OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Last night’s Bible study on Hebrews 13 was too important to gloss over … so we invested the entire time studying one verse …

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (v. 4)

Since “the best commentary on Scripture is Scripture,” we also looked carefully at numerous other passages to amplify the meaning of this single verse.  My teaching notes are listed here, instead of in a handout.  The key idea is in bold font.

• “fornicators” (πόρνος) = a person who prostitutes his/her body to another’s lust for hire; a person who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse; plus, a wide range of sexual sins.

• “adulterers” (μοιχός) = unfaithfulness by either party to the marriage vow.

• Sexual impurity desecrates the sacred; it profanes what God has made holy:  Genesis 2:18, 21-25;  Proverbs 5;  1 Corinthians 5:1-11; 6:15-20; 10:13 (Roc);  Galatians 5:19-21;  Colossians 3:5;  1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

• Examples of God’s judgment under the Law:  Leviticus 20:10;  Deuteronomy 22:20-26

To help prepare you for next Monday’s study on the remainder of chapter 13, here are additional questions, three of which already appeared in an earlier blog post:

1. What does this chapter teach about God’s presence? (vv. 5-6)  What difference will His presence make in our everyday lives?
2. What does this chapter teach about submitting to spiritual leadership in the church? (vv. 7-9, 17)
3. What are the traits of a “good leader”?
4. What are the traits of a “poor leader”?
5. Unpack v. 13 in your own words.
6. Define the “sacrifice of praise” in v. 15.
7. What other “sacrifices” please God? (v. 16)

Dessert will be served at 7 pm … the study starts right after that.

Remember to pray for each other!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Hebrews 13:1-3 Notes from tonight’s study.  Special thanks to Lloyd, Roc, and Scott H. for adding needed insights to my teaching notes.

Check the previous post for the questions pertaining to next Monday’s study of Hebrews 13:4-25, although I reserve the right to add more later in the week!

Continue to pray for each other!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Yes, we plan to study God’s Word this coming Monday, Labor Day.  Click here to download the handout for Hebrews 13.  Here are questions to help prepare you for our discussion.  If you are unable to join us, I exhort you to think through this passage on your own.  It is too important to neglect.

• Read through Hebrews 13 and circle each of the commands given in this chapter.
• Define “love of the brethren” in practical, everyday ways.  (v. 1)
• What did “hospitality” (v. 2) mean in the 1st Century?  What does it mean in the 21st Century in our Western culture?
• What is the motivation to “remember the prisoners”?  (v. 3)
• What does this chapter teach about marriage and sexual purity?  (v. 4)  Why do you think the author includes this instruction to these Hebrew Christians?  Is there application for us as well?
• What does this chapter teach about God’s presence?  (vv. 5-6)  What difference will His presence make in our everyday lives?
• What does this chapter teach about submitting to spiritual leadership in the church?  (vv. 7-9, 17)
• Define the “sacrifice of praise” in vv. 15-16.

While reading the book, Renovation of the Church, by Kent Carlson & Mike Lueken, the following quote jumped off of p. 121:

“The Bible is a vital means of growth, but in-depth Bible studies often stifle the growth.  We study to conquer, not to be changed.  We dig deeper into the Bible to sharpen our understanding of its content and meaning, not to have it sharpen us.  We must constantly be reminded that spiritual formation is not about learning more information.”

Wow! … my heart’s desire and prayer is that Monday nights with the OC Bereans will be a means to the end of spiritual transformation of our hearts, characters and lives into Christ-likeness.

Roc will provide the dessert Monday night … it will be served at 7 pm … followed by the Holy Spirit leading us into a discussion about “behavior becoming of believers.”

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Hebrews 12:15-29 Notes from tonight’s study, plus the handout on Why God’s Children Suffer.

Even though next Monday is Labor Day, we still plan to meet for Bible study … so if you are in town, come and join us.  Study questions for chapter 13 will be posted later this week.

In the meantime, continue to pray for each other!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Hebrews 12:5-14 Notes from Monday night’s study, when we discovered that God’s discipline of His followers goes far beyond mere negative correction; plus, it flows from His heart of love for us.

Here are several questions to aid your preparation for this coming Monday night’s study on Hebrews 12:15-29.  The more you prepare for this study, the more you will get out of our discussion.

1. Translate into your own words the exhortation of v. 15 … “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God.”
2. Identify one “root of bitterness” that you have cultivated in your heart.  (v. 15)
3. What lessons can be learned from Esau’s life?  Cf. Genesis 25:21-34 and 27:30-41
4. Compare and contrast how God reveals Himself to humanity at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20:18-21) versus Mt. Zion (Revelation 21:1-4, 10-14, 22-27).
5. How does the blood of Jesus “speak better than the blood of Abel”?  Cf. v. 24 with Hebrews 11:4.
6. What O.T. passages are quoted in v. 26?
7. Compare v. 28 with the race that we are to run in v. 1 … what more do we learn about this race of life?
8. What is the point of calling God a “consuming fire”?  (v. 29)
9. Practice the discipline of using “The Self Feeder” that I distributed two weeks ago … read the passage (Hebrews 12:15-29) … then fill in the five sections:

Write out the key verse.

What does it mean to me?

What is the breakthrough thought?

How can I apply it to my life?

What do I need to tell God today?

Rick M. is bringing the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm, followed by our study shortly after that … see you Monday!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

The “Prince of Preachers” in England, Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) wrote daily devotionals for both the morning and evening.  His morning selection for June 28th is especially applicable to our current study on Hebrews 12.  This devotional is based on verse 2.

It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ.  He insinuates, “Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.”  All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within.  But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that “Christ is all in all.”  Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith.  We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.  If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.”  Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him.  Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.

A link to read more daily devotions is available on the right-side navigational bar, under the heading, “Worth Visiting.”

Just a reminder that we will not meet this coming Monday because of another “Trinity Encounter” in Montana.  Please pray for the men participating in that.  We will resume our study of Hebrews 12 on Monday, August 22nd.

In the meantime, “Abide in the Vine”!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Hebrews 12:1-4 Notes from tonight’s study.

Remember … no study next Monday … we meet again on Monday, August 22nd.

Continue to pray for each other!

Abide in the Vine!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here to download Monday night’s handout on Hebrews 12.

Here also are several questions to get you ready for our discussion:

• In what ways is our spiritual life like a race?
• What specific things weigh you down in your spiritual journey?
• What prevents us from letting go of these things?
• Have you been disciplined (chastened) by God? … how?
• Identify examples from your own life of the difference between looking ahead to a future hope versus looking behind.
• How does God’s grace make a difference in the race you run?

Dessert will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that … we have another guest from Colorado coming … Nate!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Hebrews 11:31-40 Notes from last night’s study.

Study questions for Hebrews 12 will be posted later this week.

Continue to pray for each other!

Abide in the Vine!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click here for the Hebrews 11:8-30 Notes from last Monday’s study.

Tomorrow evening we will finish our month-long discussion of chapter 11.  Here are five additional questions to prepare you for that:

1. What are common excuses non-Christians use when you attempt to share the Gospel with them?  How does the story of Rahab counter these excuses?  (v. 31)
2. What made Gideon a man of faith?  (Judges 6:11 – 7:25)
3. How about Barak? (Judges 4:1 – 5:31)  … Samson? (Judges 13:1 – 16:31)  … Jephthah? (Judges 11:1 – 12:7)
4. A significant shift in focus occurs in Hebrews 11:35 … what is it?
5. Why does it make sense to hold to your faith even if it does not bring deliverance from suffering?

Dessert will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr