VOLUME ONE The Home Bible Study Series - Squarespace · VOLUME ONE The Home Bible Study Series ... (Acts 2:46). Aquila and ... How can sinful man be reconciled to a Holy God when

VOLUME ONE

The Home Bible Study Series A comprehensive group study material for believers who

desire growth in their walk and intimacy with God

Copyright © 2014 The Home Bible Study Series. All Rights Reserved 2

Copyright © 2014 by The Home Bible Study Series.

The Home Bible Study Series was first published in the United Kingdom by The Moment of

Truth Ministries.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form

or by any means, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any

information storage and retrieval system except for brief quotations in critical reviews, without

permission in writing from the publisher.

All Bible quotations are taken from the Authorised King James Version.


DEDICATION

This volume is dedicated to all the apostles and believers of the early Church, who were

faithful to the call, mission and doctrine of Christ and who willingly sealed their testimony for

Christ’s Church with their very blood.

The heritage and legacy they left behind cannot be quantified. Without their awesome

dedication to truth, the cause of Christ would have long been buried by the never relenting

wiles of satan. We thank the Almighty God for the great price they paid.

Their faithfulness, however, stands as a great challenge for present day believers. We need to

be devoted to truth as they were. It is with great disbelief and pain we continue to witness

satan’s unhindered infiltration of mainstream Churches with damnable error and heresies.

May the Lord give us the ‘steel’ that we witnessed in the early Church to stand for the truth

and resist all kinds of falsehood with a holy, yet loving, determination.

We would like to thank all who contributed towards the work of volume one, most especially

those who spent so many hours proofreading and editing this piece of work. Our prayer is

that all who have contributed in one way or the other to this volume will never lose their

reward of service in Jesus Name.

May the Lord keep us faithful to His unchanging truth.

The Home Bible Study Series


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Dedication 3 Table of Content 4 The Secret of Revival: Start A Home Group Now! 5 Sample of Home Group Schedule 6 Lesson 1 – So Great A Salvation: The Atonement 7 Lesson 2 – Repentance: The Door Way To Salvation 13 Lesson 3 – Understanding Some Basic Truths in Genesis 16 Lesson 4 – Jesus Christ’s Parables On Prayer 20 Lesson 5 – Holiness, The Centrepiece of God 23 Lesson 6 – Love Not The World 27 Lesson 7 – An Unwholesome Tongue Is A Problem of The Heart 32 Lesson 8 – Christ’s Encounter With The Pharisees – Part 1 36 Lesson 9 – Christ’s Encounter With The Pharisees – Part 2 41 Lesson 10 – Paul’s Concern For The Church At Crete 44 Lesson 11 – Born of The Spirit 46 Lesson 12 – Addressing Offences In The Body of Christ 49 Lesson 13 – The Parable of The Sower 55 Answers To Lessons 1 – 13 60 – 83


THE SECRET OF REVIVAL:

START A HOME GROUP NOW!

Do you know that the early believers did not have a single Church building for more than 200

years after Pentecost? History tells us that the first Church building was found at Dura

Europos on the Euphrates, dating about 231 years after Christ’s death. How then did the

Church survive? Well, rather than gather together to worship in a main building once a week,

they met locally in houses to pray, study and fellowship together.

This is the very heart of The Home Bible School Series. This booklet is meant to inspire

Christians to go back to the blueprint given by God and start home groups all over the world

where people can meet locally to study, pray and exhort one another. It is a tragedy that we

spend so much time and investment on one ‘grand service’ a week and miss out on true

revival that comes through local home groups who come together for concentrated study,

prayers and fellowship.

The believers literally took the words of Christ to heart when He said in Matthew 18:20 ‘For

where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’

Consequently, they did not wait for major buildings to start Christian fellowship. They had

them in their homes! There is an amazing power God has invested in home groups. Home

groups led to the Church’s exponential growth as believers met in houses (Acts 2:46).

Aquila and Priscilla had a Church in their house (I Corinthians 16:19). When Peter was

imprisoned by Herod, the Church prayed one of the most amazing prayers in the house of

Mary (Acts 12:12). It was at Cornelius’ house that the Gentiles first received the Holy Spirit

(Acts 10:22–24). For two whole years Paul the Apostle hired a house to receive all that would

come to listen to the gospel (Acts 28:30).

With this material in your hand, you have a great opportunity to start a home group

and be an instrument of revival in your locality. May the Lord use you to gather other

people at His feet for study, prayer and fellowship. William Beckham once said;

‘The strongest organizational unit in the world’s history would appear to be that which we

call a cell (home group) because it is a remorseless self-multiplier; is exceptionally difficult to

destroy; can preserve its intensity of local life while vast organizations quickly wither when

they are weakened at the centre; can defy the power of governments; is the appropriate lever

of prising open any status quo.’ 1

You can start another revival right in your home...why wait?


1 Herbert Butterfield, quoted in William Beckham, The Two Winged Church Will Fly (Houston: Touch Publications, 1993), 119.


SAMPLE OF A HOME GROUP SCHEDULE

Opening Prayer

Songs & Hymns

Testimonies from Home Group members

Prayer Sessions based on the needs of Home Group members

Group Study

Closing Prayer / Benediction


LESSON 1

SO GREAT A SALVATION: THE ATONEMENT

TEXT: Isaiah 53:1 – 12; John 10:11,15,17,18

How can sinful man be reconciled to a Holy God when all have sinned and fallen short of His

glory? Ezekiel 18:4 confirms that the soul that sins shall die. While Scripture, on the one hand,

underscores God’s love and mercy, on the other hand, it repeatedly emphasises God’s

uncompromising holiness, justice and wrath against all sins. Romans 6:23 says: ‘For the wages

of sin is death’ and yet in II Peter 3:9 we are also told that God is ‘not willing that any should

perish...’ How do we reconcile both truths about God’s nature? The harmonisation is found in

one word called ‘Atonement’.

Atonement is the divine provision made by our loving God, offering mankind the grace to

escape His eternal wrath against sin and at the same time fulfilling the demands of His

righteous judgement. This wonderful provision is made through the vicarious death of Jesus

Christ on the Cross. As a result of Christ’s death on the Cross, the sins of everyone who truly

believes, has been judged and paid for by none other than God Himself (what amazing truth!).

Man, whose sins once separated him from God, is now ‘at-one’ with God - hence the word

‘at-one-ment’.

Stephen E. Robinson gives a beautiful description of atonement: ‘God uses no magic wand

to simply wave bad things into nonexistence. The sins that He remits, He remits by

making them His own and suffering them. The pain and heartaches that He relieves,

He relieves by suffering them Himself. These things can be shared and absorbed, but

they cannot be simply wished or waved away. They must be suffered.” 2 This is what

God, through the atoning death of Christ, accomplished at the Cross.

The doctrine of atonement is a golden thread that runs through the entire Bible. The truth of

this teaching is sweet melody to the ears of the redeemed. Oh what joy to know that our sins

have been atoned for by none other than God Himself! For Christ is God who became flesh

(John 1: 14) and whose name is Emmanuel (God with us): ‘to wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;’

(II Corinthians 5:19).

What an amazing report! What blessed assurance! What inexplicable peace and joy that resides

in the soul of all who grasp this truth. The glorious hymn of heavenly saints centres on the

atonement: ‘And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and

2 Stephen E. Robinson, Believing Christ, Deseret Book, 1992, 123


to open the seals thereof: FOR THOU WAST SLAIN, and hast redeemed us to God

BY THY BLOOD out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast

made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth’ (Rev.5: 9, 10).

The atonement, through the Cross of Christ, is the only provision given by God to escape His

eternal wrath against sin. As we examine this study, let us remind ourselves of the words of

Prophet Isaiah: ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did

esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our

transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was

upon him; and with his stripes we are healed’.(Isaiah 53: 4, 5)

Atonement reflects what great a salvation we have!

1. What does atonement mean and why is it so important to the believer?

____________________________________________________________________

2. Please read Romans 3: 23 – 26 and explain how atonement reflects both God’s mercy

and justice at the same time?

____________________________________________________________________

3. Please read the event recorded in Exodus 12: 1 – 6, 12, 13 and explain how this

prophetically points to Christ’s future atonement for our sins.

____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

The teaching of atonement explains very clearly that Jesus Christ did not die an ordinary

death. His death was part of God’s salvation plan for mankind and was neither a coincidence

nor an accident. Christ’s death had been predicted thousands of years before it happened.

Jesus Christ’s death was part of God’s grand design for the atonement of man’s sins and

Scripture categorically teaches so.

When Jesus Christ rose from the dead He reiterated this truth to His disciples: ‘And he said

unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that

all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the

prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.


Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And

said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise

from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be

preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’(Luke 24: 44 – 47).

By a single statement in I Corinthians 15:3, Paul confirms both the atoning nature of Christ’s

death and the fact that His death was predicted by Scripture, ‘For I delivered unto you first

of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the

scriptures,..’.

In Galatians 1:4 the Bible says that Jesus Christ ‘gave himself for our sins, that he might

deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father...’.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter confirms the same truth in his Epistle by

saying: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might

bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (I Peter 3:

18).

It is this truth Christ referred to in John 10: 17, 18; ‘Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I

lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received of my Father’.

4. Some allege that Jesus Christ died an ordinary death which was neither predetermined

nor meant to atone for sins. Please read the following references and evaluate the merit

of this assertion in the light of Scripture.

John 10: 11, 15, 17, 18 _________________________________________

John 15: 13 _________________________________________

Matthew 20: 28 __________________________________________

Acts 4: 27, 28 ___________________________________________

I Peter 1: 18 – 20 ___________________________________________

Hebrews 9: 14 _____________________________________________

5. Please read II Corinthians 5: 19 and explain the truth(s) contained therein.

________________________________________________________________


6. How does the teaching of atonement through Jesus Christ reveal that He is the only

way to salvation?

_________________________________________________________________

7. Please read John 1: 29, 36. What is the significance of John referring to Christ as the

Lamb of God?

________________________________________________________________

Notes:

When John used the title ‘Lamb of God’ for Jesus Christ, he was sending out a very strong

message to the people of his day. Although the Israelites in the Old Testament were told by

God to offer up animals for atonement, such arrangement was only meant to be temporal

pending the arrival of the anticipated Redeemer (Jesus Christ) who would offer Himself as the

ultimate sacrifice. Therefore, when John publicly declared Him as the ‘Lamb of God’, he was

in effect saying that the expected Redeemer who was to give His life a ransom for mankind

had arrived.

The ‘Lamb of God’ is one of the most prominent titles of Jesus Christ. The title reflects His

indispensable office as the only Redeemer who atones for our sins and without Whom, no one

can be saved. Jesus Christ as the ‘Lamb of God’ is central to the believer’s eternity. It is not

surprising that in the Book of Revelation alone, the word ‘Lamb’ (as a reflection of Christ’s

atonement) occurs almost 30 times.

The redeemed declare in heaven ‘worthy is the Lamb’ (Rev. 5:12). The judgement that will

come upon the unrepentant world is called ‘the wrath of the Lamb’ (Rev 6: 16). The saints

are purified and overcome by ‘the blood of the Lamb’ (Rev 7:14 and 12:11). The

consummation of the believers union with Christ is called ‘the marriage of the Lamb’

(Rev 19:7) and the church is called ‘the Lamb’s wife’ (Rev 21:9).

The song of the saints in heaven is called ‘the song of the Lamb’ (Rev 15:3). The holy city’s

foundation, has the ‘names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb’ (Rev 21:14). The believers’

names are written in a book called ‘the Lamb’s book of life.’ (Rev 21:27). In the city of God

there is a throne called the throne ‘of the Lamb’ (Rev 22:3).

Since the word ‘Lamb’ relates to the atonement of Jesus Christ, its frequent occurrence in the

Book of Revelation underscores both its importance and centrality in God’s programme.


8. Why was God so grieved about the sacrifice that Cain brought to Him? Please refer to

Genesis Chapter 4: 3 – 7 for your answer.

____________________________________________________________________

9. Please explain the truths about the atonement contained in Isaiah 53: 1-12.

________________________________________________________________

10. Some question why a loving God should ‘smite’ His son before He can forgive. What

would your answer be to such a question?

___________________________________________________________________

Note:

Promoting God’s grace without a proper understanding of how exceedingly sinful sin is in the

sight of a Holy God will always lead to a false understanding of the atonement. It is

presumptuous to use God’s grace to brush aside His holy standard. The truth is that God has

a perfect hatred for sin and He therefore metes out justice against all forms of iniquity. To

overlook sin in order to forgive sinners, violates God’s holiness and justice. God’s holy

standard requires that sin must be atoned for and thank God this was done at the Cross of

Calvary through Jesus Christ.

Davis W. Huckabee once said: ‘Perhaps one thing that has led to more erroneous theories of

atonement than anything else is a defective view of sin for the atonement cannot be rightly

understood apart from a right view of sin. Insofar as any person has low estimate of sin,

his view of the atonement of Christ will be correspondingly low and defective. If a man

had never sinned, there would have been no need for an atonement of any kind; on the other

hand, if man’s fall did him no more damage than to skin his knee or cause him a hang-nail,

spiritually speaking , then of course, the atonement necessary to repair this damage would

naturally not be of any great consequence’3.

11. Please read the following references below and notice how the word ‘once’ is used.

What is the significance of this word in relation to the completeness and finality of

Christ’s atonement for sin?

Hebrews 7:27 ____________________________________________

Hebrews 9: 11, 12 _________________________________________

Hebrews 9: 26 – 28 ________________________________________

3 Davis W. Huckabee, Studies On Strong Doctrine, quoted in Davis Huckabee Works, Providence Baptist Ministries, Website


Hebrews 10:10 ___________________________________________

I Peter 3: 18 _____________________________________________

12. Can you please share with the group what new insight(s) you have learnt from this

study?

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

Oh what compassion! What unfathomable love! And what travail the Father went through in

order to redeem our souls! The Cross is where God’s justice and love meets. His Holy Son

Christ became ‘sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of

God in him’ (II Corinthians 5:21). May we never take His love for granted! May we forever

be grateful! May we be found faithful witnesses of His saving grace!


LESSON 2

REPENTANCE: THE DOORWAY TO SALVATION

MAIN TEXT: Jonah 3: 1- 10; Acts 20: 17 – 21; Mark 1; 14, 15

Repentance is an integral part of genuine salvation and its indispensability in Scripture is

reflected in both the Old and New Testaments. We are living in times where repentance is

considered ‘old fashioned’ and greater emphasis is placed on a twisted interpretation of ‘the

love of God’.

Notwithstanding the shift in present day ‘Christian’ gatherings, the truth that repentance was

preached by God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the disciples and the Holy

Prophets of God in both the Old and the New Testaments, cannot be refuted.

Sincere repentance is and will continue to be a pre-requisite to genuine salvation.

1. What is the true meaning of repentance and how is this reflected in chapter 3 of the

book of Jonah?

_________________________________________________________________

2. What did God see that convinced Him that the people of Nineveh had truly repented?

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

It is very instructive to note that what God was looking for from the people of Nineveh was

not the fasting, the putting on of sackcloth or even the fervent prayers. The Bible says that

‘…..God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way…’ Jonah 3:10(a).

Repentance is a deep Godly sorrow for our sins. This sorrow is so great that it leads us to

forsake and turn away from sin. Genuine repentance does not come about just because of the

consequence of sin, but because of how such sins negates the holy precepts of God.

Without first experiencing repentance, there can be no true salvation. This is why Christ said

‘…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye (first!) and (only then

can you) believe the gospel’ Mark 1:15 (writer’s words in italics).


3. What does Matthew 9: 9 – 13 tell us about the central mission of Jesus Christ?

_______________________________________________________________

4. What was the message that the disciples preached when they were sent out by Jesus

Christ? Please read Mark 6:7 – 12.

___________________________________________________________________

5. Please read Luke 16:19 – 31 and explain the implication of the rich man mentioning

‘repentance’ in hell.

_________________________________________________________________

Note:

The rich man had no preacher in hell neither had he the opportunity to go to a Church

service, but he knew what was required if his brothers were to avoid the same fate that he was

facing in hell…they needed to REPENT!

It is alarming to find so many preachers (including those of great repute in this world) avoid

the message of repentance. They do not want to bring people under conviction. It appears

that their main concern is not to trouble people’s conscience, but to maintain the ‘feel-good-

factor’ instead.

Yet it is ONLY the message of repentance that God has provided to sincere seekers to lead

them to Christ for the salvation of their soul. If the rich man in hell had an opportunity to

come back to this world as a preacher, I am sure you know what his message would be.

6. What message does the parable of ‘the two sons’ convey in Matthew 21: 28 – 32?

How does it relate to repentance?

___________________________________________________________________

7. Many erroneously declare that the message of repentance is for the Old Testament and

was never really emphasised in the New Testament or the early Church. Read the

following references and consider if the above assertion is true or not.

____________________________________________________________________

Acts 2: 37, 38

Acts 3: 12 – 20

Acts 17: 22 – 30


8. According to Luke 15: 1 -10, what brings joy in heaven?

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

If repentance is the very thing that brings joy in heaven then it is calamitous for a preacher not

to preach that which gladdens the heart of God the Father and the entire host of heaven.

9. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was asked a question about salvation. What was his

answer and what does this imply in relation to repentance. Please read Acts 2: 37, 38.

____________________________________________________________________

10. In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter reiterates the importance of repentance. What does this tell us

about the consistency of God’s word on repentance and can the true Church avoid the

subject?

__________________________________________________________________

Note:

The danger of avoiding the message of repentance is that ‘Church people’ will be living in

‘fool’s paradise’ thinking that salvation is possible without a complete and genuine change of

attitude towards sin. Jesus would not have commanded us to repent if it were not possible to

do so. It is interesting to know that the last message Christ gave to the Church was that of

repentance (Revelation 3:19).

Let us remember the words of the Lord spoken through John the Baptist. Referring to those

who are called by the name of the Lord, He said:

‘Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We

have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up

children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree

therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.’

Luke 3: 8, 9.


LESSON 3

UNDERSTANDING SOME BASIC TRUTHS IN GENESIS

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 1: 26 – 31; Genesis 2: 15 – 17; Hebrews 3: 6, 14

An understanding of the basic events in Genesis and their spiritual implication is very vital.

Many doctrinal errors are avoided when these truths are grasped with the indispensable aid of

the Holy Spirit. The book of Genesis introduces some fundamental themes such as: the

nature and character of God, man’s free moral agency, man’s conditional relationship

with God and man’s responsibility for the consequences of his actions.

God, in His infinite wisdom, opens the scenes in the book of Genesis with these important

themes and they consistently run through the entire Bible. In this lesson, we will examine

some of these major themes.

1. God said in Genesis 1:26, ‘Let us make man in our image’. What did God mean by ‘our

image’?

_____________________________________________________________

2. God’s desire for man to be in His likeness runs through the entire Bible. Please read the

following references and explain how this desire expressed early in Genesis is shown in the

references below.

Exodus 19: 5, 6

Leviticus 11: 44, 45

Romans 11:16

Ephesians 4:22 – 24

II Corinthians 3: 17,18

Revelation 22: 11

Note:

The fulfilment of God’s original plan for man, to take on His holy image, is the essence of

genuine salvation. The desire of God is that all of His children become partakers of His holy

nature (Hebrews 12:10). In Genesis, we see that God created man in His own image. All who

long to have an eternal abode with Him in His Kingdom MUST be renewed and ‘put on the

new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness’ (Ephesians 4:24).

3. After creating Adam, God gave him authority over all things. How does this reflect God’s

benevolence towards mankind in general, bearing in mind that Adam did not specifically ask

for this blessing? Please read Genesis 1: 28 – 30.


______________________________________________________________

4. Can you please examine other parts of Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments and

provide examples that underscore God’s benevolence?

______________________________________________________________

Note:

We see the unparalleled benevolence of God throughout Scripture. God created all things and

handed them to Adam and Eve to enjoy and exercise authority over. After Adam’s

transgression, God went seeking after him. In fact, before the creation of Adam, God had

already provided a salvation plan in anticipation of the fall of man. Romans 5:8 expresses the

depth of God’s benevolence by pointing out that ‘…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for

us’.

Matthew 5:45 puts it in a different way by saying that God allows ‘His sun to rise on the evil

and on the good’, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust. The Lord says that even

before we ask He knows our needs (Matthew 6:8) and in Psalm 35:27 we are told that God

delights in the prosperity of His saints.

If we know how to give good things to our children, how much more our heavenly Father

Who is the fount of all benevolence? (Matthew 7:11).

5. God gave specific instructions to Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge

of good and evil if they were to continue in His benevolence. Please explain how this

particular case confirms man’s conditional relationship with God back then and throughout

the Bible?

________________________________________________________________

6. Please read the following references and explain how the theology of man’s conditional

relationship with God is highlighted throughout the Bible?

Deuteronomy 28: 1,2,13 - 15

I Chronicles 28: 9

Leviticus 26: 3 - 16

Romans 11: 22

Hebrews 3: 6, 14

John 8: 31


Note:

An excerpt from one writer says:

‘The reason that we must avoid living in the flesh is that living in sin brings only

death, both spiritual and sometimes quickly, physical death. The Bible warns against

the flesh because this shows our disobedience against God and also shows that we are

not regenerated. Galatians 6:7-9 warns us that if we sow to the flesh, we will reap

corruption. That is clear.

Romans 8:12,13 warns us against living in the flesh as well and why, because if we live

according to the flesh we will die. Sin brings death (James 1:12-15). Sin shows our

lawless attitude toward God Almighty (1 John 3:4). Sin shows that we are not willing to

follow Christ as Lord (1 John 2:3-6; 3:6-9).

Sin proves our disobedience just as it did for the Israelites (Hebrews 3:6-19). Sin brings

the punishment of the Lord (Hebrews 10:19-39)’.4

7. Please give examples of people in Scripture who started well in the Lord but eventually fell

out of fellowship with Him?

________________________________________________________________

8. What does the above tell us about the dangers of holding on to the doctrine of an

unconditional relationship with God?

_____________________________________________________________

9. The fact that man has been given free-choice makes him responsible for his actions and

liable for the attending consequences. How is this fact highlighted in the case of Adam?

______________________________________________________________

10. How do the following references support the doctrine of man’s freewill and man’s

responsibility for his choices?

Genesis 3: 17 – 19

Deuteronomy 30: 15 – 20

Galatians 6: 7 – 8

II Chronicles 15: 1, 2

4 Written by ‘The Seeking Disciple’ and quoted on Arminian Today website, 2012


The basic truths that we have studied in this lesson run throughout the Bible. God, in His

divine wisdom, starts the Scriptures with themes that reoccur in His Word. Like the rays from

a prism, we will continue to see the reflections of these truths on the pages of Scripture.

Remember some of these basic truths include:

1. The benevolence of God.

2. Man’s conditional relationship with God.

3. The free moral agency of man.

4. Man’s responsibility for the choices he makes as a result of exercising his free-will.


LESSON 4

JESUS CHRIST’S PARABLES ON PRAYER

MAIN TEXT: LUKE 11:1 – 13, 18: 1 – 7

Prayer is one of the greatest treasures that God has given His children. Prayer remains a

goldmine yet to be fully explored, appreciated and exercised by the Church today. All through

Scripture, we see supernatural exploits accomplished as the saints of old won battles against all

odds through the mighty acts of prayer.

Through prayer the believer has unhindered access into the very courts of heaven. How sweet

it is to know that the Father’s ears are ever attentive to the prayer of His saints (Psalm 34:15).

How wonderful it is to know that a host of holy angels are waiting on God, ready at His

command, to be dispatched in response to the believers’ prayer. The hordes of hell tremble

when believers go to the altar of prayer. Strongholds are demolished through prayer and the

greatest of sinners can be transformed into the holiest of saints through the provisions of

prayer.

It is therefore not surprising that some of the parables of Jesus Christ centre on prayer. The

parables that we will examine in this lesson underscore the importance of importunate prayer.

1. What does importunity in prayer mean?

___________________________________________________________

2. Why do you think the disciples asked Jesus Christ to teach them how to pray? Please refer

to Luke 11:1.

___________________________________________________________

3. There are three important words that Jesus Christ uses in Luke 11: 5 – 8, namely ‘friend’,

‘midnight’ and ‘importunity’. What is Jesus Christ underscoring by using each of these words?

________________________________________________________________

Note:

E. M Bounds, a very godly man known for his writings on prayer and his life of prayer, once

said:

‘Importunate prayer is a mighty movement of the soul toward God. It is a stirring of the

deepest forces of the soul, toward the throne of heavenly grace. It is the ability to hold on,

press on, and wait. Restless desire, restful patience, and strength of grasp are all embraced in it.


It is not an incident, or a performance, but a passion of soul. It is not a want, half-needed, but

a sheer necessity’.

4. In Luke 18:1, Jesus Christ said: ‘Men ought always to pray, and not to faint’. (‘Faint’ used

here means not to give up due to weariness). What are those things that can cause a person to

faint in prayer?

______________________________________________________________

Note:

Jesus Christ, our Perfect Example, lived what He taught. Importunate prayer was an integral

part of His ministry. There were times when He prayed all night (Luke 6:12).At other times

He rose a great while before day break and went to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). On

another occasion the Bible tells us that Jesus went up to a high mountain to pray and it was

there that He experienced the transfiguration (Luke 9:28, 29).

It is not the length of prayer that makes prayer effectual. However, there are times when a

believer is so consumed with a holy desire for God’s divine intervention that he or she prays

unceasingly and in defiance of difficult situations until the answer comes. It is called ‘praying

through’ or ‘importunate prayer’.

Sidlow Baxter says: ‘Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments,

despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers’5. May God truly teach us how

to pray!

5. In the light of the above, describe the prayer of Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.

Please read Luke 22:41 – 44 and Hebrews 5:7, 8.

_______________________________________________________________________

6. What do you learn from the prayer referred to in question 5?

______________________________________________________________________

7. In Luke 18, Jesus uses two main characters:

The unjust judge who feared not God nor regarded man

The helpless widow

Who do these two characters represent in relation to importunate prayer?

5 Reported in Charlie Jones, Bob Kelly, The Tremendous Power of Prayer (2000) p. 46


_________________________________________________________________________

8. What are the consequences of fainting in prayer?

_________________________________________________________________________

Notes:

Prayer is a great privilege given by God to His children. In Hebrew 4:16 He says: ‘…come

boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of

need’. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, lived a life of continual prayer and before He

ascended to heaven, He exhorted His own disciples to pray: ‘Men ought always to pray and

not to faint’ – Luke 18:1.

9. Jesus highlights the statement made by the unjust judge as very important (verse 5). Why?

Please read Luke 18: 5, 6.

_________________________________________________________________________

10. Give examples of people in the Bible who prayed importunately:

What did they pray for?

What was the answer?

11. What practical measures are you going to take from now on to ensure that your prayer

life improves?

____________________________________________________________________


LESSON 5

HOLINESS, THE CENTREPIECE OF GOD

TEXT: Exodus 28:36; Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4:6-8; Hebrews 12:14

A reflection on God’s ways and dealings with mankind points to His holy character and

nature. Let us ponder the following truths about God’s holiness as revealed in Scripture.

First of all, God describes Himself as ‘holy’ (Leviticus 11: 44, 45). His abode is called ‘holy

heaven’ in Psalm 20:6 and ‘holy temple’ in Psalm 65:4. His angels are called ‘holy angels’

(Matthew 25:31). The Psalmist enjoins us to worship God in ‘the beauty of holiness’ (Psalm

29:2 and Psalm 96:9).

In the Old Testament, the priests were required to wear special garments before conducting

the Lord’s service. Do you know what these garments were called? They were called

‘holy garments’ (Exodus 28: 1 – 4). In fact Aaron was instructed to wear a mitre with a plate

of pure gold on which were engraved the words: ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’

(Exodus 28:36). This was to serve as a reminder to both the minister and the congregation at

large that they were approaching the presence of a Holy God.

The true messengers of God were referred to as ‘holy prophets’ (Luke 1: 70), while those

inspired to write the Scripture were called ‘holy men of God’ (II Peter 1:21). The word of

God is called ‘the holy scriptures’ in II Timothy 3:15. God’s covenant with His children is

called a ‘holy covenant’ (Luke 1:72). The Spirit of God responsible for the believer’s

regeneration and deliverance from sin is called the ‘Holy Spirit’.

Jesus Christ referred to His Father as ‘Holy Father’ (John 17:11) while the demons could not

but confess Christ as ‘the Holy One of God’ (Luke 4:34). Christ’s own brethren are called

‘holy brethren’ (I Thessalonians 5:27). The calling of every believer is a ‘holy calling’

(II Timothy 1:9) and we are also called to be a ‘holy priesthood’ and a ‘holy nation’

(I Peter 2: 5, 9).

The precious commandment of God is called ‘the holy commandment’ (II Peter 2:21).

The future dwelling place of the saints is called ‘the holy city’ and ‘the holy Jerusalem’

(Revelation 21:2, 10).Prophet Isaiah calls the way to heaven ‘the highway of holiness’ (Isaiah

35:8)and the throne of God in Psalm 47:8 is called ‘the throne of holiness’.

Holiness is the centrepiece of God and the Bible is very explicit about this.

A minister once said:

“If you don’t delight in the fact that your Father is holy, holy, holy, then you are spiritually dead.

You may be in a church. You may go to a Christian school. But if there is no delight in your soul for


the holiness of God, you don’t know God. You don’t love God. You’re out of touch with God. You’re

asleep to His character6.”

Questions:

1. Read Exodus 3: 1 – 5 and Joshua 5: 13 – 15. What similarities do you find in the

encounters that Moses and Joshua had with God?

____________________________________________________________________

2. Why do you think that it was important for God to emphasise His holiness to both

Moses and Joshua just before their commissioning?

____________________________________________________________________

3. Compare Isaiah 6:1 – 3 with Revelation 4: 6 – 8 and identify the primary focus of

heaven.

____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

God is consistent, be it with men or angels. He is a holy God and He expresses His holiness

towards all creatures and created things. God’s relationship with Adam was on the basis of

holiness. The holiness of God required the eviction of Adam from the garden when he sinned.

In order for man to be reconciled to God, the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross was

required so as not to compromise God’s holy standard and to ensure that the demands of

divine justice were fully met. After we have been reconciled to God, we are called to live in

holiness and righteousness all the days of our life – Luke 1: 74, 75.

Oswald Chambers beautifully puts it this way:

“The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. God’s one aim is the production

of saints. He is not an eternal blessing machine for men; he did not come to save men out of pity; he

came to save men because he had created them to be holy.”

4. Please read Exodus 15:11 and explain, according to Israel’s victory song, what made

their God different from other gods?

____________________________________________________________________

5. For what main reason did God set apart the people of Israel for Himself in the Old

Testament? Please read Exodus 19: 4 – 6, Deuteronomy 26: 17-19.

____________________________________________________________________

6 R. C. Sproul, Choosing My Religion, P & R Publishing, 2005


6. Has God’s original standard to have a holy people separated out unto Himself changed

today? Please read the following references and answer.

Ephesians 1: 3, 4

Ephesians 2: 21, 22

Ephesians 4: 24

Ephesians 5: 25 – 27

Colossians 1: 21, 22

II Timothy 1: 9

Note:

The Church needs to reclaim the true gospel message. Salvation is not about escaping hell

neither is it just about getting to the Kingdom of heaven. The gospel message is about LIFE!

It is about Christ’s own life being formed in us by the agency of the Holy Spirit. The gospel

message is God’s own life in us. This is what eternal life truly means! When our life, thoughts,

character, choices, preferences, disposition and desires are that of God, we are experiencing

holiness. This has always been God’s goal. It is still today and will be for eternity. He who is

not at peace with the holiness message, has never truly met God.

Leonard Ravenhill once said:

“The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, and

make that man holy and put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.”

7. True grace as defined by God will lead to a holy life. Please read Titus 2:11 – 14 and

explain.

____________________________________________________________________

8. God is the One who works out His holiness in us. Please read the following references

and confirm if this is true.

I Thessalonians 3: 12, 13 _____________________________________________

I Thessalonians 5: 23, 24 _____________________________________________

Colossians 1; 21, 22 _____________________________________________

9. How does God expect us to seek holiness? Please refer Jeremiah 29:13 and Hebrews

11:6 for your answer.

____________________________________________________________________


10. Who are the people God promised to walk with at Sardis? Please read Revelation 3:4, 5.

______________________________________________________________________

11. Using II Corinthians 3:17, 18 and Romans 8:29 as references, explain how holiness

(Christlikeness) can be attained?

____________________________________________________________________

12. What is the implication of Hebrews 12: 14 for those who believe holiness is not

attainable in this life?

____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

The believer’s holiness is not just something important, it is fundamental. The Bible is

explicit, without holiness ‘no man shall see Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14). This is the one thing that

we should herald loud and clear from every pulpit and without intimidation. Christ is coming

ONLY for a holy bride. Holiness is the only ‘passport’ recognised by God that gives us access

through the pearly gates into His holy kingdom. Nothing less will do.

Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God’ (Matthew 5: 8) and a pure

heart is not what we obtain after death. The dead in Christ are already seeing God so this

verse is speaking about having a pure heart while we are alive! It is God’s promise for the

present.

One may wonder why such a fundamental message as this is so rare amongst Christians.

The reason is because holiness is no longer viewed by the Church as matter of life-and-death.

Consequently, people are not diligently seeking God to work His holiness in and through

them. Scripture says God ‘is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11: 6).

Many seek Him diligently for healing, prosperity and other temporal blessings rather than for

holiness. Such apathy for holiness has grave eternal consequences.

William Law gives us a good summary:

“The best way for anyone to know how much he ought to aspire after holiness is to consider not how

much will make his present life easy, but to ask himself how much he thinks will make him easy at

the hour of death.”


LESSON 6

LOVE NOT THE WORLD

TEXT: I JOHN 2: 15 – 17; James 4:4; II Timothy 4:10; JOHN 15: 18, 19; JOHN 17:14-16

John is usually referred to as ‘The Apostle of Love’ because a significant portion of his

writings (especially in the Epistles) speaks about God’s love towards us and the importance of

love among the brethren.

However, in I John 2: 15 – 17, the Apostle John does not fail to warn the Church of a

different kind of love that should never be condoned by believers. The love John speaks

against is the love of the world. God forbids the believer to love the world. Love for the world

is a repudiation of true Christian experience. It is incompatible with the indwelling Christ and

is contrary to all that God’s Word stands for.

It is no surprise therefore, that John under the authority of the Holy Spirit and without any

hesitation declares that anyone who loves the world does not have the love of the Father. It is

either love for one or the other: ‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the

world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him’. (I John 2:15).

To better understand what the love of the world means, it is important to first of all know the

different meanings of the word ‘world’ as used in Scripture.

The first meaning refers to the physical universe. It is used in this sense in Acts 17:24: ‘God

that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth,

dwelleth not in temples made with hands’. This word is used likewise in Mark 16:15:‘And

he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature’.

The second meaning of the word ‘world’ as used in Scripture refers to the people of the

world. It is used in this sense in John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his

only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have

everlasting life’.

The third meaning of the word ‘world’ refers to the world’s corrupting system. It means the

world’s systematic rebellion against God, His word and His ways, subtly crafted and injected

into the society by satan. It is this third meaning that John was referring to when he said ‘love

not the world’. Here, John is referring to the corrupting system of the world’s politics,

fleeting glories, passions, music, movies, fashion, amusement, films, soap operas, commerce,

entertainment, materialism, idolisation of people and things, etc. which are all satan inspired

and in unity against God.

It is the ‘world’ used in the third sense that this lesson will be examining.


1. Outline three different ways the word ‘world’ is used in the Bible?

__________________________________________________________________

2. Please refer to the references below and explain how God describes this world.

II Peter 1: 4

II Peter 2: 20

I Corinthians 1: 21

John 14:17

John 7:7

Note:

The world has a corrupting influence on those who love it. You cannot befriend the world

and not be corrupted. It is this corruption that Christ came to save us from: ‘…having

escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust’ (II Peter 1:4) and the believer is

warned not to be entangled therein any longer: ‘For if after they have escaped the

pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than

the beginning’ (II Peter 2:20).

Jesus Christ said that the world has a hatred for Him and its works are evil: ‘The world

cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil’

(John 7:7). The whole world is under the dominion and power of the spirit of error and it has

no capacity to receive the Spirit of truth: ‘Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot

receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him…’ (John 14:17). Paul says in I

Corinthians 1:21 that the world does not know God: ‘For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God...’ ’There is a spirit that rules the world and it is not

called the Spirit of God, it is called the spirit of the world (I Corinthians 2:12).

How can a believer know all this and still love the world? This is why James says that

whosoever is spotted by the world, practices a vain religion (James 1: 27). To profess salvation

and still be spotted by the world is both vanity and deception!

3. Please refer to the following references and explain the personality behind this present

world?

John 12:31

John 14:30

John 16:11

II Corinthians 4:4


4. Jesus Christ clearly defines the relationship between the true church and the world in

John 15:18, 19. Can you please read theses verses and explain what you understand

from them.

__________________________________________________________________

5. Please read John 17: 14 – 16 and explain the truth(s) contained therein.

___________________________________________________________________

Note:

The reason why the true believer and the world are diametrically opposed to each other is

because they both have different personalities controlling and influencing them. The world is

controlled by satan. The religions, music, movies, entertainment, politics, pleasures, fashions

and the polluting programmes of the world are all controlled by that evil personality called

satan.

The personality working behind the scenes in this world is known by various names. He is

called the ‘the god of this world’ (II Corinthians 4:4), ‘the prince of the power of the air’

(Ephesians 2:2), ‘the prince of this world’ (John 14: 30), the wicked one (I John 5:19). He

who dabbles with the world will fall under the control of the one who rules the world system,

namely satan!

The personality behind the true believer is Jesus Christ. Consequently, the believer loves what

Christ loves and hates what Christ hates. This is the reason why a perfect hatred exists

between the world (inspired by satan) and the believer (inspired by Christ):

‘If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the

world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have

chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you’ (John 15: 18,19).

This truth is reiterated by John in I John 3:13: ‘Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate

you’. How can we love the world that hates us and hates our Jesus? If we love the world and

the world loves us then there is certainly a serious problem as this is contrary to the words of

Christ! Examine where you stand. Do you stand for Jesus or for the world? You cannot stand

for both!

6. Please read James 1: 27 and give examples of how one can be ‘spotted’ by the world.

____________________________________________________________________


Note:

Unfortunately, present day professing Christians are not just being spotted by the world they

are actually being completely covered by it. They sing the songs of Babylon, composed by

Babylonians and move their body (which is meant to be the temple of God) to the rhythm of

Babylonian music. Some engage in the dirty deals and lies intrinsic in politics. For others, life

is never complete without the indulgence of alcohol. They call it ‘social drinking’.

The choice of fashion for many professing Christians is not influenced by the Spirit of God

but by the spirit of the world and what some television stars promote on their shows. Many

wear clothes that are very suggestive and revealing. They ‘dress to kill’ and then sing

‘Hallelujah to our God’ in church. Peter says: ‘As obedient children, not fashioning

yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance (I Peter 1:14).

Some sit down for hours to watch films, movies or programmes whose storyline has nothing

to do with God, Christ or His cause. In the name of entertainment and ‘winding down’ they

feed their minds with the corruption of the world and as a result their minds and lives are

‘programmed’ by what they watch.

Some conduct their relationship with the opposite gender just like the world. They use the

world’s standard as theirs and no wonder many professing Christians will say that they are

‘tongue speaking, born-again believers’ even when they are courting an unbeliever! Christ said

‘the world would love his own.’ If a professing believer is courting an unbeliever, they are both

unbelievers. The unbeliever will love its own!

Many professing believers are not only spotted by the world, but are immersed in worldly

engagements and pursuits. May God help us in Jesus name, Amen.

‘Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they

shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy’ (Revelation 3:4).

7. What are the consequences of the believer being spotted by the world?

___________________________________________________________________

8. According to Romans 12: 1, 2, what is the antidote to ‘worldliness’?

____________________________________________________________________

9. Can a genuine believer court the world and still keep his or her salvation testimony?

Please refer to James 4: 4 for your answer.

____________________________________________________________________


10. What truth does I John 2:15 – 17 reveal to the church?

_______________________________________________________________

11. Considering the above reference (I John 2: 15 – 17), can a person love both the world

and the Father at the same time? Give reasons for your answers.

____________________________________________________________________

12. From the example of Demas explain what the power of worldliness can do to the

careless. Please refer to II Timothy 4:10 for your answer.

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

It is not possible to love the world and the Father at the same time. Many have tried it and

have failed, making a shipwreck of their salvation. A man called Demas who had the privilege

of working with the greatest Apostle of all time was eventually pulled away from the Lord. A

man who gains the world will always do so at the expense of his soul. May God give us grace

to walk carefully and circumspectly in this present world.

A.W. Tozer once said:

‘The idea that this world is a playground instead of a battleground has now been

accepted in practice by the vast majority of Christians’7. Remember that the world is truly

a battleground where satan is waging war for your soul and one of the common ways he does

this is by seducing the believer towards worldliness.

May the good Lord keep us unspotted by the world. Faithful is He who has called us, ‘Who

also will do it’ in Jesus name, Amen.

7 A. W. Tozer, This World: Playground or Battleground? Christian Publications, 1989, pages 5-6

http://www.crossroad.to/Excerpts/books/faith/Tozer/tozer-quotes.htm


LESSON 7

AN UNWHOLESOME TONGUE IS A PROBLEM OF THE HEART

TEXT: James 3: 1 – 13; Matthew 12: 34 – 37; Colossians 4:6

An unwholesome tongue is an indication of an unwholesome heart. An unbridled tongue is a

reflection of an inner problem - a corrupt heart. The problem of an unwholesome tongue can

only be addressed by dealing with the heart. Such a heart urgently requires a touch from God.

It requires regeneration.

In our main text, Matthew 12: 34 – 37, Jesus Christ clearly shows that people always speak

‘out of the abundance of the heart ’. If the heart is defiled you will know by what oozes out

of the mouth. God does not regard our profession of faith if we have an unbridled tongue.

This is why the Epistle of James says: ‘If any man among you seem to be religious, and

bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain’

(James 1: 26).

Many like to register their presence by their ability to speak about almost everything to

everyone for every reason and at every time. For such people they inevitably commit more sin.

Show me a man who cannot stop talking and I will show you a man who cannot stop sinning.

Proverbs 10:19 says, ‘In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin.’

Others whose hearts have been purged by God’s grace, present differently through a calm

demeanour and thoughtful words. It is not possible to speak words of ‘grace, seasoned with

salt’ if the heart has not been thoroughly purified first.

1. Who is considered a perfect man in James 3:2?

_________________________________________________________________________

2. What is James 3:6 pointing out by describing the tongue as ‘a world of iniquity’?

_________________________________________________________________________

3. How can the tongue defile the whole body?

_________________________________________________________________________


4. James 3:8 says: ‘..the tongue can no man tame.’ Does this mean that the tongue will

always be unruly no matter how much we try even as Christians? If not, what does the

statement mean?

_______________________________________________________________

Note:

James uses some very strong words to describe the evil of an unregenerate tongue. You will

notice that he uses phrases such as:

verse 5 - ‘a little fire’

verse 6 - ‘a world of iniquity’

verse 6 - ‘defileth the whole body’

verse 6 - ‘set on fire of hell’

verse 8 - ‘an unruly evil’

verse 8 - ‘full of deadly poison’

verse 9 - ‘therewith curse we men’

verse 11 - bitter water

verse 12 - ‘salt water’

By using these stark expressions, James emphasises that true Christianity has no place for an

unwholesome tongue. The claim of being saved with a loose tongue is untenable. It is flawed

belief to think that a person whose tongue runs riot will be admitted into God’s Holy

Kingdom.

Robert Leighton said:

‘A holy life is a voice; it speaks when the tongue is silent, and is either a constant attraction or

a perpetual reproof’.

5. Read the following verses and explain their meaning in relation to the study:

Proverbs 15:1 - 2

Psalm 39:1

Proverbs 21:23

Proverbs 26:22

Proverbs 25:23

Colossians 4:6


6. In Matthew 12:34, Jesus connects the tongue-problem with an unregenerate heart.

Accordingly, how then can the issue of an unbridled tongue be addressed?

_________________________________________________________________________

7. Please read I Peter 3:15. Do you notice the connection between the ‘heart’ and ‘speech’?

_________________________________________________________________________

Note:

Robert Leighton rightly pointed out that:

‘The cure of an evil tongue must be done at the heart. The weights and wheels are there, and

the clock strikes according to their motion. A guileful heart makes a guileful tongue and lips. It

is the work-house where is the forge of deceits and slanders; and the tongue is only the outer

shop where they are vended, and the door of it. Such ware as is made within, such, and no

other, can come out’8.

8. As pointed out in Matthew 12: 36, 37 careless and frivolous talk can be very costly. What

are the consequences?

_________________________________________________________________________

Notes:

‘The true test of a man's spirituality is not his ability to speak, as we are apt to think, but rather

his ability to bridle his tongue’. - R. Kent Hughes

9. Give examples of people who spoke unwisely in the Bible and the consequences they faced.

_________________________________________________________________________

10. What does Colossians 4:6 mean to the true believer? Remember the following words and

phrases as you explain the verse:

always

grace

seasoned with salt

answer every man

8 Rev. John Norman Pearson, The Whole Works of the Most Reverend Father In God, Robert Leighton, William Clowes, Pg 379

http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/R.-Kent-Hughes-Quotes/


Note:

‘Your words and the manner in which you speak are critical to harmonious relationships. As

you learn to speak the truth in love, you must also determine when to speak, how to speak in

an edifying manner, and to whom you should speak. The power of your words is enormous,

and they also show the condition of your heart. Even your idle words will be accounted for in

the day of judgment’. – John C. Broger

Simply put, your words will either lead you to an eternal bliss in heaven or an eternal

damnation in hell. May the Lord so purify our hearts that our words are full of grace and

seasoned with salt in all circumstances.


LESSON 8

CHRIST’S ENCOUNTER WITH THE PHARISEES – PART 1

TEXT: Luke 7: 36 – 50

Jesus Christ had many encounters with various people in the course of His public ministry. He

associated with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs and He used every occasion to

preach the message of the Kingdom of God. One very notable group that He regularly came

across were the Pharisees. The Pharisees were prominent and influential religious leaders in

Jesus’ day.

The word Pharisee is derived from a Hebrew word ‘paras’ which means to ‘separate’, ‘divide’

or ‘set apart’. In keeping with their name they separated themselves from the ordinary people.

They strongly believed in their self-acclaimed piety, devotions and religious observances. The

Pharisees considered their separation and ritual observance of religious rules synonymous with

holiness.

The Pharisees kept a very meticulous and rigid observance of man-made doctrines. They

placed a high premium on the oral traditions (the traditions of Elders) and often at the

expense of God’s word. The society however, held the Pharisees in very high regard because

of their belief that the Pharisees were the ones ‘ordained’ and qualified to interpret God’s

word.

Consequently, the Pharisees were revered by the ordinary man in Jesus’s day and they were

held as role models worthy of imitation. Their religious zeal and dedication made people

believe that they were in a class of their own.

As we study this lesson and subsequent ones, we will see how Jesus Christ’s encounter with

the Pharisees exposed who they really were.

1. Jesus responded to the invitation of a meal offered by a Pharisee. What does this tell us

about Jesus’ association with people?

____________________________________________________________________

2. Please read Hebrews7:26. If Jesus associated with all kinds of people, how could He still

be ‘separate from sinners’?

__________________________________________________________________

3. As Christians, what lesson do we learn from Jesus Christ about relating to sinners

without compromising our faith or being defiled by the world?


__________________________________________________________________

Notes:

Our Lord did not say that His disciples should segregate from unbelievers. Otherwise this

would thwart the preaching of the gospel. Instead, Christ prayed (in John 17) that the Father

would keep His disciples from the evil of the world whilst they remained in it.

We also see in Acts 19:30, 31 that Paul had association with some people who were not

necessarily disciples. However, the Bible is crystal clear that we should not associate with a

‘brother’ or ‘sister’ who continues to live in sin and as such is unrepentant.

‘I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with

the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for

then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep

company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an

idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.’

I Corinthians 5:9 - 11

4. In Luke 7: 37, the unnamed woman came to Jesus with an expensive alabaster box of

ointment and washed Christ’s feet with her tears. In what way does this reflect true

worship? Read the following references for your answer:

Exodus 34: 20

Deuteronomy 16: 16, 17

II Samuel 24: 21 – 24

Exodus 35: 20 - 29

____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

A beautiful illustration of what it means to worship God and not come empty-handed into His

presence is given below by Adron Dozart:

‘We live in an entertainment culture where we go to “get,” to be entertained or at least

edified. We go to Church to hear a sermon, (hopefully one that is not too troubling to our

conscience), with a few laughs and memorable stories. We want the child care to be clean and

happy and the fellowship hour to be well stocked with fresh cookies. It is tragic that today’s

Christianity has turned away from the example of our Lord who “came not to be served but

to serve and give Himself as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). We should come to

Church with the attitude that we are there to give not to get. We should enter the door

looking for opportunities to meet needs.


Do not come before God “empty handed.” This requires personal consecration, a setting

aside of self-interest and needs. We must prepare ourselves to serve. Prepare for worship on

the Lord’s Day by spending time the day before in God’s word, prayer, meditation, and

personal worship.

Daily personal devotions make us ready to bring an offering of service on Sunday, perhaps a

song of praise or a word of encouragement. Daily personal worship makes us ready to say

“Amen” to the benediction or the offertory or the sermon. When you spend time during the

week to read the Bible, pray and worship, the Worship Meeting becomes a celebration of our

personal worship experienced throughout the week’9.

5. The Pharisee referred to the woman as a ‘sinner’. This informs us much more about the

Pharisee himself than it tells us about the woman. What does it tell us?

____________________________________________________________________

6. The Pharisees compared themselves with other people as a way of justifying their own

perceived righteousness, instead of seeing themselves in the light of God’s holy

standard. Read II Corinthians 10:12 and explain the danger of making such

comparisons.

___________________________________________________________________

Notes:

The Pharisees believed that they should never be referred to as sinners (not even by God!).

They believed that they were more righteous than others and that they therefore, belonged to

an altogether separate class. They needed no forgiveness from God or perhaps a little at best.

They had a reputation for pointing out and amplifying the sins of others while neglecting or

overlooking their own. If we consistently view our lives in the mirror of God’s holy word, we

will never be in a position to look down on others or feel spiritually superior to them.

A fixation on the Lord’s holiness will forever keep us humble and focused on our own life and

not consumed with the lives of others. The Bible says categorically in Romans 14:12: ‘So then

every one of us shall give account of himself to God’.

9 Adrian Dozat, ‘Do Not Come Empty-Handed, But You Must Come’. God Loves You Thoughts – Adrian, Website Blog


Jesus Christ delivered a scathing condemnation on the Pharisees and the same warning applies to us today if we, by any means, try to compare ourselves with others in order to justify our ‘hollow holiness’:

‘Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity’ (Matthew 23: 25 – 28).

7. Read Luke 7:39 and explain why the ‘sinner’ showed more faith in Jesus Christ than the

‘holy’ Pharisee.

___________________________________________________________________

8. Who do the following people represent in Luke 7:41?

I. The creditor: _________________________________________

II. The two debtors ______________________________________

Notes:

It is interesting to note that the Pharisee and the woman were both seen as debtors in the eyes

of God. Jesus Christ used the short parable of the ‘two debtors’ to underscore the fact that

the Pharisee was no holier than the woman he was accusing of being a sinner. Jesus uses the

narration of ‘two children’, ‘two sons’, or ‘two debtors’ to drive home His point that all are

sinners in the sight of God and all are in need of a re-birth. The Pharisee, the Publican, the

Jews and the Gentiles are all in need of a common salvation. No one is superior to the other

in the ‘world of sinners.’

Jesus talks about two sons in Matthew 21:28 and the parable of the prodigal son centres

around two children. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus spoke about two

servants who were indebted to their master and could not re-pay their debt. What the

Pharisees could not understand is the fact that God saw them also as sinners. Unfortunately,

and to the damnation of their souls, the Pharisees vehemently refused to accept this truth.

In the book of Romans, Paul, a former Pharisee, emphasises this important truth that prior to salvation all are sinners in the eyes of God.


‘What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them (Jews) who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God’ (Romans 3:9 – 19).

9. The fact that the creditor in Luke 7: 41 had to forgive both debtors since they could not

pay what they owed reveals some important truths. What are these truths?

_____________________________________________________________________

10. Read Luke 7: 44 – 46 and explain how the woman’s action exposed the hypocrisy of the

Pharisee?

______________________________________________________________________

11. Jesus forgave sins. What does this imply? Read Mark 2: 5 – 7 to support your answer.

______________________________________________________________________

12. Read Luke 7: 47. Did you notice that Jesus did not commend the mere actions of the

woman but the love behind her actions? How does this summarise the Christian faith?

______________________________________________________________________

Notes:

It is easy to fall into a ‘Pharisaic religion’ that emphasises outward works and which is devoid

of deep reverence and love for God. This was one of the many faults that the Pharisees

struggled with and this error is still very real today. On a number of occasions, Jesus pointed

out the need for the Pharisees to address first the internal (the heart) before their outward

actions could be truly accepted by God.

Someone once said: ‘I see more Pharisees among Christians than there were around Pilate’. May God help us to be true Christians indeed! This is why Jesus warned us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees – Luke 12:1.


LESSON 9

CHRIST’S ENCOUNTER WITH THE PHARISEES – PART 2

TEXT: Matthew 23: 1 – 6, Matthew 15: 1 – 9, John 5: 38 – 47

The sudden arrival of Jesus Christ in Judea as a teacher of the word brought great discomfort,

confusion and perplexity to the Pharisees. The religious garb the Pharisees once used in

covering their hypocrisy was fast being unveiled by Jesus Christ. Their once revered reputation

as the infallible custodians and interpreters of God’s word was under jeopardy. Never before

had any one successfully confronted and confounded them as Jesus did and that with such

equanimity!

The Pharisees were much ruffled by Jesus as they saw Him, as a mere carpenter’s son from an

obscure background. Jesus never attended any of their theological schools yet with

unparalleled insight He effortlessly expounded the word (Luke 4:22). Although the Pharisees

gave the impression that they were still the religious authority in control, secretly, they were

seriously threatened by the growing acceptance of the man from Galilee (John 12:19).

The power and authority displayed by Jesus in healing the sick, delivering the oppressed,

multiplying bread for the people and raising the dead only made the Pharisees green with

envy. His power was undeniable. No wonder the officers who were sent to arrest Christ could

only but marvel and confess that ‘Never man spake like this man.’(John 7:46) The

Pharisees could only watch in utter dismay and frustration. Although the Pharisees did not

publicly admit it, Jesus demonstrably had something that they lacked. He had divine authority

from heaven.

Consequently and moved by their own sense of insecurity, the Pharisees zealously denounced

the teachings of Christ. Furthermore, they consistently and vehemently derided His person.

They refused to accept Him as Lord and Saviour in the face of numerous and irrefutable

evidences. The confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus came to a climax in our

selected text as Jesus took a few moments to expose their grand deception and reveal who

they truly were.

1. Please read Matthew 23: 1 - 3 and explain what qualified the Pharisees as hypocrites?

_________________________________________________________________

2. How are Romans 2: 1 – 3 and Romans 2: 21 – 23 similar to the text in Matthew 23: 1–6

in relation to the denunciation of hypocrisy?

___________________________________________________________________


3. According to verse 5, 6 of our text, the Pharisaic religion is all about impressing men

rather than revering and serving God. How does this also apply in Matthew 6: 1 – 6?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What are some of the names that Jesus called the Pharisees in Matthew Chapter 23?

____________________________________________________________________

Notes:

How did Jesus see the Pharisees? Jesus Christ is the One who ‘knew all men’ and ‘knew

what was in man.’ (John 2:25) The deception of the Pharisees did not in any way trick

Jesus. He could see right through their disguise and revealed their deception. Jesus called

them a ‘generation of vipers’ (Matthew 12:34) and although the Pharisees prided

themselves as the custodians of God’s word, Jesus knew that the word of God did not

abide in them (John 8:47). Jesus called them an adulterous and evil generation (Matthew

12:39). The Pharisees portrayed themselves as very pious people but they were actually

vain worshippers and ‘blind leaders.’ (Matthew 15:9, 14) Their hearts were too hardened

to receive the sincere milk of the word (Matthew 19:8).

Many thought that the Pharisees had an ‘express ticket’ to the Kingdom of God but in

reality Jesus said they shall receive greater damnation in hell (Mark 12:40). They were the

ones who rejected the counsel of God by refusing to be baptised by John (Luke 7:30).

Jesus said their inward parts was ‘full of ravening and wickedness’ and He likened them to

hidden graves (Luke 11:39, 44). Instead of repenting in humility and acknowledging the

error of their ways, they held council on how they might destroy Jesus (Matthew 12:14).

Given the true portrait of the Pharisees, it is alarming that these children of hell wielded

enormous authority and religious leadership in their day. The challenge is for us to walk

circumspectly and ensure that we do not fall into the error of the Pharisees. The Pharisaic

spirit still exists today and works in many religious institutions.

5. Jesus said in Matthew 15: 1 – 3 that they were breaking God’s commandment by

holding on to their tradition. Can you give examples of how people hold on to tradition

today at the expense of obeying God’s word?

____________________________________________________________________

6. What does it mean to honour God with the lips and not from the heart? (Matthew 15:8)


____________________________________________________________________

7. The bane of the Pharisaic religion is that it seeks to receive honour that comes from

men. Please read John 5:41 - 44 and explain what Jesus says about this.

____________________________________________________________________

8. Please read I Samuel 15: 13 – 31. Do you notice how Saul wanted to continue mere

‘ritual worship’ with Samuel even though he had just sinned against God and had not

repented from his heart? How does this resemble false worship today?

____________________________________________________________________

9. Please read John12:26 and explain how we can receive honour that comes from God

alone?

____________________________________________________________________

10. The Pharisees called Jesus Christ various names including:

Blasphemer - Matthew 9:3; ‘Beelzebub’ - Mathew 12:24; Deceiver - Matthew 27:63;

Glutton and winebibber – Luke 7:34; Sinner – John 9:24; A man possessed with a

devil and one who was mad- John 10:20;

How does this reflect the true state of their heart?

____________________________________________________________________

11. Jesus categorically says in John 8: 47 that the Pharisees could not hear Him because

they were not of God. Yet the Pharisees were sitting ‘in Moses’ seat’ (in the position of

spiritual authority). How dangerous is this and how does it apply today?

____________________________________________________________________

12. How can we avoid being deceived by such people? Please read Matthew 7: 15 – 23.


LESSON 10

PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH AT CRETE

MAIN TEXT: Titus 1: 1 – 5; Acts 20: 28 – 31

Titus was one of the many ministers that worked under the apostolic authority of the Apostle

Paul. Some of the other ministers include, Timothy, Artemas, Tychicus, Erastus, Trophimus,

Crescens, Luke, Mark, Epaphras, Epaphroditus and Tertius.

Pauls’ main purpose of writing this epistle to Titus was to address what was lacking in the

Church at Crete. Paul, in this epistle, underscores the importance of maintaining the standard

of a holy God in the body of Christ (Titus 1:5).

Crete was a place of grave darkness and much false teaching. Titus, therefore, had a very

daunting task in nurturing the true Church of Christ there. This is the challenge of every

Church today. We are in a world that is hostile to truth and that is bent on promoting error.

We are, accordingly, exhorted all through Scripture to ‘earnestly contend for the faith’. This

was the main purpose of Paul in writing to the Brethren at Crete.

1. Paul introduces himself as ‘an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God’s

elect’ (verse 1). What do you think Paul means when he says ‘according to the faith’?

___________________________________________________________

2. Read the following references: Jude 3; Titus 1:13; Acts 13:5-8; Acts 14:21, 22; Acts 16:5;

I Timothy 4:1. Explain how ‘the faith’ plays a central role in true Christianity.

___________________________________________________________

Note:

The emphasis of the true Church is not primarily to cultivate a ‘likeable-atmosphere’ and

congenial fellowship. True Christian fellowship has its basis on the teachings of Christ. It is

not signs, miracles or wonders that attract a true believer to Christian fellowship but the

teachings of Christ. This is why the phrase ‘the faith’ (which refers to the teachings of

Christ) plays a prominent role in the epistles. Please read 2 John verses 9 – 11.

3. Paul the Apostle, in verse 1, also says that this truth is according to Godliness. Please

read 2 Peter 3: 10, 11 and explain how important Godliness is in our walk with God.

____________________________________________________________________

4. The fact that God promised eternal life before the world began tells us something

about His attribute. What does it tell us? (Titus 1: 2)

____________________________________________________________________


5. Please read verse 1-3 again and explain what the focus of true preaching should be.

____________________________________________________________________

6. What is the point that Paul is making in 1Timothy 4: 1 – 4 about preaching?

____________________________________________________________________

7. On the basis of the above, can you give examples of what is wrong with ‘modern-day’

preaching?

____________________________________________________________________

8. Do you see any similarity between modern-day preaching and what was happening in

the days of Jeremiah? Read Jeremiah 23: 25 – 32. What are the things to look out for?

____________________________________________________________________

9. What does it mean to be a son or daughter after the ‘common faith’ as expressed by

Paul in Titus 1:4?

___________________________________________________________________

10. Verse 5 throws more light on why Paul wrote the book of Titus. What do you think he

was addressing in this book?

____________________________________________________________________


LESSON 11

BORN OF THE SPIRIT

MAIN TEXT: John 3: 1 – 8; Romans 8: 1- 14

Being born of the Spirit is one of the greatest testimonies of what God’s glorious work and

amazing grace can accomplish in man. After Adam’s fall in the garden of Eden, all his

descendants inherited the fallen nature with its propensity to sin. As a consequence of the fall,

mankind became enslaved to the works of the flesh. The spiritual principle which says; ‘That

which is born of the flesh is flesh’ reigned through all the descendants of Adam.

However, through the victory of Jesus Christ at the cross (His death and resurrection), God

provided mankind with a means of escape from the captivity of the flesh and to live in the

‘newness of life’.

Jesus Christ said that except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. To be

born again simply means to be born of the Spirit of God. God’s word is as simple as that!

1. During His discourse with Nicodemus, Jesus states the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit at

conversion. Please explain.

_____________________________________________________________

2. What was Christ implying when He said ‘that which is born of the flesh is flesh’?

_______________________________________________________________

3. What are the indicators that a person’s nature is still ‘born of the flesh’? Please read the

following references for your answer:

Romans 8:5

Romans 8: 6 – 8

Romans 8: 13

Romans 7: 15 – 23

4. What characterises someone who is born of the Spirit? Please refer to the following

references for your answer:

Romans 8: 1, 2

Romans 8:5


Romans 8: 9 – 12

Romans 8: 14

Galatians 5: 16, 24, 25

Note:

One clear indicator of being born of the Spirit is the amazing victory the true believer

experiences over the ‘flesh’. It is a travesty of the gospel of Christ and a sign of religious

confusion to ever think that one can be truly saved whilst still captive to the ‘flesh’. It is very

disheartening to observe the often befuddled teaching today on what it means to be a true

believer.

There can be no clearer reference to what it means to be ‘born of the Spirit’ than that which is

set out in Romans 8:11 – 13. Please read this reference again.

The real issue is that many in the Church when confronted with this truth are too proud to

humble themselves before God and ask the Lord for the genuine experience of salvation.

Consequently, they remain slaves to sin.

Instead many look for passages in Scripture that they can easily misinterpret to justify their

continuing bondage to the flesh. Unfortunately, they do so to the eternal detriment of their

soul. Remember God is not a respecter of persons.

5. Comment on Paul’s portrait of the one born of the Spirit in Ephesians 4:22 – 26.

________________________________________________________________________

6. Is it possible to be born of the flesh and of the Spirit at the same time? Please read John

3:6; II Corinthians 5: 17; I John 3: 7 – 10.

________________________________________________________________________

7. Nicodemus was a sincere ‘church man’ and yet he was not born again. What warning does

this present to contemporary church goers?

_________________________________________________________________________

8. But is it really possible to have victory over the flesh once we are born of the Spirit? Please

read I Corinthians 9: 27; Romans 6; 14 – 18 for your answer.

_________________________________________________________________________


9. How can one experience the new birth by the Spirit? Please read John 1; 12, 13.

________________________________________________________________

10. Are you ‘born of the Spirit’? If not, why not?


LESSON 12

ADDRESSING OFFENCES IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

TEXT: Matthew 18:15 – 17; Acts 15: 35 – 41; Colossians 3: 12, 13

It would be a wonderful thing for members of the body of Christ to be in such harmony with

each other that they never experience any offence. The truth is that such divine harmony only

exists amongst angels! A fellowship where we do not mistakenly offend one another will only

exist in its purist form in Heaven.

Even though the true believer is pure in heart, it does not change the fact that we are limited

in knowledge and can therefore make some unintended mistakes when relating with others in

the body of Christ. Humanly speaking, and regrettably too, offences are inevitable while we

remain on this side of eternity. However, God has given the body of Christ very clear

commands on how to deal with offences in the body of Christ.

A thorough look through Scripture will quickly reveal that even the early Church occasionally

had to address offences in their midst. In fact Peter unintentionally offended our Lord Jesus

Christ by ‘rebuking’ Him when Jesus revealed that He was going to be crucified:

‘Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him (Jesus), saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he (Jesus) turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art AN OFFENCE UNTO ME: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men’ (Matthew 16: 22, 23).

Peter clearly had no ill intention when he ‘rebuked’ the Lord. In fact Peter must have thought

that he was doing the Lord a favour. Peter did not realise that what he did was so offensive to

Jesus Christ that Christ associated it with satan! Unlike the offences of the world which are

usually pre-meditated, intentional and callously executed, offences amongst genuine believers

are never intended.

In Acts 6:1 we are told that the Grecian believers felt offended because their widows were

neglected in the daily ministration: ‘And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied,

there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily

ministration’.

This offence was brought to the attention of the Apostles and was quickly and amicably

resolved. Members of the body of Christ may occasionally and unintentionally experience

offences in the church, but praise be to God who has given us a very sure Word on how to

address offences. This lesson will examine the Biblical approach to addressing offences in the

body of Christ.


1. How does the offence of the world differ from the offence experienced amongst

genuine believers?

____________________________________________________________________

2. Please read Philippians 2: 1 – 4 and explain practical steps that believers must take in

order to avoid offending others in the Church.

___________________________________________________________________

3. Please read the following references;

Acts 12:24, 25.

Acts 13: 5, 13.

Acts 15: 35 – 41.

Can you explain what caused the misunderstanding between Paul and Barnabas?

____________________________________________________________________

4. Who do you think was at fault? Please give reason(s) for your answer.

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

The misunderstanding between Paul and Barnabas is an example of what offences can do

amongst the people of God, even at the highest level, if not handled with care, humility and

Christlikeness. Paul and Barnabas had developed such a close spiritual relationship that it is

difficult to think they could ever separate in the manner that they did. They had a

relationship that had grown over the years before the Lord publicly called them out for

missionary work in Acts Chapter 13. Let us look at their relationship before the

commission:

I. Barnabas was the one who formally introduced Paul to the Church at Jerusalem

when the Church was not very sure about Paul’s testimony of salvation.

(Acts 9:26 – 28).

II. It is also Barnabas that sought Paul out and brought him from Tarsus to join the

Church at Antioch. Here, Paul had the opportunity to partake in edifying fellowship


on a regular basis (Acts 11:25, 26). It was at this fellowship that the disciples were

called Christians for the first time.

Now it was Paul and Barnabas that God specifically commissioned for the missionary work,

but John Mark decided to join them. However, he soon returned to Jerusalem from the

missionary field(Acts 13: 5, 13). It could well be that he was not fully prepared for the

rigours of missionary work. Having turned back from the mission field, Paul thought it not

wise to take him along again.

Unfortunately, this brought about such a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas that

it led to the sudden and painful separation in ministry. From all indications it would not be

presumptuous to say that Barnabas was at fault:

It was Paul and Barnabas that God initially called to the missionary work and

Barnabas should not have allowed a ‘third-party’ to affect their joint calling.

We are told that the Church gave their blessing (‘recommended by the brethren’)

to Paul when he chose Silas to replace Barnabas. Whereas no church blessing is

recorded in Scripture as being given to Barnabas when he decided to go along with

John Mark (Acts 15: 39, 40).

We note that after this incident there is no further record of missionary or

ministerial work carried out by Barnabas. In Paul’s case, the Holy Spirit continued

to record his missionary work after the separation.

It is likely that one of the things that influenced Barnabas’ decision to take John Mark at all

cost, was the fact that he was John Mark’s uncle. We are told about the blood relationship

between Barnabas and John Mark in Colossians 4:10: ‘Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you,

and Marcus (John Mark), sister's son to Barnabas,…’

In order to keep the bond of peace and the unity of the Spirit, it is important that we always

allow the Spirit of the Lord to guide us with all humility and meekness in resolving offences.

We must be more interested in keeping the harmony of the Spirit in the body of Christ than

proving ourselves to be right.

5. Despite John Mark’s earlier inconsistency in missionary work, Paul still desired to work

with him later on and even recommends him to the church at Colosse. Please read II

Timothy 4: 11 and Colossians 4:10. What does this teach us about Christian forgiveness

and Christian oneness?

____________________________________________________________________


6. What is the first step God commands us to take when we are offended by a brother or

sister? Please read Matthew 18: 15 for your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

7. What are the consequences of telling others about an offence which has never been

discussed with the ‘offender’ first.

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

This is where many get it wrong when it comes to addressing offences. Instead of taking the

first step as commanded by Scripture to discuss the alleged offence with the person concerned

alone, many skip this vital step and spread the news of an alleged offence to other people’s

hearing in the Church. This is wrong and should not be encouraged in any Bible believing

Church. It is wrong for so many reasons including the following:

I. It does not give the alleged offender the opportunity to even know what offence has

been committed, talk less of being able to explain him or herself.

II. The offence might not be intentional and as Christians we should always give the

benefit of doubt first. This is a golden rule that helps maintain healthy relationships in

the body of Christ. Remember we might be wrong in our interpretation of events and

if we have told other people differently, it will be too late to retract. Always give the

benefit of doubt. It will save you a lot of trouble and help you to maintain a pure

conscience at all times.

III. The ‘third-party’ who has been neutral before being told about the offence may be

psychologically influenced to take sides with you and will now the offender with the

same lenses of the offended. This can lead to further strained relationships in the

Church.

IV. If it happens that there truly was an offence and things have now been settled, what

happens to all the other people you have psychologically won to your side prior to the

settlement?

Let us remember the words of Christ: ‘Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee,

go and tell him his fault between THEE AND HIM ALONE: if he shall hear thee,

thou hast gained thy brother (Matthew 18: 15). If you cannot tell the alleged offender

(believer) what the offence is, then do not bother telling anybody else. Telling others before

informing the offender adds no value, it rather helps satan promote his work in the Church.


8. Please read Matthew 18: 15 – 17 and Acts 15: 1, 2 and explain the authority God has

conferred upon Church leadership in dealing with offences and misunderstandings in

the body of Christ.

____________________________________________________________________

9. What should guide Church leadership when addressing offences in the body of Christ?

Please refer to Acts 15:4 – 19 for your answer.

____________________________________________________________________

10. What are the dangers of neglecting or disregarding the authority of the Church when

offences are being addressed? Please read Matthew 18:17 and Titus 3: 10, 11

____________________________________________________________________

Note:

There are some people who secretly creep into the Church as ‘believers’ but are not saved.

These people have no regard for constituted authority and exhibit utter disregard for Church

leadership. Consequently, when such people have a misunderstanding with a member of the

Church, they are willing to scatter the fellowship in order to prove their point. It is such

people that Christ calls Publicans and Heathens in the Church (Matthew 18). Paul calls them

heretics, who refuse admonition from Church leadership.

Regrettably, people like this cannot be approached with Biblical principles as they will not

listen. We have been told to mark such and avoid them.

‘Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye

have learned; and avoid them’ Romans 16:17.

11. What should our attitude be when we are offended by brethren in the church? Please

refer to Colossians 3:12, 13 and Mark 11:25, 26.

____________________________________________________________________

12. Please refer to Matthew 5: 23, 24 and explain what the attitude of a genuine believer

should be when he or she discovers that his or her action has unintentionally caused

offence to another.

____________________________________________________________________


Ephesians 4: 32 reminds us of how we can easily address offences that might occur from time

to time in the body of Christ: ‘And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you’.

May the Lord help us to be instruments of peace in His Church. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers:

for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9).


LESSON 13

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

MAIN TEXTS: Matthew 13: 3 – 9, 18 – 23; Luke 8: 11 - 15

Jesus Christ, knowing that He had a limited time on earth, used every opportunity to preach

and teach about the Kingdom of God. The calling for all believers is to do likewise. We are

meant to live and spread God’s word just as our perfect Example did. Jesus’ usage of parables

is one of the many methods that He used in expounding the things of the Kingdom. In the

parable of the sower, Jesus clearly reveals that the word of God plays a central role in His

Kingdom.

Consequently, our hope of an eternal abode in His Kingdom is based on our response to His

word. This parable also explains why people respond differently to God’s word. In the final

analysis, we will see God’s revelation of the kind of heart that profits from the word and

produces fruit.

Questions:

1. This parable starts by saying ‘…a sower went forth to sow’. Knowing that the seed

represents the word of God, please explain how central the word of God is in relation

to His kingdom.

________________________________________________________________

2. Read the following references and explain the importance of God’s word.

Matthew 7: 24 – 27 __________________________________________________

John 8:31 _________________________________________________________

I John 2: 14 ________________________________________________________

I Samuel 15:22–26 ___________________________________________________

Psalm 119: 9, 11______________________________________________________

John 8: 47 __________________________________________________________

3. Is it possible to negate God’s word and still maintain a genuine relationship with Him

or gain entrance into His kingdom? Give reasons for your answer.

__________________________________________________________________


Notes:

You will notice that the sower was preoccupied with only one thing: sowing the seed.

The focus of the Kingdom of God is His word. The word of God cannot be separated from

the Kingdom of God. The word of God should never be considered a secondary issue.

Every true Church knows that the teaching of God’s word is indispensable. Church gatherings

where the teaching of God’s word is compromised or displaced for non-essentials, will not

survive satan’s onslaught of damnable heresies and subtle wiles.

Shane Montgomery points this out in one of his articles:

‘Unfortunately, the importance of the Word of God in church has been overlooked in

many circles. The expository preaching and teaching of God’s powerful Word has

been replaced by entertainment, opinions, and showmanship. God’s people need

God’s Word! This is how they will grow! This is how they will be properly prepared for

the trials of life! This is how they will be equipped to “fight the good fight of faith’’,

I Timothy 6:12!’

4. Please read Matthew 13:19. Describe who Christ was referring to when He spoke of those

who ‘received seed by the way side’.

______________________________________________________________________

5. What are the main reasons why these people do not respond appropriately to God’s word?

______________________________________________________________________

6. Please read Matthew 13:20, 21. We are told that these are the people who receive the word with joy, but do not produce any fruit to perfection. What is the underlying problem with this group of ‘church-people’? ______________________________________________________________________

Notes:

Please read Matthew 13:5, 6 again. Did you notice that it was not the intensity or the scorching

of the sun that caused the plant to wither? No, it was the lack of root and depth that was

responsible for the withering. The Scripture says in Colossians 2:6, 7: ‘As ye have therefore

received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the

faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanks giving’


The key phrase is ‘rooted and built up in Him’. Being rooted in Christ takes diligence,

discipline and conscientiousness. It takes concentrated time in searching the Scriptures for

ourselves and not just waiting for a spiritual meal a week from the Church Pastor or Preacher

on Sundays.

Being rooted in Christ means being thorough in our adherence to His word and continuing in

Godly fellowship where the true word of God is preached and honoured. It means spending

quality time in Christ’s presence through prayer and supplication. Most of all, being rooted in

Christ means understanding the demands of our Christian calling, that it is not a superficial

calling. Abiding in Christ can sometimes lead to afflictions, persecutions, trials and sufferings.

Unfortunately many have allowed the ‘jet-age’ to influence their walk with God. Many

Church-goers want a ‘micro-wave’ relationship with God. They seem to find it very difficult to

give quality time to anything spiritual! The inevitable consequence of such neglect and spiritual

indolence will be lack of true spiritual growth, lack of Christian consistency and lack of depth

or root. This is a very dangerous place to be and yet it reflects the spiritual condition of a large

majority of present day Church-goers. God have mercy!

7. Please read the following references and explain the spiritual connection between root and

fruit bearing.

Proverbs 12:3 __________________________________________________

Proverbs 12:12 __________________________________________________

Isaiah 37:31_____________________________________________________

II Kings 19:30 ___________________________________________________

8. Please read Matthew 13:22. The third group of people described by Jesus Christ are those

who are in the Church physically, but their hearts are far away, being rooted in the things

of the world. Explain why the worldly in the church cannot bear fruit in the Kingdom of

God.

______________________________________________________________________

9. Please read the following references and explain the dangers of worldliness.

I John 2:15 – 17 ____________________________________________

James 4:4 __________________________________________________

II Timothy 4: 9, 10 ___________________________________________


Notes:

The quotation on worldliness by J.C. Ryle is very apt. He says:

‘The three great spiritual enemies of man are the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is hard to

say which does most harm to the soul. The last day alone will settle that point. But I venture

boldly to say, that at no former period has “the world” been so dangerous, and so successful

in injuring Christ’s Church, as it is just now.

Every age is said to have its own peculiar epidemic disease. I suspect that “worldliness” is the

peculiar plague of Christendom in our own era. That same love of the world’s good things and

good opinion – that same dread of the world’s opposition and blame – which proved so fatal

to Judas Iscariot, and Demas, and many more in the beginning of the gospel era – each is just

as powerful in the nineteenth century as it was in the first, and a hundred times more’.

10. The last group Christ spoke about are those who He stated thrived in ‘good ground’. Please read Luke 8:15. What are the key characteristics found in this group of people?

______________________________________________________________________

Notes:

A mental understanding of the parable of the sower will not profit the Church. God expects us to evaluate our lives in the light of His word and to allow His Spirit to reveal where we are amongst the four categories.

If we are in any of the first three categories, we must ask the Lord for grace for our lives to

be fashioned into ‘fruit bearing ground’. ‘Faithful is He’ who has called us, ‘Who also will

do it’ in Jesus’ Name. (I Thessalonians 5: 24).


Answers

To The Lessons


Answers to Lesson One

So Great A Salvation: Atonement

1. Atonement is the sacrifice that God provided in order to justly free us from the penalty

of our sins through the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, the sinless

One, became our sin-bearer and paid the ultimate price for our sins. Without the

atonement we cannot be reconciled to God. The consequence of our sins can only be

dealt with through the atonement.

2. God’s mercy is reflected by the fact that He willingly gave His own Son (Jesus Christ)

to die for our sins. His justice is reflected by the fact that God did not simply waive

away our sins. Rather, He paid the ultimate price that we could not pay.

3. The lamb offered in Exodus, was meant to be a representation of what Christ our

Saviour would later on in history do once and for all. Just as the blood atoned for the

sins of the Israelites in Egypt and they escaped God’s judgement, so also the blood of

Christ, shed at the Cross atones for the sins of the world. This is why Christ is

repeatedly referred to as the Lamb of God in the New Testament.

4. - Christ predicted His death as a voluntary act.

- Christ confirmed that He was the One laying down His life.

- Christ said that He came to give His life as a ransom for many. The wrongs

perpetrated against Christ by Pilate, Herod and the Jews where foreknown to God who

permitted them because they were in line with His salvation plan for mankind.

- The manner and reason why Christ was to die had been ordained even before the

creation of the world.– Christ’s death was a willing offering to God. No one, including

Herod, Pilate nor the Jews, had the power to take away His life.

5. (1) God did not transfer the punishment unto another but bore our punishment

Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. (2)We are reconciled to God by the actions of

God and not man. (3)Our gospel message should always emphasise reconciliation

through the atonement.

6. Jesus Christ alone paid the ultimate price for sin and since He is God, there is no other

sacrifice that will surpass what God has done. To reject Jesus Christ is to reject God

and reject the only way to salvation.


7. John the Baptist was emphasising that the One predicted all through the Old Testament

to be the ultimate and final sacrifice, had now arrived and the people were to look for

no other.

8. Cain showed contempt for God’s own provision for atonement for sin. This is the very

thing people are still doing today as they disregard God’s only provision made through

the Lord Jesus Christ and set about devising their own false way.

9. (1) Jesus was rejected, despised, a man of sorrows and grief. He absolutely did not come

for a party!(2) Words cannot express the awesome price Jesus paid for our atonement.

(3)It is God the Father that smote Jesus (God the Son) and not Pilate or the Roman

soldiers.(4) God is satisfied with Christ’s atonement and by it we are healed spiritually

from sin.

10. God is righteous, holy and just and His love will never negate these attributes. God will

never brush aside His justice and holiness under the guise of love. There was, therefore,

the need to justly pay the price for sin through Jesus Christ. This demonstrates how

exceedingly sinful sin is.

11. The significance is that Christ’s sacrifice is complete and final. No other sacrifice is

required. (This answer is true for all the other references in this question).

12. Group discussion required here.


Answers to Lesson Two

Repentance: The Doorway to Salvation

1. Repentance is a ‘sincere turning away of heart and mind from sin’. Repentance

produces so deep a sorrow for one’s past sinful life that it leads to a change of attitude

towards sin. The repentant person now sees transgression the way God sees it.

Repentance is reflected in Jonah 3 as we see the people (in verses 8 and 10) turn away

from their evil ways. Sin was no longer something pleasurable to them. They had a

change of attitude towards sin. This is repentance!

2. He saw their change of attitude towards sin (that they turned from their evil ways and

from the violence that was in their hands).

3. Christ’s central mission is to call sinners to repentance.

4. They preached that men should repent.

5. It implies that the rich man understood what message was capable of saving his

brothers from an eternal hell - the message of repentance! It is unfortunate that the

message of repentance is rejected or not emphasised today.

6. It conveys the message that mere confession is not synonymous to doing God’s will or

being accepted of Him. God expects to see our actions backing up our words. This

parable relates to repentance because we see the change of attitude in the first son who

said ‘no’ at first and then repented and did the father’s bidding.

7. The assertion is not true. (This answer applies to all the other references in this

question).

8. The repentance of sinners.

9. He said that the people should repent. It implies that repentance is an integral part of

the gospel message. It is instructive to know that this was the first message preached

after the descent of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s response was actually inspired by the Holy

Spirit.


10. God’s word is consistent in every generation. He underscores the indispensability of

repentance in both the Old and New Testaments. The Church cannot avoid the subject

of repentance and there is no reason why it should in the first place.


Answers to Lesson Three

Understanding Some Basic Truths in Genesis

1. It means we are created in the image of His holiness and righteousness.

2.

Exodus 19: 5, 6

God desired the children of Israel to be a holy nation unto Him.

Leviticus 11: 44, 45

God commanded the children of Israel to be holy because He is holy.

Romans 11:16

God expects those who have a genuine relationship with Him through Jesus Christ to

be holy just as Christ is holy.

Ephesians 4:22 – 24

God expects that every believer should ‘put on the new man’ created in His likeness

(the likeness of holiness and true righteousness).

II Corinthians 3: 17,18

The work of the Holy Spirit is to change us from glory to glory into the holy image of

Christ.

Revelation 22:11

God’s desire for holiness is emphatically mentioned in Revelation, the last book of the

Bible, just as in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

The above references in Old and New Testaments prove that God’s desire for us to be holy

runs throughout the Bible and therefore it is still very important today.

3. It shows that God is a loving God who gives to all on the basis of His grace and kindness

towards mankind and not on the basis of what we merit.

4.

I. God lovingly pronounced a salvation plan for mankind just after Adam and Eve sinned

(Genesis 3: 14, 15).

II. While we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5: 6 – 8).

III. Solomon asked for wisdom but God gave him untold wealth and honour in addition

(I Kings 3:5 – 13).

IV. God makes His sun to shine on the evil and on the good (Matthew 5:45).


5. God’s love towards mankind is immeasurable yet He calls us into a responsible relationship.

Consequently, there are conditions demanded by God for mankind to enjoy his relationship

with Him. God has always given conditions upon which our relationship with Him is based.

Other examples of those who exemplify God setting conditions include Noah, Abraham,

David, Solomon and the whole nation of Israel.

6.

Deuteronomy 28: 1,2,13 – 15

The blessings of God for the children of Israel were based on hearkening to God’s

Word (This means they were conditional).

I Chronicles 28:9

David, a man after God’s own heart, categorically told his son (Solomon) that

mankind’s relationship with God is conditional.

Leviticus 26:3 – 16

God links the blessing of the children of Israel to obeying His statutes and

commandments.

Romans 11: 22

Man enjoys the goodness of God as long as he continues in God’s will.

Hebrews 3: 6, 14

Responsibility is laid upon us to continue steadfastly unto the end if we are to be

partakers at His glorious appearing.

John 8:31

Continuity in God’s word is a condition for our relationship with God.

7. (1.) Solomon (2.) King Uzziah (3.) Judas (4.) Adam and Eve (5) Saul

8. It tells us that holding on to a theology of an unconditional love without a conditional

relationship is a false hope that can damn the soul. God’s grace should therefore not be taken

for granted.

9. God held Adam fully accountable for his own actions.

10.

Genesis 3: 17 – 19

Adam was punished for his own actions.

Deuteronomy 30: 15 – 20

God set before the children of Israel ‘life and death’ or ‘good and evil’. What they

received depended on what they chose.

Galatians 6: 7 – 8


Man reaps only what he sows.

II Chronicles 15: 1, 2

Despite God’s immeasurable love, if we forsake Him, He will forsake us.


Answers to Lesson Four

Jesus Christ’s Parables on Prayer

1. It means an unwavering faith in the promise of God that leads the seeker to prevail in

prayer by waiting and tarrying before the Lord until the answer to his petition is

received.

2. They must have been challenged by the prayer life of Jesus Christ and seeing the results

that prayer accomplished in His life, desired to emulate Him.

3. Friend– By using this word Jesus Christ underscores the fact that though we have a

relationship with God, we are still expected to pray. The believer’s relationship with

God does not make the need to pray redundant. The man in the parable went to his

friend but still had to be importunate to obtain what he needed.

Midnight – By using this word Jesus Christ highlights the fact that various needs in life

can arise at the oddest of times and when we least expect. We can never be too sure of

our situation on this side of eternity.

Importunity – By using this word Jesus Christ emphasises the fact that persistency in

prayer is very important.

4. These include:

(I.) Delay in answer to prayer (II.) Past negative experiences (III.)The greatness of the

challenge (IV.) Focusing on how discouraging the situation is (V.) General slackness to prayer.

5. His prayer was importunate and intense.

6. We cannot take our relationship with God for granted. There are times when prayer will

require such intensity. If the Son of God had to pray importunately from time to time, then so

must we. Since the servant cannot be greater than his Master.

7.

(1) The unjust judge is presented in contrast to the loving Father that we have in

heaven. If the unjust judge (who had no regard for man) can eventually be moved to

respond to the widow’s request, how much more our loving Father towards His

children.


(2) The widow had no relationship with the unjust judge and still had the boldness to

approach him for an answer. She is mentioned in comparison with the believer, who

has a relationship with a loving God. This truth should encourage us to approach

His throne of grace with boldness and persevere until we receive the answer.

8. We will not obtain answers to the needs of our life. We will be overwhelmed and

submerged by the challenges before us.

9. Jesus highlights this statement to show that if importunity can move an unjust judge, then it

will definitely move a loving God.

10. Elijah prayed importunately and there was rain after 3 ½ years of drought. Hannah prayed

and had children after many years of barrenness.

11. Personal answers are required here.


Answers to Lesson Five

Holiness, the Centrepiece of God

1. On both occasions God introduces Himself first as a Holy God.

2. God wanted them to know that if they were to walk successfully with Him and fulfil

their commission, it would have to be on the ground of holiness. God therefore wanted

to impress this upon them from the start.

3. All of the wondrous activities in Heaven are wrapped up in God’s holiness.

4. God’s Holiness is the major quality that makes Him different from other gods.

5. God carved out the Israelites for the purpose that they may be a Holy people to Him.

6. No, God’s desire has not changed. (The answer is true for all the references).

7. True grace does not leave us as helpless victims of sin, but rather it empowers us to live

Godly lives in this present world. True grace does not just redeem, but purifies too.

8. Yes, it is true (The answer is true for all the references).

9. God expects us to seek holiness diligently, with all our hearts and with a sincere

determination.

10. God promised to walk with those who are holy and whose garments were not soiled by

sin.

11. Holiness is only attainable by the operation of God in us through the Holy Spirit.

12. There is no Heaven for those who are not holy in this life.


Answers to Lesson Six

Love Not the World

1. The word ‘the world’ is used to describe the following:

The physical world.

The people of the world.

The corrupt system of the world.

2. The world is described as follows:

Corrupt.

Polluted.

Ignorant of God / Does not know God.

Incapable of receiving the Spirit of God.

Evil and anti-Christ.

3. The personality that rules the present world is named in each of the references as

follows:

The prince of this world.



The god of this world.

4.

The world hates the believer because of Christ in him or her.

The world cannot love us because we are not of the world.

If the world loves us, it means that we are of the world.

The Lord chose us out of the world, therefore we are not supposed to be ruled

by it any longer.

5.

It is the power of the word that delivers the believer from the world.

The world hates the believer because of the transforming power of God’s word

in his or her life, which in effect exposes their evil.

We should not be of the world in the same measure that Christ was not of the

world.

We can live in the world yet not be part of its corrupting practices and

defilement.


6. One can be ‘spotted’ by the world through a host of avenues including: politics, worldly

parties, worldly shows, corrupt programmes, ungodly music, worldly fashions, ungodly

associations and being enamoured with the mundane things of life etc.

7. It leads to further corruption, a lack of love for God and eventually, backsliding.

8. Devotion to God, a continuous walk of holiness and renewal of the mind through

God’s word on a constant basis.

9. No.

10. In I John 2:15 - 17 we see the following:

We cannot love the world and the Father at the same time.

All that the world represents can be categorised into three main areas: (1) The

lust of the flesh, (2) The lust of the eyes, (3) The pride of life.

Three things will pass away, (1) The world (2) The lusts (3) Those who love the

world.

Those who do the Father’s will are the ones who will abide forever.

11. No. The love of the world means love for what God hates and this in turn will make us

the enemies of God.

12. It will eventually draw us away from God.


Answers to Lesson Seven

An Unwholesome Tongue Is A Problem of The Heart.

1. A perfect man is one whose heart is perfect before God and therefore his tongue is bridled

and under the control of the Spirit of God.

2. He is pointing out that the tongue of the degenerate is ungodly, defiling and very

destructive, leading to all kinds of sin.

3. The tongue can defile the whole body if it is engaged in sinful discussions and corrupting

conversations such as gossip, backbiting and evil speaking.

4 No, it does not mean that the tongue will always be unruly even after our conversion (see

James 3: 10). It means that the tongue of the depraved and unconverted is so dangerous and

irrepressible that it cannot be tamed by mere human effort. Only through genuine conversion

can our tongues be truly redeemed also.

5.

Good and appropriate of the tongue brings peace while a foolish person is known by

his misuse of the tongue

Careless use of the tongue will always lead to sin. We should always be on guard that we

do not mis-speak under provocation.

We will have less trouble with the good use of our tongues. Conversely, we will have a

great deal of trouble if our tongue is let loose indiscriminately.

Unedifying words can be very harmful and can cause untold distress to people.

We can stop the contagion of backbiting by expressing our disapproval instead of

giving our ears to listen.

Our words should be words of grace in every situation that we find ourselves.

6. An unbridled tongue can only be addressed through genuine conversion. What people

say is a reflection of what is in their heart and only God can operate on the heart.

7 Yes, there is a connection between the sanctified heart and sanctified words. Similarly, there

is a connection between the defiled heart and defiled words.


8 The consequence is judgment from God.

9

Miriam spoke against Moses’ wife and became leprous (Numbers 12:1–16).

Ananias and Sapphira told lies and were struck dead (Acts 5: 1 – 10).

Some children mocked Elisha the Prophet on account of his bald head and were torn

by beasts (II Kings 2:23 – 25).

Job’s friends wrongly accused him and made statements about matters they were not

sufficiently informed of. For this reason the Lord rebuked them sharply (Job 42: 7 – 9).

10 It means that in every situation, without exception, our words should edify and be seasoned

with the salt of righteousness whenever we are responding to people.


Answers to Lesson Eight

Christ’s Encounter with the Pharisees – Part 1

1. Jesus was non-discriminatory in His association with mankind. He used every opportunity

afforded by being around people to preach the gospel to them but without compromising His

faith.

2. Jesus’ way of life was in every sense non-conforming to that of sinners despite having

regular contact with them.

3. We can live a holy life even amongst the worst of sinners by God’s grace.

4. True worship involves serving the Lord sacrificially (The same answer is true for all the

references).

5. The Pharisee was full of himself and thought that he was more righteous than the woman.

He was judgmental and critical of other people’s lives whilst overlooking the sins of his own

life.

6. Such comparison is deceptive because the wrong standard is being used. They use other

people’s lives as measurement instead of using the life of Christ as their standard.

7. The Pharisee doubted whether Jesus was actually a prophet in the first place. The so-called

sinner had no such doubt.

8. I. The creditor: God

II. The two debtors: ‘The Pharisee’ and ‘The woman’

9. (1). God is willing to forgive all (2). Both of them needed forgiveness (3). Our debt to God

is beyond what we can pay (4). God expects all who have tasted His forgiveness to love Him

and show sincere gratitude.

10. Her ministry to Christ dwarfed that of the Pharisee who did not even think it befitting

to wash the feet of Christ. It was notably customary among Jews of Christ’s day to

wash the feet of honoured guests.

11. It implies that Jesus Christ is God and has the power to forgive sins.

12. The Christian faith is about love. It is love that motivates the believer to live righteously

and obey God’s word. An attempt to obey without love leads to legalism and other religious

rituals.


Answers to Lesson Nine

Christ’s Encounter with the Pharisees – Part 2

1. Their actions did not match their words. They preached what they were not ready to obey

and gave the impression that they loved God when in fact they rejected His ways.

2. The text speaks against people who judge others but do the same things they condemn in

others.

3. The people in the text use religious activities to gain the accolades of men and build their

reputation. Consequently, their activities are basically for the glory of man and not God.

4. Jesus called the Pharisees: ‘Hypocrites’ (vs13), ‘fools and blind’ (vs19), ‘blind guides’ (vs24),

‘whited sepulchres’ (vs27), ‘full of dead men’s bones’ (vs27), full ‘of all uncleanness’ (vs27),

‘full of hypocrisy and iniquity’ (vs28), the children of them that killed the prophets (vs31),

‘serpents’ and ‘generations of vipers’ (vs33).

5. Practical answers from the group are required here.

6. It means to go through the motions of mere outward religious activities rather than to

demonstrate a genuine inner desire for God’s person, His will and His glory.

7. Jesus points out that we cannot seek the glory of man and God simultaneously. He who

seeks the glory of men will never glorify God in truth.

8. False worship is emphatic about the outward garb of religion with little or no inner

desire to truly please the Heavenly Father.

9. By ensuring that all our actions are driven by the one desire, to please the Lord.

10. It shows the darkness of their hearts and the fact that they were not the children of

God. In spite of their religious office, they actually denied that Jesus Christ was the

Holy One of Israel sent by God the Father.

11. Such people who hold leadership positions in the Church will ultimately mislead their

followers. For example, there are many who have been molested in one form or the

other by religious leaders and have consequently resolved not to have anything further

to do with Christianity.


12. It is important that we ourselves are well versed in the truth. This will give us the ability

to discern between error and God’s truth. We should also look out for what motivates

these people and see if they are self-seeking or God glorifying.


Answers to Lesson Ten

Paul’s Concern for the Church at Crete

1. Paul means that his calling and commissioning are predicated on the fundamental teachings

of the Christian faith. Paul places a very high premium on the inseparable relationship

between the true calling and the true teachings of the faith.

2. It is the fundamental teaching of Christ (the doctrines) that forms the basis of true

Christianity. This is what Jude said the church should contend for. This is what the early

church suffered for and this is what will determine if we are truly worshipping God in Spirit

and in truth.

3. Every Christians is called to Godliness. The God who has saved and ransomed us, is a holy

God. He calls us that we might walk in holiness before Him.

4. It tells us that God is Omniscient (He is all-knowing).

5. The focus of true preaching should always be redemption from sin following genuine

repentance, change from the old life to a new life of holiness provided through faith in the

blood of Jesus Christ.

6. The point that Paul is making here is that preaching should be based on the undiluted Word

of God. He says that even though many will not endure the teaching of sound doctrine, we

must remain steadfast.

7. Modern day preaching lacks the very thing Paul mentions in I Timothy 4: 1, 2 (that is, no

reprove, no rebuke and no emphasis on doctrine). Modern day preaching hardly pricks the

conscience about sin. As a result, many are not convicted of their need for salvation from sin.

8. Yes, there are some similarities. The things to look out for include:

The elevation of personal experiences like dreams, visions and prophecies above the

written word of God

Lack of consistent and concentrated study of God’s word.

False prophesies made in the name of the Lord.

Lack of emphasis on the things that matter. Consequently, they major on the minor

and minor on the major.

9. It means to be a son or daughter in the Lord based on a wholehearted acceptance of the

truth of God’s word. It is like saying that one has been adopted into the truth. Invariably, Paul

was alluding to the fact that being a spiritual son or daughter in the Lord depended on our

reception of the truth that he taught.


10. Paul wanted to ensure that the holy standard of God was maintained in Crete and that

false doctrines were not in any way allowed to thrive in the Church. He also wanted elders,

who by the grace of God, were capable to support the work of the Lord in Crete.


Answers to Lesson Eleven

Born of the Spirit

1. There cannot be any real conversion without the Holy Spirit. Salvation is solely the work

of the Holy Spirit. He (the Holy Spirit) regenerates the life of all who repent and manifest

faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Nicodemus, like many today, think that being

right with God and receiving the life of God has to do with what we can do in our

strength. Jesus explains that entrance into the Kingdom of God is based on a different

way known to man. It requires the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of all who believe.

2. The unregenerate man can only give birth to a nature that is sinful. The nature of man is

determined by what it is born of. Hence, the flesh (sinful nature) cannot produce

anything better than the flesh (sinful nature). Therefore to be righteous, we will need to

be born of another (the Holy Spirit).

3.

They are pre-occupied with the things of the flesh.

They are carnally minded and are not subject to the law of God.

They live after the sinful deeds of the body.

They are not able to live righteously and struggle with sin.

4.

They walk after the things of the Spirit.

They are driven by the things of the Spirit.

They have victory over the flesh by the power of the Spirit.

They follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The deeds of the flesh are crucified in their life.

5. The portrait of the person born of the Spirit is one who:

Has put off the sinful life and has ‘put on the new man’ that is created in holiness and

true righteousness.

Has his or her mind renewed in God’s word.

Does not misspeak with the tongue.

Lives a transparent life.

Is tender hearted and has a forgiving spirit.

6. No. It is not possible to be born of the flesh and of the Spirit at the same time. Throughout

the Bible, God presents a very clear distinction between the ‘flesh born’ and the ‘Spirit born’.


7. Church identification and commitment can be very deceptive if one is not born again. To

enter in to the Kingdom of God requires more than Church commitment. It will require

the new birth.

8. Yes, it is possible to have victory over the flesh once we are born of the Spirit. The Gospel

‘is the power of God unto salvation’ (Romans 1:16), and this power is given through Christ to

save us from the power of sin (Matthew 1:21). In Romans 8:13 it says that the deeds of the

body are mortified through the power of the Spirit given at the new birth.

9. This can only be experienced through sincere repentance for sins, faith in the atoning

blood of Jesus Christ and a strong desire for the blessing of the new life that God gives to

every sincere seeker.

10. This is a personal examination for all.


Answers to Lesson Twelve

Addressing Offences in the Body of Christ

1. The offence of the world is intentional, deliberate and with no sense of remorse with

regard to the impact on the offended. The offence amongst genuine believers is not

intentional and the offender with all humility will always seek to redress the offence as

soon as possible in order to maintain the bond of peace.

2. We must endeavour to be of one accord, act only in the love of Christ and avoid strife,

self-seeking and esteem others better than ourselves. We must have the mind of Christ.

3. Paul did not think that John Mark was suitable for the missionary work, but Barnabas

thought otherwise and they both held firmly to their different views until regrettably, it

was no longer possible for them to work together as missionaries.

4. It is most likely that Barnabas was at fault. God called him and Paul to the work in

Chapter 13 and he should not have allowed a third party to jeopardise their joint-calling.

In addition, Barnabas did not receive any church blessing following his decision to

pursue ministry with John Mark.

5. We must have the heart of Christ and easily forgive in order to maintain peace in the

Body of Christ. The glory of God should always be our ultimate pursuit even if it

means giving up our rights for Christ’s sake.

6. We should first discuss the issue alone with the person concerned.

7. It leads to further strained relationships in the wider Body of Christ and carnal taking of

sides in the Church.

8. God never acts outside constituted authority and He has, therefore, given authority to

true Church leadership to address issues of offence amongst members. The Church

leadership should always declare the mind of God on any issue.

9. Church leadership should always be guided by the Word and the mind of God.

10. The danger is that God will view such a person as an unbeliever. Further, such a person

will lose the peace of God and the grace of God and this will ultimately lead to a

backslidden state if not addressed.


11. We should be ready to forgive as God, for Christ’s sake, forgave us.

12. The true believer will, in the spirit of meekness, endeavour to reconcile with the

offended as quickly as possible and as soon as the offence has been brought to his or

her notice.


Answers to Lesson Thirteen

The Parable of The Sower

1. The word of God is fundamental and cannot take the back burner in God’s kingdom. The

word is pre-eminent in all spheres of His kingdom.

2.

We can only stand by adhering to God’s word.

Only those that continue in His word are true disciples.

It is the power of God’s word that makes us strong and enables us to overcome the

wicked one.

If we reject God’s word, we automatically reject God Himself.

It is our adherence to God’s word that keeps us pure in a defiled world.

True children of God are known by their response to the word of God.

3. No, it is not possible. God places a high premium on His word and only those who

yield to His word can be assured a place in heaven.

4. He was referring to those who are not serious about spiritual things and, therefore, do

not give due regard to the Word of God that they hear.

5. They just do not understand the importance of God’s word and what is at stake.

Consequently, they allow irrelevant things to take the precious word of God from their

heart, without anytime to meditate on it.

6. Their profession of faith has no root and therefore lacks spiritual depth. This set of

people fail to understand that walking with the Lord requires steadfastness and

continuity in obedience to His word. Unfortunately, these people do not count the cost;

they quickly profess Christ, but soon deny Him being unwilling to pay the price.

7.

Being rooted in Christ provides spiritual stability.

There cannot be fruit-bearing without depth of root.

It is the depth of the root that determines the upward fruit.

Genuine growth starts from the root first.

8. Worldliness is antagonistic to everything spiritual and vehemently opposes the rule of

God because it has no regard for God.


9.

Worldliness takes away one’s love for God.

Worldliness automatically makes us enemies of God.

Worldliness leads to backsliding.

10.

They have a good heart.

They are honest about wanting to grow spiritually.

They give attention to the preaching of the word.

They are determined to keep the word.

They patiently grow step-by-step and thereby produce fruit.



Why not start a home group and be an instrument of revival in your locality? You have the

material right in your hands. Furthermore, if you will like to be a member of the International

Home Group, please email [email protected] and we will provide you with the

necessary support wherever you are based.

You can also call our 24hour line on: +44 (0)2087 980 961

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Documents

VOLUME ONE The Home Bible Study Series - Squarespace · VOLUME ONE The Home Bible Study Series ... (Acts 2:46). Aquila and ... How can sinful man be reconciled to a Holy God when