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Text: Genesis 28:10-22

Memory Verse: Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”  Then I said, “Here am I!  Send me.”  Isaiah 6.8

Objective of Study:

• Recognizing that God intends to accomplish his purpose here on Earth
• Maintaining humility during God’s visitation

A true Christian experience must always have an encounter with God.  An Encounter with God is one in which you and God meet in a personal experience.  These encounters come in all sizes and shapes:  from rare spiritual dreams, to visions, to life changing experiences, receiving a major healing, or being baptized with the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues.  An encounter with God can also be in the very simple things e.g. Admiring the beauty of the morning sun and suddenly realizing how powerful and awesome the creator of it all is.

Jacob is just one of many who had encounters with God.  We see one of such encounters in Genesis 28, as Jacob journeys to Haran having stolen his brother’s rightful blessings from his father Isaac.  As darkness falls, he lies down to sleep and has a dream where he sees a ladder reaching the earth from heaven with angels ascending and descending from it.  God renews the promise given to Abraham and promises to be with Jacob wherever he goes.

Discussion Questions

1)    What happened when Jacob was first at Bethel?  (Gen 28:10 - 22.)  How would you describe his relationship with God at that time?

2)     How do you relate Jacob’s words at Bethel - “This is none other than the House of God” (Gen. 28:16) - to your life?

3)    God often meets us when we are at very low points.  How have you responded in your low points? Compare your responses with those of Jacob and others like Moses and Saul.  (Discuss).

4)    What are ways we can have a fresh encounter with God today?

5)    Why did God bless Jacob after he had stolen and deceived?

6)    What is the significance of the vision of Jacob’s ladder to us today?

Perhaps the greatest promise God made to Jacob is found in Genesis 28:15.  God speaks those same words that he spoke to Jacob about four thousand years ago to those who love him today.

.People in the Bible such as Moses, Paul etc who encountered God and were receptive to his calling did exploit for the kingdom of God.  God expects us to open our hearts to his visitation

HAVE YOU POSITIONED YOURSELF TO TRULY EXPERIENCE GOD?

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Theme: Character Study Series - Developing Godly Character

Topic: Making Godly Decisions

Text:     Genesis 35:22; 37:18-36; ch 39; 41:14-16

Memory Verse: “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

Introduction

MAKING GODLY DECISIONS

If there’s one thing a college student does more than anything else it is making decisions. From the crack of dawn - if you wake up at the crack of dawn - to the middle of the night (for those of you who go to bed late), the college student has to decide on one thing or the other. ”Should I go to class today or not? If I should go, should I hurry to class or should I take my time? What should I wear? Considering the fact that I’m already running late, maybe wearing high-heeled shoes won’t be such a good idea.”  And so on and so forth.

Even more important than things as trivial as these are decisions concerning the spiritual growth of the college student.

“I know that God expects honesty of me, but if I do not join my friends to cheat on this test they will feel betrayed. God Almighty is in heaven, but I want friends on earth. What do I do?”

Some of these things have short term effects and others, long term effects. Some things even seem trivial, but can have devastating effects if handled carelessly.

Just like in everything else, God wants us to let Him guide us in our decision making process. He expects us to depend on Him and will hold us responsible for the decisions we make and the actions we take even as college students.

Discussion

1) For each of the passages below, discuss the answers to the following questions, as regarding the decisions that Reuben or Joseph made.

a. What decision, if any, did he make in this passage?

b. Was it right or wrong?

c. Did he have a choice?

If he did, what could he have done differently?            If he did not, are the things he did therefore justifiable before God?

Reuben:

A. Genesis 35:22

B. Genesis 37:18-36

Joseph:

C. Genesis 39

D. Genesis 41:14-16

2)     Highlight, from the passages above, these different kinds of decisions and give contemporary examples for each (open discussion):

A.      Decisions that are obviously wrong (leading to presumptuous sin): Psalm 19:13, 2 Peter 2:9-10

B.      Decisions that appear right to onlookers, but which are born of a desire to compromise: Rev 3:16

C.      Decisions that are in strict accordance to the will of God: Joshua 1:7-8

This is an important decision to make:

D.      The decision to make conscious effort to give God the glory: Genesis 41:14 - 16; Acts 12: 23; Acts 14:11-18

3)     Confessions of a confused college student

a. “I am young and prone to mistakes. God should understand. When I’m older, and done with college I will make amends.” I Timothy 4:12, 16

b. “But it wasn’t my fault! My best friend made me do it.” Genesis 3:12,19

c. “How do I know what decision is right for me in any given situation?”  Psalm 119:11

4)     Steps necessary to make the right decisions:

a.     Plan to do the right thing ahead of time:  Luke 14:28; Daniel 1:8

b.    Know the right thing or find out: Psalm 119:11; James 1:5

c.     Stick to the right thing: Ezekiel 3:9

God will eventually distinguish between those who will make the right choices and those who will not. Read Genesis 49:1- 4; 22-26.Youth is not an excuse. Joseph was only thirty by the time he was made the governor of Egypt, having passed the tests of his faith (Genesis 41:46).

Conclusion: God will hold us responsible for the decisions we make, even now. We therefore need to devote ourselves to studying His word and seeking His face, renewing our minds, so that we might “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

.

Personal Reflection:

• What decisions am I making or will I have to make?
• Am I basing my decisions on the will of God?
• How am I preparing myself now for the decisions I will have to make in the future?

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Introduction:

Most of us have experienced a sermon that was especially moving, one that was worthy of a major decision. We have sat in a congregation after such a powerful word and have pondered what exactly we ought to do next. Should I make this decision that could potentially alter the rest of my life? What does this decision mean now and, what are the implications of such later? How will these new ways affect the life I once knew? Is all that it takes worth it? However, before allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts and answer these questions for us, we find ourselves observing our surroundings. Everyone else seems to be experiencing something life-altering. Therefore, in an effort to either save face or not feel left out, we move to the alter by the tears on the faces of everyone else replacing what should be a personal experience unprovoked by others with a desire to move along with the crowd. The zeal lasts for the first week but is soon replaced by waning enthusiasm provoked only by the Christian friends we surround ourselves with. Our individual relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ becomes nonexistent and, an absolute hatred for sin never develops. The only time we feel the slightest desire to do anything to further His Kingdom is around others.  We often fail to realize that True Repentance is more than a change of mind or feeling sorry for one’s sins. It has nothing to do with the amount of times we have taken “the walk” down the aisle to receive Jesus. True repentance is, on the other hand, a radical and deliberate turn or return to God that results in a change in further action. It is the recognition of our sinful nature and the acknowledgement that only the Son of God can rectify everything that we have undone. Without this true repentance, there cannot be true salvation.  It is not roused by surroundings, friends, emotions, or any other earthly component. It is, conversely, a decision made in one’s heart to give EVERYTHING to the Lord allowing Him to do as He pleases with all that is, or once was, me. True repentance is an acceptance of the fact that we are all, at one point, clothed in the filthy garment of sin that can only be completely exchanged by the Lord.The Need for True Repentance

Texts: (Read each text and discuss the textual need for true repentance before reading the follow-up paragraph. Each highlights a different need and should be discussed amongst the group.)

Zechariah 3:1-7

Before the promises found in verse 7 could be granted, there had to be a garment exchange in verses 4 and 5.  In the Amplified version of the Bible, verse 7 reads,

“Thus says the Lord of Hosts: if you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then also you shall rule My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you access to My Presence and places to walk among these who stand here.”

Identify the four promises outlined in the verse above and their need for us. As young people in this era, we need access to the Kingdom of God - the same access Adam had in the Garden of Eden before the fall of man. He further encourages us by saying that He will give us a place to walk amongst the angels who were standing there during the exchange. However, true repentance is needed before any of these can occur.

Matthew 22:1-14

One might think, “How can a king invite both the good and bad to a palace feast and then expect them to be properly dressed?” However, once a king invited those of a lesser station to his home for a feast, it was customary then for him to re-cloth them with the appropriate garments that are befitting a feast in the palace. It was, therefore, an insult to reject the garment, which had been made freely available, and expect to remain in the palace. Discuss some of the “garments of sin” we wear, like the man in the story, which we often refuse or have difficulty removing. It is important to remember that whether a pair of jeans or even a measly pair of socks, Jesus asks that we remove EVERYTHING in order to be acceptable and remain in His presence. There is no negotiation! You cannot expect to keep one shoe of sin on even if you have already given up your shirt and pants. It is either all or nothing. There must be a complete wardrobe exchange. 

Isaiah 59: 1-2

There is no way that the Lord will hear us in any way, shape or form if we are stained with the filth of the world. Our iniquities, transgressions, and sins have caused a separation between Him and us that can only be bridged by true repentance. The same reason the Lord turned His back on His Son on the cross is the same reason why He sometimes turns Hs back on us now (Mark 15:34; 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is impossible for the Light to mesh with any darkness.

Matthew 9:17

Repentance is the act of ridding ourselves of our former wineskins. With Jesus comes a newness that cannot be confined in our old forms. Question: What is this wine a reference to? (Answer: It is a reference to a number of spiritual gifts God bestows on His children. See a few of them in Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Joel 2:28) He is ready to invest “expensive wine” in us but will not do that if there is even a slight possibility that our skins, which have not been renewed, will break spilling, and therefore, wasting the precious gifts He has given.

Conclusion

Repentance is not a once in a lifetime deal. One cannot expect to do it once in hopes that this will cover you for the rest of your life. Though it must be done thoroughly during the first encounter with the Lord, it is a daily action. Because we fall daily, we must repent daily. In Isaiah 1:18, the Bible tells us in the Living Bible translation that, “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. If only you will let me help you (if you are willing) and if only you will obey, then you shall eat the good of the land.”  As young people, if we call ourselves Christians but continually living an actively sinful life, we are false converts. As this Bible study closes, identify if you have truly received True Repentance or if you are thus far a false convert.

Ask yourself if the seven components of true repentance are seen in your life:

(1.)  A hatred of sin - 1 John 2:4

(2.)  A deep sorrow for sins committed - Psalms 51:17

(3.)  Ongoing repentance and confession of sin - Psalms 51:2-3

(4.)  Turning from sin to God - Psalms 37: 23-24

(5.)  Restitution where applicable - Matthew 5:23 -24

(6.)  Permanent fruits of a changed life - John 15:8

(7.)  A realization that repentance is never perfect in this life but is continuously sought - Psalms 51:10-13.

If they are not evident, receive them today. If they are, pray that all 7 will remain evident as we seek the true repentance needed to experience the REAL Kingdom of God.

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Topic: The Consequence of Sin - The Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah

Text: Genesis 13:12-13, Genesis 18:16-33, and Genesis 19:1-26

Memory Verse: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived.  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 6: 9-10

This study will help you understand:

1.     Why the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.

2.     The consequences of sin.

3.     The role of an intercessor, and

4.     The result of partial obedience and an unequal yoke.

INTRODUCTION

Sodom and Gomorrah had a lot of things in common with the society in which we live today. They looked so good from the outside that when Lot looked up and saw all the plain of Jordan (includes Sodom and Gomorrah), that it was well watered like the garden of the Lord, he chose to pitch his tent in front of it (Genesis 18:8-10). In chapter 14:1-12, it seemed like God was working in their favor. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah went to war, were defeated and Lot was captured - along with other possessions -, God made it possible for Abraham to rescue Lot and recover the lost possessions.

Although Sodom and Gomorrah looked good, and had good things happening to them, the Bible records in Genesis 13:13 that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.(2 Pet 3:9). There therefore came a time when the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was too much that there was an outcry to the Lord. God then sent His angels to see how bad it was (Gen 18:20-22).

God announced to Abram that he was going to destroy Sodom and its neighboring cities and, upon Abram’s persistent pleading, agreed to save the city if He found ten righteous people. Lot’s family turned out to be the only one found righteous, but even at that, not everyone in Lot’s family was saved. Lot’s sons-in-law refused to heed their father-in-law’s warning when he told them to prepare to escape from the wrath of God. Lot’s wife also disobeyed the instruction she was given, and was turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back.

Why the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed

1.     Sin and Wickedness

a.     Homosexuality and lesbianism: Gen. 19:4-9, Rom 1:21-32, 1Cor. 6:9-11

b.    Sexual Immorality: The Lord says-

-  ‘Have nothing to do with a brother that is sexually immoral’ 1Cor.5:11

-  ‘Flee from sexual immorality’ 1Cor 5:9, 1Cor 6:18

-  ‘The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord’ 1Cor.

6:13

Discuss sexual sin in Sodom and Gomorrah and compare it with sexual activities that occur in our society today. If you are a victim, today is the day of repentance.

2.     The consequence of sin is death (Rom 3:23)

a.     Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed - Gen 19:23-26

b.    There is a final judgment for all sinners - Rev 21:8

c.     Sickness, poverty, failure and suffering - Mtt 9:1-8

d.    If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us - 1 Jn 1:9

3.     The role of an intercessor in God’s plan of salvation

a.     Prayer as was demonstrated by Abraham - Gen 18:23-33

b.    Watchmen for the city/campus/family. Gen 19:1 - Lot sat at the gateway of the city (NIV). All campuses need to have someone sitting at the gateway - an intercessor. BCF needs to have men who are praying for the campuses and watching and observing the spiritual atmosphere to know what God is saying.

c.     The annihilation was a judgment, and just as it happened in Sodom, it is going to happen again soon…Key Question: Are we ready?  Luke 17: 28-35, Jude 3-7

4.     The result of partial obedience and unequal yoke

a.   Partial obedience (Gen. 19:26) is as good as no obedience. Many Christians today are showing only partial obedience to God and continue to hold fast to certain secret sins. Lot’s wife was not ready to give up life in Sodom and Gomorrah totally and perished as a result. (Discuss).

b.   What will become of Christians and their unbelieving spouses or friends is evident in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen 19:14; 16-17. The unbelievers have no place in God’s salvation except they repent. Lot’s sons-in-law did not make it to freedom with their wives because of unbelief. They thought Lot was kidding. It is the same today. Many, including some of our intimate friends, think that the Bible is a joke. What are we doing about it?

.

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Galatians 6:1-2

Burden-bearing cannot be over-emphasized in campus ministry.  As Christians in our youth, we are called unto salvation and service.  In our day and age, it is easy to be selfish.  Today, we are highly rewarded for outperforming our peers and thus, there is continual competition in our institutions.  In our carnal world, this individualistic mentality is sometimes beneficial to bring the best out of us; however, in the kingdom of God, we are to be servants (II Corinthians 4:5; Romans 6:18), laborers (Matthew 9:37; I Corinthians 3:9) and disciples (Matthew 8:23).

God requires us, in Galatians 6:2, to come together and bear the burdens of our spiritual brothers and sisters.  As a ministry with the goal of raising reliable men and women who will take the doctrine of Jesus Christ to the four corners of our campuses, we cannot afford to merely be a conglomeration of individualistic and selfish people.

1.      RECOGNIZING AND UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER’S BURDENS

I John 3: 16-18; Luke 10: 30-37; Jude 20-23; I Corinthians 13: 1-3; Romans 13: 8-10; Colossians 3:12-14; I Thessalonians 2: 7-12; I Peter 1:22; Isaiah 35:3

God realized that man was destined for destruction before he sent his only begotten Son to the world. Jesus, the Son of God became the Son of Man so that we children of men could become the children of God (I John 3:1-2).  Our Lord came and carried our sins on the cross of Calvary.  Before he ascended, he instructed every believer to “Go into the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).  He wants us to have the same love and compassion for others as he has for us.  It should burden us that millions of students are wallowing in sin.  The impending destruction of every sinner should insert a spiritual sadness in our hearts that pushes us to spread the salvation gospel and our testimony to unbelievers around us.  It is important that we take the great commission very seriously and intercede through prayer for people around us.

In addition to the spiritual burden of sin, we as true Christians are supposed to cater to the physical, emotional and mental needs of our fellow brethren.  The Bible instructs us to love others as ourselves (Matthew 19:19).  In fact, love is the greatest fruit of the Spirit (I Corinthians 13:13).  It is easy for us to say we love each other but fail to recognize the pain and suffering of our fellow Christians.  We sometimes become too spiritual with the term “love” that we only associate it with “non-hatred.”  In the parable of the Good Samaritan, even the priest failed to acknowledge the dying man on the sideway (Luke 10: 31).  His negligence does not reflect hatred; however, it shows the hypocrisy of the spiritual leader who preaches love but does not practice it (the doctrine of “Do what I say but not what I do”).  Jesus went around spreading the gospel of salvation but also healed the sick, dwelled among the heathen and fed the hungry.

If you have been blessed, it is scriptural that you bless others.  It is sometimes not enough to see your brother or sister in need and simply offer a word of prayer.  ”Faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-20).  Sometimes, all you need to do is offer your support to your brother or sister.  The Bible says we should weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom 12:15). Offer a shoulder to a brother in need.  Congratulate a sister for an achievement.  Such minute gestures go a long way in encouraging the brethren in the fold and even in bringing sinners to Christ.

Matthew 25: 33-40; Proverbs 28:7; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:7.  Matthew 5:7

It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).  There is so much reward in giving what we have.  We are fortunate by the grace of God to have the Spirit of God.  Jesus has promised us crowns of glory for the brethren we nurture in the spirit (I Peter 5:2-4).  We are required to be our brothers’ keepers.  In addition, it will give us great joy to finally get to heaven and fellowship with the people that we guided to the final destination.

Burden bearing breeds love, trust and unity.  The Bible says it is pleasant to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1).  We can effectively attract students to ourselves and point them to God if we provide a pleasant fellowship environment on our campus.  We can easily solve simple and complex problems when we have people with similar goals and good intentions (Leviticus 26:7-8).  Jesus came into the world with the primary goal of saving souls.  He, however, attracted multitudes to himself with His good works and compassion.  We must show sincere love and concern for new and existing Christians if we want to effectively grow our ministry.

Matthew 25: 41-46, I Corinthians 9:16b

The blood of our sinner friends, peers and colleagues will be required of us if we refuse to pull them out of the world (Ezekiel 33:6).  It is insufficient for us to refuse to partake in their sins and ignore their destiny. We would have failed to show love and be guilty of all unrighteousness.

Selfishness is a sin.  It is ungodly to think of ourselves alone.  We will be disobeying the commandment of God if we fail to bear one another’s burden.  On judgment day, Jesus will separate his children from the children of disobedience.  He will remind the children of disobedience of the time they failed to feed him when he was hungry; to clothe him when he was naked; and to accommodate him when he was homeless.  He will inform them that they failed in these basic tasks when they ignored the least of his children.

BE A DOER, NOT A HEARER OR PREACHER ONLY!

 ”Give as it was given to you in your need, Love as the Master loved you; Be to the helpless a helper indeed…Unto your mission be true” George S. Schuler

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Text: Jude 17-23 and 2Tim 2:1- 19,

Memory Verse: “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” Jude vs. 22&23.

The mission of the Bethel Campus ministry is summarized in the vision statement: Leading students to Christ and preparing them to become reliable men and women that God can entrust with His Word for the next generation.  The vision can be divided into two parts:

(1) Soul winning; and

(2) Teaching and mentoring the newly born again until they become spiritually stable, matured and able to live and apply the word of God to their everyday lives.

We are called to raise trustworthy young men and women who will become future tools in God’s hands for the delivery of the pure, undiluted gospel to a world that is sinking in sin.  The prophets of today were prepared yesterday.  Josiah, Nehemiah, and Ezra are examples of such.  They lived in an era of unbelief, a time when the word of God was rare, when men believed that it was acceptable to live in disobedience to God.  However, because of preparation and faithfulness, they protected the WORD of God, and God used them as custodians of the gospel for a generation that would have been lost (Nehemiah 8:1-12).  The mission and vision of Bethel Campus Fellowship is therefore to win students to Christ and nurture them to become spiritually independent battle-axes (Jeremiah 51:20-23) with which God will reach the younger and yet-to- be- born generations.

1.     The need for evangelism on campus

Ø  Evil is multiplying on earth and God is grieved - Gen 6:1-7

Ø  It is not the will of God that people should die in their sin - Ezekiel 18:30-32

Ø  Jesus came for the sole purpose of saving mankind -  I Jn 3:5

Ø  God has plans for young people in colleges - Joel 2:28

2.     Characteristics of a Soul Winner

Ø  Must have Personal experience with Christ - The Samaritan woman - John 4:27-42

Ø  Must be passionate about ministering to sinners - Jesus’ example in John 4:31-34

Ø  Must know the word and demonstrate boldness and spiritual authority - Luke 10:18-20

Ø  Must have love and patience - Isaiah 35:3-6, Galatians 6:1

Benefits of being a soul winner:  Daniel 12:3

3.     Strategies for effective Soul Winning

Ø  Association - Knowledge is gained by association before it is understood by explanation.  Christ deliberately spent His time with people - Matt. 5:1

Ø  Create opportunities to speak and share the Word - Rom. 1:16.  It is the Word that saves people not other words we speak.

Ø  Empathize with people, win their confidence, and then preach the Word.  Be concerned about what people are passing through.  Do not  just throw words at them - Gal 6:2

Ø  Pray signs and wonders into people’s lives - Mark 16:17

4.     Teaching and Mentoring into Spiritual Maturity

Ø  You must be an example in word and action to the people looking up to you - 2 Timothy 2:16-19, 1Cor 11:1

Ø  Ensure that the Word of God is provided abundantly with clarity of explanation to the new converts - Nehemiah 8:1-12, Col 3:16

“Therefore, the word of God spread.  The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” - Acts 6:7

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Text: Genesis 39:1-23 and Daniel 1:1-21

Memory Verse: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies” Daniel 1:8

We live in an age where the truth is considered relative i.e. what is true to me may not be true to you. The definition of the word truth in my dictionary may be very different from that in your dictionary. A man once said, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is”, suggesting that even a word as elementary as “is” may mean different things to two different people.

The Bible, however, states that God’s solid foundation stands sure (2 Tim 2:19). It is God’s foundation and it stands sure. Holiness has no two definitions: Sin is sin, Heaven is Heaven, Hell is Hell, and 1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “No sinner shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Perversion is the order of the day on our campus. Promiscuity is entrenched in our syllabuses. They say, “IF IT FEELS GOOD, YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO IT.” As Christians confronted with ungodliness in our daily lives how do we ensure that we stay and live above the decay of our time? How do we live holy lives in an unholy society?A study of the lives of Joseph and Daniel should shed more light on this subject.

The story of Joseph as narrated in Genesis 39 shows that Joseph did not compromise the standards of God. Joseph saw it as wickedness in the sight of God to engage in sexual activity with Mrs. Potiphar. He considered such a sin as against God.

Daniel also purposed in his heart not to defile himself. In essence, Daniel was saying, “I may look un-cool and old fashioned, my “buddies” may call me traditional and from the stone-age, but I will not compromise the standards of God.” He basically said “I will not sin against my Lord”.

We can therefore say that, as was evident in the lives of Joseph and Daniel, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE IN AN UNHOLY SOCIETY.

Questions / Thoughts

1) Why did Joseph refuse to sleep with Potiphar’s wife? Why did Daniel refuse to eat the king’s delicacies? What lessons can we learn from Joseph and Daniel’s lives

2) Read the last sentence of Gen 39:9 again. What does this tell us about sin?

3) Read Daniel 1:8 again. What does this verse tell us about determination to live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to God?

4) What are the practical ways to demonstrate our Christian belief on campus?

Ø Abstain from __________________________ - 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Ø Flee __________________________________ - 1 Corinthians 6:18

Ø Flee __________________________________ - 1 Corinthians 10:14

Ø Flee __________________________________ - 2 Timothy 2:22

5) What roles do the following play in living a holy life in an unholy society?

Ø Determination - Daniel 1:8 and Job 31:1

Ø Bad Company - 1 Corinthians 15:33

Ø Watchfulness and Carefulness - Genesis 39:10 and Genesis 39:11

Ø Watchfulness and Prayer - Matthew 26:41

Ø The Word of God - Joshua 1:8, Psalms 119:11, and Psalms 119:19

Conclusion:

People often say it is difficult to be a true Christian on campus. This study of the lives of Joseph and Daniel shows that they were both young men and yet were successful in their Christian walk. The grace of God is sufficient for us (2 Cor 12:9). Let us do our part by showing the world that it is possible to live holy lives in an unholy society.

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Topic: Faithfulness

Text:     Luke 12: 41-48

Memory Verse: “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”  1 Corinthians 4:2

Introduction

WHAT IS FAITHFULNESS?

Faithfulness is the key fruit that preserves our faith and the other characters of the Spirit.  Being a faithful Christian shows that we are reliable and that God can depend on us.  It helps to identify God’s will so we can be dependable and trusting to God and others.  Faithfulness is authenticity, the power and motivation for Christian living.  Because God is trustworthy with us, we can faith-worthy in Him.  Doubt and distrust are the opposites of faithfulness.

As individuals and as students, we tend to lose our patience with God thinking He is just a blessing machine and when we do not get what we want we search for other alternatives.  Yet faithfulness is the fruit that we give to God so that He can change us inside and out.It is the ability to take what Christ has done in us and be a blessing to others with loyalty and trust.  Faithfulness goes against psychology or prevailing societal thinking as it requires us to move beyond ourselves.  Psychologists / psychology tells us to be selfish putting the “me” first, rearranging the world to our needs, which creates self-destruction and broken relationships.  We have to keep the goal of faithfulness in our minds always, as it will allow God to work deeper in us to respond to His call.  God has bigger and better things planned for us than the little things we ask and the petty complaints we make daily.

Discussion

1)     What are the ways to exhibit faithfulness in our lives?  Matt. 25:21 and Rom. 5:1-2

2)     Discuss the following as means of developing a better attitude of faithfulness?

a)     Persistence / Not Doubting (compare Matt.15:21-28)

b)    Obedience & Honesty (1 Sam. 15: 3, 9)

c)     Devotion: John 6: 66-69

d)    Purposefulness (Dan. 1:8)

e)     Boldness: Acts 4:19

f)     Humility: Phil 2:5-9

3)     What are those things that can prevent us from being faithful in our daily walk with God?

a)     Matt. 6:25-34 - Anxiety, Cares of Life, Fear

b)   

Matt. 14:22-33; 17:14-20 - Doubts/Unbeliefc)     Mark 6:1-6 - Unbelief

d)    James 1:5-6 - Doubts

e)     Pride 2Chr. 26:16

f)     Disobedience Heb 2:2

g)    Self-will

h)     Hypocrisy 1Pet 2:1

i)      Fear

j)      False doctrine 1Tim 6:3

4)     How can we prove to God that we are faithfulness?  (Open Discussion)

Conclusion: God does not want our complaints; thus, He will not give us an answer for them.  Rather, He wants our obedience so that He can use us for the expansion of his kingdom.

Application: Personal Reflection:

• Will Christ find me faithful when He comes (Luke 18:1-8)?
• How can I remain faithful in spite of confusion and uncertainty?
• How can I stand firm in my faith believing that God’s plan will be established in my life?

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(The weather situation is under control and everyone should be informed that plans have not change)

Please be aware that the bus will leave at 9 a.m prompt so BE ON TIME.

Hotel Arrival time:  4pm 

The conference starts at 7 p.m

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