There are plenty of crises in the world; plenty of reasons to feel lost, aimless, and empty. But the key to a healthy relationship with God is a continual denial of self. When you’re able to get yourself out of the way of your fulfillment, only then can God fill you completely and perfectly.
COLOSSIANS 1:24-29 The apostle Paul discovers and shares his role in Christ (Colossians 1:24-26). How does our culture strive for self-discovery? How does Paul realize and then live in the only real way that discovers self? The mystery revealed to all believers now supplies the hope of glory (v.27). How does living for Jesus discover…
MATTHEW 16:13-28 Jesus asked two serious questions and Peter answered the hard one. (v.13-16). What do both of these questions tell us about the disciples? How well can you answer these two questions? What will help us to have a faith like Peter? Peter was specifically blessed for his confession (v.17-20). Why was Peter blessed…
II KINGS 25:1-7 Zedekiah had been told how to be saved (Jeremiah 21:8-9, 38:2). Why would the king choose rebellion instead of surrender? Why do we choose rebellion instead of surrender? Zedekiah was afraid of the cost of obeying God (Jeremiah 38:17-20). What was the basis of Zedekiah’s fear? What is the basis of our…
JOB 27:2-6 Job, the most righteous man on earth, maintained his integrity (2:3). Why is it a good thing for us to maintain our integrity? What is the danger of focusing too much on maintaining our integrity? (27:5-6) Job’s three friends argued that he was being punished for his sin (11:14-15). Why would they stoop…
JOHN 10:10 Jesus came so that we can have life abundantly (John 10:10). How is life more abundant with our Good Shepherd? How many people would describe you as living abundantly? What can we do to better realize this abundant life? Jesus gives abundant life to those who follow Him (Luke 9:23). How does Jesus’…
LUKE 10:25-37 In round one, the lawyer attempts to test Jesus (v.25-28). How does Jesus reshape the discussion by His counter-question? What is missing from the lawyer’s answer to Jesus’ question? How does Jesus answer the lawyer’s impossible question? In round two, the lawyer seeks to justify himself (v.29-37). What is missing from the lawyer’s…
II TIMOTHY 3:1-5 God’s people should expect terrible behavior in the world (v.1). How does a long-lasting rejection of Jesus manifest itself? (v.13) For what reasons would God share this news with His people? Unbelievers will display increasingly selfish sins (v.2-4). What central attitude links all of the sins in these three verses? How can…
HEBREWS 12:16-17 We are not to be immoral like Esau (v.16). When we go back to Genesis, what do we find immoral about Esau? What was it about the illustration given that is still immoral? We are not to be profane like Esau (v.16). What threshold did Esau illicitly cross? When we choose immediate gratification,…