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Southside Church of Christ, Lexington, KY
Episodes
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
Sunday Feb 11, 2024
Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
FROM THE LESSON
God did not give 100% of His Son to only get 50% of me.
Christians are called to be transformed by the Spirit, not conformed to the world.
Christians are called to be thermostats, not thermometers in the midst of our culture.
God did not give 100% of His Son to only get 50% of me.
Christians are called to be transformed by the Spirit, not conformed to the world.
Christians are called to be thermostats, not thermometers in the midst of our culture.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What portions of yourself or areas of life are the hardest for you to give over to God? Why do you think that is the case for you?
2. In your daily living, what cultural pressures do you personally feel the most tempted to conform to? Why do you think that is?
3. What does it look like for you to be a thermostat in the current environments God has placed you in?
4. After reading and discussing Romans 12:1-2, what do you need to do with what God has shown you?
1. What portions of yourself or areas of life are the hardest for you to give over to God? Why do you think that is the case for you?
2. In your daily living, what cultural pressures do you personally feel the most tempted to conform to? Why do you think that is?
3. What does it look like for you to be a thermostat in the current environments God has placed you in?
4. After reading and discussing Romans 12:1-2, what do you need to do with what God has shown you?
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into my hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. 6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place. 9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. 10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of all my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends - those who see me on the street flee from me. 12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. 13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. 14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. 19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. 20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. 21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city, 22 In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. 23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
Shaquille O'Neal has some of the biggest hands in the history of the NBA. His hands are 10.25 inches in length and 12 inches in width.
Jeremiah used the phrase "terror on every side" six times in his writings: Jeremiah 6:25, 20:3, 20:10, 46:5, 49:29, Lamentations 2:22.
The "cross trilogy" in the Psalms is made up of Psalm 22, Psalm 31, and Psalm 69. These three psalms uniquely bring us close to the heart of Jesus when he was on the cross.
The Hebrew word translated as "spirit" in verse 5 literally is the word for breath. Jesus is entrusting his every breath into the hands of His Father.
Wisdom about suffering: "I will never get over this sadness, but I trust the Lord will carry me through it."
Shaquille O'Neal has some of the biggest hands in the history of the NBA. His hands are 10.25 inches in length and 12 inches in width.
Jeremiah used the phrase "terror on every side" six times in his writings: Jeremiah 6:25, 20:3, 20:10, 46:5, 49:29, Lamentations 2:22.
The "cross trilogy" in the Psalms is made up of Psalm 22, Psalm 31, and Psalm 69. These three psalms uniquely bring us close to the heart of Jesus when he was on the cross.
The Hebrew word translated as "spirit" in verse 5 literally is the word for breath. Jesus is entrusting his every breath into the hands of His Father.
Wisdom about suffering: "I will never get over this sadness, but I trust the Lord will carry me through it."
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Icebreaker (optional): Use a measuring tape or ruler to see who has the largest hands in your group. Length is measured from the bend of the wrist to the top of the middle finger and width is measured from your outstretched pinky to your outstretched thumb.
2. The Psalms are an incredible resource for the church. This collection of prayers and songs have given us words to say when we don't know what to say; words to pray when we don't know what to pray. Can you think of a time in your life when the psalms have blessed you in this way? Share with your group.
3. The phrase from Psalm 31 that Jeremiah repeats six times in his writings is from verse 13, "terror on every side." Read verses 9 and 10 of Psalm 31. Highlight the words that David used to describe his circumstance. Can you think of a time in your life when you have felt similar to David in these verses, like you are surrounded on every side by suffering? Share with your group.
4. Jesus' final words on the cross are taken from Psalm 31:5, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." How might this prayer specifically minister to someone who is suffering?
5. This bit of wisdom about suffering was shared with me this week, "I will never get over it, but I trust the Lord will get me through it." Discuss this perspective on suffering with your group.
6. The final verse of Psalm 31 in the Message reads, "Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon." I summarized Eugene Peterson's words in this way: "Don't give up. Expect God to show up." How might this message encourage someone in their suffering? Discuss with your group.
1. Icebreaker (optional): Use a measuring tape or ruler to see who has the largest hands in your group. Length is measured from the bend of the wrist to the top of the middle finger and width is measured from your outstretched pinky to your outstretched thumb.
2. The Psalms are an incredible resource for the church. This collection of prayers and songs have given us words to say when we don't know what to say; words to pray when we don't know what to pray. Can you think of a time in your life when the psalms have blessed you in this way? Share with your group.
3. The phrase from Psalm 31 that Jeremiah repeats six times in his writings is from verse 13, "terror on every side." Read verses 9 and 10 of Psalm 31. Highlight the words that David used to describe his circumstance. Can you think of a time in your life when you have felt similar to David in these verses, like you are surrounded on every side by suffering? Share with your group.
4. Jesus' final words on the cross are taken from Psalm 31:5, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit." How might this prayer specifically minister to someone who is suffering?
5. This bit of wisdom about suffering was shared with me this week, "I will never get over it, but I trust the Lord will get me through it." Discuss this perspective on suffering with your group.
6. The final verse of Psalm 31 in the Message reads, "Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon." I summarized Eugene Peterson's words in this way: "Don't give up. Expect God to show up." How might this message encourage someone in their suffering? Discuss with your group.
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (NIV 84)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Read Luke 7:19; Jesus saw the importance of eating with others, especially non believers, what has changed for our society that we no longer make that a priority?
- Recall a time where a meal had more meaning than just food, who did you share it with, and why was it significant?
- Do you see your table as a place for evangelism, why or why not?
- How many meals a week do you spend alone or distracted?
- What are some obstacles in your life that are keeping you from making the most of your meals? How can you overcome them?
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Philippians 3:3-14
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh - 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I considered them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
1 I know who I am - confident in our purpose/mission of sharing the gospel
2 I know whom I serve - confident in Christ and his power, and not in the flesh
3 I know where I am going - confident in our eternal future and not clinging to the world
1 I know who I am - confident in our purpose/mission of sharing the gospel
2 I know whom I serve - confident in Christ and his power, and not in the flesh
3 I know where I am going - confident in our eternal future and not clinging to the world
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Ice breaker: What is one time that you were extremely confident about something and ended up being totally wrong (and maybe were a little bit embarrassed in the end)?
2 I know who I am: Do you see "The Great Commission" (Matthew 28:18-20) as your purpose or mission in life? How can you be more intentional in living it out as such? Who are some people that you can begin to focus on reaching right now where God has currently positioned you? What are some ways you can broaden your circle to reach others you don't yet know?
3 I know whom I serve: In Philippians, we see Paul's ability to be content and have confidence regardless of his circumstances. What circumstances are hardest for you to be content in? What circumstances do you find your faith tested the most in? Is there anything about your current circumstance that you need to find contentment in?
4 I know whom I serve: Read Philippians 4:6-7. In moments when your faith is tested, do you tend to find your strength in yourself or in Christ? (Hint: Typically, what is your first response? To fix it on your own or to take it to God in prayer?)
5 I know where I am going: Read Philippians 3:7-14. What are some earthly comforts or possessions (or other distractions) that might keep you from pursuing your purpose relentlessly? How can you learn to "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead?"
1 Ice breaker: What is one time that you were extremely confident about something and ended up being totally wrong (and maybe were a little bit embarrassed in the end)?
2 I know who I am: Do you see "The Great Commission" (Matthew 28:18-20) as your purpose or mission in life? How can you be more intentional in living it out as such? Who are some people that you can begin to focus on reaching right now where God has currently positioned you? What are some ways you can broaden your circle to reach others you don't yet know?
3 I know whom I serve: In Philippians, we see Paul's ability to be content and have confidence regardless of his circumstances. What circumstances are hardest for you to be content in? What circumstances do you find your faith tested the most in? Is there anything about your current circumstance that you need to find contentment in?
4 I know whom I serve: Read Philippians 4:6-7. In moments when your faith is tested, do you tend to find your strength in yourself or in Christ? (Hint: Typically, what is your first response? To fix it on your own or to take it to God in prayer?)
5 I know where I am going: Read Philippians 3:7-14. What are some earthly comforts or possessions (or other distractions) that might keep you from pursuing your purpose relentlessly? How can you learn to "forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead?"
GROUP PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
- Pray for God to help you remain focused on His purpose and mission in your life
- Pray for God to open your eyes to people that you can share faith and to give you the courage and power through His spirit to do it
- Pray for help trusting in God in all circumstances, and letting Him be the first one you go to in times of trouble
- Pray for confidence in your eternal future and for God to remove any distractions that keep you from being focused on that ultimate prize
- Thank God for those he has placed in your life that have been faithful examples and encouragements in your faith journey
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Psalm 30
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. 3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. 4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." 7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy; 9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help." 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
Four ways to understand the ups and downs in our lives:
1 Good occurs with the bad
2 Good outweighs the bad
3 Good originates from the bad
4 Good overcomes the bad
David uses three D's to describe his situation in life:
1 You lifted me out of the depths (verse 1)
2 When you hid your face, I was dismayed (verse 7)
3 What gain is there in my destruction (verse 9)
Understanding the character of God:
His anger is always appropriate but His favor is forever (verse 5).
Having a Sleepover with Sorrow:
Literally, weeping is personified in this psalm as one who comes to spend the night with us (verse 5).
Four ways to understand the ups and downs in our lives:
1 Good occurs with the bad
2 Good outweighs the bad
3 Good originates from the bad
4 Good overcomes the bad
David uses three D's to describe his situation in life:
1 You lifted me out of the depths (verse 1)
2 When you hid your face, I was dismayed (verse 7)
3 What gain is there in my destruction (verse 9)
Understanding the character of God:
His anger is always appropriate but His favor is forever (verse 5).
Having a Sleepover with Sorrow:
Literally, weeping is personified in this psalm as one who comes to spend the night with us (verse 5).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Ice breaker: what has been your relationship with roller coasters? Do you have any good roller coaster stories to share with the group?
2 The lesson looked at four ways for us to think about the ups and downs in our lives. The first way is that good occurs with the bad. We recognize that we live in a beautiful but broken world. David describes his life with these words: depths, dismayed, and destruction. Can you recall a situation or a season in your life when you felt this way? How does it help to recognize that good occurs with the bad?
3 The second way is that good outweighs the bad. Read again verse 5a. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime." When you think about God, which one outweighs the other in your mind, His anger or His favor? Discuss this as it pertains to the character of God. Now, when you step back and look at your lifetime, does the good outweigh the bad? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
4 The third way is that there is good that originates from bad. Qualities like perseverance, patience, endurance, toughness, strength of character, hope, empathy and compassion are all good qualities that come from bad situations. Can you think of any other good qualities like these? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
5 Read again verse 11 and 12. The final way is that good overcomes the bad. It is the good news of the gospel. The one who is good overcomes all that is bad. Jesus overcomes every sin. Jesus overcomes all evil. Jesus overcomes sorrow and suffering. Jesus even overcomes death. How does knowing Jesus change the way you deal with the ups and downs of life?
1 Ice breaker: what has been your relationship with roller coasters? Do you have any good roller coaster stories to share with the group?
2 The lesson looked at four ways for us to think about the ups and downs in our lives. The first way is that good occurs with the bad. We recognize that we live in a beautiful but broken world. David describes his life with these words: depths, dismayed, and destruction. Can you recall a situation or a season in your life when you felt this way? How does it help to recognize that good occurs with the bad?
3 The second way is that good outweighs the bad. Read again verse 5a. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime." When you think about God, which one outweighs the other in your mind, His anger or His favor? Discuss this as it pertains to the character of God. Now, when you step back and look at your lifetime, does the good outweigh the bad? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
4 The third way is that there is good that originates from bad. Qualities like perseverance, patience, endurance, toughness, strength of character, hope, empathy and compassion are all good qualities that come from bad situations. Can you think of any other good qualities like these? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
5 Read again verse 11 and 12. The final way is that good overcomes the bad. It is the good news of the gospel. The one who is good overcomes all that is bad. Jesus overcomes every sin. Jesus overcomes all evil. Jesus overcomes sorrow and suffering. Jesus even overcomes death. How does knowing Jesus change the way you deal with the ups and downs of life?
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV 84)
DAY OF PRAYER
Four Areas of Prayer for Southside based on the Great Commission:
1 Respond to the Mission of Jesus - go and make disciples
2 Participate in the Life of Jesus - baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
3 Obey the Teachings of Jesus - teach them to obey everything I have commanded you
4 Trust in the Presence of Jesus - and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Four Areas of Prayer for Southside based on the Great Commission:
1 Respond to the Mission of Jesus - go and make disciples
2 Participate in the Life of Jesus - baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
3 Obey the Teachings of Jesus - teach them to obey everything I have commanded you
4 Trust in the Presence of Jesus - and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Exodus 2:23 - 3:10
23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (ESV)
FROM THE LESSON
Maximilien Robespierre and King Louis XVI
"What if the King had gotten out of the carriage?"
Main players in the early chapters of Exodus:
Israelites - "slaves with no hope"
Pharaoh - "thinks he is a god"
Moses - "a failed hero"
The Exodus is a forever reminder that God cares and is at work.
Exodus 2:25 - "God saw ... and God knew."
Our King has gotten out of the carriage. We can remember that and honor it by:
Maximilien Robespierre and King Louis XVI
"What if the King had gotten out of the carriage?"
Main players in the early chapters of Exodus:
Israelites - "slaves with no hope"
Pharaoh - "thinks he is a god"
Moses - "a failed hero"
The Exodus is a forever reminder that God cares and is at work.
Exodus 2:25 - "God saw ... and God knew."
Our King has gotten out of the carriage. We can remember that and honor it by:
- Remembering how Jesus stepped into our story.
- Sharing our stories and testimonies about what God is doing in our lives.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The sermon discussed how there are some moments where one person in the right place can totally change the course of someone's future. What is a specific moment in time that you feel made a huge difference in your or someone else's life?
If God doesn't choose to get involved in the story of Exodus, how might it have played out?
Moses seemed very surprised at God's intervention in history. Do you think we expect God's activity in our lives, or are we more often surprised by it?
What are some moments you look back on that help you remember that God is still at work today?
How does having confidence that God is active in our lives change the way we live?
The sermon discussed how there are some moments where one person in the right place can totally change the course of someone's future. What is a specific moment in time that you feel made a huge difference in your or someone else's life?
If God doesn't choose to get involved in the story of Exodus, how might it have played out?
Moses seemed very surprised at God's intervention in history. Do you think we expect God's activity in our lives, or are we more often surprised by it?
What are some moments you look back on that help you remember that God is still at work today?
How does having confidence that God is active in our lives change the way we live?
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Acts 17:16-34
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of Aeropagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. (NIV 84)
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Acts 17:10-15
10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13 When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
John G. Fee - born in Bracken County, KY in 1816, Fee was called by God to preach the gospel of "impartial love" to his native state of Kentucky. In 1853, Cassius Clay gave him 10 acres of land in Madison County to come and pastor a church in that area. Fee would establish a church, a school, and a tiny village. His vision for the school was the co-education of the races. When Fee was asked to name the new settlement, Fee called it Berea after the Biblical town in Acts 17. His hope for the people of the new settlement was they would, like the Bereans of the New Testament, receive this message of "impartial love" with great eagerness.
Compare and contrast - one thing you pick up on when studying the writings of Luke, both his gospel and Acts, is he often uses the writing technique of compare and contrast, where he places two people or events side by side in order to make a point. It is a very effective way to write and it forces the reader to stop and consider the two very different responses. Some examples of this technique are found in Luke 1, Luke 4, Acts 4, and in Acts 17.
Humble and hungry (verse 11) - the Bereans still stand today as the Biblical model of how to receive the Word of God. They received the word with great eagerness, this takes humility. Humility is the attitude that allows you to receive a word from someone else. They also examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true, this takes hunger. Hunger is a feeling that happens daily and not just on the first day of the week.
John G. Fee - born in Bracken County, KY in 1816, Fee was called by God to preach the gospel of "impartial love" to his native state of Kentucky. In 1853, Cassius Clay gave him 10 acres of land in Madison County to come and pastor a church in that area. Fee would establish a church, a school, and a tiny village. His vision for the school was the co-education of the races. When Fee was asked to name the new settlement, Fee called it Berea after the Biblical town in Acts 17. His hope for the people of the new settlement was they would, like the Bereans of the New Testament, receive this message of "impartial love" with great eagerness.
Compare and contrast - one thing you pick up on when studying the writings of Luke, both his gospel and Acts, is he often uses the writing technique of compare and contrast, where he places two people or events side by side in order to make a point. It is a very effective way to write and it forces the reader to stop and consider the two very different responses. Some examples of this technique are found in Luke 1, Luke 4, Acts 4, and in Acts 17.
Humble and hungry (verse 11) - the Bereans still stand today as the Biblical model of how to receive the Word of God. They received the word with great eagerness, this takes humility. Humility is the attitude that allows you to receive a word from someone else. They also examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true, this takes hunger. Hunger is a feeling that happens daily and not just on the first day of the week.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Have you ever noticed Luke's use of the writing technique called compare and contrast? Some of the examples are of Zechariah and Mary's responses to the angel in Luke 1, the reactions of Nazareth and Capernaum in Luke 4, the responses of Barnabas and Ananias in Acts 4-5, and the responses of Thessalonica and Berea in Acts 17. Spend some time comparing and contrasting these different responses in Luke's writings. Discuss the effectiveness of this writing technique.
2 The Bereans were "humble and hungry" instead of "zealous and jealous" like the Thessalonians. How does the example of the Bereans serve as a model for you of how to receive the Word of God? How does it challenge and encourage you?
3 Whenever and wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, there will be opposition. This is because Jesus came into the world not just to be born a King at Christmas but to become your King at conversion. There are some who want Jesus to be their King, however most do not. How does the language of Jesus reigning and ruling on the throne of your heart change the way you live?
1 Have you ever noticed Luke's use of the writing technique called compare and contrast? Some of the examples are of Zechariah and Mary's responses to the angel in Luke 1, the reactions of Nazareth and Capernaum in Luke 4, the responses of Barnabas and Ananias in Acts 4-5, and the responses of Thessalonica and Berea in Acts 17. Spend some time comparing and contrasting these different responses in Luke's writings. Discuss the effectiveness of this writing technique.
2 The Bereans were "humble and hungry" instead of "zealous and jealous" like the Thessalonians. How does the example of the Bereans serve as a model for you of how to receive the Word of God? How does it challenge and encourage you?
3 Whenever and wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, there will be opposition. This is because Jesus came into the world not just to be born a King at Christmas but to become your King at conversion. There are some who want Jesus to be their King, however most do not. How does the language of Jesus reigning and ruling on the throne of your heart change the way you live?
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Acts 17:1-9
1 When they had passed through Amaphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where they was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. 5 But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus. 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
Proving (verse 3) - this word literally means to "place beside." This explains Paul's approach in the synagogue. He places the Christ of the Jewish Scriptures beside the Jesus of history in order to prove that it is the same person. He places beside each other the prophecies of the Christ and the person of Jesus.
Another king (verse 7) - the charge made against Paul and Silas by the mob is that they are turning the world upside down by saying there is another king.
Not "just" another king similar to ones they have known, but another kind of king altogether. The world has never seen a king like Jesus.
The one who has been born king (Matthew 2:2) - Jesus is the only person who has ever been born a king. Even if someone is born into a family line of kings, the child is not born a king. Jesus came into the world as a king.
Proving (verse 3) - this word literally means to "place beside." This explains Paul's approach in the synagogue. He places the Christ of the Jewish Scriptures beside the Jesus of history in order to prove that it is the same person. He places beside each other the prophecies of the Christ and the person of Jesus.
Another king (verse 7) - the charge made against Paul and Silas by the mob is that they are turning the world upside down by saying there is another king.
Not "just" another king similar to ones they have known, but another kind of king altogether. The world has never seen a king like Jesus.
The one who has been born king (Matthew 2:2) - Jesus is the only person who has ever been born a king. Even if someone is born into a family line of kings, the child is not born a king. Jesus came into the world as a king.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Paul explained from the Jewish Scriptures how the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. If you were given this task which Scriptures from the Old Testament would you use to explain these important truths.
2 Jesus is "another" king. He is not "just" another king like all the other kings before him. He is another kind of king altogether. His kingdom will be unlike any other kingdom the world has ever seen. In what ways is Jesus another kind of king? How will His kingdom be unlike any other kingdom the world has seen?
3 The wise men hosted a baby shower for the one who had been born king. They gave Jesus gifts of Myrrh (symbolizing his death and burial), Incense (symbolizing his worship), and Gold (symbolizing his royalty). Discuss the significance of these gifts and how they help us to understand the kingship of Jesus.
1 Paul explained from the Jewish Scriptures how the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. If you were given this task which Scriptures from the Old Testament would you use to explain these important truths.
2 Jesus is "another" king. He is not "just" another king like all the other kings before him. He is another kind of king altogether. His kingdom will be unlike any other kingdom the world has ever seen. In what ways is Jesus another kind of king? How will His kingdom be unlike any other kingdom the world has seen?
3 The wise men hosted a baby shower for the one who had been born king. They gave Jesus gifts of Myrrh (symbolizing his death and burial), Incense (symbolizing his worship), and Gold (symbolizing his royalty). Discuss the significance of these gifts and how they help us to understand the kingship of Jesus.