Week 5, Wisdom From The Spirit

1) Take a look at verse 1-5. What do we learn about Paul?

We see that Paul came in humility, not placing himself above the Corinthians. Indeed, he might be considered a greater sinner in having persecuted the Christians earlier.

2) From the same verses, what do we learn about faith, ie. where does it come from?

We come from a position of weakness, which strengthens our testimony. And God blesses us with His wisdom and with faith to follow Christ.

3) a) However, is it then okay to just sit idly and wait for God to do all the work?

No, because we are commanded by God to spread the Good News. Indeed, God’s will will be done regardless, and we still have a role that He has ordained for us. He has given us the Great Commission, and for people to hear and believe, we must be messengers and preachers of His Word.

b) Based on Paul's example, what is it that we can be expected to do?

In the passage, Paul takes an active role in spreading the Gospel, and through his example and actions, God demonstrated His power and His message.

4) What do we learn about God's wisdom in verses 6-10?

God’s wisdom is a secret and unknowable, until such time that He might reveal it. Our human wisdom fails in understanding Divine wisdom.

5) If only the Spirit of God knows His thoughts, how can we know what He desires?

God’s Spirit reveals His wisdom to us.

6) Verse 14 makes a statement. a) What is this statement?

One without the Spirit, does not understand and cannot accept the things that from God. Without Spiritual wisdom and discernment, a foolish man will not be able to perceive spiritual things.

b) Have you ever met a nonbeliever who couldn't comprehend God's wisdom? What was it like?

They don’t really see any particular difference, except maybe that you are a “good” person or that you have to follow a bunch of rules and regulations.

c) What would it take for them to truly understand God's Word?

They need the Spirit to reveal the Truth to them.

At this point, we had a long discussion concerning evangelism, homosexuality, predestination and free will, and the timelessness and nature of God.

7) In summary, what characterizes believers in Christ?

8) Application: How does the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God empower Christian fellowship with believers and nonbelievers?

Patience. Love.

2/6/08

Week 5

1 Corinthians - 2 Wisdom Comes From The Spirit

1) Take a look at verse 1-5. What do we learn about Paul?

We see that Paul came in humility, not placing himself above the Corinthians. Indeed, he might be considered a greater sinner in having persecuted the Christians earlier.

2) From the same verses, what do we learn about faith, ie. where does it come from?

We come from a position of weakness, which strengthens our testimony. And God blesses us with His wisdom and with faith to follow Christ.

3) a) However, is it then okay to just sit idly and wait for God to do all the work?

No, because we are commanded by God to spread the Good News. Indeed, God’s will will be done regardless, and we still have a role that He has ordained for us. He has given us the Great Commission, and for people to hear and believe, we must be messengers and preachers of His Word.

b) Based on Paul's example, what is it that we can be expected to do?

In the passage, Paul takes an active role in spreading the Gospel, and through his example and actions, God demonstrated His power and His message.

4) What do we learn about God's wisdom in verses 6-10?

God’s wisdom is a secret and unknowable, until such time that He might reveal it. Our human wisdom fails in understanding Divine wisdom.

5) If only the Spirit of God knows His thoughts, how can we know what He desires?

God’s Spirit reveals His wisdom to us.

6) Verse 14 makes a statement. a) What is this statement?

One without the Spirit, does not understand and cannot accept the things that from God. Without Spiritual wisdom and discernment, a foolish man will not be able to perceive spiritual things.

b) Have you ever met a nonbeliever who couldn't comprehend God's wisdom? What was it like?

They don’t really see any particular difference, except maybe that you are a “good” person or that you have to follow a bunch of rules and regulations.

c) What would it take for them to truly understand God's Word?

They need the Spirit to reveal the Truth to them.

At this point, we had a long discussion concerning evangelism, homosexuality, predestination and free will, and the timelessness and nature of God.

7) In summary, what characterizes believers in Christ?

8) Application: How does the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God empower Christian fellowship with believers and nonbelievers?

Patience. Love.

Intraclass bonding 1/23/08

Dinner @ CV

Announcement

This Wednesday, on 01/16/08

Dinner 7pm @ OVT
Prayer meeting @ 8pm
Bible Study afterwards

See y'all there!

Bible Study 1/09/08

Winter 2008 – Week 1

Acts Chapter 2: Beginnings of the Early Church

Summary: Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the conversion of many, and the community of the early church.

1) What is the Day of Pentecost? [1]

50 days after Passover, the Jews would gather and celebrate. In the passage, Jews from many nations have gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.

2) Why do you think the Holy Spirit comes as on “a rushing mighty wind” and appear as “divided tongues of flame”? [2-3]

In the Old Testament, God chooses to use actual fire, wind, and earthquakes to signal the coming of His Spirit.

3) What spiritual gift does the Holy Spirit enable?

They spoke many different ethnic languages.

4) How do the gathered people react? What is significant about this gathering of people? [6-13]

Some people thought the people speaking tongues were drunk. Ironically, the Holy Spirit came on this day where there was a ripe opportunity to allow the Gospel to spread among Jews of many nations.

5) What is Peter’s response? [14-40]

He begins to give a sermon, disproving the doubters. He even blames all of the Jews there for Christ’s death. In response, they are grieved to the heart and get baptized and believe.

v.20 see Matthew 24:29,30; Revelation 6:12. This verse refers to events prophesized to happen in the end times.

v.25-35 Peter teaches that the ideas in Psalm 16 apply to Jesus and not David. It seems that v.26-27, in the original language, essentially talks about resurrection and victory from death. This is inferred because in v.29 Peter talks about David being dead and buried, but then goes on to say in v.31 how the resurrection of Christ is applicable to what David wrote.

6) What is necessary to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? [38]

Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

7) What does v.39 hint at?

Many people from all over the world will be called to God.

8) How does God bless the disciples’ efforts? [41,43]

Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

9) Why do you think that this event took place at Pentecost?

God timed everything out perfectly from Jesus’ death to the Resurrection to coincide with the Passover and the Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is symbolic of God’s timing and also allows Jews from many nations to hear the Gospel.

10) How do the saints live, after being saved? [ 42-47]

They continued in fellowship and doctrine, breaking of bread and in prayers. They shared their possessions with one another. Their hearts were full of gladness and they praised God and had favor with all the people. People joined daily.

In summary, we learned that the early church was characterized by constant fellowship, prayer, worship, and joy. Ultimately, they sought forgiveness for their sins and believed in the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ

Winter 2008

Announcements:

Don't forget to plan a servant auction! Submit them by the 1/18/08 to Daniel Yee.

Men's Bible Study 5/30/07

1 Corinthians 7 Men and Women
Note: Much of this passage refers to marriage. None of us are married, so it may be difficult to relate the topics to our own lives, but should any of you get married in the future, there you go.

Context: Paul writes this chapter of his letter in to address the sexual immorality in the culture of the Corinthians

v.1-2 Paul states that it is better not to marry and he discusses his reasoning later in the letter. However, because the Corinthians lusted, Paul tells them to seek marriage so that their desires may satisfied in a more edifying manner.
v.3-6 Husband and wife should not deprive each other of sex. Doing so might lead one to seek sex outside of the marriage. Paul then states that all men are not gifted with being single.

Being Content with Your Situation and Calling
v.8-9 If you are married, you can be content. But if you are burning, it is better for you to seek marriage.
v.12-16 If you are married to a nonbeliever, you can still be content. How do you know if you will not be the one to save your spouse? If they leave you because of your faith, do not despair, you at least tried.
Discusson: Is it better to have your intended spouse convert before marrying them? Doing so does help to ensure that they are not seeking God only because of you. However, should you already be married, or if you married and then converted to Christianity but your spouse did not, you have the added responsibility of ministering and evangelizing to your spouse to make sure their heart is right. Either way, the Christian spouse has the responsibility of trying to provide a holy Christian lifestyle to his family.

v.17-24 The section seems to be a slight tangent from the marriage centered chapter. Nonetheless, the same lesson applies. Be content with your situation in life. Do not worry about small matters, like circumcision. This particular section holds true in a culture where Jews called for circumcision.
v.25-28 If you are single, be content. If you are married, be content. There is no pressing reason to change your status. However, marriage comes with added responsibilities.

Added Responsibilities of Marriage
v.29-35 In marriage, there is danger of you focusing more on pleasing and attending to your spouse than God. Be careful
Responsibilities in Ephesian 5:22-33
Husbands should love their wives as themselves. Just as God looks out for our best interests, so should husbands tend to their wifes. Husbands should instruct their wives in the Word. Likewise, wives should submit and respect their husbands. Just as Christ is the head of the Church, husbands are the head of the family.