Main Idea – Living in Biblical Community allows believers live missionally and is in agreement with the mission and vision of the Avenue, is glorifying to God, lines up with the Great Commandment/Commission and shows love without expectation.
Meditation Passage – John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Main Passage – Acts 4:32-37
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
- Where do these verses fit in the scope of your salvation? Sanctification?
1. Do you believe biblical community is necessary for spiritual growth? Why?
2. How many purposes for biblical community do you see in this passage?
3. Why do you think Barnabas was named for his generosity?
Passage – Romans 12:3-163
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
1. What is Paul’s main idea in this Passage?
2. What are the benefits of biblical community Paul has presented ?
3. Where do you see yourself fitting in biblical community?
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Charity
Main Idea – Giving your gifts (time, talent and treasure) fits with the mission and vision of the Avenue, is glorifying to God, lines up with the Great Commandment/Commission and shows love without expectation.
Meditation Passage – Deut 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Main Passage – Matt 25: 36-46
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
- Where do these verses fit in the scope of your salvation? Sanctification?
1. Why should we give? What should we give? How should we give?
2. How many practical means of Charity do you see in the passage?
3. How do these practical means of charity link with the Great Commandment/Commission?
4. What should we expect from God in response to our charity?
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
Other Passages – Proverbs 3:9-10
Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 21:13
Proverbs 22:9
James 2:15-16
Meditation Passage – Deut 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Main Passage – Matt 25: 36-46
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
- Where do these verses fit in the scope of your salvation? Sanctification?
1. Why should we give? What should we give? How should we give?
2. How many practical means of Charity do you see in the passage?
3. How do these practical means of charity link with the Great Commandment/Commission?
4. What should we expect from God in response to our charity?
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
Other Passages – Proverbs 3:9-10
Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs 21:13
Proverbs 22:9
James 2:15-16
Faith
Ephesians 2:1-8
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
I. What is faith?
A. Confidence or trust in a person or thing.
II. What is Christian faith?
John 6:29
A. How is it similar/different from secular faith?
B. Where does this faith initiate?
III. What does Christian faith lead to?
Matthew 17:20
Matthew 8:13
Mark 16:16
John 3:15
IV. How is faith played out in everyday life?
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
I. What is faith?
A. Confidence or trust in a person or thing.
II. What is Christian faith?
John 6:29
A. How is it similar/different from secular faith?
B. Where does this faith initiate?
III. What does Christian faith lead to?
Matthew 17:20
Matthew 8:13
Mark 16:16
John 3:15
IV. How is faith played out in everyday life?
A Tour of Scripture
Feeling Inadequate and prepackaged?
When sharing our faith with the world, many times we feel inadequate. Often times it seems like there are “perfect” words or phrases that we must know, but we don’t. In addition, we have been inundated with so many forms of sharing the gospel (like the “Roman Road”) that the way we tell others about Jesus feels very prepackaged. It feels like we’re trying to “sell” Jesus to people rather than help guide them through the faith.
The tour guide approach
As we strive to be tour guides of the faith rather than salesmen, one great approach is to guide others through the story of Jesus in an informative, yet simple, way. Here’s an example of how this can work:
God created the world, but soon the world turned its back on God by choosing sin (Adam & Eve.) This put a wedge in between God and humanity. But to show how passionate and loving he was to the fallen world, God raised a nation that is now known as the Jewish people. God’s relationship with the Jewish people served as an example of how much God loves us, and his desire to reconcile everyone in the Earth back to himself.
He started by using “prophets” to tell about his plan - a savior of the world was coming. Then a little over 2000 years ago, Jesus, God’s son, was born. Jesus lived a sinless life while all the time speaking of, or predicting, his death and resurrection. In the end, Jesus died voluntarily on the cross on our behalf just as he predicted. But, three days after he died, he rose again and revealed himself to many people. He died so that all of the sins that were committed, or will be committed, would be paid for and forgiven by God. This restored God and humanity, and removed the wedge that had separated the two.
Jesus rose again and showed himself to many before returning to Heaven. He did this so that we would know it is TRUE, and that He is the savior the Jewish prophets predicted.
Jesus is in Heaven with God his Father right now. But, the Bible shows that it’s not over, and that He will return to claim his kingdom and rule over the world as King in the end.
Back-pocket verses
If you’re reading this for the first time, or curious about where to find the parts of the story referenced in the short story about Jesus, here are where the verses from The Bible are located.
God created the world
• Genesis 1:1-25
The world turned its back on God
• Genesis 3
God raised a nation to reveal himself to a fallen world
God used Prophets to hail the coming of a savior
• Isaiah 7:14
• Isaiah 53
The savior was born humbly in Bethlehem
• Matthew 2
Jesus speaks of his death and resurrection
• Matt 20:17-28
• Mark 10:32
• Luke 18:31-34
Jesus lived a sin free life
• 1 Peter 2:22
• 1 John 3:5
• Hebrews 1:9
• Hebrews 4:15
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus died on our behalf so that those who believe would be reconciled to God
• 1 Peter 2:21-25
• Mark 1:15
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
• Romans 4:25-5:2
• Romans 10:9-11
• 1 John 1:3-4
Jesus defeated death and sin by rising from the grave as he predicted
• Matthew 28:2-7
• Romans 14:9
• Romans 1:4
Jesus showed himself before returning to Heaven
• John 21:1-14
• 1 Corinthians 15:6-8
Jesus will return to set up his reign as King
• Matt 25:31-46
• Mark 13:32-37
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Revelations 5
When sharing our faith with the world, many times we feel inadequate. Often times it seems like there are “perfect” words or phrases that we must know, but we don’t. In addition, we have been inundated with so many forms of sharing the gospel (like the “Roman Road”) that the way we tell others about Jesus feels very prepackaged. It feels like we’re trying to “sell” Jesus to people rather than help guide them through the faith.
The tour guide approach
As we strive to be tour guides of the faith rather than salesmen, one great approach is to guide others through the story of Jesus in an informative, yet simple, way. Here’s an example of how this can work:
God created the world, but soon the world turned its back on God by choosing sin (Adam & Eve.) This put a wedge in between God and humanity. But to show how passionate and loving he was to the fallen world, God raised a nation that is now known as the Jewish people. God’s relationship with the Jewish people served as an example of how much God loves us, and his desire to reconcile everyone in the Earth back to himself.
He started by using “prophets” to tell about his plan - a savior of the world was coming. Then a little over 2000 years ago, Jesus, God’s son, was born. Jesus lived a sinless life while all the time speaking of, or predicting, his death and resurrection. In the end, Jesus died voluntarily on the cross on our behalf just as he predicted. But, three days after he died, he rose again and revealed himself to many people. He died so that all of the sins that were committed, or will be committed, would be paid for and forgiven by God. This restored God and humanity, and removed the wedge that had separated the two.
Jesus rose again and showed himself to many before returning to Heaven. He did this so that we would know it is TRUE, and that He is the savior the Jewish prophets predicted.
Jesus is in Heaven with God his Father right now. But, the Bible shows that it’s not over, and that He will return to claim his kingdom and rule over the world as King in the end.
Back-pocket verses
If you’re reading this for the first time, or curious about where to find the parts of the story referenced in the short story about Jesus, here are where the verses from The Bible are located.
God created the world
• Genesis 1:1-25
The world turned its back on God
• Genesis 3
God raised a nation to reveal himself to a fallen world
God used Prophets to hail the coming of a savior
• Isaiah 7:14
• Isaiah 53
The savior was born humbly in Bethlehem
• Matthew 2
Jesus speaks of his death and resurrection
• Matt 20:17-28
• Mark 10:32
• Luke 18:31-34
Jesus lived a sin free life
• 1 Peter 2:22
• 1 John 3:5
• Hebrews 1:9
• Hebrews 4:15
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus died on our behalf so that those who believe would be reconciled to God
• 1 Peter 2:21-25
• Mark 1:15
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
• Romans 4:25-5:2
• Romans 10:9-11
• 1 John 1:3-4
Jesus defeated death and sin by rising from the grave as he predicted
• Matthew 28:2-7
• Romans 14:9
• Romans 1:4
Jesus showed himself before returning to Heaven
• John 21:1-14
• 1 Corinthians 15:6-8
Jesus will return to set up his reign as King
• Matt 25:31-46
• Mark 13:32-37
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Revelations 5
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