God's Masterpiece

For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
Hebrews 3:4

-What is something you have built or made?


-How would you feel if someone told you it was awful?


-How do you think this makes God feel?


-Do you believe honestly that God truly made everything?


-If He did, in what specific ways should this or does this effect your everyday life?


-Do you see yourself as a masterpiece?


For we are God's masterpiece... Ephesians 2:10

The Lord does... He designed you with his own hands. That makes you his Special Creation!

-When you are reminded of this, do you view yourself differently?  How?

Who is Our Authority?

Everyone wants Jesus! 

 ... but not everyone knows Jesus. 

-If I were to introduce Jesus this is how I would do it:

Mark 1:14-33

After John was put into prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good  news of God. "The time has come,"he  said. "The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" 

- Notice here, Jesus's mission is stated in these few verses. He went into Galilee to proclaim his good news. Wouldn't it be amazing if we had the same motive, where we would GO and PROCLAIM the good news!

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come follow me," Jesus said. "and i will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.

-So much is said in these couple verses! 

- "How has the authority like that"!! 

No one ever just says, "Come Follow Me". . . It was also strange back then because most people choice who they wanted to follow. In this cause it was Jesus that called out! And surprisingly they drop EVERYTHING and followed Him! 

The reason I love this passage is because of how much authority Jesus portrays. As we go further into the chapter I will show you more passages that relate to his authority. 

Later on in the Chapter, Mark 1:21-28 

-I Love this passage because Jesus does the same as the other verses. Once Jesus arrived in Capernaum, he was preaching his good news. And hear this, as Jesus was talking the people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had great authority.  

There are many other instances where Jesus did the same thing. 

Mark 2:9-10

Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven", or to say, "Get up, take your mat and walk"? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . . . 

-Who his authority like that!?

Throughout this two passages that Pharisees were there watching, and in those breathe taking moments of healing and restoration, they hated Him! They despised Him.

-Whats so beautiful about this passage is that Jesus not only uses the power to heal, but also to forgive the paralyzed man. He binds two beautiful things into one! The forgiveness of sin and healing. 

What stood out about Jesus?

- His Love?

- His Wisdom?

- His Power? 

-Yes, those were and are correct, but that is not why they were amazed. 

. . . . It was his authority! 

This shows who he was. A person who came not to destroy the law, but to full fill it. He came to the sick and broken. He came to give joy to the mourning, healing to the broken,  and rest to the weary. 

Relationships in Ministry

Acts 20:17-38

Verse 19

--How did Paul serve the Lord?

Verse 21

--How are people saved?

Verse 22

--Who is compelling Paul to go to Jerusalem?

--Can you think of another time Paul obeyed by going where he was sent by the Holy Spirit? (hint)

Verse 24

--What was Paul’s task?

One way to describe God’s grace is through this acrostic:

God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense

We were given God’s riches through the death of His Son.

Verse 26

--Was it Paul’s fault if people did not believe?

Verse 35

--Why is it more blessed to give than to receive?

Verse 36-38

--How strong do you think Paul’s relationship was with the people he preached to?

--What is your task today?

--If someone rejects the gospel, did you do something wrong?

Love vs. Fear

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16

--What does it mean to set apart or revere Christ as Lord in your hearts?

--When are we supposed to be ready to give an answer?

--What attitude are we supposed to have when witnessing?

For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

--What has God given us?

Look at the word “but” in the middle of the sentence.

For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.

This word means that two things are opposite.

--Do you believe love is the opposite of fear?

--Can you think of ways self-discipline might be the opposite of fear?

Through love and self-discipline, we can put aside the selfish focus of fear and focus on spreading God’s word instead. We can let love overpower our fear, and can be faithful and disciplined in witnessing even if we feel afraid.

--What fear is holding you back from sharing your faith?

--How can you be fearless today and how can you let God work through you?

Body of Believers

Romans 12:3-16

Verse 10: Devoted (adjective) feeling or showing great love, commitment or loyalty to somebody or something, esp. over a long period of time

--How long should we love each other?


Verse 11: Zeal (noun) fervent or enthusiastic devotion
--Is your service enthusiastic?


--What three things does verse 12 say to be?


--What do you think it looks like when someone is faithful in prayer?


Verse 13
--Who are we supposed to share with?

Verse 15 says to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.” We must learn to be sensitive of when the people we are serving want someone to rejoice with them or when they want someone to mourn with them. Do what they need you to do.

Verse 16 says “Live in harmony with one another”. This goes back to the body analogy in verses 4 and 5. We must live in harmony in order to work effectively.

Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s spiritual gifts? How has that hindered your effectiveness in working with in the body?


How can you work together more effectively with this body of believers?


How can you never lose your zeal in serving the Lord?

Joy in Obedience

Acts 16:16-34

While Paul and Silas were in Philippi (out of obedience to God) they were beaten and jailed.


Verse 25
--What were Paul and Silas doing while they were in prison?


These men were “joyful in hope, faithful in prayer, patient in affliction” Rom 12:12

--What were the other prisoners doing while they were in prison?


Verse 34
--Who believed and was saved in this passage?


--What was he filled with?


--Do you think Paul and Silas would have still gone to Philippi if they knew they would be beaten and imprisoned? Why or why not?

--Is obedience to God worth possible persecution?

--What do you expect to happen today? Are things going to go according to your plan?


--How should we react when problems or trials arise?


As you go throughout the day, remember this: do not let negative circumstances affect your joy!

Obedience in Witnessing

Acts 16:6-15

Verse 6
--Who kept Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia?


Verse 9
--What vision did Paul have?


Verse 10-12
--How did he respond to this vision?


Verse 14-15
--Who believed because of Paul’s obedience?


--Who opened this woman’s heart to respond to the message? Was it Paul?


The Holy Spirit guided Paul and led him to a place where the gospel was received. Because of Paul’s obedience, the Lord worked through him. However, Paul only preached the gospel. He had no control over who would or wouldn’t believe.

--Have you seen a vision from God or heard Him telling you anything? If so, what? Will you obey?


--If someone is changed through your obedience, are you responsible for this change?

Speaking well

1 Peter 4:9-11

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Verse 9
--How are we supposed to offer hospitality?


Verse 11
--How are we supposed to speak?



1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.


--How well do you set an example in your speech?


--Have you ever said something without realizing someone could overhear you and then regretted it?


The way you speak is very important. Stay away from gossip and complaining. Realize that people can hear you more often that you think. Do not hurt your witness by what you say.


--What are ways you can be a better example in your speech?



Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

--How can you build others up today through your speech?



As you go throughout your day, keep James 1:26 in mind.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

1 Samuel 16:1

"The Lord said to Samuel, "How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons." 

Samuel was in mourning because Saul had disobeyed God, and God had rejected him as king. But in the middle of Samuel's depression, God reminded Samuel that His story wasn't over!

"Fill your horn with oil and go." --- Without the oil there is no anointing. God wanted Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go anoint David as king.

--In the same way we Christians need to fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit and go do what God has assigned for us.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

--If you allow people to bring up your past rather than "forgetting those things that are behind" 
(Phil. 3:13). Then you will live without the anointing of God. So let us forget about the past and GO make disciples of all nations. 

Ask yourself this:

--Why is it important that believers remember that even in great disappointments or failures, God is still in control of His story in their lives?