Lesson 10 Review: Meekness in the Crucible

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, NKJV).

‘Meekness is defined as “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.” With meekness it is easier to go through pain and suffering. Also, in the crucible is where we can learn meekness to make us powerful witnesses for God.

What does it mean to be broken bread and poured-out wine for others?

Just like Moses and Joseph in the Bible who were called to serve people and show the goodness of God who in the process had to go through a lot of suffering and pain. Sometimes God can make us go through crucibles so we can be better witnesses of Christ to others.

What does the experience of Ezekiel in Ezekiel 24:15-27 highlight?

Our sufferings can be a lesson to others, a lot can be learnt from our bad experiences.

What role do we find Moses playing here in Exodus 32:1-14?

Moses plays the role of an Intercessor, in that he pleaded on behalf of the people although they didn’t deserve it.

What two important issues does Exodus 32:1-14?

‘First, God’s offer to destroy the rebellious people and bless Moses was a test for Moses to show how much Moses was compassionate for the desperately rebellious people. Second, this passage shows that opposition and disobedience is a call to reveal grace.

What does Jesus mean when He says we should have love for our enemies?

Love for our enemies is not meant to be a feeling we have for them but specific actions toward them that reveal care and consideration.

What does it mean to be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect?

Those who want to be as perfect as God should show love to their enemies as God shows to His. To be perfect in God’s sight is to love the opposition.

What does it take to love the opposition?

Meekness of heart.

Who gives meekness of heart?

Only God can give meekness of heart to love even our enemies.

How are we to respond to situations of injustice?

We are to use Jesus’ example, what we need is just meekness to endure through knowing that God is in control. Jesus could have certainly talked His was out of being crucified, when Pilate and Caiaphas questioned Him but He kept silent.

What point is David making in Psalm 62:1-8?

“Without cause men will become our enemies” but our refuge and rock should be in God who would never revile us. He is the best One we can get our strength and self-worth from. Even in the pursuit of faith, we may face criticisms but let us be of good cheer, God is guiding us all to the glory of His name.

In Conclusion,

Meekness is a very strong defense against the crucibles of life. This meekness only comes from God and it is our duty to trust God in every situation to provide us with the necessary weapon. Our greatest example should be Jesus who was meek and lowly even in the face of death. I pray that God gives us meekness of heart in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 9 Review: A Life of Praise

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).

Praising God in crucibles helps us sustain our faith, it is faith in action, practicing praise so that it becomes a natural part of our lives has the power to both convert and to conquer every challenge.

What are the two implications in rejoicing always?

First, it implies that we rejoice even when circumstances do not give grounds for rejoicing. Second, we are also to learn to rejoice at times when we do not feel like it.

What lesson does the Jericho incident have for us?

The Israelites must have concluded that they hadn’t any chance of breaking down the walls, but that was when God instructs them to shout, shouting here refers to praise (Ps. 66:1, 2, NIV). After, the Israelites praised God and the walls fell down, they can also attest to the fact that it was not by their power.

What three important things can help in developing praise in our lives?

Praise is practiced as we look around us. Praise is practiced as we remember what we have seen. Praise is practiced as we talk about it.

Why did the Jailer of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:16-34 turn to focus on his need of salvation?

Paul and Silas had a very positive impact in the lives of the people in the prison, and even the Jailer, and it is wonderful to think that they were both in pains after being flogged, but in their pain they praised God. This praise led to the conversion of the Jailer and his entire family, we are to never stop praising God, we may not know what positive effect it could have.

 What was Jehoshaphat’s response when he heard the report that a great army was approaching?

Rather, than prepare his army for war, he went to God in prayer, proclaiming a fast in all Israel, he saw the reality of things that he could not find the vast army that was approaching. God answered his prayers and he did not have to fight the war, all Jehoshaphat did was to praise God for His goodness.

In Conclusion,

Praises should be a major part of our lives, in all situations, we should learn to praise God because He is worthy of our praise. Praise not only is a response to something good, it is something that should continue throughout our lives. Praise is faith in action, I pray that God give us a heart of praise for every situation in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 8 Review: Seeing the Invisible

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27, NKJV).

We need faith to see “him who is invisible” not simply when times are good but especially when everything is wrong. “He perceived because he saw him who is invisible”, the knowledge of the truth about God enables us to stand strong when we are in the crucible and may be tempted to doubt everything.

What logic can be found in Romans 8:28-39 that can guard our minds against doubting God’s goodness?

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?”. God who sent His only son to die for us cannot all of a sudden turn mean and stingy, there is no reason for us to doubt God.

What assurance does the name of Jesus give us?

We can be sure that when we ask anything in the name of Jesus, ‘the whole machinery of heaven is at work on our behalf, we may not see it, it may not also be as dramatic as when Jesus calmed the stormy sea, but it doesn’t mean that God is not at work.

What hope and promises can be found in Ephesians 1:18-23?

‘There is the hope of transformation and eternal future. Also, the resurrection gave Jesus the power to rule and provide every possible thing His people can ever need for all eternity that is enough hope for us.

What reason does Peter give to not worry about our problems?

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV). We do not need to worry about our problems when we can so easily cast our problems upon Jesus, He cares and He will solve the problem for us.

What hope does Isaiah 40:27-31 have for the terrible circumstances when we feel God has forsaken us?

Isaiah 40:27-31 was Isaiah’s description of God to the people of God who were exiles telling them that they have no reason to fear or feel uncared for by God, because God is aware of the issue and still cares for them, God will still give them strength to carry on.

 In Conclusion,

God is a loving, generous and good God, He who sent His Son to die can do even more for us, He cares for us and we should never feel that we are alone in whatever circumstance we may be facing. What we need is faith to see God’s face. I pray that we have that faith to see God’s face in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 7 Review: Indestructible Hope

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5, NKJV).

It is easier to understand hope when things are blossoming but how about when things are not so good. We set ourselves up for disappoint because when we misunderstanding who God is, we may sometimes feel that God should be predictable and understandable but God is never against us, He is God and so His ways are far from ours.

Why is it usually wrong to presume that the what happens to us is the only thing that matters?

It is usually wrong because usually there is a slightly larger picture than just what happens. Habakkuk lamented of the tribulation that was befalling him, however when God made him to see the larger of picture, what would happen in the future, He praised God.

Why is it more important to know who God is rather than what God is going to do?

The understanding that we know so little gives so much hope and encouragement. After the questions that God asked Job, Job realized that He knew so little about who God is and he worshipped God. Our hope can find security only in a Being much greater than ourselves.

What reasons for hope does Isaiah 41:8-14 give the people waiting eagerly for future deliverance?

The reason for hope amidst what should be fears is that God is with them, and He will take “ ‘hold of your right hand’ ”.

In Jeremiah 29:1-10, what are the three important sources of hope worth highlighting?

First, God tells His people that they should not give up hope, because their situation was intentional (Jer. 29:4, NIV). Second, God tells His people that they should not give up hope, because He can work with even their present difficulties (Jer. 29:7, NIV). Third, God tells His people that they should not give up hope, because He is going to bring an end to their exile at a specific time (Jer. 29:10, NIV).

What do the sources of hope in Jeremiah 29:1-10 teach us?

God always has a plan for us, and no matter the situation we can always trust in Him for hope.

What is the source of discipline according to Hebrews 12:5-13?

The source of discipline is from God.

What is our response to discipline according to Hebrews 12:5-13?

Our response should be subjecting to God’s chastening

What is the goal of discipline according to Hebrews 12:5-13?

The goal is that we may be partakers of His holiness.

In Conclusion,

The strong anchor of the soul is hope and without it we are of all men most miserable. This is why God does not leave us without hope even when we had sinned the great hope was given to us. I pray that God gives us the right understanding so we can have hope in Him to save us from whatever crucible we may be in Jesus’ name.