1) What are the duties/responsibilities of a shepherd? How would sheep behave if they did not have a shepherd?
Read Psalm 23
2) Verse 1 reads “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” What point is David making? David is making an expression of faith in this verse. He has a deep trust in God. God will meet David’s needs physical (food, drink, clothing, shelter) and spiritual (love, peace, security, joy, righteousness, etc.). He’ll never go without. Cross reference Matthew 6: 25-34.
3) Read verses 2-3. What four things does God the Shepherd do for David the Sheep? How is each beneficial to the sheep?
A) He makes the sheep (David) lie down in green pastures - Benefit is rest
Point out to the group that the Shepherd (God) MAKES the sheep (David) lie down (rest) in green pastures. Why is it that the Shepherd (God) has to make the sheep (David) lie down to gain rest? The sheep are about to journey to the next pasture. They need rest in order to make the journey successfully. Can’t stop between pastures for very long. See why in a moment.
Is it necessary for God to make us lie down and rest? What are some ways he makes us lie down? One example is the fourth commandment - Sabbath: God commanded that we rest one day out of seven. What can happen to us if we do not heed God’s command to lie down (rest)?
B) He leads me beside still/quiet waters - benefit is peace. The Shepherd (God) leads the sheep (David) to a place that is peaceful and serene. When the sheep need rest the Shepherd (God) leads them not to places that are chaotic and filled with noise and racket but to a place where they can enjoy His peace. What are some places that God has led you so that you can know peace?
C) He restores my soul. The Shepherd (God) restores the sheep’s (David’s) soul. What does that mean? Restore - to bring back to a former or original state. What do you think David’s soul was like before God restored it? Anger? Sadness? Despair? Frustration? Fear? How did God restore David’s soul? God led David away from whatever it was that changed his soul and made him rest in a place of peace and serenity. In this place David could renew his strength by spiritually feeding on the green grass and drinking the cool waters. Cross reference - Psalm 46:10. How does God restore your soul?
D) He guides me in the paths of righteousness - benefit is doing what God says is right. Why did God guide David in the paths of righteousness? For David’s glory or God’s glory? To bring glory to God’s name.
Who do you rely on when deciding to do what is right? Yourself, someone else, or God? Why do you do what is right? To bring honor to your name or the name of God?
Notice that all of the above comes before what’s next. Why? He’s giving us the strength we need to successfully make it through the difficult part of the journey.
4) Read verse 4. What imagery comes to mind when you hear the phrase “the valley of the shadow of death”? Imagery - sheep walking through a valley. On either side are hungry wolves with red eyes staring at them. Reason why sheep need rest earlier. Can’t stop in the valley of the shadow of death. Reason why he guides us down the paths of righteousness. So that we will continue to walk righteously during the difficult times.
5) Why do the sheep have to walk through this valley? Only way to get to the next pasture. A valley is located between steep mountains. Sheep can’t travel through rocky, steep mountains. Have to go through the valley where danger is constant.
For David as king - He had enemies all around him who wanted him dead in the worst way (Saul, Philistines, his own son Absalom). The shadow of death fell over him regularly. David did not fear the evil that cast the shadow of death, why? God was with him. God’s rod and staff gave him comfort.
6 a) What is the purpose of a rod? Symbol of authority. Used for guiding. The sheep wanders astray from the pack heading for danger the shepherd will tap him with the rod to get him back to safety.
b) What is the purpose of a staff? Staff has a crook at end. Used to pull sheep out of dangerous places - thorn bushes, rivers, steep places, etc.
Both are symbols of God’s mercy/grace Both give us comfort.
c) How does God’s rod and staff comfort us who are walking the valley of the shadow of death?
List examples of “valleys of shadow of death” today - Some examples terminal illnesses, drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, missionaries in dangerous nations (Islamic countries, Asia).
7) Vs. 5 - What imagery comes to mind when you read “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”? What is so significant about God anointing David’s head with oil? Cleansing from filth. Why does David’s cup overflow? Overwhelming joy of being in the presence of God. Being cared for by God. God was the host, David the guest. Ex. Stephen (Acts chapters 6 and 7)
8) Why does David believe that goodness and mercy/lovingkindness will follow him for the rest of his life? He’s following after the Shepherd (God). After making it through the most difficult part of the journey, David is confident that it will end successfully.
9) Where does David like to call home? House of God. Why? That’s where God lives. He wanted to be in the presence of God forever. Who doesn’t? Here lies the end of the journey.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Psalm 46
Read Psalm 46.
Explain purpose of Selah. When the singer said “Selah”, he stopped singing for a moment so that the audience could meditate/reflect upon the words he sang.
1) What is the context of this psalm? That is, why do you think it was written? What do you think it was written in response to? Look at some of the phrases in the psalm. God is our refuge/our strength, help in trouble; we will not fear though the world should crumble around us. One gets the sense that Jerusalem was being threatened by an outside power. Speculation that it was Assyria (II Kings 18, II Chronicles 32, Isaiah 36) mightiest empire of that time. Feared by all peoples in the Middle East. Used a combination of brutality/terror and advanced military technology (battering ram – break down towering walls). Imagine you are a citizen in Jerusalem. Your city is surrounded. Walls are being pounded day after day. Once walls come down who knows what will happen to you. For the people of Jerusalem, their world was crashing down around them. As a consequence, people were fearful/panicking. They were like the fable of the little chick screaming “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” The sons of Korah wrote this psalm in order to calm the people/to reassure the people they had nothing to fear.
2) What terms did the author of the psalm associate with God? Refuge, strength, ever-present help, Most High, Lord of host (NASB)/Almighty (NIV), stronghold (NASB)/fortress (NIV), God of Jacob (refers to God being a keeper of promises)
3) Why would the city of God not fall? Verse 4 & 5 - God is within her. Jerusalem is his city. It is where He dwells. I can imagine people in Jerusalem running around asking “Where is God?” Sons of Korah telling them He is right here. When you are going through a hard time, ever ask the question “Where is God?” as if God is a million miles away or He’s busy with someone else. In truth, for a believer, God is not way out there. He’s right here. Not a church building. God’s house is in your heart. Read John 15:5-7
4) In verse 8, the sons of Korah wrote “Come and see ..”
Who were to come and see? The people of Jerusalem.
What were they to see? see the works of God
By saying “Come and see …” the sons of Korah were striving to get the people’s attention. To get them to stop whatever they were doing/to take their focus off their fears and see the works of God, specifically the desolations God has brought on the earth.
Define the word “desolation” – utter destruction. Can you think of examples of "desolations" God brought upon the earth that the people would remember?
Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Plagues on Egypt, Jericho are a few
5) List examples of God's power found in this psalm. He speaks the earth melts; makes wars to cease, breaks the bow; shatters spears, burns chariots with fire (In NIV its shields).
6) Read verse 10. REALLY, REALLY, REALLY think about what this verse is saying.
a) In your own words, what does "Be still and know that I am God" mean?
Stop whatever you are doing externally (physical) and internally (emotional and spiritual) and recognize/understand God and who He is. And know that no matter how dire the situation is in the end God will be exalted, he will receive the glory. Bad news for the heathens, good news for the people of God
b) What did the sons of Korah know about God? Repeat the answers to questions 2-5.
c) How did they know it? They were still. They did not get caught up in the panic and fear prevalent in Jerusalem. They ceased striving and sought God and God revealed himself. They remembered who God is and how in the past He was the Savior of Jerusalem. The army threatening Jerusalem may be powerful and fearful. But the sons of Korah knew God to be more powerful and more fearful.
Read to class this summary of what sons of Korah were saying in Psalm 46:
Though our world comes crashing down around us, we will not fear. God is our refuge, our strength, our ever present help in times of trouble. God lives with us. This is His home. He will protect us. He will defend us with his awesome power. God has done it before. He will do it again. God will bring us peace.
The reason why the sons of Korah could sing this is because they stopped (stopped being fearful/being anxious/panicking) and took the time to know/recognize/understand God. As a consequence, they were know longer afraid, but filled with boldness and courage.
7) a) When your world comes crashing down around you, what is your initial response?
Examples: running away, fear, anger, anxiety, blame God or others for the situation you are in, feel abandoned by God, doubt God’s power, forget the past times He has helped you through difficult situations.
What is God telling you to do? Be still, know who I am.
Does that make sense? Rationally, no it doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense to stand still with no fear in front of a crumbling mountain or a tidal wave. But the sons of Korah said they could. Verses 2 and 3. Why? They knew God - His power and His promises.
8) What can prevent us from being still and knowing God? Schedule, stress, questions about the future, job, school, worry, anxiety, activities, entertainment, ministry
If your Assyria is despair; be still; know God's hope.
If your Assyria is unconfessed sin; be still; know God's forgiveness.
If your Assyria is drugs/alcoholism/pornography; be still; know God's freedom from addiction.
If your Assyria is unemployment; be still; know God's provision.
If your Assyria is uncertainty about the future; be still; know God's patience/trust.
If your Assyria is stress; be still; know God's peace.
If your Assyria is grief; be still; know God's comfort.
If your Assyria is pain; be still; know God's healing.
APPLICATION:
Take time to be still/cease striving and know God through prayer, worship, His Word, reflection/remembering. Whatever the situation is, take focus of it and put it on God and He will reveal Himself to you. You will gain the boldness and the courage to confront the situation you are in. In the end, when it is all said and done, God will be exalted.
Explain purpose of Selah. When the singer said “Selah”, he stopped singing for a moment so that the audience could meditate/reflect upon the words he sang.
1) What is the context of this psalm? That is, why do you think it was written? What do you think it was written in response to? Look at some of the phrases in the psalm. God is our refuge/our strength, help in trouble; we will not fear though the world should crumble around us. One gets the sense that Jerusalem was being threatened by an outside power. Speculation that it was Assyria (II Kings 18, II Chronicles 32, Isaiah 36) mightiest empire of that time. Feared by all peoples in the Middle East. Used a combination of brutality/terror and advanced military technology (battering ram – break down towering walls). Imagine you are a citizen in Jerusalem. Your city is surrounded. Walls are being pounded day after day. Once walls come down who knows what will happen to you. For the people of Jerusalem, their world was crashing down around them. As a consequence, people were fearful/panicking. They were like the fable of the little chick screaming “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” The sons of Korah wrote this psalm in order to calm the people/to reassure the people they had nothing to fear.
2) What terms did the author of the psalm associate with God? Refuge, strength, ever-present help, Most High, Lord of host (NASB)/Almighty (NIV), stronghold (NASB)/fortress (NIV), God of Jacob (refers to God being a keeper of promises)
3) Why would the city of God not fall? Verse 4 & 5 - God is within her. Jerusalem is his city. It is where He dwells. I can imagine people in Jerusalem running around asking “Where is God?” Sons of Korah telling them He is right here. When you are going through a hard time, ever ask the question “Where is God?” as if God is a million miles away or He’s busy with someone else. In truth, for a believer, God is not way out there. He’s right here. Not a church building. God’s house is in your heart. Read John 15:5-7
4) In verse 8, the sons of Korah wrote “Come and see ..”
Who were to come and see? The people of Jerusalem.
What were they to see? see the works of God
By saying “Come and see …” the sons of Korah were striving to get the people’s attention. To get them to stop whatever they were doing/to take their focus off their fears and see the works of God, specifically the desolations God has brought on the earth.
Define the word “desolation” – utter destruction. Can you think of examples of "desolations" God brought upon the earth that the people would remember?
Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Plagues on Egypt, Jericho are a few
5) List examples of God's power found in this psalm. He speaks the earth melts; makes wars to cease, breaks the bow; shatters spears, burns chariots with fire (In NIV its shields).
6) Read verse 10. REALLY, REALLY, REALLY think about what this verse is saying.
a) In your own words, what does "Be still and know that I am God" mean?
Stop whatever you are doing externally (physical) and internally (emotional and spiritual) and recognize/understand God and who He is. And know that no matter how dire the situation is in the end God will be exalted, he will receive the glory. Bad news for the heathens, good news for the people of God
b) What did the sons of Korah know about God? Repeat the answers to questions 2-5.
c) How did they know it? They were still. They did not get caught up in the panic and fear prevalent in Jerusalem. They ceased striving and sought God and God revealed himself. They remembered who God is and how in the past He was the Savior of Jerusalem. The army threatening Jerusalem may be powerful and fearful. But the sons of Korah knew God to be more powerful and more fearful.
Read to class this summary of what sons of Korah were saying in Psalm 46:
Though our world comes crashing down around us, we will not fear. God is our refuge, our strength, our ever present help in times of trouble. God lives with us. This is His home. He will protect us. He will defend us with his awesome power. God has done it before. He will do it again. God will bring us peace.
The reason why the sons of Korah could sing this is because they stopped (stopped being fearful/being anxious/panicking) and took the time to know/recognize/understand God. As a consequence, they were know longer afraid, but filled with boldness and courage.
7) a) When your world comes crashing down around you, what is your initial response?
Examples: running away, fear, anger, anxiety, blame God or others for the situation you are in, feel abandoned by God, doubt God’s power, forget the past times He has helped you through difficult situations.
What is God telling you to do? Be still, know who I am.
Does that make sense? Rationally, no it doesn’t. It doesn’t make sense to stand still with no fear in front of a crumbling mountain or a tidal wave. But the sons of Korah said they could. Verses 2 and 3. Why? They knew God - His power and His promises.
8) What can prevent us from being still and knowing God? Schedule, stress, questions about the future, job, school, worry, anxiety, activities, entertainment, ministry
If your Assyria is despair; be still; know God's hope.
If your Assyria is unconfessed sin; be still; know God's forgiveness.
If your Assyria is drugs/alcoholism/pornography; be still; know God's freedom from addiction.
If your Assyria is unemployment; be still; know God's provision.
If your Assyria is uncertainty about the future; be still; know God's patience/trust.
If your Assyria is stress; be still; know God's peace.
If your Assyria is grief; be still; know God's comfort.
If your Assyria is pain; be still; know God's healing.
APPLICATION:
Take time to be still/cease striving and know God through prayer, worship, His Word, reflection/remembering. Whatever the situation is, take focus of it and put it on God and He will reveal Himself to you. You will gain the boldness and the courage to confront the situation you are in. In the end, when it is all said and done, God will be exalted.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 3
6. vs. 23-24 – What is the fourth woe? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law are faithful in their tithing, but they neglected to obey the spirit of the Law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness to their fellow man. Deuteronomy 14:22 - You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. God was referring to seeds that produced agricultural crops such as wheat, barley, grapes, olives, etc. The Pharisees practiced extreme seed tithing. They tithed the produce from small home garden seeds such as dill, mint, and cumin. Moreover, paying tithes with dill required that the seeds, leaves and the stems were to be used. Otherwise, the tithe would be rejected. The strict Pharisee would carefully strain his drinking water through a cloth to make certain he did not swallow a gnat, the smallest ceremonially unclean animal. But Jesus said that they had no problem swallowing a camel, one the largest unclean animals. The purpose of analogy – the Pharisees were faithful to strictly observe the Law to the “t” so that people could see how “clean” they were, but when it came to the spirit of the Law – justice, mercy, faithfulness to God and fellow man – they were “unclean.” Does the fourth woe exist today? Are there church attenders who are faithful in giving their tithe, read their Bibles everyday, can tell you the difference between Calvinism and Arminianism, explain the Holy Trinity, but when it comes to looking out for the needs of others – show justice and mercy – faithfulness - stand beside them through thick and thin – they are sorely lacking.
7. vs. 25-28. What is Jesus saying to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in the fifth and sixth woes? Outwardly you appear clean, righteous, and spiritual to others with your phylacteries, tassels, tithing, praying, and works, but within you are full of greed, selfish, hypocrisy, and lawlessness. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law believed it was one’s ability to follow the Law and oral traditions that made a person “clean” or “unclean.” When in truth, it is what is in our heart that makes us “clean.” Read Matthew 15:10-20. Jesus really hurt the Pharisees with these two woes. They went to great lengths to keep their physical appearance clean. A speck of dirt on their clothes or skin made them “unclean.” Whitewashed tombs – Why were tombs painted white? A person who stepped on a grave was ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16), so graves were whitewashed to make them easily visible, especially at night. They appeared clean and beautiful on the outside but were dirty and rotten on the inside. Ex. Hollywood Cemetery. Do the fifth and sixth woes exist today?
8. What is the seventh woe? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law built themselves up in the eyes of the people by tearing down their ancestors. They said if we lived in the days of our ancestors we would not taken part in the persecution and murder of the prophets. We would have defended the prophets. We would have died with them. Jesus was like “OH PUHLEEZE!!!!!!!” You guys would have been right there with them in killing and persecuting the prophets. Why? Like Jesus did to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, the prophets, inspired by God, condemned the people of Israel and Judah for their hypocrisy. Read Isaiah 1:10-17. The reaction of the people (ancestors of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law) towards the condemning words of the prophets was– violence and murder. The Pharisees will respond the same way to Jesus and his followers. Read vs. 34. Does the seventh woe exist today? When you were younger, did you ever point your finger at the previous generation and say “I will never make mistakes they made!”? 20-30 years go by and you’re doing what you said you would not do.
9. vs. 37-39 – Who is Jesus speaking to and what did he tell them? Do his words ring true today? Jesus expands his final woe beyond the Pharisees and teachers of the Law to include all the people of Jerusalem. They were also guilty of violence and murder against the prophets. Despite their guilt, Jesus wanted to reach out to the people to protect them but the people rejected him. He pointed to the Temple and said “Look at your house that you take such pride in … that is so massive and beautiful! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge me to be the Messiah, the Anointed One, your king and God!” Is Jesus crying out to millions of church attenders around the USA pointing his finger at their beautiful places of worship and saying “Look at your church that you take such pride in! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge with your lips and your deeds that I am your one and only Savior and Lord!”
7. vs. 25-28. What is Jesus saying to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in the fifth and sixth woes? Outwardly you appear clean, righteous, and spiritual to others with your phylacteries, tassels, tithing, praying, and works, but within you are full of greed, selfish, hypocrisy, and lawlessness. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law believed it was one’s ability to follow the Law and oral traditions that made a person “clean” or “unclean.” When in truth, it is what is in our heart that makes us “clean.” Read Matthew 15:10-20. Jesus really hurt the Pharisees with these two woes. They went to great lengths to keep their physical appearance clean. A speck of dirt on their clothes or skin made them “unclean.” Whitewashed tombs – Why were tombs painted white? A person who stepped on a grave was ceremonially unclean (Numbers 19:16), so graves were whitewashed to make them easily visible, especially at night. They appeared clean and beautiful on the outside but were dirty and rotten on the inside. Ex. Hollywood Cemetery. Do the fifth and sixth woes exist today?
8. What is the seventh woe? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law built themselves up in the eyes of the people by tearing down their ancestors. They said if we lived in the days of our ancestors we would not taken part in the persecution and murder of the prophets. We would have defended the prophets. We would have died with them. Jesus was like “OH PUHLEEZE!!!!!!!” You guys would have been right there with them in killing and persecuting the prophets. Why? Like Jesus did to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, the prophets, inspired by God, condemned the people of Israel and Judah for their hypocrisy. Read Isaiah 1:10-17. The reaction of the people (ancestors of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law) towards the condemning words of the prophets was– violence and murder. The Pharisees will respond the same way to Jesus and his followers. Read vs. 34. Does the seventh woe exist today? When you were younger, did you ever point your finger at the previous generation and say “I will never make mistakes they made!”? 20-30 years go by and you’re doing what you said you would not do.
9. vs. 37-39 – Who is Jesus speaking to and what did he tell them? Do his words ring true today? Jesus expands his final woe beyond the Pharisees and teachers of the Law to include all the people of Jerusalem. They were also guilty of violence and murder against the prophets. Despite their guilt, Jesus wanted to reach out to the people to protect them but the people rejected him. He pointed to the Temple and said “Look at your house that you take such pride in … that is so massive and beautiful! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge me to be the Messiah, the Anointed One, your king and God!” Is Jesus crying out to millions of church attenders around the USA pointing his finger at their beautiful places of worship and saying “Look at your church that you take such pride in! It is empty! God no longer lives there! I no longer live there! You reject me, you reject God! You will not see me again until you acknowledge with your lips and your deeds that I am your one and only Savior and Lord!”
Thursday, August 9, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 2
vs. 5: “broad phylacteries” and “long fringes” – The Pharisees and teachers of the Law went out of their way to let everyone know how godly/holy they were in the way they dressed. Phylacteries were boxes containing Scriptures [Exodus 1:9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21] worn on forehead and arm. According to Jesus, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law wore larger than normal phylacteries. Why? To hold more of the Scriptures for the purpose of gaining public acclaim. Purpose of the tassels – outward remembrance of God’s commandments/God’s deliverance. They were a symbol of holiness [Numbers 15:37-41] According to Jesus, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law wore longer than normal tassels. Why? Same as the phylacteries. Gain public acclaim.
Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders associate clothing and/or physical appearance with being a “true” Christian? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Acts chapter 15.
vs. 6-12: The Pharisees and teachers of the Law loved the “perks” that came with their position in Jewish society. If someone did not show them the “respect” owed to them, they were insulted and let everyone know you insulted them. Jesus made it clear to the crowds and his disciples that only God and His Son were deserving of the “respect” the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law demanded. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders crave the respect/honor/glory/limelight? Do they regard serving God as a means to build themselves up? Give examples. Grove Hill MP church. Should it exist? Read James chapter 2.
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 2
Read Matthew 23:13-36
1. What is a hypocrite? A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. The Greeks associated the word with actors.
2. vs. 13 – What was the first woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They denied people access to God. The slam the door shut so that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven, not even themselves. How? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law can’t enter because of their unrighteousness and hypocrisy. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law deny others entry into the kingdom of heaven by a) placing upon them the heavy burden of the oral laws and traditions that the people could never live up to and b) The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law turned people away from entering the kingdom of heaven. Does the first woe exist today? Explain. What is a main reason, if not the number 1 reason, why nonbelievers reject Christianity/visit church? Churches are full of hypocrites. How do nonbelievers make that judgment? They see how church attenders act Monday-Saturday and it is not the same as church attenders act on Sunday.
3. vs. 15 – What was the second woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They will do whatever it takes to convert someone to their beliefs. When they succeed, that person becomes spiritually worse than they are. That person becomes brainwashed. It is nearly impossible to convince that person to reject the lie they believe to be truth and/or accept the truth they believe to be a lie. Does the second woe exist today? Explain.
4. vs. 16 What does Jesus call the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? Blind guides. Why? They are teachers who have no clue where they are going. They think the path they are teaching/leading leads to heaven when in fact they are leading people to hell.
5. vs. 16-22 - what is the third woe? What is the purpose of taking an oath? A solemn appeal to something sacred to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law differentiated between which oaths were binding and which were not. This allowed for evasive oath taking. Example – The Pharisees and teachers of the Law taught that if you made an oath by the temple, it was not binding; however, if you made an oath by the gold found in the temple, you had to fulfill you’re oath. Jesus condemned this deceitful behavior. He insisted that people tell the truth with no conditions. Does the third woe exist today? Explain. The word of a Christian should be trustworthy.
Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders associate clothing and/or physical appearance with being a “true” Christian? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Acts chapter 15.
vs. 6-12: The Pharisees and teachers of the Law loved the “perks” that came with their position in Jewish society. If someone did not show them the “respect” owed to them, they were insulted and let everyone know you insulted them. Jesus made it clear to the crowds and his disciples that only God and His Son were deserving of the “respect” the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law demanded. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders crave the respect/honor/glory/limelight? Do they regard serving God as a means to build themselves up? Give examples. Grove Hill MP church. Should it exist? Read James chapter 2.
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 2
Read Matthew 23:13-36
1. What is a hypocrite? A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. The Greeks associated the word with actors.
2. vs. 13 – What was the first woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They denied people access to God. The slam the door shut so that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven, not even themselves. How? The Pharisees and teachers of the Law can’t enter because of their unrighteousness and hypocrisy. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law deny others entry into the kingdom of heaven by a) placing upon them the heavy burden of the oral laws and traditions that the people could never live up to and b) The hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law turned people away from entering the kingdom of heaven. Does the first woe exist today? Explain. What is a main reason, if not the number 1 reason, why nonbelievers reject Christianity/visit church? Churches are full of hypocrites. How do nonbelievers make that judgment? They see how church attenders act Monday-Saturday and it is not the same as church attenders act on Sunday.
3. vs. 15 – What was the second woe Jesus directed at the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? They will do whatever it takes to convert someone to their beliefs. When they succeed, that person becomes spiritually worse than they are. That person becomes brainwashed. It is nearly impossible to convince that person to reject the lie they believe to be truth and/or accept the truth they believe to be a lie. Does the second woe exist today? Explain.
4. vs. 16 What does Jesus call the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? Blind guides. Why? They are teachers who have no clue where they are going. They think the path they are teaching/leading leads to heaven when in fact they are leading people to hell.
5. vs. 16-22 - what is the third woe? What is the purpose of taking an oath? A solemn appeal to something sacred to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law differentiated between which oaths were binding and which were not. This allowed for evasive oath taking. Example – The Pharisees and teachers of the Law taught that if you made an oath by the temple, it was not binding; however, if you made an oath by the gold found in the temple, you had to fulfill you’re oath. Jesus condemned this deceitful behavior. He insisted that people tell the truth with no conditions. Does the third woe exist today? Explain. The word of a Christian should be trustworthy.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
WHEN JESUS GETS ANGRY Pt. 1
Read Matthew 23:1-12
Setting: Jesus is at the Temple.
1) Who is listening to Jesus? The crowds, the disciples. And if you read the previous two chapters, Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.
2) How does Jesus characterize the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law in these verses? Egotistical, narcissistic, prideful, arrogant, knowledgeable,
vs. 2: “sit on Moses’ seat” – symbolized a position of authority. The Pharisees regarded themselves as the authorized successors to Moses. In other words, we have a monopoly on God. The only way to God is through us. John the Baptist and Jesus are heretics. Does this mind-set exist today? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Mark 9:38-40
vs. 3: Do what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law say but not what they do. They do not practice what they preach. Jesus expounds on this later.
vs. 4: “Heavy burdens” – reference to the thousands of oral laws that the Pharisees regarded as having equal authority with the Scriptures. They taught the people that if you want to be righteous …if you want to know God’s blessing and not God’s curse/wrath … you have to know and follow all the oral laws as well as the Scriptures. Read Matthew 11:28-30: The “labor” and “heavy laden” Jesus is referring to are the oral laws taught by the Pharisees. Rather than give people joy and hope, the oral laws made them miserable and hopeless. They couldn’t remember the thousands of oral laws. If they could not live by the oral law, they were condemned by God according to the Pharisees. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders place additional conditions on being a Christian beyond what the Scriptures say? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Romans chapters 14 and 15.
vs. 4: “they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger” – Pharisees and teachers of the Law have no problem placing burdens on the people; however, they are not willing to place it upon themselves. The Pharisees did not hold themselves accountable to obeying the oral laws the way they did the people. They had no problem judging/condemning others who did not follow the oral laws traditions they taught, but rarely if ever did they judge themselves. Who judges/condemns the Pharisee or the teacher of the Law for failing to abide by the oral laws? No one. They regarded themselves to be above everyone else. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders pass judgment on others and yet fail to live up to the standards of perfection they have set for others? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 3:23
Setting: Jesus is at the Temple.
1) Who is listening to Jesus? The crowds, the disciples. And if you read the previous two chapters, Pharisees and the teachers of the Law.
2) How does Jesus characterize the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law in these verses? Egotistical, narcissistic, prideful, arrogant, knowledgeable,
vs. 2: “sit on Moses’ seat” – symbolized a position of authority. The Pharisees regarded themselves as the authorized successors to Moses. In other words, we have a monopoly on God. The only way to God is through us. John the Baptist and Jesus are heretics. Does this mind-set exist today? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Mark 9:38-40
vs. 3: Do what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law say but not what they do. They do not practice what they preach. Jesus expounds on this later.
vs. 4: “Heavy burdens” – reference to the thousands of oral laws that the Pharisees regarded as having equal authority with the Scriptures. They taught the people that if you want to be righteous …if you want to know God’s blessing and not God’s curse/wrath … you have to know and follow all the oral laws as well as the Scriptures. Read Matthew 11:28-30: The “labor” and “heavy laden” Jesus is referring to are the oral laws taught by the Pharisees. Rather than give people joy and hope, the oral laws made them miserable and hopeless. They couldn’t remember the thousands of oral laws. If they could not live by the oral law, they were condemned by God according to the Pharisees. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders place additional conditions on being a Christian beyond what the Scriptures say? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Romans chapters 14 and 15.
vs. 4: “they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger” – Pharisees and teachers of the Law have no problem placing burdens on the people; however, they are not willing to place it upon themselves. The Pharisees did not hold themselves accountable to obeying the oral laws the way they did the people. They had no problem judging/condemning others who did not follow the oral laws traditions they taught, but rarely if ever did they judge themselves. Who judges/condemns the Pharisee or the teacher of the Law for failing to abide by the oral laws? No one. They regarded themselves to be above everyone else. Does this mind-set exist today? Do church attenders pass judgment on others and yet fail to live up to the standards of perfection they have set for others? Give examples. Should it exist? Read Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 3:23
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)