Opening question: What do you think should be Rule #1 for all the people of the world?
Let’s read the 10 Commandments (from Exodus 20:3-17), given by God to the nation of Israel about 3500 years ago:
1 Do not put any other gods in place of Me.
2 Do not make statues of gods that look like anything in the sky or on the earth or in the waters. Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. I punish the children for the sin of their parents. I punish the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate Me. But for all time to come I show love to all those who love Me and keep my commandments.
3 Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will find guilty anyone who misuses His name.
4 Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. Do all of your work in six days. But the seventh day is a Sabbath in honor of the LORD your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any foreiners who live in your cities. In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth. He made the oceans and everything in them. But He rested on the seventh day. So He blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
5 Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
6 Do not commit murder.
7 Do not commit adultery.
8 Do not steal.
9 Do not give false witness against your neighbor.
10 Do not long for anything that belongs to your neighbor. Do not long for your neighbor's house, wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey.
Discussion questions:
a - Circle any difficult words.
b - What is a commandment?
c - Make up a 2011 version of commandment #10?
d - What do you think was the purpose of these commandments?
e - What happens if we obey or disobey God’s commandment(s)?
f - Which commandment do you think is the most important one? Why?
g - Which commandment do you think is the most difficult to obey? Explain.
h - Why should anyone obey the 10 commandments in 2011?
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
The Church at Laodicea
Opening question: If you could invite any famous person for dinner, whom would you ask? Why?
Let’s read about a church that Jesus spoke to 2000 years ago:
Revelation 3:14-22
14 This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: I am the one called Amen! I am the faithful and true Witness and the Source of God's creation. Listen to what I say. 15 I know everything you have done, and you are not cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other. 16 But since you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don't know how bad off you are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Buy your gold from Me. It has been refined in a fire, and it will make you rich. Buy white clothes from Me. Wear them and you can cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy medicine for your eyes, so that you will be able to see. 19 I correct and punish everyone I love. So make up your minds to turn away from your sins. 20 Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. 21 Everyone who wins the victory will sit with Me on My throne, just as I won the victory and sat with My Father on His throne. 22 If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says.”
Discussion questions:
1. How is Jesus described in these verses?
2. How did the church people in Laodicea feel about themselves? And how did God feel about this church?
3. What does it mean to be “lukewarm” about something?
4. What does Jesus tell the people to do in verse 18?
5. What do you think the words “gold” and “white” and “medicine” might be talking about?
6. What promises does Jesus give to those who listen to Him?
7. According to Jesus, what are true riches and success?
Let’s read about a church that Jesus spoke to 2000 years ago:
Revelation 3:14-22
14 This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: I am the one called Amen! I am the faithful and true Witness and the Source of God's creation. Listen to what I say. 15 I know everything you have done, and you are not cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other. 16 But since you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don't know how bad off you are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Buy your gold from Me. It has been refined in a fire, and it will make you rich. Buy white clothes from Me. Wear them and you can cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy medicine for your eyes, so that you will be able to see. 19 I correct and punish everyone I love. So make up your minds to turn away from your sins. 20 Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. 21 Everyone who wins the victory will sit with Me on My throne, just as I won the victory and sat with My Father on His throne. 22 If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says.”
Discussion questions:
1. How is Jesus described in these verses?
2. How did the church people in Laodicea feel about themselves? And how did God feel about this church?
3. What does it mean to be “lukewarm” about something?
4. What does Jesus tell the people to do in verse 18?
5. What do you think the words “gold” and “white” and “medicine” might be talking about?
6. What promises does Jesus give to those who listen to Him?
7. According to Jesus, what are true riches and success?
Friday, August 12, 2011
Refurbished
Opening question: Have you ever bought something that was refurbished?
Read the following from the Bible about how man’s fellowship with God was ruined / refurbished
Broken fellowship -- Ecclesiastes 7:29
God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.
How it happened -- Genesis 3:1-8
1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.
The result -- Romans 5:12; 6:23a
12 Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die. 23 The wages of sin is death.
The repair -- 1 Peter 3:18
18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
Fellowship refurbished -- 1 John 1:3,4
3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may share our joy.
Discussion questions:
1. What was mankind’s problem in the very beginning stages of the human race?
2. What were some of the results of man’s choice to ignore God?
3. How did God repair man’s sin problem?
4. Do you think it’s important to have fellowship with God and with other people? Explain.
5. How can we experience being refurbished in our fellowship with God, and with others?
6. Have you been, or are you being, refurbished spiritually? Tell your (ongoing) story.
Read the following from the Bible about how man’s fellowship with God was ruined / refurbished
Broken fellowship -- Ecclesiastes 7:29
God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.
How it happened -- Genesis 3:1-8
1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.
The result -- Romans 5:12; 6:23a
12 Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die. 23 The wages of sin is death.
The repair -- 1 Peter 3:18
18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
Fellowship refurbished -- 1 John 1:3,4
3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may share our joy.
Discussion questions:
1. What was mankind’s problem in the very beginning stages of the human race?
2. What were some of the results of man’s choice to ignore God?
3. How did God repair man’s sin problem?
4. Do you think it’s important to have fellowship with God and with other people? Explain.
5. How can we experience being refurbished in our fellowship with God, and with others?
6. Have you been, or are you being, refurbished spiritually? Tell your (ongoing) story.
Friday, August 5, 2011
the Heart of Man
Opening question: Do you think human nature is basically good or evil?
Let’s read what Jesus says about human nature:
Mark 7:1-8, 14-23
1 The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem. 2 They saw some of his disciples eating food with "unclean" hands. That means they were not washed.
3 The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That's what the elders teach. 4 When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash. And they follow many other teachings. For example, they wash cups, pitchers, and kettles in a special way. 5 So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. "Why don't your disciples live by what the elders teach?" they asked. "Why do they eat their food with 'unclean' hands?" 6 He replied, "Isaiah was right. He prophesied about you people who pretend to be good. He said,
" 'These people honor me by what they say. But their hearts are far away from me. 7 Their worship doesn't mean anything to me. They teach nothing but human rules.' 8 You have let go of God's commands. And you are holding on to the teachings that men have made up."
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him. He said, "Listen to me, everyone. Understand this. 15 Nothing outside of you can make you 'unclean' by going into you. 16 It is what comes out of you that makes you 'unclean.' " 17 Then he left the crowd and entered the house. His disciples asked him about this teaching. 18 "Don't you understand?" Jesus asked. "Don't you see? Nothing that enters people from the outside can make them 'unclean.' 19 It doesn't go into the heart. It goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body." In saying this, Jesus was calling all foods "clean." 20 He went on to say, "What comes out of people makes them 'unclean.' 21 Evil thoughts come from the inside, from people's hearts. So do sexual sins, stealing and murder. Adultery, 22 greed, hate and cheating come from people's hearts too. So do desires that are not pure, and wanting what belongs to others. And so do telling lies about others and being proud and being foolish. 23 All those evil things come from inside a person. They make him 'unclean.' "
Word list:
Pharisees – a group of religious leaders of Israel 2000 years ago.
the law – the rules that God gave to the people of Israel.
Jerusalem – the capital of Israel.
unclean – unqualified to enter heaven; unacceptable to God.
elders – leaders.
Isaiah – a prophet of Israel, who lived about 700 years before Jesus.
prophesied – when someone speak for God to the people.
adultery – having sex with someone who is already married.
Discussion questions:
1. Does your culture have any rules that everyone is supposed to follow?
2. What are some human rules that you think everyone should follow?
3. Are you familiar with any of God’s rules? If so, which ones do you think are the most important ones?
4. Are we born with a clean heart, or does it have to become clean somehow? Explain
5. So, how can our hearts become clean, so we can become acceptable to God, and enter heaven someday?
Let’s read what Jesus says about human nature:
Mark 7:1-8, 14-23
1 The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem. 2 They saw some of his disciples eating food with "unclean" hands. That means they were not washed.
3 The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That's what the elders teach. 4 When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash. And they follow many other teachings. For example, they wash cups, pitchers, and kettles in a special way. 5 So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. "Why don't your disciples live by what the elders teach?" they asked. "Why do they eat their food with 'unclean' hands?" 6 He replied, "Isaiah was right. He prophesied about you people who pretend to be good. He said,
" 'These people honor me by what they say. But their hearts are far away from me. 7 Their worship doesn't mean anything to me. They teach nothing but human rules.' 8 You have let go of God's commands. And you are holding on to the teachings that men have made up."
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him. He said, "Listen to me, everyone. Understand this. 15 Nothing outside of you can make you 'unclean' by going into you. 16 It is what comes out of you that makes you 'unclean.' " 17 Then he left the crowd and entered the house. His disciples asked him about this teaching. 18 "Don't you understand?" Jesus asked. "Don't you see? Nothing that enters people from the outside can make them 'unclean.' 19 It doesn't go into the heart. It goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body." In saying this, Jesus was calling all foods "clean." 20 He went on to say, "What comes out of people makes them 'unclean.' 21 Evil thoughts come from the inside, from people's hearts. So do sexual sins, stealing and murder. Adultery, 22 greed, hate and cheating come from people's hearts too. So do desires that are not pure, and wanting what belongs to others. And so do telling lies about others and being proud and being foolish. 23 All those evil things come from inside a person. They make him 'unclean.' "
Word list:
Pharisees – a group of religious leaders of Israel 2000 years ago.
the law – the rules that God gave to the people of Israel.
Jerusalem – the capital of Israel.
unclean – unqualified to enter heaven; unacceptable to God.
elders – leaders.
Isaiah – a prophet of Israel, who lived about 700 years before Jesus.
prophesied – when someone speak for God to the people.
adultery – having sex with someone who is already married.
Discussion questions:
1. Does your culture have any rules that everyone is supposed to follow?
2. What are some human rules that you think everyone should follow?
3. Are you familiar with any of God’s rules? If so, which ones do you think are the most important ones?
4. Are we born with a clean heart, or does it have to become clean somehow? Explain
5. So, how can our hearts become clean, so we can become acceptable to God, and enter heaven someday?
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