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- Herausgeber: IVP Bible Studies
- Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
- Sprache: Englisch
Compassion, humility, faith, perseverance. We long for the beauty of Christ to be reflected in our lives. Such character comes only as the Spirit of God transforms us through the Word of God. This twelve-session LifeGuide® Bible Study will help you along your journey toward becoming all that God created you to be. For over three decades LifeGuide Bible Studies have provided solid biblical content and raised thought-provoking questions—making for a one-of-a-kind Bible study experience for individuals and groups. This series has more than 150 titles on Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies.
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Contents
GETTING THEMOST OUT OFChristian Character
Justin Martyr, Augustine of Hippo, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, George Whitefield, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham, Mother Teresa. All of these people were anointed by God in an extraordinary way and endowed with “spectacular” gifts which caused them to stand out from rank-and-file Christians. They were, and continue to be, greatly used to advance the kingdom of God.
At the same time there have been millions throughout the world who have lived godly lives and yet have died in virtual obscurity. The Moravian Christians are a striking example. By their deep piety and good works, they profoundly influenced John Wesley prior to his conversion. Traveling from England to the United States in 1736, Wesley recorded his impressions of these Moravians in his journal:
At seven I went to the Germans [Moravians]. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behavior. Of their humility they had given a continual proof by performing those servile offices for the other passengers which none of the English would undertake; . . . If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. (Wesley’s Journal, 1: 142. quoted in Howard Snyder, The Radical Wesley [Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1980], p. 26.)
But now, 250 years later, who has ever heard of these faithful men and women?
From Timothy’s mother and grandmother in the first century (2 Tim 1:3; 3:14-15) to Eric Liddell in the twentieth century, history abounds with such little-known men and women of faith who by their exemplary, Christlike character shaped the history of the church while remaining behind the scenes.
This study guide is designed to awaken us to the character of a true disciple and move us to hunger and thirst after righteousness. The effectiveness of our deeds in the world is determined by the holiness of our lives. But today our standard is often far too mediocre, a standard which has been lowered to enable us to live comfortably. Jesus, however, calls us to live in a Christian counterculture which speaks a prophetic message to the world by its very existence.
These twelve inductive Bible studies are designed to help us grow in godly character. Several studies deal with basic yet profound truths undergirding the Christian life (such as justification and lordship). Others focus on those qualities which characterize the life of a disciple (holiness, faith, servanthood). Still others explore specific and often-neglected topics related to Christian character (such as temptation, self-image and spiritual gifts).
Through contact with the living Christ, the character of men and women throughout history has been transformed. John, a son of thunder, became the apostle of love. Paul, a hardened persecutor of God’s people, gradually took on the gentleness of “a mother caring for her little children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). May these studies bring you into vital contact with our heavenly Father who promises to conform us to the image of his Son.
SUGGESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDY
1. As you begin each study, pray that God will speak to you through his Word.
2. Read the introduction to the study and respond to the personal reflection question or exercise. This is designed to help you focus on God and on the theme of the study.
3. Each study deals with a particular passage—so that you can delve into the author’s meaning in that context. Read and reread the passage to be studied. If you are studying a book, it will be helpful to read through the entire book prior to the first study. The questions are written using the language of the New International Version, so you may wish to use that version of the Bible. The New Revised Standard Version is also recommended.
4. This is an inductive Bible study, designed to help you discover for yourself what Scripture is saying. The study includes three types of questions. Observation questions ask about the basic facts: who, what when, where and how. Interpretation questions delve into the meaning of the passage. Application questions help you discover the implications of the text for growing in Christ. These three keys unlock the treasures of Scripture.
Write your answers to the questions in the spaces provided or in a personal journal. Writing can bring clarity and deeper understanding of yourself and of God’s Word.
5. It might be good to have a Bible dictionary handy. Use it to look up any unfamiliar words, names or places.
6. Use the prayer suggestion to guide you in thanking God for what you have learned and to pray about the applications that have come to mind.
7. You may want to go on to the suggestion under “Now or Later,” or you may want to use that idea for your next study.
SUGGESTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF A GROUP STUDY
1. Come to the study prepared. Follow the suggestions for individual study mentioned above. You will find that careful preparation will greatly enrich your time spent in group discussion.
2. Be willing to participate in the discussion. The leader of your group will not be lecturing. Instead, he or she will be encouraging the members of the group to discuss what they have learned. The leader will be asking the questions that are found in this guide.
3. Stick to the topic being discussed. Your answers should be based on the verses which are the focus of the discussion and not on outside authorities such as commentaries or speakers. These studies focus on a particular passage of Scripture. Only rarely should you refer to other portions of the Bible. This allows for everyone to participate in in-depth study on equal ground.
4. Be sensitive to the other members of the group. Listen attentively when they describe what they have learned. You may be surprised by their insights! Each question assumes a variety of answers. Many questions do not have “right” answers, particularly questions that aim at meaning or application. Instead the questions push us to explore the passage more thoroughly.
When possible, link what you say to the comments of others. Also, be affirming whenever you can. This will encourage some of the more hesitant members of the group to participate.
5. Be careful not to dominate the discussion. We are sometimes so eager to express our thoughts that we leave too little opportunity for others to respond. By all means participate! But allow others to also.
6. Expect God to teach you through the passage being discussed and through the other members of the group. Pray that you will have an enjoyable and profitable time together, but also that as a result of the study you will find ways that you can take action individually and/or as a group.
7. Remember that anything said in the group is considered confidential and should not be discussed outside the group unless specific permission is given to do so.
8. If you are the group leader, you will find additional suggestions at the back of the guide.
OneFreed to Serve GodRomans 3:9-26
We all have a need for acceptance. In fact our self-concept is often determined by the approval or rejection of those around us, whether family, peers, business associates, fellow students or even Christian friends. We tend to do and say what we hope will win people’s favor.
Group Discussion. What kinds of things have you done to try to earn someone’s favor? Perhaps you can recall a humorous incident from your dating life or a way you tried to gain favor with a schoolteacher.
Personal Reflection. This tendency to try to earn favor often carries over into our relationship with God. What are some ways you have tried to earn God’s approval?
