Posts filed under: Bible Study

The Fall of Man: The Knowledge of Good and Evil

Believers Life Style Bible Study
May 7, 2022
The Fall of Man: The Knowledge of Good and Evil
Genesis 2:4 – 3:24
Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. What makes forbidden things so tempting?
  2. What are some of the joys and frustrations of marriage?
  3. When was the first time you stole a cookie?

Explore It

  1. What are the main events described in these verses? (2:4-3:24)
  2. When and how did God create man? (2:4-7)
  3. What did God put in the middle of the Garden of Eden? (2:9)
  4. For what purpose did God put man in the Garden of Eden? (2:8, 15)
  5. What command did God give man? (2:16-17)
  6. What did God say was not good? (2:18)
  7. How did God create woman, and what was Adam’s response to her? (2:21-23)
  8. What would be the result of man becoming united with his wife? (2:24)
  9. What did the serpent ask the woman, and how did she respond? (3:1-3)
  10. Why did the serpent say that God did not want the woman to eat the forbidden fruit? (3:4-5)
  11. What happened when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit? (3:6-7)
  12. What did Adam and Eve do when they heard God? Why? (3:8-10)
  13. How did Adam and Eve respond when God asked them why they disobeyed? (3:11-13)
  14. How did God punish the serpent, the man, and the woman? (3:14-19)
  15. Why did God drive Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden? (3:22-24)

Get It

  1. How is it significant that God created man and “breathed into him the breath of life”?
  2. What does the fact that it was not good for man to be alone tell us about the importance of relationships?
  3. What is the significance of the fact that Adam felt no shame at being naked?
  4. What does it mean to become one flesh?
  5. What difference does it make what we think about Satan and his attempts to deceive us?
  6. What’s the problem with having “knowledge of good and evil”?
  7. Why are we attracted to do what God has forbidden?
  8. How does this original sin affect us on a daily basis?
  9. What do these verses tell us about temptation and how to resist it?
  10. What lies do people tend to believe these days?
  11. What does the fact that Adam and Eve felt no shame before their sin and that they felt shame after their sin tell us about the effects of sin?

Apply It

  1. What is one thing you can do to improve your relationship with your spouse or a good friend?
  2. What can you do to help you remember God’s truth this week?
  3. *How can you become wiser about the schemes of the devil?

Lesson Scripture:

Genesis 2:4-3:24 (KJV)
4  These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
5  And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
6  But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
8  And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
9  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
10  And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
11  The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
12  And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
13  And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
14  And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22  And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
1  Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9  And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12  And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17  And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20  And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22  And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23  Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Trials and Temptations

Life In Christ Bible Study
Topic: Trials and Temptations
Presented by Michael Webb
Scripture References: James 1:1-18
April 2, 2022

Open It

  1. Why would you agree or disagree with the statement, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to what happens to you”?
  2. *How would you respond to someone who tells you that good can come from the trials which you are experiencing?
  3. What doubts about God and prayer does the average person usually experience?

Explore It

  1. Who wrote this letter? (1:1)
  2. To whom was this letter written? (1:1)
  3. *What attitude did James tell people to exhibit when they are facing trials? (1:2)
  4. *What is produced when our faith is tested? (1:3-4)
  5. What is God’s response when we ask for wisdom? (1:5)
  6. What effect does doubt have on a person when he or she prays? (1:6-8)
  7. What will eventually happen to the wealth of a rich person? (1:10-11)
  8. *What reward awaits the person who perseveres under trial? (1:12)
  9. From where does temptation come? (1:13-15)
  10. How does sin start and end? (1:13-15)
  11. From where do all good and perfect gifts come? (1:16-17)
  12. How did James describe God’s relationship with the people He created? (1:17-18)

Get It

  1. What trials and difficulties have you experienced during your life?
  2. Why does God allow people to go through trials and difficulties?
  3. *What good has ever come out of a difficult situation in your life?
  4. How does a person’s relationship with God change as he or she goes through trials and problems?
  5. When do you find it hardest to pray?
  6. With what doubts have you struggled concerning God and prayer?
  7. How can doubting affect a person’s prayer life?
  8. How can a person who pursues wealth and riches be disappointed?
  9. In what way have material possessions disappointed you once you possessed them?
  10. *How would you explain to a ten-year-old why a person does something wrong or evil?
  11. Why do we often blame God for tempting us when we sin?
  12. What can a person do to stop an evil desire from becoming an actual evil act?

Apply It

  1. *What do you believe God is trying to teach you this week through the trials and situations you are experiencing?
  2. In what specific areas do you need to ask God for His wisdom this week?
  3. What temptations do you need God’s help to resist this week?

James 1:1-18 (NKJV)
1  James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9  Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
10  but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
11  For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
12  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
14  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
15  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father
of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
18  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

 

Life Through the Son

Life In Christ Bible Study
March 5, 2022
Topic: Life Through the Son
Presented by Michael Webb
Scripture References: John 5:16-30

Open It

  1. What different groups of people have suffered persecution throughout history?
  2. *What are some of the positive aspects of your relationship with your parents?

Explore It

  1. Why did the Jews persecute Jesus? (5:16)
  2. Whose work did Jesus do? (5:17)
  3. Why did certain Jews want to kill Jesus? (5:18)
  4. *What did Jesus say that the Son could do? (5:19)
  5. What did Jesus tell the Jews that He would show them? (5:20)
  6. What did Jesus say He was able to do? (5:21)
  7. To whom did God entrust all judgment? (5:22)
  8. *Why did God entrust judgment to Christ? (5:23)
  9. How did Jesus say a person can gain eternal life? (5:24)
  10. What time did Jesus say had already come? (5:25)
  11. *What did Jesus say the Father has in Himself that He has granted to the Son? (5:26)
  12. What time did Jesus say was coming? (5:28-29)
  13. Whom did Jesus say He desires to please? (5:30)

Get It

  1. In what way does the world persecute Christians today?
  2. How have you been persecuted as a believer?
  3. When have you experienced pressure not to practice or share your faith in Christ?
  4. Why does the world persecute Christians?
  5. *How can we honor the Son and the Father with our lives?
  6. How can we know for sure that we have eternal life?
  7. *Why should we feel secure in our relationship with God?
  8. How should we prepare ourselves for Jesus’ judgment?
  9. In what way are we like Jesus with respect to our relationship with God the Father?
  10. In what way is Jesus an example for us to follow?

Apply It

  1. *What steps can you take this week to enjoy more fully your relationship with your Heavenly Father?
  2. What can you do today to bring honor to God?
  3. How will you allow Jesus’ example in this passage of Scripture to influence your life this week?

 

John 5:16-30 (NKJV)
16  For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.
17  But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
18  Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
19  Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
20  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
21  For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
22  For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
23  that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25  Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27  and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
28  Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
29  and come forth–those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
30  I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

 

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

Life in Christ Bible Study
Presented by Michael Webb
February 5, 2022

Topic: The Disciples Rejoin Jesus
Scriptures: John 4:27-38

Open It

  1. *What must a farmer do in order to enjoy an abundant harvest?
  2. When have you ever been so consumed with a task that you forgot to eat?

Explore It

  1. How did the disciples respond when they saw Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman? (4:27)
  2. What did the Samaritan woman do after she had spoken to Jesus? (4:28)
  3. What did the Samaritan woman tell the townspeople? (4:29)
  4. How did the townspeople respond to what the Samaritan woman said? (4:30)
  5. What did the disciples urge Jesus to do? (4:31)
  6. *What did Jesus tell the disciples? (4:32)
  7. How did the disciples respond to what Jesus told them about food? (4:33)
  8. *What did Jesus say was His food? (4:34)
  9. What did Jesus say about the fields? (4:35)
  10. *What kind of crop did Jesus say “the reaper” was harvesting? (4:36)
  11. What did Jesus send the disciples to do? (4:38)

Get It

  1. What barriers keep us from talking to other people about Christ?
  2. How does spending time talking to Jesus affect your life?
  3. *What tasks in life tend to consume your attention?
  4. What are some of the sayings of Jesus that surprise you?
  5. In what way has God surprised you by what He’s done in your life?
  6. What unique work has God given you to do?
  7. *How would you describe today the fields Jesus described to His disciples?
  8. What role can you play in the reaping and harvesting of lives for Christ?

Apply It

  1. What obstacle will you ask God to remove so you can help bring someone to Christ?
  2. *In what way can you be involved in reaping and harvesting for God’s kingdom today?

Lesson Scripture:

John 4:27-38 (NKJV)
27  And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”
28  The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,
29  “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
30  Then they went out of the city and came to Him.
31  In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32  But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
33  Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”
34  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
35  Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
36  And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
37  For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’
38  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

 

The Birth of Jesus and Christmas

Believers Life Style Bible Study
December 11, 2021
The Birth of Jesus and Christmas
Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7, 2:8-20
Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. Why do you and your family celebrate Christmas?
  2. What gift did you purchase for Jesus on Christmas?

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

  1. Who greeted Mary? Why? (1:26-28)
  2. How did Mary learn of her role in Jesus’ birth? (1:26-28)
  3. How did Mary feel when the angel appeared to her? (1:29-30)
  4. *How did Gabriel describe the child that would be born to Mary? (1:31-33)
  5. What title would Jesus have? (1:32)
  6. What Old Testament personalities were part of Jesus’ royal line? (1:32-33)
  7. Why wasn’t Mary struck dumb by the angel as Zechariah was? (1:34)
  8. *How did Mary’s response to the angel differ from Zechariah’s? (1:34, 38)
  9. Why did Gabriel mention Elizabeth’s pregnancy to Mary? (1:36-37)
  10. What kind of attitude was apparent in Mary’s response to the angel’s visit? (1:38)
  11. *What did Mary’s final statement to Gabriel show about her relationship with God? (1:38)

The Birth of Jesus

  1. Who decreed that a census be taken of the entire Roman world? (2:1)
  2. What historical facts did Luke provide that allow us to approximate the date of Christ’s birth? (2:1-2)
  3. What did the Roman census require of everyone? (2:3)
  4. *What was the purpose of Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem? (2:1-4)
  5. What reason did Luke give for Joseph having to travel to Bethlehem for the census? (2:4)
  6. What did Luke say about Bethlehem which indicates it was a famous place? (2:4)
  7. What was Joseph and Mary’s marital status at the time of Jesus’ birth? (2:5)
  8. *Why was travel especially difficult for Mary? (2:5)
  9. What details about the birth of Jesus do we know or can we infer from Luke’s description? (2:5-7)
  10. *What were the conditions in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? (2:7)

The Shepherds and the Angels

  1. At what time and place did the angels appear to the shepherds? (2:8)
  2. How many angels did the shepherds see at first? (2:9)
  3. How did the shepherds react when they saw the angel? (2:9)
  4. To whom did the angel address his good news? (2:10)
  5. *What message did the angel tell the shepherds? (2:10, 12)
  6. Who did the angel say the newborn child really was? (2:11)
  7. *By what symbol or sign were the shepherds supposed to identify the Christ child? (2:12)
  8. How many angels did the shepherds hear praising God? (2:13)
  9. *What was the immediate reaction of the shepherds after the angels left? (2:15)
  10. After finding the Christ child, what did the shepherds do? (2:17-20)
  11. What kind of reactions did the shepherds get when they told others what had happened that night? (2:18)
  12. How did Mary respond to the shepherds’ visit? (2:19)

Get It

  1. If you had been with the shepherds on the night Christ was born, what would you have done after the angels left?
  2. In what ways did the shepherds obey God that night?
  3. *What should be our response when we discover what God wants us to do?
  4. What does it mean that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”?
  5. Of what significance is it that the shepherds went back to their flocks?
  6. *What is the responsibility of those who “discover” the good news about Jesus?
  7. Who needs to be told about the birth and life of Christ?

Apply It

  1. In what ways can you renew your enthusiasm for the message of Jesus’ birth?
  2. *How can you glorify and praise God with other Christians this week?

Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life with Christ

Life In Christ Bible Study
November 6, 2021
Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ
Colossians 2:6-23
Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. What good advice have you never forgotten?
  2. *In what ways would you characterize yourself as permissive, and in what ways would you characterize yourself as strict?

Explore It

  1. How did Paul tell the Colossians to continue in Christ? (2:6-7)
  2. What false teaching was Paul concerned about? (2:8)
  3. What did Paul affirm about Christ? How? (2:9-10)
  4. *What did God give the Colossian believers? (2:10)
  5. Why do Gentile Christians have no need to conform to Jewish rules and regulations? (2:11-12)
  6. How did the Cross cancel the written code? (2:13-14)
  7. From what did Christ deliver us? How? (2:15-17)
  8. *How did Paul encourage the Colossians to practice their freedom in Christ? (2:16)
  9. How did Christ fulfill what the Old Testament foreshadowed? (2:17)
  10. Whom did Paul accuse of trying to rob believers of their spiritual rewards? (2:18)
  11. *What were the characteristics of the false teachers? (2:18-19)
  12. How did Paul challenge the legalism that had infected the church? (2:20-21)
  13. What are the failings of human commands and teachings? (2:20-23)

Get It

  1. *What “additions” to faith in Christ have you encountered from teachers in your Christian community?
  2. How are you affected by popular religious rules floating around today?
  3. What does “fullness in Christ” mean to you?
  4. *Paul’s advice kept the Colossians growing in their faith; what Christian leaders have helped you stay on track spiritually?
  5. How deep are the roots of your faith?

Apply It

  1. *This week, how can you best exercise the freedom you have in Christ?
  2. How can you help a Christian friend get rid of his or her false ideas about Christ?

 

Bible Scripture:

Colossians 2:6-23 (NKJV)
6  As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10  and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
11  In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12  buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16  So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
17  which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
18  Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19  and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
20  Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
21  “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
22  which all concern things which perish with the using–according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
23  These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Do Not Love the World

Believers Life Style Bible Study
October 2, 2021
Do Not Love the World
1 John 2:15-17

Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. *What makes TV commercials and advertisements so appealing?
  2. What sort of promises do TV commercials and advertisements make?
  3. Which of these three most clearly motivates the people you know and live near: (1) the drive to meet their physical needs, (2) the drive to get things, or (3) the drive to succeed?

Explore It

  1. *What restrictions should we place on our affections? (2:15)
  2. What should believers not love? Why? (2:15)
  3. What is the result of loving the world? (2:15)
  4. Why did John tell us not to love the world? (2:15-17)
  5. What are the things of the world? (2:16)
  6. How did John categorize the things in the world? (2:16)
  7. From where do the things in the world come? (2:16)
  8. From where do the things in the world not come? (2:16)
  9. *What passes away? (2:17)
  10. *Who lives forever? (2:17)

Get It

  1. *How do we love the world and the things in it?
  2. What things in the world are you tempted to love?
  3. What would you categorize as “the cravings of sinful man”?
  4. What would you categorize as “the lust of the eyes”?
  5. What would you categorize as “the boasting of what he has or does”?
  6. *Why are the things and values of the world so enticing to us?
  7. What worldly things or values do we substitute for God?
  8. What does it mean to do the will of God?
  9. How can we guard against adopting the values of the world?
  10. From what worldly thing or value do you need to turn in order to pursue your relationship with God?

Apply It

  1. *What specific steps will you take in order to find satisfaction in your relationship with God rather than in the things of the world?
  2. How will you do the will of God today?

Scripture:

1 John 2:15-17 (NKJV)
15  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16  For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world.
17  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Walking in the Light

Believers Life Style Bible Study
September 4, 2021
Walking in the Light
1 John 1:5 – 2:14

Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. *Why might it be hard for someone to admit that he or she was wrong about something?
  2. About what do we tend to deceive ourselves?
  3. When and why might someone need an attorney?

Explore It

  1. What message did the writer hear and declare? (1:5)
  2. *What inconsistency did John address? (1:6)
  3. What results from “walking in the light”? (1:7)
  4. *How were some believers apparently deceiving themselves? (1:8)
  5. What is the result of confessing one’s sins? (1:9)
  6. In what way can a person make God out to be a liar? (1:10)
  7. *Why did John write this letter? (2:1)
  8. For whom is Jesus an atoning sacrifice? (2:2)
  9. What test did John describe for knowing whether or not a person truly knows God? (2:3-6)
  10. What did John say he was giving to his readers? (2:7-8)
  11. How are claiming to be a Christian and loving one’s fellow Christians related? (2:9-11)
  12. Why did John write to “the dear children”? (2:12-13)
  13. Why did John write to “the fathers”? (2:13-14)
  14. Why did John write to “the young men”? (2:13-14)

Get It

  1. What do you think the terms “light” and “darkness” represent?
  2. In what way is God similar to light?
  3. *In what way do we “walk in darkness”?
  4. *How can we “walk in the light”?
  5. How does the promise of being purified from all sin make you feel?
  6. Why would someone claim that he or she was without sin?
  7. What role does the confession of sins play in your daily life?
  8. How important is fellowship with other believers to you?
  9. In what way is Jesus like our attorney?
  10. How can we get to know God better?
  11. What does the way in which we treat other believers reveal about us?
  12. What confidence does Jesus’ atoning death give to us?
  13. What confidence should our relationship with the Father give us?
  14. What area of your life do you need to examine in order to see your sins more clearly?
  15. How do you need to change the way you relate to fellow believers in order to develop a deeper relationship with God?

Apply It

  1. *What steps will you take this week to walk in the light?
  2. What will you do to incorporate the confession of sins into your daily routine?

 

1 John 1:5-2:14 (NKJV)
5  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1  My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
3  Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4  He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5  But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
7  Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8  Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
9  He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
10  He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11  But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12  I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
13  I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.
14  I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

 

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Believers Life Style Bible Study
July 31, 2021
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Ephesians 1:1-14
Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. How often do you compliment others?
  2. How do you usually respond when someone compliments you?
  3. *What blessings have you received recently?

Explore It

  1. How was Paul made an apostle? (1:1)
  2. To whom was the letter addressed? (1:1)
  3. What greetings did Paul extend to the believers at Ephesus? (1:2)
  4. *How has God blessed believers? (1:3)
  5. When did God’s work of election take place? (1:4)
  6. What is the purpose of God’s election? (1:4)
  7. What did God determine beforehand for those who believe in Christ? (1:5)
  8. What is the goal of God’s election? (1:6)
  9. What is redemption? (1:7)
  10. *What does the work of Christ do for the believer? (1:7)
  11. What has God given the believer? (1:8-10)
  12. When will everything be brought together? (1:10)
  13. How did God’s plan include people of different cultures? (1:11-12)
  14. *What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those called to receive spiritual blessings in Christ? (1:13-14)

Get It

  1. What are spiritual blessings?
  2. *In everyday language, how would you describe the spiritual blessings given to you?
  3. How do you picture the persons of the Trinity at work in your life?
  4. How should knowing that you were chosen to be in the family of God affect your involvement in evangelism?
  5. What has Christ done on our behalf?
  6. How have you benefited from the grace of God?
  7. *For what work of God on your behalf are you most thankful? Why?
  8. Why did God do this amazing work for us?

Apply It

  1. *How can you say thank you to God this week for what He has done for you?
  2. What do you need to do differently to live for the praise of God’s glory this week?
  3. In the days ahead, how can you share with other people those blessings God has given you?

 

The Flood

Believers Life Style Bible Study
July 3, 2021
The Flood
Genesis 6:1-8:22
Presented by Michael Webb

Open It

  1. What is the most significant natural disaster you have witnessed or experienced?
  2. *What do you find most disturbing about society today?

Explore It

  1. *Why did God limit life to a hundred and twenty years? (6:1-3)
  2. What are the main events in these verses? (6:1-8:22)
  3. *Why did God say He would wipe mankind off the face of the earth? (6:5-7)
  4. *What kind of man was Noah? (6:8-10)
  5. What did God tell Noah to build? Why? (6:11-14)
  6. What did God tell Noah He was going to destroy? (6:17)
  7. What did God say He would establish with Noah? (6:18)
  8. With what did God instruct Noah to fill the ark? (6:19-21)
  9. Why did God tell Noah he was allowed to enter the ark? (7:1)
  10. What happened to all the living creatures that were not on the ark? (7:21-23)
  11. What happened after the Flood ended but before Noah and his family got off the ark? (8:1-14)
  12. Why did God tell Noah to bring the animals off the ark? (8:15-17)
  13. What did Noah do when he got off the ark? (8:20)
  14. How did the Lord respond to Noah’s offering? (8:21-22)

Get It

  1. *How does Noah’s world compare to our society?
  2. Why was God willing to destroy most every living thing?
  3. Who is someone you know whom you would describe as blameless?
  4. *How can we maintain a blameless reputation?
  5. What is the significance of God’s covenant with Noah?
  6. How does God respond to the evil in our society?
  7. Why did Noah worship God after getting off the ark?
  8. Why do you think God promised never to destroy the earth with a flood again?
  9. Among whom do you have a reputation for serving God?

Apply It

  1. *What is one thing you can do to cultivate a blameless reputation among your coworkers? Neighbors?
  2. What is one act of protection or provision from God for which you want to praise Him?