I've been out a long time so I'm not sure if anyone is even checking my blog now days. In any case I'm going to try to get back into the swing and put in weekly thoughts. I hope, if you are still out there that you will offer some comments along the way.
The last several months have been both enlightening and troubling. I've been a little caught up in the political and economic troubles and have seen a spiritual decline. In many ways I believe these are all connected. When the message we hear in most quarters is negative and hopeless it begins to impact our own spiritual well being. I've felt it personally and have had to really rethink a number of things.
Whether we're talking about politics, economics, education, faith or whatever if there is no hope it is hard to have much anticipation concerning the future. As I've turned back to the Scriptures I've come to see how important hope is again. Not just hope for heaven, but hope for this life. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul has a discussion about the resurrection. Again, it's not just about resurrection after we die, but about how important it is to believe in the resurrection in the here and now in order to have hope.
I'm so grateful in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Because of His resurrection I can have hope now in deliverance from sin. Because of His resurrection I can have hope that my life means something and that I can make a difference in this world. In verse 31-32 Paul notes his battle in Ephesus was not just a physical one. He was confident that the spiritual battles he had fought and won were key to having purpose in life and hope for the future.
In Jesus and through Jesus there is hope in this life. No matter what we face we know, as Paul said in Romans 8 that "we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Blessings of Discipleship
Why follow Jesus? A question we’ve asked several times in this study. Is it worth the sacrifice or cost? Are we in it for the reward or is there an even greater reason for become and remain his disciples? There is nothing we have to offer God yet, we sometimes may say something like this: “God, if you will do ___________ then I will do _________”. We may think we have something to offer God or are in a position where we can bargain with Him. Obviously the truth is that we have nothing to offer Him and yet he desires that we give ourselves to Him. What is truly amazing is that God not only wants to bless us with eternal life with Him but also wants to bless us in this life now. Today we will look at several passages in which Jesus speaks of the blessings received when choosing to follow Him.
Questions To Consider
1) What do you believe to be the greatest blessing of or from God?
2) On what basis does Jesus have the right to ask “everything” of us?
3) Is Luke 12:33 an absolute command for all time, or is it a principle that can be followed even without literal obedience?
4) In what way has fellowship with God brought blessings to your life?
5) Besides the examples of Peter and John, how do you see the themes of discipleship demonstrated in Acts?
Questions To Consider
1) What do you believe to be the greatest blessing of or from God?
2) On what basis does Jesus have the right to ask “everything” of us?
3) Is Luke 12:33 an absolute command for all time, or is it a principle that can be followed even without literal obedience?
4) In what way has fellowship with God brought blessings to your life?
5) Besides the examples of Peter and John, how do you see the themes of discipleship demonstrated in Acts?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Specifics of Discipleship: The Danger of Faith in Self
Luke 11:37-12:1; 20:46f; 19:11-27
Although I will be out of town for this particular study I wanted to make sure those who are following the blog are able to stay up with the progression of the study. Faith is critical as one seeks to be a disciple of Jesus yet misguided faith can also be our downfall. The greatest danger may be to place our faith in ourselves. To become dependent upon our knowledge or righteousness or devotion rather than depending on Jesus. Before we can conclude the following week with some of the blessings we need to be sure and not allow ourselves to become the greatest stumbling block.
Discussion Questions:
1) How does Jesus' teaching about humility relate to various self-actualization theories and psychological techniques encountered today?
2) How are religious leaders tempted to pride (11:37-12:1)?
3) Why is selfishness self-defeating?
4) Many consider self-centeredness the basic human sin, forming the background for all other sins. Do you agree? Justify your answer. Is self-love the root of all sins?
5) What are the more subtle ways even "good" people can be self-centered?
6) Are humans basically good, as some claim, or basically evil? Explain your answer.
7) How can people in positions of importance or power, who receive the attention of others, avoid the worship of self?
Although I will be out of town for this particular study I wanted to make sure those who are following the blog are able to stay up with the progression of the study. Faith is critical as one seeks to be a disciple of Jesus yet misguided faith can also be our downfall. The greatest danger may be to place our faith in ourselves. To become dependent upon our knowledge or righteousness or devotion rather than depending on Jesus. Before we can conclude the following week with some of the blessings we need to be sure and not allow ourselves to become the greatest stumbling block.
Discussion Questions:
1) How does Jesus' teaching about humility relate to various self-actualization theories and psychological techniques encountered today?
2) How are religious leaders tempted to pride (11:37-12:1)?
3) Why is selfishness self-defeating?
4) Many consider self-centeredness the basic human sin, forming the background for all other sins. Do you agree? Justify your answer. Is self-love the root of all sins?
5) What are the more subtle ways even "good" people can be self-centered?
6) Are humans basically good, as some claim, or basically evil? Explain your answer.
7) How can people in positions of importance or power, who receive the attention of others, avoid the worship of self?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Specifics Of Discipleship: The Danger of Faith In Things We Can See
Luke 12:13-21; 12:22-34; 16:1-13; 16:14-31; 18:18-30; 19:1-10
Many things in this life which are temporal compete for our attention and devotion yet all things temporal will never fully satisfy those who are designed for eternity. The focus in all of these stories is on wealth or possessions and their pull on our spiritual interests. As we observe these various accounts we will hopefully be able to draw some conclusions that will help us as we struggle with these issues as His disciples.
Questions To Consider
1) If Jesus’ disciple were not particularly wealthy, why so much emphasis on this subject in Luke?
2) How is Luke’s message about wealth especially relevant in twenty-first century America?
3) What does our American culture teach us about wealth and is acquisition?
4) How can a Christian determine “what percentage to give?”
5) How would you apply the story of the rich man and Lazarus to contemporary life? What do you think is the significance of the last part of the story, about the five brothers?
6) Is it possible to be materialistic, and in all other regards be a “good person” – involved in church, Bible reading, prayer, etc.?
7) What is the temptation to trust that which is seen rather than to trust in God?
8) Other than possessions, what are some visible things in which we place our trust?
Many things in this life which are temporal compete for our attention and devotion yet all things temporal will never fully satisfy those who are designed for eternity. The focus in all of these stories is on wealth or possessions and their pull on our spiritual interests. As we observe these various accounts we will hopefully be able to draw some conclusions that will help us as we struggle with these issues as His disciples.
Questions To Consider
1) If Jesus’ disciple were not particularly wealthy, why so much emphasis on this subject in Luke?
2) How is Luke’s message about wealth especially relevant in twenty-first century America?
3) What does our American culture teach us about wealth and is acquisition?
4) How can a Christian determine “what percentage to give?”
5) How would you apply the story of the rich man and Lazarus to contemporary life? What do you think is the significance of the last part of the story, about the five brothers?
6) Is it possible to be materialistic, and in all other regards be a “good person” – involved in church, Bible reading, prayer, etc.?
7) What is the temptation to trust that which is seen rather than to trust in God?
8) Other than possessions, what are some visible things in which we place our trust?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Specifics Of Discipleship: Faith
Luke 17:11 – 19:27
There are many opponents to faith. Over the next two weeks we’re going to take a look at a couple of these. Before we can begin we will need to try to define what we mean by faith and also observe how Jesus defines or illustrates the presence of it as well as the absence of it. In addition, we will need to ask ourselves whether we tend to live more by faith or by sight. I hope you will expand your thinking beyond some of the standard answers usually given in a church setting.
Questions To Consider
1) Consider the way faith is shown in Luke with the way we should show it today.
2) Is it possible to claim we have faith when the object of our faith is not realistic?
3) What are wrong things in which modern people place their faith?
4) What do you think the request “increase our faith” expects for an answer? How would you interpret Jesus’ answer?
5) Give contemporary illustrations of the barriers to faith indicated in this chapter.
6) Did Jesus teach God would give us anything we believe he can give? If he did, what would be the consequences?
7) Which character within these faith stories would you say is more like you?
8) What do you believe helped the early disciples grow the most in their faith?
There are many opponents to faith. Over the next two weeks we’re going to take a look at a couple of these. Before we can begin we will need to try to define what we mean by faith and also observe how Jesus defines or illustrates the presence of it as well as the absence of it. In addition, we will need to ask ourselves whether we tend to live more by faith or by sight. I hope you will expand your thinking beyond some of the standard answers usually given in a church setting.
Questions To Consider
1) Consider the way faith is shown in Luke with the way we should show it today.
2) Is it possible to claim we have faith when the object of our faith is not realistic?
3) What are wrong things in which modern people place their faith?
4) What do you think the request “increase our faith” expects for an answer? How would you interpret Jesus’ answer?
5) Give contemporary illustrations of the barriers to faith indicated in this chapter.
6) Did Jesus teach God would give us anything we believe he can give? If he did, what would be the consequences?
7) Which character within these faith stories would you say is more like you?
8) What do you believe helped the early disciples grow the most in their faith?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Specifics Of Discipleship: Love
Too often, in discussions concerning discipleship we remain theoretical and fail to talk of practical ways to implement the principles we learn. The remainder or our study will be pointed toward the practical ways in which we can live out Jesus in our world.
Questions To Consider
1) Summarize Luke 17:11 – 19:27. What ideas stand out?
2) Distinguish Christian love and kindness (i.e. the idea that love could never “hurt” anyone).
3) Why do you believe love is such a critical demonstration of Christian discipleship?
4) How do you react to today’s “live and let live” philosophy when you see others doing wrong in ways that are spiritually damaging?
5) How can a “rebuking” love become unchristian?
6) In what ways does love make judgments and yet still remain non-judgmental?
7) How does the love taught in the Sermon on the Plain differ from the common conception of love we see today?
8) Just how do we love God and men, especially if we don’t have loving feelings?
Questions To Consider
1) Summarize Luke 17:11 – 19:27. What ideas stand out?
2) Distinguish Christian love and kindness (i.e. the idea that love could never “hurt” anyone).
3) Why do you believe love is such a critical demonstration of Christian discipleship?
4) How do you react to today’s “live and let live” philosophy when you see others doing wrong in ways that are spiritually damaging?
5) How can a “rebuking” love become unchristian?
6) In what ways does love make judgments and yet still remain non-judgmental?
7) How does the love taught in the Sermon on the Plain differ from the common conception of love we see today?
8) Just how do we love God and men, especially if we don’t have loving feelings?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Let's Get Serious For A Moment
Luke 9:23-27, 57-62; 10:13-16; 11:31f; 12:49-53, 57-59; 13:1-3, 22-30; 14:25-33 and 17:10
Be sure and take the time to read through each of the passages listed above. It will be from them that we draw our discussion. Very few people really want to talk about the subject. In fact, just bringing it up to you today may be more painful than you are willing to discuss. We have all been near it or at least too close for comfort. What we’re talking about today is death. Death is serious business and when it draws near we’re not quite sure how to address it. In our discussion today Jesus forces those who follow him to take it seriously and if we want to follow Him we must also wrestle with it at a deep level. Whether we like it or not, death comes to us all, however as a disciple of Jesus we are challenged to choose the way of death. This is going to be interesting!
Questions To Consider
1) How would you react to those who argue one can be saved only if one practices “total commitment”?
2) Summarize Luke 13:31-17:10. What ideas stand out?
3) How many texts in Luke 9:51-19:27 deal with discipleship and family?
4) Does the narrow door in 13:22-30 indicate that God only wants to save a few people, or that only a few people will want to be saved? Discuss.
5) Does 14:25-33 apply to us today, or was it only for the special case of those following a man on his way to die?
6) Is it appropriate to apply “cross bearing” texts to difficult situations in life, such as a bad marriage, caring for a dependant loved one, or prolonged illness?
7) Does “cross bearing” indicate we are not genuine Christians if our faith doesn’t cause us pain? How does cross bearing work together with the idea of Christian joy?
Be sure and take the time to read through each of the passages listed above. It will be from them that we draw our discussion. Very few people really want to talk about the subject. In fact, just bringing it up to you today may be more painful than you are willing to discuss. We have all been near it or at least too close for comfort. What we’re talking about today is death. Death is serious business and when it draws near we’re not quite sure how to address it. In our discussion today Jesus forces those who follow him to take it seriously and if we want to follow Him we must also wrestle with it at a deep level. Whether we like it or not, death comes to us all, however as a disciple of Jesus we are challenged to choose the way of death. This is going to be interesting!
Questions To Consider
1) How would you react to those who argue one can be saved only if one practices “total commitment”?
2) Summarize Luke 13:31-17:10. What ideas stand out?
3) How many texts in Luke 9:51-19:27 deal with discipleship and family?
4) Does the narrow door in 13:22-30 indicate that God only wants to save a few people, or that only a few people will want to be saved? Discuss.
5) Does 14:25-33 apply to us today, or was it only for the special case of those following a man on his way to die?
6) Is it appropriate to apply “cross bearing” texts to difficult situations in life, such as a bad marriage, caring for a dependant loved one, or prolonged illness?
7) Does “cross bearing” indicate we are not genuine Christians if our faith doesn’t cause us pain? How does cross bearing work together with the idea of Christian joy?
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