jesus' commands
DESCRIPTION
commands of JesusTRANSCRIPT
1. RepentMatthew 4:17, Luke 13:3
2. Let not your heart be troubledJohn 14:27,
John 16:33, Matthew 6:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7
3. Follow meMatthew 4:19
4. RejoiceMatthew 5:12, (Also 2 Corinthians 6:10,
12:10, James 1:2-4)
5. Let your light shineMatthew 5:16
6. Honor Gods lawMatthew 5:17-19
7. Be reconciledMatthew 5:24-25
8. Do not commit adulteryMatthew 5:27-30
9. Keep your wordMatthew 5:33-37
10. Go the second mileMatthew 5:38-42
11. Love your enemiesMatthew 5:44
12. Be perfectMatthew 5:48
13. Practice secret disciplines (giving, praying,
fasting)Matthew 6:1-18
14. Lay up treasures in heavenMatthew 6:19-21
15. Seek first the kingdom of GodMatthew 6:33
16. Judge notMatthew 7:1-2
17. Do not throw your pearls to pigsMatthew 7:6
18. Ask, seek, and knockMatthew 7:7-8
19. Do unto othersMatthew 7:12
20. Choose the narrow wayMatthew 7:13-14
21. Beware of false prophetsMatthew 7:15
22. Pray for those who spread the wordMatthew
9:37-38
23. Be as shrewd as serpentsMatthew 10:16.
(Also Romans 16:19)
24. Fear God. Do not fear man Matthew 10:28
(Also Luke 12:4-5)
25. Listen to Gods voiceMatthew 11:15, 13:9,
13:43, Mark 4:23, Luke 14:35, 1 Kings 19:11-13
26.Take my yokeMatthew 11:29
27. Honor your parentsMatthew 15:4
28. Beware of false teachingMatthew 16:6, 11-12
29. Deny yourselfLuke 9:23 (Also Matthew 10:38
and Mark 8:34)
30. Do not despise little onesMatthew 18:10
31. Go to Christians who offend youMatthew
18:15 (Also Galatians 6:1)
32. Forgive offendersMatthew 18:21-22 (Also
Proverbs 19:11)
33. Beware of covetousnessLuke 12:15
34. Honor marriageMatthew 19:6, 19:9
35. Lead by being a servantMatthew 20:26-28
36. Make the church a house of prayer for all
nationsMark 11:17
37. Pray in faithMatthew 21:21-22, John 15:7
38. Bring in the poorLuke 14:12-14
39. Render unto CaesarMatthew 22:19-21
40. Love the LordMatthew 22:37-38
41. Love your neighborMatthew 22:39
42. Be born againJohn 3:7
43. Await my returnMatthew 24:42-44
44. Celebrate the Lords supperMatthew 26:26-
27
45. Watch and prayMatthew 26:41
46. Keep my commandmentsJohn 14:15
47. Feed my sheepJohn 21:15-16
48. Make and baptize disciplesMatthew 28:19
49. Teach disciples to obeyMatthew 28:20
50. Receive Gods powerLuke 24:49
Among Jesus last commands to us are those given in the verses known as The
Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) in which he says, therefor go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. The word
disciple itself means learner or pupil. Thus, it is with this spirit of being a
disciple or a learner that we approach these commands.
Before we get to the commands themselves, let us look at two things that Jesus
said about obeying his commands.
John 14:15 ____________________________________________________________John 14:21, 23_________________________________________________________Another question: Why should we obey Christs commands? Psalm 103:17-18,
John 15:10-11
Now, the commands themselves:
1. RepentMatthew 4:17, Proverbs 1:23, Psalm 51:14, Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19,
8:22, 26:20, Revelation 3:19
2. Let not your heart be troubled (dont worry)John 14:27, John 16:33,
Matthew 6:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7
3. Follow meMatthew 4:19so you can ____________________________________4. RejoiceMatthew 5:12, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 12:10, James 1:2-4. When should
we rejoice the most?
5. Let your light shineMatthew 5:16. There are two parts to this command
which are _____________________________
and
Is this command a contradiction to Matthew 6:3-4?
6. Honor Gods lawMatthew 5:17-19. How do we occasionally encourage
others to break Gods rules? Why is it difficult to practice what we preach?
What did Jesus say about obeying his commands?
John 14:15
If you love me, you will obey my commands
John 14:21, 23
Obey my commands and the Father and I will love you
Why should we obey Christs commands?
Psalm 103:17-18 - 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lords love is with
those who fear him, and his righteousness with their childrens children18 with
those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
John 15:10-11 - 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I
have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this
so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
1. Repent if Jesus very first commandbefore he called his disciples, before he
did any miracles, and before he preached a message. It is found in Matthew 4:17:
From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
near.
Jesus command to repent is repeated in a number of other places in the New
Testament. However, it is not a new command and we find the call to repent at
least 60 times in the Old Testament and more than 15 times in the New Testament.
3. Follow meMatthew 4:19so you can
be fishers of men
4. Rejoice. Jesus says specifically that we should rejoice most when we are
persecuted. This is explained further by both Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:10 and 12:10
and especially in James 1:2-4.
5. Let your light shineMatthew 5:16. There are two parts to this command
which are
Let your good deeds be seen
and
so the Father will be praised
Is this command a contradiction to Matthew 6:3-4? 3 But when you give to the
needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your
giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will
reward you.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says to let your good deeds to the needy be seen but in
Matthew 6:3-4 he says to let your giving to the needy be done in secret. They
would seem to contradict each other except for the second part of the first
command which says that your deeds should be seen only so the glory goes to the
Lord, i.e., that others would see your deeds and praise the Father. Your deeds and
your giving should not be to impress others or build your ego.
6. Honor Gods Law. Matthew 5:17-19 could easily be a Bible study by itself.
Here are some things to think about when considering these verses:
In discussing sin, why did Jesus make a point of saying, one of the least of
these commandments?
How do we occasionally encourage others to break Gods rules?
What level of reverence and submission do you think most people have toward
the Bible?
What does it mean to practice the commandments of God?
What are some ways to teach others about the righteousness of God?
Why is it difficult to practice what we preach?
What ideals are most difficult for you to uphold?
7. Be reconciledMatthew 5:24-25. Why is an out-of-court settlement better
than a judges decision?
Why is it preferable for Christians to quietly resolve conflicts rather than battle
over them publicly?
8. Do not commit adulteryMatthew 5:27-30. How did Jesus expand the
definition of adultery in Gods eyes?
Whats wrong with the statement, its okay to look as long as you dont touch?
Did Jesus mean what he said literally in 5:29-30? Why did he make this radical
statement?
9. Keep your wordMatthew 5:33-37. How did Jesus update the ancient proverb
about oaths? Why is it inappropriate to swear by heaven? By earth? By your head?
In what situations do people often swear? How do we take the name of God lightly
or frivolously?
How does lying in the name of God affect the reputation of God?
10. Go the second mileMatthew 5:38-42. Where do we draw the line between
our rights and the responsibility to be forgiving and patient?
Can love really overcome evil? How can doing good change a bad situation?
11. Love your enemiesMatthew 5:44. Is this a new command? (Exodus 23:4-5,
Deut 22:1-4, Proverbs 25:21)
God loves and treats evil and good people the same way. Why is it so difficult for
us to do the same?
Is praying for an enemy a good first step to loving him?
12. Be perfectMatthew 5:48. Who set the example for us?
Is it possible for us to carry out this command? Does that mean we shouldnt try?
13. Practice secret disciplines (giving, praying, fasting)Matthew 6:1-18.
What does it mean to not let your left hand know what your right is doing?
If you give in secret, who will reward you? When?
There are four elements of prayer. What are they? (Remember ACTS)
Is it realistic to fast today? In secret? Why?
14. Lay up treasures in heavenMatthew 6:19-21.
How can we determine where our treasure is (and thus where our hearts are)?
What idols distract you from storing your treasure in heaven?
15. Seek first the kingdom of GodMatthew 6:33.
How can you seek God and Gods will for your life? How can you seek His
kingdom? What are your priorities in life?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this process?
16. Judge notMatthew 7:1-2.
By what measure will we be judged? Is this a clich or when we judge others do
we set ourselves up to be judged in exactly the same way? Give an example.
When, if ever, should we criticize or judge someone else?
17. Do not throw your pearls to pigsMatthew 7:6.
What does this really mean?
Can pigs digest pearls? What if you provide indigestible wisdom to the wrong
person at the wrong time?
Might it be better to be an example and wait for an opportunity to share your faith
and show the evidence of Christs transforming power to draw in hurting people?
We are about one-third of the way through the 50 commands of Jesus, but still in
the Sermon on the Mount. Lets consider the next 4 commands.
18. Ask, seek, and knockMatthew 7:7-8. What did Jesus say would happen if
we bring our requests to him? (John 15:7-8)
What do you tend to pray about? For what are you reluctant to pray?
How did Luke enlarge upon this command? (Luke 11:5-13)
19. Do unto othersMatthew 7:12. This is commonly called
Is this something new from Jesus? (Leviticus 19:18) This is probably the most
repeated command in the entire Bible. What does that mean?
If we follow this command, will it get us to heaven? If we dont follow it, are we
rejected from heaven? (James 2:14, 2:26)
Is this an easy command to follow? All the time? With everyone?
20. Choose the narrow wayMatthew 7:13-14. This is referred to both as a gate
and a road; which seems to make more sense to you?
Jesus said two important things about the road that leads to destruction. They are:
How many people find the small gate and narrow road? Does that mean God is
hiding it from us?
Is choosing the narrow gate a one-time choice? If we walk along the broad road,
does that mean we are shut off from the narrow way?
Why is it difficult to stay on the narrow road? Do you really want to? What actions
can you take this week to help you stay on the narrow way?
21. Beware of false prophetsMatthew 7:15.
What do false prophets look like on the outside? What are they like inwardly?
Is this a big deal today? Are there modern-day false prophets? Who might they be?
What is their motive (fame, power, glory, or ____)? Might they be well-meaning?
22. Pray for those who spread the wordMatthew 9:37-38. For whom did Jesus
tell his disciples to pray?
Who are the non-Christians in your life? What can you do to help them see their
need for Christ?
What barriers stand in the way of people you know listening to the gospel?
23. Be as shrewd as serpentsMatthew 10:16. (Also see Romans 16:19)
Why did Jesus give this command? If Jesus were here talking to us today, do you
hink he would emphasize this command or downplay it?
Jesus said his apostles should be like two very different animals: _____ and _____
What does the Bible say are the characteristics of these animals?
Why did Jesus say his followers must be shrewd? That doesnt sound like Jesus.
24. Fear God. Do not fear man Matthew 10:28, also Luke 12:4-5.
What is the soul as mentioned here? (Psalm 35:9-10, Psalm 6:3)
How does the possibility of persecution make you feel? Realistically, in America
today, could you be actually persecuted for your Christian views? How?
Do (or should) we serve God because we are afraid of him?
25. Listen to Gods voiceMatthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43, Mark 4:23, Luke 14:35,
1 Kings 19:11-13
Jesus often gave this simple command after telling a ____________.
What did Jesus mean by this simple command?
Would it be likely to broaden his audience or make it smaller?
How might it be expressed today?
How can we consider more carefully what we hear?
23. Be as shrewd as serpents
Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves;
be wary and wise (shrewd, prudent) as serpents, and be innocent (harmless,
guileless, and without falsity, also simple) as doves. (Amplified Bible)
In Biblical times, the word shrewd did not have the same derogatory sense of
meaning that it seems to have today. It was a more positive term meaning cautious,
wise, and prudent. Also, a serpent tends to adapt to its surroundings taking on the
temperature of the surface it is lying on and sniffing the air with its tongue.
Think of what this means in interacting with people you dont know.
24. Fear God. Do not fear man
The soul is not a spiritual aspect in distinction from the physical, nor is it the
inner being in distinction from the outer being, but it is his very self as a
living, conscious, personal being. Bones in Psalm 6:2 and soul in 6:3 are not
separate but were two ways of the David referring to himself, to his whole being
(Psalm 35:10)
25. Listen to Gods voice
The passage in 1 Kings about listening to Gods voice is especially meaningful.
Chances are, God will not speak to you from a burning bush, a hurricane wind, or
an earthquake, but in a very quiet place, perhaps when you least expect it.
1 Kings 19:11-13 - 11 The LORD said, Go out and stand on the mountain in the
presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the
rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there
was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the
earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a
gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went
out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?
26.Take my yokeMatthew 11:29.
What did Jesus mean by this command? (John 13:15, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter
2:21, 1 John 2:6 )
Is this a new command? (Isaiah 30:21)
If we obey this command, what does Jesus say will happen to us? (Jeremiah 6:16,
Psalm 116:7)
27. Honor your parentsMatthew 15:4.
Was this a new command of Jesus? (Exodus 20:12, 21:17, Deut. 5:16, Lev. 20:9)
To who did Jesus give this command? Does that mean its not meant for us?
What if your parents dont deserve your honor or respect?
What do you think of the extreme penalty for disobeying this command?
28. Beware of false teachingMatthew 16:6, 11-12.
Jesus likens wrong ideas to yeast. What does that mean? Can one small wrong idea
get you into trouble? How?
How can we judge whether the spiritual teaching we receive is healthy or
dangerous?
29. Deny yourselfLuke 9:23 (Also Matthew 10:38 and Mark 8:34).
What does it mean to take up your cross?
How about to deny yourself? In what do you take the most pride? Why?
Have you ever made a sacrifice for the sake of someone else? When? How?
In what ways can you lose your life for Jesus?
26.Take my yoke
Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
John 13:15 - I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Philippians 2:5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 2:21 - To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving
you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 John 2:6 - Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Isaiah 30:21 - Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a
voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.
Jeremiah 6:16 - This is what the LORD says: Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will
find rest for your souls. But you said, We will not walk in it.
Psalm 116:7 - Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to
you.
27. Honor your parents
Matthew 15:4 - For God said, Honor your father and mother and Anyone who
curses his father or mother must be put to death.
Exodus 20:12 - Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in
the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Deut. 5:16 - Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has
commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the
land the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 21:17 - Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.
Lev. 20:9 - If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has
cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head.
28. Beware of false teaching
Matthew 16:6 - Be careful, Jesus said to them. Be on your guard against the
yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Matthew 16:11-12 - 11 How is it you dont understand that I was not talking to you
about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and
Sadducees. 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against
the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
29. Deny yourself
Luke 9:23 - 23 Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must
deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good
is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
The cross was an instrument of death and here symbolizes the necessity of total
commitmenteven unto deathon the part of Jesus disciples. Cross bearing
includes a willingness to suffer and die for the Lords sake.
To deny yourself means to cease to make yourself the object of ones life and
actions.
30. Do not despise little onesMatthew 18:10.
Why is it important to teach children about God from the time they are very small?
Are guardian angels mainly for children or are they for all of Gods people? Psalm
34:7, Psalm 91:11, Hebrews 1:14.
What do you believe about angels? What are some functions of angels? Are there
many mentions of angels in the Bible?
31. Go to Christians who offend youMatthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1.
What did Jesus set forth as the first step in resolving a conflict? Is this what you
generally do?
Why is it best to resolve conflicts quickly? In private?
What does Jesus say to do if someone will not listen to you?Matthew 18:16-17
32. Forgive offendersMatthew 18:21-22, Proverbs 19:11
How often did Jesus say we must forgive someone who offends us?
How likely are you to forgive someone three or four times for the same thing?
In what way has God shown mercy in forgiving our sins? If God is so willing to
forgive us, why are we often unwilling to forgive others?
What are the Godly consequences of forgiving and not forgiving? Matthew 6:14-15.
Do we sometimes forgive with strings attached?
So was Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) wrong to seek revenge against the thugs
that raped his daughter and killed his wife in Death Wish? Is Lee Childs Jack
Reacher really marching down the wrong road? Romans 12:17-19
30. Do not despise little ones
Matthew 18:10 - Beware that you dont look down on any of these little ones. For
I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly
Father.
Psalm 34:7 - For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all
who fear him.
Psalm 91:11 - For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
Hebrews 1:14 - Therefore, angels are only servantsspirits sent to care for people
who will inherit salvation.
Angles are mentioned 390 times in the Bible. Naves Topical Bible has 4 pages of
references about angels. It is easily a topic for many weeks of study. Some
functions: guard the way of the tree of life (Gen 3:24), Law given by (Acts 7:53,
Gal 3:19), medium of revelation to prophets (2 Kings 1:15, Dan 4:13-17, 8:19,
Zech 1:9-11, announces birth of Samson, John the Baptist, Jesus, warns Joseph to
escape to Egypt (Matt 2:13) , minister to Jesus after the temptation (Matt 4:11),
present at the tomb of Jesus and at the ascension (Acts 1:11), will be with Christ at
the second coming (Matt 25:31), ministers to the righteous (Gen 16:7), prepare the
way for the Lord (Ex 23:20), defeats enemies, open prison doors (Acts 5:19-20,
12:7), execute judgement on the wicked (Gen 19:1, 2 Sam 24:16, 2 Kings 19:35,
Acts 12:23, Rev 9:15).
31. Go to Christians who offend you
Matthew 18:15 - If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out
the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person
back.
Galatians 6:1 - Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some
sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the
right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
The NIV Study Bible opines that it is it best to resolve conflicts in private to
protect the brother from harm caused by gossip. We find another reason in
Leviticus 19:17 - Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives
[brothers]. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
Also in 1 John 2:9 - If anyone claims, I am living in the light, but hates a
Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.
Matthew 18:16-17 - 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you
and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three
witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then
if he or she wont accept the churchs decision, treat that person as a pagan or a
corrupt tax collector.
32. Forgive offenders
Matthew 18:21-22 - 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, Lord, how often should
I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?
22
No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven! [Some
translations: seventy-seven.] The number was meant to be very large; actually
Jesus said you must forgive how ever many times you are offended (infinite).
Proverbs 19:11 - Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by
overlooking wrongs.
Matthew 6:14-15 - 14 If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly
Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not
forgive your sins.
Romans 12:17-19 - 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is
right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for Gods
wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,says the Lord. [NIV]Bible quotes are NLT unless otherwise noted.
33. Beware of covetousnessLuke 12:15. What does covetousness mean?
What signs of greed can show up in a persons life?
We generally associate greed with money; can we be greedy about other things?
What does God say is the result of greed? Proverb 15:27, Ecclesiastes 5:10,
James 4:1-234. Honor marriageMatthew 19:6, 19:9.
How should a married couple relate to each other? 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, Ephesians
5:21-33, Colossians 3:18-19, 1 Peter 3:1-2, 7, Hebrews 13:4
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs wrote an excellent book, Love & Respect. He shows that
strength in a marriage comes from the husband giving his wife unconditional love
and the wife giving her husband unconditional respect. But the cycle is easily
broken: without love from him, she responds without respect; without respect from
her, he reacts without love. What things break the healthy cycle in your marriage?
a. My spouse appears unreasonable
c. My spouse doesnt make sense
e. My spouse is harsh and/or critical
g. My spouse is inconsiderate
b. I appear unreasonable
d. I dont make sense
f. I am harsh and/or critical
h. I am inconsiderate
i. We argue about sex, money, in-laws, children, or ______________________
j. My spouse wont talk
l. My spouse talks too much
k. I wont talk
m. I talk too much
n. Other ________________________________________________________
What does the Bible say about a good wife? A quarrelsome wife? Proverb 12:4,
21:9, 21:19
What did God say about marrying an unbeliever? 1 Kings 11:1-4, 1 Corinthians
7:13-16
33. Beware of covetousness
Luke 12:15 - Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds
of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Proverb 15:27 - A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates
bribes will live.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 - Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves
wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
James 4:1-2 - What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from
your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill
and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not
have, because you do not ask God.
34. Honor marriage
Matthew 19:6 - So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let man not separate.
Matthew 19:9 - I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital
unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.
1 Corinthians 7:2-5 - 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should
have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill
his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife's
body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the
husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive
each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote
yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you
because of your lack of self-control.
Colossians 3:18-19 - Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
1 Peter 3:1-2 - Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if
any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the
behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your
wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of
the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept
pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Proverb 12:4 - A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful
wife is like decay in his bones.
Proverb 21:9 - Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a
quarrelsome wife.
Proverb 21:19 - Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered
wife.
1 Kings 11:1-4 - 1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides
Pharaoh's daughterMoabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites.
2
They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, You must
not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their
gods. Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred
wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.
4
As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart
was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had
been.
1 Corinthians 7:13-16 - 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and
he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving
husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been
sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be
unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not
bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you
know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband,
whether you will save your wife? Bible quotes are NIV unless otherwise noted.35. Lead by being a servantMatthew 20:26-28
Whose style of leadership did Jesus condemn? Why?
Did Jesus really mean to say we must always be a servant leader? Arent there
some times, places, or situations when servant leadership is not appropriate and
when we are exempt from this command?
Does Jesus expect us to be servant leaders completely on our own? Jeremiah
29:11-14a
In many organizations (business, government, church, etc.) the leadership model
can often be summarized as, its all about me. The main motivations are self-
promotion (pride) and self-protection (fear). How do you feel about such leaders?
In the type of life role leadership to which Jesus calls us, a leader influences
others in a positive or negative way. Give some examples of this.
36. Make the church a house of prayer for all nationsMark 11:17
From where did Jesus chase the money changers and merchants? What is the
importance of the temple area? Mark 11:15-16
The prophet Isaiah promised foreigners (Gentiles) joy in my house of prayer if
they met what conditions? Isaiah 56:6-7, 1 Kings 8:41-43
What does this command imply for us in our churches today?
37. Pray in faithMatthew 21:21-22, John 15:7
Considering the verses above, if you are living a good Christian life and have
memorized some scripture verses, why on earth cant you move mountains and
why are your simplest prayers not answered? Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:39,
Ephesians 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 1 John 5:14
There are five elements of a prayer that pleases God. They are: (remember ACTS)
What could be added as a fifth element?
35. Lead by being a servant
Matthew 20:26-28 - 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great
among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your
slave 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a - 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
12
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13 14
found by you, declares the Lord.
Examples of life role leadership (from the book, lead Like Jesus by Ken
Blanchard and Phil Hodges)
Mother with a child at any time of day
Friend who risks alienation to confront a moral failure
A corporate executive who rejects offers of inside information to gain a
competitive edge
A U.S. Navy SEAL commander who orders his troops into harm's way to
succeed in their mission
A husband and wife who seek mutual agreement on day-to-day finances
A middle school teacher who excites curiosity in the minds of her students
A rehabilitation nurse who patiently handles the anger of a stroke victim
A missionary doctor who refuses to leave his patients to avoid capture by enemy
forces
A local pastor who avoids teaching on controversial issues for fear of rejection A high school coach who fails to confront rule violations by his star player
An adult who provides advice and guidance on living arrangements to his aging
parent
A terminally ill patient who demonstrates grace, confidence, courage, and calm
to anxious loved ones
A local government official who takes an unpopular political stand based on
principle
A dictator who hoards millions of dollars while his citizens are starving
Two things are evident in this list. First, each of these people is a leader
because he or she is affecting or influencing others, either in a positive or negative
way. This list reveals that some leadership actions are very specific in nature (a
dictator hoarding millions), and others are more general (a mother with a child);
some are overt (an official taking an unpopular stand), and some are covert (a
pastor avoiding teaching on a controversial issue). The actions of a leader that
create influence are not always obvious to those being led. We also influence
people who may not choose to follow, such as the executive who refused insider
information.
Second, these leaders are involved in making a personal choice about how and
to what end they will use their influence. It is the same choice we are all called to
make when we exert influence on people: do we seek to serve or to be served? If
your driving motivations are self-promotion and self-protection, you will use your
influence with others to fulfill these needs. If your actions are driven by service
and dedication to a cause or a relationship, then you will model and encourage
these values in others.
36. Make the church a house of prayerMark 11:17
Mark 11:17 - And as he taught them, he said, Is it not written: My house will be
called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.
Mark 11:15-16 - 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and
began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the
tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would
not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
The temple area is also known as the court of the Gentiles, and was the only
part of the temple where the Jews allowed the Gentiles to worship God and gather
in prayer. Buying and selling refers to the sale of animals and birds required for
temple sacrifices and purification. Mark also notes that the temple courts were
being used as a shortcut between the Jerusalem city market and Mount of Olives to
the east.
Isaiah 56:6-7 - 6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to serve him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to worship him,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant-
7
these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will
be called a house of prayer for all nations."
In 1 Kings 8:41-43, Solomon included this as part of his prayer dedicating the new
temple: 41 As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has
come from a distant land because of your name 42 for men will hear of your great
name and your mighty hand and your outstretched armwhen he comes and prays
toward this temple, 43 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever
the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name
and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have
built bears your Name.
37. Pray in faithMatthew 21:21-22
Matthew 21:21-22 - 21 Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do
not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say
to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done. 22 If you
believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Jesus was speaking to his disciples about he being the vine and they being the
branches. He told them apart from me, you can do nothing. But he went on to
say in John 15:7 - If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it will be given you.
Matthew 6:10 - your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 26:39 - Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and
prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I
will, but as you will.
Ephesians 5:17 -Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will
is.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in
all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:14 - This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask
anything according to his will, he hears us.
Bible quotes are NIV unless otherwise noted.
38. Bring in the poorLuke 14:12-14
In Luke 12-14, Jesus advises his host to invite people to dinner who cannot repay
him. What do you think of this advice?
Should you exclude people from your celebrations who can or you might expect to
invite you to one of their celebrations?
Does inviting people who cant repay you include people who are poor because
they are lazy, moochers, or poor by choice?
There are two main points in the who-to-invite story. They are?
My wife doesnt like mixing guests at a party (people from church, neighbors, MV
club members, co-workers, ESL friends, family, etc.). What do you think of this?
39. Render unto CaesarMatthew 22:19-21
In response to the Pharisees question in Verse 17, suppose Jesus had said, No,
we should never give tribute unto Caesar. Dont pay your taxes! If he had said
this, what could His enemies have done? Would the Roman authorities be happy
to hear about a Jewish teacher telling the people not to pay their taxes?
What do you think Jesus called us to do when he said, Give to Caesar what is
Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
How can we give to Caesar today? What is our responsibility to our government
and to our leaders? What should we do to them and for them? Do they deserve our
respect and loyalty (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17)? Should we pray for them (1 Timothy
2:1-3)? Why? Should we pay our taxes? What has your country given to you?
What should you give back to your country? Are you thankful for servicemen who
have fought and died so you can freely worship God?
What is our responsibility to God? Should we read His Word? What kind of
person should you be before God? As a responsible believer, what duties should
you carry out? What spiritual responsibilities do you have? What has God done for
you or given to you? What have you done for God or given back to God?
38. Bring in the poor
Luke 14:12-14 - 12 Then Jesus said to his host, When you give a luncheon or
dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich
neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and
you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the
resurrection of the righteous.
There are two points (perhaps more) in the story. They are:
Point 1: Dont invite people who you expect will pay you back. That doesnt
necessarily mean to exclude such people, but inviting them doesnt get you much
credit in the Lords book. On the other hand, I dont think Jesus is asking you to
be deliberately rude.
Point 2: By inviting people who cant pay you back here on earth, you will be
repaid by the Lord later in Heaven.
39. Render unto Caesar
Here, the Pharisees planned how they could trick Jesus into saying something
wrong. They said to him, Teacher, we know that you are honest. You teach the
truth about what God wants people to do. And you treat everyone with the same
respect, no matter who they are. Tell us what you think! Should we pay taxes to
the Emperor or not? To this question, Jesus replies with these verses (Matthew
22:19-21) 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax. They brought him a
denarius, 20 and he asked them, Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?
21
Caesar's, they replied.
Then he said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is
God's.
1 Peter 2:13-14 - 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority
instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to
governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend
those who do right.
17
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear
God, honor the king.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 - 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we
may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and
pleases God our Savior,
38. Bring in the poor
Luke 14:12-14 - 12 Then Jesus said to his host, When you give a luncheon or
dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich
neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and
you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the
resurrection of the righteous.
There are two points (perhaps more) in the story. They are:
Point 1: Dont invite people who you expect will pay you back. That doesnt
necessarily mean to exclude such people, but inviting them doesnt get you much
credit in the Lords book. On the other hand, I dont think Jesus is asking you to
be deliberately rude.
Point 2: By inviting people who cant pay you back here on earth, you will be
repaid by the Lord later in Heaven.
39. Render unto Caesar
Here, the Pharisees planned how they could trick Jesus into saying something
wrong. They said to him, Teacher, we know that you are honest. You teach the
truth about what God wants people to do. And you treat everyone with the same
respect, no matter who they are. Tell us what you think! Should we pay taxes to
the Emperor or not? To this question, Jesus replies with these verses (Matthew
22:19-21) 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax. They brought him a
denarius, 20 and he asked them, Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?
21
Caesar's, they replied.
Then he said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is
God's.
1 Peter 2:13-14 - 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority
instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to
governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend
those who do right.
17
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear
God, honor the king.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 - 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we
may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and
pleases God our Savior,
40. Love the LordMatthew 22:37-38
Is this a new command of Christ? Deuteronomy 6:5
When you hear this command to love God, do you think of God as: a) a
benevolent old uncle, b) a mighty king on a throne surrounded by angels, c) I am
who I am, d) an angry and jealous God, e) a God who has forgiven and forgotten
my sins, f) a God who created me and loves me, g) something else?
How can you show your love for God? John 14:15
How do you show your father, mother, brother, or friend your love for them?
Valentines Day is coming soon. Is this a good opportunity to show a wife or
girlfriend your love?
41. Love your neighborMatthew 22:39
Is this a new command of Christ? Leviticus 19:18
When Jesus was asked by a Jewish expert in the law, who is my neighbor?
which well-known parable did he tell? Luke 10 29-37
What kind of love did Jesus require you have for your neighbor?
What does it really mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
Which is it easiest and which hardest to love: a) God, b) a spouse or son or sibling,
c) a friend from church, d) a neutral neighbor or passerby, e) needy person on the
street or a missions trip, f) the person who cut you off in traffic or shot down your
idea at work, or g) an enemy (of you, of the church, of the USA)?
Why do you think we like to study and debate what the Bible means, yet often
resist changing our lives based on what it says and what we really know it means?
How important did Jesus say these two commands were?
40. Love the Lord
Matthew 22:37-38 - 37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest
commandment.
Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength.
How can you show your love for God?
Getting ahead of ourselves, see command #46 in which Jesus says, If you love
me, you will obey what I command.John 14:15
How do you show your father, mother, brother, or friend your love for them?
When I go to an early morning Bible study and my wife isnt yet up, the thing I
miss most and that I cant wait to do when I get back home is hug my wife and tell
her I love her. I tell my wife at least two or three times a day that I love her (not
necessarily those wordsit might be praise for something she did or just thanking
her for being such a great wife). Shouldnt we be telling God that we love him just
as often? In fact, more so?
41. Love your neighbor
Matthew 22:39 - And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19:18 - Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people,
but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Which is it easiest and which hardest to love: a) God, b) a spouse or son or sibling,
c) a friend from church, d) a neutral neighbor or passerby, e) needy person on the
street or a missions trip, f) the person who cut you off in traffic or shot down your
idea at work, or g) an enemy?
Think about loving and personally providing care for an Islamic terrorist who
would like to kill as many American Christians as possible.
On a missions trip, its easy to love and care for the cute 10-year-old girl who
just wants to be hugged and is willing to help out in any way she can. But what
about the abusive father who takes whatever money is earned by the family and
spends it getting drunk?
42. Be born againJohn 3:7
Nicodemus was skeptical about being born again and asked Jesus how this could
take place. Jesus patiently explained what he meant in John 3:5-21. How would
you describe what it means to be born again to someone?
How did Jesus expect Nicodemus to know about the new birth from the Old
Testament? (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:19, 36:25-27)
Is it necessary to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God? (John 3:5)
Is it possible to be born again without Jesus Christ? (Acts 4:12, Romans 6:23,
1 John 5:11-12)
Why is it necessary to be born again and thereby receive salvation? (Romans 3:23,
Isaiah 53:6, 59:2, Psalm 53:3, Romans 6:23)
Why are some spiritual truths often hard to understand? What are some spiritual
truths that you struggle with? How do you seek answers for your questions?
43. Await my returnMatthew 24:42-44
Why do Christians need to watch for Jesus return and be ready? After all, arent
we already saved?
How does Jesus illustrate the necessity of being ready for his return?
If a non-Christian looked at your life could he accuse you of not believing in the
imminent return of Jesus Christ?
How can we have a sense of expectation about the return of Christ?
If Jesus returned to earth while you were on your way home from this Bible study,
would you like him to wait a) a few minutes, b) a few days, c) a few months, or
d) longer for you to get your affairs in order and prepare to meet with him?
What things would you need (or like) to do in order to be totally prepared to meet
Jesus today? Why have you not done them?
42. Be born againJohn 3:7 - You should not be surprised at my saying, You
must be born again.
The concept of being born again (or a new birth) is found several places in the OT.
Jeremiah 31:33 - This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after
that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their
hearts. I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:19 - I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I
will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 - 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I
will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you
a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to
follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Is it necessary to be born again to enter the Kingdom of God?
Absolutely, yes.
John 3:5 - Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of
God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Is it possible to be born again without Jesus Christ?
No.
Acts 4:12 - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 5:11-12 - 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son
of God does not have life.
Why is it necessary to be born again and thereby receive salvation?
a. Because you have sinned.
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Isaiah 53:6 - We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his
own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
b. Because of your lost and fallen condition:
(1) Your sins have separated you from God.
Isaiah 59:2 - But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins
have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
(2) Mankind is depraved and inclined towards sin.
Psalm 53:3 - Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
(3) The penalty of your sin.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(4) You are spiritually dead.
Ephesians. 2:1 - As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.
John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects
the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.
Depending upon your group, you may want to discuss the following from the
Salvation seminar were written by the late J. George Cover (misslink.org/born.html)
How can a person be born again?
I. Gods Part.
(1) Jesus Christ died in your place and for your sins so that you can be
forgiven and receive that new life. I Cor. 15:3; Isa. 53:5,6,12; Gal. 3:13;
Heb. 2:9; I Pet. 3:18; Heb. 9:28; I Pet. 2:24; Rom. 5:8.(2) Forgive sins. Heb. 10:16,17; I John 1:9; Isa. 55:7; Isa. 43:25; Isa. 44:22,
1:18.
(3) Give Spiritual Life. Eph. 2:1,5; I John 5:11 13; St. John 3:1-7.
II. Your Part.
(1) Choose to be. Choose the way of Jesus instead of the way of Satan;
choose to call on the Lord for salvation. Choose whom you will serve. Josh.
24:15; Rom. 10:13.
(2) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Absolute trust. John
3:16-18; John 8:24; I John 5:10.
(3) Receive Him. John 1:12.
(4) Repent. (Be sorry for your sins - confess them - leave them.) Acts 3:19;
Acts 2:38; Luke 13:5.
(5) Confess Christ openly. Rom. 10:9-10.
(6) Be Baptized. Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19.
43. Await my returnMatthew 24:42-44 - 42 Therefore keep watch, because you
do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner
of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have
kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be
ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Why do Christians need to watch for Jesus return and be ready? There is a huge
web site (blog) devoted to this question alone. The diversity of answers is quite
astounding ranging from one claiming it simply a repeat of the messiah prophecy
in Daniel 7:13-14, so actually Christians have nothing to wait for. Another said its
like people waiting at a bus stop to catch a particular bus. They cannot just stand
there and hope the driver tells them hey this is the bus that you are waiting for.
You have to watch for the bus and be ready to catch it when yours comes.
Similarly, Christians have to watch and be ready when the Lord comes or they will
miss him. Another likened it to a Boy Scout who is always prepared.
Steve May, a pastor, tells a joke about a man calling for fire insurance while his
home is on fire to demonstrate that we cant wait until the last minute.
How does Jesus illustrate the necessity of being ready for his return?
He illustrates this by comparing His coming to that of a thief. We normally do
not look for thieves. Understandably, thieves do not advertise their coming, but by
taking precautions, we can prepare against their coming. We can lock our houses
and hide our valuables in safe places. We can install security alarms and exterior
lighting to discourage burglary.
In the same vein, Jesus urges His people to be vigilant, alert, wakeful, and
constantly watchful because a thiefs principal weapon is surprise. Even to those
who are aware, His coming will occur with jarring suddennessand more so to
those who are distracted by ordinary occupations, eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage. The teaching in this parable is that to live without
vigilance is to invite disaster.John W. Ritenbaugh.
44. Celebrate the Lords SupperMatthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke
22:19-20
The central element of the Passover meal was the sacrificial lamb; where did Jesus
place his emphasis?
How does the old covenant God made with Israel compare to or differ from the
new covenant he made through the blood of Jesus Christ? Exodus 12:25-27, Deut
16:1-8
What did Jesus mean when he said, Do this in remembrance of me?
1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 8:8-13, 9:25-28
Paul adds a requirement before partaking of Communion in 1 Corinthians 11: 27-
28. What does it mean to partake of the bread and the cup in an unworthy
manner?
What can we learn about the practice of Communion through this passage?
How often should communion be observed?
Why is Communion (or the Lords Supper or the Eucharist) so important?
45. Watch and prayMatthew 26:41, Mark 14:38
What was one reason Jesus said to Peter that he should watch and pray? What is
the specific temptation that will face Peter?
The phrase, the spirit is willing is one with which the disciples (and Jews) would
be familiar. Why? Psalm 51:10-12 What did David ask for in his prayer after
committing adultery with Bathsheba?
Of the more than 300 specific references to prayer in the Bible, one recurring
theme is that God hears and answers prayer. Has this been true in your life?
Genesis 24:12-15, Psalm 6:9, 17:6, 34:17, Isaiah 30:19, 65:24, Jeremiah 33:3,
Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, John 14:13-14, 15:7, 16:23-24, Eph 3:12. What is
needed in our prayers for us to be confident that God will hear and answer them?
44. Celebrate the Lords SupperMatthew 26:26-28 - 26 As they were eating,
Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the
disciples, saying, Take this and eat it, for this is my body.
27
And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them
and said, Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the
covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the
sins of many.
The Passover as described in the OT emphasizes that it was a sacrifice to the Lord
and it also was to remind the Jews of two things, first that the Lord spared (passed
over) their first born, while killing all of the first born people and animals of the
Egyptians and second, that the departure from Egypt was made in great haste.
Exodus 12:25-27 - 25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he
promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, What does
this ceremony mean to you? 27 then tell them, It is the Passover sacrifice to the
LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our
homes when he struck down the Egyptians. Then the people bowed down and
worshiped.
Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - 1 Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of
the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib he brought you out of Egypt
by night. 2 Sacrifice as the Passover to the LORD your God an animal from your
flock or herd at the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for his Name. 3 Do
not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the
bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in hasteso that all the days of your
life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. 4 Let no yeast be
found in your possession in all your land for seven days. Do not let any of the
meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day remain until morning.
5
You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the LORD your God gives
you 6 except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. There you
must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the
anniversary of your departure from Egypt. 7 Roast it and eat it at the place the
LORD your God will choose. Then in the morning return to your tents. 8 For six
days eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day hold an assembly to the LORD
your God and do no work.What did Jesus mean when he said, Do this in remembrance of me?
By saying, Do this in remembrance of me, Jesus indicated this was a
ceremony that must be continued in the future. It indicated also that the Passover,
which required the death of a lamb and looked forward to the coming of the Lamb
of God who would take away the sin of the world, was fulfilled in the Lords
Supper. The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant when Christ, the Passover
Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), was sacrificed (Hebrews 8:8-13). The sacrificial system
was no longer needed (Hebrews 9:25-28). The Lords Supper or Communion is a
remembrance of what Christ did for us and a celebration of what we receive as a
result of His sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 5:7 - Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without
yeastas you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Pauls added requirement for one to receive communion.
We may ask what it means to partake of the bread and the cup in an unworthy
manner? It may mean to disregard the true meaning of the bread and cup and to
forget the tremendous price our Savior paid for our salvation. Or it may mean to
allow the ceremony to become a dead and formal ritual. Or it may mean to come to
the Lords Supper with unconfessed sin. In keeping with Pauls instruction, we
should examine ourselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
How often should communion be observed?
It would seem that since we observe the Lords Supper to remember Christs
death and shed blood, we should observe it fairly often. Some churches have a
monthly Lords Supper service, others do it bi-monthly, others weekly. Since the
Bible does not give us specific instruction as to frequency, there is some latitude in
how often a church should observe the Lords Supper. It should be often enough to
renew focus on Christ, without being so often that it becomes routine. In any case,
its not the frequency that matters, but the heart and attitude of those who partici-
pate. We should partake with reverence, love, and a deep sense of gratitude for the
Lord Jesus, who was willing to die on the cross to take our sins upon Himself.
Leaders: If you really want to get into this, ask the members of your group what
they think about 5-year-old children receiving communion.
Also, if you have people with different church backgrounds, you might want to get
into the history of communion and, if you are very brave, into the beliefs of
different churches. Roman Catholic, Reformed, Lutheran, Radical, and Anglican
theologians differed considerably over the Holy Communion during the era of
reform, and many of these differences still persist. There are literally millions of
references on the Internet. Heres just one of many that I found helpful:
http://demo.lutherproductions.com/historytutor/basic/reformation/genknow/lords_
supper.htm
45. Watch and prayMatthew 26:41 - Watch and pray so that you will not fall
into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. The command here to
watch is different than #43 (watch for Jesus return); here it means to watch out
for temptation, which can strike at any time.
The temptation facing Peter (and all of us) is to be unfaithful in the face of
threatening circumstances that confront him (and us).
Psalm 51:10-12 - 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit
within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain
me.
In this psalm written after Nathan confronted David after he had committed
adultery with Bathsheba, David was praying for a pure heart, a steadfast spirit or
faithfulness, and a willing spirit of service. He was essentially asking God to give
him a new heart and spirit that would be controlled and directed by God. When
ones spirit is under Gods control, it strives against human weakness.
In a sense, Jesus was telling Peter to pray for very much the same, although of
course he knew that Peter was about to face (and give into) the temptation to
disavow that he was a follower of Jesus. Had Peter given his spirit to Gods
direction and control, the outcome would have been quite different. And isnt that
the same for us today?
God answers prayer (a few examples and related scripture verses):
Genesis 24:12-15 - 12 Then he prayed, O Lord, God of my master Abraham,
give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am
standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out
to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a girl, Please let down your jar that I
may have a drink, and she says, Drink, and Ill water your camels toolet her
be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you
have shown kindness to my master.
15
Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her
shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of
Abrahams brother Nahor.
Psalm 6:9 - The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
Psalm 17:6 - I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear
my prayer.
Psalm 34:17 - The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them
from all their troubles.
Isaiah 30:19 - O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.
How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will
answer you.
Isaiah 65:24 - Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will
hear.
Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and
unsearchable things you do not know.
Matthew 21:22 - If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
John 14:13-14 - 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may
bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will
do it.
John 16:23-24 - 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the
truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you
have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy
will be complete.
Ephesians 3:12 - In him and through faith in him we may approach God with
freedom and confidence.
What is needed in our prayers for us to be confident that God will hear and answer
them?
1) We must remember that it is in the authority of Jesus name that we can
expect answers to our prayers. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I
will do it.John 14:14
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and
it will be given you.John 15:7
2) We must believe and have faith. (Matthew 211:22)
3) Our prayers must be followed by anticipation and gratitude. Therefore I tell
you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will
be yours.Mark 11:24
4) We must pray with a pure heart. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord
would not have listened.Psalm 66:18
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you
may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.James
5:165) It must be the Lords will for the prayer to be answered in the way you ask
or expect. (Matthew 6:10, Luke 22:42)
Early in his letter to the Colossians, Paul has some excellent advice about
praying to God to reveal his will: For this reason, since the day we heard about
you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the
knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we
pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him
in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may
have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who
has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of
light.Colossians 1:9-12
46. Keep my commandmentsJohn 14:15
How can we show Jesus that we love him? 1 John 5:1-4
What are the commands of Jesus that we should obey?
Does God reward obedience? Gen 22:15-18, Deut 10:12-13, 28:1-14, Job 36:11,
Isaiah 48:17-18, Jeremiah 7:22-23, Matthew 5:6, Revelation 3:10
If I dont obey his commands, does that mean I dont get into heaven? Is there a
penalty for disobedience? Ephesians 5:6, 2 Corinthians 5:10
When you hear you have to obey commands, what comes to mind? (Obeying your
parents, teacher, Army sergeant, prison guard, boss, priest, or someone else.) How
does Jesus compare with other people youve had to obey?
How can we more want to obey the Lord? Psalm 51:12, 86:11, 119:4-5
47. Feed my sheepJohn 21:15-17
Most Bible commentaries focus only on the question, do you love me? that
Jesus asks Peter three times and ignore the command, feed my sheep. Is loving
Jesus more important than feeding his lambs and sheep?
More accurate Bible translations list three slightly different commands:
1) Feed my lambs, i.e., feed, teach, support, nourish people new to the faith.
2) Tend my sheep, i.e., care for, rule over, keep together people who are believers
3) Feed my sheep (same as #1 but sheep imply more mature believers)
In a totally practical sense, how would you personally carry out this command of
Jesus to feed my lambs? How about tend my sheep? And feed my sheep?
Jesus often describes his followers as sheep. Thats kind of insulting, isnt it?
What other meanings could you read into it? Numbers 27:16-17, Psalm 119:176,
Isaiah 53:6, Matthew 9:36, 1 Peter 2:25
46. Keep my commandmentsJohn 14:15 - If you love me, you will obey what I
command.
How can we show Jesus that we love him?
1 John 5:1-4 - 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,
and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know
that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not
burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory
that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Does God reward obedience?
In Moses second discourse to the Jews when they were about to cross the
Jordan into the promised land, he said, (Deuteronomy 10:12-15, New Living
Translation) - 12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you?
He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases
him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must
always obey the Lords commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your
own good.
Job 36:11 - If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in
prosperity and their years in contentment.
Isaiah 48:17-18 - 17 This is what the Lord saysyour Redeemer, the Holy One of
Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs
you in the way you should go. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the
sea.
Matthew 5:6 (Contemporary English Version) - God blesses those people who
want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
Is there a penalty for disobedience?
In the Old Testament, there were major penalties for disobedience. In general,
these penalties do not seem as harsh in the NT. Nevertheless, God has little
patience with those who are disobedient. For example,
Ephesians 5:6 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such
things Gods wrath comes on those who are disobedient.2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad.
When you hear you have to obey commands, what comes to mind? (Your parents,
teacher, Army sergeant, prison guard, boss, priest, or someone else.) How does
Jesus compare with other people youve had to obey?
The big difference is (or should be) that in most cases you had to obey or were
required to obey, whereas with Jesus you should want to obey him. Also, you
probably loved your parents, but not others that youve had to obey. So your
motives for obeying are quite different.
Psalm 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit,
to sustain me.
Psalm 86:11 (Contemporary English Version) - Teach me to follow you, and I will
obey your truth. Always keep me faithful.
Psalm 119:4-5 - 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh,
that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
47. Feed my sheepJohn 21:15-17 - 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said
to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?
Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you.
Jesus said, Feed my lambs.
16
Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you truly love me?
He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
Jesus said, Take care of my sheep.
17
The third time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me?
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me? He
said, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.
Jesus said, Feed my sheep.
Most Bible commentaries focus only on the question, do you love me? that
Jesus asks Peter three times and ignore the command, feed my sheep. Gallons of
ink have been used by commentators discussing the fact that Jesus uses agapao (to
love unselfishly and sacrificiallythe type of love God has for us) the first two
times, but then uses phileo (to have brotherly affection or love) the third time.
One school of thought is that if (as seems probable) the original conversation
took place in Aramaic (or possibly Hebrew), there would not have been any
difference expressed because both Aramaic and Hebrew have only one basic word
for love. Thus it seems best to regard the interchange between agapao and phileo
in these verses as a minor stylistic variation of John, consistent with his use of
minor variations in repeated material elsewhere, and not indicative of any real
difference in meaning.
Many commentators feel that the main, and indeed only, meaning of this
passage is that when we fail him, Christ lovingly restores us, just as he did with
Peter. We can never fall too far from Jesus love. They ignore the second part,
feed my sheep.
So I ask, is loving Jesus more important than feeding his lambs and sheep?
My opinion is that both are important. Indeed, feeding the sheep (Jesus
followers) is the way Jesus wanted Peter (and us) to show our love for him.
With respect to the two words used for feed, on his web site, Laurence A.
Gonzaga has more on the subject: Both of the terms, boske and poimaino actually
do mean feed. However, there is a nuance here which is important for
apologetics purposes. We know already that Jesus had appointed Peter to be his
vicar here on Earth, the rock upon which the Church would be built (Matt 16:18).
Here, Jesus is giving him a command to do two things in service to the Church, to
feed by giving spiritual nourishment (boske), and to feed by juridical
governance, that is by shepherding the flock and ruling over them (poimaino).
There are a number of other references to followers of the Lord (and Jesus)
being like sheep.
Numbers 27:16-17 - 16 May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind,
appoint a man over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who
will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep
without a shepherd.
Psalm 119:176 - I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not
forgotten your commands.
Isaiah 53:6 - We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own
way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because
they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
1 Peter 2:25 - For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to
the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
48. Make and baptize disciples and
49. Teach disciples to obeyMatthew 28:19-20
What images spring to mind when you hear the words missionary or
evangelism? Can you see yourself as a traditional missionary or evangelist?
Often known as the Great Commission, there are four instructions in the two
verses above. What are they? How are you personally doing on each one?
A. ____________________________B. ____________________________
C. ___________________________
D. ___________________________Most Bible translations say, Go...to all nations..., however, the Wycliffe
translation (1395) says, ...go ye, and teach all folks... Some people interpret this
to mean, in your going.... meaning going about your daily life going to church,
to school, to the mall, to work. What do you think?
What does it really mean to make disciples? What role do you have in this?
Why does baptize come next in the process?
How can we teach others to obey Christs commands? 2 Timothy 2:1-2
What specific teaching of Christ do you need to obey more consistently?
50. Receive Gods powerLuke 24:49, Acts 1:8
Did Jesus disciples have to do anything to receive Gods power?
Do we today have to do anything to receive Gods power? 1 John 3:22-24,
Ephesians 1:17-19
As a Christian, is receiving Gods power an option or a command? Ephesians
6:10, Ephesians 5:18
Do you believe that the same power that raised Jesus from his grave is available to
help you in making changes in your life?
48. Make and baptize disciples and
49. Teach disciples to obeyMatthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20
19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.
Often known as the Great Commission, there are four instructions in these two
verses. What are they? How are you personally doing on each one?
A. Go
B. Baptize them
B. Make disciples
D. Teach them to obey my commands
Pertaining to the command, go (or going), it is actually quite difficult to
decide how to interpret it. There are two views prevalent today. One is to give this
word the character of an imperative or command in which it would literally mean
go. The other is to give it an adverbial character like having gone or in your
going or as you go. Apart from a specific context, both ideas are grammatically
legitimate. Greek participles can be used like an imperative or adverb depending
upon the context and usage.
The command is more clearly stated in Mark 16:15: Go into all the world and
preach Thus, we see that the usage and context indicates that the word should
be understood as the command, go. But while this is true, we must never lose
sight of the fact that the main command and mission is that of making disciples.
Without going, the command to make disciples is impossible, especially when
it involves all nations. Going is not a secondary option. You dont catch fish in a
barrel. We must do something that puts us in contact with people so we can win
them to Christ and begin the process of making disciples. So indeed, for some, this
command to go means just that: going to take the Gospel to a foreign nation or lost
tribe, but for most of us the going involves anything we do from hosting outreach
Bible studies, getting acquainted with neighbors, and going about our daily life.
[Portions of the above are adapted from J. Hampton Keathley, III on the Bible.org web site.]
What does it really mean to make disciples?
As we see above, there is a progression here: go, make disciples, baptize, and
teach (or obey). The word disciple itself means learner or pupil. A disciple is
one who is under instruction. It involves a teacher-student relationship.
To be a disciple, one must first be a Christ follower. You can help facilitate this
process by explaining Gods plan of salvation and having a person agree with it
and pray to receive the Lord. Many people use the four spiritual laws to do this:
1) God loves you (John 3:16) and offers a plan for your life (John 10:10)
2) Man is sinful and separated from God (Romans 3:23 and 6:23)
3) Jesus died in our place (Romans 5:8), rose from the dead (1 Corinthians
15:3-6), and is our only way to God (John 14:6)
4) We must receive Christ (John 1:12), accept him through faith (Ephesians
2:8-9) and experience a new birth (John 3:1-8)
Here is a good prayer for a person to receive Christ: Lord Jesus, I need you.
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and
receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving
me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person
you want me to be.
But remember, disciple means learner or pupil. A New Testament disciple
is one who is under biblical instruction. In the Bible, some people followed Jesus
only a short time and then dropped out because of the cost. The Lord expected
discipleship to involve total commitment if one was going to be able to fully
follow through as a disciple. Being a disciple and being a believer are not one and
the same.
Salvation is a free gift but being a disciple means there is a cost. Ideally, all
believers should be disciples, but unfortunately not all believers actually follow
through as disciples.
Baptizing believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the sign or
symbol that the old life and its connections have been broken and those being
baptized have entered into a new life by faith in Christ and a new fellowship with
Jesus as their teacher and master. Being baptized is a public declaration of a new
life in Christ after accepting the Lord through the Gospel message. This is quite
different from infant baptism.
Teaching means proclaiming His Word and seeking to bring others into this
relationship, training them to in turn to win over and train others.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 - So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus. And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as
witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.
This means building others in the Word, teaching them to know, guard, and
apply the Word to their lives so they can in turn become disciple-makers who are
involved in this multiplication process.
50. Receive Gods powerLuke 24:49 - And now I will send the Holy Spirit,
just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city [Jerusalem] until the Holy
Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.
Acts 1:8a - You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.
Do we have to do anything to receive Gods power?
1 John 3:22-24 - 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we
obey him and do the things that please him.
23
And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus
Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey Gods
commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know
he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
Ephesians 1:17-19 - 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may
know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in
order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who
believe.
As a Christian, is receiving Gods power an option or a command?
For the Christian, someone who belongs to Jesus Christ and is submitted to
Him, receiving and using spiritual power is a command, not an option. Be strong
in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Be filled with the
Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
Spiritual power is a key to waking up sleeping Christians. It is an essential
ingredient in successful evangelism. All Christians should be challenged to go
after that power that Jesus promised. You will receive power after the Holy
Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8).
50 Commands of Jesus
41