Tag: spiritual growth

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Five

Jesus Teaches in Parables

Jesus Teaches in Parables

Week 55 | Section 64a,b

Jesus Teaches in ParablesJesus’ parables sparked interest among his followers and for generations to come. In this study we’ll explore the reason for parables and also delve into the first of nine parables about the Kingdom at this time in Jesus’ ministry.

Scripture:

Section 64a
[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 13:1-3a
1 On that day1Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2 Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach. 3a He spoke to them many things in parables,2 saying,[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 4:1-2
1 Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea. 2 He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching, [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 8:4
4 When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.3 [/one_third]
Section 64b

[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 3:b-23
3b “Behold, a farmer went out to sow. 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Others fell on rocky ground,4 where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. 6 When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among thorns.5 The thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.6 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”7  10 The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.8 12 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled,9which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive: 15 for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again; and I would heal them.’10¯11 16 “But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.12 17 For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them. 18 “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. 19 When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. 20 What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”13[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 4:3-25
3 “Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow, 4 and as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. 6 When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much.” 9 He said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.” 10 When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 He said to them, “To you is given the mystery of God’s Kingdom, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables, 12 that ‘seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?14 14 The farmer15 sows the word.16  15 The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 16 These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.17 18 Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, 19 and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.18  20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.”

 

21 He said to them, “Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 He said to them, “Take heed what you hear.19With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”20[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 8:5-18
5 “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

7 Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. 8 Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

9 Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” 10 He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that

‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

13 Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation. 14 That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

 

 

 

 

15 Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

 

16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed; nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. With whom do I associate most this parable?
  2. When I hear Jesus speak what do I think he’s trying to say about the Kingdom?
  3. As a disciple, what am I going to do with the truth I just heard in this parable?

Learning Objectives:

As disciples constant learners and doers, evangelism, teaching, prepare your heart, repent, love of Christ, first love, seek God, study the Word of God, disciples make disciples.

Photo: The reflection on a pond in Orlando, Florida. A reflection on the pond, like the use parables, provides us a new perspective on the truth.

Study Notes:

Categories
Three Two

Fishers of Men

Fishers of Men

Week 27 | Sections 40,41

Fishers of MenIn this week’s study we’re transitioning from phase two to phase three of Jesus’ ministry. Though this is week 26 for us, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist about a year before. In today’s study the five men who had been following Jesus choose to become his disciples. This is a major transition in their lives, and in the life of every disciple who since believed because of the ministry they embraced – to become fishers of men.

Scripture:

Section 40 | Matthew 4:13-16
13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum,1 which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,2 14 that it might be fulfilled3 which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”4

Section 415

[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 4:18-22
18 Walking by the sea of Galilee,6 he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 1:16-20
16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.7¯8 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.9   19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 5:1-11
1 Now while the multitude10 pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.11 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.”12  6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”13 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”14 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.[/one_third]

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the difference between being a follower and being a disciple? 
  2. What were these men risking, leaving, and gaining in becoming Jesus’ disciples?
  3. What might you say are the primary lessons you’ve learned thus far in your journey of faith?
  4. Are there people you know who have chosen not to respond to God’s grace? How many chances does God give to become his disciple?
  5. If you’ve made the decision to be a disciple what would you say you are learning now? To what mission are you compelled?
  6. What choices have you recently made to become more proficient as a disciple, and fisher of men?
  7. What can we learn about humility, worth,membership, and stewardship from Peter’s response and that of the other disciples?
  8. What preparation and relationships ought to exist before enlisting people into leadership roles of the local church?

Learning Objectives:

evangelism, become disciples – not just followers, vocation, trust, choice, divine abandon,  spiritual growth, humility, purpose, lifestyle, worth, value, unworthy, stewardship

Study Notes:

Categories
Two

You Must Be Born Again

You Must Be Born Again

Week 21 | Sections 32 a,b

You Must Be Born AgainNicodemus a pharisee and member of the ruling class of the Jewish council is curious about the miracles Jesus had performed during his first visit to Jerusalem since his baptism. So curious he came in the dead of night, to learn more. His struggles are like many today, for its hard to change our way of thinking. The gospel of God’s grace runs contrary to so many things we’ve been taught. Still, it is the Good News we wish to hear – that God has so much love for us that he provided a way to reconcile us. Al we need do to experience that is believe.

Scripture:
Section 32a | John 2:23-25
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. 24 But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, 25 and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Section 32b | John 3:1-21
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus,1  a ruler of the Jews.2 2 The same came to him by night,3 and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”4 3 Jesus answered him,“Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”5 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” 5 Jesus answered,“Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. 6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.6  7  Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’7 8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”8¯9 9 Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”10 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?11 11 Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. 12  If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?12 13  No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.13 14  As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15  that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.14 17 For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.15 18 He who believes in him is not judged.16 He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.17 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”18

Group Dialog:

  1. Have we ourselves been “born again”?
  2. How has the grace of God allowed you to walk in love and obedience differently than obedience to the commandments of God and the customs of the church?
  3. Read and discuss the passages in study note #_.
  4. What patterns of your life (thought and deed) still need to change?
  5. What are the ways your life has changed since becoming born again?

Learning Objectives:

Be born again, justification then sanctification, availability of Jesus, The Messiah will break the adamic curse, our identity will be changed as we are born again Christ’s, let your mind be renewed, we need also to be bonded as the children of God – as one family, propitiation by the sacrifice of Jesus, the affective experience of those who do not receive the effective grace of God.

Study Notes:

Categories
One

Traveling Mercies

Traveling Mercies

Week 12 | Sections 16, 17, 18, 19

Traveling MerciesSometimes unfortunate events turn out to be an integral thread of God’s handiwork in the tapestry of our lives. Jesus’ childhood journeys to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Egypt and Galilee are evidence of such and the experiences of Jesus early years helped prepare him for a lifetime of ministry.

Scripture:

Section 16
[one_half last=”no”]Matthew 2:19-23
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.” 21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee,23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Luke 2:39
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
[/one_half]

Section 17
Luke 2:40
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Section 18
Luke 2:41-50
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” 49 He said to them,“Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.

Section 19
Luke2:51-52
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

 

Group Dialog:

  1. What lessons of faith are you learning now?
  2. How has your life thus far prepared you for a unique ministry with others?
  3. Are you prepared to give a reason for the hope in you?

Learning Objectives:

Parenting, Spiritual Parents, individualism and community, hi-low context culture, autonomy and interdependence, discerning God’s leading, making sense of our past, spiritual growth, the soul yearns for God.

Study Notes:

Categories
One

Becoming Strong in Spirit

Becoming Strong in Spriit

Week 7 | Section 8a,b,c

Becoming Strong in SpriitHow delighted Elizabeth and Zechariah must have been when their son was born, not only for the joy of having a child but because of their confidence of what he would be. Indeed, that is the pivotal word in our reading today – ‘be’. Our actions are tied to our being, and our being to the purposes of God. Most certainly Elizabeth and Zechariah were familiar with the saying, “raise up a child…(Prov. 22:6)” and John fulfilled his calling perfectly. May each of us have such a clear understanding of our relationship with God that we abandon any vain activity, embrace our identity as children of the covenant, and then our role in God’s master plan. May we take so seriously our duty as parents and spiritual parents that we make disciples and also point the way to the Savior, tell others of God’s mercy, grace and the horn of our salvation.

Scripture:
Luke 1:57-66 | Section 8a

57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled,1 and she gave birth to a son.2 58 Her neighbors and her relatives3 heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth4 day, they came to circumcise5¯6 the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 His mother answered,7 “Not so; but he will be called John.” 61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 They made signs8 to his father, what he would have him called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”9 They all marveled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately,10   and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?”11¯12 The hand of the Lord was with him.

Luke 1:67-79 | Section 8b13¯14¯15¯16

67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people; 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation17 for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), 71 salvation18 from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 to show mercy19 towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to Abraham, our father, 74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,should serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet20 of the Most High,for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation21 to his people by the remission of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God,whereby the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 to shine22 on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:80 | Section 8c

80 The child23was growing,24 and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.25

Group Dialog:

  1. What experiences have you had in which God has interrupted your routine, answered a prayer
  2. How has the wider community helped develop your faith thus far? Were your parents or god-parents active in that process?
  3. What traditions have been a “marker” helping you keep the faith and continue to grow spiritually?
  4. What role would you like to take in helping others mature spiritually?

Learning Objectives:

Obedience in faith, being-God’s child, God’s plan of redemption & reconciliation, the will of God, God’s promises, prophesy, circumcision and traditions, raise up a child, discipling others

Study Notes: