Four Unfailing Promises
- God's love for me will never change
- God's purpose for me is Christ-likeness
- God's grace for me is all sufficient
- God's word for me is the final right answer
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Text: Ephesians 5
Theme: God's Calling …in building his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Read Ephesians 5:8 and then study light in the following texts: Prov 4:18; Isaiah 60:1; Matt 5:13-16; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 1:5-7
- Look through the Ephesian letter to see the number of uses of the idea of “fullness”: 1:23; 3:19; 4:10; 4:13
- How does 1 Peter 1:13-16 echo Ephesians 4-5?
- Read Titus 3:8 as further commentary on Eph 5:11-16.
Text: Ephesians 4
Theme: God’s Design …in building his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Let your eyes fall on multiple uses of the word “all” and the word “one” in verses 1-6. Can you see how this shapes a foundation for unity?
- Read Psalm 133. You will encounter “unity” in v.1, and what is found at the very end of the Psalm? How are these two ideas connected?
- Think of one person to show special kindness to today.
Text: Ephesians 2:11-3:21
Theme: God's reconciliation ...in building his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Consider the Old Testament revelation of God’s plan to save his people out of all the nations. We see the hope of reconciliation in: Genesis 12:3, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14; Psalm 67 & 72; Isaiah 11:10, 49:6, 60:1-3; Hosea 1:10; Amos 9:11-12
- Add to that Ephesians 2:11-22 and Colossians 1:18-23.
Text: Ephesians 2:1-10
Theme: God's grace...in his plan to build his church through Jesus Christ for his own glory.
- Make this week a study of good works. Nail down the place of good works before salvation from Ephesians 2:8-9.
- Now look over a number of verses that show you the place of good works once you have believed in Jesus for salvation. James 2:17-26 is a summary of true faith lived out with good works. See also: Colossians 1:10; 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 2:14 and 3:1, 8.
Text: Ephesians 1
Theme: God's Sovereignty
- We sang Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery together on Sunday. Look it up online; listen to it; learn it; use it to worship. God’s made known the mystery to you!
- Take a survey trip through the book of Ephesians following the word “mystery.” Paul uses it in the letter seven different times (1:9, 3:3, 3:4, 3:6, 3:9, 5:32, 6:19); from these, build a working definition of “mystery.”
Text: Leviticus 16
Theme: Seeing Christ in the “goat that departs”
- Perhaps the clearest correlation of the atoning work of the scapegoat is found between Leviticus 16:21 and Isaiah 53:4-6. What sounds familiar in these two passages? What similar action occurs?
- Also, you should find a common between Leviticus 16:21-28 and Hebrews 13:11-13.
- Think your way through Hebrews 9:6-14
Hear from guest speaker Ron Webber.
Theme:
Text:
- Read Hebrews 6:10-12. What hope is there in your serving? What benefit? What warning? What command?
- Study Matthew 20:20-28. What do you learn about serving others from Jesus’ teaching and example?
- Consider 1 Corinthians 16:18. Are you a person who refreshes others? How so? Who do you know who is a refreshing person? Reach out and thank them.
Theme: A mindset for doing what you've heard
Text: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
- Look over the 5 commands in our text of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Which one seems to point at you the most? Why do you feel that way?
- Consider a few verses dealing with being alert: Mark 14:38; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 2:1 with 2 Timothy 4:3-5. What are you alert for in these verses?
Text: 1 Corinthians 16:5-12
Theme: Know and practice the job requirements of discipleship.
- Read the following verses: Proverbs 16:1-2, 9, 33; & 19:21; Philippians 2:12-13. What do these verses teach us about God? How does that truth apply to our effort at making plans?
- Add to your thinking regarding plans what James tells us in James 4:12-17.
- How does 1 Corinthians 16:9 help us determine God’s will?
Text: Psalm 119:17-24
Theme: 7 Reasons to pray for your eyes to be opened to God's truth.
- How can you adjust the daily rhythm of life in 2020 in order to see wonderful things from God’s Word? Shape your answers to the questions: When will you read the Bible? Where will you start reading? What will you do with what you read? How can your plan spill over to your family or friendships? Where can you shave off some time that can be given to Bible reading and meditation?
Text: Psalm 77:1-9
See how the answer to this troubling question is answered in the first part of the Christmas story.
Theme: We are called to be giving people
Text: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
- Consider the other key texts where Paul addresses the matter of giving: Romans 15:25-38; 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Corinthians 9; Galatians 2:10
- What does Luke 10:25-37 teach us about giving? What does Galatians 6:10 add to the discussion?
- What is the warning of Luke 16:10-11 as it applies to your personal spending habits?
Text: 1 Corinthains 15:50-58
Theme: The Victory of the Resurrection
- Read our text of 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, and then hear an echo of this theme in Philippians 3:20-21.
- The source of the quote in 1 Corinthians 15:54: Isaiah 25:6-9
- The source of the quote in 1 Corinthians 15:55: Hosea 13:14
- Compare two Old Testament texts that also promise that our labor is not in vain: 2 Chronicles 15:7; Isaiah 65:22-25
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Theme: Because Christ has been raised from the dead, the rest of the story is filled with hope.
- Review the Scripture readings regarding firstfruits: Leviticus 23:9-14 and Numbers 28:26-31. How does this Old Testament practice apply to us today? What does it mean for our giving? How does it call us to faith? How should our stuff steer us to worship? How can you express thanksgiving during this season?
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Theme: Christianity stands or falls on the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
- Review some Old Testament verses on the resurrection: Job 19:26 with Psalm 17:15; Ezekiel 37:1-4; Daniel 12:2
- …and some New Testament verses: John 6:44; John 11:25; Acts 4:1-2; 1 Thess 4:16; 2 Corinthians 4:14
- How does Romans 1:1-4 unfold the significance of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead?