Opening Question: How would you explain what “sin” is?
Read: Romans 5:12, 14-19, 21
12 Sin entered the world because one man sinned. And death came because of sin. Everyone sinned, so death came to all people. 14 Death ruled from the time of Adam to the time of Moses. Death ruled even over those who did not sin as Adam did. He broke God's command. But he also became a pattern of the one who was going to come. 15 God's gift is different from Adam's sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But it was even more sure that God's grace would also come through one man. That man is Jesus Christ. God's gift of grace was more than enough for the whole world. 16 The result of God's gift is different from the result of Adam's sin. God judged one sin. That brought guilt. But after many sins, God's gift made people right with Him. 17 One man sinned, and death ruled because of his sin. But we are even more sure of what will happen because of what the one man, Jesus Christ, has done. Those who receive the rich supply of God's grace will rule with Christ in His kingdom. They have received God's gift and have been made right with Him. 18 One man's sin brought guilt to all people. So also one right act made all people right with God. And all who are right with God will live. 19 Many people were made sinners because one man did not obey. But one man did obey. That is why many people will be made right with God. 21 Sin ruled because of death. So also grace rules in the lives of those who are right with God. The grace of God brings eternal life because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.
Discussion Questions:
1. Where did sin come from, according to these verses?
2. Do you see sin “ruling” in the world today? If so, give an example.
3. Which sin(s) do you hate the most, and why?
4. What is the solution to sin, according to these verses?
5. How exactly did Jesus take care of the sin problem?
6. What is “grace” (see verse 21), and what does it mean for grace to “rule in our lives”?
7. How can we “get right” with God, so that His grace rules over us?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Relationships – Part V
Opening Question: Did you ever disobey your parents when you were growing up? Why did you do it, and what were the results?
Read the following verses from Genesis 3:1-13
1 The serpent was more clever than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. The serpent said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We can eat the fruit of the trees that are in the garden. 3 But God did say, 'You must not eat the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it. If you do, you will die.' " 4 "You can be sure that you won't die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "God knows that when you eat the fruit of that tree, you will know things you have never known before. You will be able to tell the difference between good and evil. You will be like God." 6 The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat. It was also pleasing to look at. And it would make a person wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. And he ate it. 7 Then both of them knew things they had never known before. They realized they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made clothes for themselves.8 Then the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking in the garden. It was the coolest time of the day. They hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 But the Lord God called out to the man. "Where are you?" he asked. 10 "I heard you in the garden," the man answered. "I was afraid. I was naked, so I hid." 11 The Lord God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten the fruit of the tree I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "It was the woman You put here with me. She gave me some fruit from the tree. And I ate it." 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me. That's why I ate the fruit."
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of your observations about the serpent? And the woman?
2 What do you think the serpent was trying to accomplish?
3. Describe everything that happened after the woman and the man ate the forbidden fruit.
4. Who do you think was to blame for what happened in the garden?
a) the woman b) the man c) the serpent d) God e) a-d
5. Why do you think the woman and the man decided to disobey God?
6. How do you imagine God felt after all this took place?
7. How does this story relate to our lives today?
Read the following verses from Genesis 3:1-13
1 The serpent was more clever than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. The serpent said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We can eat the fruit of the trees that are in the garden. 3 But God did say, 'You must not eat the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it. If you do, you will die.' " 4 "You can be sure that you won't die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "God knows that when you eat the fruit of that tree, you will know things you have never known before. You will be able to tell the difference between good and evil. You will be like God." 6 The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat. It was also pleasing to look at. And it would make a person wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. And he ate it. 7 Then both of them knew things they had never known before. They realized they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made clothes for themselves.8 Then the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking in the garden. It was the coolest time of the day. They hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9 But the Lord God called out to the man. "Where are you?" he asked. 10 "I heard you in the garden," the man answered. "I was afraid. I was naked, so I hid." 11 The Lord God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten the fruit of the tree I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man said, "It was the woman You put here with me. She gave me some fruit from the tree. And I ate it." 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What have you done?" The woman said, "The serpent tricked me. That's why I ate the fruit."
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of your observations about the serpent? And the woman?
2 What do you think the serpent was trying to accomplish?
3. Describe everything that happened after the woman and the man ate the forbidden fruit.
4. Who do you think was to blame for what happened in the garden?
a) the woman b) the man c) the serpent d) God e) a-d
5. Why do you think the woman and the man decided to disobey God?
6. How do you imagine God felt after all this took place?
7. How does this story relate to our lives today?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Relationships – Part IV
Opening Question: What is your favorite kind of fruit? And vegetable?
Q 2. Which blessings are you most thankful to God for?
Q 3. Which freedoms are most important, in your opinion?
Q 4. Read and discuss the relationship between God and man in the very beginning stage of history, according to Genesis 1:1, 26-29; 2:8,9,15,16,17 below:
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground -- trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Q 5. Why do think God put a restriction on man’s freedom?
Q 6. Can you think of some modern day examples of restrictions that are placed on us?
Q 7. Are restrictions good or bad? Explain.
Q 8. What did God say would happen if His restriction was ignored by the man?
Q 2. Which blessings are you most thankful to God for?
Q 3. Which freedoms are most important, in your opinion?
Q 4. Read and discuss the relationship between God and man in the very beginning stage of history, according to Genesis 1:1, 26-29; 2:8,9,15,16,17 below:
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground -- trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Q 5. Why do think God put a restriction on man’s freedom?
Q 6. Can you think of some modern day examples of restrictions that are placed on us?
Q 7. Are restrictions good or bad? Explain.
Q 8. What did God say would happen if His restriction was ignored by the man?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Relationships – Part III
Opening Question: What’s the most important relationship in your life?
Q 2. What are the ingredients that go into a good relationship with someone?
Discuss what the following verses from the Bible say about a relationship with God:
John 4:23,24
True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. They are the kind of worshipers the Father is looking for. God is spirit. His worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, "What I'm about to tell you is true. No one can see God's kingdom without being born again."
John 17:3
And what is eternal life? It is knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Romans 8:38,39
I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God's love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can do that. Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can do that. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.
Hebrews 13:5
God has said, "I will never leave you. I will never desert you."
Q 3. How is it possible to have a relationship with God in this material world?
Q 4. What keeps people from having a relationship with God?
Q 5. How does someone start a relationship with God?
Q 2. What are the ingredients that go into a good relationship with someone?
Discuss what the following verses from the Bible say about a relationship with God:
John 4:23,24
True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. They are the kind of worshipers the Father is looking for. God is spirit. His worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 3:3
Jesus replied, "What I'm about to tell you is true. No one can see God's kingdom without being born again."
John 17:3
And what is eternal life? It is knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Romans 8:38,39
I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God's love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can do that. Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can do that. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God's love because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.
Hebrews 13:5
God has said, "I will never leave you. I will never desert you."
Q 3. How is it possible to have a relationship with God in this material world?
Q 4. What keeps people from having a relationship with God?
Q 5. How does someone start a relationship with God?
Friday, July 3, 2009
Relationships – Part II
"Everyone is born to have a horizontal and a vertical relationship. The horizontal relationship is with other people. The vertical relationship is with God. The quality of our horizontal relationship with people depends on the quality of our vertical relationship with God."
Q1)What are some things that can destroy relationships?
Q2)Have you ever experienced a broken relationship?
Q3)How can broken relationships be restored?
Q4)Discuss what the following Bible verses say about difficult relationships:
Luke 6:27-36
27 "Here is what I tell you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who call down curses on you. And pray for those who treat you badly. 29 Suppose someone hits you on one cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also. Suppose someone takes your coat. Don't stop him from taking your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, don't ask to get it back. 31 Do to others as you want them to do to you. 32 Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back. 35 But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. 36 So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy. "
Q5)Which verse do you like the most? The least?
Q6)What do you think was Jesus’ main point?
Q7)Which of the following do you believe:
a)What Jesus commands is easy.
b)What Jesus commands is impossible.
c)Jesus did what He commanded His followers to do.
d)What Jesus commands is possible, if we try really hard.
e)What Jesus commands is possible, only with His help.
Q8)How can Jesus help us to do what He commanded His followers to do 2000 years ago?
Q1)What are some things that can destroy relationships?
Q2)Have you ever experienced a broken relationship?
Q3)How can broken relationships be restored?
Q4)Discuss what the following Bible verses say about difficult relationships:
Luke 6:27-36
27 "Here is what I tell you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who call down curses on you. And pray for those who treat you badly. 29 Suppose someone hits you on one cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also. Suppose someone takes your coat. Don't stop him from taking your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, don't ask to get it back. 31 Do to others as you want them to do to you. 32 Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back. 35 But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. 36 So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy. "
Q5)Which verse do you like the most? The least?
Q6)What do you think was Jesus’ main point?
Q7)Which of the following do you believe:
a)What Jesus commands is easy.
b)What Jesus commands is impossible.
c)Jesus did what He commanded His followers to do.
d)What Jesus commands is possible, if we try really hard.
e)What Jesus commands is possible, only with His help.
Q8)How can Jesus help us to do what He commanded His followers to do 2000 years ago?
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