TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2023

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

The Tabernacle: A Practice Rooted in Culture

    Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.  

                                                                                   Exodus 40: 34 – 35 (NLT)

1. In pagan religions, idols are representations of, or residing places for, the       

gods. As such, the idol is believed to take on the characteristics, abilities, persona, and power of the god it represents. READ: Exodus 25: 8 & 22

a.     Where did God say he would dwell if His people made a sanctuary for Him?

b.    Did the sanctuary acquire any special power, or did God expect His people to worship it because His presence was there?

c.     How do you explain your answer?

READ: Exodus 20: 3–6;  34: 17;  Deuteronomy 29: 17-18 & 32: 21

d.    What did God repeatedly teach His people about the worship of idols?

e.     How does His presence differ from what pagan people believed about idols? 

1. People of pagan cultures developed their own rituals regarding access to the presence of their god(s).    READ: Leviticus 16; 1, 2, 32 & 33

a.     Who decided who was allowed to enter the holy of holies in the tabernacle and under what conditions?

1. Do you notice secular / pagan idols, rituals, practices, and beliefs that are similar to the pagans of biblical times?

1. Do you believe these beliefs and practices can be part of an authentic biblical worldview?

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Monday, February 20, 2023

The Tabernacle: A Practice Rooted in Culture

    Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.  

                                                                                   Exodus 40: 34 – 35 (NLT)

1.     What is the tabernacle called in Exodus 26: 36?

2.     Ancient pagan worshippers made sacrifices of the fines foods in order to placate their gods and curry their favor.

         READ: Exodus 13: 3;  Leviticus 23: 9 – 14; Nehemiah 10: 35

a.     How is what God asked His people to do SIMILAR to what pagan people believed their gods demanded?

b.    How is what God asked His people to do DIFFERNT to what pagan people believed their gods demanded?

c.     What do you think God wanted to communicate through the sacrifices he required? READ: Psalm 24: 1;  1 Corinthians 10: 26

3.     Many ancient cultures and protective creatures, similar to cherubim, that possessed human, animal, or bird like features and were often depicted in association with the gods.     READ: Genesis 3: 23 & 24;                  Exodus 25: 17 – 22; Psalm 80: 1;  Revelation 4; 2 -11

a.     With what are cherubim identified in the bible?

b.    What do you think the cherubim sculpted on the cover of the ark of the covenant communicated about God to His people?

4.     In Egypt, priests conducted incense rituals intended to purify the image of the god and to persuade the god to enter the image.

a.     In contrast, what did incense provide in relationship to the presence of God? READ:  Leviticus 16: 1, 2, 12 & 13.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Standing for God in a Pagan World

John 15: 19 (NLT)

    The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

1. Although Pal was willing to “become all things to all people…for the sake of the gospel” 1 Corinthians 9: 22 7 23, he also specified certain kinds of people with whom a believer must not associate; 1 Corinthians 5: 9 – 11.

a.     Under which specific conditions should a believer separate from people who practice such behaviors?  To which people did Paul say this prohibition does not apply?

b.    How do the distinctions Paul makes help you understand what it means to be “in” the world, but not “of” the world?

PERSOANL REFLECTION:

• In which areas do you find it most difficult to stand for God in daily life?

• In which areas have you backed away from your mission and refused to be “in” the world? Why? What are you willing to do differently?

• In what ways do your relationships with other believers help or hinder you in being “in” the world, but not “of’ the world?

• What is at risk when you associate with Christians who are rebellious against God and His Word?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Friday, September 23, 2022

Standing for God in a Pagan World

John 15: 19 (NLT)

    The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Every follower of Christ is called to stand for God in the midst of culture, but it’s not east to do. Being engaged enough in culture to display our faith also puts us at risk for compromising with the values of the culture we’re supposed to influence. We can, however, learn some thigs that will hep us display our faith with succumbing to the beliefs or values of our contemporary world.

1. God often placed his people in the midst of evil cultures and called upon them to reflect His righteousness in those cultures.

a.     READ:  Exodus 34: 15 & 16  What terminology did God use to describe Israel’s neighbors who worshipped pagan gods?

What words of caution did he give his people?  

b.    READ:  Romans 1; 22 – 25  How did Paul describe his “neighbors”,

worshippers of pagan gods?

c.     How do you think God would describe the beliefs and values of “neighbors” in our culture?

1. READ: Philippians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20 Where does a Christian’s true citizenship lie and how does this affect our role in culture?

1. READ: John 17: 15 & 16 What did Jesus recognize as the great risk of being His ambassador? What did He pray for His followers as they fulfilled their role in the world?

1. READ: 1 Corinthians 9: 19 – 23 What was Paul’s commitment to proclaim and live out his faith?

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Sent Out to Challenge a Human-centered Worldview

As the early church spread the gospel, they encountered a variety of worldviews and the nature of understanding truth. The conflict between a God-centered worldview and a human-centered worldview continues to our day. Will people today acknowledge God as creator and ruler of all creation, or will they insist on claiming to be their own authority? Do human beings determine truth or is God the source of all truth?

1. READ: Psalm 22: 27 – 29; Isaiah 29: 13 – 16; Romans 9: 20 & 21

According to the Bible, who is the ultimate, supreme authority in the universe?

1. READ: Genesis 3: 1 – 7

a.     In which ways did Satan’s tempting offer to Eve challenge a God-centered worldview?

b.    Which alternative worldview did Satan offer?

c.     In which ways is this conflict played out in our world, and in your life, today?

1. READ: 1 John 2: 15 & 16

John is clear that we can’t have both a God-centered worldview AND a human-centered worldview, we MUST CHOOSE one or the other.

a.     READ: Romans 1: 18 – 32  What happens when people consider something or someone other than God to the ultimate authority?

b.    Since the beginning of humanity, Satan has attacked God’s supremacy

by seeking to eliminate the God-centered worldview and replacing it with his own.  What do you learn about the significance and consequences of this conflict from JUDE 3 – 8?

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

God’s Strategy for His Witnesses

READ: Romans 1: 16      

Read the following accounts of the work of the early church.  Take note of WHERE they testified about Jesus. In light of Romans 1: 16, consider WHY they taught in these locations.  HOW would this strategy help accomplish God’s purpose?

1. Acts 9: 17 – 21

WHERE:

WHY:

HOW:

1. Acts 13: 1 - 5

WHERE:

WHY:

HOW:

1. Acts 13: 13 – 16

WHERE:

WHY:

HOW:

1. Acts 14: 1

WHERE:

WHY:

HOW:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Tuesday, September20, 2022

God’s Strategy for His Witnesses

Acts 1: 8 (NLT)

    you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

1. READ: 1 Samuel 17: 45 – 47; Isaiah 43: 10 – 12

What was the mission of the Old Testament followers of God?

1. READ: Acts 1: 8; 10: 37 – 43

What was the mission of the early Christians?

1. READ: Matthew 13: 54; Mark 14; 49

Wherever Jesus went He taught crowds of people who came to see Him. In which other locations did Jesus teach? 

a.     What might have been His purpose in teaching there?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Monday, September 19, 2022

Witness Without Compromise

1. READ: Matthew 5: 13; Mark 16:15

a.     Where did Jesus want His disciples to demonstrate their faith? 

b.    How did He describe what He wanted them to be?

1. How would you describe what being “the salt of the earth” looked like in the world of Jesus’ disciples?

a.     In what ways would you say being salt in our world is like or unlike what Jesus’ disciples experienced?

      3.  READ: John 17: 6 – 9, 13 – 18  Note how Jesus prayed for His disciples.

a.     What did Jesus ask for on behalf of His disciples as they lived out their faith in a mostly pagan world?  (Verse 15)

b.    What is the significance of Jesus saying that His disciples were “not of the world any more than I am”?

c.     To what did Jesus compare the disciples’ ministry?

Why is this comparison so powerful?  (Verse 18)

d.    In light of how Jesus prayed for His disciples, how important do you think it is for Christians today to take seriously Jesus’ command to be salt in the world?

e.     Which of His words help you realize the importance of living as a witness without compromise?

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Prepared to Change the World

John 14: 21 (NLT)

    Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.

1. Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus who passionately seeks to become like Him in every way? Why or why not?

1. In which areas of your life do you need to focus more attention?

1. Which obstacles must you overcome or which sins must you turn away from in order to devote yourself fully to your relationship with Jesus?

1. What kind of model are you of Christ? When people see you, do they see someone who is totally committed to following Jesus’ teachings and seeks to be like Him?

1. Just as the 72 disciples experienced joy when they say God’s power at work, God also wants us to experience joy in serving Him. When have you received at least a glimpse of God working through you? How has that encouraged you to faithfully live according to Jesus’ teachings?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

Friday, September 9, 2022

Prepared to Change the World

Matthew 28: 16 – 20 (NLT)

    Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

    Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Today’s passage from Matthew 28 is referred to as The Great Commission.

As you read the passages below, note the ways in which Jesus’ disciples carried out His instructions.   

1. READ Acts 26: 19 – 30 To whom was the message of Christ to be taught?

1. READ 1 Corinthians 4: 15 – 17 In what ways were the disciples training up new disciples?

1. READ 1 Thessalonians 1: 6 & 7 How important is it to model the message of Christ for others?

1. READ Hebrews 6: 10 - 12 and 13: 7 What were believers to imitate?

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Prepared to Change the World

1 John 2: 3 – 6 (NLT)

    And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

One reason the gospel spread rapidly during the days of the early church was because Jesus’ disciples weren’t simply people who heard his teachings and agreed with them. Rather, Jesus had called them to be His chosen disciples who had a passion to not only know what Jesus knew, but to put His teachings into practice and to seek to live as He lived. Jesus’ disciples in turn developed close relationships with others who would themselves become disciples.

Jesus trained His disciples by instruction and example, and also by giving them opportunities to practice what they had learned. Read the following accounts of Jesus sending out His disciples to minister.

Sending out the Twelve     READ: LUKE 9: 1 – 9

How did Jesus instruct them?

What did the disciples do? 

What were the results?

Sending out the Seventy-two     READ:  Luke 10: 1 - 12;  17 – 20

How did Jesus instruct them?

What did the disciples do? 

What were the results?

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Confronting the “Gates of Hell”

Mark 8: 34 – 38 (NLT)

    Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

1. The text tells us that Jesus taught not only His disciples, but the pagan crowd as well. What types of people were probably present when Jesus addressed the crowd near Caesarea Philippi?

1. What did He tell the crowd they must do if they wanted to be one of His followers?

1. In what ways would people who worshiped Pan and other gods have to “give up your own ways” in order to follow Jesus?

                                          READ: 1 Peter4: 3 & 4 and 1 John 2: 15 – 17

1. How might the disciples have felt when Jesus suddenly called out to the pagan crowd? What impact do y think His strong words about being ashamed of him had on His disciples that day and in the future days of their ministries?

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Confronting the “Gates of Hell”

Mark 8: 34 (NLT)

    Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16: 13 – 18 (ESV)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1. The cave at the base of Caesarea Philippi was called the “gates of hades,” and in this setting Jesus continued teaching about the building of His church. He boldly declared that “the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” If the purpose of gates is to defend, who or what would be attacking the forces of hell? What did Jesus say would be the outcome of this battle?

1. Would you say the church today generally views itself as being offensive or defensive in the battle against evil?

1. How might this view differ from what Jesus taught His disciples in Caesarea Philippi?

1. How might an offensive vs defensive mentality affect the way disciples (YOU) minister in the culture around them today?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

Monday, September 5, 2022

Confronting the “Gates of Hell”

Mark 8: 34 (NLT)

    Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

1.     Considering their location at Caesarea Philippi, why was Peter’s use of the word “living” significant when he declared Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God”?                                           READ:  Matthew 16: 13 – 16  

2.     The church has long debated Jesus’ meaning of “rock” in Matthew 16: 18 On this rock I will build my church.”

• Traditionally ,the “rock” is Peter’s confession the Jesus is the Christ.(i.e., Christ, the Son of the living God, the foundation of the church.

READ: Acts 4: 10 & 11 and 1 Corinthians 3: 10 -15) This is Pastor Jeff’s view.

• Some consider Peter to be the rock, the leader of the church upon whom Jesus will build His church.

• Consider this: Rabbi’s used visible objects, metaphors, to convey their lesson. At Caesarea Philippi there was the :rock of the gods” on where numerous statues of pagan gods were displayed in niches carved into the face of the cliff – What could be the symbolic meaning of Jesus’ declaration. “on this rock I will build my church”? Could this be another metaphor that Jesus was using to convey that upon the rock of pagan values and dead idolatry that the church would replace those values an institute wordship to the living God?

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Being A Disciple

What do the following verse teach you about being  disciple?

Luke 24: 45 – 48 (NLT)

    Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[f] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.

Matthew 5: 14 – 16 (NLT)

    “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Mark 8: 34 (NLT)

     Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Friday, September 2, 2022

Teaching in Ways People Understand

1. READ Matthew 13: 24 – 50. Jesus used a series of images to tech about the kingdom of heaven. What does each image teach about the kingdom? What would these images have communicated to the people of Jesus’ day? What significance do these images have to you?

a.     A man who sowed good seed, but…

b.    A mustard seed…

c.     Yeast mixed into dough…

d.    A treasure hidden in a field…

e.     A merchant looking for fine pearls…

f.      A net let down into the lake…

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Teaching in Ways People Understand

1. Which word picture did Jesus use when calling Simon Peter and Andrew to follow Him? Why do you think this image would have been meaningful to them? READ: Matthew 4: 18 - 20

1. READ: Matthew 16: 1 – 4 Jesus used the familiar images of sunrise and sunset to rebuke the Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to test Him regarding miraculous signs from heaven. Do you think they understood what he was saying? Why or why not?

1. After the encounter of Matthew 16: 1 – 4, Jesus used another common word picture as a metaphor to describe the pharisees and Sadducees, but the disciples did not understand hi meaning. (READ: Matthew 16; 5 – 12) What message(s) was Jesus conveying by using this image?

a.     How did Jesus respond to His disciples’ confusion?

b.    What do you think they learned from this experience?

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Jesus the Rabbi

1. Jesus also taught His disciples through the circumstances of life. What lessons did Jesus teach His disciples through each of the following experiences?

a.     Matthew 14: 22 – 33

b.    Mark 4: 35 – 41

c.     Mark 5: 1 – 13

d.    Do you think the disciples ever forgot these lessons?

Why or why not?

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Jesus the Rabbi

1. As the disciples observed Jesus’ teaching and interacting with people, how did they respond? READ: Mark 10: 37 – 28

1. What did Jesus do to ensure his disciples “got it” – that they understood the meaning behind His parables? READ: Mark 4: 33 & 34

1. How did Jesus respond when His disciples requested teaching on prayer, and what does this say to you about what Jesus valued in His relationship with them? READ: Luke 11: 1 – 13

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2022

Monday, August 29, 2022

Following the Example of the Rabbi

What do the following verses reveal about WHO Jesus wanted His disciples to be and WHAT He wanted them to do – HOW He wanted them to live out their faith?

Read:  Mark 3: 13 – 15;    Luke 6:40;    Luke 9: 1 - 6;     Luke 14: 27; 

           John 8: 31;   John 13: 13 – 17

1. What do these verses show us what it meant to be like the Rabbi?

1. In what ways is the picture of discipleship illustrated by these descriptions, teachings, and commands similar to or different from what we may understand discipleship to be?

1. What specific changes in our thinking and practices of discipleship might we need to make if we desire to make the kind of difference in our world that Jesus’ disciples made in their world?