Bible study recordings page 3
We held a series of Bible studies via Zoom between April 2020 and June 2022. See below for details of the
preparatory notes and the recordings of our studies on the subjects 'Prayer, 'What rerally happened
at the fall in the garden', 'Suffering and 'Inside the early church'.
preparatory notes and the recordings of our studies on the subjects 'Prayer, 'What rerally happened
at the fall in the garden', 'Suffering and 'Inside the early church'.
Topic: Prayer
Read: Matthew 18:19–20; Mark 11:24; John 14:13-14; Acts 2:42; 4:31; 6:4; 9:11; Romans 8:18-27; Ephesians 6:18-20; Jude 20–21.
Points to Ponder
1. How do you rate your prayer life?
2. What do you find most difficult about praying?
3. What do you enjoy most about praying?
4. Why pray?
7. What does it mean to, ‘pray in Jesus’ Name?’ (John 14:13-14).
Read: Matthew 18:19–20; Mark 11:24; John 14:13-14; Acts 2:42; 4:31; 6:4; 9:11; Romans 8:18-27; Ephesians 6:18-20; Jude 20–21.
Points to Ponder
1. How do you rate your prayer life?
2. What do you find most difficult about praying?
3. What do you enjoy most about praying?
4. Why pray?
- Won’t things just happen anyway if God is working his purposes out?
- Does it really make a difference?
- What about the Lord’s prayer?
- Does prayer have to be spoken out loud or is silent prayer (in your head) just as important?
7. What does it mean to, ‘pray in Jesus’ Name?’ (John 14:13-14).
What really happened at the Fall in the Garden?
Study 1
The first 15 minutes of the study was devoted to ‘How to get the most out of your personal Bible study’.
The rest of the study considered the shift that took place through Jesus Christ in response to what happened at the Fall. We focused on what it means to live life in the Spirit in contrast to the ‘flesh’ and the Law. These truths were set out briefly from the Bible, with the emphasis on the practicalities of how to live and stay in the Spirit and what life in the Spirit looks like.
Read: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:26-32; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Hebrews 8:6-13; Ephesians 5:18-20; Galatians 5: 13-26 and Romans chapters 7 and 8.
Points to Ponder
1. What did John the Baptist mean when he said about Jesus, “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire?” What do you think it means to be baptised with the Holy Spirit? (Luke 3:16).
2. In what way does being ‘in the Spirit’ fulfil the requirements of the Law?
3. If the indwelling Spirit fulfils the requirements of the law, as in the new covenant, how should that affect our view of subjects like, ‘entering God’s rest’, prayer, guidance, our perspective on ourselves and others, and life in general?
The first 15 minutes of the study was devoted to ‘How to get the most out of your personal Bible study’.
The rest of the study considered the shift that took place through Jesus Christ in response to what happened at the Fall. We focused on what it means to live life in the Spirit in contrast to the ‘flesh’ and the Law. These truths were set out briefly from the Bible, with the emphasis on the practicalities of how to live and stay in the Spirit and what life in the Spirit looks like.
Read: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:26-32; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Hebrews 8:6-13; Ephesians 5:18-20; Galatians 5: 13-26 and Romans chapters 7 and 8.
Points to Ponder
1. What did John the Baptist mean when he said about Jesus, “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire?” What do you think it means to be baptised with the Holy Spirit? (Luke 3:16).
2. In what way does being ‘in the Spirit’ fulfil the requirements of the Law?
3. If the indwelling Spirit fulfils the requirements of the law, as in the new covenant, how should that affect our view of subjects like, ‘entering God’s rest’, prayer, guidance, our perspective on ourselves and others, and life in general?
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Study 2
Read: Matthew 4:1-11; John 12:31; 14:30; 16: 11; 1 John 5:19; Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 20:25-28; Colossians 1:12–14; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 3:2; 10:5-8; Luke 4:43; Galatians; 3:26-28. 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5-6.
Points to Ponder
1. How did you get on with the idea that your emotional equipment is not fundamentally damaged, but the power supply has been switched off because of separation from God? Would understanding that change your view of yourself?
2. Could you identify with that process of alienation from God leading to passivity and dysfunction, with fear being the consistent theme?
3. What is the link between Adam and Eve’s temptation in the Garden and Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness?
4. What does the word ‘redemption’ mean to you as a biblical concept and on a personal level?
5. What difference does it make to us that we have been adopted into God’s family? (Some of the passages above will help with this).
6. What does the phrase, ‘Living the life of the future in the present’ mean to you?
7. The phrase, ‘in Christ’ is used many times in the New Testament. What does it mean to you to be ‘in Christ’?
8. If we understood and lived in the benefit of the change in position that knowing Christ has brought about in our lives, what differences could that make to the way that we live?
Read: Matthew 4:1-11; John 12:31; 14:30; 16: 11; 1 John 5:19; Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 20:25-28; Colossians 1:12–14; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 3:2; 10:5-8; Luke 4:43; Galatians; 3:26-28. 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5-6.
Points to Ponder
1. How did you get on with the idea that your emotional equipment is not fundamentally damaged, but the power supply has been switched off because of separation from God? Would understanding that change your view of yourself?
2. Could you identify with that process of alienation from God leading to passivity and dysfunction, with fear being the consistent theme?
3. What is the link between Adam and Eve’s temptation in the Garden and Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness?
4. What does the word ‘redemption’ mean to you as a biblical concept and on a personal level?
5. What difference does it make to us that we have been adopted into God’s family? (Some of the passages above will help with this).
6. What does the phrase, ‘Living the life of the future in the present’ mean to you?
7. The phrase, ‘in Christ’ is used many times in the New Testament. What does it mean to you to be ‘in Christ’?
8. If we understood and lived in the benefit of the change in position that knowing Christ has brought about in our lives, what differences could that make to the way that we live?
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Click here to download the study. |
Study 3
Read: Genesis 2:15-3:13; 1 John 5:19; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; Colossians 1:13; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 John 4:16-21; Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:8-11.
Points to ponder:
1. David wrote, ‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well’ (Psalm 139:14). Think of it like this: at the heart of each of us is a delicate instrument, enabling us to feel everything, thus producing a need to process what we feel and to understand it. When Man disobeyed God, did that instrument get damaged? If it did, in what way and if not, what did happen to it?
2. Why do you think, in general, that people have such a negative view of themselves?
3. If that instrument didn’t get damaged in the Garden, how could that affect the way we view ourselves now?
4. What is the key thing that went wrong between God and Man in the Garden?
5. What did the disconnect between God and Man lead to?
6. What has God done about it? (You will find clues to questions 6 and 7 in the Bible passages above).
7. What should our response be to what God has done?
Read: Genesis 2:15-3:13; 1 John 5:19; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; Colossians 1:13; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 John 4:16-21; Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:8-11.
Points to ponder:
1. David wrote, ‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well’ (Psalm 139:14). Think of it like this: at the heart of each of us is a delicate instrument, enabling us to feel everything, thus producing a need to process what we feel and to understand it. When Man disobeyed God, did that instrument get damaged? If it did, in what way and if not, what did happen to it?
2. Why do you think, in general, that people have such a negative view of themselves?
3. If that instrument didn’t get damaged in the Garden, how could that affect the way we view ourselves now?
4. What is the key thing that went wrong between God and Man in the Garden?
5. What did the disconnect between God and Man lead to?
6. What has God done about it? (You will find clues to questions 6 and 7 in the Bible passages above).
7. What should our response be to what God has done?
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Click here to download the study. |
Suffering
Suffering (part 1)
Read: Isaiah 25:8; 55:8; Matthew 10:7–8; 12:28; 13:58; 17:19-20; 22:15-16; John 12:31; Romans 8:18-30; Revelation chapters 4-6; 21:3-5; 1 John 5:19.
We addressed the question that had been sent in: ‘How can we accept the fact that even though God loves us more than anything, he allows us and other people to suffer?’ A related question was also sent in: ‘How can we explain (what God is doing) to a non-Christian or a new Christian or simply a Christian who has just lost their spouse in a car accident, leaving them with 3 children to look after (for example)?’ We also looked at the related subjects of faith and prayer in this context.
Points to Ponder
1. What are your thoughts on why there is suffering in the world?
2. Do we have any answers to that question in the Bible? If so, what are they?
3. What are your thoughts on why God heals some people and not others?
4. What role do you think faith and prayer plays in this issue of healing? For example, if somebody does not get healed, is it always because they did not have enough faith, or did not pray enough?
5. Why do you think we do not always see the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit resulting in remarkable miracles as frequently as in the book of Acts?
Read: Isaiah 25:8; 55:8; Matthew 10:7–8; 12:28; 13:58; 17:19-20; 22:15-16; John 12:31; Romans 8:18-30; Revelation chapters 4-6; 21:3-5; 1 John 5:19.
We addressed the question that had been sent in: ‘How can we accept the fact that even though God loves us more than anything, he allows us and other people to suffer?’ A related question was also sent in: ‘How can we explain (what God is doing) to a non-Christian or a new Christian or simply a Christian who has just lost their spouse in a car accident, leaving them with 3 children to look after (for example)?’ We also looked at the related subjects of faith and prayer in this context.
Points to Ponder
1. What are your thoughts on why there is suffering in the world?
2. Do we have any answers to that question in the Bible? If so, what are they?
3. What are your thoughts on why God heals some people and not others?
4. What role do you think faith and prayer plays in this issue of healing? For example, if somebody does not get healed, is it always because they did not have enough faith, or did not pray enough?
5. Why do you think we do not always see the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit resulting in remarkable miracles as frequently as in the book of Acts?
Suffering (part 2)
Read: Daniel 3 (especially vs. 17-18); 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; Psalm 16:5-11.
Points to Ponder
1. How would you answer someone who challenged you as a Christian, to explain why there is so much suffering in the world?
2. Have you had any experience of bringing God’s comfort into a tragic situation or of providing a helpful answer to someone who is struggling with the problem of suffering and evil in the world? If so, and if you think it would be helpful to others would you like to share it with us? If you let me know beforehand, I can make sure you do not get missed.
3. What are your thoughts on why God heals some people and not others?
4. What role do you think faith and prayer play in this issue of healing? What principles would you share with someone who was trying to get their head around whether they should be praying more, have more faith, perhaps find someone with a ‘healing ministry?
5. Why do you think we do not always see the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit resulting in remarkable miracles as frequently as in the book of Acts?
Read: Daniel 3 (especially vs. 17-18); 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; Psalm 16:5-11.
Points to Ponder
1. How would you answer someone who challenged you as a Christian, to explain why there is so much suffering in the world?
2. Have you had any experience of bringing God’s comfort into a tragic situation or of providing a helpful answer to someone who is struggling with the problem of suffering and evil in the world? If so, and if you think it would be helpful to others would you like to share it with us? If you let me know beforehand, I can make sure you do not get missed.
3. What are your thoughts on why God heals some people and not others?
4. What role do you think faith and prayer play in this issue of healing? What principles would you share with someone who was trying to get their head around whether they should be praying more, have more faith, perhaps find someone with a ‘healing ministry?
5. Why do you think we do not always see the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit resulting in remarkable miracles as frequently as in the book of Acts?
Inside the early church
Inside the early church (part 1)
Read: John 14; 17; Revelation 21:1-5; Acts 1-2; Romans 8:1-17
Points to Ponder:
1. If you had to put the message of the Bible into one sentence, what would that sentence be?
2. Why do you think that Jesus did not make the most of the time between the resurrection and ascension and spend every minute that he could with his disciples?
3. Do you agree that the Early Church would not exist if the Spirit had not been sent by the Father and Son to indwell the disciples?
4. Do you think the church would continue if God removed his Spirit from it?
5. As you read through the first two chapters of Acts, what is it about the Early Church that really excites you?
Use these questions to get yourself thinking about what that Early Church looked like. We will be making our studies practical and asking how we can experience in our churches what it means to live out the life of the Spirit and thereby continue the presence and ministry of Jesus on this earth.
Read: John 14; 17; Revelation 21:1-5; Acts 1-2; Romans 8:1-17
Points to Ponder:
1. If you had to put the message of the Bible into one sentence, what would that sentence be?
2. Why do you think that Jesus did not make the most of the time between the resurrection and ascension and spend every minute that he could with his disciples?
3. Do you agree that the Early Church would not exist if the Spirit had not been sent by the Father and Son to indwell the disciples?
4. Do you think the church would continue if God removed his Spirit from it?
5. As you read through the first two chapters of Acts, what is it about the Early Church that really excites you?
Use these questions to get yourself thinking about what that Early Church looked like. We will be making our studies practical and asking how we can experience in our churches what it means to live out the life of the Spirit and thereby continue the presence and ministry of Jesus on this earth.
Inside the early church (part 2)
Read: John 17; Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37
Points to Ponder:
1. What can we learn about the nature of church from such passages as John 17:11;20-26?
2. What can those passages teach us about how we treat one another as members of the Body of Christ?
3. Acts 2:42 tells us that the believers ‘devoted themselves’ to those four-fold characteristics of church. What thoughts and ideas come to mind with the concept of devoting yourself to something?
4. What do you think devoting themselves to the ‘apostles’ teaching’ looked like in the Early Church and what should it look like today in our churches?
5. They also devoted themselves ‘to fellowship.’ What do you think this means and how is that demonstrated in such passages as Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37?
Read: John 17; Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37
Points to Ponder:
1. What can we learn about the nature of church from such passages as John 17:11;20-26?
2. What can those passages teach us about how we treat one another as members of the Body of Christ?
3. Acts 2:42 tells us that the believers ‘devoted themselves’ to those four-fold characteristics of church. What thoughts and ideas come to mind with the concept of devoting yourself to something?
4. What do you think devoting themselves to the ‘apostles’ teaching’ looked like in the Early Church and what should it look like today in our churches?
5. They also devoted themselves ‘to fellowship.’ What do you think this means and how is that demonstrated in such passages as Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37?
Inside the early church (part 3)
Read: Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37
Points to Ponder:
Some ‘Points to Ponder’ from the previous study are relevant this week so they are included again.
1. Acts 2:42 tells us that the believers ‘devoted themselves’ to those four-fold characteristics of church. What thoughts and ideas come to mind with the concept of devoting yourself to something?
2. What do you think devoting themselves to the ‘apostles’ teaching’ looked like in the Early Church and what should it look like today in our churches?
3. They also devoted themselves ‘to fellowship.’ What do you think this means and how is that demonstrated in such passages as Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37? Does having ‘everything in common’ have anything to do with devoting themselves ‘to the fellowship’?
4. How do you devote yourself to the ‘breaking of bread’?
5. What does the ‘breaking of bread’ refer to – a meal, a communion service?
6. If we devote ourselves to prayer, what will this look like in our churches today?
Read: Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37
Points to Ponder:
Some ‘Points to Ponder’ from the previous study are relevant this week so they are included again.
1. Acts 2:42 tells us that the believers ‘devoted themselves’ to those four-fold characteristics of church. What thoughts and ideas come to mind with the concept of devoting yourself to something?
2. What do you think devoting themselves to the ‘apostles’ teaching’ looked like in the Early Church and what should it look like today in our churches?
3. They also devoted themselves ‘to fellowship.’ What do you think this means and how is that demonstrated in such passages as Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37? Does having ‘everything in common’ have anything to do with devoting themselves ‘to the fellowship’?
4. How do you devote yourself to the ‘breaking of bread’?
5. What does the ‘breaking of bread’ refer to – a meal, a communion service?
6. If we devote ourselves to prayer, what will this look like in our churches today?
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