growing deep in god - lesson 3 part 3 of 3

8/3/2019 Growing Deep in God - Lesson 3 Part 3 of 3

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HOME FELLOWSHIP MINISTRYLESSON OUTLINE FROM GROWING DEEP IN GOD

INTRODUCTION - BROAD LESSON STRUCTURE

1. REFERENCEi. These lesson notes have been prepared based on the book

Growing Deep In God by Edmund Chan. ii. As far as possible, these notes have been prepared chronologically

in accordance to the chapters of the book. Where common themesrun across certain chapters, these chapters in question have beenintegrated as a single lesson. The chapter reference will be includedfor each lesson, to facilitate referencing to the book.

iii. Certain chapters of the book have been omitted from the lessonnotes, for reason that these chapters are more personal andtestimonial in nature to the author.

2. KEY QUOTES

i. This section contains salient quotations that are the embodiment ofthe chapter (s) concerned.

3. KEY TRUTHSi. This section is intended to encourage participants to identify

scriptural principles that can be gleaned from each weeks studymaterials.

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONSi. This section is the companion tool provided from the book for a

deeper understanding into the principles gleaned from eachchapter.

5. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS TOWARDS GROWING DEEPER IN

GOD AND PRAYERi. There will be various practical prayer applications introducedthroughout this 13-week series that will encourage the participantsto respond to the call of God towards a deeper life of prayer. Detailsof these will be released as the lesson progresses.

LESSON 1 PART 3 (BOOK CHAPTER 4)

THEOLOGY AND PRAYER PART 3

1. KEY QUOTES FROM CHAPTERPage 74Indeed right theology points us to Jesus. It is the blueprint for a Christ -centred Church. Itis the basis for Christ-centred disciple making. It is the impetus for Christ-centered prayers.


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2. KEY TRUTHS (Adapted from Growing Deep In God)

# 1 RIGHT THEOLOGY POINTS TO JESUSa. How can one possibly comprehend God? How can that which is finitely finite understand

the One who is infinitely infinite? One of the most remarkable tenets of Christianity isdivine revelation. God has spoken. We can meaningfully think about God, not just becauseHe has revealed His truth to us but, because He has revealed Himself to us.

b. As far as God is concerned, ultimate truth is not merely proposition-bound, but PERSON-bound. This is captured in one of the grandest revelations of all, that God became man!This is so fundamental that we can say that the entire theology of the New Testament iscentred upon the theology of the incarnation of God in Christ Jesus.

c. John 1.14 reads, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld Hisglory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.18reads, No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten God, who is in the bosom ofthe Father, He has explained Him.

d. In Christ, God is knowable. God is not just knowable He invites us to a personalrelationship with Him through His Sons redemptive work on the cross. Everything in ourrelationship with God is centred in Christ, through whom we have redemption through Hisblood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.

e. Prayer is contingent on theology. Theology is contingent on the Word of God which pointspre-eminently to Jesus Christ. We need such a Christ-centred theology to produce Christ-centred disciples who will pray Christ-centred prayers.

# 2 THE FULFILMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT THROUGH JESUS CHRISTa. In Old Testament theology, there are three great needs of man, which necessitated three

great Old Testament offices.

i. First, man needs revelation. If man is to understand his God meaningfully, there is aneed for God to reveal Himself to man. If there is a message, there must be aprophet. Jesus the Messiah is the Ultimate Messenger from God to Man(Hebrews 1-2). The prophetic office of Jesus is better than that of the prophets andangels. While they were messengers, He is the Message. While they revealed thethings of God, Christ is God revealed.

ii. Second, man needs restoration. If man is ever to walk in the revealed ways of God,he needs a Deliverer-King who would deliver him out of his bondage and help himwalk with the Almighty. Jesus the Messiah is the Ultimate Deliverer of God for

Man (Hebrews 3-4). The kingly office of Jesus is better than that of Moses thedeliverer or Joshua the conqueror. Jesus Himself is the ultimate deliverer. While theydelivered out of the bondage of man, Jesus delivers out of the bondage of sin!

iii. Third and most importantly, man needs reconciliation. He needs forgiveness of sin. Ifsinful man is to stand before a holy God, he needs someone to mediate between Godand himself. He needs a priest. Jesus the Messiah is the Ultimate Mediatorbetween God and Man (Hebrews 5-7). The priestly office of Jesus is better than thatof the Aaronic priesthood. While the Old Testament priests died, Jesus is the perfectHigh Priest who abides forever and therefore holds His priesthood permanently.


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b. Also in the Old Testament theology, there are three basic concerns in mans relationshipwith God.

i. The first is that which God has promised. This is expressed through the OldTestament covenants. Jesus is the Ultimate Covenant (Hebrews 8). Jesus is themediator of the ultimate covenant. The new covenant of grace as opposed to thecovenant of Law. The old covenant did not last not because of any intrinsic defects

in the Law of God, but because it was nullified by mans inability to keep the Law.

ii. The second is that which God seeks. This is expressed through the Old Testamenttabernacle. Jesus is the Ultimate Tabernacle (Hebrews 9). Surely, Jesus is theultimate sanctuary that is better than the tabernacle. With the tabernacle, God seeksto be among His people. With Christ, we are in God and God in us. In the greatredemptive purpose of God, a new level of intimacy is made possible.

iii. The third is that which God approves. This is expressed through the Old Testamentsacrifices. Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice (Hebrews 10). Undoubtedly, Jesus is theultimate sacrifice that is better than all the Old Testament sacrifices. The sacrifice ofChrist on the Cross for the sins of man is the ultimate once and for all sacrifice, so

that anyone who believes in Him will be saved. Faith is the key.

c. To grow deep in God, we need a firm Christ-centred foundation that we might be in Him,praying prayers that are significantly different from the status quo prayers we are makingnow!

3. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

a. Read Colossians 1.15-20 on the supremacy of Christ. What do you understand by He isthe image of the invisible God? How can your prayer life be enriched by such knowledge?

b. The book of Hebrews discusses deep things about the life of man in the hands of God Revelation, Restoration and Reconciliation. Which aspect is especially relevant to you inyour spiritual journey now?

c. Based on John 17.3, what should your life goal be?

d. Jesus holds the three-fold office of Messenger, Messiah and Mediator. How can the factthat Jesus is Mediator enhance and impact your prayer life?

growing deep in god - lesson 3 part 3 of 3

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