The Truth of the Gospel

Introduction:

Renaldo, a newcomer to our congregation, asked, "How do I know what to believe? The people in my office talk a lot about religion. Everybody has his own idea about what to believe. I never thought much about God before. Can you help me sort things out?" Renaldo was shaken because he lacked a solid spiritual foundation. He began a sincere search for answers to his questions. Your study of this lesson will enable you to discover the truth of the gospel that leads to a well-grounded faith. This will help you distinguish between truth and error in relation to the many spiritual ideas floating around in our world.

Background Passage:

1 Timothy 1:1-20

What this lesson is about:

The central truth of the gospel is that Christ came to save sinners. Biblical faith is grounded in the truth of the gospel of grace.

Why this lesson is important:

This lesson is important because we live in a culture in which to most people, no clear path of right versus wrong exists. Thus, we're surrounded by fuzzy mixtures of truth and error and watered-down beliefs. Believers need to be able to distinguish right from wrong. We need to be able to discern the truth of the gospel from Satan's lies and to develop a faith grounded in the truth of the gospel of grace.

How this lesson can impact your life:

This lesson can help you ground your faith in the truth of the gospel.

Important questions as you read:

1. How would you answer Renaldo's question in the introduction? Where do you turn for clarity about your faith?
2. What doctrinal standard has your church adopted? How can the standard be used to detect false teachings? Are you equipped to use it this way? How should churches so equip their members?
3. Describe the liberty afforded believers by this trustworthy saying (v.15). How can we effectively point non-Christians to this freedom?
4. What does God's love enable and compel you to do that His commands alone never could motivate you to do?
5. What encouraging words have others offered to you about your God-given gifts? How might that help you when your faith is challenged? How might you offer encouragement to someone who needs to remain faithful to the Lord?
6. Should churches today consider removing people from fellowship (which is what probably was done to Hymenaeus and Alexander - v.20)? Why? What else might ultimately help restore?

The Life Word

Some people argue that no such thing as "absolute truth" exists. They say no truth can be considered permanent and unchanging. This position conflicts with the essence of the gospel - that Christ came to save sinners. That fact is always true or Christianity is a lie. Do you remember Renaldo? His search for God left him confused about what to believe. I assisted him in connecting with a Christian mentor. This gentleman patiently helped Renaldo meet Jesus Christ. After his conversion, Renaldo shared a testimony with his Sunday School class. He said, "The real breakthrough for me came when I accepted the truth that Jesus died for a sinner like me. Without that I still would be in the dark spiritually. I'll never be able to thank Him enough."

*This lesson is taken directly from LifeWay Adults Personal Study Guide Winter 2012-13, LifeWords: Bible Studies for Life (KJV), February 3, 2013, pages 82-89.

Obadiah: A Message of God's Justice

Introduction:

So called "pro-choice" people argue that every woman has the right to choose whether or not to abort her unborn child. Yet the mother, physically and emotionally, is a victim too - often to a far greater extent than most of us realize. Many women facing crisis pregnancies come under an overwhelming amount of pressure to abort their babies; and many feel they have nowhere to turn for help. This sets the stage for these women to be exploited.
We need to state up front that people who haven't been involved in or advocated for abortion are sinners in need of a Savior every bit as much as those who are involved in the aborition industry. In condemning pride, we must not become prideful ourselves. Yet we still must uphold the sanctity of human life, calling sin just what it is. What is God's response to arrogance, especially at the expense of innocent victims? How should we respond?

Background Passage:

Obadiah 1-21

What this lesson is about:

This lesson is about God's response to arrogance and pride, especially at the expense of innocent victims, and how we should respond to similar injustices.

Why this lesson is important:

How should we respond when people are treated unfairly? This is a question that many Christians have yet to answer. God sees the plight of the oppressed and acts on their behalf, and He calls on His people to do the same. We must be willing to help others in need who can't help or speak for themselves.

How this lesson can impact your life:

This lesson will encourage you to humbly take an active part in helping others in times of need, especially when they have been victimized.

Important questions as you read:

1. In what ways do people today often ignore God or fail to listen to Him? What are some consequences of such action (and inaction)?
2. How does the parable of the good Samaritan in Luck 10:25-37 relate to this week's study?
3. What are some ways God works through leaders today to do His will? How can you encourage your church leaders?

The Life Word

Pride is the attempt of a person to see himself as "high and lifted up" when only God fits that description (Isa 6:1). God hates pride and arrogance (Prov 8:13). He says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (16:18). When we are humble, as Jesus was (Phil 2:5-8), we are far more likely to be sensitive and responsive to the needs of people around us.

*This lesson is taken directly from LifeWay Adults Personal Study Guide Winter 2012-13, LifeWords: Bible Studies for Life (KJV), January 20, 2013, pages 66-73.

Haggai: A Message of Hope

Introduction:

Tom Landry, the former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, once told more than 2,000 students at Baylor University, "In 1958, I did something everyone who has been successful must do, I determined my priorities for my life - God, family, football." He had set his priorities in their order of true importantce: God first, then family, then everything else. That is the major difference between right and wrong priorities. Studying this lesson will help you to pursue God's agenda for your life and experience His fulfillment and blessing.

Background Passage:

Haggai 1:1-2:23

What this lesson is about:

Hope makes us secure in God's hands when we embrace godly priorities and live according to them.

Why this lesson is important:

It's easy to become enamored with our own pursuits and to miss our responsibilities in God's agenda. Pursuing His agenda, we experience His fulfillment and blessing. This study of the Book of Haggai presents hope. It will encourage us to examine our lives and rest securely in God's hands, knowing that He will abundantly bless us as we faithfully serve Him.

How this lesson can impact your life:

This lesson will urge you to find hope by reordering your priorities, conforming them to God's agenda.

Important questions as you read:

1. What are some rationalizations people use today to justify their selfish desires?
2. In what effort would God have you pour your time, energy, and resources that He might be glorified?
3. In what ways has God worked through you (past or present) to accomplish His purpose?
4. In this new year, what adjustments do you need to make in your priorities so that they will match God's agenda?

The Life Word

External pressures and internal discouragement work against right priorities, even God-given ones. The Jews experienced both and thus neglected building God's house. As they shifted their focus to what they wanted for themselves, their own houses became their top priority. We need to learn from their mistake.

*This lesson is taken directly from LifeWay Adults Personal Study Guide Winter 2012-13, LifeWords: Bible Studies for Life (KJV), January 27, 2013, pages 74-81.

Habakkuk: A Message of Faith

 

Introduction:

A farmer wrote to a newspaper saying he could prove God did not exist. By tending his fields on Sundays, he had distracted the worship services of a small church nearby. If God existed, the farmer contended, He would have caused his crops to fail. Instead, he had reaped his biggest harvest ever. The wise newspaper editor replied, "God does nto settle all of His accounts in October."

God sometimes delays judging wicked people and nations, and in fact, uses them to punish His own people. We do well to rest in God, who is sufficient for us int he midst of tough times.

 

Background Passage:

Habakkuk 1:1-3:19

 

What this lesson is about:

Our wise and powerful God is at work even though our enemies sometimes prosper and we sometimes struggle. We can trust Him.

 

Why this lesson is important:

We may wonder why God allows our enemies to prosper while we are barely getting by. This question is not new. All of us can relate to the complaints of injuestice Habakkuk brought before God. The Book of Habakkuk affirms God has everything under control and keeps His promises. He is still on His throne and will punish the wicked. We can rely fully on Him.

 

How this lesson can impact your life:

This lesson challenges you to believe and rest in God, who is sufficient in the midst of hard times.

 

Important questions as you read:

1. What are some things that you see people doing that cause you to cry out for God's intervention? How do you want Him to intervene?
2. What are some things you see happening today that are wrong? How much and in what ways do those things disturb you?
3. How can a person's faith be strengthened in such a situation?
4. What are some ways God surprises us? Think not just in terms of your everyday life, but also about ways God has acted in the Old and New Testaments to accomplish His plan.
5. What are some primary sources of livelihood for you today? What would you do if these were no longer available?

The Life Word

The farmer you met at the introduction to this lesson made some bold and brash assumptions about God, didn't he? How foolish to mistake God's mercy and grace for His non-existence! But let's not judge the farmer too harshly, since we sometimes make foolish assumptions too. Let's trust what we know to be true about God. Just as God was patient then and did not immediately settle His account witht he farmer, He often delays His judgment. However, His judgment eventually will fall on theose who disobey Him. Do you know Christ? If not, come to Him in humble repentance. If so, make sure you are honoring Him with your life; life by faith!

 

 

*This lesson is taken directly from LifeWay Adults Personal Study Guide Winter 2012-13, LifeWords: Bible Studies for Life (KJV), January 13, 2013, pages 58-65.