dBOOKENDSTHE
CHRISTIAN LIFEOFTHE
BOOK BY JERRY BRIDGES & BOB BEVINGTONLEADER’S GUIDE BY SUSAN BEEBE
BIBLE STUDY and LEADER’S GUIDE
d
BOOKENDSTHE
CHRISTIAN LIFEOFTHE
BIBLE STUDY LEADER’S GUIDEBY SUSAN BEEBE
BOOK BY JERRY BRIDGES & BOB BEVINGTON
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
1
DevelopedfromTheBookendsoftheChristianLife,byJerryBridgesandBobBevington,©2009.UsedbypermissionofCrossway,apublishingministryofGoodNewsPublishers,Wheaton,Illinois60187,www.crossway.org.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
2
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Testimonies.................................................................................................................................................. 4
NotetotheTeacher..................................................................................................................................... 6
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 8
TheFirstBookend:TheRighteousnessofChrist
Chapter1:TheRighteousnessofChrist .............................................................................................. 10
Chapter2:TheMotivationoftheGospel............................................................................................ 15
Chapter3:GospelEnemy#1:Self-righteousness................................................................................ 22
Chapter4:GospelEnemy#2:PersistentGuilt .................................................................................... 28
Chapter5:LeaningontheFirstBookend ............................................................................................ 35
TheSecondBookend:ThePoweroftheHolySpirit
Chapter6:ThePoweroftheHolySpirit.............................................................................................. 42
Chapter7:DependentResponsibility.................................................................................................. 49
Chapter8:TheHelpoftheDivineEncourager .................................................................................... 55
Chapter9:GospelEnemy#3:Self-Reliance ........................................................................................ 61
Chapter10:LeaningontheSecondBookend ..................................................................................... 67
Conclusion:TheBookendsPersonalWorldview........................................................................................ 73
Appendix .................................................................................................................................................... 75
GospelProclaimingScriptureBookmark ............................................................................................ 75
SongLyrics ........................................................................................................................................... 76
ThomasWilcox’sInstructionsforDealingwithPersistentGuilt ......................................................... 86
AViewofAllThreeFocalPointsforShiftingOurDependencetotheSecondBookend..................... 88
BibleStudyAttached
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
3
PREFACE
TheBookendsoftheChristianLife,writtenbyBobBevingtonandJerryBridges,hascaptivatedmanychurchesacrossthenation.ThebookhasbeenusedbyGodtotransformthelivesofmanyasithasprovidedavehicleto“examinetheframeworkthatsupports,stabilizes,andsecuresthebeliever’slifeinChrist.”
TheBookendsBibleStudyandLeader’sGuideweredevelopedtogiveyoutheuniqueopportunitytodigevendeeperintoGod’sWordtoexploretheframeworkofGod’splanofsalvationandtheGospel.LearnhowleaningontheBookendsoftheChristianLife–theRighteousnessofChristandthePoweroftheHolySpirit–canprovidehopetolivealifefreefromguilt,pride,andself-righteousness.JoinusinexploringGod’spromisesthatwillre-igniteyourpassionandappreciationforthegospelandmotivateyoutoliveagospel-drivenlife.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
4
TESTIMONIES
TestimonyfromusingtheBookendsBibleStudyGuideforpersonalBiblestudy:KathyRayPriceMD:Whetheryouarejuststartingyourspirituallife“library”orhavemanyvolumesofstudycompleted,Bookendsisastudythatwillhelpyourfaithbeclarified,strengthened,anddeepened!IgotsomuchmoreoutofthebookwhenIusedtheteacher’sguidealongwithmystudy.IwishIhadknownandtrustedintheBiblicalBookend’sprinciplesmywholelife!TheyreallymadetheconceptsofGod’srighteousnessandthepoweroftheHolySpiritpracticalandapplicabletoeverydaylife.Ilovedthescripturememory,deepstudyofscriptures,andsongsthatemphasizedeachlesson.Thankyouforastudythathelpedaddthesecritical“Bookends”tostabilizemyChristianlifeonthebookshelffoundationofChrist!TestimonyfromasmallgroupleaderwhousedLeader’sGuidefortheirsmallgroup:Ourladies’BiblestudyenjoyedtheBookendsbook,studyquestions,andawesomeadditionalscriptures,explanations,andlearningpointsfromtheteacher’sguide!Theladieswerefromseveraldenominations,variousagesandwalksoflife,andyetallfoundapplicableinformationfortheirfaithgrowth.TestimoniesfromthosewhoparticipatedintheBookendsBibleStudyinalargegroupsetting:Kristen:Ithinkthestudywasgreatatreallygettingatthemeatandpotatoesofhowto“use”theBibleorhowtostructureyourlifeasaChristian.Louisa:InweekoneofBookends,itwasobviousourteachershadbeenimpactedbythebook.Theirexcitementandenthusiasmwascontagious.IwantedtoknowwhattheyhadreadandhearhowGodhadimpactedthem.Inthisstudy,oneofmyfavoritethingswasthateachtimeweheardaboutan“ahha”momentofsomeone’sfaith,itwaslinkedtoscriptureandenabledmetohaveadeeperunderstandingofGod’sWord.Whilepersonalstorieswereshared,God’sstorywasmadeclearandrelevantforlifetodayandcommunicatedclearly.Idon’tthinkitwouldmatterifIwasanewbelieverorabelieverforyears,Iwouldgainsignificantlyfromthisstudy.Jane:CombiningavisualimageoftwobookendswithapracticalunderstandingoftherighteousnessofChristandthepoweroftheHolySpirithastransformedmylife.TheScriptureshavebeenunlockedforme.Thisknowledgeoftenoverflowsintoconversationswithothers.Itprovidesa“nutsandbolts”workingknowledgewhichgivesmeanewfoundconfidencetospeakaboutGod’slove.DailylifemakesmuchmoresensewhenIreturntotheconceptspresentedinBookends.Thebookisconcise,easytoread,andtheScripturereferencesarewelldocumented.Ithasbecomeaterrificreferencetoolforme.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
5
ThisBookendsstudyismulti-sensoryandexcitingtoparticipatein.Informationispresentedpassionatelyfromtheheart.Eachstudyincludestimeforlecture,smallgroupdiscussion,memoryverses,andmusic.Thevarietyofmethodsallowedmetoconnectthroughmanyfacetsinanintimateway.IamsogratefulthattheHolySpiritledmetothisstudy.Christie:HavingjustcompletedtheBookendsBibleStudy,Iwantedtotakeamomenttorecommendthisstudytoanyonethinkingoftakingit.WhetheryouarenewtofaithinChristoran“oldtimer”likemyself(I’velovedtheLordforover50years!)thisstudyhassomethingforyou.Thebookitselfisuniqueinitsabilitytoclearlylayoutthebasicsofthefaith,andthestudyguideopensupexcellentopportunitiesforclassdiscussion.ItisclearthewritershaveapassionfortheGospel.ChurchesshouldmakethisaregularintherotationofBibleStudiestheyoffer.Judi:WhetheranewChristianoramaturebeliever,theBookendsoftheChristianLifeBiblestudyprovidesauniqueopportunitytogrowinone’sfaith.ThestudyclearlyandconciselyportrayshowtheRighteousnessofChristandthePoweroftheHolySpiritaffectabeliever’slife.IntheGospel-drivenlifenothinghappensrandomly.ThroughthegraceofChristandthePoweroftheHolySpiritwecanbeformedintheimageHelongsforustobe.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
6
NOTETOTHETEACHER
ThisLeader’sGuidecanbeusedinthefollowingways:
• AsalargegroupdidacticguidefortheteacherinaBiblestudysetting
• Asasmallgroupleader’sguidetoemphasizelearningpointsandclarifyandamplifythematerial.
• Asanindividualstudyguideadjunct
Materialsneeded:
• TheBookendsoftheChristianLifebyBobBevingtonandJerryBridges
• TheBookendsBibleStudy(included)
• TheBookendsBibleStudyLeader’sGuide(included)
Homeworkrequired:ReadonechapterofBookendsoftheChristianLifeperweekandcompletecorrespondingBookendsBibleStudyquestions.Answerstoquestionsareaddressedthroughoutteachingcurriculumthefollowingweek.
Teachingformatforalargegroupsetting:
• Theteachingcurriculumisprintedinoutlineformatandistobeusedasyourguide.
• Thetimerequiredtocovertheteachingcurriculumisapproximatelyonehourperchapter.Itisoptimaltoaddanadditional20-30minutesattheendofclasstoallowsufficienttimeforprayeranddiscussion.
• Eachlessonfollowsthesamebasicformatandincludesthefollowing:
1. Beforeyoubeginteaching:
• Writeoutthelesson’sversesontheboardaheadoftime.Theclasscanthenrecordthembeforethestudybeginstobetterfollowthelesson.
• Passoutanymaterialsneededsuchassonglyrics,bookmarks,etc.
2. WelcomeandPrayer
3. QuickReviewofpreviousweek–includesreciting,asaclass,thememoryversefromthepreviousweek
4. TeachingContent/Today’sLesson
• Theteacherwillspeakmostofthetime,withperiodictimesofactivedialogueinaquestionandanswerformattoavoida“lecture”atmosphere.Thisteachingstylekeepsthestudentsattentivewhileatthesametimepromotingclassparticipationandacertainintimacywithintheclassroom.
• EachlessonincludesatleastoneBreak-OutSessionwithdesignatedBibleversesandcorrespondingquestionstobediscussedasasmallgroupateachtable,andthendiscussed
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
7
asalargegroupwiththeteacherafterreconvening.ThisgivesparticipantstheopportunitytodigintoGod’sWordtogetherwithatraineddiscussionleader.
• Teacher’sNotesareaddedinstructionsonhowtopresentmaterialorconductsmallgroupexercises.
• GoingDeeperisanopportunityfortheteachertoexploreatopicmorein-depthwithstudentswhentimeallows.Thisoptionalteachingmaterialcanbeskippedifneeded.
• TheMemoryVersebestsummarizestheweek’smainteachingpointandemphasizestheimportanceofscripturememory.Thegoalistorecitetheverseasaclassthefollowingweek.
5. TheSongoftheWeek,playedattheendofclass,containslyricsthatsummarizetheweek’steachingmaterial.
6. SmallGroupDiscussionandPrayerTimeisanopportunityattheendofclassfortableleaderstoreviewhomeworkquestions,collectprayerrequests,andpraytogether.
Suggestion:Whentimeislimited,haveparticipantssummarizeprayerrequeststoonesentencesothateveryone’sisheard,theniftimeallows,gobackanddiscussinmoredetail.
Recommendedclassstructureinlargegroupsetting:
• Theclassshouldbedividedintosmallergroupsthatwillstayatthesametableseachweek.
• Eachtableshouldhavealeaderwhoisamemberofthechurchandhasbeentrainedtobeadiscussionleader.
• Thetableleaderwillberesponsibleforreviewingdiscussionguidelineswithtablememberspriortodiscussion.
• Tableleadersareresponsibleforpreparingaheadoftimeforfacilitatingdiscussionandansweringsmallgroupdiscussionquestionsduringclass.Thediscussionquestionsareaddedeitherattheendofclassorwillwebuiltinthroughoutclasstime.
• ThetableleaderwillalsoberesponsibleforcollectingprayerrequestandconductingprayertimeatendofBiblestudy.Thistimeisanimportantpartofdevelopingfellowshipandintimacywithineachsmallgroup.
WeeklyLifeAppsareadditionalresourcesthatenableparticipantsto“applytotheirlives”whattheyarelearningintheBookendsBibleStudy.Theyinclude:
• MemoryVerseBooklets–Providesmallbookletsforparticipantstorecordmemoryverses.Participantsareencouragedtousethebookletsformemorizingversesathomeaswell.
• SongLyrics–Distributelyrics(foundintheAppendix)fortheSongoftheWeekforparticipantstofollowastheylisten.
• PrayerRequestsBookmarks–UsedasbookmarkfortheBookendsbook,theseareforeachmembertorecordweeklyprayerrequests.Everytimethebookisread,participantsareremindedtoprayfortheirgroup.
• SmallGroupDiscussionQuestions–PrinttheseaheadoftimeforleaderstodistributeforBreakoutSessionsandDiscussionTime.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
8
INTRODUCTION
SESSIONONE
WELCOMEandPRAYER
Introduceyourselfandexplainwhyyouareexcitedaboutthisstudy.
1. SharehowGodcanusetheconceptsinthisbooktotransformyourfaithandincreaseyourappreciationfortheGospel.
2. Thisstudycanmeettheneedsofeveryoneintheclasswhetherit’stheirfirstBiblestudyorthey’vebeeninBiblestudiesforyears.
3. ThereisnothingmoreimportantthanfullyunderstandingtheGospelandwhatitmeansinourlives.
DiscussBUSINESSITEMSandANNOUNCEMENTS
Homework:
1. Weeklycalendar/assignments
2. Readchapterandcompletehomework
• Looseleafpapershouldbeinthebackofthestudyforanswersandnotes.
• Encouragestudentstotrytofinishallreadingandquestionsbutnottostressiftheydon’tgetitalldone.Encouragethemtopleasecomeregardless!ThisshouldbealowpressureBiblestudy.
3. BringBible!
LifeApps:
1. PrayerRequestsBookmarks–foreachmemberatatabletorecordweeklyprayerrequests,theseareusedasbookmarksforBookendsbook.Everytimeyoupickupthebooktoread,prayforthoseinyourgroup.
2. MemoryVerseBooklets
3. BreakoutSessions
4. SongLyrics–forSongoftheWeek
INTRODUCTIONS
Haveeachstudentsaytheirnameandwhytheyaretakingthestudy.
LEADERTESTIMONY
ExplainhowBookendshastransformedyourfaith.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
9
BOOKENDSILLUSTRATION1. Askparticipantstoimaginealltheactivities(books)we
balanceinourlives.(Astheyanswer,labelthebookswiththeiranswers.)Examples:
• ChristianGrowth:church,Biblestudy,quiettime,serving,sharingtheGospel,fellowship
• EverydayActivities/NecessitiesofLife:familyactivities,job,education,recreation,groceries,driving,laundry,cooking,householdchores
2. Theburdengetsheavierandheavierandhardertomanageasweaddmoreactivities.(Givebookstoanassistanttohold.Asthebooksgetmoredifficulttomanage,theywillfinallyfalltotheground.)
3. Weneedabookshelf/solidfoundationonwhichtoplaceourbooks!ThissolidfoundationisfoundonlyinarelationshipwithJesusChrist.WhenwereceiveChristasourSavior,wereceiveagreatfoundation(bookshelf)onwhichtoplaceourbooks.(Placebooksonashelf.)
4. Throughthisstudy,wewilldivedeepintoGod’sWordtobetterunderstandtheGospel–nomatterwhereweareinourwalk,whetherwe’veneverpickedupaBibleinourlivesorwe’vebeenaChristianallofourlives.It’simportanttounderstandhowdesperatelyweneedthisfoundationinourlives.NextweekwewilltalkabouttheGospelandwhyitprovidessuchasolidfoundationonwhichwecanplaceourbooks.
5. JustbecausesomeoneisaChristiandoesn’tmeanlifewillbeeasyorwithoutdifficultyinmanagingactivities.Inotherwords…justbecausewehaveanicebookshelfdoesn’tmeanit’seasytomanagethebooks.(Starttakingbooksofftheshelf,thenwobblethetable.Thebooksbecomeunstableandfall.)
6. Whatwouldhelp?Twostablebookendscanmakeallthedifferenceintheworld.ThetwobookendsareTheRighteousnessofChristandThePoweroftheHolySpirit.
• ThroughthisstudywearegoingtogainabetterunderstandingandappreciationoftheGospelandthefoundationaltruthsthatcomefrombeingunitedtoChristbyfaith.
• WewilllearnhowfaithinChristgivesusaccesstotheRighteousnessofChristandthePoweroftheHolySpiritandtheimpactthesetwobookendscanhaveonourlives.
• Wewillanswerquestionsthatweoftenaskourselveslike…(Readquestionsonpage16.)
MEMORYVERSE
Galatians5:1a–“ItwasforfreedomthatChristsetsusfree,thereforekeepstandingfirm…”
TEACHER’SNOTE:• Youneedavolunteerforthisillustration.• Use6-7thickbookswrappedinpaper.
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
Ontopofthedifficultyoftryingtomanageallouractivities,weaddasenseofguilt–guiltforwhatweshouldbedoingorguiltforsomethingwearedoingthatweshouldn’t.Wewillreadawholechapteraboutguilt.
1. Guilthandledtherightwayleadsustochange.
2. Guilthandledthewrongway…
• Pharisees-focusedonfollowingthelawandlookinggoodontheoutside,butwereoblivioustotheinternalconditionoftheirheart.
• Theguilt-ridenarepainfullyawareoftheirsinandimperfectionsbutkeeptryingharderandhardertobecomeacceptablebeforeGod.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
10
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERONE
FIRSTBOOKEND:TheRighteousnessofChrist
WELCOMEandPRAYER
1. Askifeveryoneisenjoyingthebooksofar.
2. Howdidthehomeworkgo?
3. Asifanyonewouldbewillingtosharethememoryversefromlastweek.
REVIEW
1. Lastweekweusedbooksasrepresentationsofalltheactivitiesofourlives.(Displaybooks/bookendsagain.)
2. Wediscoveredthatweneedagoodfoundation/shelf(savingrelationshipwithChrist)uponwhichtoplaceourbooks.
3. Justbecausewehavegoodfoundation/relationshipwithJesusChristdoesn’tmeanlifeisgoingtobeeasy.
4. WeneedtoleanonthebookendsoftheChristianLifewhicharetheRighteousnessofChristandthePowerandtheHolySpirit.
5. Wefirstneedabookshelftoplaceourbooksuponbeforewecanrelyonthebookends.ThereisnothingmoreimportantthanunderstandingtheGospelthatbuildsthefoundationofourlives.Thisisthesolidbookshelf.
LESSONONE
WhatistheGospel?
TheReality:Weareallsinners,whetherwelikeitornot.Romans3:23–“AllhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.”
1. “Allhavesinned…”Whywouldsomepeoplequestionthis?
• “Iamaprettygoodperson…Ineverkilledanyone…Ifollowthetencommandments.”
• Howaboutinoureverydaylives?Unforgiveness,discontentment,selfishness,pride,judgementalism,jealousy,impatience,andirritability…Thelistgoeson.
2. “…andfallshortofthegloryofGod.”WhatdoesGodrequireofus?(Q#2)
• Matthew22:30–“YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,allyoursoulandallyourmind.”
• 1Peter1:15-16–“Buthewhocalledyouisholy,youalsobeholyinallyourconduct.”Beholyinallourconduct?
• Hebrews12:14–“Strivefor…holinesswithoutwhichnoonewillseetheLord.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesontheboardforclasstolookupaheadoftime:
•Romans3:23and2Corinthians5:21inthereentirety
•ReferencestoMatthew22:30,Hebrews12:14,Isaiah59:2,1Peter2:22,Hebrews4:15,Matthew11:27,Luke3:23,Philippians2:8,Colossians1:22,Romans5:21,Galatians2:20
2. Selectafewpeopletoreadversesoutloudthroughoutteaching.
3. PassOutGospelProclaimingScriptureBookmarks
4. Songlyrics
TEACHER’SNOTE:HaveclassmembersfollowalongwiththeGospelProclaimingScriptureBookmark.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
11
3. Scripturesaysthatrighteousness(orholiness)isrequiredinordertobeinrightstandingwithGod.Whatisrighteousness?(Q#1)Neverdoingwhatiswrong,alwaysdoingwhatisright,andperfectlyobeyingGod.
TheProblem:
1. ThereisnoamountofgooddeedsthatcanrestoreourrelationshipwithGod.(Q#3)
• Romans3:10–“Noneisrighteous,nonotone.”
• Isaiah64:6–“…allourrighteousdeedsarelikeapollutedgarment(filthyrags).”
2. ReferbacktoRoman3:23–We“fallshortofthegloryofGod.”
• WhathappensifwefallshortofthegloryofGod?(Q#4)
• Galatians3:10–“CursedbeeveryonewhodoesnotabidebyallthingswrittenintheBookoftheLawanddothem.”
3. Whatdoesthiscursemeansforus?
• Isaiah59:2–“YouriniquitieshavemadeaseparationbetweenyouandyourGod,andyoursinshavehiddenhisfacefromyousothathedoesnothear.”WewillbeeternallyseparatedfromHispresence.
• Romans6:23a–“Forthewagesofsinisdeath.”
The GoodNews:
BREAK-OUTSESSION
1. Assigneachtableaversetolookupandread:Romans6:23b,Galatians3:13,1Peter2:24,Romans5:8,1Peter3:18(VersesfoundonGospelProclaimingScriptureBookmark)
2. Discussthefollowing:
• Whoistheversetalkingabout?
• WhyisitGoodNews?
3. Haveeachtableleaderreadverseoutloudandgiveanswersfromthetexttheyread.
PULLITALLTOGETHER
Summarizeclassinputtoanswerquestions:
1. Romans6:23b–“BUTthegiftofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusourLord.”GodgivesuseternallifethroughChrist!
2. Galatians3:13–“Christredeemedusfromthecurseofthelawbybecomingacurseforus.”
• Rememberthecurse?Whatarethewages(payment)ofsin?DEATH!(SeeRomans6:23a)
• ChristredeemedusfromthecursethatultimatelyleadstodeathandeternalseparationfromGod.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Tableleadersshouldremindgroupmembersofdiscussionguidelines.
Haveeveryoneatthetableintroducethemselves.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
12
3. 1Peter2:24–“HeboreoursininHisbodyonthetree.”HepaidthepriceforoursinsbysacrificingHisbody.(Q#6)
4. Romans5:8–“ButGoddemonstrateshisownloveforusinthis:whilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus.”
• WhendidGoddemonstrateHisloveforus?Whilewewerestillsinners!
• DidHediebecauseIwasagoodperson?NO!HediedbecauseIwasasinner.
5. 1Peter3:18–“ForChristalsosufferedonceforsins,therighteous(Christ)fortheunrighteous(us).”
MEMORYVERSE
2Corinthians5:21–“Foroursakehemadehimtobesin(putonourfilthyrags),whoknewnosin,sothatinhimwemightbecometherighteousnessofGod.”
THECOATSILLUSTRATION
ImagineaMoralLedgerrecordingallofourgooddeedsandalloursins.
1. OurMoralLedger
• Sin–Wearecompletelysinful.Romans3:23–“Forallhavesinned…”
• GoodDeeds–Evenourmostrighteousdeedsarelikefilthyrags(Isaiah64:6).TheyarenothingcomparedtotherighteousnessofChrist!(Haveavolunteerputonthefilthyragcoat.)
2. Christ’sMoralLedger
• Sin–He“knewnosin”(2Corinthians5:21)(Q#6).“Hecommittednosin”(1Peter2:22).Jesuswas“ineveryrespecttemptedasweare,yetwithoutsin”(Hebrews4:15).
• GoodDeeds?–Heisperfectlyrighteous(Haveanothervolunteerputonthesparklywhitecoat.)
• HewasinperfectrelationshipwithHisFather.Whatdoesthatmean?Matthew11:27says,“NooneknowstheSonexcepttheFather,andnooneknowstheFatherexcepttheSonandanyonetowhomtheSonchoosestorevealtoHim.”Itisanexclusiverelationshipwithintimateknowledgeofeachother.
• Hewasperfectlyobedient.TheFathertakesdelightinallHisSondoes.WhenJesuswasbaptized,Godsaid,“YouaremybelovedSon,withyouIamwellpleased”(Luke3:23).
TheepitomeofChrist’sobediencewaswhenHehumbledHimselfbybecomingobedienttothepointofdeath,evendeathonacross(Philippians2:8).
THEGREATEXCHANGE
1. WhenChristdied,Hebecamesin.2Corinthians5:21–“Foroursakehemadehimtobesin…”
• Heputonourfilthysincoat.
• GodtookoursinsandchargedthemtoChristleavinguswithacleanledger!
TEACHER’SNOTE:
1. Youwillneed:
•Twovolunteers
•Onedirtycoatandone“sparklywhitecoat”
2. Writeledgeronboard:
US CHRIST Good Good Sins Deeds Sins Deeds
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
13
2. 2Corinthians5:21–“…SothatinhimwemightbecometherighteousnessofGod.”
Isaiah61:10–“…forhehasclothedmewiththegarmentsofsalvationandhehascoveredmewiththerobeofrighteousness”!(Q#6)(Havethevolunteersexchangethefilthysincoatforthe“sparklywhitecoat.”)
3. FromthemomentwereceiveChristasourSaviorandputourfaithinwhatHedidforusonthecross,Godnolongerseesoursin,butseesChrist’srighteousness!
• ThismakesusacceptabletostandbeforeourHolyGod.DiscussColossians1:22–“Hehasnowreconciledinhisbodyoffleshbyhisdeath,inordertopresentyouholyandblamelessandabovereproachbeforehim.”
• QuotefromPastorJoeCoffey:“Christlivedthelifethatweshouldhavelivedanddiedthedeaththatweshouldhavedied.”
• JustasGodchargedoursintoChrist,HecreditstheperfectobedienceofJesustoallwhotrustinhim.
WhydoestheGreatExchangebringusGoodNews?
1. WenowcanenjoyanintimaterelationshipwithGodbecausethewagesofoursinhavebeenpaid!
• God’sgiftofHisSon,Christ,paidthepenaltyforoursins!SojustasGodchargedoursintoChrist,HecreditstheperfectobedienceofJesustoallwhotrustinHim.Christlivedaperfectlife-inGod’ssightitisasifwelivedaperfectlife.
• ThisnotonlygivesuseternallifeinthepresenceofourHolyGod,butwecanhavetheawesomejoyofhavingarelationshipwithHiminourdailylives!
• HowcanIbesureGodlovesandacceptsme?(p.16)BecausewhenHelooksatmeHeseesHisSonandlovesandacceptsmeasHisSon.
2. TheGoodNewsoftheResurrection
• AfterChristdied,Heroseagain!(Ephesians4)Hedidnotstayfullofsin.Instead,Herosefromthegrave,conqueredsinanddeathandregainedHisrighteousness.
• BecauseofHisresurrection,weasbelieversdonothavetoremainunderthedominionofsinanddeath.(Romans6:14)Thatisthejoybehindtheresurrection.
3. BecauseofHisdeathandresurrectionwearejustified.Romans4:25–“Hewasdeliveredovertodeathforoursinsandwasraisedtolifeforourjustification.”
• Whatdoesjustificationmean?Twowaysoflookingatit:(Q#7)
1) “JustasifI’dneversinned”referstothetransferofourmoraldebttoChristsoweareleftwitha“clean”ledger–alsoknownasforgiveness.Oursinshavebeenwipedclean.
2) “JustasifI’dalwaysobeyed”referstoourslatethatinnowfilledwiththeveryrighteousnessofChrist.BecauseweareclothedinHisrighteousness(Isaiah61:10).
• Howarewejustified?Romans5:1–“…wehavebeenjustifiedbyfaith”(Q#6)WhenweputourfaithinChrist’sdeathandresurrection,wearejustified.
• Whenarewedeclaredjustified?ThemomentwegenuinelytrustinChristasourSavior,wearedeclaredrighteousbyGod.Thisisaone-timeevent.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
14
HowdoweapplythisGoodNewstoourlives?
1. ReadGalatians2:20a–“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist.ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristwholivesinme...”
• Christdiedonthecrosstopayforoursins.
• WhenwereceiveChrist,webecomecrucifiedwithHim,dietoourownlife,andhavefreedomtoliveanewlifeinChrist.
2. ReadfurtherinGalatians2:20b–“AndthelifeIliveinthefleshIlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovemeandgavehimselfforme”
• “Ilive”Justificationisnotonlyapastevent,butalsoadailypresentreality.Everyday,PaulrealizedhestoodrighteousinthesightofGod.
• “byfaith…”Faithinvolvesarenunciationandareliance.(Q#8;page28)
Renunciation–WemustrenounceanytrustinourownperformanceasthebasisofouracceptancebeforeGod.
Reliance–WemustrelysolelyonChrist’sperfectobedienceandHissin-bearingdeathasthesolebasisofourstandingbeforeGod
3. “Everydaywemustre-acknowledgethefactthatthere’snothingwecandotomakeourselveseithermoreacceptabletoGodorlessacceptable.”(Q#9;page29)WemustlookoutsideourselvesdailytotherighteousnessofChrist.
SONG
“InChristAlone”byOwlCity(“HereinthePowerofChristI’llStand”)
INVITATION
IfanyoneherehasneverplacedtheirfaithinwhatChristdidforthemandwouldliketotalkmoreabouthavingapersonalrelationshipwithChrist,pleaseletoneofusknow.Wewouldlovetotalkwithyoumore.
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. Tableleadersshouldhavesmallgroupsshareprayerrequests.
2. DiscussionQuestions:
• Asbelieverswhoarejustifiedbyfaith,whydowefallbackintorelyingonourownperformances?
• Howcanwestarttolivethisoutinourdailylives?
TEACHER’SNOTE:Printdiscussionquestionsaheadoftimeorwritethemontheboard.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
15
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERTWO
TheMotivationoftheGospel
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
MemoryVerse:2Corinthians5:21–“Foroursakehemadehimtobesinwhoknewnosin,sothatinhimwemightbecometherighteousnessofGod.”
1. WhenweputourfaithintheredeemingworkofChrist’sdeathonthecross,weareclothedintheRighteousnessofChrist.
2. WhenGodlooksatus,HeseesHisSon.Becauseofthat,wecanhavearelationshipwithHim.WearenolongerseparatedfromHim.
3. DoesHeloveusbecauseofanythingwehavedone?No!
Ephesians2:8–“Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith.Andthisisnotyourowndoing;itisthegiftofGod,notaresultofworks,sothatnoonemayboast.”Thisbringsupsomegoodquestions:
1. Ifwearesavedbygraceandthereisnothingwecandotoearnoursalvation,whywouldwebemotivatedtoserve?
2. IfoursinsarealreadypaidforbyChrist’sblood,whycan’twejustgoonsinning?
3. Looktoscriptureformoreinsight…
• Romans6:1–“Whatshallwesaythen?Arewetocontinueinsinthatgracemayabound?Bynomeans!”
• Romans6:12-13–“Letnotsinthereforereigninyourmortalbody,tomakeyouobeyitspassions.Donotpresentyourmemberstosinasinstrumentsforunrighteousness,butpresentyourselvestoGodasthosewhohavebeenbroughtfromdeathtolife.”Wheredoesthemotivationtoserveand“presentyourselftoGod”comefrom?
LESSONTWOTheMotivationoftheGospel
Three-StepProcess
AgenuineloveforChristandthemotivationtoserveHimcomethroughthisthree-stepprocess:(Writetheseonboard.)
1. Anon-goingconsciousnessofourownsinfulnessandunworthiness(Q#2)
2. TheassuranceofforgivenessthatonlycomesfromthepoweroftheGospel(Q#2)
3. WhenwehaveexperiencedthetransformingpoweroftheGospel,werespondwithgenuinegratitudeandacommitmenttoGodthroughthepoweroftheHolySpirit.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesontheboardforclasstolookupaheadoftime:Isaiah6:1-8,Luke7:36-50,Acts9:1-9,Romans6:1,Romans12:1,Ephesians2:8,Philippians3:4-14
2. Selectafewpeopletoreadversesoutloudthroughoutteaching.
3. Songlyrics
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
16
BREAK-OUTSESSION
ExplorethefollowingthreepeoplefromtheBibleandhoweachexperiencedthetransformingpoweroftheGospel.Thendiscusswhatthislookslikeinourownlives.
1. SinfulWoman-Luke7:36-50(Q#1)
2. HighlyRespectedJew–Isaiah6:1-8(Q#4-5)
3. Self-RighteousPharisee–Philippians3:4-14(Q#8-9)
PULLITALLTOGETHER
Aseachstoryisdiscussedhavearepresentativefromeachtablediscusstheiranswersrelatedtotheirdesignatedscripture.
TheSinfulWoman–Luke7:36-50
1. WhoinvitedJesusintohishome?(vs.36)
Simon,thePharisee(averyelitegroupofJewswhofollowedthelaw–veryreligious)
2. Whoisalsothere?(vs.37-38)
The“womanofthecity.”ItwasunusualforsomeonewithabadreputationtodareenteruninvitedintothehouseofaPharisee.
3. WhatdidthesinfulwomandowhensheheardJesuswasthere?
• Broughtanalabastarflaskofointment–veryexpensive
• StoodbehindHimatHisfeet–guestswerereclinedatthetable
• WeptandwetHisfeetwithhertears–outofthankfulnessandreverentawe
• WashedHisfeet–anactofhospitality
• WipedHisfeetwithherhair–hadtoloosenherlonghairwhichJewishwomenrarelydidinpublic
• KissedHisfeetandanointedthemwithherexpensiveointment–ahugesacrife
• Whywouldshedothis?ItwasanoutwardsymbolofherheartfeltgratitudeandaffectiontowardsJesus.
3. WhyisSimonthePhariseeupset?(vs.39–Q#1a)IfJesuswasaprophet,HewouldhaveknownthewomantouchingHimwasasinner.
4. HowdoesJesusrespond?
• Hetoldtheparableofthemoneylenderandtwodebtors.Oneowed500denariiandtheotherowed50.Whentheycouldn’tpay,hecancelledthedebtofthemboth.
• Heaskedaquestion–Whichofthemlovedthemoney-lendermore?Simonansweredthatitwastheonewhoselargerdebtwascancelled.Jesussaidthatwascorrectbecausethemoney-lenderwhoselargerdebtwascancelledhadmoretobethankfulfor,thereforelovedmore.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Haveeachtablelookupandreaddesignatedpassages.
2. Havethemfocusondesignatedquestionsfromthehomeworkrelatingtothepassage.
3. Reconveneanddiscussstoriesasaclass.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
17
5. HowdoesJesususetheparabletomakeHispoint?(vs.44-50)
• HecomparedthisstorywiththelovereactionofthesinfulwomanandSimon’sreactiontoJesus.Thesinfulwomanknewshewasaforgivensinnerandshowedgreatgratitudethroughheractions.SimonhadnowaterforHisfeet,nokiss,noanointingwithoil–noresponseofgratitude.
• ThereisaprofounddifferencebetweenthewaySimonandthewomantreatedJesus.Whatdoesthistellusabouthowtheyviewedtheirsinfulness?(Q#1b)ThewomanrecognizedhersinsandherneedforforgivenessmuchmorethanSimon.
6. WhatisJesus’pointintellingthisstory?(vs.47)
• Simonsensednoneedforforgiveness,soheshowedlittleloveforJesus.
• ThewomansensedJesus’forgiveness,therefore,shelovedmuch.
• Itisimportanttonotethatthewomanwasn’tforgivenbecauseshelovedmuch,butrather,shelovedmuchbecauseshewasforgiven.
7. Jesussaidtothewoman,“Yoursinsareforgiven.”(verse48)WhydidJesussaythisafterheroutwarddisplayofaffection?Hewantedtomakeherforgivenesspublic,especiallytheforgivenessofawell-knownsinnerinfrontofSimonandhisguests.
HowdoweseetheThree-StepProcessinthiswoman’sexperience?
1. Howcanwetellshewasconsciousofherownsin?
• Shewasobviouslydeeplyconvictedforhersins(frominitialencounterwithJesus).
• Shewasseekingforgiveness.
• Sheenteredintoapharisee’shousetoseek-outJesus.
2. Howissheassuredthatsheisforgiven?(verse48)ShereceivedassurancefromJesusthathersinswereforgiven.
3. Whatwasherresponseofloveandgratitude?(Q#3)ShewetandwashedJesus’feetwithhertearsandanointedHimwithexpensiveointment.
TheHighlyRespectedJew–Isaiah6:1-8
TheBackgroundofIsaiah
1. Wedon’tknowmuchaboutIsaiah.Whatwedoknow:
• Isaiahwasamemberofaroyalfamily.HewasthesonofAmoz,thereforehisunclewasAmaziah,KingofJudah.
• IsaiahisabookofvisionfocusedonthecharacterandpromisesofGod.
• JudahhadmovedfromdependenceonGod’spowertowardsunbeliefandjudgment.
2. ThefirstfivechaptersofIsaiahfocusesonJerusalemandJudah.Inchaptersix,heshiftshisfocustohimselfashedescribesavisionhehadoftheLord.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Bepreparedfortoughquestionslike:“Whatifwefeelthereislittleforwhichweneedtobeforgiven?Doesthatmeanwelackappreciationandthereforlovelittle?
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Explainthatsometimeswehavetoreadalittlebeforeandafterapassagetofullygraspthecontextofthestory.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
18
TheText–Isaiah6:1-8
Isaiah6:1-3
1. Whenisthishappening?(vs.1)KingUzziahhadjustdied,“markingtheendofaneraofnationalprosperity.”
2. Whodoesheseeandwhereisheseated?(vs.1)TheLordsittingupona“throne,highandliftedup;andthetrainofhisrobefilledthetemple…”ThissuggeststheLord’sMajesty.
3. Hedescribesaseraphim(fieryangelicbeing)(vs.2).Whydoyouthinkhecoveredhisfaceandfeetwithhiswings?ThisindicatesthatevenasuperhumancreaturehumbleshimselfbeforeaholyGod.
4. “Holy,Holy,HolyistheLordofhosts;thewholeearthisfullofhisglory.”(vs.3)ThisdescribesGod’sinfiniteholiness.
Isaiah6:4-5–“Woeisme!ForIamlost;forIamamanofuncleanlips…”
1. HowdoesIsaiahrespondtoseeingtheLord?HowdoesheviewhimselfinlightofbeinginthepresenceofaHolyGod?(Q#4)
2. Whydoyouthinkhehadthiskindofresponse?
• BecomingmoreawareofGod’sholinessmadehimmoreawareofhisownsinfulness.
• ThemorewegettoknowGodthemoreweseeourownsin!
3. WhyisthissurprisingconsideringIsaiahwasveryreligiousandhighlyrespected?
• Hewasdoingalltherightthingsbutunderstoodthat“evenhismostrighteousdeedswerelikefilthyrags”!–Isaiah64:6
• HissituationwasthetotaloppositefromthesinfulwomaninLuke7becauseshewasaknownsinner.
• Eventhoughoutwardlyheseemedrighteous,IsaiahconsideredhimselfjustassinfulasthewomaninlightofGod’sholiness.(Q#6)
4. Weareallinthesameboat!
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
Theywereputtingtheirhopeinpaganpowersandfalseteaching.Isaiah3:8says,“ForJerusalemhasstumbledandJudahhasfallen,becausetheirspeechanddeedsareagainsttheLord.”
ThemessageofIsaiah:AlthoughtheLordbringsjudgement,thereishopeforredemption.
TEACHER’SNOTE:UsethestoryofJonahasananalogy.Jonahwashighlyreligiousandthesailorswereclearlysinners,yettheywereallsinners–allinthesameboat!
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
19
Isaiah6:6-71. AsIsaiahwasrecognizinghissinfulness,theseraphimtouchedhismouthandsaid,“Behold…Your
guiltistakenaway,andyoursinatonedfor.”
2. JustlikethesinfulwomaninLuke7,IsaiahhadadeepconvictionofhisownsinfulnessandexperiencedtheassuranceofGod’sforgiveness.(Q#6)
Isaiah6:8
1. TheLordsays“WhomshallIsend,andwhowillgoforus?”
2. HowdoesIsaiahrespond?“HereamI!Sendme!”
3. Whydoyouthinkherespondedthisway?
• HerespondedbyofferinghimselftoGodoutofdeepgratitude.
• BoththewomanandIsaiah,wheninthepresenceofaHolyGodrecognizedthedeepgulfbetweenHisholinessandtheirsinfulness.
• WhenwehaveexperiencedthetransformingpoweroftheGospel,werespondwithgenuinegratitudeandcommitmenttoGod.(Q#6)
IsaiahexperiencedthesameThree-StepProcess(Q#6)
• AcuterealizationofhisownsinfulnessinlightofGod’sholiness
• HearingtheGospelthathissinswereforgiven
• Responseofgratitude,love,andsurrenderofhislife
TheSelf-RighteousPharisee
TheBackgroundofPaul
BeforetheGospel–Philippians3:4-6
1. BeforetheGospel,Paulhadeveryreasontobeconfidentintheflesh.Hewas…
• Circumcisedontheeighthday
• OfthepeopleofIsrael,tribeofBenjamin,HebrewsofHebrews–belongedtoalonglineofJewishancestry
• APharisee–consumedwithfollowingthelawbutdidnotacceptJesus’resurrectionortheGospel
• Zealous–butforthewrongthing.Hepersecutedthechurch.PaulthoughthewasdefendingtheholinessofGod.HedidnotbelieveJesuswastheSonofGod.
2. Accordingtoverse6,ifPaul’srighteousnesswasbasedonfollowingthelaw,whatwouldhebeconsidered?(Q#8a)“Astorighteousnessunderthelaw–blameless.”
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
20
Paul’sConversion–Acts9:1-9
1. “Saul,stillbreathingthreatsandmurderagainstthedisciplesoftheLord.”(vs.1)
2. HewastravelingtoDamascustoarrestChristianswhenalightfromheavenflashedaroundhim.(vs.2-3)
4. Hefelltothegroundandheardavoice,saying“Saul,Saul,whyareyoupersecutingme?”Saulsaid,“WhoareyouLord?”TheLordreplied,“IamJesus,whomyouarepersecuting.Butriseandenterthecity,andyouwillbetoldwhatyouaretodo.”(vs.4-6)
5. HewasblindedforthreedaysandwasledintoDamascusbythosetravelingwithhim.AnaniaswascalledbytheLordtolayhandsonSaulsohecouldregainhissightand“befilledwiththeHolySpirit.”(vs.7-17)
6. “…Immediatelysomethinglikescalesfellfromhiseyes,regainedhissight,heroseandwasbaptized…ImmediatelyheproclaimedJesusinthesynagoguessaying,‘HeistheSonofGod.’”(v.18-20)Whyimmediately?Hewasgratefulforhissalvationandwantedtorespondingratitude.
AfterPaul’sConversion–Philippians3:2-14
1. ReferbacktoPhilippians3:7-9.“WhatevergainIhad,IcountedaslossforthesakeofChrist…Nothavingarighteousofmyownthatcomesfromthelaw,butthatwhichcomesthroughfaithinChrist,therighteousnessfromGodthatdependsonfaith.”
2. Accordingtoverses7-9,wheredoesPaulrealizehisrighteousnesscomesfrom?(Q#8b)HeunderstandsthathisownrighteousnessisnotameansofattainingarightstandingwithGod.ItisonlybytheshedbloodandrighteousnessofChrist.
3. WhatwasPaul’sreactiontotheGospel?ReferbacktoActs9:20.“ImmediatelyheproclaimedJesusinthesynagoguessaying,‘HeistheSonofGod’”
4. PaulrenouncedhisownrighteousnessandreliedsolelyontherighteousnessofChrist.HowdidthatfuelhisdesiretopursueChrist-likenessandserveGodwhole-heartedly?(Q#9)Philippians3:14–“IpressontowardthegoalfortheprizeoftheupwardcallofGodinChristJesus.”His“zeal”wasnolongermotivatedbyadesiretoearnGod’sfavorbutbyloveandgratitudefortherighteousnessofChristthatwasgiventohimbyfaith.
SummaryofPaul’sTestimony
JustlikethesinfulwomanandIsaiah,afterlife-changingexperienceswiththeGospeltheywerethenhighlymotivatedbygratitudetolove,worshipandserveGod.
TheApplication
AgenuineloveforChristcomesthrough…
1. FirstStep–Anon-goingconsciousnessofourownsinfulnessandunworthiness:
• Weallfallsomewhereonthespectrumbetweenthesinfulwoman,Isaiah,andthePharisee.Whereareyouonthespectrum?
• Weareallinthesameboat!Weallneedtoexperiencethesamethree-stepprocess.Forsome,thestepscomesuddenlyanddramatically.Othersexperiencethemmoregradually.
• Regardlessofwhereweareonthespectrum,weneedtorecognizethatweneedaSavior.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
ItisimportanttobrieflyreviewhowPaulbecameabelieversoyouareabletoshowtheimpacttheGospelhadonhim.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
21
2. SecondStep:Theassurancethatnomatterhowgreatorsmalloursins,theyhavebeenforgiventhroughHisdeathonthecross
3. ThirdStep:WhenweexperiencetheGospel,itmotivatesustolaydownourlivesoutofpuregratitude.
OurGoal:Weneedtointentionallybathourmindsandheartsinthegospeleveryday!
• “Preachthegospeltoourselvesdaily!!”–JerryBridges
• RemindourselvesofwhatHedidtoredeemusofoursinandgiveuseternallife.
4. TheResults:
• IncreasedawarenessofGod’sholinessaswegettoknowHimmore
• Increasedawarenessofourownsinfulness
• AdeeperunderstandingofthemeaningandapplicationoftheGospel
• AresponseofgenuinegratitudeandexperienceofthemotivatingpoweroftheGospel
Whatdoesthisresponseofgenuinegratitudelooklikeinourlives?
1. MEMORYVERSE:Colossians2:6-7–“Therefore,asyoureceivedChristJesustheLord,sowalkinhim,rootedandbuiltupinhimandestablishedinthefaith,justasyouweretaught,aboundinginthanksgiving.”
2. Aswehavereceivedthisawesomegiftofsalvation,howarewetorespond?WhatdoesitlookliketowalkinHim?
3. Romans12:1says,“Iappealtoyoutherefore,bythemerciesofGod,topresentyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice,holyandacceptabletoGod,whichisyourspiritualworship.”(Q#10)Whatisthe“therefore”therefor?InRomans,Paulspenttheprevious11chaptersteachingabouttheGospel.Inlightofeverythingheasjustsaid,Paul“appeals”toustorespondtotheGospelbypresentingourbodiesasalivingsacrificetoGod.
SONG
“MotionofMercy”byFrancescaBattistelli
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. AccordingtoColossians2:6-7,weareto“walkinChrist.”Whatdoesthatlooklike?
2. Romans12:1says,“Iappealtoyou,therefore,bythemerciesofGod,topresentyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice…
• Whatdoesitmeantopresentyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice?Page39inthebookrefersto“theentiretyofourlivesofferedcontinuouslytoGod!”
• Dowereallyofferourselvesasalivingsacrificedaily?WhatifwehavebeenaChristianformanyyears,orwe’vedoneamillionBiblestudiesandgrewupinthechurch?IsitmoreofadutythanajoyousresponsetotheGospel?
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
22
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERTHREE
GOSPELENEMY#1:Self-Righteousness
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. GenuineloveforChristandthemotivationtoserveHimcomethrough:
• Anon-goingconsciousnessofourownsinfulnessandunworthiness
• TheassuranceofforgivenessthatonlycomesfromthetransformingpoweroftheGospel
• WhenwehaveexperiencedthepoweroftheGospel,werespondwithgenuinegratitudeandcommitmenttoGod.
2. Withgratitudeandcommitment,weareto“walkinHim”and“presentourselvesasalivingsacrifice.”
• MEMORYVERSE:Colossians2:6-7–“Therefore,asyoureceivedChristJesustheLord,sowalkinHim,rootedandbuiltupinHimandestablishedinthefaith,justasyouweretaught,aboundinginthanksgiving.”
• Romans12:1–“Iappealtoyoutherefore,bythemerciesofGod,topresentyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice,holyandacceptabletoGod,whichisyourspiritualworship.”
TwoEnemiesoftheGospel
WhenwerelyonourownperformanceinsteadoftherighteousnessofChristforsalvation,twothingscanoccur:
1. Self-righteousness–WerespondtotheGospelbyrestingintheassurancethatweareagoodperson–“goodenough”toearnGod’slove
2. PersistentGuilt–WerespondtotheGospelwithanxietyovertheinadequacyofourperformanceandnotbeinggoodenoughor“worthy”ofHislove.
Inbothcaseswerelyonourownrighteousness,notontherighteousnessofChrist.
GospelEnemy#1–SelfRighteousness
1. Whatisself-righteousness?(Q#1)
• Wethinkof“snobs,conceited,holier-than-thoupeople.”Thesewordsareusuallyusedwhendescribinghumanrelationships.
• Whatkindofself-righteousnessarewedealingwithwhenitcomestotheGospel?(Q#2)Self-righteousnesstowardsGod.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesonboardforclasstolookup:Genesis15:6;Acts13:32;Romans4:13;Galatians1:6-8,2:16,2:21,3:13-14;Philippians3:9;Hebrews10:10;1Peter1:18-19
2. SongLyrics
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
23
2. Whatdoesself-righteousnesslooklike?Typicalanswerstothequestion,“IfyoudiedtodayandGodaskedyouwhyheshouldletyouintoheaven?”wouldbe:“I’maprettygoodperson…IgotochurcheverySunday…IgotoBibleStudyeveryweek…”
3. Onwhatarethesepeopledependent?(Q#6)Theirownworksandtheirownrighteousness.
HowdoestheGospelchangeeverything?
WegobacktotheGreatExchange.2Corinthians5:21–“Foroursakehemadehimtobesinwhoknewnosin,sothatinhimwemightbecometherighteousnessofGod.”
1. WhatmakesusacceptablebeforeGod?
• WhenChristdied,Hepaidthepriceforoursinsbybecomingsinforus.
• Inturn,HeclotheduswiththerighteousnessofChrist.
• WhenGodlooksatusHeseesChrist–notbecauseofanythingwehavedone,butbecauseofwhatChristdidforus!
2. WhenweplaceourfaithintheGospel,thisnotonlyallowsustohaveeternallifewithHim,butenablesustohaveadailypersonalrelationshipwithHimandreceivethemanyblessingsthatcomewhenwereceiveChristasourSavior.
3. WhenwedependonourownperformancetojustifyourstandingbeforeGod,wearebeingself-righteous(asifwedeserveit)(Q#3),whichdefeatsthewholepurposeofChristdyingonthecross.
• Galatians2:21–“IdonotnullifythegraceofGod,forifrighteousnesswerethroughlaw(ourownperformances),thenChristdiedfornopurpose.”Anytimeweareself-righteous,wearetotallydisregardingwhatChristdidforus.
• Ifwecouldberighteous(inrightstandingwithGod)byouractions,thenChrist’sdeathmeantnothing!
BREAK-OUTSESSION
Galatians–Anexampleofself-righteousness
BackgroundontheBookofGalatians
1. GalatianswaswrittenbyPaultothechurchesofGalatia.Hehelpedestablishthesechurchesduringhisfirstmissionaryjourneyafterhisconversion(Acts9).Afterhisconversion,heimmediatelystartedproclaimingJesus’name.
2. WhatwasPaul’spurposeforwritingthebookofGalatians?
Galatians1:6-8–“IamastonishedthatyouaresoquicklydesertingHimwhocalledyouinthegraceofChristandareturningtoadifferentgospel–notthatthereisanotherone,buttherearesomewhotroubleyouandwanttodistorttheGospelofChrist.Butevenifweoranangelfromheavenshouldpreachtoyouagospelcontrarytotheonewepreachedtoyou,lethimbeaccursed.”
3. WhywasPaulastonishedwiththeGalatians?(Q#4a)
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Furtherdiscussion:Six“A”mazingBlessingsofGodonpage42–agreatlistofblessingsfromreceivingChristasSaviorandarelationshipwithHim
TEACHER’SNOTE:
HaveeachtablereadGalatians1:6-8anddiscusstheanswerstoquestion4fromthisweek’shomeworkbeforediscussingtheCaseStudyasaclass.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
24
• Theywerealready“quickly”desertingHim(Christ).Remember,itwasashortamountoftimebetweenthetimethathehadpreachedtheGospeltothemandtheywerequicklydesertingHim!
• Theywere“turningtoadifferentgospel.”Whatdoesthatmean?(Q#4b)
…PuttingyourhopeinanythingbesidesthehopethatChristgives.
…When“someoneproclaimsanotherJesusthantheoneweproclaim…acceptagospeldifferentthantheoneyouaccepted.”(2Corinthians11:4)
…“Aman-centered,performance-based,legalisticapproachtomakingoneselfacceptablebeforeGod.”(p.44)
4. WhatwasdifferentaboutthisgospeltheGalatianswereturningto?ItisimportanttounderstandthetrueGospelthatPaulpreachedbeforeonecandiscernthisdifferentgospel.ThebeautyofGod’sWordisthattheGospelisinterwoventhroughout,originatingintheOldTestament.Forthislesson,wearetakinganecessarytripbacktotheOldTestamenttodiscoverwhereGod’spromisesoriginatedandhowtheGospelunfoldswiththefulfillmentofthosepromisesthroughChrist.
TrueGospel
PaulpreachedtheTRUEGospelfoundinGod’sWord.HeproclaimedthatJesuswastheSonofGod(Acts9:20),“theChrist”(Acts9:22),thepromisedSavior(Acts13:32).
ThePromise:Acts13:32–“WebringyougoodnewsthatwhatGodpromisedtothefathers,thishehasfulfilledtoustheirchildrenbyraisingJesus.”
1. Towhomisthispromise?“Tothefathers”isreferringtoAbraham.IntheOldTestament,GodestablishedacovenantwithAbraham.Genesis17:7says,“Iwillestablishmycovenantbetweenmeandyouandyouroffspring.”ThispromisewasmadenotonlytoAbraham,buthisdescendantsaswell.Wewilldiscoverlaterthatweareapartofhisoffspringthroughfaith.
2. Whatkindofpromisewasthis?
• ItwasacovenantpromisemadebyGod.Acovenantisanagreement–apromisetokeepyourpromise.
• Itwasapromiseofblessing.Genesis12:3–“Andinyouallthefamilieswouldbeblessed.”Thisincludedpromisesofdescendantsandland.(seeGenesis15)
• Itwasaneverlastingpromise.Genesis17:7-9–“Throughoutgenerationsforaneverlastingcovenant.”
3. WhatwereAbrahamandhisdescendantstodoassignofthecovenant?Circumcision-CircumcisionofthefleshwasasignofthecovenantbetweenGodandtheIsraelitesandwasdonetodistinguishthosewhobelievedinGod’spromises.ThiswasapartoftheLaw.(Genesis17:1-14)
4. HowdidAbrahamrespondtothecovenantGodmadewithhim?
TEACHER’SNOTE:
RefertothebeginningofPaul’sministry,immediatelyafterhisconversioninActs9and13.
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
Forfurtherstudy,seeRomans9:4forthepromisedblessingstotheIsraelites:Adoption,Glory,Covenants(promiestosavethem),Law,Worship,Promies.(Reference:ESVStudyBible)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
25
• Genesis15:6–“AbrahambelievedGodanditwascountedtohimasrighteousness.”GodcountedAbrahamrighteousbecausehebelievedGodwouldkeepHispromises.(Romans4:3)
• ItisimportanttonotethatAbrahamwascountedrighteousbeforehewascircumcised.(Romans4:9-12)HewasconsideredrighteousbyGodbeforehecouldprovehimselfrighteousbyhisdeeds(obedience).
• Why?Becauseofhisfaith!
5. So,“…thepromisetoAbrahamandhisoffspringthathewouldbeheiroftheworlddidnotcomethroughthelaw,butthroughtherighteousnessoffaith.”(Romans4:13)
• Abrahamwouldreceivetheblessingsnotbecauseofhisdeedsorbecausehewascircumcised,butbecauseofhisfaith.
• Throughthisfaith,hestoodrighteous.
6. HowdidGodultimatelyfulfillHispromise?ThroughChrist’sdeathandresurrection!Acts13:32–“ByraisingJesus.”ThiswastheTrueGospel!
DifferentGospel
InwhatfalsegospelweretheGalatiansputtingtheirhope?AfalsegospelthattheJudaizerswereteaching.
1. Background:TheJudaizerswerefalseteachersfromJerusalemwhopreachedagospelofgraceplusworkstotheGentiles.AfterChrist’sdeathandresurrection,someconservativeJewishChristiansarguedthatinadditiontotheworkofChrist’sdeathonthecross,theGentilesshouldlivebytheJewishceremoniallaws(likecircumcisionanddietarylaws)asameansofjustificationbeforeGod.
2. Whythelaw?
• IntheOldTestament,GodgavetheIsraelitestheLawbecauseoftheirperpetualsinandcomplaining.HegavethemtheLawtopointouttothemtheirsin.
• TheLawrequiredobedience.TheIsraeliteswouldreceiveblessingfortheirobedienceandacursefortheirdisobedience.(SeeDeuteronomy11:26-28)RememberGalatians3:10–“CursedbeeveryonewhodoesnotabidebyallthingswrittenintheBookoftheLawanddothem.”
• TheJewsmadebloodsacrificesfortheirsin(referredtoasanatonement)attheTabernaclebecauseaccordingtotheLaw,“Withoutsheddingofbloodthereisnoforgivenessofsins.”(Leviticus5:11,17:11;Hebrews9:22)Ithadtobethebloodofaperfectanimal.Theythoughtthatthebloodoftheanimalswouldpayfortheirsins.ThehighpriestwouldcarryanimalbloodintotheMostHolyPlaceontheannualJewishDayofAtonementtomakeasacrificefortheforgivenessofsin.(Exodus30:33,Leviticus4:14,20)
• Therefore,itwasverydifficultfortheseJews,havingheardtheGoodNewsofChrist,toforsakethetraditionshandeddownfromtheirforefathers.FollowingtheJewishceremoniallawsbecametheirwayoflife–makingthemselvesacceptablebeforeGod.
• ThisiswhytheJewishleaderswerehavingahardtimeunderstandingtheideaofbeingjustifiedonlybytheirfaith.
3. BacktotheGalatians
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Laterwewilllearntheanswerto:“Ifourrighteous-nesscomesthroughfaithandnottheLaw,whydoweneedtoobey?”
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
26
• TheJudiazersweretryingtoconvincetheGalatianstoaddbackcertaincustoms(“worksofthelaw”)tomakethemacceptablebeforeGod.
• TheJudiazerswereteachingthemthat“UnlessyouarecircumcisedaccordingtothecustomofMoses,youcannotbesaved.”(Acts15:1)
• Whycircumcision?AccordingtotheOldTestament,onehadtobecircumcisedtobelongtothepeopleofGod.(Genesis17:10)TherewasevenadebatebetweenPaulandPeteroverthis.(Galatians2:12)
4. WhatwasthisdifferentGospel?TheGalatiansweredesertingthetrueGospelthatPaulpreachedandfallingbackintorelyingontheirownhumaneffort(obeyingtheLaw)tobejustifiedbyGod.
PaulwaswritingtotheGalatianstoremindthemofthegoodnewsofChrist.
Galatians3:13-14–“Christredeemedusfromthecurseofthelawbybecomingacurseforus…sothatinChristJesustheblessingofAbrahammightcometotheGentiles,sothatwemightreceivethepromisedSpiritthroughfaith.”
1. WhatdidChristdo?Christredeemedusfromthecursebybecomingacurseforus!
2. WhydidHedothis?
• SothatinChristJesustheblessingofAbraham(beingjustifiedbyfaith)mightcometotheGentiles.GoodnewsisthatthroughfaithinChristtheblessingshavecometous,asGentiles.
• SothatwemightreceivethepromisedSpiritthroughfaith.ThisistalkingabouttheHolySpirit.(Wewilltalkaboutthisinthesecondhalfofthestudy.)
3. SowhatistheTrueGospelthatPaulpreached?
• PaulwastellingtheGalatiansthattheywouldreceivetheblessingsofstandingrighteousbyGod(theinheritanceofeternallifeandforgivenessofsins)throughfaithinChrist.
• ThepromisewasfulfilledbyChrist’sdeathonthecross.
HowdoestheTrueGospeldefeattheenemyofself-righteousness?
Galatians2:16–“AmanisnotjustifiedbytheworksoftheLawbutthroughfaithinChristJesus,evenwehavebelievedinChristJesus,sothatwemaybejustifiedbyfaithinChristandnotbytheworksoftheLaw.”
1. Howarewejustified?“Throughfaith!”(Q#5a)
2. WhatabouttheGalatians’worksandfollowingtheLaw?
• Galatians2:16–“Notbyworks.”(Q#5b)
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
InIsaiah,thereisprophecythatthisblessingwouldcometotheGentiles.Originally,thepromisewasonlyfortheJews…butbecauseofChrist…weasGentilesarepartofHisfamily.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
27
• Peter1:18-19–“Youwereransomedfromthefutilewaysinheritedfromyourforefathers,notwithperishablethingssuchassilverorgold,butwiththepreciousbloodofChrist,likethatofalambwithoutblemishorspot.”ThisiswhyHeisreferredtoasthe“LambofGod.”Hewasthe“Lamb”withoutblemishorspottobetheperfectsacrifice.Theshedbloodoftheperfect“LambofGod”gainsusforgivenessofoursinsandreconciliationwithourGod.
• Whataboutcircumcision?Galatians5:6–“ForinChristJesusneithercircumcisionnorun-circumcisionmeansanything,butfaithworkingthroughlove.”
• Hebrews10:10–“WehavebeensanctifiedthroughtheofferingofthebodyofChristonceandforall.”
3. Christwasourperfectsacrifice.ThebloodsacrificesseenthroughouttheOldTestamentwereforeshadowingofthetrue,onceandforallsacrificeofChrist.Hewasouratonement–oursinoffering.
MEMORYVERSE
Philippians3:9–“andmaybefoundinHim,nothavingarighteousnessofmyownderivedfromtheLaw,butthatwhichisthroughfaithinChrist,therighteousnesswhichcomesfromGodonthebasisoffaith.”
Howdoesthisrelatetous?
1. Whataboutoursacrificesandgooddeeds?WearemaderighteousbywhatChristdidforusonthecross–notbyanythingwehavedone.WearejustifiedbyourfaithinwhatHedidforus.
2. JustliketheGalatians,anytimewerelyonourownperformanceasameansofbeingacceptablebeforeGodortoearnoursalvation,wearebeingself-righteous.
SONG
“OnChristtheSolidRockIStand”byAvalon
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. ReadanddiscussLuke18:9-14(ThePhariseeandataxcollectorprayinginthetemple)foranotherexampleintheBibleofself-righteousness.(Q#9)
HowdoweknowthatthePhariseewasdependentonhisownrighteousness?“God,IthankyouthatIamnotlikeothermen…adulterers…Ifasttwiceaweek…Itithe…”HeassumedhisstandingbeforeGodwassecurebasedonhisobediencecomparedtoothersandhislackofscandaloussins.Anythingonourspiritualresumeislike“filthyrags”toChrist.NoamountofpersonalperformancewillevergaintheapprovalfromaholyGod.
2. Lookatthequestionsonpage49ofyourbook.Canyouidentifywithsomeexamplesofhowwecanbeself-righteousinoureverydaylives?(Q#10)
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…SeeRomans2:29–“Circumcisionisamatteroftheheart.”
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
28
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERFOUR
GOSPELENEMY#2:PersistentGuilt
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. TwoCategoriesofSelf-righteousBelievers
• FirstCategory(Chapter3)–WerespondtotheGospelbyrestingintheassurancethatwearegoodpeople–“goodenough”toearnGod’slove.Faithandconfidencearebasedonourownperformanceorourlackofscandaloussins.
• SecondCategory(Chapter4)–PersistentGuilt–WepartiallyembracetheGospelbutconstantlyliveunderasenseofguilt.WeknowwearefallingshortoftheexpectationswesetonourselvesandassumeGodisdispleasedaswell.
2. TheProblemwithSelf-righteousness
• WerelyonourownperformanceasameansofbeingjustifiedbeforeGodandearnoursalvation.
• Wearenotrelyingonthefirstbookend–theRighteousnessofChrist.
3. GalatiansCaseStudy–Agreatexampleofself-righteousnessintheBible
• TheGalatiansweredesertingtheTrueGospelforadifferentgospel,puttingtheirhopeintheirownobedienceoftheLawtoobtaintheblessingofbeingrighteousbeforeGod.
• AnytimeweputourhopeinourownperformanceorsomethingotherthantherighteousnessofChrist,weareputtingourtrustinadifferentgospel.
4. TheTrueGospel
• Defeatstheenemyofself-righteousnesswhenwesolelyputourhopeinwhatChristdidforustomakeusrighteousbeforeourHolyGod.
• Galatians3:13-14–“Christredeemedusfromthecurseofthelawbybecomingacurseforus…”
5. MEMORYVERSE:Philippians3:9–“AndmaybefoundinHim,nothavingarighteousnessofmyownderivedfromthelaw,butthatwhichisthroughfaithinChrist,therighteousnesswhichcomesfromGodonthebasisoffaith.”WeneedtoremindourselvesoftheGospeleveryday!ThereisnothingwecouldeverdoornotdotochangeGod’sloveforus.
LESSONFOUR
GospelEnemy#2:PersistentGuilt
Whatisguilt?“Anawarenessofhavingdonewrong…accompaniedbyfeelingsofshameandregret.”(TheEncartadictionaryFamilyLife.com)
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesonboardforclasstolookup:Genesis3:1-13;Ezekial18:30b;Psalms139:24;Romans2:14-15,8:1;Galatians2:21;Colossians1:13;1Timothy1:13-14;Hebrews9:14;1John2:12
2. SongLyrics
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
29
Whatkindsofthingsdowefeelguiltyabout?(Couldbelittleorbig)
1. Thingsweshouldbedoing,butarenot–sinsofomission(readingtheBiblemore,prayingmore,readingtoourkids)
2. Thingsthatweshouldn’tbedoing,butare–sinsofcommission(drinkingtoomuchcaffeine,gossip,longlist!)
Whataboutguiltthatisnotjustifiedorhealthy?
1. Feelingguiltyaboutthingsthatarenotnecessarilybad.(Example:Spendingalotoftimeatchurch)orfeelingguiltyaboutsomethingthatisnotnecessarilyyourfault(Example:poorchoicesofyourwaywardchild.)
2. Whydoyouthinkyouarefeelingguiltyforthosethings?Examineyourownheart.IswhatyouaredoinginlinewithGod’swill?Areyoudoingitfortherightreasons?IfwhatyouhavedoneisnotinlinewithGod’swill,thenitshouldleadyoubacktothecross.
WhenChristiansfailtodealproperlywithguilt,wecanfallintoapatternofPersistentGuilt.Wefallintoafeelingofcondemnation–awareofoursinbutintentionallyorunintentionallyavoidingthesolution,whichistheGospel.
Whathappenswhenwesufferfrompersistentguilt?
1. Whenwesin,wefeelguiltynotonlybecausewehavefallenshortofourownexpectations,butwefeelthatwehavefallenshortofGod’sexpectationsaswell.
• Weallfallshort!RememberwhatwelearnedabouttheGospelthefirstweek?Romans3:23–“AllhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.”WehaveallfallenshortofGod’sperfectstandard!
• ButtheGospelchangesthings.Romans5:8–“ButGoddemonstrateshisownloveforusinthis:whilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus.”BecauseofwhatChristdidforusonthecross,oursinshavebeenpaidfor,anditisHisrighteousnessthatweareclothedinthatmakesusacceptablebeforeGod.
• Whenwewallowinpersistentguilt,weleanonourownperformance(orlackthereof)tomakeusacceptablebeforeGod–insteadofontherighteousnessofChrist.Inaway,thisisaformofself-righteousness.(Q#1)
2. Persistentguiltalsoimpliesthatnotonlydowefallshort,butChrist’sdeathforusalsofellshortofitsintendedpurpose.
• ThepurposeofthecrosswastoeraseallourguiltandsinsowecouldstandrighteousbeforeourHolyGod.WhenwewallowinourguiltwearesayingthatChrist’sdeathwasnotenough–insufficient.WeareneglectingtheTrueGospel!
• That’swhyPaulwassayingtotheGalatians“IdonotnullifythegraceofGod,forifrighteousnesswerethroughlaw,thenChristdiedfornopurpose”(Galatians2:21).WemustrememberthatChristdiedandpaidthepriceforoursinssowedon’thavetowallowinpersistentguilt!
DealingwiththestrongholdofguiltgoesallthewaybacktotheGardenofEden.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
30
BREAK-OUTSESSION
TheFirstExperienceofGuiltintheBible
Genesis3:1-13–“…theserpentwasmorecrafty…hesaidtothewoman“DidGodactuallysay,Youshallnoteatofanytreeinthegarden?”...Thewomansaid“Wemayeatfruit…butnotofthetreeinthemidstofthegarden…lestyoudie.”
1. Whoisinthisstory?Adam,Eve,andtheserpent(FallenAngel,“Lucifer,”–Isaiah14:12-13)
2. WhatdidtheserpenttellAdamandEve?Theserpentsaid(v.4-5),“Youwillnotsurelydie.Godknowsthatwhenyoueatofityoureyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowinggoodandevil.”Isthisthetruthoralie?Perhapsafalsegospel?
3. Whathappensnext?“Shetookofitsfruitandate,shealsogavesometoherhusbandandheate”(v.6).Shebelievedanothergospel…andgaveintothetemptation.
4. WhathappensimmediatelyafterAdamandEveatethefruit?“Thentheeyesofbothwereopenedandtheyknewtheywerenaked…sewedfigleavestogetherandmadeloinclothes”(v.7).
5. Whatdoyouthinkitmeansthat,“Theireyeswereopened”?(Q#2)TheythoughtitwouldhelpthembelikeGod.Instead,theireyeswereopenedtotheirsin.
6. Whydidtheysewfigleaves?Theyrealizedtheywerenakedwhentheireyeswereopenedtotheirsin,andtheyfeltguilty.
7. WhatdidAdamandEvedowhentheyheardtheLordwalkinginthegarden?Howdidtheyrespondtotheirguilt?“TheyheardthesoundoftheLordGodwalkinginthegarden…themanandhiswifehidthemselvesfromthepresenceoftheLord”(v.8).Whenyoufindyourselfhiding,askwhy.Youknowwhatyouaredoingiswrongandyoufeelguilty!
8. HowdidAdamrespondtotheguilt?HeblameditonEve(v.12).Eveblameditontheserpent.Howoftendoweblameoursinonsomeoneelse?“Isinnedbecauseshemademeangry”Whodidthesinning?RememberEphesians4:26–“Donotsininyouranger.”
9. HowdidAdamandEveknowtheyhaddonewrong?Godgavethemaconscience.
WhatisaConscience?(Q#3)
1. Whatdoweknowabouttheconscience?
• Itisthe“instinctivesenseofrightandwrongthatproducesguiltwhenviolated.”(BibleCommentarydefinition)
• Everyhumanhasaconscience,whetherheorsheisaChristianornot.Itcanbeinfluencedbymanythings–media,upbringing,God’sWord,etc.
2. WhatdoestheBiblesayabouttheconscience?
TEACHER’SNOTE:
HavesmallgroupsreadGenesis3:1-13fromhomeworkquestion#2.Thenreconvendanddiscussthefollowingquestionsinitalics.
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
Godprovidedacovering(garmet)forAdamandEveinv.21.FirstevidenceintheBibleofGodmakingasacrificeofananimal(shedblood)sothattheycouldbe“covered.”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
31
• Gentileshaveaconscience.Romans2:14-15–“ForwhenGentiles,whodonothavethelaw,bynaturedowhatthelawrequires,theyarealawtothemselves,eventhoughtheydonothavethelaw.Theyshowthattheworkofthelawiswrittenontheirhearts,whiletheirconsciencealsobearswitness.”
• ItisevidentthatthatGodgavetheGalatiansaconscience—eventhoughtheGentilebelieverswerefreefromthelaw,theyshowedthatthelawwasstill“writtenontheirhearts.”
3. Itisimportanttonotethatourhumanconscienceisnotalwaysaperfectmoralguide.
• TheGalatiansstruggledwith“conflictingthoughts”abouttheirmoralbehaviorthatwouldeither“accuseorevenexcusethem”(Romans2:15).
• Asabeliever,GodgaveustheHolySpirittoremindusofHisWordandhelpusdiscernourconscienceanddeterminerightfromwrong.(Q#3)SeeJohn14:26.
WhatdidGoddesigntheconsciencetodoforus?(Q#3b)
1. Itsendsoffawarningsignalwhenweareabouttogoastray.DidEvelistentothewarningsignal?Genesis3:2–“Wemayeatfruit…butnotofthetreeinthemidstofthegarden.”No,shewentaheadandsinned.
2. Whenwesin,ourconsciencedeclaresusguilty.HowdidEverespondtotheguilt?ShehidfromGod.
Whenweneglectourconscience,wecanbegintoengageindestructivebehaviors.
Ineffectivewaysofhandlingaguiltyconscience(Q#4):
1.Useescapemechanisms–turntootherthingslikeTV,movies,sports,hobbies,evendrugoralcoholabuse.Thesenumbthepainofourconscienceandtemporarilymakeusfeelbetteraboutourselves,possiblyleadingintodeepersin.
2.Rationalizeandcreatedoublestandards–“WellatleastIdon’tdo…”,“Idon’thaveanyothervices,sothisismyonlyvice…”
3. Hidetheproblem–notseekhelpandtrytofixitfirstbeforefacingChristianfriends.
4. Usenon-biblicalconceptstocope–“Youmustlearntoforgiveyourself.”(Q#9)
5. Ignorethenaggingandbecomenumbtoit–Repeatedlyrejectingyourconsciencecaneventuallyincapacitateyou(Q#7).1Timothy1:19–“Byrejecting[theconscience],somehavemadeshipwreckoftheirfaith.”
Whatiswrongwithallofthesecopingstrategies?Whatisthedanger?(Q#6)
1. Themessageofthecrossisabsentwhenyourguiltishandledineffectively.ItcanleadyoufurtherawayfromthegospelandneglecttheGod-givenpurposeoftheconscience!
2. AconsciencewithouttheGospelonlyleadstomoreguiltandfeelingsofcondemnation.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
WewilladdresstheroleoftheHolySpiritinmoredetaillaterinthebook.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Whatiswrongwiththisthinking?Wedonothavetheauthoritytoforgiveourselves.OnlyGodcandothat.Thiscouldpotentiallyleadtodelicatesubjectmatterthatmaybebetterdiscussedinasmallgroupsetting.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
32
OnlythelifeanddeathofChristcanbreakyoufreefromaguiltyconscience.
MEMORYVERSE
Hebrews9:14–“HowmuchmorewillthebloodofChrist,whothroughtheeternalSpiritofferedhimselfwithoutblemishtoGod,purifyourconsciencefromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod.”Hebrews9:14
1. Christwasourperfectsacrifice,theperfectLambofGod,withoutblemish–John1:29(RememberChapter3)
2. Whatpurifiesourconscience?(Q#10)WhenHesacrificedHisbodyandshedHisblood,oursinswerepaidfor,ourslateswerewipedclean–givingusapurifiedconsciencetostartnewandserveourGod!
HowdoyoumovefromthegripofpersistentguilttohealthyconvictionthatleadsustotheGospel?
Guilt-Conviction-Gospel-Repentance
1. Guilt
• Unhealthyguiltignoresthecross.AdamandEvehidfromGod.
• AcknowledgingyoursinandfeelingremorsefulishealthywhenitleadsyoutotheGospel!
2. Conviction–Ahealthyremembranceofoursinisablessing(Q#12).
• ThemoreweareinGod’sWord,themoreconvictedwebecomeastheHolySpiritremindsusofoursin.
• YoucanaskGodtorevealyoursintoyou,asinPsalm139:5–“Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme.”
• EvidenceofhealthyconvictioninPaul’slifeisfoundin1Timothy1:13-14–“FormerlyIwasablasphemer,persecutor…”Paulrecognizedhissin,buthedidn’tstaythere.Hedidnotstayinastateofself-condemnation.
3. Gospel
• TheGospelchangedPaul!Seetherestof1Timothy1:13-14–“ButIreceivedmercy…andthegraceofourLordoverflowedforme…ChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinnersofwhomIamtheforemost.”Convictedofhissin,Paulwentstraighttothecross.
• Healthyconvictiondrivesustothecross..Don’twallowinguiltandself-condemnation!Takeittothecrossandleaveitthere.Remember,youhavebeenforgiven.RememberwhyChristdied!
…1John2:12–“Yoursinsareforgivenforhisname’ssake”
…Romans8:1–Thereis,therefore,nownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus!
…Colossians1:13–“HehasdeliveredusfromthedomainofdarknessandtransferredustothekingdomofhisbelovedSon,inwhomwehaveredemptionandforgiveness!”
4. Repentance
• Oncewehaveacknowledgedoursin,wemustmovetoreentance.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
33
• TheBiblicaltranslationdefinition:is“achangeofmindaboutsinandaboutGod,whichresultsinturningfromsintoGod.”
• Turnawayfromyoursinandrepent/makeright.
…Ezekiel18:30b–“Repentandturnfromallyourtransgressions.”
…Corinthians7:10–“Forgodlygriefproducesarepentancethatleadsustosalvationwithoutregret,whereasworldlygriefproducesdeath.”
• Thismaybealoteasiersaidthandone.Wecouldbetalkingabouthabitualsinwehavebeendealingwithforyears.It’sonlybythepoweroftheCrossthatwecanturnawayfromsintolivenewlife.
SONG
“NotGuilty”byMandisa
SUMMARY
• TheonlywaytoescapethegripofguiltistoruntotheGospel!It’sOKtorememberyoursin,butdon’tstaythere!LetguiltremindyouoftheGospel!
• Remember:Guilt–Conviction–Gospel–Repentence.Wehavealreadybeendelivered.Hisstripeshavealreadyhealedyou!(Colossians1:13-15,Isaiah53:5)
• Whenwedothis,persistentguiltcanbetransformedintojoyfulgratitudefortheGospel!
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
Forin-depthstudy,seeWilcox’sinstructions.ItmaybehelpfultoprintforparticipantsforDiscussionTimeattheendofclassorforpersonalstudy.
Wilcox’sInstructions
PuritanThomasWilcoxdescribedsixwaystodealwithpersistentguiltbyshiftingourfocus.(Q#13)
1. ShiftyourfocusawayfromyoursinandontoChrist.Don’twallowinyourguilt!Takeittothecrossandleaveitthere.
2. ShiftyourfocustoChristourmediator.Hebrews9:15–“Therefore,heisthemediatorofanewcovenant,sothatthosewhoarecalledmayreceivethatpromisedeternalinheritance…”
3. ShiftyourfocustoChristcrucified,risen,andascended.Mark16:5-6–“Jesuswascrucifiedandrisen.”
4. ShiftyourfocustothegloryofChrist.Colossians3:1–“IfthenyouhavebeenraisedwithChrist,seekthethingsthatareabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.Setyourmindsonthingsthatareabove,notonthingsthatareonearth.”
5. Shiftyourfocusoffofself-condemnation.Romans8:–“ThereisthereforenownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus.”
6. Shiftyourfocusoffself-contempt.Remember,Pauldidnotwallowinhisself-contempt.Paulsays,“ButIreceivedmercy…andthegraceofourLordoverflowedforme”(1Timothey1:13-14).
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
34
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. Readthetenquestionsonpage56andanswerquestion#8and#14intheStudyGuide.
2. PuritanThomasWilcoxdescribedsixwaystodealwithpersistentguiltbyshiftingourfocus.Whichofthesedoyoufindhelpfulandwhy?(Q#13)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
35
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERFIVE
LeaningontheFirstBookend
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. BecauseofwhatChristdidforusonthecross,wehavetheRighteousnessofChristasabookendonwhichtoleanourbooks.
• ThereisnothingwecansayordothatwouldmakeusrighteousbeforeGod.ItiswhatChristhasdoneforusthatmakesusclothedintherighteousnessofChrist,sowecanstandacceptablebeforeourHolyGod.
• WhenGodlooksatus,HeseesChrist’srighteousnessandcanlookatuswithlove.Dowetrulyfeelthiswaydaytoday?
2. AswediscussedinChapters3and4,wetendtoleanonourownrighteousnesstogiveusconfidenceandhope.ThisleadstoSelf-RighteousnessandPersistentGuilt.
• AnytimewerelyonanythingbuttherighteousnessofChristtogaintheacceptanceofaHolyGod,wearebeingself-righteous.
• Wallowinginpersistentguiltisultimatelybeingself-righteousinsteadofrelyingonChrist’sdeathaspaymentforoursins.Itneglectstheverypurposeofthecross.Weneedtouseourguiltyconscienceandconvictiontoleadustothecrossinstead.
3. Guilt-Conviction-Gospel-Repentance
• WeneedtorememberwhatChristdidforus,insteadofwallowinginourguilt.
• LettheGospelremindusthatweareforgivenandoursinshavealreadybeenpaidforbyChrist’sblood!Andthenturnawayfromthatsin.
4. MEMORYVERSE:Hebrews9:14–“HowmuchmorewillthebloodofChrist,whothroughtheeternalSpiritofferedhimselfwithoutblemishtoGod,purifyourconsciencefromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod.”
5. OnlythelifeanddeathofChristcanbreakusfreefrompersistentguilt.Weneedtorecognizeourself-righteousnessandshiftourdependencebackontothefirstbookend–theRighteousnessofChrist.
GrowingintheGospel:ADiagram
Thediagrambelowisbasedonatimelinethatstartswithyourphysicalbirth.Ittrackstwo“awarenesses:”
1. YourawarenessofGod’sholiness2. Yourawarenessofyourownsinfulness
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesontheboardforclasstolookup:Psalm139:24,Luke19:1-10,Galatians3:7
2. SongLyrics
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
36
Atfirst,youareawareofneither.Butatsomepoint,duetotheworkoftheHolySpiritconvictingyouof“sin,righteousness,andjudgment”(seeJohn16:8),youbegintobecomepainfullyawareofboth.AsthisprocesscontinuesandthemessageofGoodNewsisrevealed—faithisawakenedandyoubecomebornagain.
However,astimegoeson,youbecomeincreasinglyaware:
1. Godisevenmoreholythanyoupreviouslyrealized2. Weareevenmoresinfulthanyoupreviouslyrealized
ThisiswhereyourawarenessoftheextentofthegraceoftheGospelmustalsoincrease.Thisisillustratedbythecrossinthediagrambecomingbigger—meaningthatnomatterhowholyyourealizeGodis,andnomatterhowsinfulyourealizeyouare,therighteousnessofChristisalwaysall-sufficientforyou.
AsyoubegintorealizeGodisevenmoreholythanweknewbefore,ifyoufailtogrowintheGospel,agapwillformatthetop.GospelEnemy#1willappearasyouattempttofillthisgapwithyourownrighteousness,asiftosay,“Iwillprovidemyownrighteousnessbecause,asgreatasChrist’srighteousnessis,itisnotquiteenoughforthelikesofme.”
Likewise,asyoubegintorealizethatyouareevenmoresinfulthanyouknewbefore,ifyoufailtogrowintheGospel,agapwillformatthebottom.GospelEnemy#2willappearasyouattempttofillthisgapwithpersistentguilt,asiftosay,“Iwillbearmyownguiltbecause,asgreatasChrist’sguilt-bearingis,itisnotquiteenoughforthelikesofme.”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
37
LESSONFIVE
LeaningontheFirstBookend
1. Althoughthischapteriscalled“LeaningontheFirstBookend,”amoreappropriatewordtouseisdependence.Whatdoesitmeanto“lean”ontheFirstBookend?(Q#1)Dependenceonthefirstbookendmeans“relyingon,trustingin,andplacingourconfidence,faith,andhopeintherighteousnessofChrist”(p.66).
2. Whatdowedependontogiveusvalue?Whatistheobjectofourdependence?DowereallydependfullyontherighteousnessofChristtomakeusacceptablebeforeGod?
3. TherearethreefocalpointsthathelpusshiftourdependencebackontotheRighteousnessofChrist(Q#3)MuchofthishastodowithourlevelofappreciationoftheGospel.
• Seeingourselvesasdesperatelylostsinners
• SeeingtherighteousnessofChristasall-sufficientforusdaily
• Seeingandrejectingourfunctionalsaviors
BREAK-OUTSESSION
ACaseStudyofZacchaeus–Luke19:1-10
1. WhowasZacchaeus?Thechieftaxcollectorandarichmanwhohadtakeneveryone’smoney.
2. Whatwashedoing?HewastryingtoseeJesus,butcouldn’t.
3. Why?Hewastooshort.
4. HowdidheseeJesus?Heclimbedasycamoretree.
5. Whathappenednext?AsJesuswaspassingby,Helookedup,toldZacchaeustocomedownoutofthetree,andinvitedhimselftoZacchaeus’house.
6. HowdidZacchaeusreact?(Q#5a)HehurrieddownandreceivedHimjoyfully.
7. Howdidthecrowdreact?TheygrumbledbecauseJesuswasgoingtobetheguestoftaxcollectorswhoweregenerallydishonestanddespisedbyeveryone.
8. Whywouldthismakethemgrumble?ThePhariseesthoughtthatifsomeonehadfellowshipwithasinner,itwouldmakethemunclean.
9. WhatwasZacchaeus’nextresponse?HecalledJesus“Lord”andimmediatelygavehalfofhisgoodstothepoorandrestored“fourfold”everythingtoanyonehehaddefrauded.
10.WhatwasJesus’response?JesusdeclaredthatZacchaeuswassavedandatruesonofAbraham.ZacchaeusreceivedtheinheritancethatonlyJesuscanbring.“FortheSonofMancametoseekandtosavethelost.”
FocalPoint#1:Seeingourselvesasdesperatelylostsinners
1. HowdoyouthinkZacchaeuswasabletoseehimselfasadesperatelylostsinner?
TEACHER’SNOTE:Havesmallgroupsreadthestoryaloudthendiscussquestion#5fromhomework.
TEACHER’SNOTE:DiscusshowthethreefocalpointshelpedZacchaeusshifthisdependencebackontotheRighteousnessofChrist.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
38
• BeinginthepresenceofJesuscausedZacchaeustorecognizethathewaslostandinneedofaSavior.(Q#5b-c)
• AsimilarreactioncamefromthetaxcollectorinLuke18:13(Chapter4).Theself-righteousPhariseewasthankingGodthathewasnotlikeothersinnersandbraggedofhisrighteousdeeds.Butthetaxcollector,knownforbeingdespisedanddishonest,recognizedhissinfulnessandbeggedforGod’smercy.
2. Whyisitsometimesdifficultforustoseeourselvesasdesperatelylostsinners?
• Wesaythingslike:“I’magoodperson.IgotochurcheverySunday,Ivolunteer,IfollowtheTenCommandments.”Wecompareourselvesto“moresinful”people,thinkingoursinsarenot“thatbad.”
• Wemaynotyethavebeenconvictedofacertainsin.Inthesecases,wehavenotcometotherealizationthatwhatwearedoinggrievesHim.
• Lookingatthelistonp.68remindsusthatweare“desperatelylostsinners!”(Q#8)Asinisasinisasin.“AllhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.”RememberfromLesson2:We’reallinthesameboat!
3. WhathelpedZacchaeusrecognizehissinfulness?
• BeinginthepresenceofJesus.Thecloserwegettothelight,themoresinisexposed.(Q#7).
• Psalm36:9–“Forwithyouisthefountainoflife;inyourlightdoweseelight.”
4. Howcanwerecognizeourowndepravity?
• JustlikeZacchaeus–beinginthepresenceoftheLord.SpendingtimeinGod’sWordtoknowHimmore.
• WhenstandinginthepresenceofaHolyGod,ourownrighteousnessbecomesnothingmorethanfilthyrags.Werecognizethatnomatterhow“good”wemaybe,itistotallyinadequatebeforeGod.
5. Whatifyouhaveahardtimeunderstandingoradmittingyourdepravity?GenuinelyaskGodtoopentheeyesofyourheart.Prayscripture:
• Ephesians1:18–“…havingtheeyesofyourheartsenlightened,thatyoumayknowwhatisthehopetowhichHehascalledyou,whataretherichesofHisgloriousinheritanceinthesaints.”Whenwe“seewiththeeyesofourheart”theamazingblessingswehaveinChrist,webecomeawareofhowundeservingweareofthem.(Q#4)
• Psalm139:24–“Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme.”Ourtruedepravitywillbeexposedinthelightofhisholiness.
6. Whatdowedooncewerecognizeourowndepravity?
WeshiftdependencefromourowngoodnessbacktotheonethingthatcanbringusintorelationshipwithGod–therighteousnessofChristgiventousbyGod’samazinggrace.
FocalPoint#2:SeeingtheRighteousnessofChristasall-sufficientforusdaily
1. HowdoesZacchaeusseetheRighteousnessofChristasall-sufficient?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
39
• Inverse9,Jesussaid,“Todaysalvationhascometothishouse,sinceheisalsoasonofAbraham.FortheSonofMancametoseekandsavethelost.”
• WhywasheasonofAbraham?HemayhavetechnicallybeenanoffspringofAbrahambecausehewasaJew.ButinthiscasewhywasheasonofAbraham?Becauseofhisheritageorhiswealth?No!Itisbecauseofhisfaith.
• Galatians3:7–“ItisthoseoffaithwhoarethesonsofAbraham”(Chapter3).Acts13:32–“WebringyougoodnewsthatwhatGodpromisedtothefathers,thisHehasfulfilledtoustheirchildrenbyraisingJesus.”Genesis15:6–“AbrahambelievedGodanditwascountedtohimasrighteousness.”
• We,too,getthepromiseofbeingdeclaredrighteousbeforeGodbecauseofourfaithinwhatChristdidforus!
2. Zacchaeussawthathewasnotsavedbecauseoftheamountofpossessionshehadorhisheritage.Despitehissinfulness,theRighteousnessofChristwasall-sufficientforhimtobeaccepted.Itwasallthatwasneededforhimtobesaved.
3. HowcanweberemindedofthesufficientRighteousnessofChrist?
• RemindourselvesthatJesuswasperfectlyobedientasoursubstitute–ineveryareaofourlives(Q#9).Inareaswhereweseefailureandsin,Jesusprovidesaperfectobediencethatiscreditedtous.Example:Ifwelackpatience,Jesuswaspatientinourplace(p.70).(Q#10)Whatareyoulacking?Christlivedthelifethatweshouldhavelived!
• PreachtheGospeltoourselveseveryday.(Q#11)Firstthinginthemorning,praiseGodforwhatHedidforyou.Confessyoursins.ThankHimfordyingthedeaththatyoushouldhavediedandlivingthelifeyoushouldhavelivedsothatyoucanstandrighteousbeforeGodandhavearelationshipwithHim.
• MediateonGod’spromisesfromtheGospelinlightofoursins.(Examplep.71)
4. WhatisthebenefitofbeingremindedoftheRighteousnessofChrist?Itremindsusthat:
• Weseeourselvesasdesperatelylostsinners.
• We’vebeenrescuedbytheall-sufficientRighteousnessofChrist.
• IncreasesourappreciationfortheGospeldaily.
FocalPoint#3:SeeingandRejectingourFunctionalSaviors
1. Whatisafunctionalsavior?
• SomethingwedependonotherthantheRighteousnessofChristtosatisfy,fulfill,or“save”us–anythingweembracethatisn’tGod.
• Functionalsaviorscanbecomeoursourceofidentity,security,andsignificance.Theypreoccupyourmindsandconsumeourtimeandresources.Functionalsaviorsmakeusfeelgoodandsometimesrighteous.Forexample,parenting,servinginthechurch,etc.
2. WhyarefunctionalsaviorsenemiesoftheGospel?(Q#12)
• TheymakeusturnawayfromtheGospel.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
40
• Dependingonfunctionalsaviorsforhopeisidolatry.Exodus20:3–“Youshallhavenoothergodsbeforeme.”Functionalsaviorscontrolusandweworshipthem.
3. WhatwasZacchaeus’functionalsavior?Money,hewoulddoanythingtogetit.Hisself-worthdependedonhiswealth.
4. WhatdidZacchaeusdowithhisfunctionalsavior?WhenZacchaeusmetChrist,hesawthathisfunctionalsaviorwastotallyinsufficientanddramaticallyshiftedhisdependenceontotheRighteousnessofChrist.
5. Whatarewetodowithourfunctionalsaviors?(Q#13)
• Identifythem.Theycanbepeople,things,oractivities.Theycanbeharmfultoourbodieslikedrugs,alcohol,overeating,lackofeating.Ortheycanseemharmless,evengood,likefamily,friends,TV,sleep,caffeine,careers,hobbies,sports,relationships,possessions,acleanhouse,exercise,evenministry.Seefillintheblanksurveyp.73.
• Rejectthem!Oncewehaveidentifiedafunctionalsavior,rejectitbyturningourfocusbackontotheonlysourceofhope.
6. Biblicalexampleoffunctionalsavior:GodusedtheprophetJeremiahtowarnJudahagainstfunctionalsaviors.
• Jeremiah2:11-13–“Mypeoplehavechangedtheirgloryforthatwhichdoesnotprofit…Beappalled…beshocked…formypeoplehavecommittedtwoevils:theyhaveforsakenme,thefountainoflivingwaters,andhewed(chopwithanax)ourcisterns(tanksofwater)forthemselves,brokencisternsthatcanholdnowater.”(“Hewedcisterns”leadtobrokencisternswhichcannotholdwaterbecausetheyleak.)
• Functionalsaviorscannotbedependedupon!Theyleak,theyleaveusthirsty!
• DependingonafunctionalsaviorrequiresustoforsakeGod.NowonderJeremiahfindsthis“appallingandshocking!”(v.12)
7. Whathappenswhenwedon’trejectourfunctionalsaviors?
• Weendupleaningonourfunctionalsaviorinsteadofthefirstbookend.Functionalsaviorsareunreliable.Ifwetrustinbookendsthatareun-sturdy,theywon’tholdusupandwewillfall!
• Godknowsourheartandwhenwefallintodependenceonfunctionalsaviors.SometimesHe“mercifullyintervenes.Asasurgeonskillfullyremovesacanceroustumorbeforeitkills,soourmasterphysicianwillcutwayoursinfulattachments.”(p.74)
• HowdoesGod“mercifullyintervene”?Intheformoftestingandtrials–increasedphysicaldisabilities,disappointmentsinwork,beingdefraudedinabusinesstransaction.Hemayevenusemundaneexperiences–aflattireorlostluggage.Weeventuallyrealizethethingsofthisworldcannotgiveuseternalsecurity,identity,orworth.
8. Whatarewetodowiththesefunctionalsaviors?
• Wearetoidentifythem,thenremoveorrejectthem.
• ShiftourdependencebacktothelivingGod,thefountainoflivingwatersthatwillneverrundry.
• Dependonthelastingrighteousnessthatsaves,fulfills,andsustainsusforever.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
41
MEMORYVERSE
“Butlayupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven,whereneithermothnorrustdestroysandwherethievesdonotbreakinandsteal.Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”Matthew6:20-21(ESV)
SONG
“Grace”byLauraStory
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. Whereisyourtreasure?Inwhatareyouputtingyourhope?
2. Lookatthefill-in-the-blankexerciseonp.73.Whichonedoyouidentifywiththemost?(Q#13)
• Oncewehaveidentifiedourfunctionalsavior(s),whatarewetodowiththem?Whatcanhappenwhenwedon’trejectourfunctionalsaviors?
• Currently,whatisGoddoinginyourlifetohelpfreeyoufromyourfunctionalsaviors?
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
42
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERSIX
THESECONDBOOKEND:ThePoweroftheHolySpirit
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEWChapters1-5
1. ThreefocalpointsthathelpshiftourdependencebackontotheRighteousnessofChrist:
• Seeingourselvesasdesperatelylostsinners
• SeeingtherighteousnessofChristasall-sufficientforusdaily
• Seeingandrejectingourfunctionalsaviors
2. Welearnedhowimportantitistoshiftourfocus…
• Offofourselvesoranythingwelooktowardstogiveusworth(functionalsaviors)
• BackontheRighteousnessofChrist
3. MEMORYVERSE:Matthew6:20-21(ESV)–“Butlayupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven,whereneithermothnorrustdestroysandwherethievesdonotbreakinandsteal.Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”
• Whereisyourtreasure?Wheredoyouputyourhope?IsitintheeverlastingRighteousnessofChrist?Orisitinthethingsofthisworldthatwon’tlastforever?
• AsourunderstandingandappreciationfortheGospelgrows,ourmotivationtorelyonthefirstbookend(theRighteousnessofChrist)alsogrows.
• WeneedmorethanjustthemotivationtorelyontheRighteousnessofChrist.WeneedthePoweroftheHolySpirit!
LESSON6:ThePoweroftheHolySpirit
WhoistheHolySpirit?HeisamemberoftheTrinity–Father,Son,andHolySpirit
WhydidGodgiveustheHolySpirit?
1. BeforeJesuswascrucified,HeexplainedtoHisdisciplesthateventhoughHewouldnolongerbewiththemonearth,Hewouldsenda“Helper”thatwouldbewiththemforever.
• John14:16–“AndIwillasktheFather,andHewillgiveyouanotherHelper,tobewithyouforever.”
• John14:26–“ButtheHelper,theHolySpirit,whomtheFatherwillsendinmyname,HewillteachyouallthingsandbringtoremembranceallthatIhavesaidtoyou.
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesontheboardforclasstolookup:John14:16;Romans8:11;2Corinthians3:18;Ephesians1:13-14,3:16;Philippians2:13-14;2Timothy2:1;Hebrews13:20-21
2. SongLyrics
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…ForfurtherstudyoftheTrinity,refertoEphesians3:14-17–agreatrepresentationofthethreepartsoftheTrinity.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
43
2. Doesthispromiseonlyapplytothedisciples?No!Romans8:14–“ForallwhoareledbytheSpiritofGodaresonsofGod.”ThispromiseoftheHolySpiritappliestoallbelievers.GodsenttheHolySpirittoindwellinallthataresonsofGodthroughfaith.
HowdowegainaccesstotheHolySpirit?
Ephesians1:13-14–“InHimyoualso,whenyouheardthewordoftruth,theGospelofyoursalvation,andbelievedinHim,weresealedwiththepromisedHolySpirit,whoistheguaranteeofourinheritanceuntilweacquirepossessionofit…”
1. WhendowereceivetheHolySpirit?WhenweheartheWordofTruth,theGospelofSalvation,andbelieveinHim.
2. Whathappenswhenwehearandbelieve?
• “WearesealedwiththepromisedHolySpirit.”
• Whatdoesitmeantobesealed?(Q#2)Definition:amarkofownershipoftenusedbyancientkingstosignifyownership.TheESVStudyBiblenotesin2Corinthians1:21-22thatwhenwereceivetheHolySpirit,itcertifiestheauthenticityofouracceptancebyGodasbeinggenuine.(ESVNotes)
3. HowistheHolySpirita“guarantee?”
• Definitionof“guarantee”–afinancialtermreferringtothefirstinstallationpaidasapledgeoffaithfulnesstocompleteapurchase.(On-linedictionary)
• TheHolySpiritisGod’spledgetocompleteHisfinalredemptionofHispeoplewhenChristreturns.TheHolySpiritprotectsandpreservesChristiansuntiltheyreachtheireternalinheritance.
4. WhenweunderstandthetrueGospelandtheimplicationsofwhatChristdidforus,andwereceiveHimasourpersonalSavior,wereceivetheHolySpirit.
WhydoweneedthePoweroftheHolySpirit?
ThereasonsweneedthePoweroftheHolySpiritareendless.
1. Tohelpusintimesoftrouble(Helper)
• John14:16–“…HewillgiveyouanotherHelper.”
• WhydoweneedaHelper?John16:33–“Ihavetoldyouthesethings,sothatinmeyoumayhavepeace.Inthisworldyouwillhavetrouble.Buttakeheart!Ihaveovercometheworld.”
• Whatwillwehaveinthisworld?Trouble(ESVversionsays“tribulation”)
• Whatis“tribulation?”Definition–“grievoustrouble;severetrialorsuffering.”
• Whatotherkindoftribulation?Ephesians6:12–“Forwedonotwrestleagainstfleshandblood,butagainsttherulers,againsttheauthorities,againstthecosmicpowersoverthispresentdarkness,againstthespiritualforcesofevilintheheavenlyplaces.”
• Whatdowewrestlewith?“Rulers,authorities,cosmicpowers…spiritualforcesofevil”
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
44
• WhatdoestherestofJohn16:33say?“Takeheart,Ihaveovercometheworld!”WhenChristdiedonthecross,deathwasdefeatedandthese“spiritualforesofevil”wereputtoshame.Colossians2:15–“HedisrmedtherulersandauthoritiesandputthemtoopenshamebytriumphingovertheminHim.”TheHolySpiritlivinginsideofusisgreaterthananyevilweface.
• Althoughdeathwasdefeated,westillfacetheday-to-daybattles.Wedon’thavethestrengthtofightagainstthesepowerfulenemiesonourown,soGodgaveusthepoweroftheHolySpirit.
2. Tostrengthenus
• RemembertheblessingswereceivewhenwereceiveChristasourSavior.(Chapter3)
• God’sgracegivesustheblessingofprivilegeandtheblessingofpower.
• Whatisthedifferenceinthetwocategoriesofgrace?(Q#4)
• Whatprivilege?TheprivilegeofbeingclothedwiththeRighteousnessofChrist.
• Whatpower?BecauseofGod’sgrace,weareblessedtohaveaccesstothePoweroftheHolySpirit!
• HowareweempoweredbytheHolySpirit?2Timothy2:1–“BestrengthenedbythegracethatisinChristJesus.”(PauliswritingtoTimothyhere.)
…WhatdoesPaulmeanby“bestrengthened?”(Q#3)“Strengthened”isa“passiveimperative”–indicatessomethingdonetous,notbyus.SoTimothyistobestrengthenedbysomethingoutsidehimself.
…Whatishestrengthenedby?“ThegracethatisinChristJesus.”Christ’sobedientlifeanddeathpurchasedeveryblessingGodhasforus!
…ThegracewereceiveisbecauseofwhatChristdidforus.
• WhatdoesitmeantohaveaccesstothePoweroftheHolySpirit?
…TheblessingsthatGodgivesusthroughChristaredistributedandappliedtousbytheHolySpirit.
…ThatiswhyPaultoldtheEphesiansinEphesians3:16,“BestrengthenedwithpowerthroughHisSpiritinourinnerbeing.”WearestrengthenedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit!
• Whatkindofpowerarewetalkingabout?Romans8:11–“IftheSpiritofHimwhoraisedJesusfromthedeaddwellsinyou,HewhoraisedChristJesusfromthedeadwillalsogivelifetoyourmortalbodiesthroughhisSpiritwhodwellsinyou.”ItisthesamePowerthatraisedChristfromthedead!
• HowdoesthisstrengthfromtheHolySpiritplayoutinourlives?
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…ForfurtherstudyonhowJesushas“overcometheworld,”see:• Ephesians1:21–“Heis“faraboveallruleandauthorityandpoweranddominion.”• 1John4:4b–“ForHewhoisinyouisgreaterthanhewhoisintheworld.”• 1John5:4-5–“foreveryonewhohasbeenbornofGodovercomestheworld…”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
45
BREAK-OUTSESSION2Corinthians12:9-10
MEMORYVERSE
“Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.Therefore,Iwillboastallthemoregladlyofmyweakness,sothatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme.(NASB“powerofChristmaydwellinme.”)ForthesakeofChrist,then,Iamcontentwithweaknesses,insults,hardships,persecutions,andcalamities.ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong.”2Corinthians12:9-10
• “Mygraceissufficientforyou.”TowhatisPaulreferring?ThegraceGodgivesyouthatblessesyouwiththepoweroftheHolySpiritissufficientforyou.Itisallweneedtofacewhatevercomesourway!
• “Formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.”Christ’spowercanbemostevidentwhenweareatourweakest.WhentherecanbenootherexplanationforyourstrengthexceptonlythatwhichcanbeexplainedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit!
• “ThereforeIwillboastallthemoregladlyofmyweaknesses.”Why?“ThatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme.”PaulisactuallyabletoboastofhisweaknesssothatthepowerofChristcanrestuponhim!(NASB–SothatthepowerofChristcan“dwell”inhim!)
• “ForthesakeofChristthen,Iamcontentwithweakness,insults,hardships,persecutionsandcalamities…”ChristisglorifiedwhenpeopleseeinyouastrengththatcomesonlyfromChrist.WhycanPaulbecontent?Withwhatdoyouneedbecontent?
• “ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong.”Whenwegothroughtrialsandweakness,Christ’spowerbecomesapparentinourlives.WhenweareweakwecanbecomestrongbecauseofthePoweroftheHolySpirit!
• JustaswemustlookoutsideourselvestotherighteousnessofChristforourstandingbeforeGod,wemustalsolookoutsideourselvestothepoweroftheHolySpiritforourstrengthtolivetheChristianlife.
3. Torevealhimselftous
2Corinthians3:18–“Andweallwithunveiledface,beholdingthegloryoftheLord,arebeingtransformedintothesameimagefromonedegreeofglorytoanother.ForthiscomesfromtheLordwhoseistheSpirit.”
• Whatdoesitmeanto“beholdthegloryofGod?”ForaveiltoberemovedsoyoucanseeGod’sglory.(ESVCommentary)
• ItisonlybythepoweroftheHolySpiritthatourfacesbecome“unveiled,”thatweareabletoseeGod’sglory,andareabletobetransformed.OnceagainthishappensaswegettoknowHimbetterthroughthereadingofHisWord.
4. Tosanctifyus
Referbackto2Corinthians3:18–We“arebeingtransformedintothesameimagefromonedegreeofglorytoanother.ForthiscomesfromtheLordwhoistheSpirit.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:Breakintogroupstoread2Corinthians12:9-10aloudattheirtablesanddiscussQ#5ofthehomework.Thenreconveneanddiscussthemeaningofthepassageonephraseatatime.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
46
• “Beingtransformedintothesameimage…”Whatisthisprocesscalled?Sanctification.AsourfacesareunveiledandweseeGod’sglory,wearebeingtransformedandbecomingmorelikeHim.ThisisdefinitelyaprocessandwillnotbecompleteuntilweseeHimfacetoface.
• “ForthiscomesfromtheLordwhoistheSpirit.”ItisonlybythepoweroftheHolySpiritthatwecanbetransformedinourdailysanctificationprocess.
5. ToWorkinus–TheHolySpiritappliesHispowerinourlivesintwoways
QualifiedSynergism–WhenHesuppliesuswithalltheenablingpower,butwedoallthetangiblework
• Philippians2:13-14–“ItisGodwhoworksinyou,bothtowillandtoworkforHisgoodpleasure.”(Q#11)
…Godprovidesuswithboththemotivation(thewill)andthepower(thework)toobey.ThePoweroftheHolySpiritrelievesusfromtheburdenofhavinginsufficientwillpowerandstrengthtoobeyGod.
…AsHesuppliestheenergy,withwhatdoesHeequipustodothiswork?
• Hebrews13:20-21–“NowmaytheGodofpeace,whothroughthebloodoftheeternalcovenantbroughtbackfromthedeadourLordJesus,thatgreatShepherdofthesheep,equipyouwitheverythinggoodfordoingHiswill,andmayHeworkinuswhatispleasingtoHim,throughJesusChrist,towhombegloryforeverandever.Amen.”
…WhatdoesHeequipuswithaccordingtov.21?“EverythinggoodfordoingHiswill.”1Peter4:10-11statesthat“Eachhasreceivedagift,useittoserveoneanother.”WeservebythestrengththatGodsupplies.(Q#11)TheseareSpiritualgifts.
…WhatelsedoestheHolySpiritequipuswith?FruitoftheSpirit...Galatians5:22-23–“love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentlenessandself-control.”ItisonlybythepoweroftheHolySpiritthatwecanhaveanyofthesequalities.
…WhatdoesHeequipusfor?TodoHiswill(Hebrews13:21)
…WhatisHiswill?ToProclaimHisWord(Acts1:8–“YouwillreceivepowerwhentheHolySpirithascomeuponyou,andyouwillbemywitnesses…totheendsoftheearth.”)andtoGlorifyHim(1Peter4:11–“WeservewiththestrengthGodsupplies…inorderthatineverythingGodmaybeglorified…”)
MonergisticWork–WhentheHolySpirithelpsusaccomplishHisagendaforourownspiritualgrowthwithoutoureffortandsometimesinspiteofoureffort–sometimestoaccomplishthingsthatareonHisagenda.
• WhataresomeessentialsofourChristiangrowthagendathatareonlybythepoweroftheHolySpirit?(Q#12)
…HisworkbeginswhenHegivesusnewlifebycausingustobebornagain.(John3:5talksaboutbeing“bornoftheSpirit.”)WearejustifiedwhenwefirstplaceourfaithinwhatChristdidforus(justification).WearesealedwiththeHolySpirit
TEACHER’SNOTE:Refertopages86-91forfurtherexplanationoftheSpirit’sMonergisticandSynergisticwork.(Q#10)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
47
…Theprocessofrecognizingoursin,goingtotheGospelofgrace,andthenrespondingwithgratitude
…RepentanceandhavingFaith–Acts11:18,Ephesians2:8
…Obey–Ezekiel36:27
…MotivationtobelikeChrist
…Assuranceofoursalvation–Romans8:16–“TheSpirithimselfbearswitness…thatweareChildrenofGod.”
• OnlybythepoweroftheHolySpiritcanwelivetheChristianLife,repent,havefaith,obey,havethemotivationtobelikeChrist,andbeassuredthatwearechildrenofGod(p.88-89).
SometimesitisdifficulttounderstandwheretodrawthelinebetweenthePoweroftheHolySpiritandoureffort.Theauthorsrefertothisas“TheSeamlessApplicationofMonergismandSynergism.”Thebestexplanationofthisisthat“Wearetoworkandapplyourselveswithutmostseriousnessandvigilance;butwe’retodosowiththerecognitionthatGodprovidesusthemotivationandthepowertoobey”(p.87-88).
Whatisourrole?
JustlikewiththeFirstBookendwithourrenunciationandreliance,weneedtorenounceallconfidenceinourownpowerandthencompletelyrelyonthepoweroftheHolySpirit.
1. Wedon’tmerelyneedthehelpoftheHolySpirittodothis–wemustbeenabled.
2. WeneedtoacknowledgethatonourownwearehelplessandthenembracerelianceonthepoweroftheHolySpirit!
TheSovereigntyoftheHolySpirit
1. GodisincontrolandHemanifestsHimselfthroughthepoweroftheHolySpiritaccordingtoHisowntiming!(Q#8)
2. WhydowesometimesfeelliketheHolySpiritisnotempoweringuswhenwewantHimto?(Q#9)
• MaybeitistoremindusthatwithoutHisenablingpower,wecan’tfightsin,growincharacter,orministereffectively.Itdrivesusbacktothecrossandremindsusthatnomatterwhatareinadequacyis,westandacceptedbeforeGodbecauseoftheRighteousnessofChrist–notbecauseofourownability.
• OthertimesHedramaticallymanifestsHimselfthroughuswhenwearemadefullyawareofourownweaknessandability.
SUMMARY
WecannotlivethelifethatGodcalledustowithouttheRighteousnessofChristandthePoweroftheHolySpirit.Thatiswhythisbookiscalled“TheBookendsoftheChristianLife.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:Seepage89foragreatexplanationofthisprocess.TheHeidelbergCatechismisstructuredaroundthree“G”s:OurGuilt,God’sGrace,OurresponseofGratitude.(Q#13)
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
48
1. Bothare“blood-bought,life-changingfountainsofgrace-blessingsbeyondmeasure”sothatGodgetsalltheglory.(p.92)
2. Whatisthedifferencebetweenthem?(Q#14)
• TheRighteousnessofChristcanneverbechanged.BecauseofwhatChristdidforus,nothingcouldevermakeusmorerighteousorlessrighteousinourstandingbeforeGod.
• ThePoweroftheHolySpiritisalwaysinprocess.ItcanneverbefinishedandcompleteinourlifeuntilweseeHimfacetoface.WhenwereceivetheHolySpirit,wemustrespondtoitanddependonit.
SONG
“InMe”byCastingCrowns
DISCUSSIONTIME
DescribeatimeinyourlifewhenyouhaveexperiencedthePoweroftheHolySpiritandyouknowthereisnootherexplanationfortheworkthatwasdoneinyourlife.Discussquestions1,6,and7fromthehomework.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
49
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERSEVEN
DependentResponsibility
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. WhenwereceiveChristasourpersonalSavior,wereceivemanyblessingsthatcometousbyHisgrace.WearenotonlyblessedwiththeprivilegesthatcomewithbeingclothedintherighteousnessofChrist,butwehavetheblessingofbeingstrengthenedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.
• 2Timothy2:1says,“BestrengthenedbythegracethatisinChristJesus.”Wearestrengthenedbysomethingoutsideourselves–thePoweroftheHolySpirit.
• TheblessingsthatGodgivesusthatareinChristbecauseofwhatHedidforusaredistributedandappliedtousbytheHolySpirit.
2. GoddistributesHisblessingstousthroughtheHolySpirit:tohelpus,strengthenus,revealHimselftous,sanctifyus,andworkinustoaccomplishHispurpose.
3. HowdoesthestrengthfromtheHolySpiritplayoutinourlives?
• MEMORYVERSE:2Corinthians12:9-10–“Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.Therefore,Iwillboastallthemoregladlyofmyweakness,sothatthepowerofChristmayrestuponme.ForthesakeofChrist,then,Iamcontentwithweaknesses,insults,hardships,persecutions,andcalamities.ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong.”
• SometimesitisthroughtrialsandweaknessthatChrist’spowerbecomesmostapparentinourlives.Whenweareweak,thepoweroftheHolySpiritcanmakeusstrong.
• Nomatterwhatwearedoing,whetheritbestrugglingorservingGod,noneofitispossiblewithoutthepoweroftheHolySpirit.
4. JustaswemustlookoutsideourselvestotherighteousnessofChristtostandbeforeGod(FirstBookend),wemustalsolookoutsideourselvestothepoweroftheHolySpiritforstrengthtolivetheChristianlife.
5. WhenwereceivetheHolySpirit,wemustrespondtoHimanddependonHim.
LESSON7:DependentResponsibility
1. InrespondingtotheworkoftheHolySpirit,wheredowedrawthelinebetweenwhatweareresponsiblefor,andbeingtotallydependentonHispower?
2. Whatdoes“dependentresponsibility”mean?Wearebothdependentandresponsible:
• Thedictionarydefinitionofdependentis“toexistbyvirtueofanecessaryrelation.”
• WeareresponsibleforbeingdependentonHimforeverything!
TEACHER’SNOTE:
Beforeyoubegin:
1. Writeversesontheboardforclasstolookup:Matthew6:33;Ephesians1:17-18;1:19;2Timothy3:16;Hebrews4:12
2.MemoryVerse:John15:5
3. SongLyrics
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
50
BREAK-OUTSESSION
2Timothy2:15andColossians1:29
Whatdoes“dependentresponsibility”looklikeinGod’sWord?
1. 2Timothy2:15–“DoyourbesttopresentyourselftoGodasoneapproved,aworkerwhohasnoneedtobeashamed.”
• Whatdoesitmeanto“doyourbest?”
• Page96–“Bediligent”or“Makeeveryeffort.”Timothy’sdependenceontheSpiritdidnottakeawayhisresponsibilitytoworkhardwiththegiftsGodgavehim.
• WearetoworkdiligentlyatourChristiangrowthwiththeassurancethatGodisatworkinus.
2. Colossians1:29–“ForthisItoil,strugglingwithallHisenergythatHepowerfullyworkswithinme.”(Q#1)
• Whatdoestoilmean?“Labortothepointofexhaustion”
• Whatdoesstrugglingmean?AGreekwordwhoseEnglishdefinitionis“toagonize.”
• PaulworkedhardonhismissionaryjourneytoproclaimtheGospelandbeallthatGodintendedhimtobe.
• WithwhoseenergydidPaulstruggle?God’senergyworkedpowerfullywithinPaulandworkspowerfullyinus.Ephesians1:19–“AndwhatistheimmeasurablegreatnessofHispowertowarduswhobelieve,accordingtotheworkingofHisgreatmight.”
3. TheHolySpirit’sroleisnottomakeourownenergyunnecessary,butrather,effective.
DependentResponsibilityinourefforttogrowinChrist-likeness
1. ForwhatdoesGod’sWordsayweareresponsible?
• Colossians3:12-14–Godcallsusto“Puton…compassionatehearts,kindness,humility,meekness,andpatience,bearingwithoneanother…forgivingeachother…”
• Galatians5:16,22-23–FruitoftheSpirit–“WalkbytheSpirit”
• Seep.97forotherversesthatrefertomoreresponsibilities:“Watchandpray,”“Besteadfast,”“Trainourselves,”“Makeeveryeffort”togrowinChristiancharacter.
2. Whatdowenoticeabouttheverbslistedabove?
• Theyaremoralimperatives,actionstatements,directcommands–notsuggestions.
• Commandsfromwhom?1Thessalonians4:3a–“ForthisisthewillofGod,yoursanctification…”PaulistalkingtotheThessaloniansaboutthewillofGod–oursanctification–tomakeusmorelikeHim!
3. AllofthemoralimperativesfoundinGod’sWordarenotjustgoodadvice.Theyaredirectcommandsfromthecreatoroftheuniverse–theverywillofGod.
TEACHER’SNOTE:Havesmallgroupsreadversesanddiscusswhadependentresponsibilitylookslikeinscripture.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
51
4. WhydowesometimesglossoverthesedirectcommandsfromGod?WemightnotlikewhatGodisaskingustodobecausesometimesitishardtofollowHiscommands.Howdoweglossover?Beingselectiveofwhatweshouldandshouldnotobeyinscripture.
5. LookbackatGalatians5:16,22-23–“WalkbytheSpirit…”TheonlywaywecandowhatGodiscallingustodoisbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.ItgoesontomentiontheFruitoftheHolySpiritinverses22-23(“love,joy,peace,patience….”).Itisoftendifficultandsometimesnearlyimpossibletohavethesequalities.WemustremembertheyareonlydisplayedinourlivesthroughtheHolySpirit.
6. GodhasgivenusmanycommandsinHisWord.ItisimportanttorememberthatthisiswhyHegaveustheenablingpoweroftheHolySpirit.
7. ItisourresponsibilitytowalkinobediencewiththewillofGodandtoworkwith100%ofoureffortwiththegiftsHehasgivenus.Atthesametime,wearetobe100%dependentontheHolySpirittoenableusandmakeourworkeffective.Theharderwework,themorewedependonthepoweroftheHolySpirit.(Q#2)
MeansofGrace
1. Whatdoesthismean?
• GodusesdifferentinstrumentstostrengthenusbyHisgrace.
• WehavetheresponsibilitytorespondtothisgracethroughSpiritualDisciplines.
• ThroughpracticingtheSpiritualDisciplineswegainaccesstoHisgrace.(Q#3)
2. Twoimportanttruths(Q#4)
• Spiritualdisciplinesarenotthesourceofspiritualpower,theyareHisinstrumentstotransmitHispower.
• Thepracticeofdisciplinedoesn’tearnusfavor.(ChristdidthatforuswhenHediedonthecross.)Wecan’tfallintolegalisticthinking–thatsomehowthesedisciplineswillmakeusmorerighteous.
SpiritualDisciplinesWeshouldnotlookatcultivatingourrelationshipwithGodasalistofdo’sanddon’ts.WehavearesponsibilitytorespondtothemeansofgracetheSpiritprovidestodrawusclosertoHim. DailyCommunionwithGod(QuietTime)
1. WhydoaQuietTime?
• ItfacilitatesfellowshipwithGod.
• HecallsustospendtimewithHim.1Corinthians1:9–“Godisfaithful,bywhomyouwerecalledintofellowship…”
2. WhatdoesfellowshipwithGodlooklikeinGod’sWord?
• MEMORYVERSE:John15:5–“Iamthevine;youarethebranches.WhoeverabidesinmeandIinhim,heitisthatbearsmuchfruit,forapartfrommeyoucandonothing.”(ESVnotes:“‘Abideinme’meanstocontinueinadaily,personalrelationshipwithJesuscharacterizedbytrust,prayer,obedience,andjoy.”WeneedtorecognizethatapartfromHim,wecandonothingofexternalvalue.)
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
52
• Matthew6:33–“SeekfirstthekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness,andallthesethingswillbeaddedtoyou.”AsweseektoknowHimmore,ourknowledgeofHimincreases.AsourknowledgeofHimincreases,themorewewanttospendtimewithHim.
• Psalm63–“OGod,youaremyGod;earnestlyIseekyou,mysoulthirstsforyou.”Whenyoulovesomeone,youwanttospendmoretimewithhim,DowetrulydesiretobewithHim?
3. ExamplesofQuietTime:Biblereading,praying,journaling,listeningtopraisemusic,etc.
4. ImportanttonoteaboutspendingtimeinGod’sWord:
• OtherwayswespendtimewithGodcannotsubstituteforbeingintheWord.
• Therewillbeseasonswherethisisverydifficult.Whenthishappens,dowhateverittakestoremindyourselfofGod’sWordthroughouttheday,suchaskeepingtheBibleopenonthekitchencounter,postingBibleversesalloverthehouseorinthecar…
• Itisimportanttonotjustgothroughthemotions.Weneedtotaketimetoprayoverandreflectonwhatwe’veread.
• PraywhatPaulprayedfortheEphesians:Ephesians1:17,18–“TheGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,maygiveyouaspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim,havingtheeyesofyourheartsenlightened,thatyoumayknowwhatisthehopetowhichHehascalledyou.”
• Prayforwisdomandenlightenment.AskHimtorevealwhatHewantsyoutolearn.TaketimetobequietandlistentowhatHemayhavetosaytoyou.
WhataretheessentialaspectsofdailycommunionwithGod?
1. TheGospel
• WhytheGospel?Itistheprimaryinstrumentofspiritualtransformation!
• 2Corinthians3:18–“Andweall,withunveiledface,beholdingthegloryoftheLord,arebeingtransformedintothesameimagefromonedegreeofglorytoanother.ForthiscomesfromtheLordwhoistheSpirit.”
• HowdowebeholdthegloryofGod?(Q#6)TheHolySpirithelpsusunderstandtheGospelby“liftingtheveil.”WhenweunderstandtheGospel,weseeGod’sglory.Asthishappens,theHolySpirittransformsus.
• ItisimportantforustopreachtheGospeltoourselveseveryday.(Q#7)BegineachdaybyacknowledgingthatwearesinnersandthatGodhasmadeusalivewithChrist,forgaveusoursins,andcancelledourdebtthroughthecross.
• FindapassagethatsummarizestheGospelandmeditateonthat.(Colossians2:13-14)
• AsweunderstandtheGospelandremindourselvesofwhatChristdidforusdaily,theHolySpiritwillmotivateustowanttoliveourlivestoglorifyHim.
2. AllofScripture
• WhytheBible?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
53
…ItisGod’sWord.AllscriptureisGodbreathed.2Timothy3:16says,“AllscriptureisbreathedoutbyGodandprofitableforteaching,forreproof,forcorrection,andfortraininginrighteousness.”
…TheWordofGodistransforming.Hebrews4:12–“ForthewordofGodislivingandactive,sharperthananytwo-edgedsword,piercingtothedivisionofsoulandofspirit,ofjointsandofmarrow,anddiscerningthethoughtsandintentionsoftheheart.”God’sWordisalive,active,andconvicting.
• Whatdowefindinscripture?(Q#8)
…ToknowGod’swill.InColossians1:9-10,PaulprayedthattheColossianbelieversmight“befilledwiththeknowledgeofHiswillinallspiritualwisdomandunderstandingsoastowalkinamannerworthyoftheLord,fullypleasingtohim.”
…Romans12:2–“Betransformedbytherenewalofyourmind,thatbytestingyoumayknowwhatisthewillofGod.”ScripturerevealsHistruth,andtheHolySpiritusesthistruthtotransformorsanctifyus.
…ToknowthehopeHehasforus.LookbackatEphesians1:17,PaulprayedthisfortheEphesiansthatthrough“theknowledgeofHim,havingtheeyesofyourheartsenlightened,thatyoumayknowwhatisthehopetowhichHehascalledyou…”
…ToknowthepromisesofHispowerandprovisiontohelpuscarryouthiswill.
• Scriptureistheonlywaytorenewourminds.DonotrelyonanybookbesidestheWordofGodfortruth.Itisoktoreadotherbooksaslongasyoudon’treplacethetruthfoundintheBible!AlwayscomparewhatyouarereadingtoGod’sWord.Ifitdoesnotcoincide,thenitisnottruth.Don’tputyourhopeinit!
• GodalsorevealsHisWordtousthroughBible-basedpreaching,Biblestudy,andscripturememorization.
3. Prayer
• Whydowepray?ToacknowledgingourdependenceonHim(Q#9)andourhelplessnessandinabilitytoaccomplishanythingonourown.
• Whenarewetopray?1Thessalonians5:17–“Praywithoutceasing”(dailyprayersandshort,spontaneousprayersthroughouttheday)
• Whatarewetoprayfor?
…Toworkinusandenableustowork.Wecanuseaprayerjournalorprayscripture.Therearecountlesswayswecanpray.
…AreweprayingtogetwhatwewantorforGod’swillforourlives?ItisnotforustoquestionHiswill.WearetosubmittoandacceptwhateverHehasforus.
…HealwayshearsusandHealwaysresponds(yes,no,notyet)
…Themoreprayer,themoredependency–themoredependency,themorepower.
4. Circumstances
• Weshouldcontinuallyreflectonthevariouscircumstancesthatcomeourway.
• Romans8:28-29–“AndweknowthatinallthingsGodworksforthegoodofthosewholoveHim,whohavebeencalledaccordingtoHispurpose.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
54
• Godcauses“allthings”–circumstances,events,actionsofotherpeople(goodorbadinourestimation)–toworktogetherforourgoodandHisglory.(Q#10)
…Ourgood?ConformitytotheimageofHisSon(sanctification).
…Hisglory?Heusesallcircumstances,goodandbad,toaccomplishHiswill,whichwillultimatelygiveHimglory.
• Aswereflectonourchallengingcircumstances,weshouldaskGodhowHewantstousetheminourlives.WeshouldalsomakeahabitofrecognizingthatgoodcircumstancesareonlybyGod’sgraceandmercy.
SUMMARY
1. WeneedtodependonthepoweroftheHolySpirit,butwehavearesponsibilityaswell.
2. CommunionwithGodneedstobeadailypracticeandourheart’sdesire.ThiswillonlyhappenwiththepoweroftheHolySpirit.(Q#11-12)
SONG
“IWillAbide”byChristfortheNationsandLaurenFarmer
DISCUSSIONTIME
WhatcanyoudotoimprovethequalityofyourdailycommunionwiththeLord?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
55
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTEREIGHT
TheHelpoftheDivineEncourager
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. Welearnedwhat“DependentResponsibility”meansinourwalkwithChrist.
• ItisourresponsibilitytowalkinobediencewiththewillofGodandtoworkwith100%ofoureffortwiththegiftsHehasgivenus.
• Atthesametime,wearetobe100%dependentontheHolySpirittoenableusandmakeourworkeffective.
2. Welearnedabout“MeansofGrace”
• GodusesdifferentinstrumentstostrengthenusbyHisgrace.
• WehavetheresponsibilitytorespondtothisgracethatHeprovidesbyparticipatingindifferentspiritualdisciplinessuchasprayer,spendingtimeinGod’swordetc.AsweparticipateinthesespiritualdisciplineswearerespondingtoHiscalltodependonHimbyabidinginHim.
3. MemoryVerse:John15:5–“Iamthevine;youarethebranches.WhoeverabidesinmeandIinhim,heitisthatbearsmuchfruit,forapartfrommeyoucandonothing.”WeneedtorecognizetheimportanceofdailycommunionwithGodandabidinginHim.ApartfromHim,wecandonothing!
TheHelpoftheDivineEncourager
1. WhydoweneedthehelpoftheDivineEncourager?Becausewestillfaceadailybattlewithsin.
2. Whydowestillhavetobattlesin?
3. “Alreadynotyetphenomenon”
• Althoughwearefreefromcondemnation,westillbattlewithsinuntilthedayweseeJesusfacetoface.WearealreadyperfectinourstandingbeforeChristandinourpositionasbeingjustified,butnotyetinourday-to-dayexperience.
• Althoughwearefreefromcondemnation…
…Romans8:1–“Thereis,therefore,nownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus.”
…Romans6:14–“Forsinwillhavenodominionoveryou,sinceyouarenotunderthelawbutundergrace.”
• Butwewillstillbattlewithsin…
…Galatians5:17–“ForthedesiresofthefleshareagainsttheSpirit,andthedesiresoftheSpiritareagainsttheflesh,fortheseareopposedtoeachother,tokeepyoufromdoingthethingsyouwanttodo.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:ThereisoftenaquestionamongstbelieversregardingthefactthatifwealreadystandrighteousbeforeGod,whydowestillbattlewithsin?Discussingthe“AlreadynotyetPhenomenon”helpsusunderstandwhywestillfaceadailybattlewithsinandwhyweneedthehelpoftheDivineEncourager.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
56
…Whatare“desiresoftheflesh?”Oursinfulnature…thedesiretodoanythingoutsideofGod’swill.Ourfleshisenmity(astateofbeingactivelyopposedtosomeone)againstGodaslongasweareinthisflesh.
…Whenwereceiveournewbody,wewillbefreefromsin.
• Whyarethe“desiresoftheSpirit…againstthefleshandtheyareopposedtoeachother?”
…“Tokeepusfromdoingthethingswewanttodo.”ThedesiresofourfleshpullusawayfromthedesiresoftheSpiritinaconstantbattle.
…Romans7:15–“ForIdonotunderstandmyownactions.ForIdonotdowhatIwant,butIdotheverythingIhate.”Sometimeswethinkwe’vegotacertainsinknockedonlytofindourselvesslippingbackintotemptation.
4. ItisclearthatweneedthePoweroftheHolySpirittohelpusfightthisever-presentbattlewithsin!
HowdoestheHolySpirithelpusbattlesin?
1. TheHolySpiritgivesusHOPE.
MEMORYVERSE–Romans15:13–“MaytheGodofhopefillyouwithalljoyandpeaceinbelieving,sothatbythepoweroftheHolySpirityoumayaboundinhope.”
2. WhatkindofHope?
• TheHopethatGodgaveusaHelper(John14:16)towalkwithusandempowerusthroughthisbattle.Galatians5:16says,“ButIsay,walkbytheSpirit,andyouwillnotgratifythedesiresoftheflesh.”TheHolySpiritremindsustodependonHisstrengthaswegothroughthesanctificationprocessinourdailybattlewithsin.
• TheHopethatGodisatworkinus.Philippians2:13–“…itisGodwhoworksinyou,bothtowillandtoworkforHisgoodpleasure.”He’snotfinishedwithusyet!
• TheHolySpiritgivesustheHopeofRighteousness(Q#2).Galatians5:5says,“ForthroughtheSpirit,byfaith,weourselveseagerlywaitforthehopeofrighteousness.”TheHolySpiritpointsustotheRighteousnessofChrist,remindingusthatwedonothavetoproduceperfectrighteousnessbyourownefforts.BecauseofwhatChristdidforus,wecanstandrighteousbeforeourGod.
3. WhydoesGalatians5:5saythatwe“eagerlywaitforthehopeofrighteousness?”
• We“waiteagerly”forGodtocompleteHisrighteousnessinuswhenweseeHimfacetofacewhenwedieorwhenChristreturns.
• Thisiswherethe“NotYet”partofthephenomenonfitsin.Ephesians1:13-14–We“weresealedwiththepromisedHolySpirit,whoistheguaranteeofourinheritanceuntilweacquirepossessionofit…”GodgaveustheHolySpirittohelpusinthebattleuntilweseeHimfacetoface-untiltheredemptionofthosewhoareGod’spossession.
…Nottheredemptioninitsfirststage.Galatians3:13–“Wewereredeemedfromthecurseofthelaw.”WearealreadyredeemedbythebloodofChrist.Ourtitleissecured.Wehavebeenpaidfor.Wearesonsanddaughters.WearealreadyperfectinourstandingbeforeourGod.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
57
Romans8:23–“Butweourselves,whohavethefirstfruitsoftheSpirit,groaninwardlyaswewaiteagerlyforadoptionassons,theredemptionofourbodies.”We“eagerlyawait”forthefulfillmentofouradoption-whenourbodiesareredeemedandraisedfromthedead!
4. TheHolySpiritgivesushopeinourbattlewithsinaswewaiteagerlyforthedaywhenwearewithHimanddeliveredfromthebattleonceandforall.Aswewait,theHolySpiritencouragesus.
FourwaystheHolySpiritencouragesus:
Thespiritencouragesustorenewourdependenceonthesecondbookendbyrememberingthefirst:Life-changingGratitudeforPurchasedGrace.
BREAKOUTSESSION
1.Life-changingGratitudeforPurchasedGrace
TheHolySpiritenablesustohavelife-changinggratitude
WhathappensasaresultoftheHolySpiritlivinginsideusandencouragingus?
• John15:26–“WhentheHelpercomes,Hewillbearwitnessaboutme.”(Q#3)TheHolySpiritopensourheartstotheGospel.2Corinthians3:18–“BeholdingtheGloryoftheLord.”TheHolySpiritliftstheveilsoweareabletoseetheGospel!
• John14:26–“…hewillbringtoyourremembranceallthatIhavesaidtoyou.”HeremindsusofHistruththatwehaveheard,read,ormemorizedandstirswithinusahugesenseofgratitudethattransformsusattheverycoreofourbeing.(Q#4)
• 2Corinthians5:14-15–“FortheloveofChristcontrolsus,becausewehaveconcludedthis:thatonehasdiedforall,thereforeallhavedied;”(Q#5)
…WhatabouttheGospelmotivatesus?TheloveforChristortheloveofChrist?TheloveOFChrist!
…Whatkindoflovecontrolsus?“Becauseonehasdiedforall,therefore,allhavedied.”It’sthekindoflovethatcausedHimtogiveupHisownlifeforus!WhenChristdiedtopayforoursins,itwasasifwealldied.
…WhydidHedie?(Seetherestof2Corinthians5:14-15)V.15“thatthosewholivemightnolongerliveforthemselvesbutforHimwhofortheirsakediedandwasraised.”Thatwewouldnolongerliveforourselves,butforHim!!It’snotaboutus!Howmanytimesdoweneedtoremindourselvesofthis!
• 1John4:9-10,19–“InthistheloveofGodwasmademanifestamongus,thatGodsentHisonlySon,intotheworld,sothatwemightlivethroughHim.Inthisislove,notthatwehavelovedGodbutthatHelovedusandsentHisSontobethepropitiationforoursins…WelovebecauseHefirstlovedus.”(Q#5)
…WhydidGodsendHisonlySonintotheworld?SothatwemightlivethroughHim!Tobethepropitiationforoursins
…Whatdoespropitiationmean?Propitiationmeans“wrathbearer.”HeborethewrathofGodforus!
TEACHER’SNOTE:Havegroupsreadversesinitalicsandthenanswerquestionbelow.Thenreconveneforclassdiscussion.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
58
Ourgratitudeforthelovethatprovidedthefirstbookend(theRighteousnessofChrist)encouragesustodependonthesecondbookend(thePoweroftheHolySpirit)forthestrengthtoobeyHiscommandmentsandlivetheChristianlife.
AsourunderstandingofChrist’sloveincreases,ourgratitudeincreases!ThatiswhyweneedtobeinGod’sWordand“preachtheGospeltoourselves”daily.TheHolySpiritwillrenewourmotivationtoliveforChrist.
2. TheExplusionPowerofaNewAffection
• Howdowebattleagainstthesinsofourheart?
…TheOldParadigm–whatIshoulddofightsmysinfuldesireofwhatIwanttodo–verylimitedsuccess.
…TheNewParadigm–WemustreplacetheobjectofoursinfulaffectionwithGodhimself.BasedonThomasChalmers’sermonontheexpulsivepowerofanewaffection.(Q#6)TheintensityofournewaffectionforChristweakensandsometimesdestroysthepowerofsininourhearts.
• Wemustbattledesirewithdesire.Whicheverdesireisthestrongestwilldeterminetheoutcomeofthebattle.(Q#7)Galatians5:17–“ForthedesireofthefleshareagainsttheSpirit,andthedesiresoftheSpiritareagainsttheflesh,fortheseareopposedtoeachother,tokeepyoufromdoingthethingsyouwanttodo.”OurGodlydesiresmustovercomeoursinfuldesiresifwe’retoobeyGod.
• Howdowewinthebattleagainstsin?Wemuststrengthenandencourageourgodlydesires.Howdowestrengthenourgodlydesires?Bysimultaneouslygrowinginourawarenessof:
…Oursin:ourknowledgeofthemoralwillofGodandhowfarshortwefalldaily.
• HowdoestheHolySpiritdothis?John16:8statesthatwhentheHelpercomes“Hewillconvicttheworldconcerningsinandrighteousness.”
• Asourawarenessofoursinincreases,theimmensityofthegapbetweenwhatwedeserveandwhatChristpurchasedforuswidens.(Q#8)
…God’slove–WeneedtoremindourselvesoftheamazinggraceandblessingspurchasedbyChrist’sdeathonthecross.
• Hisloveforusissogreatthat“whilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus!”–Romans5:8
• Weneedtotruly“grasphowwideandlongandhighanddeepistheloveofChrist”–Ephesians3:18-19
• AsourdesperateneedfortheGospelandawarenessofHisamazingloveincreases,oursinfuldesiresweakenandarereplacedwithanewdesireforGod.“BecauseChristlovesmesomuch,Ilovehimmorethan_________.”(p.115)
• OurloveforGodisthenexpressedinpersonalobedienceandadeepenedrelationshipwithHim.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
59
3. EnjoyingtheRelationship
• WestminsterConfessionofFaith–Whatisthepurposeoflife?“ThechiefendofmanistoglorifyGodandenjoyHimforever.”WhatdoesitmeantoenjoyHim?(Q#9)ToexperienceanactiveandintimaterelationshipwithHim.
• BecauseoftheGospelwecanhavearelationshipwiththeCreatoroftheuniverse!Matthew27:51–WhenChristdied,“thecurtainofthetemplewastornintwo,fromtoptobottom.”Hebrews4:16–“Sowecan“approachthethroneofgracewithconfidence.”1Peter3:18–“Christsufferedonceforsins,therighteousfortheunrighteous,thatHemightbringustoGod.”
• BecauseofourunionwithChrist,theFatherlovesusasHelovestheSon.John17:22-23istheprayerJesusprayedbeforeHeenteredthegardenofGethsemaneonthenightbeforeHisdeath:“TheglorythatyouhavegivenmeIhavegiventothem,thattheymaybeoneevenasweareone,Iinthemandyouinme,thattheymaybecomeperfectlyone,sothattheworldmayHelovesusasHelovedHisownSon!
• HowdoesenjoyingarelationshipwithGodhelpbattleagainstsin?(Q#11)TheHolySpiritusesourappetiteforenjoyingourrelationshipwithGodtobattleagainstoursinfuldesires.IsitworthturningourbacksonGodtoenjoysin’sfleetingpleasures?InHebrews11:25,Moseswouldratherbeill-treatedwiththepeopleofGodthantoenjoythefleetingpleasuresofsin.ArelationshipwithGodissoenjoyablethatitmakesotherpleasuresappearsmallincomparison.
4. ThePromisesofGod
HowdoestheHolySpiritpointustoHisTruthandthePromisesofGod?
• TheHolySpiritpointsustotruth.John16:13–“WhentheSpiritofTruthcomes,Hewillguideyouintoalltruth.”Whatistruth?
…John14:6–“Iamtheway,thetruth.”TheSpiritpointsustoJesuswhoisthesourceofourrighteousnessforjustification.Jesusistruth.
…John17:17–“Yourwordistruth.”TheSpiritpointsustothetruthinGod’sWordtohelpusbattlesinandtoguideusinbecomingmorelikeChrist.God’sWordittruth.
• TheHolySpiritleadsustospecificpromisesofGod.
…Thepromisesequipusforourmoment-to-momentbattleswithsinorwhatwewillfaceinthefuture.(Q#12)2Peter1:4–“HehasgrantedtousHispreciousandverygreatpromises,sothatthroughthemyoumaybecomepartakersofthedivinenature,havingescapedfromthecorruptionthatisintheworldbecauseofsinfuldesire.”Becomepartakers?HisWordgivesustheassurancethatHe’llfulfillHispromisesinHisownperfecttiming.
…Hispromisespointustowardthehopeofheavenandeternallife.John16:13–“TheSpiritofTruth…willdeclaretoyouthethingsthataretocome.”1Corinthians2:9-10–“Whatnoeyehasseen,norearhasheard….whatGodhaspreparedforthosewholoveHim.”
…HispromisesempowerustowalkthroughthemostdifficulttrialsandglorifyGodintheprocess.Deuteronomy31:8–“TheLordHimselfgoesbeforeyouandwillbewithyou,Hewillneverleaveyounorforsakeyou,donotbeafraid,donotbediscouraged.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:Greatillustration-SaraGroves(Christiansinger/songwriter)sanginhersongHelloLord,“IknowthatyoutoretheveilsoIcouldsitwithyouinpersonandhearwhatyou’resaying.”
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
60
Whatisourrole?
1. WehavetheresponsibilitytorespondtoGod’sgracebyparticipatingindifferentspiritualdisciplines(Chapter7),suchas:
• SpendingtimeintheWorddaily
• ScriptureMemorization
• Journaling
2. StoreHispromisesinourheartsowecanbeequippedforwhatevercomesourway.
SONG
“StrongEnough”byMatthewWest
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. Towhatspiritualdisciplinescanyoucommittoprepareyourselfforyourfutureneeds?(Q#13)
2. WhataresomeofthepromisesfromGod’sWordthattheSpirithasusedtomotivateorencourageyouinyourwalk?(Q#14)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
61
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERNINE
GOSPELENEMY#3:Self-Reliance
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. WhydoweneedthehelpoftheDivineEncourager?Althoughwearefreefromcondemnation,westillfaceadailybattlewithsin.
2. “Alreadynotyet”Phenomenon–WeareperfectinourstandingbeforeChristasbeingjustified,butwestillbattlesinonthisearth.ThatiswhyGodgaveustheHolySpirit.
3. TheHolySpiritgivesushopeforthebattle,whichleadsustoourMEMORYVERSE:Romans15:13–“MaytheGodofhopefillyouwithalljoyandpeaceinbelieving,sothatbythepoweroftheHolySpirityoumayaboundinhope.”
4. FourwaystheHolySpiritencouragesus:
• Life-changinggratitudeforpurchasedgrace
• Theexpulsivepowerofanewaffection–ourGodlydesiresmustovercomeoursinfulifwe’retoobeyGod.ThisisonlypossiblebythepoweroftheHolySpirit.
• Enjoyingtherelationship–TheHolySpiritusesourgrowingappetiteforenjoyingourrelationshipwithGodtobattleagainstoursinfuldesires.
• ThepromisesofGod–TheHolySpiritpointsustoHisTruthandthePromisesfoundinHisword.
GospelEnemy#3:Self-Reliance
1. Whataresomeexamplesofself-relianceintoday’ssociety?“Justdoit.”“Pullyourselfupbyyourbootstraps.”“Youcandoit!”
2. Whatdoestheworldsayaboutself-reliance?(Q#2)
• Weneedtobeself-confidentandself-sufficienttobesuccessful.
• Goodself-esteemisoneofthegreatestvirtues.
• Wemustlearntobeindependent–relyingonnoonebutourselves.
3. Whydoyouthinktheworldissoself-reliant?(Q#1)
• Thisconcepthasbeenforcefedtoussincewewereborn.How?Parents,teachers,coaches,motivationalseminars,TV,movies,advertising,self-helpbookssuchas“ThePowerofPositiveThinking,”etc.
• It’sbeenembeddedinourminds–ifwejusttryhardenoughwecanaccomplishanything.
Whatiswrongwithbeingself-reliant?
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
62
ItisNotBiblical
1. Whenweareself-reliantwearesinning.GodwantsustorelyonHimandwhenwedon’tweareessentiallydisobeyingHimanddependingonsomethingelseWeareredirectingourdependencyontoanobjectoffaithoutsideofthepoweroftheHolySpirit.WeneedtohumblyrememberwhatourpositionisinourrelationshipwithGod.
• John15:5–“Apartfrommeyoucandonothing.”(Q#3)WeasChristiansaredependentonthepoweroftheHolySpirittolivetheChristianlifeandbearspiritualfruit.WecandonothingofeternalvaluewithoutHim.
• Acts17:28–“InHimwelive,moveandexist.”Everythingwedo,everypartofourlife,ourabilitytothink,breathe,etc…itallcomesfromGod.
• Corinthians4:7–“Whatdoyouhavethatyoudidnotreceive?Ifthenyoureceivedit,whydoyouboastasifyoudidnotreceiveit?”(Q#4)Everythingwehavehasbeengiventous.Allofourabilities,opportunities,andblessingsarefromGod.
2. God’sWordsaysthatourhumanstrengthisinsufficienttolivetheChristianlife.WecannotbewhoGodhascalledustobewithoutthePoweroftheHolySpirit.WhenwetrytolivetheChristianlifeonourownstrengthitcanleadtosin.
ItisaGospelEnemy
1. Whenwerelyonlyonourselves,wearebeingself-relianttowardsGodbecausewearedependingonourownpower,notthepoweroftheHolySpirit.
2. Theauthorscompareself-reliancewithself-righteousnessinthefirstBookend(Q#2):Self-righteousnessistheoppositeofdependenceonChrist’srighteousnessforjustification.Wethinkweearnoursalvationbygoodworks.Self-relianceistheoppositeofdependenceontheHolySpirit’spowerforsanctification.Weassumewegrowspirituallybyourowneffortandwillpower.
3. WhenwearenotrelyingonthepoweroftheHolySpirit,wearenullifyingtheGospel.Whenweareself-reliant,we’redenyingtheverypowerthatraisedChristfromthegrave.Romans8:11–“IftheSpiritofHimwhoraisedJesusfromthedeaddwellsinyou,HewhoraisedChristJesusfromthedeaddwellsinyou.”ItisonlybythegraceofGodandChrist’sdeathonthecrossthatweevenhaveaccesstothepoweroftheHolySpirit!
4. Therefore,weneedtorelyonthepoweroftheHolySpiritforeverythingGodcallsustobe–inourjob,family,dailyroutine,evenourspiritualdisciplines.
Self-RelianceintheBible
1. PaultalksabouttheRomansexchangingGod’struthforalieandrelyingontheirowntruth.
• Romans1:25,28NASB–“FortheyexchangedthetruthofGodforalie,andworshipedandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreator,whoisblessedforever…Godgavethemovertoadepravedmind.”
• WhathappenedwhentheRomansstartedrelyingontheirowntruthandwhattheywantedtobelieve?Godgavethemovertoadepravedmind.Definitionofdepraved:“morallycorrupt.”
• Whenwedon’tacknowledgeGodanylonger,wecanendup“morallycorrupt!”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
63
2. Peter
• Matthew26:31-35–BeforeJesus’crucifixionHesaid,“Youwillallfallawaybecauseofmethisnight…”Peterresponded,“Thoughtheyallfallawaybecauseofyou,Iwillneverfallaway.”Jesuscounteredthatbeforetheroostercrowed,PeterwoulddenyHimthreetimes.Peterretorted,“EvenifImustdiewithyou,Iwillnotdenyyou!”
• WhatwasPeter’sobjectofdependence?Whatwashedependingon?(Q#6)Hisownwillpower.“Iwillneverfallaway;Iwillnotdenyyou.”Hethoughthewouldhavethestrengthtostandwhereotherswouldfall.
• Luke22:60-63–PeterdeniedJesusthreetimesbeforetheroostercrowd.ThenPeterrememberedwhatJesushadsaid,hefeltconvictedand“weptbitterly.”HerealizedhedidnothavethestrengthonhisowntostandstrongforJesus.
Self-RelianceinourLives
1. HowoftendowerelyonourownstrengthinordertoremainfaithfultoJesus?
• Whenthishappenswhatisourobjectofdependence?Ourselves!
• Wheredopeoplewhodon’tknowChristthinktheirstrengthcomesfrom?Whatkindsofthingsdotheydo?Example:ThosethatuseYogatofindthestrengthandpowerwithinthemselves.
2. WhatdoesitlooklikewhenwetrytolivetheChristianlifebyourownstrength?
• Self-imposeddemandsorguidelinesabouthowtobeagoodChristian.“ButIgotochurcheverySunday.”“ButIprayeveryday.”
• Whathappenswhenwedothis?Itcanleadtopride,frustration,legalism,evenaship-wreckoffaith.1Corinthians10:12–“Letanyonewhothinkshestandstakeheedlesthefalls.”
• Whenweperceivewe’vesucceededonourown,andmetourowncriteria,wetakecreditandstealGod’sgloryintheprocess.Wethink,“Idothework,Igetthecredit,notGod.”WemustrememberweareacreatedbeingfromahigherpowerandaretogiveHimalltheglory!
• Ironically,themoreGod-givennaturalabilitieswehave,themorepronewearetorelyonthemratherthanGod.Wetakethemforgranted.WeforgetthatourgiftsandsuccessareonlybythegraceofGod.Onceagain,wetakeallthecredit.
• Whenwerelyonourownstrength,intheslightestway,inordertoremainfaithfultoJesus,wedenythatourstrengthisimperfectandtheHolySpirit’sstrengthisflawless.
3. WheredoesGod’sWordsayourstrengthcomesfrom?
• Psalm121:1-2–“Iliftupmyeyestothehills.Fromwheredoesmyhelpcome?MyhelpcomesfromtheLORD,whomadeheavenandearth.”
• IntheMessageTranslation–“MystrengthcomesfromtheLord.”
BREAKOUTSESSION
BiblicalDependence–Paul
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
64
OneofthemostfrequentlyquotedmotivationalBibleversesisPhilippians4:13–“IcandoallthingsthroughChristwhostrengthensme.”Butthisversecanbetakenoutofcontext.WeneedtolookfurtherintoPaul’scircumstancestobetterunderstandwhatheisreferringto.
1. Paulhadundergoneseverepersecutionandtrialsduringhismissionaryjourneys.Hewaswritingthisfromprison.Let’slookatsomeofhishardships.
• 2Corinthians11:25,27–“ThreetimesIwasbeatenwithrods.OnceIwasstoned.ThreetimesIwasshipwrecked;anightandadayIwasadriftatsea…intoilandhardship,throughmanyasleeplessnight,inhungerandthirst,oftenwithoutfood,incoldandexposure.”
2. NowletslookattheversesthatcomebeforePhilippians4:13.
• Philippians4:11-12–“ForIhavelearnedtobecontentwhateverthecircumstances.Iknowwhatitistobeinneed,andIknowwhatitistohaveplenty.Ihavelearnedthesecretofbeingcontentinanyandeverysituation,whetherwellfedorhungry,whetherlivinginplentyorinwant.”
• WhatissuewasPauldealingwith?“Tobecontent”(v.11).Contentinwhat?“Whateverthecircumstances!”Remember,Paulhadto“learn”tobecontent.”Itisaprocess!ItisoftenonlyinhardshipthatGodcaneventeachuscontentment.
3. Lookagainatverse13–“IcandoallthingsthroughHimwhogivesmestrength.”(Q#7)WhatdoesPaulmeanby“allthings”?ThroughstrengthfromChrist,PaullearnedtobecontentwithallthecircumstancesGodallowedinhislife.Whatdoesthismeanforus?ObediencetoGod…allthatisinHiswill.Howcanwedothis?BythepoweroftheHolySpirit!RememberfromChapter6–ifGodhascalledyou,He“willequipyouwitheverythinggoodfordoinghiswill…”Hebrews13:20-21.
4. MEMORYVERSE:2Corinthians3:4-6–“SuchistheconfidencethatwehavethroughChristtowardGod.Notthatwearesufficientinourselvestoclaimanythingascomingfromus,butoursufficiencyisfromGod…whohasmadeusministersofthenewcovenant…”(Q#7)
5. OursufficiencytobeaneffectiveministeroftheGospelcomesfromHimandHimalone!
HowdoestheHolySpirithelpfreeusfromself-reliance?
1. Byrevealingoursinfulness:FromJohnNewton’sletters(Q#9)
• Whenweacknowledgethatourheartsaredeceitfulandourlivesarefullofweakness,stubbornness,ingratitude,foolishness,theHolySpiritremindsusthatnoneofthiscanseparateusfromtheloveofGod.Howdoweknowthis?Romans8:38-39–“ForIamsurethatneitherdeathnorlife,norangelsnorrulers,northingspresentnorthingstocome,norpowers,norheightnordepth,noranythingelseinallcreation,willbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGodinChristJesusourLord.”
• Werecognizethatwhenwe’vewanderedorhavefallen,Hehasbeentheretopickusup–fromthemomentwereceivedHimasSaviorandHeredeemedus,toeverytimewefall.Psalm40:1-2–“IwaitedpatientlyfortheLORD;Heturnedtomeandheardmycry.Heliftedmeoutoftheslimypit,outofthemudandmire;Hesetmyfeetonarockandgavemeafirmplacetostand.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:Havegroupsread2Corinthians11:25,27,thenreadPhilippians4:11-13.DiscusshowPaulshiftedhisdependencebackontothepoweroftheHolySpiritdespitehiscircumstances.Thenreconveneanddiscussasaclass.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
65
• Thepainbroughtaboutbyrecognizingoursinfulnessweakensourself-reliance.TheHolySpiritpointsustothecrossremindingusthatitisChrist’sdeaththatpaidforoursin.Hediedthedeathweshouldhavedied.Galatians2:20–“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist.ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristwholivesinme.”HepointsustoHispowerthatremindsuswehaveaHelperthatwillgiveusstrengthtoturnfromsinandlivemorelikeHim.
• SoastheHolySpiritremindsusofoursinandourinsufficientstrengthtolivetheChristianlifeonourown,weareremindedofourdesperateneedforHim.
2. Byhelpingusacceptthe“thorn”inourflesh
• SometimesGodallowscertainchallengingcircumstancesinourlivestoremindusthatinourweakness,wecanrelyontheall-sufficiencyofthePoweroftheHolySpirit.
• Let’sgobacktoPaul.Weknowthatalonghismissionaryjourneyheenduredmuchpersecution,hardship,andmanysleeplessnights.ButGodalsoblessedhimwithamazingvisionsandrevelations(2Corinthians12:2-3).
• 2Corinthians12:7-8–(Q#10)“Sotokeepmefrombecomingconceitedbecauseofthesurpassinggreatnessoftherevelations,athornwasgivenmeintheflesh,amessengerofSatantoharassme,tokeepmefrombecomingconceited.ThreetimesIpleadedwiththeLordaboutthis,thatitshouldleaveme.”
• Whywashegiventhisthorninhisflesh?Tokeephimfrombecomingconceitedbecauseofthegreatnessoftherevelationshereceived.
• Whatdoyouthinkthethornwas?Wedon’tknowwhathisthornwasorwhetheritwasphysicaloremotional.ItmusthavebeenpainfulbecausePaulbeggedthreetimesfortheLordtotakeitaway.DidGodremovethethorn?No!
• 2Corinthians12:9a–(Q#11)“Godsaidtome,‘Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.”GodpromisedthatHisGracewouldbesufficientforPaulandHispowerwouldbemadeperfectinPaul’sweakness.Soinsteadofrelyingonhisownflesh,PaulembracedthepowerofChristrevealedtohimthroughhisweakness.(Q#13)Paul’sweakness,nothisrevelations,wereusedastheplatformtodemonstratethepoweroftheHolySpirit.
• 2Corinthians12:9b–“Iwillboastallthemoregladlyofmyweaknesses….ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong.”God-reliancetooktheplaceofself-reliancewithPaul.Inhisweakness,herealizedthathisownstrengthwasinsufficient.ThisenabledPaultocompletelyrelyonthepoweroftheHolySpirittoserveGod.Philippians3:14–“IpressontowardthegoalfortheprizeoftheupwardcallofGodinChristJesus.”
Whetheritisinoursinorinchallengingcircumstances,weneedtorememberthatourstrengthisimperfectandembracethePoweroftheHolySpiritwhosestrengthisflawless.
SONG
“HolySpiritHaveYourWay”byLeeland
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
66
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. ReadMatthew26:31-35.WhatwastheobjectofPeter’sdependence?Inwhatwaysdoouractsofself-relianceresemblePeter’sdenialofChrist?(Q#6)
2. Whenwefallintoapatternofself-reliance,howcanthetruthfromPhilippians4:13and2Corinthians3:5-6shiftourdependencebackonthepoweroftheHolySpirit?(Q#7)
3. WhatareyoudealingwithrightnowwhereyouneedtoembracethepoweroftheHolySpirit–likePauldid?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
67
LEADER’SGUIDECHAPTERTEN
LeaningontheSecondBookend
WELCOMEandPRAYER
REVIEW
1. Whyisself-reliancewrong?
• Itisnotbiblical.ApartfromHimwecandonothing.WeweremeanttohaveanintimaterelationshipwithGod,andbeingself-reliantdrawsusfurtherawayfromHimandcanultimatelyleadtosin.
• ItisaGospelenemy.WhenwearenotrelyingonthepoweroftheHolySpirit,weareessentiallynullifyingtheGospel.We’redenyingtheverypowerthatraisedChristfromthegrave!Self-reliancecausesustotakeallthecreditwhenwesucceedandstealGod’sgloryintheprocess.
2. FromwheredoesGod’sWordsayourstrengthcomes?
• Psalm121:1-2saysour“strengthcomesfromtheLord!”
• MEMORYVERSE:2Corinthians3:4-6–“SuchistheconfidencethatwehavethroughChristtowardGod.Notthatwearesufficientinourselvestoclaimanythingascomingfromus,butoursufficiencyisfromGod,whohasmadeusministersofthenewcovenant…”
• OursufficiencytobewhoGodcallsustobecomesfromHimandHimalone.
3. Insteadofrelyingonourownflesh,weneedtoembracethepoweroftheHolySpiritthatcanberevealedtousthroughourweakness-likePauldidin2Corinthians12:9–“ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong.”
ChapterTen:LeaningontheSecondBookend
EventhoughwearewellawareofthePoweroftheHolySpirit,whatdowehaveatendencyofdoing?
1. Leanonourownstrengthinstead!Weleanourbooksonourown“bookends:”ournaturalabilities,ourstrength,andourresources.
2. Howdowefightthisnaturaltendency?
• WeneedtoconstantlyremindourselvesofthegreatnessofthePoweroftheHolySpiritby“seeing”withtheeyesofourhearts.(chapter5)
• Ephesians1:18-19–“Havingtheeyesofyourheartenlightenedthatyoumayknow…whatimmeasurablegreatnessofHispowertowarduswhobelieve,accordingtotheworkingofHisgreatmight.”AgreaterunderstandingofHispowershiftsourdependenceawayfromourownstrengthandontotheHolySpirit.
ThreeFocalPointsforShiftingourDependencetotheSecondBookend
FocalPoint#1:OurDesperateWeakness
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
68
1. TheauthorsuseIsaiah41:14-16toportrayhowGodtransformsourdesperateweaknessintoapowerfultoolforHim.
2. Isaiah41:14–“Fearnot,youwormJacob,youmenofIsrael!Iamtheonewhohelpsyou,declarestheLord;yourRedeemeristheHolyOneofIsrael.”
• WhodoyouthinkGodisspeakingto?GodisspeakingtoHisdiscouragedchosenpeopleintheOldTestament.HeisconsolingJacobandtheJewishexilesinBabylon(6thcentury).
• WhydoyouthinkGodcallsJacobaworm?(Q#2)ApartfromreceivingGod’senablingpower,we’reashelplessasworms!
3. Isaiah41:15-16–“Behold,Imakeofyouathreshingsledge,new,sharp,andhavingteeth;youshallthreshthemountainsandcrushthemandyoushallmakethehillslikechaff…AndyoushallrejoiceintheLord;intheHolyOneofIsraelyoushallglory.”
• Whatcanhappenwhenweshiftourdependencetothesecondbookend?Godmakesofusa“threshingsledge.”Athreshingsledgeisapowerfultoolusedtoharvestcrops(ESVStudyBibledefinition).
• TheHolySpirittransforms“theworm”intoauseful,powerfultoo.–athreshingsledgethatcrushesmountains.WhenHetransformsusfromuselesswormsintopowerfultoolsforHim,wegetthejoy,andGodgetstheglory!
4. SeeingourselvesasweakandhelplessisanecessarystepinshiftingourdependencefromourstrengthtoHis.Weneedtostoprelyingonourownpowerbeforewe’reabletoreceivepowerfromtheHolySpirit.
FocalPoint#2:TheReliablePoweroftheHolySpirit
1. WeneedtofocusonthereliablepoweroftheHolySpiritinoursanctificationprocessandinthedailyspiritualbattlesweface.
2. Progressivesanctification(Q#3)–Whatdoweknowaboutsanctification?
• ItisthecontinualprocessofbecomingmorelikeHim.ItstartsatthepointintimewhenwearejustifiedbytrustingChristasourSaviorandendsatthemomentwedepartfromourphysicalbodyandseeHimfacetoface.
• Progressivesanctificationencompasseseverythinginourlives,bothspiritualandtemporal.1Thessalonians5:23–“NowmaytheGodofpeaceHimselfsanctifyyoucompletely,andmayyourwholespiritandsoulandbodybekeptblamelessatthecomingofourLordJesusChrist.”
• WeneedtotrulytrustthattheHolySpirithasthepowertochangeourlifenomatterwhatwearegoingthrough.DoyoureallybelievetheHolySpiritcanchangeyourlife?
3. Whatdoestheprocessofsanctificationinvolve?(Q#4)
• TheprocessofthistransformationintoChrist-likenessinvolves“seeingHim”withtheeyesofourheart.2Corinthians3:18fromCh6–“Andweall,withunveiledface,beholdingthegloryoftheLord,arebeingtransformedintothesameimagefromonedegreeofglorytoanother…”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
69
• Howdowe“seeHim”?BydailybeinginGod’sWordandspendingtimewithHim.Whenwespendalottimewithsomeone,webegintopickuptraitsfromthatperson.AswespendmoretimewithGod,wewillseethegloryoftheLordmore,andwewillbecomemorelikeHim.
4. Sowhenwecombine1Thessalonians5:23and2Corinthians3:18,weseethatoursanctificationisaGod-centeredprocessmediatedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.WeneedtoremembertorelyonHispowertohelpusbecomemorelikeHim!
5. WhatishappeningwhenwedependfullyonGodandHeseemsunresponsive?(Q#5)
• AswedependonthePoweroftheHolySpirit,HetransformsusaccordingtoHisplanandtimetable.Rarely,ifever,accordingtoourtimetable.
• InHisinfinitewisdomandmercy,Heempowersonlywhatisbestforus–forourgoodandHisglory(Romans8:28).
6. DependingfullyontheHolySpiritdoesnotmeanthatwewillalwaysgetwhatwewant.
• Hebrews11speaksofmany“HeroesofFaith”mentionedthroughouttheBible.Althoughtheirfaithwasstrong,theiroutcomesweren’talwayswonderful.“Someweretortured…stoned…sawnintwo”(vs.35-37).“Thoughcommendedthroughtheirfaith,didnotreceivewhatwaspromised,sinceGodhadprovidedsomethingbetterforus,thatapartfromustheyshouldnotbemadeperfect”(vs.39-40).
• WecanrestassuredthatwecanrelyontheHolySpirittoaccomplishallofHisdivineintentionsandinthemeantimewecanbetransformedintoamightytoolforHim!
BREAKOUTSESSION
7. Remember,aslongasweareonthisearth,wewillfacedailyspiritualbattles,butwedon’thavetofightitwithourownpower!(Q#6)
• 2Corinthians10:3-4–“Forthoughwewalkintheflesh,wearenotwagingwaraccordingtotheflesh.Fortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotoftheflesh,buthavedivinepowertodestroystrongholds.”(Definitionof“stronghold”:Afaultythinkingpatternbasedonliesanddeception.)
• Whataretheweaponsofourwarfarethathavedivinepower?“TakeupthewholearmorofGod…tostandfirm.”Ephesians6:13-20–TheShieldofFaith,TheSwordoftheSpirit(WordofGod),HelmetofSalvation,Breastplateofrighteousnessetc…
• Godprovidesuswitharmorthatwillcoverusfromheadtotoesothatwehavecompleteprotectionfromtheenemyandarereadyforbattle!ThroughtheweaponsempoweredbytheHolySpirit,Hecandestroyourstrongholdsofsin–whetheritiswrongthinking,behavior,orwhateveryourstrongholdmightbe!
GOINGALITTLEDEEPER…
The“HeroesofFaith”didnotreceivewhatwaspromisedbecauseJesushadnotcomeyet.ButtheystillhadfaiththatGod’spromisewouldbefulfilled.RememberHebrews11startsoutwith“Nowfaithistheassuranceofthingshopedfor,theconvictionofthingsnotseen.”HowmuchgreatershouldourfaithbethatweareamongtheNewTestamentSaints–knowingthatthereareactualwitnessestoJesus’deathandresurrection!ThisisaremindertousthatapartfromtheGospelwecannotbecomeperfect.BecauseJesusisthecompletionofGod’spromise!
TEACHER’SNOTE:Howdoesthetruthfrom2Corinthians10:3-4andPhilippians1:6giveyouhopeforthesebattles?
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
70
• RememberJesusneversaiditwouldbeeasy.John16:33–“Inthisworld,youwillhavetrouble…”ButHepromisesus…“Fearnot…Ihaveovercometheworld!”
• Philippians1:6–“Iamsureofthis,thatHewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillbringittocompletionatthedayofJesusChrist.”(Q#6)HepromisesHewillcompletethissanctificationprocessinus!
FocalPoint#3:RejectionofSelf-Reliance
1. Itisfairlyeasytodetectourownself-reliance.(Seequestionsp.140asagoodreminder.)Thechallengeisrejectingit.“Tokillpoisonivy,orself-reliance,youhavetogetitbytheroots”(p.141).
2. Whatisattherootofself-reliance?(Q#7)Pride!
• Genesis3:5-6–Inthegarden,theserpenttemptedAdamandEvebysaying,“YouwillbelikeGod.”Whatbecametheirmotivation?To“belikeGod.”
• Isaiah14:12-14(KJV)–Luciferdeclares,“IwillmakemyselfliketheMostHigh.”Hewantedtobeglorifiedandhedidn’twanttosubmittoGod.Instead,hewantedtobelikeGod.
• Whenwearebeingself-reliant,weareessentiallywantingtobeourowngod.Wedon’tthinkweneedGodandthat’swhyweenduprelyingonourselves.Whenwesucceed,wewantthecredit,attention,andtheglory.Thisisaprideissue!Wearemakinga“declarationofindependence”apartfromGod,andthisistherootofsinnatureinallofus.
3. Self-relianceisattherootofallthreeGospelenemies!
• Self-reliance–Icandoitmyself.
• Self-righteousness–Iammyowngod.Ideterminewhat’srightandwrong.Ideclaremyselfas“goodenough.”
• PersistentGuilt–IrefusetoacknowledgeandembracethesolutionGodhasprovidedformysindilemma.Iwillbemyownjudge.
4. Howdowerejectself-reliance?
• Makingadailydeclarationthat“GodisGod,andIamnot”and“killing”self-relianceattheroot.
…Colossians3:9–“…Putofftheoldselfwithitspracticesand…putonthenewself,whichisbeingrenewedinknowledgeaftertheimageofitscreator.”AlsoseeEphesians4:22.
…MEMORYVERSE:Galatians5:16–“ButIsay,walkbytheSpirit,andyouwillnotcarryoutthedesireoftheflesh.”IfyouwalkbytheSpirittherewillbenoneedtorelyonyourself!
• Replacingself-reliancebycultivatinghumilityandgodliness.Whatdoesthislooklikeinourlives?
5. Byplantinghumilityandgodliness,thereisnoroomforself-reliance.
TEACHER’SNOTE:ReadIsaiah14:12-14initsentiretyforcontext:“Howartthoufallenfromheaven,OLucifer,…IwillascendintoHeaven,IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod.Iwillascendabovetheheightsoftheclouds;IwillbelikethemostHigh.”
TEACHER’SNOTE:WalkingbytheSpiritimpliesbothdirectionandempowerment–thatismakingdecisionsandchoicesaccordingtotheHolySpirit’sguidance,andactingwiththespiritualpowerthattheSpiritsupplies–ESVStudyBible
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
71
• Humility
…Whatishumility?(Q#8)C.J.Mahaney’sdefinition:“honestlyassessingourselvesinthelightofGod’sholinessandoursinfulness.”Philippians2:3NIV–“Donothingoutofselfishambitionorvainconceit,butinhumilityconsiderothersbetterthanyourselves.”
…Whatisnecessarytocultivatehumility?Afreshviewofthecross.(Q#9)Remindourselvesof2Corinthians5:21–“ForoursakeHemadeHimtobesin,whoknewnosin,sothatinHimwemightbecometherighteousnessofGod.”Isaiah53:5NASB–“Hewaspiercedthroughforourtransgressions.”
…Whenwelookatthecrosswesee:1)Jesusbearingoursin–exactlywhatwedeservefromGodforeachsinwecommit;2)theOnewhosefleshwasnailedtothecrossshouldhavebeenus;3)TheholinessandjusticeofGodallatthesametime.HiswrathagainstsinasHepunishedthe“sinbearer”inourplace!
…Aswecultivateasenseofhumility,thereisnomoreroomforpridethatleadstothedesiretobelikeGod.
• Godliness
…WhatisGodliness?(Q#10-11)Definition:“TheattitudeofregardingGodineverythingallthetime.”Someonewhois“God-centered,”“God-glorifying,”“God-esteeming.”(p.143-144)
…1Corinthians10:31–“DoalltothegloryofGod.”EveryaspectofourlifehasthepotentialtoglorifyGod!1Timothy4:7b-8–“…Trainyourselfforgodliness…”DowetrulydoeverythingtothegloryofGod?
…WhatistheoppositeofGodliness?UngodlinessordisregardingGod.Whenwetrytotakeallthecreditfordoinganythinggoodinourlives,wearebeingprideful.PrideisrootedinungodlinessbecausewearetotallydisregardingGod.
…Howdowefightforgodliness?Byseeingthecrossastheoverarchingmessageandmeaningoflife.DisciplineourselvestopracticethepresenceofGod.2Corinthians10:5–“TakeeverythoughtcaptivetoobeyChrist.”Philippians4:8–“Finally,brothers,whateveristrue,whateverisnoble,whateverisright,whateverispure,whateverislovely,whateverisadmirable–ifanythingisexcellentorpraiseworthy–thinkaboutsuchthings.”ReplacetheliewithGod’struth.Ifwe’rethinkingaboutGodatalltimes,thereisnoroomforanythingelse!
AViewofallThreeFocalPointsin1Corinthians2:1-13
PaulwasagreatbiblicalexampleofsomeonewhousedallthreefocalpointstoshifthisdependencebacktothePoweroftheHolySpirit.Inhisownlifehe:
#1–Recognizedhisownweakness
#2–AcknowledgedthereliablepoweroftheHolySpirit
#3–Rejectedhisownselfreliance
Bydoingthis,PaulwasabletoshiftdependenceoffofhimselfandbacktothePoweroftheHolySpirit(theSecondBookend).1Corinthians2:3-5–“…myspeechandmymessagewerenotinplausiblewordsofwisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpowerthatyourfaithmightnotrestinthewisdomofmenbutinthepowerofGod.”
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
72
AfterPreachingtheGospeltoyourselfeverydaymakeaDailyDeclarationofDependence(Q#13)
1. Irecognizemyabsolutelackofpowerandability.
2. IredirectmydependencetothesupremelyreliablepoweroftheHolySpirit.
3. Irejectmytendencytoself-reliance:“YouareGod,andIamnot.”
TOSUMITUP
“WeworkhardinthestrengthHeprovides,nottoearnmeritbuttoglorifyandenjoyHim.”(p.146)
SONG
“JesusMessiah”byChrisTomlin
DISCUSSIONTIME
1. WhichoneofthethreefocalpointsdoyouidentifywiththemostthatwillhelpyouleanmoreonthePoweroftheHolySpirit?
2. Howcanthetruthsfoundin1Corinthians15:10and2Corinthians4:7encourageyouinyourdependenceontheBookendsoftheChristianlife?(Q#14)
• ICorinthians15:10–“BythegraceofGodIamwhatIam,andHisgracetowardmewasnotinvain.Onthecontrary,Iworkedharderthananyoneofthem,thoughitwasnotI,butthegraceofGodthatiswithme.”
• 2Corinthians4:7–“Wehavethistreasureinjarsofclay,toshowthatthesurpassingpowerbelongstoGodandnottous.Weareafflictedineveryway,butnotcrushed;perplexed,butnotdriventodespair;persecuted,butnotforsaken;struckdown,butnotdestroyed…LEADER’SGUIDE
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
73
CONCLUSION
TheBookendsPersonalWorldview
Whatisaworldview?(Q#1)
1. Anall-encompassingframeworkofideasandbeliefsthroughwhichanindividualviewsandinteractswiththeworld.(p.149)
2. Itprovidesasystemforinterpretingandapplyingknowledgeanditaffectshowweviewalloflifeandhowwemakedecisions.
TheBookendsoffersagood“personalworldview”(Q#2)
1. Aframeofreferencethatprovidesclarityandguidanceforourday-to-daydecision-makingprocessandactions.(p.150)
2. Atanygiventime,allChristiansareoccupiedinoneormoreofthesethreeareasofsin:
• Battlingsin
• Activelysinning
• Intheaftermathofsin
TheBookendsworldviewishelpfulinalltheseareas(Q#3)
1. Battlingsin
• Wemustleanonthesecondbookend,thePoweroftheHolySpirit,toprovidethestrengthweneedtobeobedientandnotgiveintotemptation.
• WealsomustlookattheRighteousnessofChrist.OurgratitudefortheGospelmotivatesustoturnfromoursinandreturnlovetoHimbyobedience.
2. Activelysinning
• Whetheritisself-righteousness,persistentguilt,orself-reliance,inallcaseswehaven’treliedontheRighteousnessofChristandthePoweroftheHolySpirittoreceivegraceandavoidsinning.
3. Aftermathofsin
• WemustrenewourdependenceonthefirstbookendbypreachingtheGospeltoourselveseveryday!RememberChristlivedthelifeweshouldhavelived,anddiedthedeathweshouldhavedied.
• HisobedienceanddeathisallsufficientforreconcilingustoGod.
• WerelyontheHolySpirittorevealoursin,drawustothecross,andenableourrepentanceandtransformation.
4. Bookendsworldviewalsohelpswith:(Q#4)
• Interpersonalrelationships:marriage,parenting,extendedfamily,friends,coworkers,etc.
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
74
• Circumstances
• Decisionmaking:regardingtime,money,lifestyles
• Mostimportantly:motivationsanddependencies
TheBookendsworldviewprovidesaconstantawarenessofthesetwofundamentalrealities:(Q#5)
1. We’re100%dependentonarighteousnessandstrengthoutsideourselves.
2. Weremain100%responsiblefortheplacementofeachofourbooksonthebookshelfofourlives.
TheBookendsworldviewisusefulbecauseitistheapplicationofbiblicaldoctrineandtransformingtruththatstabilizesourfaithandsanctifiesourlives!
Wheredowegofromhere?
1. WearetobeliketheProphetIsaiahwhosaid,“HereamI!Sendme!”fromIsaiah6:8.(Q#6)RespondtotheGospelwithagratitudesodeepthatitmotivatesustobewillingtobeusedbyGodhoweverHechooses.
2. TheChristianlifeisnotonlyaboutourpersonaljustificationandsanctification.It’sfulfillingtheGreatCommission.
• Gooutintotheworld,sharethegospel,andmakedisciples.
• Livesfilledwith“selflessserving,radicalgiving,andsacrificialliving”(p.154)
TheimpactofbeingcoveredbytheperfectRighteousnessofChristandbeingenabledbythePoweroftheHolySpiritshouldchangeeverything.ItdidformeandIprayitdoesforyou,too!
Jude24-25–“NowtoHimwhoisabletokeepyoufromstumblingandtopresentyoublamelessbeforethepresenceofHisglorywithgreatjoy,totheonlyGod,orSavior,throughJesusChristourLord,beglory,majesty,dominion,andauthority,beforealltimeandnowandforever.Amen”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
75
Roma
ns3:
23–A
llhav
esinn
edan
dfall
shor
toft
heglo
ryof
God.
1Pete
r1:1
5-16
–But
hewh
ocall
edyo
uish
oly,y
ouals
obeh
olyin
allyo
urco
nduc
t.
Roma
ns3:
10–N
onei
srigh
teous
,non
oton
e.
Isaiah
64:6
–…all
ourr
ighteo
usde
edsa
relik
eapo
l-lut
edga
rmen
t.
Galat
ians3
:10–
Curse
dbye
veryo
newh
odoe
snot
abide
byall
thing
swrit
tenin
thebo
okof
theLa
wan
ddo
them.
Roma
ns6:
23–F
orthe
wage
sofs
inis
death
,but
thegif
tofG
odis
etern
allife
inCh
ristJ
esuso
urLo
rd.
Galat
ians3
:13–
Chris
tred
eeme
dusf
rom
thecu
rseof
thelaw
bybe
comi
ngac
urse
forus
.
1Pete
r2:2
4–He
bore
ours
inin
Hisb
odyo
nthe
tree.
Roma
ns5:
8–Bu
tGod
demo
nstra
teshis
ownl
ovef
orus
inthi
s:wh
ilewe
were
stills
inners
,Chr
istdie
dfor
us.
1Pete
r3:1
8–Fo
rChr
istals
osuff
eredo
ncef
orsin
s,the
righte
ousf
orthe
unrig
hteou
s.
Roma
ns6:
23b–
…bu
tthe
gifto
fGod
isete
rnal
lifein
Chris
tJesu
s.
2Cor
inth
ians5
:21–
Foro
ursa
kehe
made
himto
besin
whok
new
nosin
,sot
hatin
himwe
migh
tbec
ome
therig
hteou
sness
ofGo
d.
Isaiah
61:1
0–…
forhe
hasc
lothe
dmew
iththe
gar-
ments
ofsa
lvatio
nand
heha
scov
eredm
ewith
thero
beof
righte
ousn
ess.
GOSP
EL-PROCLAIM
ING
SCRIPTURE
Roma
ns3:
23–A
llhav
esinn
edan
dfall
shor
toft
heglo
ryof
God.
1Pete
r1:1
5-16
–But
hewh
ocall
edyo
uish
oly,y
ouals
obeh
olyin
allyo
urco
nduc
t.
Roma
ns3:
10–N
onei
srigh
teous
,non
oton
e.
Isaiah
64:6
–…all
ourr
ighteo
usde
edsa
relik
eapo
l-lut
edga
rmen
t.
Galat
ians3
:10–
Curse
dbye
veryo
newh
odoe
snot
abide
byall
thing
swrit
tenin
thebo
okof
theLa
wan
ddo
them.
Roma
ns6:
23–F
orthe
wage
sofs
inis
death
,but
thegif
tofG
odis
etern
allife
inCh
ristJ
esuso
urLo
rd.
Galat
ians3
:13–
Chris
tred
eeme
dusf
rom
thecu
rseof
thelaw
bybe
comi
ngac
urse
forus
.
1Pete
r2:2
4–He
bore
ours
inin
Hisb
odyo
nthe
tree.
Roma
ns5:
8–Bu
tGod
demo
nstra
teshis
ownl
ovef
orus
inthi
s:wh
ilewe
were
stills
inners
,Chr
istdie
dfor
us.
1Pete
r3:1
8–Fo
rChr
istals
osuff
eredo
ncef
orsin
s,the
righte
ousf
orthe
unrig
hteou
s.
Roma
ns6:
23b–
…bu
tthe
gifto
fGod
isete
rnal
lifein
Chris
tJesu
s.
2Cor
inth
ians5
:21–
Foro
ursa
kehe
made
himto
besin
whok
new
nosin
,sot
hatin
himwe
migh
tbec
ome
therig
hteou
sness
ofGo
d.
Isaiah
61:1
0–…
forhe
hasc
lothe
dmew
iththe
gar-
ments
ofsa
lvatio
nand
heha
scov
eredm
ewith
thero
beof
righte
ousn
ess.
GOSP
EL-PROCLAIM
ING
SCRIPTURE
Roma
ns3:
23–A
llhav
esinn
edan
dfall
shor
toft
heglo
ryof
God.
1Pete
r1:1
5-16
–But
hewh
ocall
edyo
uish
oly,y
ouals
obeh
olyin
allyo
urco
nduc
t.
Roma
ns3:
10–N
onei
srigh
teous
,non
oton
e.
Isaiah
64:6
–…all
ourr
ighteo
usde
edsa
relik
eapo
l-lut
edga
rmen
t.
Galat
ians3
:10–
Curse
dbye
veryo
newh
odoe
snot
abide
byall
thing
swrit
tenin
thebo
okof
theLa
wan
ddo
them.
Roma
ns6:
23–F
orthe
wage
sofs
inis
death
,but
thegif
tofG
odis
etern
allife
inCh
ristJ
esuso
urLo
rd.
Galat
ians3
:13–
Chris
tred
eeme
dusf
rom
thecu
rseof
thelaw
bybe
comi
ngac
urse
forus
.
1Pete
r2:2
4–He
bore
ours
inin
Hisb
odyo
nthe
tree.
Roma
ns5:
8–Bu
tGod
demo
nstra
teshis
ownl
ovef
orus
inthi
s:wh
ilewe
were
stills
inners
,Chr
istdie
dfor
us.
1Pete
r3:1
8–Fo
rChr
istals
osuff
eredo
ncef
orsin
s,the
righte
ousf
orthe
unrig
hteou
s.
Roma
ns6:
23b–
…bu
tthe
gifto
fGod
isete
rnal
lifein
Chris
tJesu
s.
2Cor
inth
ians5
:21–
Foro
ursa
kehe
made
himto
besin
whok
new
nosin
,sot
hatin
himwe
migh
tbec
ome
therig
hteou
sness
ofGo
d.
Isaiah
61:1
0–…
forhe
hasc
lothe
dmew
iththe
gar-
ments
ofsa
lvatio
nand
heha
scov
eredm
ewith
thero
beof
righte
ousn
ess.
GOSP
EL-PROCLAIM
ING
SCRIPTURE
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
76
InChristAloneByOwlCityInChristalonemyhopeisfound,Heismylight,mystrength,mysong;thisCornerstone,thissolidGround,firmthroughthefiercestdroughtandstorm.Whatheightsoflove,whatdepthsofpeace,whenfearsarestilled,whenstrivingscease!MyComforter,myAllinAll,hereintheloveofChristIstand.ThereinthegroundHisbodylayLightoftheworldbydarknessslain:ThenburstingforthingloriousDayUpfromthegraveheroseagain!AndasHestandsinvictorySin'scursehaslostitsgriponme,ForIamHisandHeismine–BoughtwiththepreciousbloodofChrist.Noguiltinlife,nofearindeath,ThisisthepowerofChristinme;Fromlife’sfirstcrytofinalbreath.Jesuscommandsmydestiny.Nopowerofhell,noschemeofman,CaneverpluckmefromHishand;TillHereturnsorcallsmehome,HereinthepowerofChristI'llstand.TillHereturnsorcallsmehome,HereinpowerofChristI'llstand.HereinthepowerofChristI'llstand.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
77
MotionOfMercyByFrancescaBattistelliIwaspoorIwasweakIwasthedefinitionofthespirituallyBankruptconditionSoinneedofhelpIwasunsatisfiedHungryandthirstyWhenYourushedtomysideSounworthyStillYougaveyourselfaway…[Chorus]That’sthemotionofmercyChangingthewayandthewhyweareThat’sthemotionofmercyMovingmyheartNowI’mfilledbyaloveThatcallsmetoactionIwasemptybeforenowI’mdrawntocompassionAndtogivemyselfaway[Chorus]That’sthemotionofmercyChangingthewayandthewhyweareThat’sthemotionofmercyMovingmyheartLivingforthelostLoving‘tilithurtsNomatterwhatthecostLikeYoulovedmefirstThat’sthemotionofmercyGodgivemestrengthtogivesomethingfornothingIwannabeaglimpseoftheKingdomthat’scomingsoon[Chorus]That’sthemotionofmercyChangingthewayandthewhyweareThat’sthemotionofmercyMovingmyheart
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
78
TheSolidRockByAvalonMyhopeisbuiltonnothinglessThanJesus'bloodandrighteousnessIdarenottrustthesweetestframeButwhollyleanonJesus’name
(I'mleanin’onJesus)(I'mleanin’onJesus,Jesus)(I'mleanin’onYou)
Whendarknessfails,HislovelyfaceIrestonHisunchanginggrace(Everyhighandstormygale)Ineveryhighandstormygale(Myanchorholdswithintheveil)Myanchorholdswithintheveil
OnChrist,thesolidrock,IstandAllothergroundissinkingsandAllothergroundissinkingsand(Allothergroundissinking,sinking)(Allothergroundissinking,sinkingsand)
Hisoath,Hiscovenant,HisbloodSupportmeinthewhelmingfloodWhenallaroundmysoulgiveswayHethenisallmyHopeandStayOnChrist,thesolidrock,IstandAllothergroundissinkingsandAllothergroundissinkingsandAsignoflove
WhenHeshallcomewithtrumpetsoundOh,mayIthen,inHimbefoundDressedinHisrighteousness,aloneFaultlesstostandbeforethethrone
OnChrist,thesolidrock,IstandAllothergroundissinkingsandAllothergroundissinkingsand
OnChrist,thesolidrock,IstandAllothergroundissinkingsandAllothergroundissinkingsand
AllothergroundissinkingsandAllothergroundissinkingsandNoother,I'mleanin’onJesusAllothergroundissinkingsand
Holdmein,I'mleanin’onJesusAllothergroundissinkingsand‘Causeonarock,Istand
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
79
NotGuiltyByMandisaIstandaccusedThere’salistamilelongOfallmysinsOfeverythingthatI'vedonewrongI’msoashamedThere'snowhereleftformetohideThisisthedayImustanswerformylifeMyfateisintheJudge’shandsButthenHeturnstomeandsaysIknowyouIloveyouIgaveMylifetosaveyouLovepaidthepriceformercyMyverdictnotguiltyHowcanitbe?Ican’tbegintocomprehendWhatkindofgraceWouldtaketheplaceofallmysin?IstandinaweNowthatIhavebeensetfreeAndthetearswellupasIlookatthatcross‘CauseitshouldhavebeenmeMyfatewasinthenail-scarredhandsHestretchedthemoutformeandsaid[Chorus]I’mfallingonmykneestothankYouWitheverythingIamI’llpraiseYouSogratefulforthewordsIheardYousay[Chorus]
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
80
GraceByLauraStoryMyheartissoproud,myeyesaresounfocused.IseethethingsYoudothroughmeasgreatthingsIhavedone.AndnowYougentlybreakme,thenlovinglyYoutakemeAndholdmeasmyFatherandmoldmeasmyMaker.IaskYou:“HowmanytimeswillYoupickmeup,WhenIkeeponlettingYoudown?AndeachtimeIwillfallshortofYourglory,Howfarwillforgivenessabound?”AndYouanswer:“Mychild,Iloveyou.Andaslongasyou'reseekingMyface,You'llwalkinthepowerofMydailysufficientgrace.”AttimesImaygrowweakandfeelabitdiscouraged,Knowingthatsomeone,somewherecoulddoabetterjob.ForwhoamItoserveYou?IknowIdon'tdeserveYou.Andthat'sthepartthatburnsinmyheartandkeepsmehangingon.IaskYou:“HowmanytimeswillYoupickmeup,WhenIkeeponlettingYoudown?AndeachtimeIwillfallshortofYourglory,Howfarwillforgivenessabound?”AndYouanswer:“Mychild,Iloveyou.Andaslongasyou'reseekingMyface,You'llwalkinthepowerofMydailysufficientgrace.”Youaresopatientwithme,Lord.IaskYou:“HowmanytimeswillYoupickmeup,WhenIkeeponlettingYoudown?AndeachtimeIwillfallshortofYourglory,Howfarwillforgivenessabound?”AndYouanswer:“Mychild,Iloveyou.Andaslongasyou'reseekingMyface,You'llwalkinthepowerofMydailysufficientgrace.”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
81
InMeByCastingCrownsIfyouaskmetoleapOutofmyboatonthecrashingwavesIfYouaskmetogoPreachtothelostworldthatJesussavesI’llgo,butIcannotgoaloneCauseIknowI’mnothingonmyownButthepowerofChristinmemakesmestrongMakesmestrongCausewhenI’mweak,YoumakemestrongWhenI’mblind,YoushineYourlightonmeCauseI’llnevergetbylivingonmyownabilityHowrefreshingtoknowYoudon’tneedmeHowamazingtofindthatyouwantmeSoI’llstandonYourtruth,andI’llfightwithYourstrengthUntilYoubringthevictory,bythepowerofChristinmeIfYouaskmetorunAndcarryYourlightintoforeignlandIfYouaskmetofightDeliverYourpeoplefromSatan’shandToreachoutwithYourhandsTolearnthroughYoureyesTolovewiththeloveofasaviorTofeelwithYourheartAndtothinkwithYourmindI’dgivemylastbreathforYourglory
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
82
IWillAbideByChristFortheNationsandLaurenFarmerIwillabideundertheshadowofYourwingsIntheshelterofYourarmsIwillbeAndIwilltrustinYouYourhandisleadingmeMysoulwillfollowhardafterThee[Chorus]ThemerciesofYourheartawakenthedawnInYoumyjoyisfoundcompleteUndonehaveIbecomehumbledbyYouYou'reeverythingIlongtobe[BRIDGE]JesusSaviorGodofmineYoualonehaveransomedmylifeKingforeverRedeemerandFriendIbelongtoYoumyBeloved
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
83
StrongEnoughByMatthewWestYoumustYoumustthinkI’mstrongTogivemewhatI’mgoingthroughWell,forgivemeForgivemeifI’mwrongButthislookslikemorethanIcandoOnmyown[Chorus]IknowI’mnotstrongenoughtobeEverythingthatI’msupposedtobeIgiveupI’mnotstrongenoughHandsofmercywon’tyoucovermeLordrightnowI’maskingyoutobeStrongenoughStrongenoughForthebothofusWell,maybeMaybethat’sthepointToreachthepointofgivingupCausewhenI’mfinallyFinallyatrockbottomWell,that’swhenIstartlookingupAndreachingout[Chorus]CauseI’mbrokenDowntonothingButI’mstillholdingontotheonethingYouareGodAndyouarestrongWhenIamweakIcandoallthingsThroughChristwhogivesmestrengthAndIdon’thavetobeStrongenoughStrongenough(Repeat)Oh,yeah[Chorus]
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
84
HolySpiritHaveYourWayByLeelandLongafterthetearsfallI’mstillyourchildIputdownmydefensesandlaydownmyprideLoveandforgivenessflowindeepandwideSoIruntoyouandsurrenderall!AsIlaydownmylifeAndpickupmycrossWhatajoyitistogivemylifeawaytoyouAllthatIneed,AllthatIseekIsYouherewithmeHolySpirithaveYourwayinme!Intimesoftrouble,thoughtrialsmaycomeTherockofagesisstandingstrongI’mfightingbattles,butthewariswonSoI’llruntoyouandsurrenderallAsIlaydownmylifeAndpickupmycrossWhatajoyitistogivemylifeawaytoyouAllthatIneed,AllthatIseekIsYouherewithmeHolySpirithaveYourwayinme!MoreofYouandlessofme,GodMoreofYouandlessofme,GodMoreofYouandlessofme,GodMoreofYouoverflowingAsIlaydownmylifeAndpickupmycrossWhatajoyitistogivemylifeawaytoyouAllthatIneed,AllthatIseekIsYouherewithmeHolySpirithaveYourwayinme!HolySpirithaveYourwayinme!
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
85
JesusMessiahByChrisTomlinHebecamesin,whoknewnosinThatwemightbecomeHisrighteousnessHehumbledhimselfandcarriedthecrossLovesoamazing,lovesoamazingJesusMessiah,nameaboveallnamesBlessedredeemer,EmmanuelTherescueforsinners,theransomfromHeavenJesusMessiah,LordofallHisbodythebread,hisbloodthewineBrokenandpouredoutallforloveThewholeearthtrembled,andtheveilwastornLovesoamazing,lovesoamazing,yeahJesusMessiah,nameaboveallnamesBlessedredeemer,EmmanuelTherescueforsinners,theransomfromHeavenJesusMessiah,LordofallAllIhopeisinYou,allIhopeisinYouAlltheglorytoYou,God,thelightoftheworldJesusMessiah,nameaboveallnamesBlessedredeemer,EmmanuelTherescueforsinners,theransomfromHeavenJesusMessiah,Lordofall
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
86
ThomasWilcox’sinstructionsfordealingwithpersistentguilt:
ShiftyourfocusAwayfromyoursinandontoChrist
1. AsPauldid,1Timothy1:13-14–“FormerlyIwasablasphemer,persecutor…“ButIreceivedmercy…andthegraceofourLordoverflowedforme…ChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinnersofwhomIamtheforemost.”
2. Paulrecognizedhissin…buthedidn’tstaythere.HeturnedtotheGospel.
3. Guilt-Conviction-Gospel-Repentance
• Don’twallowinyourguilt!Takeittothecrossandleaveitthere.
• Thenturnawayfromyoursin.Ezekiel18:30b–“Repentandturnfromallyourtransgressions.”
• ThisisonlypossiblewiththepoweroftheHolySpirit.
ShiftyourfocustoChristourMediator
1. Hebrews9:15“Therefore,heisthemediatorofanewcovenant,sothatthosewhoarecalledmayreceivethatpromisedeternalinheritance…”
• ChristisourHighPriestwhoofferedHimselfastheperfectsacrifice!
2. Hebrews4:14,16–“Wehaveagreathighpriest…letusthenwithconfidencedrawneartothethroneofgrace,thatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.
• SinceChristpaidourdebt,rememberweareclothedwithHisrighteousnessandwecanhavearelationshipwithHimandapproachHimwithconfidence!
3. Hebrews10:19–“SincewehaveconfidencetoentertheholyplacesbythebloodofJesus,butthenewandlivingwaythatheopenedforusthroughthecurtain,thatis,throughhisflesh.”
ShiftyourfocustoChristcrucified,risen,andascended
1. Mark16:5-6–“Jesuswascrucifiedandrisen.”
2. Luke24:51–Jesus’ascension–“Hewascarriedintoheaven.”
3. ICorinthians15:3-4–“Christdied,wasburiedandwasraisedonthethirdday.”
• Christisnotstillonthecross!Heroseagainandconqueredsinanddeath!
4. Galatians2:20–“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist.ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristwholivesinme.”
• RememberwhatHiscrucifixionmeansforus!WehavebeenredeemedandarefreetoliveinChrist.
5. Ephesians1:20-21–Christis“seatedattherighthandintheheavenlyplaces,faraboveallruleandauthority…”
• Heisseatedintheheavensasouradvocateandourmediator,whichleadsusto…
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE LEADER’SGUIDE
87
ShiftyourfocustothegloryofChrist
1. Colassians3:1–“IfthenyouhavebeenraisedwithChrist,seekthethingsthatareabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.Setyourmindsonthingsthatareabove,notonthingsthatareonearth.”
2. Hebrews8:1–“Wehavesuchahighpriest,whoisseatedattherightthroneoftheMajestyinheaven.”
3. Let’srememberwhothisisabout…ashighandliftedupasHeis…
• Isaiah43:25–“I,amhe,whoblotsouryourtransgressionsformyownsake,Iwillnotrememberyoursins.”
• 1John2:12–“yoursinsareforgivenforhisname’ssake.”
• Ezekiel36:22–“Itisnotforyoursake.”It’snotaboutus!
• GodsavedusbecauseHelovesusbutnotnecessarilyforoursake,buttodemonstrateHisgracewhichultimatelygivesHimglory!
Shiftyourfocusoffofself-condemnation
1. Romans8:1–“ThereisthereforenownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus.”
2. IfwedeclareourselvesguiltyitneglectstheGospelmessageofgrace,forgiveness,andhope!
Shiftyourfocusofself-contempt
• Ifwerewallowinginourguilt,weneedtorealizethatwearefocusedonourselves!Itisaformofself-centeredness,whichistheoppositeofChrist-centeredness.ShiftourfocusbackontoChrist!
LEADER’SGUIDE THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
88
AViewofAllThreeFocalPointsforShiftingourDependencetotheSecondBookendDemonstratedintheLifeofPaul(1Corinthians2:1-13)
Useasreference:TheThreeFocalPointsare:
#1–OurDesperateWeakness
#2–TheReliablePoweroftheHolySpirit
#3–RejectionofSelf-Reliance.
ICorinthians2:1-2–“IdidnotcomeproclaimingtoyouthetestimonyofGodwithloftyspeechorwisdom.ForIdecidedtoknownothingamongyouexceptJesusChristandHimcrucified.”
• EventhoughPaulwasveryintelligentandprobablyknewhisscriptureinsideout,hemadeitclearthathewasnotrelyingonhisownwisdom.Focalpoint#3
• Heacknowledgedhisownweaknessandpointedstraighttothegospel.Focalpoint#1
Verses3-5–“…myspeechandmymessagewerenotinplausiblewordsofwisdom,(focalpoint#3)butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpowerthatyourfaithmightnotrestinthewisdomofmenbutinthepowerofGod.”
• HepointedthathismessagewasonlybythepoweroftheHolySpirit.
• HewantedothersnottorelyonPaul’swisdombutonthepowerofGod.Focalpoint#2
Verse7–“WeimpartasecretandhiddenwisdomofGod,whichGoddecreedbeforetheagesofourglory…”
• PaulpointsustothewisdomofGodthatwas“beforethefoundationoftheworld.”(Ephesians1:4)Focalpoint#2
Verse9–“Whatnoeyehasseen,norearheard,northeheartofmanimagined,whatGodhaspreparedforthosewholoveHim.”
• AwisdomthatgoesbeyondourimaginationofwhatHeplannedforus.
• QuotedfromIsaiah64:4“Fromoldnoonehasheardorperceivedbytheear,noeyehasseenaGodbesidesyou,whoactsforthosewhowaitforHim.”WewaitwithanticipationandexpressdependenceonwhatHehasplannedforus.(Focalpoint#2)
Verse10,12-13–“ThesethingsGodhasrevealedtousthroughtheSpirit.FortheSpiritsearcheseverything,eventhedepthsofGod.Nowwehavereceived…theSpiritwhoisfromGod,thatwemightunderstandthethingsfreelygivenusbyGod.Andweimpartthisinwordsnottaughtbyhumanwisdom(Focalpoint#3)buttaughtbythespirit,interpretingspiritualtruthstothosewhoarespiritual.”(Focalpoint#2)
• PaulisemphasizingthatitisonlythePoweroftheHolySpiritthatrevealstousGod’struth!ThereforePaulisrevealinghisdependenceontheHolySpirit.
d
BOOKENDSTHE
CHRISTIAN LIFEOFTHE
BIBLE STUDY
BOOK BY JERRY BRIDGES & BOB BEVINGTON
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
1
CHAPTERONEFirstBookend:TheRighteousnessofChrist1. WhatdoestheBiblemeanbytheword“righteous”?(page19)
2. ReadMatthew22:36-40and1Peter1:15-16.WhatisGod’sstandardforthelevelofrighteousnessHerequiresofus?Why?(20)
3. ReadRomans3:10andIsaiah64:6.WhatdoesGod’sWordsayaboutourrighteousness?
4. ReadGalatians3:10-13.
• Whathappenswhenweareunableto“abidebyallthings?”(20)
• WhatdidChristdoforus?
5. WhatisthedifferencebetweentrustinginChristforoureternaldestinyversustrustingHimforourday-to-daystandingwithGod?(21)
6. Read2Corinthians5:21.Inlightof2Corinthians5:21,read1Peter2:22andHebrews4:15.WhatdoesGod’sWordsayaboutJesus’levelofobediencehereonthisearth?(22)
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
2
• 2Corinthians5:21saysthatGod“madeJesustobesin.”Accordingto1Peter2:24,howdidJesusdothis?(24)
• ReadMatthew27:46.Explainthesignificanceofthefirstsentenceonpage24ofthebook,“ThephysicalpainHeenduredwasnothingcomparedtotheagonyofbeingseparatedfromtheFather.”WhatdoesthissayaboutJesus’relationshipwithHisfatheratthetimeofJesus’death?
HowdoesJesus’relationshipwiththeFatherbeingbrokenresultinoursbeingrestored?
• 2Corinthians5:21says“sothatinhimwemightbecometherighteousnessofGod.”AtthemomentweputourfaithinwhatChristdidforusonthecross,accordingtoIsaiah61:10,whathappens?
HowarewepresentedbeforeourGod?WhenHelooksatus,whodoesHesee?
• Asaresultofthis“GreatExchange,”accordingtoRomans5:1,“Byfaith”weare____________.
7. ExplaintheconnectionbetweenChrist’srighteousnessandourjustification.(26)
8. Faithinvolvesbotharenunciationandareliance.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
3
• Intermsofthefirstbookend,whatkindofrenunciationisrequiredofus?(28)
• Wheremustweplaceourreliance?Bespecific.
9. Whatdoesitlooklikewhenwestandinthepresentrealityofourjustificationeveryday?Whatdifferencewillitmakeinourday-to-day,moment-to-momentlives?(27-30)
10. Thefinalparagraphonpage30asksseveralquestions.Trytoanswerthembasedonwhatyouhavereadinchapterone.
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
4
CHAPTERTWOTheMotivationoftheGospel1. ReadLuke7:36-50.
• Inthestoryofthesinfulwoman,whyisSimonthePhariseeupset?
• ThereisaprofounddifferencebetweenthewaySimonandthewomantreatedJesus.Whatdoesthistellusabouthowtheyviewedtheirsinfulness?(page31-33)
• Thinkingbackonyourlastseveralmonths,hasyourattitudetowardyoursinbeenmorelikeSimonorthewoman?Why?
2. NoneofuslovesChristthewayHedeservestobeloved.GenuineloveforChristcomesthroughtwoimportantunderstandings.Whatarethey?(34)
3. Howdoesthestoryofthesinfulwomandepictthetruthofthefirstparagraphonpage35?Howcanyouapplythistoyourself?
4. ReadIsaiah6:1-5.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
5
• HowdoesIsaiahrespondtoseeingtheLord?
• HowdoesheviewhimselfinlightofbeinginthepresenceofaHolyGod?(35)
5. PutyourselfinIsaiah’splace.DoyouthinkyouwouldhaverespondedthewayIsaiahdidinverse5?Whyorwhynot?
6. HowwasIsaiah’sexperiencesimilartothatofthesinfulwomanofLuke7?Whatwerethethreecommonsteps?(36)
7. Inlightofthesethreesteps,whatcanyoudotogrowinyourexperienceofthemotivatingpoweroftheGospel?
8. ReadPhilippians3:4-9.
• Accordingtoverse6,ifPaul’srighteousnesswasbasedonfollowingthelaw,whatwouldhebeconsidered?
• Accordingtoverses7-9,wheredoesPaulrealizehisrighteousnessactuallycomesfrom?
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
6
9. ReadPhilippians3:7-14.PaulrenouncedhisownrighteousnessandreliedsolelyontherighteousnessofChrist.HowdidthatfuelhisdesiretopursueChrist-likenessandserveGodwhole-heartedly?(38)
10. ReadRomans12:1.InlightoftheGospelmessageofmercy,howarewetopresentourbodies?
• Explainthesignificanceoftheexpressionalivingsacrifice.(39)
11. ConsidermakinganapplicationforyourlifebasedonRomans12:1.
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
7
CHAPTERTHREEGospelEnemy#1:Self-Righteousness1. Describeinyourownwordswhatitmeanstobeself-righteous.
2. Whatisthedifferencebetweenself-righteousnesstowardGodandself-righteousnesstowardothers?Whichisworse,andwhy?(page41-42)
3. ReadGalatians2:21.Howdoesthebeliefthatwehaveearned(merited)God’sblessings“nullifygrace”andsetusupforcommittingself-righteousnesstowardGod?(42-43)
4. ReadGalatians1:6-9.
• WhywasPaul“astonished”withtheGalatians?
• ExplaininyourownwordswhatPaulmeantbyadifferentgospel?
5. ReadGalatians2:16andfillintheblanks.“Yetweknowthatapersonisnotjustifiedby_________,butthrough_________in_________.”
• InChapterOnewediscussedthatbeingjustifiedmeanswearedeclaredrighteous(inrightstanding)withGod.AccordingtoGalatians2:16,howarewejustified?
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
8
• Arewejustified(declaredrighteous)byourownworks?
6. Thesecondparagraphonpage44describesthebasismostpeoplegivefortheirbeliefthatGodwillacceptthemintoheaven.
• Whyisthisapproachconsideredtobeself-righteous?
• ReadMatthew7:21-23.WhatdoesJesusindicateHisresponsewillbetothislargegroupofpeoplewhobasetheiracceptancefromGodontheirownworks?
7. ManypeoplebankonthehopethatGodwillconsidertheirgooddeedstohaveenoughredeemingvaluetooffsettheguiltoftheirbaddeeds.Whyisthisadangerousassumption?(45)
8. Thinkaboutyourrecentprayertimes.AreyouconfidentinyourunderlyingassumptionsandattitudesaboutwhyGodshouldfavorablyansweryourprayers?
9. Isaiah64:6saysthatallofourrighteousdeedsarelike__________.NowreadLuke18:9-14.
• WhywasthisPhariseethankfulthathewasnotlikethe“othermen?”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
9
• OnwhatwasthePhariseebasinghisrighteousness?
• OnwhatwasthetaxcollectorbasinghisappealtoGod?
• AccordingtoJesus(verse14)whywasthetaxcollectorjustified,ratherthanthePharisee?
10. Describetheself-righteousmoralisticbeliever.(47-49)Basedonyouranswerstothetenquestionsonpage49,doyoutendtofitinthiscategory?
11.Whyispersistentguiltactuallyaformofself-righteousnesstowardGod?(50-51)
12. Doyouagreethatmostbelieversvacillatebetweenmoralistic,performance-basedself-righteousnessononehand,andpersistentguiltontheother?Whichcategorydoyouleantowardmore,andwhy?(50-51)
13. Explainthelastsentenceonpage51.
14. Fromeverythingyou’vereadinchapters1-3,howdoesleaningontheFirstBookendslayGospel
Enemy#1?
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
10
CHAPTERFOURGospelEnemy#2:PersistentGuilt1. Explainhowthosewhoembracepersistentguiltleanonthesameobjectofdependencyasthose
whoembraceself-righteousness.(page53)
2. ReadGenesis3:1-13.AfterAdamandEveatefromthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil,whatdoyouthinkitmeansthat“theeyesofbothwereopened?”
3. Whatisaconscience?Explaininyourownwords.
• WhatdidGoddesigntheconsciencetodoforus?
• Whatareitstwopurposes?(54)
4. Whydowetendtousedifferentescapemechanismswhendealingwithaguiltyconscience?Whatisthepurposeoftheseescapemechanisms?(55)
5. Whathaveyouusedinthepasttoattempttoescapethevoiceofyourconscience?Isthissinful?Whyorwhynot?(55)
6. Describehowpersistentguiltgetsastrangleholdonbelievers.(55-56)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
11
7. Read1Timothy1:19.Whatcanhappentoourfaithwhenwerepeatedlyrejectourconscience?
8. Howhavethetenquestionsonpages56and57revealedthepresenceofpersistentguiltinyourlife?
9. Theideathatwemust“forgiveourselves”hasnobasisinScripture.Whydoyouthinkthisconcepthasbecomesopopular–evenamongChristians?(57)
10. ReadHebrews9:14.Whatpurifiesourconscience?
11. Describehowthefirstbookendistheonlywaytodefeatpersistentguilt.(57-58)
12. Read1Timothy1:13-14.Explainhowahealthyremembranceofoursincanbeablessing.(58-59)
13. PuritanThomasWilcoxdescribedsixwaystodealwithpersistentguiltbyshiftingourfocus.Whichofthesedoyoufindhelpfulandwhy?(59-61)
14. Describehowpersistentguiltcanbetransformedintojoyfulgratitudeforthegospel.(61-63)
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
12
CHAPTERFIVELeaningontheFirstBookend1. Explainwhatitmeansto“lean”ontheFirstBookend.(page65)
2. Ourunchangeable,infallibleGodprovidesthebookends–thereforetheynevermoveorfail.Theproblemisourfailuretoleanourbooksonthem.Describehowthishappens.Howcanwecorrectthis?(65-66)
3. Whatarethethreefocalpointsfordependence-shifting?
4. Ephesians1:18speaksof“havingtheeyesofyourheartsenlightened.”Whatdoesitmeanto“see”withtheeyesofyourheart,andwhyisthissoimportant?(66)
5. ReadLuke19:1-10.Despitethecrowd’sdisapprovalofZacchaeus,howdoesZacchaeusrespondtobeinginthepresenceofJesus?(verse8)
• WhydoyouthinkZacchaeusrespondedinthisway?
• Readverse10againandcomplete:“FortheSonofMancametoseekandtosavethe___________.”
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
13
• WasZacchaeussavedbecauseofhisownrighteousness?
6. Whyisitvitalthatweseeourselvesasdesperatelylostsinners?
7. SeePsalm36:9andJohn8:12.Explaininyourownwordswhattheauthormeanswhenhesaysonpage68,“WhenwestepintothelightofChrist’sperfectrighteousness,ourutterdepravityisexposed”?
8. Inwhatwaysdoesreviewingthelistonpage68helpyou“see”yourselfasadesperatelylostsinner(FocalPoint#1)?Whathappenstoourdependence?(68-69)
9. Readtheparagraphthatstartsonthebottomofpage69anddescribewhytherighteousnessofChristisall-sufficientfortheneedsofsinners.
10. ItisnotenoughtomerelyseetherighteousnessofChristasall-sufficient;wemustseeitasall-sufficientforus.ThinkaboutspecificareasyoudesperatelyneedtherighteousnessofChristtosubstituteforyoursinandfailure.IsHisrighteousnesssufficientforeventhat?HowdoesthisrealizationmakeyoufeeltowardHim?
11.WhatdoesitmeantopreachtheGospeltoyourselfeverydayandwhyisitsovitaltoyourspiritualhealth?(70-72)
12. ReadJohn8:12.Explainwhyfunctionalsaviorscouldbedescribedasevil.(72-74)
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
14
13. Fromthefill-in-the-blankexerciseonpage73,identifyyourfunctionalsavior(s).
• Oncewehaveidentifiedourfunctionalsavior(s),whatarewetodowiththem?Whatcanhappenwhenwedon’trejectourfunctionalsaviors?(74)
• Currently,whatisGoddoinginyourlifetohelpfreeyoufromyourfunctionalsavior(s)?(74)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
15
CHAPTERSIXSecondBookend:ThePoweroftheHolySpirit1. Explainthedifferencebetweenmotivationandability/powerwhenitcomestolivingaChristianlife.
(page81)
2. AccordingtoEphesians1:13,whenarewesealedwiththeHolySpirit?
3. In2Timothy2:1Paulwrote,“BestrengthenedbythegracethatisinChristJesus.”Explainwhatitmeansto“bestrengthened.”(82)
4. Explainthedifferenceinthetwocategoriesofgrace:theblessingofprivilegeandtheblessingofpower.(82-83)
5. Read2Corinthians12:9.Explainwhatthisversemeansinyourownwords.
6. Explainthedifferencebetweenhelpandenablement.(85)
7. WhendiscussingtheroleofourfaithinleaningontheFirstBookend,theauthorsstatethatfaithinvolvesbothrenunciationandreliance.ExplainhowthesetwotermsapplytoourroleinleaningontheSecondBookend.(85)
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
16
8. Fromthesectiontitled,TheSovereigntyoftheHolySpirit,explainwhattheHolySpiritbeing“sovereign”means.(85-86)
9. WhyisitthatwhenwerelyonthePoweroftheHolySpirit,sometimesHetemporarilywithholdsHispowerwhileothertimesHedramaticallymanifestsHispowerinus?(86)
10. Fromthesectiontitled,“TheSpirit’sSynergisticWork”explainwhatismeantbytheexpression,“qualifiedsynergism.”DescribehowthisrelievesusfromtheburdenofhavinginsufficientwillpowerandstrengthtoobeyGod.(86-88)
11. Read1Peter4:10-11andPhilippians2:12-13.Explainhowthesepassagesareexamplesofqualifiedsynergism.
12. InwhatwaysistheSpirit’swork“monergistic”?Howhaveyouexperiencedthisinyourlife?(88-90)
13.WhatthreewordsdoestheHeidelbergCatechismuseinunderstandingthemonergisticworkoftheSpirit?Whatdothesewordsreferto?(89)
14. DescribethesimilaritiesandthedifferencesbetweenthefirstandsecondBookends.(92)
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
17
CHAPTERSEVENGospelEnemy#2:PersistentGuilt1. ExplaintheconceptofdependentresponsibilityfromColossians1:29.(page95-96)
2. Explainthetwosentencesthatstartonthebottomofpage98:“There’snoconflictbetweenourworkandourdependence.Infact,theharderwework,themoreabsoluteourdependenceontheSpiritmustbecome.”
3. Whatismeantbytheterm“spiritualdisciplines”?Howdotheybenefitus?(99)
4. Whattwotruthsmustweconstantlykeepinmindaswepracticethespiritualdisciplines?Whyarethesetwotruthssoimportant?(99-100)
5. ExplainhowreadingtheBiblecanbecome“aconversation,aprocessoftalkingtoGodandlisteningtoHim”inanexperienceofdailyfellowshipwithHim.(100)
6. Read2Corinthians3:18.Explaininyourownwordswhatitmeansto“beholdthegloryoftheLord.”Howdoesthisresultintransformation?
7. Whatisinvolvedin“preachingthegospeltoyourselfeveryday?”WhyisthissoimportanttoyourdailycommunionwithGod?(101)
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
18
8. ReadColossians1:9-10andRomans12:2.WhyisScripturesoinstrumentalinrenewingandtransformingourlives?Whataresomepracticalwayswecanapplythistruthtoourdailylives?(102-103)
9. Explaininyourownwordshowprayerisanexpressionofourdependency?Howdoesprayercauseourdependencytogrow?(103)
10. ReadRomans8:28-29.HowdoesGodusethecircumstancesinourlives(bothgoodand“bad”)asameansofgraceinourlives?(104)
11. Read1Corinthians1:9and1John1:3.WhatarewecalledtohavewiththeLord?Inlightofthis,explainthedifferencesbetweenourunionwithChristandourcommunionwithChrist.(106)
12. ReadPsalm63:1andPsalm42:1-2.ThePsalmists’vividdesireforcommunionwithGodisevidentinthesepassages.FromallyouhavereadinTheBookendssofar,whatisthereaboutGodthatwouldmakeHimthisdesirabletoyou?
13.WhatcanyoudotoimprovethequalityofyourdailycommunionwiththeLord?
14.Whowillgiveyouthestrengthtocarryoutthesedesires?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
19
CHAPTEREIGHTTheHelpoftheDivineEncourager1. WhyistheHolySpiritreferredtoastheDivineEncourager?(page109)
2. ReadGalatians5:5.WheredoestheHolySpiritoftenpointusforencouragement?(109-110)
3. ReadJohn14:26and15:26.Inyourownwords,explainwhatJesusmeantwhenHesaid“TheHelper…willbearwitnessaboutme.”
4. Whatisgratitudeforpurchasedgrace?Whyisitlife-changing?(110-111)
5. Read2Corinthians5:14-15and1John4:9-10,19.ExplainwhatPaulmeantwhenhesaid,“theloveofChristcontrolsus.”
6. ReadthequotefromThomasChalmersonpage113.Explainwhatitmeansto“replacetheobjectofoursinfulaffectionwithaninfinitelymoreworthyone-Godhimself.”
7. Explainthedifferencebetweenthediagramsonpages113and114.
8. Thinkcarefullyaboutyourlifeandthenfillintheblankonpage115.NowreadtheparagraphthatfollowstheblankanddescribehowyoufeelaboutGodandyoursin.
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
20
9. Inyourownwords,describewhatitmeanstoenjoyyourrelationshipwithGod?(116-117)
10. ReadJohn17:22-23.WhatremarkablestatementdoesJesusmakeabouttheimpactoftheGospelonthosewhobelieveinHim?
11. HowdoesadesiretoenjoyyourrelationshipwithGodempoweryourbattleagainstsin?(118)
12. Fromtheparagraphthatstartsatthebottomofpage118,describehowtheSpiritusesthepromisesofGodtoequipusforourbattleagainstsin.
13. Fromtheparagraphthatstartsatthebottomofpage119,whatspiritualdisciplinescanyoucommittoinordertoprepareyourselfforyourfutureneeds?
14.WhataresomeofthepromisesfromGod’sWordthattheSpirithasusedtomotivateorencourageyouinyourwalk?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
21
CHAPTERNINEGospelEnemy#3:Self-Reliance1. Whydoesitseemstrangetothinkofself-relianceandits“cousins”asenemiesoftheGospel?(page
123-124)
2. Whatisself-reliance?Howdoesitcomparetoself-righteousness?(124)
3. AccordingtoJohn15:5,whatiswrongwithaself-reliantapproachtolife?(125-126)
4. Accordingto1Corinthians4:7,whydoyoubelievetheauthorsstatethatweshouldnotbeself-reliantaboutanything?Doyouagree?Whyorwhynot?
5. Thelastparagraphonpage126statesthatallbelieversareinclinedtofallpreytoself-relianceeveryday!Doyouagree?Whathaveyoudoneinthelast24hoursthathasnotbeendonewith100%dependenceonthepoweroftheHolySpirit?
6. ReadMatthew26:31-35.WhatwastheobjectofPeter’sdependence?Inwhatwaysdoouractsofself-relianceresemblePeter’sdenialofChrist?(127-128)
7. ReadPhilippians4:13and2Corinthians3:5-6.Whenwefallintoapatternofself-reliance,howcanthetruthfromthesescripturesshiftourdependencebackonthepoweroftheHolySpirit?
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
22
8. ReadthestoryofBrian’sstrugglewithself-relianceonpages128-131.Whatsimilarpatternsandoutcomeshaveyouseeninyourownlife?
9. WhichofthefourexcerptsfromJohnNewtondoyouidentifywiththemost?Why?(131-132)
10. Read2Corinthians12:7-8.WhatinsightsandapplicationsdoyoufindinthedescriptionofPaul’sthornintheflesh?(132-133)Whattypesof“thorns”haveyouexperienced?
11. Nowread2Corinthians12:9-10.HowdidthispromisehelpPauldealwithhisthornintheflesh?WhydoyousupposePaulwasableto“boast”ofandbe“content”withhisweaknesses?
12.What“thorn”canyoubecontentwithinyourlife?
13. Inyourownwords,explainwhatPaulmeantwhenhesaid,“ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong?”
14. Howcan2Corinthians12:9-10helpfreeyoufromself-reliance?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
23
CHAPTERTENLeaningontheSecondBookend1. Thefirstparagraphinthischapterdescribesbothbookendsas“infinitelysolidandweighty.”Doyou
believethis?Whyorwhynot?(page135)
2. ReadIsaiah41:14-16.Howdoesanearthwormaccuratelyportrayourweakness?Whathappenstotransformusfrom“worm”to“threshingsledge”?(136-137)
3. Explaintheterm“progressivesanctification.”Howdoesitunfoldinthelifeofthebeliever?Whichcomesfirst,justificationorsanctification?(138)
4. Read2Corinthians3:18.
• Explainwhattheauthorsmeantbysaying“…theprocessofourtransformationintoChrist-likeness,involved‘seeing’?”
• Using2Corinthians3:18,completethissentence.“Forthiscomesfromthe____________whoisthe____________.Whatisthepowersourceofthistransformation?
5. WhenweplaceourdependencyonthepoweroftheHolySpirit,itseemslikesometimesHecomesthroughforus,butsometimesHedoesn’t.Howcanyouexplainthisapparentinconsistency?(139-140)
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
24
6. Spiritualwarfareisadailybattle.Howdoesthetruthfrom2Corinthians10:3-4andPhilippians1:6giveyouhopeforthesebattles?(140)
7. Self-relianceistenaciouslikepoisonivybecauseitsrootsystemisextensive.IdentifyanddescribetherootoftheGospelenemies.(141-142)
8. Whatishumility?Howdoesitaddressourself-relianceatitsroots?(143)
9. Whyisa“freshviewofthecross”neededinordertocultivatehumility?(143)
10.Whatisgodliness?Howdoesitaddressourself-relianceatitsroots?(143-144)
11. Read1Corinthians10:31and2Corinthians10:5.Howcanwepursuegodliness?(143-144)
12. Read1Corinthians2:1-13.HowareallthreeFocalPointsforshiftingourdependenceonthesecondbookenddemonstratedinthispassage?(144-146)
13. DoyouagreewiththeDailyDeclarationofDependence?(146)
14. Howcanthetruthsfoundin1Corinthians15:10and2Corinthians4:7encourageyouinyourdependenceonthebookendsoftheChristianlife?
THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE BIBLESTUDY
25
CONCLUSIONTheBookends:APersonalWorldview1. Whatisa“worldview”andwhyisitimportant?(page149)
2. ExplainhowtheBookendscanbeapersonalworldview.(149-150)
3. HowistheBookendsPersonalWorldviewhelpfulineachofthethreearenasofsin?(150-151)
4. Otherthanhelpinginourbattleagainstsin,inwhatotherareasdoestheBookendsPersonalWorldviewhelp?(152)
5. WhatdoestheBookendsPersonalWorldviewprovidethatmakesitsohelpfulandworthwhile?(152-153)
6. HowdoesIsaiah’sresponse,“HereamI!Sendme”reflecttheultimategoaloflivingbetweentheBookends?(153-154)
7. Readthesecondparagraphonpage154.Visualizetheactivitiesofyourlifefromthismomentforwardasbooksthatarestabilizedandsecuredbyleaningonbothbookends.Howdoesthischangeyouroutlookonlife?Howdoesitchangeyourplansfortherestoftheday,therestoftheweek,andyourlong-termfuture?
BIBLESTUDY THEBOOKENDSOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE
26
8. Lookbacktothequestionsonpage16andanswerthemagain.HowdoyouranswerscomparetothoseyouwrotewhenyoustudiedtheIntroduction?
• SummarizewhatyouhavelearnedfromTheBookends.
ThanksforcompletingtheStudyGuide.IfyouhaveanycommentsorsuggestionsfortheauthorsofTheBookendsoftheChristianLife,pleasesubmitthemonthe“Contact”pageatTheBookendsBook.com.
Crossway Books published The Bookends of the Christian Life by Jerry Bridges and BobBevington in 2009. Since its release, it has become known as an effectiveway for Christiansto grow in their understanding of the transforming power of the gospel.
The Bookends Bible Study and Leader’s Guide was developed to give you the uniqueopportunity to dig even deeper into God’s Word to explore the framework of God’s planof salvation and the gospel. Learn how leaning on the Bookends of the Christian Life— theRighteousness of Christ, and the Power of the Holy Spirit—can provide hope to live a lifefree from guilt, pride, and self-righteousness.
“Susan Beebe, in her outstanding Bible Study and Leader’s Guide, hastaken The Bookends of the Christian Life to a new and deeper dimension.Anyone who wants to grow in their relationship with Christ and the HolySpirit will benefit from this book.”
—Jerry Bridges
“The Bookends Bible Study and Leader’s Guide is an excellent tool forteaching the meaning and application of the gospel to men, women,and teen-agers at all levels of spiritual maturity— including “seekers.”I recommend it for developing life-changing gratitude for the gospel!”
—Bob Bevington
Join us in exploring many promises in God’s Word that will reignite your passion andappreciation for the gospel and motivate you to live a gospel-driven life!