Excelllent Generosity

Wednesday, December 23, 2015
2 Corinthians 8:3-9 KJV 

3 For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Despite their afflictions and poverty, what did the churches of Macedonia urge the Apostle Paul and other leaders of he church to do for them? (v.3-4)
2) What did the Macedonians do before presenting their offering to others? (v.5)
3) What did the Apostle Paul want from Titus? (v.6)
4) In what did the church at Corinth abound and what did the Apostle Paul encourage them to do generously for other needy saints? Why? (v.7-8)
5) How did the apostle use our Lord Jesus as an example of generous giving to the Corinthians?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How generous are you in meeting the needs of other believers in your local church?

LIFE LESSONS
7) We can never "out give" God!

Different People, Different Approaches

Sunday, November 22, 2015
Acts 17:1-4, 10-12, 22-25, 28 KJV 

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. ... 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. ... 22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; ... 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What did the Apostle Paul do when they came to Thessalonica? (v.1-3)
2) What was the response of those who heard him? (v.4)
3) What did the brethren do to Paul and Silas and what was the response of the Jews in Berea to their ministry? (v.10-12)
4) How did the Apostle Paul begin to present the gospel in Athens? (v.22-23)
5) What did the apostle tell those in Athens about God? (v.24-25,28)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) How do (would) you share Christ with atheists, agnostics, and those who seek to know more about God?

LIFE LESSONS
7) There is no generic methodology for sharing Christ with all people.
8) Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you in sharing Christ with others.

Thanking God

November 2, 2015
Romans 1:8-15 KJV 

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Apostle Paul thank God for? Why? (v.8)
2) What does the apostle petition God for? Why? (v.9-13)
3) Who was Paul a "debtor" to and what was he ready to do, as a result? (v.14-15)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Has the Lord led you to pray for and/or share Christ with a particular individual or group of people? If so, have you completed your assignment?

LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord gives divine assignments, to every member of His body, for the edification of of all members.

God Saves Paul

October 30, 2015
Acts 27:14-25 KJV 

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let [her] drive. 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship; 19 And the third [day] we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on [us], all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. 21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of [any man's] life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What happened to the ship that carried the Apostle Paul to Rome and what did those aboard the vessel do to make their journey smoother? (v.14-20)
2) Of what did the Apostle Paul remind those aboard the ship? (v.21)
3) What happened to the apostle, during the voyage, that gave him hope and caused him to encourage the other men on the ship? (v.22-25)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) How do you encourage yourself during difficulties and trials that would otherwise discourage, or even frighten you?

LIFE LESSONS
5) During seasons of tumult, the greatest source of encouragement that believers have are the promises of God.