abilities instead of God. They knew they did not poses the capability to defeat their enemies.

Notes to read to the group: Judah’s powerful invaders would be reduced to nothing in a short while. Syria would be crushed within two years of the prophesy. Ten years later Israel would lose her national existence. In 65 years foreign colonists would be resettling Israel (v. 8).

What is the advice to the people if Israel in verse 9?

• Stand firm in your faith.

What does it mean to stand firm in your faith?

• This is the ultimate description of trusting God to take control. In spite of insurmountable obstacles, results that would bring anyone to tears, Isaiah calls his people to stand firm and trust that God is in charge.

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 7:10-25.

Why is it that when given the understanding that we are to ask the Lord for what we need, we seldom really ask?

• Ahaz had his mind made up. Such is the case with most of us. We fail to ask God for help because we already have the answer we want. To ask God is to let Him give us something else.

What happened when Ahaz stubbornly refused to ask God for help through a sign?

• God provided the sign anyway.

Why is it so important to understand and defend the virgin birth of Christ?

• It was not only foretold, but carried out in the New Testament. For Christ to become the intercessor between man and God, he could not be man nor could he be God. He had to be both. The idea of virgin birth is the only intellectual answer to this mystery.

Is there anything too difficult for God to do?

• This is the essence of faith itself. God can do whatever He wants.

Why would a Christian, a person placing their faith and hope in Christ, be hesitant to ask God for something and concerned over the outcome of the request?

• While we may all claim title to the salvation offered by our Christ, the true test of faith in our God and in our Christ comes from the day-to-day responses to worldly problems. It is too bad that Christians can gather together in a common belief that there was a Christ, yet cannot believe that God can do anything.

Section Two: A Message for Isaiah

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 8:1-10.

What was Isaiah doing to establish his authority as a prophet?

Re-read verse 8:2 to the group.

Isaiah wrote his prediction on a scroll. In modern day terms, he called the eight ball into the corner pocked before he took his shot.

What constitutes a definition of a prophet?

• The only Biblical definition is when the predictions come true. Then the individual can claim the rights of a prophet. Guessing is not part of a godly profit’s methods. It is not a matter of what percentage of a prophet’s predictions come true, but whether they all do.

Verses 9-10 indicate that in spite of proper preparation for war, Judah would lose. How do you interpret the last part of verse 10, “for God is with us?”

• In spite of their preparations for war, they would fail. However, God would continue to remain faithful to His people.

If in the end, God cares about all of us, why should be care about our obedience to Him and whether we are sinful or not?

• While it is true that we have a God who is patience, probably beyond our own understanding of limits, it remains dangerous to continually test God’s patience. When we constantly ignore God’s offers, He retains the right to retract the offer at any time. This leaves us to our sinful selves and sure destruction.

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 8:11-15.

How is it that when everything around us is going wrong, we can keep from being afraid?

• Isaiah tells us that we must keep our eyes focused on God alone.

What in that previous statement about God speaks to you personally?

• Focused means that all else must be put aside. This is maybe the hardest part of dealing with worldly problems, setting them aside enough to focus on God.
• God is to be our focus. Too often, we quickly pray and go back to human fix-it-quick strategies. God says focus (set all else aside) and make that focus Him (not a worldly solution).

Have someone in your group read Isaiah 8:16-22.

What is it about the supernatural that creates such an appeal for many people?

• They do not know Jesus, therefore, they find it much easier to know someone who once lived but now is dead.
• They allow themselves to be manipulated by the mediums that intercede with the (dead spirits). They are told what they want to hear.
• They are afraid of God’s truth. His truth is not something that can be rationalized, reworked, summarized, classified, or even understood. God is God. His work is His work. This leaves people feeling like they are not in control. Guess what? They are not.

Use this time to have your group spend time sharing any experience, personal or hearsay, where God has delivered someone from fear.

How do these faith experiences where fear has been overcome serve God’s kingdom?

• The testimony of “overcome fear” is one of the most powerful there is. In this, we learn how God works in our lives through examples. While some worship the “dead” gods of spirits, rocks (stars), wealth, position, etc., the only proven way to overcome fear is through placing our faith in our God.

How can the average Christian help others overcome fear?

• If overcoming fear is done so through focusing on God, then we must help others in fear focus on God. This is through our witness, examples, our help, our prayers, our involvement in their lives. Fear, human fear, is very real. Yet we are told by this lesson that fear lives until we release it to God, who is the ultimate recycler. Fear is recycled into opportunities, both personal and through community, to strengthen one’s faith, hope and bravery with respect to living in this world.

Bible Truth Being Taught

God wants our relationship with Him to be based on faith, not fear.

Our Response

To relinquish all fears to God so that He can give each of us trust, confidence, and peace of mind even in the most difficult situations.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

~Hebrews 12:3

Materials Needed: None

Notes to the Leader: The Christian Story would be much easier to tell if it was easy to follow. However, the commitment, faith as we call it, is not easy. Every day, human weakness, temptations, just the struggles of every day survival, test one’s faith. To endure, to survive, requires a plan and discipline. It is the very essence of being a disciple, to be disciplined in all things. This study will look in further detail to what is expected of the Christian who claims Christ as their Savior.

Be sensitive to the struggles of those in your group. It is much easier to tell someone to walk in faith than to walk it yourself. Personalize this study by using your own faith walk and examples of how you stood in faith and were not disappointed.

Introduction

What is the meaning of the word discipline?

• Webster’s Dictionary: (1) training to act according to rules. (2) activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training. (3) punishment inflicted by way of correction and training. Notice the emphasis on correction and training.

Can a family or a society function without discipline? Why or why not?

• There is no consequence to improper behavior.
• No corrective training
• Erodes the role and function of leadership thus destroying the concept of a common mission or goal to strive for.

Section One: Discipline’s Standard

Have someone in your group read Hebrews 12:3-4

The writer of Hebrews gives us a warning against having the wrong attitude toward discipline from God. How do you handle discipline yourself?

• Ideas: Children, people you work with, etc.
• You only discipline those you have authority over.
• Discipline is only administered when it is required.
• The discipline matches the offense or conditions.
• The discipline is meant to teach, change and, in general, make the individual a better person.

How does Hebrews 12:3-4 suggest we keep the correct attitude?

• Subject ourselves to God’s authority over us.
• Remember that most of our struggles are not mortal struggles.

Focus on the life of Christ and his obedience to God as an example to follow.

Section Two: Discipline’s Blessings

Have someone in your group read Hebrews 12:6-11

How does God’s discipline manifest itself in our lives?

• Through our endurance of hardships.

When faced with a great hardship seemingly beyond our control, what choices do we have?

• Relatively few when it comes to worldly solutions. However, we have all the power we need over our attitudes. The hardship can be used to:
• (vv.7-8) Confirm our child-relationship to God.
• (v. 9) Receive nourishment for our spiritual lives.
• (v. 10) Grow closer to the holiness of God.
• (v. 11) Bring peace and righteousness through the training gained by God’s discipline.

In your opinion, what is the best teacher, laughter or tears?

• While the human race learns from all emotions, there probably has been no greater teacher in history that the lessons learned from human misery. Few stories have been recorded concerning mankind’s joyful experiences but volumes record mankind’s pain. If you consider all of the tears the human race has shed, it is easy to see why mankind without God is destined for misery. We are all so slow to learn.

What then should our attitude be when enduring hardships?

• We have five choices:
  • Resign and accept it.
  • Get it over as soon as possible.
  • Accept it with self-pity.
  • Accept it as punishment in a resentful manner
  • Accept it as coming from a loving father (the preferred choice).

Section Three: Discipline’s Demands

Have someone in your group read Hebrews 12:12-17

What is it that we are to aim at as Christians? Read one verse at a time.

• (v. 12) A call to action to do good works.
• (v. 13) Remove obstacles and hindrances to spiritual growth.
• (v. 14a) Good relationships with all people are necessary for good progress in the Christian life.
• (v. 14b) Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. How do we gain holiness?
• Through a process of sanctification led by our faith and trust in Christ.
• (v. 15) Demonstrate God’s grace not bitterness.
• (v. 16) If sins like these are harbored for long, the time may come when a person seeks restoration, with its blessings, but may not find it, because they may not be able to sincerely repent (v. 17).

Section Four: Salvation’s Blessings

Have someone in your group read Hebrews 12:18-24

Contrast the difference between the Old Testament God and the New Testament God. What is the difference mean to us today?

• The Old Testament picture is a terrifying one for those who broke the Law. The New Testament brought forth God’s grace and forgiveness. Instead of separation from God (Old Testament), today we are together with Christ who is our constant companion.

Which is worse, disobedience during the times of the Old Testament or disobedience during the times of the New Testament? Is this a significant issue today?

• Moses brought forth the Law on behalf of God. Moses was God’s spokesperson. However, Christ spoke as God and, therefore, needed no such spokesperson. If there was condemnation for breaking the imperfect message of the law, how much greater will the condemnation be for breaking the perfect message of the Gospel?

Section Five: Salvation’s Demands

Have someone in your group read Hebrews 12:25-29

What is our warning and command in this passage (v. 25)?

• Do not refuse Him who speaks. We are to recognize and obey the itative voice of God.

What is the significance of the statements made in verse 12:26-27?

• There is no place to hide. Both the heavens and the earth are to be shaken leaving only an unshakable eternal kingdom. All things will be uprooted and may pass away. Life as we have experienced it may come to an end. However, one and only one thing will stand for eternity, our personal relationship with God.

In v.29, we are reminded of an awesome fact, our God is a consuming fire. This should strike fear into all people’s hearts.

Do you think people fear God today? Can our families and society survive without the fear of God?

• Without discipline and fear, it is often difficult to control mankind’s sinful nature. Our goal in life should be more than just survival. It should be to lead the fulfilled life of a faithful servant of our God. This passage along with the others in Hebrews should serve as a reminder that God’s love and His discipline are handed out to those He loves for the purpose of sanctification. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit works in us to purify us and instill the will to do good works.

One key difference between the non-Christian and the Christian is a matter of hope. Read Romans 5:1-5 to your group.

How do life’s difficulties relate to our Christian hope?

• Each suffering is part of a journey that give us strength through the Holy Spirit and to hope (faith) in Christ Jesus. Does not satisfaction come forth from the labor, sweat and pain given in pursuit of achievement? And what better achievement is there than the eternal presence of God.

Bible Truth Being Taught

The Christian life is not a guarantee against problems. To stand in faith when problems strike is the very essence of the Christian walk.

Our Response

To see that as we stand strong against the pressures of life, we learn obedience through God’s loving discipline.

When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.

~Ezra 9:3

Materials Needed: Whiteboard or easel.

Notes to the Leader: To many people, repentance is always what the other person should do. It is often one of the most misunderstood Christian concepts. Repentance is the cornerstone of our faith. This study looks at what it means when we profess our faith in Christ and are “called to repent.” You will be able to make good use of a whiteboard or easel since many of the questions lend themselves to a discussion and opinions. Take time to build lists of what your group comes up with. It is an excellent way to practices sharing with each other.

Introduction

How would you define the word Repentance?

• Webster: Repent – To turn from sin and dedicate one’s self to the amendment of one’s life; to feel regret or contrition, to change one’s mind.
• After reviewing Webster’s version, where do you think that people today go wrong and misunderstand its real meaning?
• Many people feel regretful of the things that they do. Feeling bad, however, is not repentance. The robber who is caught is caught is usually regretful of being caught. But unless he turns from his lifestyle, the robber is not repenting.
• To repent is, yes, to regret but also, to seek a new way with dedication and conviction.

Section One: Sinful Activity

Have someone in your group read Ezra 9:1-2

Note: The people had left captivity and entered Jerusalem full of commitment with high expectations. Upon Ezra’s return, he found them living as if they had forgotten their covenant with God.

Why do you think the people who arrived in Jerusalem with such a strong commitment to follow God’s commands ended up with such a low regard for His commandments?

• The people arrived in Jerusalem with a sense of mission. This was to restore and rebuild the temple. When the work was stopped on the temple, they lost this strong “mission” and drifted back to their sinful ways.

How is this lesson relevant to today’s Christian church?

• People need a strong sense of mission. Without one, the results are typically the same as those Ezra found.

Do you know the stated mission of the church you attend?

• Most mission statements are centered around a desire to be a sharing body of Christians serving both a congregation and the outside community.

What caused the leaders of Israel to come to Ezra with their confession?

• Ezra and his group arrived full of a sincere faithfulness to God and His Law. For approximately four months, Ezra’s new group mixed with the old group (early arrivals). The old group became convicted of their own condition when they saw how the new group behaved.

How do you think this relates to each of us today and to your church?

• The life of a few committed Christians can have a powerful impact on the world around them. Each day, the actions of our lives impact our community. As with Ezra’s small group, a small group of committed Christians can have a positive impact on their world around them.

Why do you think that the leaders of Israel had waited almost 50 years to come to grips with their sins and finally make their confession to Ezra?

• Tolerance of sin is a slow and creeping disease. Accept once, one little sin and each time later, it becomes easier and easier to accept another.

How do we accept sin in today’s world?

List some examples one the whiteboard or easel.

• We invest in companies that do not adhere to moral or ethical values just because they make money
• We subscribe to magazines, news papers, watch TV shows, go to movies that border or cross the line of indecency
• We associate with people who we should not associate with just to be sociable, fit in or get ahead
• We compromise our families, our duty to community and mission in the name of career advancement
• We separate the morality of our political leaders from their elected role

Do you think the response of the leaders (one of their confession) was sufficient?

• By Ezra’s response we must assume it was not sufficient. Missing was any sign of the second key part of repentance, a commitment to change, make restitution and to obey the Law.

Section Two: An Unexpected Response

Have someone in your group read Ezra 9:3-4

Note: It must have been a shocking sight to see Ezra, tearing his clothes, pulling his hair, his head splotched with bleeding bald patches. This shock treatment worked. The Israelites were suddenly drawn to see the consequences of their actions.

Do you think that God uses this same “shock treatment” method in our lives today?

• Yes and members of your group may have examples that they wish to share.

When we are exposed to the sinful acts of others, How do you think God would like us to respond?

• Many people require the “shock treatment” to come to grips with their sin. God expects us to be equally shocked at the sins of others. Sin is eternal death and, therefore, requires a serious response.

Read Ezra’s Prayer (Ezra 9:5-15) prayer to your group and “Ask them to look for three things that Ezra expressed to God:”

• Our fathers sinned and were punished.
• God gave his generation a break.
• They followed in their ancestor’s footsteps and now deserve God’s wrath.

What is missing from Ezra’s prayer?

• Ezra did not ask for mercy. He acknowledged their guilt and God’s righteousness; and accepted whatever God chose to do about it.

Is this type of behavior indicative of our society today?

• We are not an accepting society. Rarely does anyone accept responsibility for their actions. Whether it is the actions of corporations or the actions of individuals, our world teaches and rewards us to win at all costs. It is the world that tells us we can just do it ourselves; and the only thing that counts is the individual.

List some examples of how society does not accept responsibility:

• The criminal justice system and how we justify the behavior of people by the way they were raised or where they were raised.
• The political system and how it is accepted that you misrepresent the truth until caught.
• The educational system and how teaching to the “test” has become the norm instead of teaching to the child.
• The family and how parents are more apt to defend a child’s behavior for the sake of freedom rather than for the long term interests of society.

Section Three: Repentance

Have someone in your group read Ezra 10:1-4

Note: The Israelites were coming to grip with their sin. At first, they were fearful of God’s wrath. However, as Ezra’s lament and behavior continued, a change of attitude began to take place.

How would you explain the difference between a “bitter fear of the Lord” and “godly sorrow?”

Read 2 Corinthians 7:9 to your group – To be sorry or to be fearful is not repentance. To change direction, away from sin, to seek restitution, to correct the problem, that is repentance. A godly sorrow is the response of the heart when true repentance exists.

Have someone in your group read Ezra 10:5-6

The Israelites may have expected Ezra to somehow take the lead in correcting the problem. How did Ezra handle things?

• Ezra provided support. Many times, the repentant not only need godly counsel but also godly guidance. However, the responsibility to correct the problem was given to the leaders. While we may hurt along with those who have fallen victim to their sins, this is an example of how letting someone work out their own problems can be part of the cure.

Have someone in your group read Ezra 10:7-8

Here is outlined the punishment for not following through with compliance to the Law. Do you think this was too harsh or unfair? What about those (non-believers) who had married the Israelites? Was it fair for them to be cast out?

• Consequence is always painful. However, it was the Israelites who had sinned. God had been overly generous to them. Without this type of consequence, is doubtful if repentance could have occurred. Always keep in mind that it was not God who did wrong.

Note: The ending of the Book of Ezra ends with a simple list of those men who had married outside their faith. This is not a typical end where a summary of things to do or rules to follow were given.

What is your response to this simple ending?

• The rules were already published for all generations to read:
  • Read Exodus 34:11-16
  • Read Deuteronomy 7:1-5

Ezra wrote his story for the people who had lived through this period with a direct connection to the events. Prosperity was in existence at the time. They did not need an ending that summarized a moral to a story.

Bible Truth Being Taught

As humans, we sin and fall short of God’s glory. Repentance and obedience must follow for God’s people to enjoy His blessing.

Our Response

To deepen our awareness of the importance of repentance and obedience when we sin.

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of our body to him as instruments of righteousness.

~Romans 6:13

Materials Needed: None.

Notes to the Leader: This is a discussion-oriented study.

No one likes to admit it but we all do bad things. Yes, under God’s watchful eye and, in spite of our love for Christ, we are sinners. This study looks at the relationship we have with our Savior and how it affects our thought processes.

Do we become perfect? No! Instead, we become those who seek perfection.

Once someone sets a goal, you need a plan and it helps to have a partner to help you along the way. This study looks at how Christ becomes our partner and we gain strength to achieve our plan.

Introduction

How would you describe a partner?

• Dictionary: A sharer or partaker. A partnership expands to consider such concepts such as joint interest.

How is the relationship we have as a saved Christian the same as that of a partnership?

• Our partner is Christ.

Section One: How We Die To Sin

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:1-4.

How would you describe the symbolism of baptism?

• When someone descended into water and the water closed over their head, it was like being buried. When they emerged from the water, it was like rising from the grave. The person dies to one kind of life and rises to another.

Note: The Greek word for baptism is baptidzo, originally used to describe the process of dipping something into liquid for the purpose of dying, soaking, or washing something.

How would this definition help describe the sacrament of baptism?

• It means to be placed into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The only bath able to do that is clearly spiritual. Hence, the symbolism of the sprinkling of water. We should also respect the rituals of those who seek to reproduce the original concept of immersion into death and the rising into a new life.

What is spiritual baptism?

• Baptism into the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:5; 11:16)
• Baptism into Christ (Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12)
• Baptism into Christ’s body of believers (1 Cor. 12:13)

How can we, 2000 years after the event, say that we have died and risen with Christ?

• Spiritual baptism put upon us a state of conformity with and participation in Christ. This state involves a death to sin even as He died to sin.
• When we bow our heads under the water (of spiritual baptism), our old self is buried as in a grave, and having been immersed below, is wholly and once for all put out of sight.
• The baptism with the Spirit vitally relates the believer to Christ. In that baptism as in no other the Christian partakes of all that Christ is, and all that Christ has done.
• The act which in its nature was dying to sin was our accepting Christ as our Savior. The act involves not only a separation from sin but a deadness to it.
• The person who enters upon the Christian way is committed to a different kind of life. He has died to one kind of life and been born to another.

What does the word “grafted” mean?

• It is used to mean interlinked, meshed, inseparably woven together as one.

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:5. Paul uses the Greek word symphutoi, meaning planted together.

What does it mean to be “united with Christ?” NIV

• We become closely knit parts, not loosely connected. Like a broken bone that is healed, we become one again. We are fused together so that all He experience, is ours: death to sin, burial, and resurrection.

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:6-7.

Describe in your own words, what Paul meant by the following phrases?

• “The body of sin” – another name for our old self.
• “Done away with” – from the Greek word katargeo, it means to paralyze; render idle, inactive or ineffective; bring to an end; abolish; destroy; remove; take from the sphere of influence; or simply end.
• “No longer slaves to sin” – This is the ultimate accomplishment of Christ’s death and our participation in it. It is to destroy the inner principle of rebellion against God and set us free from sin’s tyranny.

Section Two: Sin Isn’t In Charge Any More

Read Romans 6:7 again to the group. The Greek word for “freed” is dedikaiotai, meaning “justified.” When by faith a person identifies themselves with Jesus’ death, they are immediately declared righteous. Sin is no longer inevitable.

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:8-9.

How does dying free someone from sin?

• In a literal sense, when you are no longer, you can not sin anymore. Hence, the relation to Christ. He experienced the full impact of dying and death, then rose from the dead, escaping the power of death forever. Christ can never die again.

So what is the benefit of dying with Christ?

• We will live with Christ also.

What proof can you see of this?

• The regeneration of a dead person starts immediately upon accepting Christ. We begin to experience the recreation, rejuvenation, restoration, of our lives. Look into the eyes of someone who loves Jesus. You can see the proof.

Spend some time here. Discuss the evidence that exists in the life of a Christian. Use as a discussion question, “If you were to be convicted for being Christian, What evidence would the prosecutor have against you?”

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:9:13.

How is it that we gain this freedom from sin in our lives?

• If you said self-denial and self-effort, you’re on the wrong track.
  • Step 1: Know – “Knowing” is the launching pad to victory. Two Greek words are used: oida means knowing the facts. Verses 9-10 summarize the facts we must know in order to break the reign of sin. Knowledge, however, is not enough. The word, Ginosko, is a word that goes beyond the intellectual grasp of facts, emphasizing an intimate relationship to the thing or person known. Liberation from sin requires a personal relationship with Christ.
  • Step 2: Rely – Paul uses the Greek word logidzomai which was also used to describe how God saw Abraham’s faith. When Abraham took God at His word, God refused to credit him with sin. Instead, God credited Abraham with righteousness and accepted him because he believed. We must count on Christ as Christ relied on God.
  • Step 3: Sacrifice – Steps 1 and 2 are activities of the mind. Step 3 involves the mortal body. It calls for physical effort. It involves choices. We must act upon what we know is right.
    Read Romans 6:14 to the group.

What law is Paul referring to in this verse?

• It is not the Mosaic Law, but rather the principle behind it and all laws; trying to win acceptance by God on the basis of conformity to an external standard of righteousness. We no longer are bound by our ability to adhere to rules but, instead, we are under the gracious dispensation of our God who dispenses pardon freely. The principle for obeying God, then becomes love and not fear.

Section Three: Long Live the King

If my ticket to heaven is assured, why bother with obedience and holy living? God will forgive us, right?

• The answer follows in Romans 6:16-19.

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:16-19.

If a person has accepted Christ and is assured salvation, does Satan still do battle for ownership of their soul?

• Very much so. While most would view bondage of any type undesirable, when we become slaves to God, we are placing our lives into the hands of a Master who loves us more than any other human master ever loved his most favored slave. We cannot have but one master and that master must be God. When we are “owned” by God, we are under His protection. So when God wants you to do something, just do it!

Have someone in the group read Romans 6:20-23.

What are the results of serving sin versus righteousness?

• Sin – The minimum wage paid is death. When someone sins, something dies. This death separates us from God. Paul’s biggies were: impurity; ever-increasing wickedness; freedom from the control of righteousness and shame.
  Righteousness – The compensation for being “slaves of God” is wages. It is a gift. It is the free, undeserved, love-gift out of God’s sheer grace. The benefits are: holiness; freedom from sin and it’s wages; and eternal life.
• The process of converting sin’s reign into righteousness is not an immediate process. How then does our baptism into Christ work to change us?
• To be apart from Christ makes us subject to “ever-increasing wickedness. Sin begets more sin. Sin never gets harder. Guilt loses its edge, and conscience becomes seared (1 Timothy 4:2). On the other hand, “righteousness leads to holiness.” The Greek word for holiness is hagiosmos. All Greek words that end in asmos describe an incomplete state, something in process.

Bible Truth Being Taught

Through faith, Christians enter a relationship with Christ, enabling them to break free of sin in their lives and to live consistent with the will of God.

Our Response

To discover how to break free of sin and live the “good” life.