Sunday School Lesson—Children of God

Children of God


 




©2014DamiWurtzPixabay CCO Public Domain


 

God works in believers to accomplish His purposes.


 

A1 Objectives

B1 Describe the new relationship between believers and God.

B2 Describe the benefits of being adopted by God.

A2 Scriptures

B1 Romans 8:1-17

B2 Ephesians 1:11-14

B3 1 Peter 1:1-9

A3 Notes

B1 Relationship between regeneration and adoption

C1 Regeneration

D1 Defined

E1 Born again (2 Corinthians 5:17).

E2 Rebirth

E3 An act of God, not man

E4 God initiates and completes salvation

E5 Prevenient grace. This is God's work in all humans. It is based on His love for humanity and desire for all to be saved. It is not based on human merit or effort, for no one seeks God. Humans can resist or not resist the work of the Holy Spirit.

E6 God saves based on faith, that is, believing God.

E7 We become a son/daughter of God because of regeneration.

D2 Theological views

E1 Calvinist

F1 Regeneration precedes faith

F2 Error not taught in Scripture

F3 Favorite Calvinist passage: "Everyone that believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone that loves Him that begot also loves him that is begotten of Him. " (1 John 5:1, EMTV) Also see: "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. " (1 John 2:29, EMTV)

G1 Calvinist will claim the words "has been born" proves that salvation came before faith, that is, regeneration precedes faith.

G2 This is obviously a forced interpretation.

G3 In its plain, normal sense it would indicate that being born of God will result in one who practices righteousness. They have already been born of Him.

E2 Classical/reformed Arminian

F1 Faith precedes regeneration

F2 Truth taught in Scripture

G1 "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world so that He might condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:14-18, EMTV)

G2 "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; and he who does not believe the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36, EMTV)

G3 "and from all things from which you could not (by the Law of Moses) be justified, by Him everyone that believes is justified." (Acts 13:39, EMTV)

C2 Adoption

D1 Does not happen at regeneration. The soul is redeemed at regeneration, the body at resurrection. Redemption of the soul comes first (Galatians 4:4-6). Adoption is the result of redemption.

D2 We receive the Spirit of Adoption (the promise and producing the possibility of adoption) (Romans 8:15).

D3 We are waiting for our adoption (Romans 8:23).

D4 It will happen at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). All the saints who have died up to the Rapture will be resurrected and receive a new body like Jesus's new body (1 John 3:2). The saints who are living at the Rapture will not be resurrected but will receive a new body (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

D5 So even though all believers are adopted this is not realized fully until the redemption of the body. We presently know we are sons and daughters of God and will fully know this at our resurrection.

D6 Scriptures

E1 "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15, NKJV)

E2 "Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body " (Romans 8:23, NKJV)

E3 "who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;" (Romans 9:4, NKJV)

E4 "Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4:1-7, NKJV)

E5 "having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will..." (Ephesians 1:5, NKJV)

D7 The word

E1 The Greek is huiothesía (υἱοθεσία) and it means "placing as a son," or adoption.

E2 Kittle (TDNT) under this term:

The NT. In the NT only Paul uses the term. His aim is to show that the sonship of believers is not a natural one but is conferred by divine act. The term might refer either to the act or to the result. In Rom. 9:4, relating to Israel, adoption is associated with the covenant and the promises. It means freeing from the law in Gal. 4:5. In Rom. 8:15 freedom comes with the spirit of "sonship" in virtue of Christ's all-transforming act. Eph. 1:5 traces it back to God's foreordination and thus leaves no room for boasting. In Rom. 8:23 the adoption is future; this teaches us that we always need God, but also that his purpose does not change.

 

A4 Questions

B1 Romans 8:1-17

C1 Verse 1

D1 How much condemnation is there for the believers? (None)

E1 The Greek word is katakrima and means the decision of an authority (judge or king) after an investigation.

E2 All humans are condemned until __________?

D2 Who are those who are in Christ Jesus? (Believers)

D3 Does this refer to all believers or is there a condition for no condemnation? (who do not walk according to the flesh but do walk according to the Spirit).

D4 What is "walking in the flesh?" (Thoughts, desires, words, and deeds like the unsaved. See Galatians 5:19-21)

D5 What is "walking in the Spirit?" (Thoughts, desires, words, and deeds according to God's laws. There are over 1,000 rules in the New Testament for Christians. See Galatians 5:22-26 for a partial list of examples of living by the Spirit).

D6 The last half of the verse is missing from most modern translations. According to Wilbur Pickering it is missing in 2.3% of Greek manuscripts. See his notes in his translation. This passage deals with the conflict between flesh and spirit).

C2 Verse 2

D1 What are the two groups of laws? (law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and the law of sin and of death).

D2 What is the law of sin and death? (We do not obey God's laws. We live by our own laws. Our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds are leading every person to condemnation and eventually to hell).

D3 What is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus? (It is God's law as seen in the New Testament. A new heart brings a new motivation to do and practice God's ways as Jesus taught us. See Jeremiah 31:31-34).

D4 Some version have "you" instead of "me." Wilbur Pickering states that around 1% of manuscripts have "you" (singular).

C3 Verse 3

D1 What couldn't the Law do/accomplish? (Make a new heart, reconcile to God, forgiveness of sins, salvation from God's wrath).

D2 What is the weakness of the flesh? (Our sinful desires).

D3 What is condemned? (The sin principle in our flesh. This is the desire to do our own thing and follow our own ways rather than God's).

D4 Did Jesus have sinful flesh? Did Jesus sin? (No).

D5 Who condemned sin in the flesh? (Jesus)

D6 What are we now free to follow? (Our walk in the Spirit).

C4 Verse 4

D1 Are we righteous? (No).

D2 How are we now considered righteous according to this verse? ("He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit").

C5 Verse 5

D1 What are the different priorities of those who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit? (One cares about fleshy things and experiences while the other cares about God's things and ways first).

D2 Which is the better way to live especially considering our eternal existence?

C6 Verse 6

D1 Which would you and I think is best, death or life and peace?

D2 Why do so many chose the fleshy way of life?

C7 Verse 7 What is the relationship to God in these two ways (fleshly or spiritual)?

C8 Verse 8 Is it important to please God?

C9 Verse 9

D1 If our goals, desires, and motivations point to our own way, what does that say about our Christianity?

D2 What is having the Spirit of Christ?

C10 Verses 10-11 What can God do to help us live a godly life?

C11 Verses 12-13 What is the result of those who live according to their fleshy experiences and desires?

C12 Verse 14 What is being lead of the Spirit? (Having a desire to live God's way. Studying and reading the Bible to grow and to know what God's way of living is).

C13 Verse 15 What came first regeneration or adoption? Do we have full regeneration or are we partly regenerated? Do we have full blessings of adoption or in part (Romans 8:23)?

C14 Verses 16

D1 What is the meaning of "Spirit bears witness with our spirit?"

E1 Changed life.

E2 Changed desires

E3 Changed motivations

E4 Changed priorities

E5 Desire to read/study the Bible

E6 Desire to pray

E7 Desire for God's glory

E8 Desire to humble ourselves to admit that God is right and we are not

D2 How are we considered "Children of God?" (Adoption)

C15 Verse 17

D1 Who is the real heir? (Jesus Christ)

D2 What are we? (1. Heirs of God. 2. Joint heirs with Jesus).

D3 What do we inherit? (Everything that is God's).

D4 Do we have our inheritance? (No)

D5 When will we have it? (When Jesus reigns. He is King; we are assistant rulers).

D6 How do we suffer today? (Temptation, abuse of all types)

B2 Ephesians 1:11-14

C1 Who receives this inheritance? (Christians)

C2 What is God's plan in this passage? (Christians are predestined for the inheritance).

C3 What comes first the believing or the sealing with the Holy Spirit? (Believe then sealed, practically simultaneously).

C4 What guarantee do we have for this inheritance? (The Holy Spirit)

C5 Do we have the full joy and possession of this inheritance now? (No. We have bits and pieces of God's help and blessings now, but the full blessing will come in the future).

C6 What is the "purchased possession?"

D1 Different views

E1 The inheritance itself

E2 Our glorified body that we receive on our resurrection

E3 The church

D2 Whichever it is, it will be wonderful and glorying to God.

B3 1 Peter 1:1-9

C1 Who is Peter writing to? (The scattered believers. They are scattered because of persecution. It may refer to Jews (Peter was Apostle to the Jews), Gentiles, or both. It probably refers to both).

C2 How is the Trinity seen in verse 2?

D1 The Father elects according to His foreknowledge.

D2 The Son shed His blood to redeem us.

D3 The Spirit sets apart or sanctifies God's people. He purifies them, works in our lives to mold us into the image of Christ.

C3 What have we been begotten to? (A living hope. This is our resurrection).

C4 What does begotten mean? (Another way of saying born again, spiritual rebirth, regeneration, making of a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)).

C5 How do we know we have a living hope? (Jesus rose from the dead).

C6 How does 1 Peter 1:4 describe out inheritance?

C7 Would we all fail the grace of God without His help (1 Peter 1:5)? (Yes, see Jude 1:24-25).

C8 Are we kept safe by works or by faith? (Faith)

C9 When do we receive the full salvation? (In the future. Our souls and spirits are a new creation, but we still have the old body that will die, but we have the promise of a resurrection to life. This is because God said so).

C10 If life wonderful, carefree, and always peaceful? (No)

C11 How long to trials last? (Briefly)

C12 What should be our attitude in these trials? (Joy)

C13 How can we have joy in these trials?

D1 Proves our faith is genuine.

D2 We receive God's help.

D3 We see Jesus who suffered and is able to help us?

D4 We know how it will end in God's blessings. Sometimes we only see the blessing after the trial is over.

C14 What illustration does Peter give of this idea? (The purifying of gold).

B4 General questions

C1 Is everyone a child of God? (No. He creates, but it the new creation that counts, for with regeneration comes adoption).

C2 In every trial we face who is there to help us?

C3 How does the teaching of adoption help, motivate, and bless us?

C4 How can we use the teaching of adoption to encourage others?

1 Peter 3:18-20

Short Bible Study


 

1 Peter 3:18-20


 




 

"For Christ also suffered once to atone for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly disobeyed, when the longsuffering of God was waiting in the days of Noah, when the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; " (1 Peter 3:18-20, EMTV)


 

A1 Most of chapter 3 deals with the suffering that Christians too often endure.


A2 Our passage today deals with the suffering that Christ endured.

B1 This is both an example and doctrine.

B2 God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) suffered in the sense of seeing the evil done by humanity in particular for the 120 days of Noah's preaching while Noah was building the ark (Genesis 6-9).

B3 The Lord Jesus suffered not only in His life and ministry from humanity and evil spirits but even in punishment as the Lamb of God for the sins of the world.

A3 Questions

B1 How many times did Christ suffer? (Once)

B2 What was His purpose in suffering? (To atone for our sins, not for His sins. Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 4:15).

B3 What is suffering?

C1 The Greek word is pascho.

C2 This primary sense is unpleasant experiences.

C3 It means unpleasant experiences as pain, sorrow, abuse (of any sort), bad dreams/nightmares (Matthew 27:19), physician's treatments (Mark 5:26), and temptation (Hebrews 2:18).

C4 The particular suffering that Jesus endured came from

D1 The religious leaders (Matthew 16:21)

D2 The Romans (Mark 8:31, John 19:1, John 19:18, and Hebrews 13:12).

D3 The Father (God the Father) (Hebrews 13:12, Mark 15:34)

B4 What is atonement?

C1 The Greek word is katallagé.

D1 The basic meaning is to reconcile, to restore to favor.

D2 It is most frequently translated reconcile, which is to bring together two whose differences kept them apart.

D3 The differences between God and humanity is sin, evil, in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds (Isaiah 59:2).

C2 The Old Testament Hebrew word for atonement is ka^phar and related to kippur.

D1 It means "to cover" thus to make something not seen as in painting a wall. In the KJV it has been translated "appease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, to pitch, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation)"

D2 Wiktionary gives one definition of atonement as "A repair done for the sake of a damaged relationship."

B5 Whose sins did Jesus have to suffer for? (Ours Romans 3:23).

B6 How do you feel about Jesus having to suffer for your sins?

B7 Who is the just?

B8 Who is the unjust?

B9 What was the purpose of His suffering?

B10 What died? (His flesh)

B11 What did His spirit do?

B12 Who are the "spirits in prison?"

C1 Some feel that this refers to Noah and his preaching.

C2 Personally, I feel that Jesus's spirit went to Paradise section of Hades/Sheol and explained to the believers who He was and what they had been waiting for has happened. Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. The saints in Paradise heard that Jesus was the Messiah they had been looking for. He also preached to the unbelievers, the rejectors, on the other side who now know what they missed and rejected. That latter group now has nothing to do but wait the sure judgment from God and be sent to the Lake of Fire for eternity. See Ephesians 4:8. In doing this the evil spirits (fallen angels) heard the message of deliverance for the saints, the believers, and condemnation for those who rejected, unbelievers, both humanity and spirits. Jesus proclaims that He is victor.

B13 What can you do to avoid the condemnation and wrath of God? (NeedGod).

Sunday School—Saved by Grace

Saved by Grace


 




 

God provides salvation from sin through Jesus.


 

A1 Objectives

B1 Describe how sinners are saved.

B2 Explain the relationship between faith and works.

A2 Scriptures

B1 Ephesians 2:1-10

B2 Titus 3:3-7

B3 Galatians 2:16

B4 James 2:14-26

A3 Notes

B1 Definition

C1 Faith--believing God

C2 Works--things we do. It especially refers to good works rather than evil works. Good and evil are defined by God.

D1 Example of good works--Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 5:1-5, Ephesians 5:9,

D2 Example of evil works--Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:9, 2 Timothy 3:4, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 4:3

B2 Salvation--Ephesians 2:1-10

C1 Definition

D1 Regeneration before faith--Calvinist

E1 Some teachers include--.R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, and many others.

E2 Explanation--Articles: here, here, and here

D2 Regeneration after faith--Classical Arminian

E1 Some teachers include--Roger Olson, F. Leroy Forlines, and many other

E2 Explanation--

F1 Bible verses: Ephesians 1:13, John 1:12-13, Romans 5:18, John 5:24-28, Romans 6:2-6, Galatians 3:2,

2 Corinthians 3:18

F2 Articles: here, here, here, and here

D3 The error of regeneration precedes faith

E1 Different definitions

E2 Words

F1 Calvinist (TULIP)--the work of God before faith. It cannot be resisted. Some use the analogy of the electricity before the light bulb lights.

F2 Classical Arminian--the spiritual rebirth as in born again. It is the result of faith after God's imitating prevenient grace.

G1 "So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the Regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. " (Matthew 19:28, EMTV) This passage shows the coming period of history when Jesus rules. It will indeed be a new world ruled in holiness, quietness, and order.

G2 "...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, " (Titus 3:5, EMTV). This is the spiritual rebirth most fully explained in John 3

C2 Passage

D1 Ephesians 2:1-10 see here and here and here

E1 Refers to spiritually dead not physically dead. The unregenerated do some "good" things. Spiritually dead refers to not able, wanting, desiring, caring about seeking God and His ways. We do not believe God.

E2 All humans were born in a state of being spiritually dead with Satan working in the world, its ways, and its people.

E3 All humans live to their own desires and wishes, not God's.

E4 God has genuine love for all humans.

E5 New life only comes through Jesus Christ, the Redeemer and Creator

E6 Jesus's resurrection guarantees our own. Our new life, regeneration, is our foretaste of our bodily resurrection.

E7 God's grace will be more greatly seen, understood, and appreciated throughout eternity.

E8 Salvation is a gift of God given on the basis of our faith.

E9 What we do cannot obtain salvation.

E10 God expects "good" works from us upon and during our salvation.

D2 Titus 3:3-7

E1 The description of our natural person, attitudes, motivation, and thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E2 God is kind to mankind, not just a few "elect."

E3 We could never do good things to enter heaven. The balance that many hold to, will not be sufficient. Many believe that their good works will out weight their bad and thus God will let them into heaven.

E4 The Holy Spirit gives the new birth and spiritual renewal.

E5 All believers have the Holy Spirit because of the loving work of Jesus Christ.

E6 It is God's grace, not our works.

D3 Galatians 2:16

E1 We cannot obey God's law correctly in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E2 We are justified because and through faith.

D4 James 2:14-26

E1 Works do not save or produce forgiveness of sins.

E2 Works do show the fruit that we have be saved and forgiven.

E3 Works show the genuineness of true faith.

B3 Works

C1 What we do

C2 Does not earn salvation

A4 Questions

B1 Ephesians 2:1

C1 Who is "He?" (The Father)

C2 Who is "you?" (Christian believers)

C3 What did the Father do to/for the believers? (Raised them up. See Ephesians 1:20).

C4 What is "raised up?" (There is a contrast between being dead in sins and alive in Christ. Believers are regeneration and "raised up" from the former to the latter, from death to life just as Jesus Christ was raised from death to life).

C5 What are trespasses? (Deviation from what is right and righteous in God's eyes).

C6 What kind of death? (Spiritual death. Our bodies are alive, but our spirit is dead. We do not seek God or His ways).

B2 Ephesians 2:2

C1 What does the word "walk" mean? (Our daily life in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds).

C2 How did we walk/live? (According to the "course of this world," that is, the world's way of living in contrast to God's way of living).

C3 Who is the Prince of the power of the air? (Satan. See John 8:44, John 12:31, and John 14:30).

C4 Who are the sons of disobedience? (All people before they are saved. See Colossians 3:6, John 13:2, and 1 John 3:8).

B3 Ephesians 2:3

C1 What kind of, source of, lusts/desires do the natural/unsaved person have? (lusts/desires of the mind and flesh).

C2 Give some examples of lusts of the mind and of the flesh.

D1 Lusts of the mind? Evil imagination, evil thoughts, planning evil. See Galatians 5:19-21.

D2 Lusts of the flesh? Evil actions, words as also seen in Galatians 5:19-21

B4 Ephesians 2:4-5

C1 Why did God show mercy? ("Because of His great love").

C2 Who did the "making alive?" (God. We did not do this).

B5 Ephesians 2:6

C1 Where are we spiritually sitting? (In heaven, in Christ).

C2 What does this mean? (We are now citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and adopted sons and daughters of God (2 Corinthians 6:18)).

B6 Ephesians 2:7--How long will God be showing us His great mercy? (Forever)

B7 Ephesians 2:8

C1 Are we saved by grace or works? (Grace)

C2 We are saved through what? (Faith, that is, believing God. See Romans 4:3)

C3 What is the gift of God? (Salvation. It is not faith. See here and here). Salvation is the gift, not faith. The power/ability/grace to believe is the act of God but the act of believing is of ourselves after God has opened our eyes and heart. See Adam's Clarke's commentary on this verse. "But it may be asked: Is not faith the gift of God? Yes, as to the grace by which it is produced; but the grace or power to believe, and the act of believing, are two different things. Without the grace or power to believe no man ever did or can believe; but with that power the act of faith is a man's own. God never believes for any man, no more than he repents for him: the penitent, through this grace enabling him, believes for himself: nor does he believe necessarily, or impulsively when he has that power; the power to believe may be present long before it is exercised, else, why the solemn warnings with which we meet everywhere in the word of God, and threatenings against those who do not believe? Is not this a proof that such persons have the power but do not use it? They believe not, and therefore are not established. This, therefore, is the true state of the case: God gives the power, man uses the power thus given, and brings glory to God: without the power no man can believe; with it, any man may."

B8 Ephesians 2:9--Do works, what we do, save? (No).

B9 Ephesians 2:10--What are we created in Christ Jesus for? (Doing good works. Good is defined by God's standards).

B10 Titus 3:3

C1 What is the general nature of all unsaved persons, including ourselves before we were forgiven? (foolish, disobedient, and deceived).

C2 What did we serve, that is, what were we slaves to? (various lusts and pleasures)

C3 How did we live? (malice and envy, hateful and hating one another)

C4 "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them. " (Titus 3:3, GNB92)

B11 Titus 3:4-5

C1 Are we saved, by works that we do or faith? (Faith).

C2 Is faith a work? (No, it is believing. See here ).

C3 What is the work of the Holy Spirit in these passages?

D1 Washing of regeneration

E1 The washing (bath) is not baptism or any outward thing.

E2 It is a certain type of washing done by the Holy Spirit. It is a regenerational washing, washing done/accomplished by regeneration. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, not a church, man, group of men, or any person.

E3 This is an Old Testament idea. See Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:1-5, Isaiah 55:10-13, and Ezekiel 36:25--27.

D2 Renewing of the Holy Spirit

E1 This is not a receiving of the Holy Spirit again as He had been lost.

E2 This is a certain type of renewing done by the Holy Spirit.

B12 Titus 3:6--Who receives this pouring out of the Holy Spirit? (Us, who are Christians)

B13 Titus 3:7--What are two things done by the Holy Spirit in this verse?

C1 Justified by His grace, which is decreed to be righteous because of the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross.

C2 Heirs (joint heirs with Jesus Christ) which is the hope of eternal life

B14 Galatians 2:16

C1 Are we justified by works? (No)

C2 What are we justified by? (Faith in Jesus Christ)

C3 Can anyone be justified by obeying God's Laws? (No)

B15 James 2:14-26

C1 Is any one justified by works? (No)

C2 How were Abraham and Rahab justified? (They believed God. See Genesis 15:1-6 and Joshua 2:9-11).

C3 What do our "works" show? (That we are Christians, that we have a new life, and that God has saved us. It is the fruit of the New Birth. See Matthew 7:17-20 and Galatians 5:22-23. Someone may say they are a Christian, but it is in their fruit we find confirmation).

Sunday School—Same Gospel, Different Method

Same Gospel, Different Method


 

Revealing the Unknown God


 




 

God uses people to accomplish His perfect plans.


 

A1 Objectives

B1 Distinguish between a culture of "Jews" and "Greeks."

B2 Explain the importance of explaining the foundation to the "Greeks" so that they can understand the Gospel.

A2 Scriptures

B1 Acts 2:1-41

B2 Acts 17:16-34

B3 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

A3 Notes

B1 People have foundational beliefs.

B2 People are usually comfortable with this belief.

B3 People sometimes have given great thought to come to this belief.

B4 People are spiritually dead because of Adam and our own sin.

B5 We do not seek God.

B6 God initiates salvation and completes salvation.

B7 The basics of the Gospel are

C1 We are sinners.

D1 What is sin?

E1 Breaking of God's laws especially as summarized in the 10 Commandments (1 John 3:4)

E2 Not doing right. Right and wrong have to be defined by the King, God, not ourselves. 1 John 5:17)

E3 Not doing what is good. Good and bad have to be defined by God. (James 4:17)

E4 Planning evil. (Proverbs 24:8-9)

E5 The essence of sin is myself. This is the idea that my way is the right and true way. It is a heart issue. (Matthew 15:19)

E6 Another way of stating/defining sin.

D2 How do we know? (The Holy Spirit is the convicter. When we feel guilty, it is from the Holy Spirit. This has to be true guilt, not false guilt. True guilt is when we do not obey God's laws.

D3 The Ten Commandments show a summary of God's laws. (Exodus 20:1-17). The Lord Jesus taught 9, leaving out the laws of the Sabbath).

D4 Why are there laws? (God is King. He has a kingdom. Kingdom's have laws).

D5 Who says that these are the laws we need to obey? (Jesus. Jesus is the key. The Gospel was written by eye witnesses (Matthew and John) and by historians (Mark writing Peter's account and Luke, who interviewed many witnesses. Because Jesus is true and He took the position that the Bible is true is very reasonable evidence that it is true. See here,

D6 Are there absolutes? (see here, here and here

E1 If someone gets the incorrect change at a store, they will notify the cashier. They want an absolutely correct change returned.

E2 If someone is playing a game, especially if there are any stakes, they want the rules followed absolutely.

D7 Who is God? (Yahweh)

D7 What is the difference between different Gods, and how can we know who is the "right" God?

E1 "But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation." (Jeremiah 10:10, NKJV)

E2 The right definition of God. This would include characteristics/attributes as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. There could not be two gods, because who would have the omnipotence? (See here and here)

E3 There is only one God who meets these characteristics--the God of the Bible.

D8 Who is Jesus? (The Bible has the definitive answer, because it was written by eyewitnesses or those who interviewed eyewitnesses. Also see here, for example).

D9 How can we tell who is the real Jesus? (Read the Bible. The Bible is the standard to know the characteristics of the real Jesus).

D10 How do we know if this is true? (The Bible is reliable).

D11 Does understanding about Jesus have any bearing on knowing if the Bible is true or not, and if the Ten Commandments are true? (Yes. "Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him."

(Hebrews 1:1-2, HCSB)

D12 What is the punishment for breaking God's laws? See this list.

D13 Why is this so terrible? Isn't God a God of love? (Yes, He does forgive according to His character and rules. He is also a God who is just and holy.

D14 Isn't science more reliable that the Bible? It depends. See here, here,

D15 Hasn't science proved that the Bible is wrong? See D14 above

D16 So I have broken God's laws, I am a good person. Why do I need to believe this Jesus?

D17 Isn't it cruel for God to kill His Son? (Consider here and here

E1 The Romans killed Jesus, not God. Luke 23:33-36

E2 Death is the punishment for sin. Romans 6:23

E3 Somebody had to pay this punishment.

F1 Each person cannot never fully complete the sentence. Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:46, and Revelation 14:10-11

F2 Jesus suffered the complete penalty for sin

G1 He died physically.

G2 He was forsaken by His Father. Matthew 27:46

C2 Sin is punished. Romans 6:23, James 1:15

C3 Jesus suffered for our sins, dying on the cross bearing the punishment for sin. Hebrews 9:12-14

C4 God opens the heart and mind to understand our condition and the Gospel. Acts 16:14, 2 Corinthians 4:4-6. See here and here.

C5 He calls/invites us to believe and be reconciled to God. Matthew 11:28 and Revelation 22:17

C6 We can resist or not resist. Matthew 23:37, Luke 14:17-20, Acts 7:41

B8 Bible Christianity is a reasonable faith, not blind faith. See here, here, and here

B9 Typical society is evil and in chaos.

B10 Preaching/sharing the Gospel has to be the same in every situation. The method may be different but the message the same.

B11 Be prepared to have answers to tough questions.

A4 Questions

B1 Peter's sermon in Acts 2 was different than Paul's in Acts 17. Do they present a different Gospel?

B2 Are there different gospels for different eras and different cultures?

B3 What is the true Gospel? (Need God)

B4 How to we speak to different cultures the one, same Gospel?

B5 The Gospel is the same. It is answering the different objections and questions.

C1 Hindu (Here)

C2 Muslim (Here and here)

C3 Jehovah Witness (Here and here)

C4 Mormon (Here) Also here and here)

C5 Buddhism (Here)

B6 Some of the main points we need to know is

C1 The Deity of Jesus Christ. (See here and here ).

C2 The resurrection of Jesus Christ. (See here and here)

C3 Creation (See here and here)

C4 The Bible (See here and here).

B7 Falsehoods

C1 Baptism is needed to be saved. (See here and here).

C2 Sabbath keeping is necessary. (See here and here).

B8 Objections to the Gospel

C1 Seven Basic Objections to the Gospel (Compare)

D1 What about the heathen who never hear the gospel? Answer

E1 "THE heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalms 19:1, NKJV)

E2 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse," (Romans 1:18-20, NKJV)

E3 The Gospel has been, is, and will be the same. The Gospel preached to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Pharaoh of Egypt, David, Malachi, Peter, Judas Iscariot, you, and me is the same. The only difference is that some have a greater understanding of the doctrine, but the Gospel is the same.

E4 Others have pointed out that no one who was remained lost who wanted to be found. Acts 8:26-39 and Matthew 7:7-8

D2 Is Christ the only way to God? Answer

E1 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

(John 14:6, NKJV)

E2 ""Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, NKJV)

E3 Jesus Christ is the only way because He is the only one to make a perfect provision.

F1 He is sinless.

F2 He died.

F3 He rose from the dead.

D3 Why do the innocent suffer? (Why is there evil, pain, death, etc.). Answer

E1 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. " (Romans 5:12, NKJV)

E2 "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV)

E3 Adam knew that if he ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, he would die. Maybe that seems too strict, but at least, Adam did knew. He made the wrong choice.

E4 The world is under a curse. This happened when the only humans were Adam and Eve.

E5 Bad things happen. There is war, storms, sickness, evil people (as in murderers). Because the world is cursed some die before their full life.

E6 The Bible specifically states that God killed Er and Onan ("But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD killed him. And Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother." But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also " (Genesis 38:7-10, NKJV). They had crossed the line that God had specified not to cross, so they died.

E7 God has drawn a line for every person, family, city, country, world, and the universe. When that line is crossed, judgment happens. Everybody eventually dies.

E8 Infants die in some of these cases because the parents made bad choices.

E9 The problem of evil.

F1 God wanted volunteers to be His followers. Only a volunteer can love freely. Anything else wouldn't be real love.

F2 God created everything good. There was no evil.

F3 God gave Adam a test.

G1 Would Adam believe God or another.

G2 Would Adam be faithful to God or another.

G3 Would Adam obey or disobey.

G4 The command--you can eat of any tree or plant except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. If you do, you will die.

G5 Eve was deceived by the serpent.

G6 She offered Adam the fruit.

G7 He ate it.

G8 So Adam

H1 Did not obey

H2 Loved his own plans better

H3 Did not believe God

H4 Disobeyed (sinned) willfully and premeditatedly.

G9 God cursed the world. This curse brought all the death, sorrow, and evil that we see and experience today.

E10 The problem of hell.

F1 "How can a God of love send someone to hell for eternity for just eating a piece of fruit or a little lie?"

F2 Sin is serious.

F3 God warns.

F4 God provided for a solution to not go there.

D4 How can miracles be possible? Answer

E1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1, NKJV)

E2 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, NKJV)

E3 "This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." (John 3:2, NKJV)

E3 What is a miracle?

F1 A event of creation. Example: John 2:9, John 9:1-7, Luke 22:49-51. In each of these cases something was created. In the first wine was created, the second--sight, and the third--a new ear.

F2 Jesus is God. If there is a god, then god can create. (See here, here, and here )

D5 Isn't the Bible full of errors? Answer:

E1 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)

E2 "GOD, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1-2, NKJV)

E3 "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21, NKJV)

E4 Types of errors. There are basically two.

F1 Contradictions

F2 Misinformed writers

E5 For further information on this issue see here, here, here, and here.

D6 Isn't the Christian experience merely psychological? Answer

E1 Acts 9 (Conversion of Saul/Paul)

E2 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:8-10, NKJV)

E3 What type of Christianity are you referring to? There are 100's of flavors of "Christianity."

E4 What type of experience are you talking about? Just a ticket to heaven? Well then, turn to Christian universalism where everyone goes to heaven.

E5 Which type of person do you think is best. The one who thinks clearly, uses only logic and science to solve problems, and in general is not dependent on any authority? The one who thinks clearly, uses reasonable faith to understand there is a God who has guidelines for human behavior, and recognizes authority?

E6 People who believe that Christianity is only a crutch for the weak often have addictions as drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power, people, etc.

E7 Consider here, here,

D7 Won't a good moral life get me to heaven? Answer

E1 ""knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. " (Galatians 2:16, NKJV)

E2 "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, " (Titus 3:5, NKJV)

E3 "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. " (James 2:10, NKJV)

C2 What is the basic issue for all these and other questions? (Further information

D1 To provide an excuse to not believe.

D2 To stop the Gospel message by veering off the topic.

B9 Some situations. How do we present the Gospel to a/an

C1 Atheist

C2 Church goer

C3 Child

C4 Old person (elder)

C5 College age

C6 Jehovah Witness

C7 Gay, Trans, etc.

C8 Jew

C9 Criminal

C10 Pastor

C11 College professor

C12 Politician

What is God like?

Is God like a Santa Claus, or a sport figure, or an alien? Just some basic searches in the Bible reveal His character. I just looked at two books in the New Testament—Matthew and Romans. Hopefully this will give us a better understanding of who He is.



Matthew

 

God is with us Matthew 1:23

God is able to raise up children to Abraham Matthew 3:9

God has living words Matthew 4:4

God has a son. Matthew 4:6

God is not to be tempted. Matthew 4:7

God is to be worshiped. Matthew 4:10

God's throne is in heaven. Matthew 5:34

God does not tolerate worship of others or other things. Matthew 6:24

God is concerned about our needs. Matthew 6:30

God has a kingdom. Matthew 6:33

God has rules. Matthew 15:6

God is the God of Israel Matthew 15:31

God is living Matthew 16:16

God is good Matthew 19:17

God doesn't let just anyone into His kingdom. Matthew 19:24

God can do anything that is according to His character. Matthew 19:26

God won't people into heaven just because they are religious only. Matthew 21:31

God of today is and was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Matthew 22:32

Jesus is the temple of God. Matthew 26:61

God forsook His Son. Matthew 27:46

 

Romans

 

God has a Gospel. Romans 1:1

God has a Son. Romans 1:4

God has grace and peace to give. Romans 1:7

God is thanked for things. Romans 1:8

God is witness. Romans 1:9

God's Gospel has power. Romans 1:16

God has righteousness. Romans 1:17

God has anger/wrath. Romans 1:18

God shows us things. Romans 1:19

God deserves to be glorified. Romans 1:21

God punishes sin. Romans 1:24, 26

God is a God of truth. Romans 1:25

God is hated by some. Romans 1:30

God gives judgment. Romans 2:2-3

God does not show partiality. Romans 2:11

God has standards and a law. Romans 2:13

God knows the secrets of humans. Romans 2:16

God gets dishonor from some. Romans 2:23

God gets blasphemed by people's actions. Romans 2:24

God gives praise to some. Romans 2:29

God is true. Romans 3:4

God punishes. Romans 3:5-6

God has truth. Romans 3:7

God is not sought after by humans in their natural state. Romans 3:11

God is not feared by all humans in their natural state. Romans 3:18

God requires faith. Romans 3:22

God has forbearance. Romans 3:25

God is God of the Jews and the Gentiles. Romans 3:29

God is the one who justifies. Romans 3:30

God is the God of Abraham. Romans 4:17

God gives promises. Romans 4:20

God gives peace through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

God has glory. Romans 5:2

God has love. Romans 5:5

God demonstrates love. Romans 5:8

God reconciles. Romans 5:10

God's grace comes through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15

God makes alive. Romans 6:23

God wants a harvest of fruit. Romans 7:4

God dealt with sin and its guilt through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:3

God is hatred by the natural state of humans. Romans 8:7

God's Spirit lives in believers. Romans 8:9

God has heirs. Romans 8:17

God has a will. Romans 8:27

God works out all things well to those who love God. Romans 8:28

God is for us believers. Romans 8:31

God is the one who justifies. Romans 8:33

God has His Son, Jesus, sitting at His right hand. Romans 8:34

God has love that we cannot be separated from. Romans 8:39

Jesus is God. Romans 9:5

God's word does not fail. Romans 9:6

God has no unrighteousness. Romans 9:14

God is the one who shows mercy. Romans 9:16

God is sassed by some. Romans 9:20

God has longsuffering. Romans 9:22

God has those who do not submit to His righteousness. Romans 10:3

God has raised up Jesus Christ from the dead. Romans 10:9

God has not thrown Israel out. Romans 11:1-2

God can close spiritual eyes if people resist Him. Romans 11:8

God punished Israel. He can punish you and me, too. Romans 11:22

God is able to graft Israelites into His vine again. Romans 11:23

God is a deliverer. Romans 11:26

God has shown mercy to those who were once disobedient. Romans 11:30-32

God's wisdom and knowledge are beyond our comprehension. Romans 11:33

God has compassion. Romans 12:1

God is well pleased with our spiritual sacrifices. Romans 12:1

God has a perfect, that is, flawless will. Romans 12:2

God wants us to think of ourselves honestly. Romans 12:3

God has established government authority. Romans 13:1

God has ordinances. Romans 13:2

God uses government leaders as He wills. Romans 13:4

God loves both vegans and non-vegans. Romans 14:4

God has decreed that every person will confess that God is God. Romans 14:11

God has a kingdom. Romans 14:17

God is pleased when we obey the rules and teaching of Jesus. Romans 14:18

God is patient. Romans 15:5

God is encouraging. Romans 15:5

God gave Paul authority to do signs and wonders. Romans 15:19

God receives our prayers. Romans 15:30

God is peace. Romans 16:20

God is the only wise. Romans 16:27