When I read God's Word, I hear Him speak

Since 1998, I have been reading God's Word nearly daily. Through my time with Him, I hear God speak to me. It's not audible. God just makes His Word evident to me. Those lessons are many times reinforced by messages delivered by teaching pastors and sharing with others who study God's Word. I used to write the messages in the margins of my Bible. Needless to say, my Bible is filling up with messages. In 2006, I started to be more intentional about writing God's lessons to me in a journal. Because God is just sharing so much with me, I feel the burning need to share with others. (Jeremiah 20:9) I am hoping that through this blog, folks will join me as we read, hear God and discuss what we've learned. This isn't so we can simply increase our knowledge about God or to spout off Scripture to impress people. This is so we can really come to know God, and get a greater meaning of His truths so we can go out and live them. God said that if we love Him, then we will obey His commands. (John 4:23-24) And James said don't just listen to (or read) the Word and think that's good enough; you're just deceiving yourself. Live the Word. (Rose's paraphrase of James 1:22) It's similar to this great quote people are passing around now... Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. So, join me as we learn from God and what He wants us to do. Then let's encourage one another to live it as a testimony to God so that people know He is who He says He is.



Sunday, May 22, 2011

Ephesians 5

Taking apart chapter 5 to understand the context and meaning of this chapter

5:1 – Be imitators of God

  • What are some relating Scripture verses that speak to God’s character and think of how we should imitate Him
  • Write out a translation of 5:1

Dearly loved children – Beloved children

  • A friend made a point in Family Group (Jason) that we get upset when people don't respect us because we're wanting that person to love us fully when in fact the person is incapable of loving us fully. However, God loves us fully and yet we ignore that love or take it for granted or devalue it
  • How does this thought process make you think about 5:1-2?
  • Dearly loved = to be loved without condition or circumstance

5:2 …and live a life of love (agapé) just as Christ loved (égapésen) us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

  • What does the weight of the unconditional love do to this command?
  • What is Paul referring to when he speaks of Christ being a fragrant offering
  • Refer to Leviticus 1 through 5 for the offerings/sacrifices especially 4:1-5:13
  • Why is a sacrifice a “pleasing aroma” to the Lord?

5:3 – there must not be a hint of sexual immorality…

  • Think about what is a “hint”
  • Matthew 5:27-32 – remember that an action is not necessary to be sinful
  • 1 Timothy 1:10

5:8 – Children of the light

  • What does “light” mean?

5:13 – exposed by the light

  • What and who are exposed by the light?

5:17 – Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.

  • What is the Lord’s will?

5:20 …always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus

  • Relating Scripture about giving thanks
  • What is the meaning of “giving thanks”?

5:21 – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

  • What is the essence of this if Christ submitted to God by doing God's will over His own?

5:22 – Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord

  • What is the Greek word and meaning for ‘submit’?
  • How does a wife submit to her husbands as to the Lord?
  • What does ‘as to the Lord’ mean?

5:25 – Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her…

  • What Greek word and meaning is the word ‘love’ in this verse
  • How did Jesus love the church?
  • How did He give Himself to the church?
  • What should a husband do for his wife; how should his love appear?

5:25-29

  • Read through the entire portion of Scripture
  • What does this command look like?
  • What is the husband doing with his wife?
  • Is this immediate or over a period of time?
  • Think about cleansing with water
  • Think about truth
  • Look at Genesis 3 and see what happened to this husband and wife
  • Why is Paul championing this command placing so much emphasis on the husband’s role
5:26
  • What is the reason for marriage?

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