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Christmas Bible Studies

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:19:15 +0000

Pour a mug of hot chocolate and settle in with a Christmas life lesson. In the midst of this busy season, take some time to sit with God. We have three sets of life lessons – guided Bible studies – that are a perfect way to celebrate the season.

The Carols of Christmas

Carols are one of the surest signs of Christmas. When you hear them in the mall or start to sing them on Sunday morning you know that Christmas is well and truly here. This delightful series of seven lessons digs deeper into the stories behind such beloved carols as “O Holy Night”, “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “We Three Kings” and more. Take the Carols of Christmas lesson

The Gifts of Christmas

At this time of year, malls are full of people who think they understand what Christmas is all about. On the very first Christmas in the land of Israel, there were very different levels of understanding about what was actually happening. What is your understanding of Christmas? Come with us on a journey today as we explore what Christmas can mean to us. Take the Gifts of Christmas lesson

Advent Journeys

Mary and Joseph, the wise men, the coming Messiah – it seems like everyone was going somewhere that first Christmas. In a season when so many of us have somewhere we need to get to there’s much we can learn from these ancient travelers. As we near the Christmas season this year, join us in a fresh look at this familiar story of Joseph, Mary and a journey to Bethlehem. Take the Advent Journeys lesson

Counting My Blessings

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:00:43 +0000

During November, our family often made an acrostic using the word thanksgiving. We’d list things we were thankful for, using words beginning with each letter. When our children became teenagers, words like telephone, summer, and ice cream topped the list. Now with grown children, I exchange a thanksgiving list with my pen pal each year.

But thanksgiving shouldn’t be limited to a season or holiday. God’s Word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). Since a thankful heart should be the year-round norm, I’ve used the word thanksliving in this acrostic to share some things I’m thankful for.

T = Talents
I’m thankful for my God-given talents. If I develop them and use them for God’s glory, one day I’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

H = Hope
I’m thankful for the hope I have in Christ and the Holy Spirit who spreads hope in my heart. Since I know the God of hope, I can point others to Him, no matter how bleak their circumstances. I often pray Romans 15:13 for others: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

A = Acceptance
Acceptance is a basic human need. As a writer, I’m thankful when editors accept my writing. However, I’m especially grateful that God always accepts me; my worth before Him is not based on my performance or success.

N = News
Although world events may be discouraging, I’m thankful we can always find good news in God’s Word.

K = Kindness
I’m thankful for the many family and friends who express kindness to me in tangible ways. In turn, I want to express caring toward others.

S = Senses
My five senses help me experience life more fully. Beyond my physical senses, I’m thankful to spiritually “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

L = Life
Life is precious and should never be taken for granted. I’m thankful for each new day.

I = Intelligence
I’m thankful for my intellect which helps me think clearly and make wise decisions.

V = Vision
I appreciate physical vision to enjoy my surroundings and spiritual vision to understand spiritual truths.

I = Imagination
Imagination helps me think creatively. As I pray and seek God, He enables me to imagine no limits and to expect him to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians. 3:20 NIV).

N = New Experiences
I’m thankful for new opportunities to grow and for new relationships that enrich my life.

G = God
God is the greatest treasure and reason to give thanks. I’m most grateful to have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

Listing what I’m thankful for always lifts my spirit. Besides that, the Bible says God is pleased with a thankful heart: “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me” (Psalm 50:23 NASB).

Why not make your own thanksliving list? After we thank God for our blessings, we can serve Him from the overflow of our grateful hearts.

Take the next step:

5 Reasons to be thankful right now
Take a lesson: Develop a heart of worship

Life Lessons

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:48:42 +0000

Life lessons are a great way to dig a little deeper into a topic that interests you. Just read the material provided and respond to the questions.

Most lessons take less than an hour to complete. When you hit “Submit” your answers will be sent to a Study Coach who will respond with additional insights. If you wish to discuss things further with your coach, they’re always just an email away.

Explore a new topic. Learn at your own pace. Life lessons are ready when you are. (All lessons are free.)

More questions? Learn more about life lessons

Lessons

To Call Him Lord: A Study In The Book of Acts (5 lessons)
What would your life look like if you were completely available to God? Living all in for God is a lifestyle of radical commitment that says, “I’m ready to follow Your lead – at any time, any place, at any cost, to do anything!”

Knowing Jesus Personally (4 lessons)
Growing in your spiritual relationship with Christ takes time. Take these lessons to learn basic growth steps in Christian living.

Listening to God (1 Lesson)
How can we hear God’s voice speaking into our lives? Someone who knows what God is like knows His voice. As Jesus said, “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Take this lesson to explore how to hear God’s voice in your life.

Worship in Revelation

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:00:50 +0000

Pleasing God: How to authentically worship God

“Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages.” (Revelation 15:3b)

A number of years ago I heard that the book of Revelation contained more worship than any other book in the Bible. The concept intrigued me. Instead of studying Revelation in view of the end times, I determined to read the book with the idea of worship forefront in my mind. Writing helps me to absorb things, so the daily copying of verses containing praise or adoration to God became my routine. As page after page of my journal was filled, my heart was drawn to the discipline of daily recounting who God is and all that He has done. This is worship.

When we worship, our attention is turned away from ourselves, or our problems, and is focused on God. I need to spend less time worrying, analyzing or planning. More time should be spent thinking on good things. What better way to do that, than to fix my thoughts on the attributes of our holy, awesome God?

Whenever I read over the words of praise written in Revelation, something happens in my heart. Meditating on God’s power and might strengthens me. Thinking on His holiness and His worthiness creates thankfulness and humility in my heart. Hearing that He is Faithful and True, renews my spirit, helping me not to be afraid.

Let me encourage you to read the book of Revelation in a new light. And as you do, make worship a part of your daily routine.

God, we join with those who sing this song, “Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear You, O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3, 4)

Questions: How does worshiping God change your outlook? How do you incorporate worship into your daily routine?

Pass It On

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:54:47 +0000

Has your marriage been strengthen from attending a FamilyLife marriage conference? Can you take what you learned and share it with hurting couples in your life? It’s about passing on what has been given to you.

Go For a Walk, Share Your Faith

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:59:56 +0000

Do you pray for your neighbors? By going on a simple walk around your neighborhood you can change someone’s life and they don’t even realize it! You might not know what happens behind their doors but you can have a positive impact in their lives. On your next evening walk, can you pray for your neighbors?

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Seeing the Fruit of Online Ministry

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:38:31 +0000

Loralyn has seen the fruit of online ministry. She fondly thinks of Patricia’s story, a woman who initially asked for prayer, just to know someone loved her and also to understand her own worth. After completing several online Bible studies and forming a friendship with Loralyn, Patricia became secure in her relationship with God and took another step: she became involved with a church in her area. God can use you online, we can show you how.

Conversations Among Friends

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:23:44 +0000

The “end” was in sight – it was clear that authorities had reached a decision. They felt Jesus needed to be eliminated, and one of his own friends had agreed to hand him over. Jesus knew what his closest followers still could not yet accept – death was near, and this death would impact individuals and nations. The results would last for eternity. Consider the final hours he shared with his closest friends.

The setting was simple. Jesus came with his closest followers to a room where they could commemorate the Passover together. This meal was a reminder of the time centuries earlier when the children of Israel had been set free from slavery in Egypt. It was a solemn time, yet one of rejoicing in God’s deliverance of His people.

Our text is John 13 and following. As they sat at supper, Jesus rose, took upon himself the role of a servant, set aside his outer garments and tied a towel around his waist. He took up a basin of water and proceeded to wash the feet of each of his followers.

1. Whose feet were washed? Was anyone left out?

2. Who objected to having Jesus wash his feet? Why do you think he objected? How did Jesus respond? More thoughts...

What can we learn from this account? Does it have any application to our lives today?

3. During the meal, Jesus revealed that one of the men sitting there would betray him. How did the others respond?

4. When Judas left the meal, what did they think he was going to do?

5. In John 13:34, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Was this commandment only to the men present, or does it apply to us as well? If to us, how can you apply it in practical ways this week?

6. We will be unable to consider all that happened that evening. For now, turn to John 14:15-27. Jesus promises His followers that He will ask the Father, and He (the Father) will send “another Helper” to be with them forever. Who is this Helper?

7. Verse 26 clearly identifies the Helper as the Holy Spirit. According to verse 26, what will He do? (There are other passages which also teach us about His role. We will limit ourselves to this and one other passage today, but you are encouraged to pursue more study on your own.) More thoughts...

In verse 27, Jesus promises something else. What is it?

8. In John 16:5-15, the author returns to a discussion of the promised Helper. In verse 9, what is His role? In verse 13, what is another of His tasks?

9. In verse 14, what does it say He will do? More thoughts...

It is impossible to live the Christian life on our own which is why Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit.

10. Do you have other questions or thoughts on this study? Are there prayer requests that you would like to share with your study coach?

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Conversations with God

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:23:44 +0000

Some conversations are so precious, so intimate that we may draw back from accidentally overhearing what is said. In this study we come to such a conversation. Yet God has chosen to reveal this intimate moment with us through recorded Scripture. Consider with us as Jesus, in the last moments before his betrayal, trial and crucifixion, pours his heart out before his Father.

We have record of two occasions when Jesus prayed alone on the night he was betrayed. One of these times is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. The other is often called Jesus’ high priestly prayer, recorded in John 17. Let’s look first at the record in Matthew 26:36-46 (with similar accounts in Mark 14 and Luke 22).

Once the Passover meal was finished, Jesus and the eleven disciples left the upper room and made their way to the place called Gethsemane. They talked about a number of things as they walked. When they arrived at the Garden, Jesus asked his disciples to remain while he went a little farther to pray.

1. Initially Jesus asked three of them to come a bit farther with him. Who were the three? What did he ask them to do?

2. He went a little farther and prayed alone. What did he ask God? More thoughts...

How would you describe his attitude as he prayed? (Was his attitude one of sorrow, of demand, of surrender or of something else?)

3. When Jesus returned to where the disciples waited, what were they doing? What did Jesus ask Peter? What did Jesus do then?

4. What was his second prayer in this account?

5. Turn to John 17 where Jesus pours out his heart before the Father. John 17:4 says, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” What is meant, “know God”? More thoughts...

What is the difference between knowing about God, and knowing God?

6. Who does Jesus pray for? (See John 17:9.) What does he pray for these people (verse 15)?

7. In verse 20, who else does Jesus pray for? Does this include you? Why do you answer this way?

8. What does He pray for these people (verses 23-24)? More thoughts...

Robert Murray McCheyne reportedly said: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”

9. Perhaps you would like to read back through the chapter, putting your own name into the text as follows (using verse 16 as an example): ____ is not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify ____ by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent ___ into the world…..” How do you respond to making this passage personal in this way?

10. What additional thoughts or questions do you have on this study? How would you like us to pray for you?

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A Garden, a Courtyard and a Hill

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:23:44 +0000

The final few hours had come. Arrangements had been made – Judas would betray the one he’d followed for three years, and the Jewish authorities would seek the death penalty against this Jesus of Nazareth, the one that some claimed was King of the Jews. Would they have their way? Would the teachings of this man die, once people realized his promises were “empty”? Surely he could not be who he claimed to be, or could he? Where was God in all of this? Let’s go to the accounts of eyewitnesses of the events and see what they have to share.

Study note: Entire volumes have been written about the events we will discuss in this study. Due to time constraints, we will be unable to cover all the events of that night and the next day. We will focus on a few questions to help direct our thoughts. You are encouraged to read the accounts for yourself and spend some time reflecting on how they impact your understanding of Jesus Christ and what He has done for you.

In John 18, we join Jesus in the Garden just after he’d prayed. His disciples are near him, and Judas approaches with soldiers and some of the officers from the chief priests. You can almost feel the tension. It’s late at night, and the city is overflowing with those who had come to the Passover.

1. Why does Judas come to meet Jesus? What is his intent? More thoughts...

How does Peter respond? How does Jesus respond to these events?

2. In the next few hours, Jesus is taken before both Jewish and Roman authorities. The Jews were not able to execute capital punishment, thus the Roman authorities had to be involved as well. Why did the Jewish authorities want to put this man (Jesus) to death? What was the charge? More thoughts...

John 18:14 says that “it would be expedient for one man to die for the people.” What did the Jews mean by this? Does it give any additional insight to the events of that day?

3. Pilate found no fault in Jesus. (See John 18:38.) He offered to release Jesus, giving them a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. (Matthew 24:15-23 gives a clear account of this choice.) When they called out for Barabbas to be released, he asked them, what did they want him to do with this Jesus? What was their answer according to Matthew 27:22-23? More thoughts...

In what way was Jesus a substitute for Barabbas on that day?

4. Jesus was mocked and beaten. The soldiers twisted together “a crown” made of thorns and placed a purple robe upon him. When people were crucified in that time, an inscription or sign was often placed on the cross to indicate the crime that the person had committed. What was the charge leveled against Jesus? More thoughts...

If you are familiar with Old Testament prophecy, you may note several events surrounding the crucifixion which fulfilled the prophecies. If possible, name one or two.

5. While on the Cross, Jesus cried out several times. Each time He spoke it conveys something vital – let’s look at four times when He spoke while on the Cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) What would this have meant to you if you stood there on the hill that day? What does it mean to you today?

6. “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) - What does this tell us about sin and its effects? What does it teach us about the price that Jesus paid for sin?

7. “It is finished.”(John 19:30) What did Jesus mean? What does this mean for us?

8. “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) What did he mean?

9. How did the centurion respond when Jesus died? (See Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47.) How did others respond? More thoughts...

When Jesus died, a number of unusual events took place. Can you name any of them (with references if possible)? (See Matthew 27:51-54 and the other gospel accounts.) In what way was the death of Jesus Christ the same as other deaths? In what way was it unique or different? How will you respond to these accounts?

10. Do you have additional questions or comments on this study? Are there prayer needs for which you would like prayer?

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