Genesis Week 1 Feb 13, 2011
Adam and Eve
Opening – Who has had some surgery? How did you feel when you woke up?
Genesis 1:26, 2:7-8 God formed man from dust. "Formed" (Heb. yasar) means to shape or mold and implies that God deliberately did this with tender loving care. It describes the work of an artist (cf. Job 10:8-9).
God made man.
Genesis 2:15-17 Edenic Covenant
What responsibilities was Adam given in these verses?
Cultivate and keep the garden
Eat from any tree, but don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
How did Adam respond to his responsibilities?
Genesis 2:18-25 The Wife
Why did God make a wife for Adam?
It was not good for him to be alone.
In God’s image – the Trinity is not alone.
What did the scene look like in V22? (God bringing Eve to Adam).
What do these verses tell us about marriage?
God instituted it.
God intended it to be monogamous.
God intended it to be heterosexual.
It sets a priority of relationships above the parent/child relationship.
In involves physical and spiritual unity.
What causes disunity in a marriage relationship?
How does not be unified affect the people in the marriage?
What things promote unity in a marriage?
How does unity affect the marriage?
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Jesus Prayers Week 4
Content – What did Jesus pray about?
John 17 – Jesus High Priestly Prayer
As we read through this passage – Look for: Praise, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Supplication, and Confession.
Big Picture – What was the overall theme of this prayer?
Praise
In the OT the word for praise mainly used halal, the root meaning of which is
connected with making a noise; yada which was originally associated with
the bodily actions and gestures which accompany praising; and zamar, which
is associated with the playing or singing of music. (New Bible Dictionary)
Definition: to commend; applaud; to express approval or admiration of; to extol in words or in song; to magnify or to glorify. We praise God by directly by expressing our admiration for Him. We praise God by declaring, commending or magnifying Him to others. Praise is pre-occupied with who God is and what He has done.
• V3 the only true God
• V7 everything you have given me is from you
• V12 Given His name to Jesus
• V17 Your word is truth
• V25 You sent Me (Jesus)
Thanksgiving
• Mark 14:22 – Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it.
Why is this element difficult to see in this prayer?
Does this mean it is not important?
What does this say about formulas for prayer?
Intercession
• V9-11 I ask on their behalf, keep them in your name – that they may be one even as we are one.
• V13 that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
• V15 keep them from the evil one
• V17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is the truth
• V20-21 they may all be one; even as you are in me and I am in you.
Supplication
• V1 Glorify your son, that the Son may glorify you
• V5 Glorify Me together with yourself, with the glory I had with you before the world was.
• V24 Be with me where I am.
Confession
Obviously Jesus had no sin to confess. But confession can be confession of sin, confession of faith, or acknowledging our own condition or actions before God.
• V4 I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
• V6 I have manifested your name to the men You gave me out of the world.
• V8 I have given them the words you gave me.
• V11 I am no longer in the world.
• V12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in your name which you have given me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that scripture would be fulfilled.
• V13 I come to you.
• V14 I have given them your word.
• V22 The glory which you have given me, I have given them, that they may be one, just as we are one.
• V25 I have known you.
• V26 I have made your name known to them.
What can we learn from this prayer?
Jesus had a purpose for this prayer.
Jesus focused on his relationship with the Father even amongst the other element of the prayer.
Unity is important.
Psalm 24 –The King of Glory
John 17 – Jesus High Priestly Prayer
As we read through this passage – Look for: Praise, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Supplication, and Confession.
Big Picture – What was the overall theme of this prayer?
Praise
In the OT the word for praise mainly used halal, the root meaning of which is
connected with making a noise; yada which was originally associated with
the bodily actions and gestures which accompany praising; and zamar, which
is associated with the playing or singing of music. (New Bible Dictionary)
Definition: to commend; applaud; to express approval or admiration of; to extol in words or in song; to magnify or to glorify. We praise God by directly by expressing our admiration for Him. We praise God by declaring, commending or magnifying Him to others. Praise is pre-occupied with who God is and what He has done.
• V3 the only true God
• V7 everything you have given me is from you
• V12 Given His name to Jesus
• V17 Your word is truth
• V25 You sent Me (Jesus)
Thanksgiving
• Mark 14:22 – Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it.
Why is this element difficult to see in this prayer?
Does this mean it is not important?
What does this say about formulas for prayer?
Intercession
• V9-11 I ask on their behalf, keep them in your name – that they may be one even as we are one.
• V13 that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
• V15 keep them from the evil one
• V17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is the truth
• V20-21 they may all be one; even as you are in me and I am in you.
Supplication
• V1 Glorify your son, that the Son may glorify you
• V5 Glorify Me together with yourself, with the glory I had with you before the world was.
• V24 Be with me where I am.
Confession
Obviously Jesus had no sin to confess. But confession can be confession of sin, confession of faith, or acknowledging our own condition or actions before God.
• V4 I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
• V6 I have manifested your name to the men You gave me out of the world.
• V8 I have given them the words you gave me.
• V11 I am no longer in the world.
• V12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in your name which you have given me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that scripture would be fulfilled.
• V13 I come to you.
• V14 I have given them your word.
• V22 The glory which you have given me, I have given them, that they may be one, just as we are one.
• V25 I have known you.
• V26 I have made your name known to them.
What can we learn from this prayer?
Jesus had a purpose for this prayer.
Jesus focused on his relationship with the Father even amongst the other element of the prayer.
Unity is important.
Psalm 24 –The King of Glory
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Jesus Prayers Week 3
Where did Jesus Pray?
Why is it against the law to text in a school zone? Because it might distract you from driving safely.
One thing that we know about Jesus’ prayer life is that when He prayed, he sought a place where He could concentrate on prayer – without distractions. Here are some scriptures that describe places where Jesus prayed.
And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. ( Mark 1:35)
And immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away. And after bidding them farewell, he departed to the mountain to pray. ( Mark 6:45-46)
And they came to a place called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. And He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch." And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground, and began praying. ( Mark 14:32-34)
And when day came, He departed to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from going away from them. ( Luke 4:42)
But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. ( Luke 5:16)
And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. ( Luke 6:12)
Do you multi-task? Watch tv and read? Eat and watch tv? Drive and talk on your cell phone?
Why do you think Jesus left the crowd to pray?
When you decide to pray, what are some of the most common distractions you face?
How can we overcome the distractions to prayer?
Testimony* Other than your prayer for salvation – Where were you when you had a prayer time when you really connected with God?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Jesus Prayers Week 2
Jesus’ life was characterized by prayer.
When do you pray?
Before
Mark 1:35-39 – Early in Jesus ministry, he was healing and preaching. This passage is recorded just after he heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. This prayer resulted in Jesus moving on to preach elsewhere.
Mark 6:45-52 – Jesus prayed before he walked on water.
Luke 6:12-16 – Jesus prayed before he named the 12 apostles
During
Luke 3:21-22 – Jesus was baptized as he was praying
Luke 9:28-32 – Jesus was transfigured while he was praying.
After
John 11:37-46 – Jesus prayed after raising Lazarus from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing
It seems as though Jesus was in prayer a lot.
Some people are interested in the taste of food – some people are more interested in volume.
What is more important in prayer, quality or quantity?
Are you more likely to pray before, during, or after an event?
Can prayer change us? How?
What can we learn from seeing “when” Jesus prayed (in these examples)?
When do you pray?
Before
Mark 1:35-39 – Early in Jesus ministry, he was healing and preaching. This passage is recorded just after he heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. This prayer resulted in Jesus moving on to preach elsewhere.
Mark 6:45-52 – Jesus prayed before he walked on water.
Luke 6:12-16 – Jesus prayed before he named the 12 apostles
During
Luke 3:21-22 – Jesus was baptized as he was praying
Luke 9:28-32 – Jesus was transfigured while he was praying.
After
John 11:37-46 – Jesus prayed after raising Lazarus from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing
It seems as though Jesus was in prayer a lot.
Some people are interested in the taste of food – some people are more interested in volume.
What is more important in prayer, quality or quantity?
Are you more likely to pray before, during, or after an event?
Can prayer change us? How?
What can we learn from seeing “when” Jesus prayed (in these examples)?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jesus' Prayers Week 1
There are 27 specific prayers in the Bible attributed to Jesus. In this series we will see what we can learn about prayer by studying how our Lord prayed. Since there are many, many passages in scripture that describe aspects of prayer, we know prayer is important to the believer. This week we will examine the model prayer, in Matthew 6:9-13.
What is your definition of prayer?
What are some mistakes people sometimes make in their understanding of prayer?
Verses 1-8 give some needed context to the prayer, so let’s read it first.
Matthew 6:1-8. According to this passage what does Jesus expect of believers?
• Don’t practice righteousness before men to be noticed by them.
• Give to the poor without fanfare
• When you pray – do it in private
• Don’t use meaningless repetition in prayer
There is a time for private prayer and there are times for public prayer. Jesus prayed alone, with others, and for others. Jesus uses the words “us” and “our” in the prayer. These are pronouns. They are also plural (meaning they are spoken on behalf of more than one person). “Us” is a first person plural personal pronoun, and “our” is a first person plural possessive pronoun. The idea is that this prayer is meant for a public setting as opposed to using “me” and “my”.
Now Let’s look at the Model Prayer: Mat 6:9-13.
Does this prayer focus more on God or more on the person praying?
Why do you think it is so short?
Simple Outline
God and His Kingdom
Us – Physical needs, relationship with others, relationship with God
God and His Power and Glory
As I look at this prayer, it begins and ends with an emphasis on God.
It’s clear that prayer is not something for us to do to be seen by others. V5
It’s also seems that Jesus is teaching that in our prayers, we need to make sure we realize who we are praying to. This prayer is the perfect example of how we can pray together, but it isn’t exactly how we do it. We often use our “prayer time” for sharing prayer requests and other information with each other. I think that is one of the best things we do as a group, but it does not always follow this pattern.
Ask for 9 Volunteers for the Model Prayer skit. – Model Prayer
What is your definition of prayer?
What are some mistakes people sometimes make in their understanding of prayer?
Verses 1-8 give some needed context to the prayer, so let’s read it first.
Matthew 6:1-8. According to this passage what does Jesus expect of believers?
• Don’t practice righteousness before men to be noticed by them.
• Give to the poor without fanfare
• When you pray – do it in private
• Don’t use meaningless repetition in prayer
There is a time for private prayer and there are times for public prayer. Jesus prayed alone, with others, and for others. Jesus uses the words “us” and “our” in the prayer. These are pronouns. They are also plural (meaning they are spoken on behalf of more than one person). “Us” is a first person plural personal pronoun, and “our” is a first person plural possessive pronoun. The idea is that this prayer is meant for a public setting as opposed to using “me” and “my”.
Now Let’s look at the Model Prayer: Mat 6:9-13.
Does this prayer focus more on God or more on the person praying?
Why do you think it is so short?
Simple Outline
God and His Kingdom
Us – Physical needs, relationship with others, relationship with God
God and His Power and Glory
As I look at this prayer, it begins and ends with an emphasis on God.
It’s clear that prayer is not something for us to do to be seen by others. V5
It’s also seems that Jesus is teaching that in our prayers, we need to make sure we realize who we are praying to. This prayer is the perfect example of how we can pray together, but it isn’t exactly how we do it. We often use our “prayer time” for sharing prayer requests and other information with each other. I think that is one of the best things we do as a group, but it does not always follow this pattern.
Ask for 9 Volunteers for the Model Prayer skit. – Model Prayer
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Season or the Savior?
Opening - What is something that you really like about Christmas?
As Christmas gets closer we are going to take a look at 3 different reactions that people had to Jesus’ birth.
1) Mary’s Reaction - the Magnifcat, (Latin: [My soul] magnifies) Recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Spoken by Mary on her visit to to Elizabeth
Several parallels to Hannah’s Magnificat spoken by Hannah after she gave Samuel to Eli.
1 Samuel 2:1-10 Exults in the lord, Holy, power over rulers, satisfies the hungry.
Who is mentioned? Mary, God my Savior, All generations, Rulers, Humble, Israel, Abraham.
What can we tell about how Mary viewed the child?
2) Josephs’ Reaction - Mathew 1:18-25
No words recorded (spoken by Joseph.).
V24 - Obedience
V25 - Love for Mary
3) The Shepherd’s Reaction - Luke 2:8-20
V15 - Go see
V17 - They made known what they had seen.
4) How will you react to Jesus birth?
Is your reaction to the season or the savior?
The Season - There are a lot of elements of the season that point us to the savior, but enjoying family time, worship, the tree, the gifts, the food, and the parties are far removed from the true experience that we can have during this time of year. If we miss the savior and celebrate the season, we miss out.
Of these people we have looked at this morning, what actions do you see that might model for us some ways to respond to the savior?
Praise God (Mary)
Obey God (Joseph)
Tell others about Jesus (Shepherds)
As Christmas gets closer we are going to take a look at 3 different reactions that people had to Jesus’ birth.
1) Mary’s Reaction - the Magnifcat, (Latin: [My soul] magnifies) Recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
Spoken by Mary on her visit to to Elizabeth
Several parallels to Hannah’s Magnificat spoken by Hannah after she gave Samuel to Eli.
1 Samuel 2:1-10 Exults in the lord, Holy, power over rulers, satisfies the hungry.
Who is mentioned? Mary, God my Savior, All generations, Rulers, Humble, Israel, Abraham.
What can we tell about how Mary viewed the child?
2) Josephs’ Reaction - Mathew 1:18-25
No words recorded (spoken by Joseph.).
V24 - Obedience
V25 - Love for Mary
3) The Shepherd’s Reaction - Luke 2:8-20
V15 - Go see
V17 - They made known what they had seen.
4) How will you react to Jesus birth?
Is your reaction to the season or the savior?
The Season - There are a lot of elements of the season that point us to the savior, but enjoying family time, worship, the tree, the gifts, the food, and the parties are far removed from the true experience that we can have during this time of year. If we miss the savior and celebrate the season, we miss out.
Of these people we have looked at this morning, what actions do you see that might model for us some ways to respond to the savior?
Praise God (Mary)
Obey God (Joseph)
Tell others about Jesus (Shepherds)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Biblical Leadership W4 - Getting the Job Done - Exodus 18
The Dilemma: Now when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening? ...The thing that you are doing is not good”.
The Response: 1. Listen to wise counsel (v24)
2. Share the work / Delegate (v25)
3. Rely on qualified, capable people (v25)
4. Organize the project (v25)
5. Make expectations clear (v20)
The Result: Moses chose able men out of all Israel… They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge.
Why would Moses be receptive to Jethro’s advice?
Why was it difficult for Moses to see his own limitations?
What leadership characteristics are similar to other stories we have studied in this series?
How important is it to have qualified / able people working with a leader?
What could have happen if Moses had not taught the lower level leaders the statutes and the laws?
The Response: 1. Listen to wise counsel (v24)
2. Share the work / Delegate (v25)
3. Rely on qualified, capable people (v25)
4. Organize the project (v25)
5. Make expectations clear (v20)
The Result: Moses chose able men out of all Israel… They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge.
Why would Moses be receptive to Jethro’s advice?
Why was it difficult for Moses to see his own limitations?
What leadership characteristics are similar to other stories we have studied in this series?
How important is it to have qualified / able people working with a leader?
What could have happen if Moses had not taught the lower level leaders the statutes and the laws?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)