Jesus Is The Only Savior - BSFL - November 2, 2008
29 Oct 2008 07:21 pm
Jesus Is The Only Savior - BSFL - November 2, 2008
Background Passage: Romans 9:30-10:15
Focal Passage: Romans 9:33-10:15
Open Up
In two weeks we have seen the frustration of the Apostle Paul as he comes to grip with his own sinful nature and his inability to overcome it on his own. Then we read Pauls eureka chapter which is Romans 8 where he realizes "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." We experienced Paul's excitement in discovering that one cannot live a righteous life on one's own but one can be victorious in righteousness if one allows the Holy Spirit control over one's life. We now know that we are spiritually secure and we have eternal salvation. What now? Should we just sit back and bask in this new found revelation? Paul says, no for as children of God we should do more than just rejoice in the joy of our salvation. We should seek out ways to share the good news of Christ with others.
As we know Paul had the distinction of being the apostle to the gentiles and Acts 9:15 makes this pretty clear. "But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Once Paul had his own spirtual life secure he was given an overwhelming concern for those who were lost. Paul time and again reveals his humanness to us in that whenever he entered a new region he would get his commission out of order. He would begin with trying to reach the Jews rather than the Gentiles. Understandable considering that they were his kinsmen. But just as often these efforts were met with frustration. So much so that one day Paul and Barnabas had to deal with a crisis in the Synagogue of Anitoch in which they declared, "seeing you put it from you (word of God), and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" Acts 13:46. Paul had to reach a point where he yeilded to the sovereignty of God in every area of his life including the areas of ministry that tugged at his heartstrings. This led him to share in Romans 9-11 God's place for Israel in His redemptive plan and he encouraged the Gentiles to develop a heart for sharing the gospel with the Jews. He used this opportunity to challenge the Gentile believers to learn a lesson from the tragic mistakes of Israel. Paul's word for us today is that as Christians we should feel a deep compassion for unsaved persons and accept our responsibility to share the gospel with all people.
1. Paul explained that Israel's rejection of Jesus as the promised Messiah
Romans 10:16, opened the way for the Gentiles to be grafted into God's people Romans 11:11-24. Paul still hoped for and praised God
for the day when Israel would acknowledge Jesus as Lord Romans 11:25-36. As a group, review what you remember from the Old
Testament about Israel's repeated rejection of God and disobedience of His commands.
2. A minority of the Jews were the only ones who accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah, Israel as a whole rejected Him. As a result, Israel
has been set aside and scattered among the nations. Discuss how you see God working today for the salvation of Israel?
Move Inside
Stumbling Stone
Read Romans 9:31-33
1. What is a stumbling block and how can someone stumble over the Messiah?
2. The Jews pursuit of righteousness was good, but their method is not. Likewise, their zeal for God is good, but it basis is not. What is wrong
with their attitude behind their zeal to be close to God?
The Deal About Zeal
Romans 10:1-3
1. What was Paul's greatest desire?
2. What positive trait did Paul recognize in the Israelites?
3. Can zeal be misleading? How so?
4. Can you think of any religious groups today in which the people are zealous other than Christianity? Does this sincerity make them right
with God?
The Message of Faith
Romans 10:4-10
1. What has Christ done to the law in regards to a person's pursuit of happiness?
2. What did Moses say a man who seeks righteousness by the Law would live?
3. What happens to a person who seeks righteousness by faith?
4. What were Paul's simple instructions regarding salvation?
5. What promise is given to anyone who puts his our her faith in Christ?
6. What then is the distinction between how a Jew accepts Christ and how a Gentile does so?
The Necessity of Evangelism
Romans 10:14-15
1. Think back--how did you come to hear about Christ and the salvation
he offers? Suppose they had kept silent and never shared with you?
2. Suppose you are the only one through whom someone will ever hear
the gospel, how will they hear if you remain silent?
Take It Away
1. Who in your circle of friends and family needs to hear about God's plan of salvation? When will you share with them?
2. Select a people group to pray for this week which has shown little interest in the gospel.
By : nick | Category: Commentary | Comments [0]
The Holy Spirit Is Essential To A Holy Life - BSFL - Oct. 26
22 Oct 2008 11:50 am
The Holy Spirit Is Essential To A Holy Life
Bible Studies For Life - October 26
Background Passage: Romans 8:1-30
Focal Passage: Romans 8:5-17,26-27
Open Up
In Romans 7 we find Paul wrestling with the realization that the Law cannot effect salvation but rather the law energizes the old nature which produces the fruit of death. This led Paul to exclaim in Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
Paul had to come to a point that he recognized that through the law he was trying to live the righteous life through his own effort. The result was that he find himself constantly failing. This robbed him of the joy which Jesus said he came to give to all his children in John 10:10, "I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Too many Christians today are like Paul of Romans 7. They are living defeated lives missing out on the joy of victorious Christian living that Jesus intended all along for them to have.
In Romans 8:1-2 we find a new re-energized Paul. "There is now no condemnation...because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." What has made the difference? Paul has discovered that sin within is overcome only through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to transform us and enable us to live in holiness. Simply put Paul found his answer in realizing that even as a believer he could not keep the law by his own effort so he stopped trying! Paul no longer felt an obligation to try! Paul had finally accepted himself as a sinner, with no hope of pleasing God. So, he turned his gaze back to the cross, and found joy in the thought of "no condemnation."
It was only when Paul stopped trying that he made a truly great discovery. When he stopped trying, and instead relied on the Holy Spirit then the righteousness of the law was fulfilled in him. Romans 8:4, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Paul learned that whenever a Christian concentrates on trusting Jesus, the Holy Spirit energizes his new nature and he finds himself living a righteous life.
1. In baseball we want to get to first base and to do so the batter does
not look at first base. He watches the ball. He focuses all of his
energy in concentrating on hitting the ball as it is pitched. How can
apply this as an analogy for living a holy life?
2. Choose a partner then think of a time when you felt especially close to
God---what was he doing in your life? Think of a time when you felt
distant from God---what caused the distance? Share with one another.
Move Inside
God's Spirit Changes Our Mind-set
Read Romans 8:3-9
1. Looking back to last week, answer the question, What was it like for
Paul when he lived under the taskmasters of the law, sin and death?
2. Look at Romans 8:3, how did God set us free from the condemnation
of the law?
3. How does the Holy Spirit free us from being dominated by our sinful
nature? (Romans 8:4-9)
God's Spirit Empowers Us
Read Romans 8:10-13
1. What would our daily walk be like if there was no life in it?
2. How does allowing the Holy Spirit to live in you bring life to your
daily walk?
God's Spirit Confirms Our Adoption
Read Romans 8:14-17
1. What is the difference in being a slave and being a child of someone?
2. How does it make you feel to know that as a co-heir with Christ you
suffer with Him? This suffering leads to what?
God's Spirit Helps Our Prayers
Read Romans 8:26-27
1. Are there times when you feel the need to pray but you just do not
seem to have the strength to do so or even know what words to use?
2. What are some reasons for your inability to pray at times?
3. Have you ever experienced "groaning inwardly?" If willing share some
examples with your class.
Take It Away
1. What could you use from today's lesson to help someone who going through tough times?
2. Silently pray in your seat thanking God for the gift of the Holy Spirit
and the difference He makes in our lives.
By : nick | Category: Commentary | Comments [0]
Conform to God's Agenda - ETB - October 26
21 Oct 2008 03:38 pm
Open Up
How many of us have not at one time or another entertained the fantasy of imagining what life would be like if we were the king of our domain. Calling all the shots in our life whether at home or at work. We imagined how it would simplify life if everyone around us were intent on gaining our approval and making certain that all of our desires were satisfied.
David a simple shepherd boy had every reason to dream this dream at an early age because of the way God had been such an active part of his life. David's miraculous defeat of the giant Goliath and the anointing by Samuel of David as God's chosen king for Israel would have been enough to make any ordinary person feel that they indeed were special above all other men. But not David, I am amazed at how grounded to realilty he remained no matter what his circumstances. He bare his soul for all to read, "I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail me because of all of my foes" (Psalm 6:7). "I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" (Psalm 51:3-4).
How was David able to remain so grounded? I believe it was because he was a strong man of faith. He lived a life in which he constantly trusted in God and strove daily to know Him. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1) Perhaps no other account in the life of David illustrates more his conscious choice to live his life according to God's agenda than the humorous story of his encounter with King Saul in the caves of Engedi.
***Ask members to evalulate silently how close they are to someone in spirtitual authority over them. How much respect do they have for that person? Then have them recall the last time they did something to show their respect for and submission to that person. No one needs to respond out loud unless they want to do so.
Move Inside
Respect God-given Leaders
Read I Samuel 24:1-7
1. How did David get a chance to kill King Saul at EnGedi?
2. How did David and his men differ on their interpretation regarding what
God intended by putting King Saul at David's mercy?
3. What practical difference did this difference in interpretation make?
4. How did David's remores in verses 5 and 6 reveal his trust in God's
agenda?
5. November 4, if your candidate loses the presidential election how will
react during the next four years regarding the winner? Will David's
example have any effect on how you treat the new President?
Accepting God's Judgment
Read I Samuel 24:8-15
1. How did King Saul learn that David had just had him at his mercy?
2. What arguments did David give to prove that he was not conspiring
against the king?
3. In verse 13 David quotes an ancient proverb, to give authoritative
proof that he was not an evil man? Another Greek proverb with a
similar meaning is "From a bad raven comes a bad egg." What is
David's proof?
4. David ask God in verse 15 to be the judge between he and King Saul,
what else did he ask of God?
5. Was David accepting or not of God's judgement?
Maintaining Godly Character
Read I Samuel 24:16-22
1. King Saul seemed to have a relationship of favor one minute and
disfavor the next for David, why do you think this was so?
2. What did King Saul confess he now knew about David?
3. Do you believe that King Saul was conflicted when it came to
living with godly character?
4. What did the way King Saul and David parted tell you about why
David was a man after God's own heart?
Take it Away
1. Can you trust the Lord to take care of you the way He took care
of David? Why or Why not?
2. Are you at odds with anyone in authority over you? How can your
treatment of them show your willingness to accept God's agenda?
By : nick | Category: Commentary | Comments [0]
All Christians Struggle With Sin - BSFL - October 19
19 Oct 2008 06:16 am
All Christians Struggle With Sin
Bible Studies For Life
October 19, 2008
Background Passage: Romans 7:7-25
Focal Passage: Romans 7:9-25
Open It
One thing that I always ask children after they have prayed to receive Christ is, “When you walk out of my office door, will you ever sin again?” Why? Because we all struggle with sin and the attack of the enemy only intensifies after we become born again Christians. I remember reading some years ago where one writer pointed out that it was after His baptism that our Lord faced the temptations of Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 3:13-4:1). Children as well as all believers need to know that as disconcerting as it may seem after conversion and baptism we will still face Satan’s attacks and will have a tendency to commit sin. In Romans 7 Paul was writing of this very frustration. He opened up his heart to in verse 19, “For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish…” Should we take these words of Paul and throw in the towel to Satan on our own spiritual life? After all if a giant of the faith like Paul faced these same struggles then what chance do I have. No, we must accept that whenever Christ is working a good work in our lives then Satan will increase his attack but the same Christ we trusted as Savior we can rely on to help us to overcome sin.
Lesson Aim: This lesson offer the opportunity to admit your struggles with sin and to ask the Lord to help you overcome your sinful desires and behaviors.
1. Ask the class member to offer their own definitions of righteousness. Allow them to share then write the word RIGHT on the board. Ask the class what is the opposite of righteousness (WRONG) and write this on the board. State, “Today’s lesson is about this, the tension that exists in the life to the believer between right and wrong.
2. In groups of four have class members share with one another how this tension makes them feel.
3. Ask the class, “Why do you think this system exists?” and “What can we do about it?” After a few responses invite the class to join you in a study of Romans 7 to find answers to these two questions.
Move Inside
1. The Law of God Is Good
Read Romans 7:7-13
a. Ask, “According to Paul, is the law sin?
b. Ask , “Can the law lead to salvation?” “If your answer is No, then how can Paul say that the law is good?
c. Have you ever felt the compulsion to do something just because you were
not to do it? How does this compare to Paul’s blissful innocence in living before the law made him aware of sin?
2. The Law of Sin is Always Present
Read Romans 7:14-25
a. Why did Paul not feel that his life was always a life of victory over sin?
b. What did he mean that sin cam make us slaves?
c. Do you believe that Paul believed that the flesh was inherently evil?
d. The tension between right and wrong exists Paul shows us no matter how high our spiritual level of development may be. Remember the opening questions, “Why does this tension exist?” and “What can we do about it?”
Have class members examine verses 14-25 to discover the answer to these questions. (their answer should approximate that the predicament is a result of the sin nature that continues within us. The solution is the work of Jesus Christ in our lives.)
Take it Away
In groups of four discuss way that you can let the work of Christ in your lives help you to overcome the effects of the sin nature so that you can live a victorious Christian life?
By : nick | Category: Commentary | Comments [0]
Cultivating Friendships - October 19 - ETB
17 Oct 2008 09:20 am
Cultivating Godly Friendships
Explore The Bible
October 19, 2008
Background Passage: I Samuel 18:1-23:18
Focal Passage: I Samuel 18:1-4; 19:4-7; 20:8, 12-13; 23:16-18
Open It Up
In my lifetime I have truly had only two persons whom I can say are Proverbs 18:24 friends. One is my boss of the past 21 years and the other I have known since I was 15 years old and he truly sticks to me closer than a brother. Although we graduated from high school and college years ago and even though we live hundreds of miles with our own families, we still keep in close contact. We share one another’s triumphs, blessings, concerns, and sorrows. A true caring friendship like this is indeed rarely seen in our world today. Why? Because in our use it and throw it away society most people do not know the value of a true godly friendship.
1. What characteristics do you believe people look for in a friend today?
2. How would you describe that “…friend who sticks closer than a brother?” Proverbs 18:24
Move Inside
I. Godly Friends Are Committed Friends
Read I Samuel 18:1-4
1. I Samuel 18:1, This verse says that Jonathan committed himself to David.
In your opinion, what is meant by committed himself to David?
2. I Samuel 18:3 speaks of a covenant. Covenants were made between God and His people, Rulers and Subjects, nations, or even individuals. What do you think was the significance of Jonathan’s making a covenant with David?
3. I Samuel 18:4, the giving of Jonathans robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt reveal to us what about the commitment and covenant made between Jonathan and David?
II. Godly Friends Protect One Another
Read I Samuel 19:4-7
1. In the book of Acts Barnabas spoke up to Paul on behalf of John Mark and they parted company. What consequences might Jonathan have faced as a result of standing up for David to his Father, King Saul?
2. As Christians, is it important for us to stand up for our friends? If so, why is this
Important?
IV. Godly Friends Lend Helping Hands
Read I Samuel 20:8, 12-13
1. David sought Jonathan’s assistance when threatened by his Father. Share a time
when you sought the aid of a friend.
2. What does the last portion of verse 13 tell you about Jonathan’s awareness that his
Father’s reign was no longer pleasing to the Lord? How did this awareness affect
him in his treatment of David?
3. How can we as Christians be sensitive to opportunities to help our friends? Why
is this important?
V. Godly Friends Encourage One Another
Read I Samuel 23:16-18
1. Was Jonathan being disloyal to his Father while treating Jonathan with kindness?
Consider I Samuel 31:1-6
2. In Jonathans encouragement of David in verses 16-18 what words did he use
which reveal his love for his friend?
3. Encouragement is perhaps the most important building block in sustaining a
friendship long term. Identify situations today in which Christian friends need
encouragement today.
Take It Away
1. Do you find it easy or hard to form committed, intimate friendships? What aspects of your character and lifestyle get in the way? What can you do about them?
2. To whom can you be the friend Jonathan was to David? 
By : nick | Category: Commentary | Comments [0]
