Bethesda Chapel 2002
SG Bible Study #1
Starting the year right
Gods will and your will whose world are you living?
When a person becomes a Christian, the bible becomes a source for him to seek Gods guidance for this life. The new convert knows from hindsight experience of the pre-Christian years that there is a better plan by God who loves the sinner. A typical question would be, What is Gods will for my life? There are negative values in life that the new Christian has rejected and thus he seeks a better life for himself or herself.
For a person who grows up in a Christian family, it is expected that he reads the bible and conforms to the norms of the community in the church that he attends. This gives an impression that Gods will for the Christian is that he worships God every Sunday, attends Sunday Bible classes and takes part in Christian activities. There are areas of life outside of church activities that are not discussed in the Sunday classes and not shared or preached in the worship services. As a consequence, the bible stories remain as stories locked in ancient Jewish and early church history.
In the first case, the promise of a better life as a Christian spurs the new Christian to read and apply bible teachings eagerly. He seeks to find out what is Gods will for his life. The pursuit to seek Gods will for my will can be frustrating as the intention looks good on the surface. The bible is Gods word of His will and His covenant with His people. It is not a book that specifically tells a person his fate and fortune. The twists and turns that the young Christian experiences comes from a false notion that he can find Gods specific will for his life. The key lies in whose will is he seeking? As a reader, you may narrow down to His will or his will. But as a practitioner, it is not so obvious.
In the second case, the bible stories and teachings may dull his ears or it may give him a picture that the secular world is completely evil. Thus for him, there are two worlds - a Christian world and the other a secular world. The secular world of school life, sports, science, mathematics, arts, music, recreation, commerce, philosophy, politics is outside the bible because these are not discussed in the bible classes and made relevant. Biblical truths seem far away from the school life and the secular world.
For both the first generation and second generation
Christians, the two worlds begin to drift apart. This is compounded when the world is mentioned
frequently in the bible, such as:
If you belonged to the world, it
would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have
chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (Jn 15:19)
The word world occurs 56 times in John Gospel.
Overall, with different meanings, the word world occurs over 260
times. The world is also the
Fathers world:
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who
live in it (Ps 24:1)
He sent His son to save the world (Jn 3:16).
In the same way, Jesus has sent his own people in to the
world:
As you sent me into the world, I have
sent them into the world. (Jn 17:18)
Yet, it is said that the world is in
the hands of the devil (Jn 12:31: 14:30; 16:11; Eph 6:12).
Hence the idea of in the world and yet not of the world (1st part from Jn 17:18b, 2nd part from Jn 17:16a) is so clear and yet so vague to the Christians. Would any one care to search the biblical meanings of the word world before presuming that he understands it?
Not only do the two worlds drift apart with a lack of insight of Gods view of the world and His plan for the world, Gods will and mans drift apart. Why is this so? The primary root cause lies in not understanding who God is[1] and what He is doing in this world, and the secondary root cause is understanding wrongly[2] what is Gods will for man in this world.
At the garden of Gethsemane, while his disciples slept, the
Lord Jesus struggled with his will and His Fathers will.
He
prayed, My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken
from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
He
warns his disciples, "Watch and pray so that you
will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is
weak."
But
Jesus knew His Fathers will and thus he persevered while his disciples slept.
And he prayed again, My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless
I drink it, may your will be done." (Matt 26:39-42)
My prayer is that you may seek to know His will and do His will[3]. And to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness[4], while you are in this world. It is a call for patience and endurance[5] as He works in you and disciples you[6] and moulds you for good works.
[1] Jeremiah 9:23,24
[2] James 4:3
[3] Matt 6:24
[4] Matt 6:33
[5] 1 Pet 1:7; 2 Pet 1:6-8
[6] 2 Tim 3:16,17
|
Mission of Bethesda Chapel Objectives for 2002 |
Personal Goals for 2002
A.
Covenant with God
At the personal level, what are the areas that you would
seek to please the LORD?
In devotion, prayer, worship, equipping, training, serving,
leading, etc.
You may wish to state a key verse for the year.
1) .......... .
2) .. .........
B.
Commitment to the Family and Bethesda Chapel Family
At your family and Bethesda Chapel family level, in what
areas can you express your love for God by serving them.
1) at the family level:
.. .......... .
2) at Bethesda Chapel family level:
e.g. adults, youths, childrens ministry
.. ............
C.
Community building
In the same way, let your light so shine, so that they
may see your good works and glory your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16)
State some initiatives as a witness
1) at work and play
... ...........
2) in your bridge-building efforts as you prayerfully seek the lost
... ......... ..