L.7 I understand personally how much God loves me.

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How do you respond when you hear that God loves you?

How important is love in your life?

A Story

A young boy grew up in the South and had the love and care of his parents. However, when he went to school, his peers picked on, undermined, and rejected him. This created a longing for acceptance by his peers and family. He had heard Bible stories about God’s love but did not comprehend this and lived a life of trying to please people. This affected his marriage and parenting and resulted in his trying to control others. One period of his life when he felt like a failure, the experience of seeing the same love the Father had for Jesus was his love for him because of his relationship of faith with Jesus. He was filled with a new joy and hope.   A verse in the Bible that helped this was what he focused on.

Digging Into The Bible

Romans 5:5-9

5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean at the right time?
  2. What does ungodly mean?
  3. Who do people decide to die for?
  4. Who did Jesus Christ decide to die for?
  5. How do you see that God demonstrated love?
  6. What does it mean to be saved from God’s wrath?
  7. What questions do you have about this?

Application & Accountability

  1. What do you feel about God’s love for you?
  2. How did you see he demonstrated it?
  3. What will you do to escape the wrath to come?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

L.6 I understand that Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

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How do you feel about being lost or found?

What confusing things about life affect you at this time?

A Story

A father went camping with his family. One afternoon, one of the children wandered down the river and took a trail that confused her. When she tried to return to the camp, we could not find her way. She began to wander around, not sure where to move next. She sat down near a tree and began to cry.

After a little while, her father realized that he could not find his daughter. He cried out and sought to hear his daughter respond. Once he faced the reality that she would not be found, he began a wholehearted search to find his daughter. Even when it seemed hopeless, he did not give up till he heard his daughter crying. The attitude was to do whatever to seek and save his daughter from danger and possibly death.

How is this story like how Jesus feels about us?

Digging Into The Bible

Luke 19:7-10

 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”  9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What do you know about this story of Zacchaeus?
  2. Who was this man?
  3. How did people characterize this man?
  4. What made him invite Jesus over to his house
  5. What did Jesus mean when he said, “salvation has come to this house?
  6. What does it mean the son of Man came to seek and save the lost?
  7. What makes someone lost in Jesus’ eyes?

Application & Accountability

  1. What would make you recognize if you are lost?
  2. How do you think Jesus feels about you?
  3. What would it take for you to be found?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

L.5 I know how my good deeds will affect my future with God.

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What are your feelings about the good things you have done in your life?

What is your legacy?

A Story

“I think my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds, “ was what one of the students on the campus explained after asking what was going to be their reason and confidence for making it to heaven. He was asked how he came to that conclusion. He commented, “It just feels right. That is the way it should be.“ The offer was made to go over some verses in the Bible to clarify what was taught by Jesus and the early followers of Jesus.

Digging Into The Bible

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. How do you get this gift?
  2. What do you think when you hear God wants to give you a gift?
  3. Where do works fit into our lives?
  4. What happens in your heart when you know that you can’t be saved by work?
  5. How do you feel about the gift?
  6. What will you do to receive this gift?

Application & Accountability

  1. How do you get this gift?
  2. What do you think when you hear God wants to give you a gift?
  3. How can you receive that gift for you?
  4. What does it mean, and how does it apply to you when it says, “in Christ Jesus our Lord?
  5. When should you take steps to receive this gift?
  6. What will happen to you when you do that?

Digging Into The Bible (Part 2)

Titus 3:5-6

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Discussion & Discovery (Part 2)

  1. What does this verse say about how we are saved?
  2. What is it we are saved from?
  3. What is the washing of rebirth?
  4. How do you understand the generous nature of God?
  5. What are the works being described here?
  6. What would cause us to boast?

Application & Accountability (Part 2)

  1. How can you understand and feel his mercy?
  2. What weight do your righteous deeds carry in your salvation?
  3. Where do works fit into our lives?
  4. What can you do to experience the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit?
  5. How do you feel about the gift?
  6. What will you do to receive this gift?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

L.4 What does the Bible mean when it says, “The wages of sin is death”.

/by

Why do you think that sin is such a big thing in the Bible?

How is what God wants the opposite of sin?

A Story

In the Navy, a sailor bragged about the immorality and wrong things he did while on his time away from the ship. He further said, “Look, I know what I am doing is wrong and will go to hell for it.” He further continued, “What’s the big deal about hell? I will be there with all my other buddies, and we will have a great time.” Another fellow sailor asked, “Would you like to understand the extreme consequences of your actions and the sin that is in your heart?”  He answered, “I might be willing later…”

Digging Into The Bible

Romans 6:20-23

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean to be a slave of sin?
  2. What were you free from?
  3. What did you discover was the benefit of the things you are now ashamed of?
  4. What does death mean from the last phrase of verse 21?
  5. What is the opposite of being slaves of sin?
  6. What did you discover were the WAGES of sin? What are wages? What insight do you gain into sin and its consequences?
  7. How would you describe God’s gift to you?

Application & Accountability

  1. How do you get this gift?
  2. What do you think when you hear God wants to give you a gift?
  3. How can you receive that gift for you?
  4. What does it mean, and how does it apply to you when it says, “in Christ Jesus our Lord?
  5. When should you take steps to receive this gift?
  6. What will happen to you when you do that?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

L.3 I understand what the Bible means when it describes SIN.

/by

What makes us feel guilty when we know we have done something wrong?

What makes that sin?

A Story

Jerry was really confused. “I am troubled, “he said. “I just don’t know what is right or wrong.” Jerry went on to explain. “I see people doing things that don’t seem right.”  He further explained, “Then I do things that I am not sure are right or wrong.” “How do I know? Is it wrong to smoke? Is it wrong to drink alcohol? Is it wrong to chew tobacco?” What makes something wrong?” An invitation to find answers from the Bible was offered.

Digging Into The Bible

Isaiah 59:1-3

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does this first phrase tell you about God?
  2. What is an iniquity? How is it different from sin?
  3. What from these verses tell you what sin is and its effects?
  4. How does sin impact your relationship with God?
  5. What parts of the body can sin?
  6. Suggestions: Look at the BibleProject video on Khata, the Hebrew word for “sin”.

Application & Accountability

  1. How does the concept of sin impact you personally?
  2. If sin separates you from God, what is your present status with God?
  3. Why do you think sin separates you from God?
  4. When you face your sin, how do you feel?
  5. What does the Bible say that overcomes this consequence?
  6. Take a look at the Bible project video on Atonement or better understanding.
  7. What steps can you take to deal with this feeling of guilt?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

L.2 I Have a clear picture of what Jesus describes as the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

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What is your present concept when you think of a kingdom?

What is God’s Kingdom?

A Story

Over the years, there have been stories about ancient kingdoms that were formed, where Kings ruled and knights were valiant and brave.  The message was that everyone was happy and content as this was happening. In the Bible, we read stories about David, who killed Goliath, the giant, who was made king, and all of Israel rejoiced. Unfortunately, over time, David did not listen to God wisely, weakening his kingdom. The stories of kingdoms are everywhere. However, the history of these kingdoms starts and ends. Even today, stories of kingdoms or governments rule for a period of time and then they end in sadness and disgrace. Encouragement comes as stories from the Bible explaining how God wanted the earth to be his Kingdom in which all the people would submit to his rule. The story shows how men chose not to submit to God’s will, became rebellious, and made their own decisions.  To remedy this, he planned to establish a kingdom that would last. Jesus began to speak of this when he came to the earth 2000 plus years ago. Let’s look at these verses to understand more.

Digging Into The Bible

Luke 4:42-44

2 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Acts 28:28-31

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” 

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

I Corinthians 15:1-11

15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What do you think the gospel of the kingdom means from this passage?
  2. What was so important about it?
  3. When Jesus says, “This is why I came”. What do you conclude from that?
  4. What does the Kingdom of God that Paul taught have to do with Jesus?
  5. What does the author of I Corinthians describe as the gospel?
  6. How and why does this gospel save us? What are we saved from?
  7. What are the historical facts in I Corinthians that describe this Kingdom and the King?

Application & Accountability

  1. What does it suggest you do if you believe this is true and that the good news about the Kingdom is real?
  2. What struggles do you have in grasping the gospel of the Kingdom of God?
  3. Do you want Christ to be the King of your life?
  4. What stops you from believing this truth about who Jesus is?
  5. What will be your next step in exploring this?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

L.1 I Understand what the Bible says about the Human Condition.

/by

How do you evaluate the moral character of people currently?

How about you?

A Story

On the University of Oregon campus, a student was discussing the understanding of being a sinner. They pronounced that they were a good person and could not believe God would judge them harshly.  A fellow student asked, “How many laws do we need to break to become a lawbreaker?” The answer was one. The question continued, “So if we break one law of God, what does that make us?

A lawbreaker was the answer. To understand more fully, they went to the Bible to understand what this means. They looked at:

Digging Into The Bible

Romans 3:19-24

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus

Discussion & Discovery

  1. Where do you think the law is from this paragraph?
  2. What does the law establish about every mouth?
  3. What does it mean that no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight?
  4. What does the law do?
  5. What have we learned from the Law and the Prophets about righteousness?
  6. How does one then become righteous? What does it mean that there is “no difference between Jew and Gentile”?

Application & Accountability

  1. In verse 23, what do we discover about everyone?
  2. How does one become justified from the guilt of our sin or disobedience?
  3. What areas of understanding are still not clear about the Human condition?
  4. What is provided for us to take away our guilt?
  5. What do you need to do to understand grace?
  6. How can you understand redemption more clearly?
  7. Are there any steps you need to take to understand the human condition?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?