Back to the Basics: Discipleship
Notes from a Bible Study led by Denny John

The dictionary defines paradigm as:

‘A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.’

In simpler words, it’s a context or an environment that gives meaning.

We’ll look into the whole concept of right and wrong; how we can choose what to believe and know what we believe is right. This involves three levels of interplay.

• To perceive
• Interpret what we perceive
• Our response to the interpretation

Influences on our Paradigm

Culture – It conditions us to tell normal apart from abnormal.

Family – All of us come from varying backgrounds.

Education – Our perspectives vary with our levels of education and exposure.

Personal experience – Siblings growing up in the same house, brought up by the same people are usually widely different in terms of character.

These factors are for us to be self-aware. From where do we derive most of our views and decisions? What defines what we believe and why we do what we do?

Reading the first eleven chapters of Romans, we are presented with the various doctrines that Paul has put before us. In chapter twelve he urges us to put these into practice. It is a call to commitment and a call to change.

Our challenge today is: What if our core beliefs are wrong? If so, where do we find the truth? For us believers we know we can find it in Jesus.

I am the way and the truth and the life. – Jesus

We experience Christ as a community and individually. Truth does not convince, but we choose to believe in it because we want to.

Hard Questions

• What is the predominant influence in my value system?
• Is there one thing I believe that could possibly be untrue?
• How would I respond to someone who thinks that my beliefs are false?

Homosexuality: How do we approach a person living in sin?
Notes from a Bible Study led by John VC

References: Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:18,19

Homosexuality is not a sexual preference.

It’s an active choice made by most people; giving in to the hurts of the world. It’s important to realize why these people have made the choice to be homosexual.

Key reasons for homosexuality include:

• Absence of a same-sex role model
• Dominating opposite-sex parent
• Sexual abuse
• Broken homes
• Choice of instant gratification(Self control is a virtue!)

The Walk

What would a Christian response to your homosexual friends be?

Talk to them, helping them discover the real issue, and to guide them through it. It’s important to know that different people have differing capacities of God-given grace to handle situations and that we can fall back on our brothers and sisters in Christ for guidance and support.

Address the sin

An important disctincion to make here is to rebuke, but not condemn the person. People who tell you that they are homosexual are likely to be aware of the reason for it, too. The Bible makes NO allowances for homosexuality; it is a sin.

Flee from evil; don’t stand in a position where you’re vulnerable to sin.

Back to the Basics: Discipleship
Notes from a Bible Study led by Denny John

What is Discipleship?

The dictionary defines discipleship as:

A person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower

Discipleship for a Christian is very different as compared to others. Why? Because of whom we follow.

What Does Discipleship Call Us to Do?

The Great Commission

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

The First Commission

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:27-28)

Man was made in God’s own image. It’s about a lifestyle, the quality of our lives. We need to reflect the Master in our life. For the disciples, discipleship began when Jesus called them and they followed.

It is indeed very important for us to re-examine our foundations. It’s not about the conversions or strength or the membership but about who we follow and how we do it.

There is no discipleship outside obedience, and obedience to the one who bought us our freedom. In the midst of disobedience we are called to obey. (John 8:32-38)

Jesus’ agenda was – ‘I can do nothing without my Father’s will’.
Joseph; in spite of being sold as a slave to a foreign land by his own brothers was still diligent in obedience.
Daniel and his friends were obedient to the point of being thrown into the burning furnace; God came through for them.

God will always come through for each one of us if we stand up for him.

Ultimately, it is knowing who has called us and how we live a worthwhile life. A life of victory through obedience. Being saved and to stay saved by grace.

(Photo by elifb)

How to Share Your Values Without Being Judgemental
Notes from a Bible Study led by John VC

References: Haggai 2:10, Galatians 5:2, Hebrews 2:1, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Issues We Dealt With

• Is it okay to watch movies with explicit scenes?
• Should homosexual parents be allowed to adopt children?
• A case study regarding the introduction of an abortion pill.

Questions that Arise

• How do you truly know your limits? How much is really enough? When do you stop? Draw the line?
• How do you get a person to understand that what he’s doing is sinful without pushing him away?
• Should abortion be the right of the mother? Or is it murder?

Takeaways

• We must demonstrate faith through love.
• There is no reason for guilt. Jesus did not die for us to let us live in guilt and fear. As we’ve said earlier, we need to be plugged into the power source. Constantly.
• With Christ in us we are free from the bondage of sin. By holding on to the law we reject the freedom to live by grace.
• Without hope, faith cannot endure.

Case Studies

Click here to download:

Difficult_Issues.pdf (485 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

Difficult_Issues.pdf (485 KB)

(Photo by jeff-bauche)

The Rich Young Ruler
Notes from a Bible Study led by John VC

References: Matthew 19:16-24, Mark 10:17-23, Luke 18:18-25

Love for Riches > Love for God?

This account is narrated in almost the same way in these 3 Gospels

Answering the following will help you understand the portion better:

• Try to paint a picture of the rich young man in not more than 20 words.
• Which commandment did Jesus specifically refer to?
• Why was it so difficult for the rich young ruler when realization set it.?

Lessons

We see a very polite, respectful and eager young man who leaves Christ and goes away sorrowful. Why? The story makes it clear that he is young, and Luke tells us he is a ruler; possibly a magistrate or a Justice of the Peace.

In the parallel account in Mark, we are told that the young man came running up to Christ and knelt before him, indicating a sense of urgency and respect. He then shows submissiveness and a willingness to be taught when he addresses Jesus as Good Teacher.

The young ruler tells Christ that he has kept all the commandments since he was a child. What else should he do? Jesus does not contradict him. In Mark’s account, it says He looked at him and loved him. Possibly, this man was adept at keeping the letter of the law, but he was coming up short in abiding by the spirit of the law. Perhaps Jesus saw that he was absolutely sincere in his efforts to abide by those commandments. He says:

I’m keeping the commandments and have done well in that regard all my life. Show me where I’m coming up short.

Jesus sees he is sincere in his pursuit and it says he loved him. He loved him enough to tell him what he needed to hear, pointing to the one thing hindering him. The ruler said to Jesus what he thought he kept, Jesus told him what he did not. He probably thought he kept it all and would be commended, that there would be nothing to hinder him. However, Jesus puts his finger on just one thing—“Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.

God specifically refers one of the ten commandments:

You shall have no other gods before me.

If the young man did this, he would show his love for God. It would be greater than his love for his possessions. This would please God. Yet, the young ruler was unwilling to do this. His treasure was here on earth. To him the cost of eternal life was way too high. His worldly riches exerted a stronger tug on his heart than Christ did; the young man walks away sad.

Looking at the world we live in today; surrounded by our worldly pleasures and comforts, it’s upto each one of us to look for things in our life that hinder our relationship with God.

(Photo by talkephotography)

Guard Your Hearts
Notes from a Bible Study led by Suhasini Sabrina

Reference: Galatians 5

Questions

Finding answers to the questions below will help you to understand the text better.

• Who wrote the Galatians, to whom and why?
• What is the only thing that matters in Christ?
• What happens when you use your freedom to please God?

• What are the two things that Christ has given us freedom from?
• What are the two things that are in conflict in us?
• List out the fruit of the Spirit?

• What is Christ’s gift to us and how can Christ’s gift lose its value for us?
• Why is it impossible to keep the Mosaic laws?
• Who kept the Galatians from following the truth?Why?

• What is it you give up on,trying to be righteous by keeping the law with all your strength?
• How can one misuse the freedom given by Christ?
• Sum up God’s word in a single sentence.

• Concerning the Galatians, what is Paul confident about through the insight he has from God?
• How can one escape from the strange power of law-dominated existence?
• What happens if you misuse the freedom from the law and sin against Christ?

The book of Galatians is one of the doctrinal foundation-stones of the New Testament. The book may be second in importance only to the book of Romans. It is said that Martin Luther lived in Romans and Galatians. The material may seem difficult to understand at times, but we must face the hard cold fact: without an understanding of this book, regardless of the difficulty of its' concepts, one would build his Christian doctrine on shifting sands.

We have been set free from the law by the salvation we have received in Jesus Christ. We have liberty, not that we have the right to do anything we want but that we have the right to do right. Our service and daily walk is motivated by love rather than fear of impending judgment. Verse thirteen tells us that in being called to liberty that we have not received a license to sin but that we are to use this liberty for spiritual things, serving each other motivated out of love.

Paul exposes in the last section of chapter five the arch-enemies of the Christian walk, the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit.

Making the Word a Part of You

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

• Talk to yourself. Talk positively; think along God’s lines.
• Don’t self pity.
• Read the God’s Word.
• Choose to be happy, positive.
• Be consistent in your faith.

(Photo by pluuuis)

Captivated by Grace; Not Enslaved by Law
Notes from a Bible Study led by John VC

Reference: Galatians 4:1-11

The passage talks about Paul’s concern for the Galatians. Galatians were mainly gentiles who were influenced by Judaism, making their walk ritualistic. Paul was trying to put across the distinction of their lives being governed by the Law as opposed to being governed by Grace.

Governed by the Law

The laws specify the Dos and Don'ts. They’re oppressive by nature – the Law is something which is followed by people under bondage, who are always fearful of breaking it.

How can we be good Christians?

By attending church which helps us in our day to day walk? By partaking in the communion? Listening to gospel music? Forgiving one another?

While these things are important, they pale in comparison to the primary purpose of being a Christian – following Christ.

Governed by Grace

We are recognized children of God. We can discern between what’s right and wrong; given that we have access to the law. An attitude of Love is involved.

Our walk is governed by Grace; knowing we are already victors in Christ. When God looks at us he sees Jesus. However, being human, we see nothing but imperfection.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Our old self doesn’t let go. An internal battle is being waged between our old selves and our renewed selves. The Bible says that God has long forgotten our past misdeeds. All we need to do is confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

We must stop trying and allow God to work in us.

We no longer need to be afraid of the law, but enjoy the freedom of knowing that even if we go against the law and, we are governed by Grace.

Are we living in victory? Stop striving and allow God to step in.

Is our walk governed by the confidence in Grace or the fear of the Law?

(Photo by kanneda99)

Reference: Galatians 4:1-5

What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

In chapter 3 Paul has established, on biblical and theological grounds, the superiority of grace over law, of receiving the blessings of God through faith as opposed to the curse which comes through the works of the Law. He now seeks to illustrate and apply this truth by turning to a well-known practice in the ancient world, that of an heir coming of age, so as to enjoy all that he has legally possessed, but which has been beyond his personal control.

Here Paul refers to a Roman legal process, well known to himself and his readers. According to Roman law, the heir was under the control of a tutor until the age of 14. This tutor was named by the father and placed in his will. From the age of 14 until the heir was 25, he was under a curator, at least sometimes named by the father. The tutor and the curator were not necessarily intended to be synonymous with Paul’s “guardians” and “managers” (4:2). It may be that the “guardian” was in charge of the child, while the “manager” was in control of the assets of the child. When the heir reached the age of 25 (or the age stipulated by the father), he then entered into the full privileges of his possession. Until that time, the heir was in the frustrating predicament of legally owning his father’s inheritance without actually enjoying its possession.

Our legal system places an estate in the hands of a trustee until the child reaches legal age, with a certain amount of funds provided during childhood as established by the father. We can hardly imagine the confinement of the “heir” of Paul’s day who had someone to tell him what to do and not to do and another to spend his money for him. The closest we might come to this is with the Federal Government. The IRS takes a certain amount of money from us as a reserve fund against projected taxes, even when we may get much or all of it back. Until the government decides to give us our money, it is theirs to control.

The restrictions on the heir of ancient times were far greater. Can you imagine what it must have been like for a young man to be, as it were, a millionaire, and yet not be able to do as he wanted with this money? For all intents and purposes, the heir was no different from the slave, for he received only what the “guardians” and “managers” determined to give him (4:1).

In verses 3-5, Paul makes the analogy to the status of the Jews who lived under the Law. The “heir” under Roman law had legal ownership of his father’s wealth; he did not actually possess it or enjoy it. So too the Jews had the promises of God to Abraham, yet they were not yet realized or enjoyed. Just as the Roman “heir” was under the dictates of the appointed “tutor” and “curator,” the Israelite was under the Law, with all of its restrictions and mediators. The time for both preparatory periods to end was established by the father. For the “heir,” it was the age determined by the Roman law or specified by the father. For the believer, the Law’s tutelage ended at the appointed time when the Father determined for the Son to be sent to the earth to redeem fallen man.

The expression “elemental things of the world” in verse 3 has been the source of considerable discussion. Bruce comments:

“The word stoicheia means primarily things placed side by side in a row; it is used of the letters of the alphabet, the ABCs, and then, because the learning of the ABCs is the first lesson in a literary education, it comes to mean ‘rudiments,’ ‘first principles’.“(as in Heb. 5:12.)

I do not see the term as it is used here to have a highly technical meaning as some have suggested. Paul is trying to show the benefits of maturity, as opposed to the restrictions of immaturity. Those principles under which a child is restrained and governed are appropriately labeled “elementary.” These “elementary principles,” these ABCs, have been put aside, thankfully, and replaced by something far better.

Paul seems to speak specifically here of the Jews as implied by the term “we” in verse 3, which is paralleled in verse 5 by “those under the Law.” Christ was sent to the earth as one “born of a woman” (4:4). This was necessary to fulfill the promise of Genesis 3:15, and also was a necessary part of the incarnation, so that Christ could die for man as man. In addition, Christ was born “under the Law” (4:4) so that He was able to bear the curse of the Law to enable men to receive the blessings which God promised to Abraham’s offspring (2:13-14). The “adoption as sons” (4:5) is that enjoyment of the promises of God to Abraham, and the passing from the restrictions and confinement of the Law to the fullness and freedom of grace.

Via bible.org

What Do You Long For?
Notes from a talk presented by Jonathan Singh

(Activity: List out 5 things that you most long for in your life)

James & John

Reference: Mark 10:35-45

What did James and John long for?

They longed to sit at the right and left of Jesus in his Kingdom.

What do you think they meant?

Jews hold the view that the Messiah will be a King from David’s line associated with a specific series of events that have not yet occurred, including the return of Jews to their homeland and the rebuilding of The Temple; an era of peace and understanding during which the knowledge of God fills the earth.

James and John, I presume, were expecting the same and wanted to be neIxt to him. They thought that God’s kingdom would begin on earth immediately. It was like a request for an important job in government.

But Jesus replies saying: “You do not know what you are asking for.” Jesus says: “Can you drink?”, and they replied: “We can.” They asked this with all there heart even though they didn’t understand the true meaning of what Jesus said until after Jesus' resurrection. But they just wanted to be with Jesus after hearing from Him and seeing all that he had done. They didn’t even ask what he meant.

Then Jesus said to them: “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit on my right and left is not for me to grant.”

The image of the cup is important.

• Psalm 23 – Cup of Joy and Favor
• Jeremiah 25 and Matthew 26 – In the Garden of Gethsemane and in Jeremiah – Cup of Wrath and Death.

Christ is going on with his undertaking for the salvation of mankind. He was, is, and will be the wonder of all his disciples. Worldly honor is a glittering thing, with which the eyes of Christ’s own disciples have many times been dazzled. Our care must be that we may have wisdom and grace to know how to suffer with him; and we may trust him to provide what the degrees of our glory shall be. Christ shows them that dominion was generally abused in the world.

If Jesus gratifies all our desires, it would soon appear that we desire fame or authority, and are unwilling to taste of his cup, or to have his baptism. But he loves us, and will only give his people what is good for them and much more than they expect. The image of the cup here is life and suffering and death. James and John both did suffer ultimately. James dies a Martyr (Acts 12:2). John was forced to live in exile.

They both suffered and were heavily persecuted but at the same time they had the favor of God.

Next you see the disciples angry with James and John. They get into a squabble. But Jesus tells all of them that they are missing the point. If they want to follow Him, they cannot lord over others, dominate over others, or try to make their authority felt.

“If you want to share my life”, Jesus says, “you have to become a servant, and serve people.”

Jesus asks us to long to serve people, to give our lives in proclaiming the Gospel.

Bartimaeus

Reference: Mark 10:46-52

What did Bartimaeus long for?

Bartimaeus longed to see.

(There’s irony here. He could see even though he was physically blind.)

Do you think Jesus didn’t know that?

Look at Bartimaeus' perseverance in verse 48:

“Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!”

• Bartimaeus knew Jesus was the messiah. He believed and he had faith, which comes from – hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

• We are justified by faith. (Romans 5, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9)

• Faith comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) Bartimaeus had faith because he longed to hear the Word of God.

We must long to hear the Word of God; to see, no matter how much people put us down.

Don’t Be Conformed to This World

Reference: Romans 12:2

Paul focuses on one essential means of transformation — the renewal of the mind.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

Paul says: “Do not be conformed to this world”. But at the same time Paul says: “I try to please everybody in every way.”

1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 10:32-33

Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God ,even as I try to please everybody in every way.

Is this possible?

Andrew Walls, in his book, The Missionary Movement In Christian History says: We are indigenous (native – in the world), yet we are pilgrims (strangers – not of the world). (John 17:14-16)

We can even look at it this way: we accept the Gospel no matter what our culture is. The Gospel is accepted all over the world in different places, different cultures; but once we accept it and begin to understand it, we realize that it corrects us and shows us the various aspects that are not right with not just our culture but also ourselves. We soon begin to feel like we are strangers in this world. We’re made for another Kingdom.

We Adapt

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Yet we Confront

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

(Ephesians 5:6-7)

• Do you long to break loose from conformity to the world?
• Do you long to be transformed and new from the inside out?
• Do you long to be free from mere duty-driven Christianity and do what you love to do because that’s what you ought to do?
• Do you long to offer up your body as a living sacrifice so that your whole life becomes a spiritual act of worship, and displays the worth of Christ above the worth of the world? • Do you long to be with Christ.?

Then give yourself with all your might to pursuing the renewal of your mind. Because the Bible says, this is the key to transformation.

The Holy Spirit renews the mind. It is first and decisively his work. We are radically dependent on him.

Conclusion

Go back to your list and check again; do you really long for the things you listed out?

Do you long to become a leader? To outdo your friends in college? To outperform your colleagues at work?
Do you long to be cool? Hang out with friends who are cool in the eyes of the world?

Or do you long to serve God; hear from His word and just be with Him?

(Photo by Ferran)

Notes from the Bible Study | Led by John VC
Is Your Walk For Real?

References

• Romans 12:1-8
• Joshua 1:7-9
• Psalm 1

Examine Yourself

Based on the characteristics listed in Romans 12:1-8:

• Be sincere.
• Cling to what is good; hate evil.
• Honor each other.
• Be fervent in your faith.
• Be joyful.
• Live in harmony.
• Be patient.
• Do not be proud.
• Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Being Successful Based on Biblical Standards

1. No compromise on obedience.
2. Dependence on the Lord.
3. A shortcut to success is always disobedience no matter how one justifies it.
4. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

The sooner we realize that the success of our walk depends on our dependence on the Lord, the easier it gets.

Emmanuel – God is with us.

(Photo by AHMED…)