Lesson 9 – Romans 12:1-21; 14:1-9

Lesson 9 

A Little Service, Please - Romans 12:1-21; 14:1-9

Today’s Verse: Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another

Sneak Peek:

Rita has been in the business of helping people for over three decades now. She organizes garage sales, volunteers in soup kitchens, gives to the poor, and just
always steps in to lend a hand when the need arises. Through this, Rita
can boldly say she has experienced God’s favor in her life and in her
family. Her husband, Bob, however, does not believe in helping people.
He believes that people who are in need brought about the unfortunate
situation on themselves, and should take care of those situations
themselves. Rita has said and done all she can to convince her husband
otherwise, all to no avail

      What can you tell Bob that will change his views on service to people?

-          We express the love of Christ by showing love to people and helping to meet their needs. It is our duty to lend a hand. It is not our business how they came about their problems.

      List out ways by which you can lend out a helping hand to people in your church and community. Apply some this week.

-                Giving money

-          Smiling at them

-          Giving a hug

-          Praying for them

-          Listening to them

What Do I See?

Read the entire passage for today Romans 12:1-21; 14:1-9. Write down your Lesson Topic any key ideas you see.

My Title – Be Your Brother’s Keeper!

My Themes

1.      Members of the Body of Christ

2.      Love without dissimulation

3.      Blessings on enemies

4.      Like-mindedness

5.      Living unto God

Fun Box

What’s the kindest thing you’ve done so far?

-          Err, I don’t know. I guess God weighs good deeds differently than we do

What Can I Infer?

1.      How can we present our bodies as living sacrifices to God?

-          By yielding completely to Him and remembering that our bodies are His Temple

2.      Is there any difference in God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will? Explain.

-          I think God’s good will is what is acceptable by Him and it’s what is perfect for an individual. So, NO, I don’t think there is a difference.

[I may be wrong. Other opinions are welcomed]

3.      Identify seven spiritual gifts listed in 12:4-8. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12 & 14)

-          Prophecy

-          Ministry

-          Teaching

-          Exhortation

-          Giving

-          Ruling

-          Showing of Mercy

4.      How did Paul say we should deal with our fellow brother/sister in Christ? 12:9-21

-          Basically, obey the golden rule when dealing with others. And even more, think of others more highly that yourself.

My Summary: In one sentence, summarize Paul’s main point in this passage

-          Honor God; and while doing that, honor others.

What Do I Do?

Each week, it is important we apply lessons learned from Bible Study into our lives as Christians.

Self-Assessment

1.      What are some potentially divisive differences in values you have observed in your church or among your friends?

-          Opinions about legal rights for individuals in same-sex relationships

-          Christians’ place in wars

-          Christians’ place in politics

2.      What are some values Christians hold as personal convictions that are not clearly supported by Scripture?

-          For me, it’s OK for countries to engage in war as long as it protects their own people

3.      How can differences of opinion or values (a) benefit (b) separate and destroy the body of Christ?

-          If handled well, we can appreciate God for how different people are, and it can help us to be more tolerant of everyone.

-          If not handled well, it can bring conflicts in Christian gatherings, and drag the name of Christ in the mud

4.      In what area do you need to be careful about wrongly condemning others?

-          Wrongly? Mine is not wrongful condemnation… But I admit, it is not in my place to condemn them. And by them, I mean “transgender(s)”… I don’t know anyone who has changed their sex, and I pray that I never meet anyone of those in my lifetime. It is mind-boggling.

Weekly Self-Assessment Action Plan

1. Practice tolerance

2. Give lots of hugs

3. Smile at a lot of random people

4. Do less talking; more listening

5. Pray for God’s blessing upon as many people as possible

In Christ Alone by Owl City

A nice version of this song by Owl City. I love him by the way! 

Lesson 8 – Romans 9:1-8; 10:1-17

Lesson 8 
                                                          Truly Jewish

Romans 9:1-8; 10:1-17

Today’s Verse:
Romans 9:8 – 
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for seed.

Sneak Peek

Micah has grown up in a Jewish home all his life. His parents migrated from Israel many years ago, when he was still a few months old. He has been taught by his parents and Rabbi that Jews are the first begotten of God, and people of other religions are just making claims to being followers of “their” own God.

On many recent occasions, however, Micah’s friendship with his bestie, Samuel, has been nothing short of a source of confusion for him. Samuel just became a Christian and has being attending believers class, where he was told that a real Jew is someone who accepts Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and is righteous by faith and not by deeds, and that anyone can be God’s child, a spiritual Jew. Samuel has been sharing his new found beliefs with Micah.

      What can Samuel tell Micah that will help to clear Micah’s confusion?

Jesus is the only way to God. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Jesus was Jew as a human and He came to fulfill the law that God gave to the Jews, and because of His sacrifice on Calvary’s cross, EVERYONE, not only Jews, now have access to God. Christians are Christ’s followers. God wants everyone to be Christ’s followers, whether they are Jew or Gentile.

      If you met a Jew today, how will you present the gospel of Christ to him/her?

I’ll start from the very beginning – from Creation to the Slavery to Moses’ Law to Exile to Jesus to Now to Eternity.

I believe they’ll understand that way.

 What Do I See?

Read the entire passage for today Romans 9:1-8; 10:1-17. Write down your Lesson Topic and any Key Ideas you see.

Lesson Topic

Not by Work; But By Faith

Key Ideas

1.       Advantages of  being Jew

2.       Seed of Promise

3.       Zeal but no righteousness

4.       Christ, the end of the law of righteousness

5.       Salvation through confession; Righteousness through believing

Fun Box

How many memory verses can you remember so far? Recite them?

Romans 2:21; Romans 7:7

What Can I Infer?

1.       Outline some of God’s gift to Israel, as seen in 9:4-5

-          Adoption as children

-          Glory

-          Covenants

-          Giving of the law

-          The Service of God

-          The Promises

-          Ancestors of Christ

2.       Who is a true Jew, according to 9:6-8

-          Children of the Promise. Children not of flesh, but of God. Spiritual Children from the lineage of Isaac

3.       From 10:1-7, how does Paul describe the Jewish understanding of being right with God?

-          They have a zeal for God, but lack true knowledge

-          They have their own righteousness, but Ignorant of God’s righteousness and not submissive to God’s righteousness

-          They didn’t understand salvation is complete in Christ – starts and ends with Him

-          They thought that the law gave life

4.       How can a person be truly right with God? Romans 10:8-10

-          Through the Word of faith

-          Confessing Jesus with mouth and believing in heart that God raised Jesus from the dead

Lesson Summary: In one sentence, summarize Paul’s main point in this passage

-          One cannot be righteous by works; one has to put on Christ’s righteousness to be righteous.

What Do I Do?

We should not only be hearers of His Word, but also doers.

Self-Assessment

1.       What steps do you take in ensuring that you regularly preach the gospel?

-          I keep tracts in my purse and share around, or drop on counters, in buses, planes

-          I go out of my way to be friendly to bike riders, and sellers, and ask if they know Jesus. Our conversation about Christ usually starts from there.

-          I encourage myself and my Christian friends by raising topics in the Bible or about a character or a deed of God

-          I share testimonies about God’s goodness in my life, and His awesomeness in the world in general

-          I fast and pray once every week for the salvation of the souls of my loved ones (I’ve been slacking on this a little lately. I need to pick it up and be more committed)

2.       Referring to 10:16-17, what can you do, intellectually or spiritually, to help someone understand his/her need for Christ?

I think I’ll do the same thing I will to preach Christ to a Jew, as I stated above – I’ll start from the very beginning; and ALSO, pray continually for the salvation of their souls.

Weekly Self-Assessment Action Plan

1.       Be more serious with my weekly prayer and fasting program for lost souls

2.       Continually preach Christ.

3.       Spend more time in God’s presence, so as to learn more from Him

4.       Share new knowledge of God with friends

5.       Pray for Christians and Christian leaders all over the world

Thanks Komi

Many thanks to Komi for an amazing art work on our blog. You're a great Art PA. My God will beautify your life  in Jesus name. Amen!

Not Guilty Anymore - Aaron Keyes - With Lyrics

Like Temi was saying in the Bible Study two days ago. There is no condemnation to those in Jesus Christ because HE loves us and Mercy is ours!!!

LIGHT IN DARKNESS

Have you ever felt like even though the sun was all around you, you were in so much darkness [confused, and in doubt] about almost everything?

Well, I have felt that way, in fact of very recent!!! Recently, I moved to a new town in the south for my graduate studies [in a different field of study]. I did not know anyone in this town and I was anxious about many things. I kept asking myself questions like "is this the right decision?" "I am up for this challenge?" "Will I make it through graduate school without dropping out or multiple probations?" and many of these kinds of questions.

Slowly, my anxiety started to turn into a heavy burden and then into depression. I soon started to have random panic attacks. Also, the way I spent money did not help my anxiety. Likewise, the problems with my roommate was not helping either. All these went on for couple of weeks.[During this period, I came across this picture on Facebook]

And then finally, I realized I did not like the way I felt [lost and in so much confusion]. Then, I thought to myself, "What should I do about this?". Well, I knew I could pray about it. I started to pray for "joy unspeakable [I Peter 1:8]", "peace that surpasses all understanding [Philippians 4:7]" and "the joy of the Lord [Nehemiah 8:10]." During this period in prayers, I was reminded that Jesus instructed us "to be anxious for nothing [Philippians 4:6]" and He promised us that even though we were in valley of the shadows of death [take note - He said shadows], nothing will harm us [Psalm 23:5]. And He even said we may go through fire [Isaiah 43:2], but He will be with us all the way. 

Wow!!! What was I worried for??? It was all the lie of the enemy! I am not sure what you are going through presently but Jesus got your back... Jesus had my back!!! He cares about you and me deeply and this is the reason He will never leave us nor forsake us [Deuteronomy 31:6]. 

Now, I am doing much better. I have made new friends, I have good grades in my classes, my research job is going on well, and my roommate is a good buddy now [in fact, she is my audience before any presentations]. Jesus took care of all my worries!!!I hope this little reminder helps!


I am Saved by Grace [SBG]
- Komi Lasisi

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest - Matthew 11:28"

Lesson 7 - Romans 8:1-39

Lesson 7 

            NEWNESS of LIFE

Romans 8:1-39

Today’s Verse: 
Romans 8:11
"But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Sneak Peek

Up until a week ago, Dina considered herself the luckiest young woman alive. She was a Christian who loved the Lord, and who knew Jesus loved her specially. She was blessed with an excellent paying job, a lovely husband, and two wonderful girls.
Nothing and no one could prove to her that God wasn’t good. However,
her story changed when tragedy struck last week. She was sitting
in the front seat with her husband, who drove their silver Camry, while
her girls sat behind. They were so engrossed in conversation, laughing
out really loud that they didn’t realize quickly enough that they were
head-on with a trailer which had waded off its own side of the road
and had lost brake functionality.

Dina woke up five days later from her coma, and was told today that the accident had killed her husband and one of her girls, and had left her other daughter permanently disabled.

Dina now questions God’s love for her.

      What new thing can you tell Dina about God’s love that will make feel hopeful again?

God's love isn't all about rosy rosy smooth smooth - sometimes, we realize more of His love in our valley experiences. Remember the story of the Footprints? http://llerrah.com/footprints.htm  

      
      Does our love for God or our attitude towards God affect God’s love for us in any way?  Why or why not?

NO -

We can't do enough good to earn His love anyway; so we can't do enough bad to lose it.

AWESOMENESS!!!

What Do I See?

Read the entire passage for today Romans 8:1-39. Write down your Lesson Topic and any key ideas you see.

Lesson Topic

In the Spirit? Then, No Condemnation!

Key Ideas

1. Carnal vs. Spiritual Mindedness

2. The Spirit of God dwelling & working in us

3. Spirit of adoption making us joint-heirs with Christ

4. Predestination/Foreknowledge

5. The Love of God

FUN BOX

 What did you have for lunch today? 
  It's still 6am, I've not had lunch yet

What Can I Infer?

1.   What two kinds of lives do we see in this passage? Contrast them. – 8:1-25

	Spiritual	Carnal
a. b.     c. d. e. f.  g.	No Condemnation Freedom from law of sin and death  Spiritually minded     Life and peace  Spirit of adoption to call God Daddy Suffering and glorification with Christ;  glorious liberty First fruits of the Spirit; Redemption of our body; Saved by hope	Condemnation    Bondage and death in the law of sin  Carnally minded Death; Enmity with God; cannot please God Spirit of bondage to fear Bondage of corruption  Lost!

      


































      2.      As a Christian, what does it mean, to you, to have a new life? How do you live that out every day?

I. A new life means - I am not condemned. I have the mind of Christ. He is my righteousness. I am His righteousness. I am on earth just as He is. I am the light of the world. I look like Him. I sit in heavenly places with Him. I have Eternal Life inside of me. The resurrection power works in me and quickens my mortal body. I am of a kind that has never existed before. Satan is so pink jealous of me. I have all the fruit of Spirit, because I have the Spirit of God within and upon me. I have a mansion in Heaven. I have authority. I have dominion. When I speak it is done.

II. By looking at Him, beholding His glory and becoming changed into His image more and more from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord - 2 Corinthians 3:18. Never forgetting who I am (James 1:22-25) but pressing on to the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus - Philippians 3:14. By adding to faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness agape - that I will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus - 2 Peter 1:3-10

Lesson Summary: In one sentence, summarize Paul’s main point in this passage

Being in Christ Jesus and indwelt by the Spirit of God makes us completely free from sin and its consequences.

What Do I Do?

Self-Assessment

From Romans 8:31-39

1.      How can we be sure that bad times are not a signal of God’s displeasure with us?

First of all, God does not give anyone evil. There is absolutely no evil in Him. God's love is unwavering regardless of how much good or bad we do. He is the Father of Light in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning. Only good things come from Him - James 1:17.

But there are times when we take wrong turns in life, which can bring us suffering. If the Spirit of God dwells in us, we can know when and how we are taking wrong turns, and we can ask Him to guide us in the right path.

At other times, we may just be in a place of learning with God; with Him refining us in fire like silver - Malachi 3:3. Those times, definitely, are not fun. But learning to trust God and find the treasure in our dark times will produce in us people who look more like Jesus

 2.      Why do some people tend to turn away from God’s love during difficult times in their life?

Because they don't know better. We seem to always try to find quick solutions to our problems and this unfortunately can cause us more harm than good. 

3.       How can suffering and hardship strengthen us and deepen our love for God?

If we are wise and directed by the Spirit of God, sometimes, suffering and hardship draws us closer to God, and God is ever willing to pull us even closer to Himself to guide us through

Weekly Self-Assessment Action Plan

1. Tell someone about the love of God in Christ

2. Seek for treasures in the darkness of life

3. Look more into His Word to become more and more like Him

4.

5.