Bible Study

The purpose of these pages is to engage in some group study focussing specifically on the mid-week period of Tuesday to Thursday.  We will post some scripture verses, and a few thoughts before throwing the conversation over to you.  This is not a teaching session, use the prompts (and Google) to explore scripture and share relevant verses.  Log in to the conversation as often or as infrequently as you like and if you wish to join in put your thoughts in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

The right frame of mind

Before you start to dive into this week’s bible study, take a few moments to calm your spirit.  Get comfortable with your beverage of choice, your Bible and something to write with. Pray that God would give you the time to study and put to one side the concerns of the day.  Breathe deeply for a few seconds and focus on who Jesus said he was….   CS Lewis wrote:

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

When you are ready move on…

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This week we will look at Hope from three perspectives.

• What is it?
• What does it do? and …
• How do we cultivate it?

What is it?

In modern times the word hope has come to mean a weak desire that something will happen.  “I hope we will win this weekend”  “I really hope my child will pass his exam” – Let’s put down at the start this concept of hope and look at ‘Biblical hope’.

The biblical words translated as ‘hope’ convey a much greater degree of certainty, trust and confidence.  Faith and hope are tied together.  We see God moving in our lives, answering prayer and we have faith and hope for the future.  Rom 8:24-25.  We see and sense the Holy Spirit working, and our faith grows; our hope is a strong and confident expectation that God will do all that He promised.  The things unseen.

What does it do?

Watch the overview of John’s letters…

Read 1 John 3:1-3

Our hope causes us to change our behaviour and to refocus our lives.  To put it another way, as the Spirit works within us we change our focus, we strive for holiness, and our hope (our strong expectation)  for things eternal flourishes and grows. Read Titus 2:1-13.  

What is meant by hope in this context – we see that Hope can be an activity, or an object – that which we hope for.

Hope when it flourishes in our lives brings with it other blessings.  See how many you can identify from the following verses.

Make a list…..  Hope brings about….?

Heb 6:18-19, Rom 5:2, Rom 15:13,  Psalm 31:24, Psalm 33:18, Col 1:5,   There are many more, google ‘Hope in Jesus’ and see what else you can find.  Hope is mentioned about 165 times in the bible (depending on which translation you use).

How do I develop it?

Pay attention to your daily walk with the Lord, and your prayer life.  There are many warnings throughout the scriptures  – “The hope of the Godless will perish” –   Job 8, but “how blessed is he…. whose hope is the Lord his God” – PS 146

What is the theme here… Psa 62.5,  Rom 15:4,   2 Thes 2:16,

Rom 15,13,   1Pet 1:13…..

ooo     †††     ooo

The purpose of these pages is to engage in some group study focussing specifically on the mid-week period of Tuesday to Thursday.  We will post some scripture verses, and a few thoughts before throwing the conversation over to you.  This is not a teaching session, use the prompts (and Google) to explore scripture and share relevant verses.  Log in to the conversation as often or as infrequently as you like and if you wish to join in put your thoughts in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

The right frame of mind

Before you start to dive into this week’s bible study, take a few moments to calm your spirit.  Get comfortable with your beverage of choice, your Bible and something to write with. Pray that God would give you the time to study and put to one side the concerns of the day.  Breathe deeply for a few seconds and focus on who Jesus said he was….  When you are ready move on…

Ph4 8-9.   Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

The Message

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Last week we looked at pressing on to live lives that are honourable This week we are going to stay in Philippians and focus on living in contentment in our day to day lives…

Watch the remainder this video from The Bible Project, explaining the background to the letter…

Take a moment and write a list of the things that might affect your contentment over the coming months…

Read Phil 4 verses – Click here to read it in context of the whole chapter

10.   I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11.   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Write down your thoughts on  v11 – what does it say about contentment?

11.   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Compare with 1 Tim 6

You might have something like…

Paul seems to be saying…

• that his needs are currently being met.
• that contentment does not depend on circumstances
• that contentment is something you learn not something you catch…!

Note: Paul is writing this letter from prison…

We need to stop chasing contentment and start putting it into practice. Here are two ideas to help and a promise from scripture.

1. Our contentment is directly tied to our relationship with the father.  Think of a small child contentedly sleeping in the arms of his father.  Consequently, we need to be honest in our prayers.  It is unrealistic of us to expect to be able to hide things from the all knowing God.  Be honest, tell God how you feel, even when you are angry.  Be honest about your desires, even when you suspect they are driven by wrong motives. Cultivate an image of a Father God who loves to say ‘Yes’ to his children.         Matt 7:11                        Q: Do we lower our expectations so we don’t get disappointed, and call it contentment.  Be bold in your prayers Eph 3:12-21 and expect answers.
2. Live in the present! Make contentment one of your daily declarations.  When you wake up in the morning declare…  “I am a child of God, called according to His purpose and I will be content today!”  If you cannot be content in the season you are currently in, you will not be content in the next.

There should be a warning here about social media.  Q. How much time do we spend chasing contentment?  Looking at others’ lives – or their public portrayal of them.    Are you content with your current job? Where you live? Your state of health?

Paul says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice”  Be content in your current season (not with)

And the promise…

ooo     †††     ooo

The purpose of these pages is to engage in some group study focussing specifically on the mid-week period of Tuesday to Thursday.  We will post some scripture verses, and a few thoughts before throwing the conversation over to you.  This is not a teaching session, use the prompts (and Google) to explore scripture and share relevant verses.  Log in to the conversation as often or as infrequently as you like and if you wish to join in put your thoughts in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

The right frame of mind

Before you start to dive into this week’s bible study, take a few moments to calm your spirit.  Get comfortable with your beverage of choice, your Bible and something to write with. Pray that God would give you the time to study and put to one side the concerns of the day.  Breathe deeply for a few seconds and focus on who Jesus said he was….  When you are ready move on…

6.  For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6

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Over the last few weeks we have looked at being attached to the vine  and receiving sustenance from the Lord.  ‘Our daily Bread’ This week we are going to focus more on our day to day lives…

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27.  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel     28.  without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.          29.  For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,      30.  since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Phil 1

Watch the first part of this video from The Bible Project, explaining the background to the letter…

Go back to the passage and pick out the main instructions or themes from the verses….

You might end up with a list that looks like this…  We are told to …

• Behave appropriately, in a manner worthy of our calling
• Stand firm, without being intimidated
• Work together for the Gospel
• Expect adversity

Behaviour

So what does the bible say about our behaviour and what does it mean to be worthy of our calling? 1 Cor 13 has some clear things to say about our behaviour.. Note vs.4-5  See also…  It may not be easy,  Our relationship with the Lord comes first,  and…

9.  Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10.  You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11.  For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12.  encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

1 Thes 2

Summarise in one sentence what it is to be worthy of our calling.

Stand Firm

…or to put it another way do not be afraid, whatever your circumstances.  There are more than 365 verses along the lines of ‘fear not’ or ‘be not afraid’ – one for each day of the year.  Go back and read the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6.

How does this relate to Eph 6:12

The chapter in Ephesians clearly gives us a number of practical things that constitute the Armour of God.  The battle is a spiritual one that needs us to daily tend to our armour.

Work Together

striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

‘Working together’ conjures up a picture of people standing shoulder to  shoulder, agreeing with each other and all working for the same goals.  There is more to it than that…. 1 Cor 12 talks about the gifts of the Spirit – How each gift dovetails in with all the others to create a fully functioning body of believers.  So working together is more than just agreeing, although that is good too.  It is being content with the gifts you have, striving for more and using the gifts to serve the body.

In addition, working with others creates a synergy that is greater than working solo. Ecclesiastes 4,   Proverbs 27  By discussion and speaking together we spark off each other and develop thoughts and ideas far more coherently than when we work alone.  Try it….!

Don’t think it is going to be easy

29.  For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

Does this meant it is something we should seek out, or something that we should be proud of?  It’s an award? A badge of honour? It has “been granted to you” Mark 10:21,

What does it say about the relative importance of following Christ?

Paul,  Jesus, Paul’s letter to the Galatians, 

Paul’s letters very clearly tell us that if we are to follow the Saviour, there are things we will have to give up – Romans 8 – He outlines that anything we give up to follow Jesus will result in us being repaid many time over in both this life and the next. He outlines that people will not understand and their reaction to us might be negative and hurtful.  Are you ready for the negative? What will your response to abuse be?  Re read Romans 8.

ooo OOO ooo

The purpose of these pages is to engage in some group study focussing specifically on the mid-week period of Tuesday to Thursday.  We will post some scripture verses, and a few thoughts before throwing the conversation over to you.  This is not a teaching session, use the prompts (and Google) to explore scripture and share relevant verses.  Log in to the conversation as often or as infrequently as you like and if you wish to join in put your thoughts in the comments box at the bottom of the page.

The right frame of mind

Before you start to dive into this week’s bible study, take a few moments to calm your spirit.  Get comfortable with your beverage of choice, your Bible and something to write with. Pray that God would give you the time to study and put to one side the concerns of the day.  Breathe deeply for a few seconds and focus on who Jesus said he was….  When you are ready move on…

8   He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly (6:8 Or prudently) with your God.

Micah 6:8

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Over the last couple of weeks we have looked at two of the I am’ statements of Jesus listed in John’s Gospel.  We looked at what it is to be branches grafted into the vine – Taken from John 15  –   Last week we started looking at “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) 

This week we are going to look more at what it means to be grafted or attached to the spiritual root of Jesus and how (to mix our metaphors) that gives us the bread of life.

Jesus said “come to me” and “believe in me” John 5:24 & 6:35 and you will…

• Have eternal life
• Not be condemned
• Never go hungry
• Never be thirsty

the latter two talking about our spiritual needs.

The suggestion in John 15 is that the gardener grafts us into a permanent source of nourishment that allows us to grow and flourish. The image of many branches growing together towards and in the light is synonymous with the local church.

There is much talk in this Covid-19 season about ‘live streaming’ video of meetings that people can’t get to.  You plug in and get a continuous feed of video signal until it is all over.  Sound familiar?  The vine provides a continuous stream of nourishment, purpose, guidance, reassurance and peace.

Colin Urquhart, the Christian author, talks about taking time to enjoy Christ and take in what He is saying.  When we take time to read scripture and meditate on it’s meaning: God does speak to us. Isa 55:11   What else happens?  Psalm 23,  John 15:5,  John 15:7,  2Cor 5:17,  Phil 3:9.

This new creation is not something we do, it’s who we become.

Read Jesus’ pray for those who come to Him

John 17:20-26

……..

The right frame of mind

Before you start to dive into this week’s bible study, take a few moments to calm your spirit.  Get comfortable with your beverage of choice, your bible and something to write with. Pray that God would give you the time to study and put to one side the concerns of the day.  Breathe deeply for a few seconds and focus on who Jesus said he was….  When you are ready move on…

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Over the last few weeks scripture has been repeatedly leading us back to our identity in Christ.  One of the descriptors from last week was branches – Taken from John 15  Take a couple of minutes and read it through.  First time quickly and then more slowly one verse at a time.

This passage contains one of the seven ‘I am’ statements of Jesus.

• • • “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.
    •  “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as a guide.
    • “I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9) Jesus protects His followers as shepherds protect their flocks from predators.
    • “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Death is not the final word for those in Christ.
    • “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.
    • “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.
    • “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honour the Father.

Borrowed from the TNBibles website

Life flowing through us:The passage immediately follows Jesus telling the disciples about the Holy Spirit being given to them, so it’s an easy jump to assume the sap of the vine is analogous to the Spirit flowing through us. Acts 1

True Vine: as distinct from what? What is the significance of putting ‘true’ in at this point?  The Bible suggests there are other sources of apparent sustenance – other places we can try to get our ‘identity’.  None of them work and all of them leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled – John 10:10

Abide (remain) in Me.  What exactly does this mean?  Notice: Whilst the grafting is something that we don’t have anything to do with other than to ask for it, the abiding is something we are told to do. It’s our responsibility to abide.  Take a moment to meditate and write down what it is to ‘abide in Him’.  1 John 2:5-6

The Fruit

The bible talks very clearly about the fruit of the Spirit; how many of them can you recall? It also talks about the kind of activities that are opposed to the life in the Spirit – those that will result in pruning!  how many of them can you recall?  Gal Ch 5:16  What may pruning look like?  Feel like?  What things might God be asking you to give up? / stop doing? / start doing?  Note that: Pruning takes place once we are securely grafted on to the Vine not before, and not immediately (although it sometimes can be) – it is a gradual process of encouragement and challenge.

A healthy plant grows toward the light – see above – John 8:12  Not only did Jesus say I am the light of the World, but as we become more like Him, it also says that our light should shine out, encouraging and challenging others.  Jdg. 5:31, Matt 5:16  Do a search for passages on light and see what God leads you to.

Read Ephesians Ch 5… and reconsider the questions on pruning.

Over the last few months Andrew has been preaching on “Who Me?”  the question mark signifies our lack of understanding of who God says we are. Reflect on the following….

• But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Rom5:8
• We love Him because He first loved us, – 1 John 4:19

God does not call us because of anything we are – He calls us to be who He knows we can become.  John 10:10    To come into relationship and walk with Him.  Response to this calling changes who we are. Rom 10:9

Remind yourself of God’s willingness to renew his people, despite their actions and their old identity.

• Eze 36 New heart and a new spirit
• If my people who… 2 Chron 7

What Therefore are the Implications of our New Identity?

Believe: John 6:29 – We are called to walk with the Lord and believe in Him even when things don’t seem to be changing as fast as we would like them to.  2 Cor 5:17, Eph 4:22-32,  Rom 8:14-17,  Is40:31 – You should know this one by now.

The way we See things

The way we look at things changes and we see things with a spiritual vision.  Both of these are tied to our daily walk – how closely we engage and listen to what God is trying to say to us.  Study and prayer daily.  This discipline not only strengthens our faith, but also gives us the vision to see God moving in our lives.

What does scripture say about…

• Joy
• Peace
• Victory
• Freedom
• Hope
• Vision

When we are defined by our new identity, it pulls us away from allowing our identity to be defined by others.  In what ways do you compare yourself to others and measure yourself against their standards / achievements / goals?  What does this say about our use of social media / intake of video?

The Bible talks about believers as ‘Children of God’, but also says many other things about us.  Take some time and try to find them.  Here are a few

• Keyholders:   Matt16:19 This is significant because it implies we have the capability to control what we focus on…  We let things in, and we lock things out!
• No weapon formed….
• More than conquerers
• Fearfully and wonderfully….
• You are the branches
• Who shall separate us…
• Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple…