Sunday School—Becoming Like Jesus

 

Becoming Like Jesus


 

Theme: God works in believers to accomplish His purpose.


 

A1 Objectives

B1 Describe Jesus as the standard for our holiness of life.

B2 Explain the connection between the "armor of God" and holy living.

A2 Scriptures

B1 1 Peter 1:13-16

B2 Matthew 22:34-40

B3 Ephesians 6:10-20

A3 Notes

B1 1 Peter 1:13-16

C1 Therefore

C2 Three actions

D1 Gird up loins of mind

D2 Be sober

D3 Rest

E1 Two things for our rest

F1 In hope

F2 On grace

E2 In a future blessing/promise--the return of Jesus Christ

C3 Two contrasts

D1 Obedient children

D2 Disobedient children

E1 Natural state of all humans which is to be conformed to our fleshy lusts

E2 Natural state of all humans done because of ignorance

C4 God's character/our character

D1 God is holy

D2 God's will is for us to be holy in the same way/conduct

B2 Matthew 22:34-40

C1 But (showing contrast with what was said preceding this).

C2 When (showing timing of what is to follow).

C3 Pharisees (who were they and what they believed).

C4 Heard (showing the action that happened).

C5 That He had silenced the Sadducees (dependent clause showing what they had heard).

C6 They gathered together (fulfills the time word "when" and shows the result of the previous words).

C7 The lawyer's question--"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

C8 Jesus answer

D1 The first and great commandment

E1 You

E2 Shall love

E3 The LORD your God

E4 with all

F1 Your heart

F2 Your soul

F3 Your mind

D5 The second

E1 You

E2 Shall love

E3 Your neighbor

E4 As

E5 Yourself

D6 All the Law and Prophets are based on that foundation

B3 Ephesians 6:10-20--The Armor of God, or God's provision for our protection (mainly spiritual).

C1 Command

D1 Be strong in the Lord

D2 Be strong in the power of His might

D3 Put on the whole armor of God

C2 Reason

D1 Be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

D2 The spiritual fight

E1 We do not wrestle against flesh and blood

E2 We do wrestle against

F1 Principalities

F2 Powers

F3 Rules of darkness of this age

F4 Spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly.

C3 Equipment

D1 We need the whole armor

E1 To be able to stand in the evil day

E2 After doing everything to still stand

D2 Truth

D3 Righteousness

D4 Prepared with the Gospel of Peace

D5 Faith

D6 Salvation

D7 Word of God (Scriptures)

D8 Prayer

E1 Alertness

E2 Perseverance

E3 Supplication

F1 All Christians

F2 Paul

G1 To preach Gospel

G2 To preach boldly and as he ought

A4 Questions

B1 1 Peter 1:13-16

C1 Therefore

D1 What does the word therefore indicate/ask of us? (The Scriptures preceding have given material/teaching on a topic. Because of that material we are not called to applied it. It would indicate "because of what has been said, we are not required to..."

D2 What are the three actions we are not required to do? (Gird, be sober, and rest)

D3 What are loins of the mind? (There is no such thing, so it is a word picture of something physical. Physically it refers to picking up the bottom edge of the robe/tunic and tuck it in so we will not trip over it/stumble while we are doing some demanding work or action. Applying this to the mind would mean to be ready for action without something getting in the way).

D4 What are some ways we can "gird up the loins of our mind?"

C2 What is being sober? (Not drunk)

C3 What do this imply? (Our minds must be clear and ready for action).

C4 What about those who say we must use centering prayers, still the mind, quiet, empty the mind and other such terms? (The mind is not active in these situations. Those types have an inactive mind and are disobedient to God's teaching/will in this passage).

C5 What are we resting in? (The return of Jesus Christ).

C6 Why is this a rest?

C7 How does being sober affect our mind? How does not being sober affect our mind?

C8 What is the difference between an obedient and disobedient child?

C9 What type of children are described here? (Spiritual children)

C10 In what ways are Christians spiritual and physically disobedient?

C11 What kind of obedience is God's calling us to?

C12 What is holiness?

C13 Does God ever sin?

B2 Matthew 22:34-40

C1 What had the Pharisees heard? (Jesus's clear teaching about the resurrection to the Sadducees).

C2 Why did the Pharisees gather together?

C3 What is a lawyer? (See here. "The work of the "lawyers," frequently spoken of as "scribes," also known as "doctors" of the law (Lk 2:46 margin), was first of all that of jurists. Their business was threefold: (1) to study and interpret the law; (2) to instruct the Hebrew youth in the law; (3) to decide questions of the law. The first two they did as scholars and teachers, the last as advisers in some court." From "Lawyer" in ISBE.

C4 Why would a question test Jesus?

C5 Why would the lawyer want to know if Jesus know the first and great command?

C5 How do we love God?

C6 How do we love ourselves?

C7 How does this apply to loving our neighbor?

C8 What is the foundation for all the Law and Prophets? Why?

C9 Why would the Pharisees want to "test" Jesus?

B3 Ephesians 6:10-20

C1 Why do we need protection?

C2 How will this armor help us be successful or a failure in the Christian life.

C3 Let us look at some people in the Bible and see how they were successful/unsuccessful in God's eyes.

D1 Lucifer/Satan (Isaiah 14:12 (Some say this refers to the "King of Babylon" or since the title refers to Messiah, the anti-Christ usurped it, but can such a description here refer to any man?), 2 Peter 2:4, 1 John 3:8, Zechariah 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:18).

D2 Adam

D3 Eve

D4 Cain

D5 Able

D6 Noah

D7 The world before the flood

D8 Abraham

D9 Lot

D10 Citizens of Sodom/Gomorrah

D11 King David

D12 King Solomon

D13 Zachariah (father of John the Baptist)

D14 Mary

D15 Joseph

D16 Peter

D17 Judas

D18 Paul

D19 You

Methodical Bible Study

Methodical Bible Study


Methodical Bible Study by Robert A. Traina is published by Zondervan Publishers of Grand Rapids, MI and is copyrighted by them.

You can buy the book from many places including Christian Book, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

The following is an outline from Chapter 1. It is written in my style and varies from the book form. It is for teaching purposes only with no explanation. If you need that, you need to buy the book.



Chapter 1


 

Observation


 

A1 Definition and Purpose of Observation

B1 Definition

C1 Taking notice

C2 Mentally aware (Perception/awareness)

B2 Function

C1 Observe so carefully every term and phrase.

C2 Totally aware of the every term and phrase.

A2 Requisites of Observation

B1 The will to observe

B2 The exactness in observation

B3 Persistence in observation

A3 Analysis of Observation

B1 Terms

C1 Definition

D1 Of each word in context

D2 Mainly one meaning for each word in context even though the word itself may have many meanings

C2 Kinds of terms

D1 Routine and non-routine terms

E1 Routine as "an" though sometimes it may be. Good observation is developed over time.

E2 Non-routine

F1 Difficult to understand

F2 Crucial terms

F3 Those not crucial but significant

F4 Those which express profound concepts as "transfigured" and "appeared" as in Mark 9:2-4.

D2 Literal and figurative terms

E1 Literal as in the plain, normal sense of the word. For example, the word "tree" in Genesis 1:12 is literal.

E2 Figurative as in symbolic, for example, the word "tree' in Romans 11:24 is not literal.

D3 Identity and inflections of terms

E1 Parts of speech as nouns, etc. We need to know and recognize them and their function.

E2 Inflections refers to "In grammar, inflection or inflexion is the modification of a word to express different grammatical categories such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, number, gender and case. The inflection of verbs is also called conjugation, and the inflection of nouns, adjectives and pronouns is also called declension." (Inflection. (2015, July 23). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:48, August 13, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Inflection&oldid=672662751

C3 Homework--See if each word is routine or non-routine, literal or figurative, and inflections.

D1 Mark 10:13-52

D2 Romans 6

B2 Relations

C1 Structure

D1 This is how the sentence is put together. For help see here.

D2 For sentence subunits as clauses, etc. see here.

C2 Importance of seeing the structures parts as even in diagramming. See here and here or even for help.

C3 Types of structure

D1 Structure may be understood at the phrase, verse, chapter, or book level.

D2 Surface and subsurface

E1 Surface is more obvious as Romans 1:18-32 where the pivot/hinge of the passage is "therefore" in verse 24.

E2 Subsurface is less obvious as the contrast between Joseph and his brother Judah in Genesis 38-39.

E3 Knowing the structure helps see the general flow of the writing.

D3 Primary and secondary structure--primary has the greater importance in the passage.

C4 Specific laws of structure

D1 For Bible interpretation the paragraph should be the starting place for observing structure.

D2 There is a need for observing what is the subject and predicate.

D3 Connectives

E1 These short words that give relationships to various clauses and phrases or even paragraphs.

E2 A few examples are before and after (showing time), where (geological), because and for (logical), so (result), so that (purpose), although and but (contrast), likewise and also (comparison), first (series of facts), if (condition), and only (emphatic).

E3 Some of those connectives can used in more than one way.

D4 Structure shouldn't be used so carefully that the parts are analyzed more than the whole sentence or paragraph.

D5 Whereas the above points look at clauses and phrases within a sentence or paragraph, one should also view the structure of greater portions of Scripture as paragraphs, sections, and books.

E1 Comparison as in Hebrews 5:1-10 which focus on similar things. Note the words "so also" in Hebrews 5:5.

E2 Contrast as in Romans 4.

E3 Repetition as in Leviticus that uses the word "holy" often.

E4 Continuity as in Luke 15 when a number of parables are grouped together.

E5 Continuation as in two or more chapters are really speaking about the same topic. It is as if it were only one chapter.

E6 Climax which shows the build of topics to the climax of the book.

E7 Cruciality as in 2 Samuel where chapters 11-12 show a definite turn of events.

E8 Interchange as in 1 Samuel where there are repeated contrasts between Eli and his sons with Samuel.

E9 Particularization and generalization as in Matthew 6:1-18 where the text flows from general to specific.

E10 Causation and substantiation as in Romans 1:18-32. Here the verses show a cause and effect.

E11 Instrumentation as in John 20:30-31. John reveals the purpose for his writing this book.

E12 Explanation or analysis as in Mark 4. This type something is written and then interpreted.

E13 Preparation or introduction as in Genesis 2. This is an introduction to the events of Genesis 3.

E14 Summarization as in Joshua 12 which summarizes the previous material. It is a repetition of sorts.

E15 Interrogation as in Romans 6-7. A question is asked and then answered.

E16 Harmony as in Romans 1:18-3:20 and the agreement in Romans 3:21 and the following passages.

E17 Sometimes there is more than one type. These rules just show the possibilities that we need to be aware of when interpreting.

E18 Be aware that there may be more than one opinion.

C5 Materials for effecting structure

D1 Biographical--who are the people in this passage? What does Scripture show us about their character in other passages where they are mentioned?

D2 Historical--what was happening in secular and Biblical history of that time.

D3 Chronological--What happens before and after the passage? When did the events occur in the ministry or life of someone or country, city, or world (compare The Gospel of John)?

D4 Geographical--what is the weather or terrain like?

D5 Ideological--what are the main ideas of a passage or book?

C6 By combining the Laws of structure (comparison, repetition, etc.) with the materials effecting structure (biographical, etc.) help us to understand and interpret the passage with greater clarity. An example would be Climax/Historical as Exodus or also Climax/Ideological as Ecclesiastes.

C7 Selectivity and Structure

D1 Defining selectivity--a purpose or the purpose the writer of Scripture had in mind.

D2 Selectivity and structure relationship--the purpose and method of expressing their message.

D3 Kinds of selectivity

E1 Quantitative--how many chapters are devoted to a particular topic or time span. For example Genesis 12-50 deals with only four lifespans (from Abraham to Joseph), but Genesis 1-11 deals with many hundreds of years.

E2 Non-quantitative--referring to a onetime event.

B3 Observation of general literary forms

C1 Discourse--as in the sermons of Jesus in the Gospel of John

C2 Prose--this is general writing as the book of Genesis.

C3 Poetry--as Psalms

C4 Drama--describing an event is dramatic terms with the reader being able to picture those events clearly.

C5 Parabolic--parables

C6 Apocalyptic--passages as found in Daniel and Revelation

B4 Atmosphere

C1 This is the tone of the passage. Some examples may be joy, thanksgiving, desire, etc.

C2 In any particular passage there may be a variety of tones.

A5 Some basic pointers.

B1 Read and understand the passage in its plain, normal sense.

B2 Note the time and circumstances that a passage was written.

B3 Note the terrain if it is mentioned.

B4 Who are the people mentioned.

B5 Observe the passage by individual words and by clauses and phrases.

B6 Consult other writers. We do this to prevent an interpretation that has been ruled out in previous generations.

A6 Read John 3:1-21, Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus and apply the above principles.


 

Prayer

Prayer


 




 

Pray without ceasing


 

God works in believers to accomplish His purposes.


 

A1 Objectives


     B1 Describes what the Bible teaches about prayer.


     B2 Describe the types of prayer using the ACTS model.


 

A2 Scriptures

B1 Philippians 4:6-7

B2 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

A3 Notes

B1 One of the privileges of being a Christian is prayer.

C1 Prayer is talking to God.

C2 It includes many discussions as

D1 Praise

D2 Thanksgiving

D3 Requests for others and ourselves

D4 Complaints

D5 Confession of sins

D6 Seeking guidance/wisdom/help

D7 Blessings (as in ""The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26, NKJV).

C3 Both verbal and nonverbal

D1 Example of verbal

E1 Tone (harsh, pleading, sad, etc.)

E2 Emphasis

E3 Diction (The way we pronounce words. It may be clear or slurred).

"1. usage, language. Diction, phraseology, wording refer to the means and the manner of expressing ideas. Diction usually implies a high level of usage; it refers chiefly to the choice of words, their arrangement, and the force, accuracy, and distinction with which they are used: The speaker was distinguished for his excellent diction; poetic diction. Phraseology refers more to the manner of combining the words into related groups, and especially to the peculiar or distinctive manner in which certain technical, scientific, and professional ideas are expressed: legal phraseology. Wording refers to the exact words or phraseology used to convey thought: the wording of a will." (diction. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved August 13, 2015, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diction

D2 Types of nonverbal include

E1 Facial expressions

E2 Tone of voice

E3 Movement (gestures)

E4 Eye contact, movement, and expression (as tears)

E5 Postures (as standing, arms crossed, fighting stance, humble stance, etc.)

B2 Outline Philippians 4:6-7

C1 Don't worry about anything

C2 Ask God

D1 For needs

D2 With thankfulness

C3 God's peace

D1 Beyond anything we understand

D2 Will keep our safe

E1 Hearts

E2 Minds

D3 Because of Jesus

B3 Outline 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

C1 Always rejoice.

C2 Always pray.

C3 Always be thankful.

 

A4 Questions

B1 Does God always answer prayer?

C1 The answer might be yes, no, wait, yes with some differences.

C2 List some things why God refuses to grant our requests?

D1 "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. " (1 Peter 3:7, NKJV) (Mistreating wife).

D2 "Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. " (Colossians 3:19, NKJV) (Bitterness towards wife)

D3 sin

D4 "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. " (James 1:6-8, NKJV) (Lack of faith. Faith is believing God, not working up some feelings, ignoring logic or common sense).

B2 What is the difference between worry and anxiety?

C1 Worry is not knowing what the future holds about anything. It involves thinking about a problem that may happen in the future.

C2 Anxiety is a mental distress causing physical effects. The anxiety is caused by worrying about something or fearing something that may or may not happen.

B3 Why do we worry?

B4 Does worrying do any good?

B5 Why does a Christian worry?

B6 What are some things we worry about?

B7 What does prayer consist of? What do we say in prayer?

C1 Worship

C2 Praise

C3 Thanksgiving

C4 Confession

C5 Requests

B8 Why do we pray?

C1 God is the source of wisdom.

C2 God is the source of power.

C3 God is the source to change circumstances.

B9 What do we acknowledge in prayer?

C1 Our weaknesses and inability.

C2 God's superiority

B10 Is there any way to manipulate God?

C1 Is there some type of price tag on prayer, that is, if we pray 326 times for Joe to be saved, then God saves Joe?

C2 Is there something we can do like cut ourselves to have God answer to prayer.

B11 Does God have to answer us instantly, that is, we pray, and bam! God answers our prayer.

B12 When are we to pray?

B13 How long are to pray? (Seconds to hours, depending on the need and our emotions)

B14 When do we quit praying for someone?

B15 Does God want us to worry?

B16 What is His motivation why He does not want us to worry? (His love for our wellbeing).

B17 Why doesn't God want us to worry?

B18 Philippians 4:4-7

C1 Three types of requests

D1 Prayer--more or less making a request to one who is more powerful than us, in this case God.

D2 Supplication--requesting something for our necessity.

D3 Request--asking for a particular thing.

C2 Why do this with thanksgiving? Why are we supposed to be thankful? How can we be thankful for hard things like death, disease?

C3 What is the promise we have in verse 7 in reference to worry? (The promise is God's peace).

D1 What is God's peace?

D2 Why don't I always have peace after I pray?

C4 Philippians 4:7 What does God's peace do?

B19 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

C1 Is there something different about the Christian life?

C2 Always rejoice

D1 Are we to rejoice at our difficulties, sicknesses, and bankruptcies? Are we to rejoice when the brethren are killed and tortured for their faith? Are we to rejoice when an unbeliever dies and goes to hell?

E1 No

E2 The gladness spoken of here refers to spiritual blessings.

F1 "Most assuredly I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be grieved, but your grief will be turned into joy." (John 16:20, EMTV)

F2 "In which you greatly rejoice, though for a little while now, if need be, you have been distressed by various trials,"

(1 Peter 1:6, EMTV)

F3 "And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying out; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4, EMTV)

F4 "For this is admirable, if because of conscience toward God someone endures pain, suffering unjustly."

(1 Peter 2:19, EMTV)

E3 God himself grieves.

F1 "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand." (Isaiah 53:10, NKJV)

F2 "Jesus wept." (John 11:35, EMTV) (This deals with the death of Lazarus, whom he shortly later rose from the dead).

F3 "And as He drew near, seeing the city, He wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things pertaining to your peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and hem you in from every side, and they will level you to the ground, and your children with you; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the season of your visitation." (Luke 19:41-44, EMTV)

D2 Always pray.

E1 Does this mean to pray 24/7, 365? (No. It is an attitude to be ready to pray and to continue to pray until the answer is an obvious no. We are not to give up).

E2 How do we live this attitude?

E3 What are some things we are always to pray for?

F1 "Then He spoke a parable to them, that one must always pray and not lose heart," (Luke 18:1, EMTV)

F2 "Watch therefore, praying always that you may be counted worthy to escape everything that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36, EMTV)

F3 "Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving;" (Colossians 4:2, EMTV)

E4 Are we to pray FOR our enemies? (Yes, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you," (Matthew 5:44, EMTV)

E5 Are we to pray for our leaders, even if those leaders are vile and wicked? (Yes, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all people, on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." (1 Timothy 2:1-2, EMTV)

E6 How about this situation and prayer? "And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart." So I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?" Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 2:1-4, NKJV)

D3 Always be thankful

E1 How can we be thankful for everything?

E2 Why should we be thankful for everything?

E3 Why is this God's will?

B20 ACTS

C1 Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

C2 Some use this as a help to a successful prayer life. I'm not much for these types of things, because I end up being a slave to it, as, "I have to do each one of these points."

B21 Why do people not pray or not pray as often as they probably should?

B22 How do we answer someone who says that we are doing nothing more than talking to an invisible and non-existent being?

C1 Jesus prayed to God. "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39, EMTV)

C2 God, Yahweh, does exist and is personal.

D1 Based on evidence as in Cold Case Christianity. See website.

D2 Based on philosophical/theological reasons as here.

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).