Preparation for Wednesday September 2nd

I suspect we will finish chapter 14 this week, and there are some interesting things to investigate in the closing verses.

1.  If you take verses 17, 20, 23--what does it seem to tell you about the members of the Trinity residing within the believer?

2.  Verse 28 raises two interesting things for you to think about:  
1) Why should we be glad that Jesus is returning to the Father; and 2) What does Jesus mean when He says the Father is "greater"?

3.  How does the Christian learn from Jesus what obedience, and therefore love, is really all about?

See on you Wednesday.

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday August 26th 2015

We will be back in John 14 this coming Wednesday.  In order to be prepared, read through the 2nd half of the chapter (verses 15-31) and think through the implications.  I particularly suggest that you look at how many reference you can find to different members of the Trinity residing within the Believer.  All three are there!

Preparation for Wednesdays Aug 5, 12 and 19th

No preparation for these three Wednesdays:  
  - Aug 5: Dr. David Reagan keynote address at Lamb and Lion Prophecy Conference

  - Aug 12:  Guest Speaker

  - Aug 19:  Guest Speaker

Look for an update prior to the Aug 26 study when we will be back in the Gospel of John and the Upper Room Discourse.

See you Wednesday,

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday July 29th

Continue to read John chapter 14 as often as you can.  You will discover both great truths, and generate many questions.  

We will continue to reinforce this week  the fact that from verse 6 on, Jesus is progressively unfolding the Christian Life.  It is not too far removed from, "in order to be my disciple you have to take up your cross daily. . ."  Here are a couple of things to ponder:

1)  What two things should have already made it clear to Phillip that when he saw the Son, he was seeing the Father?

2)  What claim does Jesus make in verse 10 that parallels vs 17 and Col 1:27?

3)  How do you sort out the many references to loving Christ and being obedient?  (And the blessings promised for doing so?)  Is this a requirement for salvation?  For something else?  

See you on Wednesday,

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday July 22nd, 2015

This week we'll continue our investigation of John chapter 14.  

Take a look at the statement Jesus makes in Jn 14:4, and then Thomas's response in verse 5--what comes to mind after reading Thomas's question?  Does it make you question whether or not Thomas has a saving relationship with the Lord?  

Now Jesus's response in verse 6 is very well known, and often quoted without regard to the context.  Just two things for you to consider for this coming week:

   1) Is Jesus saying He is one thing or three things?  Can you briefly describe each?

   2)  Is verse 6 Jesus's complete answer to Thomas, or does it perhaps run at least as far as verse 17?  (If it does run to verse 17, is Jesus addressing Thomas's salvation--or something else all together?)

Preparation for Wednesday July 15th, 2015

We'll be in John chapter 14 this week.   Here are a few things to think about as part of being ready for our study:

1.  The first three verses of chapter 14 are very well known.  However, once again, we usually pull them out of context.  If you consider the completely unsettled situation being faced by the apostles, I have to think that the first two verses have much more by way of applicability.  Can you think of any times in our lives we should apply the promise of verse 1-2?

2.  These verses make a powerful case for the "rapture of the Church", can you explain why?  Or asking this same question another way--do these verses fit with Jesus returning to the earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords?

3.  Vs 4 begins a lengthy dialogue between Jesus and his disciples--what do you think it means to "know the way" to where Jesus is going?  Whatever you come up with, has to fit the dialogue that follows.  

See you on Wednesday,

Kevin

Preparations for Wednesday July 8th, 2015

We are back in Jn 13, and going to try and finish the chapter by looking at verses 31-38.  A few things for you to consider:

1) Verses 31-32 have a certain immediacy about them that does not seem to fit with the actual unfolding of events--how might we explain this?  Or asked another way, can you think of some things that are always immediately available for the Christian?

2) You have heard me quote vs 34 many times; however, we don't often consider the context.  The context makes this passage even more powerful--how so?

3)  The closing dialogue with Peter in verses 36-38 are a classic example of the dangers inherent in trusting self.  Who then should we trust?  How can we recognize when self is "creeping" into the picture?  What does trusting in self do to our fellowship with the Father?

See you Wednesday,

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday 1 July 2015

No preparation this week as we have a guest speaker.

Respectfully,
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday June 24th, 2015

We have taken a little side journey to investigate the question, "If belief is what saves us, what exactly does it mean to believe?"   A number of other questions naturally follow:

   - Can you have the wrong kind or insufficient belief?

   - What does Lk 6:44 add to our understanding?

  - How about Rm 10:9-10  
(Both of the above are challenging passages.)

  - Lastly, do you see the Bible qualifying belief in any way?  (Consider two famous passages--Jn 3:16 and Acts 16:31.  They qualify the object, but do they qualify the act of faith!)


See you on Wednesday,

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday Jun 17th, 2015

We've had some great discussion in John chapter 13, which makes  up for the lack of forward progress.  This week we will finish with our application of the "foot washing" and move into what Jesus has to say after Judas leaves the group.  Here are a few things for you to ponder:

   1)  If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, what is the spiritual lesson for you associated with Jn 13:10?

  2)  Now put your answer to the above into the context of Peter's denial of Christ--what kind of application would you make.  

  3) Judas leaves, and Jesus makes a startling statement in Jn 13:31--what do you think this means?  

     - After pondering it a while, see if Jn 17:5 helps at all!


This Upper Room Discourse is great stuff isn't it?  

See you on Wednesday.  

Kevin