Small Group Leadership - Biblical Qs & As.

Reposted from gracethrufaith.com

Thursday, July 28th, 2016

• Bible Study
• Spiritual Life

Q. This isn’t a theological question. You seem to have a good grasp on ministry and I’m hoping you can help me with a group-dynamics question relating to a small group setting.
I lead a small group in our church. One couple seems to be very good at getting us off-track from the study. As a leader, I don’t know how far to let the discussion wander from the point.
This occurs every week. When it happens, I pray for discernment but, quite honestly, I don’t perceive any clear guidance either way, so I let it go on until the conversation comes around to where I can grab it and continue with the study. By that time, I feel the train of thought has been cut and it’s difficult to continue.

Do you have any insights into the issue of leading small group discussions?

A. Sounds to me like there might have been a lack of communication as to the format of your study group, as if you’re trying to keep it more formal and structured while the other couple wants a free wheeling discussion. These preferential differences always plague the conduct of small groups.

As the group’s leader, you may have clear goals and even an outline of topics to be presented and reviewed each week. When the discussion veers from this outline you begin to wonder if you’ll run out of time before accomplishing your goals.

The other party seems to prefer a spontaneous approach, like “Let’s open the book and see where it leads us.” They may not even realize the conflict this causes you. They may also be frustrated discussion leaders themselves, unconsciously hi-jacking your agenda to meet their needs.

If you respect their views, even though their behavior frustrates your objectives, you could do one of several things.
1- Meet with them one-on-one to review your objectives as the group’s leader and ask for their help in keeping things on track. You could offer to assign them the responsibility of directing the group’s discussions from time to time to help meet their leadership needs in return for their cooperation.
2- Explain the situation to your Pastor and ask him to appoint them as leaders over their own group, or recommend that they be transferred into a group whose leader’s style is more compatible with their preferences.
3- If you enjoy the discussions and feel the only problem is that it conflicts with your goals for the meetings you could even offer to step aside in favor of them.

Small groups seem to function best when everyone in the group responds well to the leader’s style. Having conducted leadership training sessions for over 20 years, I know it involves teaching leaders to adapt their style to fit the needs of the people they’re in charge of.

But in informal settings like yours the goal should be to make the group as compatible with the leader’s natural style as possible. The key to success in a situation like this is to handle it with the love and respect due a fellow believer, maintaining the humility we should all strive to express in doing the Lord’s work.

What does it mean to be double-minded?

What does it mean to be double-minded?: (doubleminded)? What is the meaning of James 1:8 and 4:8?

Was James Writing To The Church?

Rephblished from gracethrufaith.com

Friday, June 10th, 2016

• Healing

Q. I’ve heard people say the book of James was written for the Jews. If so, how do we appropriate the verses on healing such as James 5:14-15 for ourselves, being gentiles? And if it’s not for the Church, why is it in the Bible?

A. The Epistle of James was written by the Lord’s half brother while he was the bishop of the Church in Jerusalem. There are different opinions as to exactly when he wrote the letter but the most likely date appears to be the late 40s AD, about 15 years after the cross. (He was killed in 62 AD so it had to have been written before then.)

During this time the Church was almost entirely made up of Jewish believers, so the fact that it was addressed to the 12 tribes is irrelevant.

James described himself as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1) and identified his readers as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as well (James 2:1). That made them all part of the Church. The fact that his letter is in the Bible means the early Church believed it was written to and for the Church and that James was writing to us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Punished Before Our Wedding? Biblical Qs and As

Republished from https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher  

Thursday, May 12th, 2016

• Rapture
• Salvation

Q. A Bible teacher whom I respect greatly wrote an article concerning our judgment for sins after we die as Christians. My whole Christian life I have been painfully aware of my sins. The only hope I have is the knowledge that all my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. I have been looking forward to the Rapture when all the things of this life will be no more and we will be free from this burden of sin.

But according to the Bible teacher this won’t happen. As soon as we die or are raptured we will face God’s judgment and and have to answer for every sinful thought and deed we ever had. I am almost in tears thinking of the shame I will feel. Now the rapture doesn’t seem like something we can look forward to but is something to dread. How can we encourage each other about the rapture if there’s a big judgment coming right after it?

A. Stop and think. God knew every sin of your life before He went to the cross, and died for all of them. Your sins can’t be pinned on you because they’ve been nailed to the cross and taken away (Colossians 2:13-14). He did this before you even knew Him, because He knew you and loved you enough to die for you so you could live in eternity with Him (Ephesians 2:1-7).

Now that you’ve professed your love for Him does it make sense that He’d make you answer for the very things He has already paid for with His life?

Stop listening to the opinions of men and stay focused on what God has said. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). If you’re in Christ you’re a new creation (1 Cor. 5:17) with a righteousness from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Romans 3:21-22).

You have been washed (cleansed of your sins) sanctified (made holy) and justified (rendered righteous) in the name of Jesus by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:11). As part of a radiant Church, you are without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephes. 5:27).

Your sins have been removed from you as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12) and God will never bring them up again. From His perspective it’s like they never happened. Reclaim your joy and be encouraged in the name of the Lord.

A Big Circle Or A Straight Path?

Republished from gracethrufaith.com

  Thursday, April 14th, 2016

• Old Testament

Q. I grew up thinking that God and his infinite wisdom had a set plan for every single person. That there were a skinny little path, a perfect will that no body could possibly get. Now I knew I wouldn’t get it to be perfect, but I figured that I needed to get as close to the “Right Path” as possible. It really brings a lot of fear in me when I start thinking that I’m on the wrong path for Gods will.

A friend said that our walk isn’t really a straight path, but more of a giant circle. We’re traveling in that circle in any direction and no matter what, we are still in Gods will. No matter what path we chose, even if it’s a horrible one, God will still have us end in the end where he intended us to be. Is this true?

I know Gods will cannot be thwarted, but we can refuse to do what he asks right? If so, then he isn’t all powerful right? I’m slightly confused.

A. If you’re talking about the world in general, your friend is wrong because according to 2 Peter 3:9 if everyone wound up right where God intended, then everyone would wind up saved, and that isn’t so. God is all powerful, but has given man the the ultimate authority to choose His own destiny. This is so man can freely choose whether or not to accept God’s love.

For believers it’s a little different. Our lives can be compared to the Prodigal Son, who against his father’s wishes took his inheritance and wasted it on a hedonistic lifestyle. As soon as he came to his senses and returned to the family, he was welcomed back as if nothing had happened. He may have left his father’s home and spent some time out of his will but never stopped being his father’s child.

So it is with a believer. I’m convinced that to some extent God withdraws His protective covering from believers who wander away so that we won’t prosper apart from Him. When we come to our senses and return we’re welcomed back as if nothing had happened. We may have left our father’s home and spent some time out of His will but we never stop being our father’s child.

Jesus promised us that He would never lose even one of those the Father had given Him (John 6:39) and Paul wrote in 2 Cor 1:21-22 that God Himself takes responsibility for our security when we become believers.

Question: "What does it mean that love covers a multitude of sins?"

Republished from gotquestions.org

Answer: First Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” In what way does love cover sin?

To “cover” sin is to forgive it, and forgiveness is associated with love. The best example of a love that covers sin is Jesus’ sacrificial death on our behalf. Jesus’ prayer from the cross, “Father, forgive them,” says it all (Luke 23:34). Jesus’ bearing of our iniquities was an undeniable act of love (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10). In fact, Jesus did more than just cover our sin; He did away with it completely (Hebrews 6:5).

In 1 Peter 4:8 the apostle is talking about interpersonal relationships. As believers we reflect the love of God by forgiving others. Jesus told His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35). First Corinthians 13 tells us that love “keeps no record of wrongs” (verse 5). When we love each other, we are willing to forgive each other. Love covers sin in that it is willing to forgive.

Love also covers over a multitude of sins in that it does not gossip about sin. Rather than share the offences of our brothers and sisters in Christ with anyone who will listen, we exercise discretion and restraint. Matthew 18:15–17 instructs us on the appropriate way to confront those who sin. James 5:19–20 says, “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” It is loving to speak truth to others regarding sin. First Corinthians 13:6 tells us that “love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Another thing love does is protect (1 Corinthians 13:7). Love does not cover over a multitude of sin by sweeping matters under the rug. Some have appealed to the forgiving nature of love in their attempt to hide indiscretion. For example, rather than report child abuse, a church might cover it up. This is not what true love does. Love protects by helping both the victim and the offender, and it also strives to prevent further offenses.

Love covering sin also does not mean we disregard our own emotions or ignore our personal boundaries. We cannot “cover” sin by denying that it hurt us. We cover sin by acknowledging it and then extending the forgiveness God has given us to others.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). Another way that love covers over a multitude of sins is choosing not to take offense at everything. Some sins against us are not worth confronting. Personal slights, snide or ignorant remarks, and minor annoyances can be easily forgiven for the sake of love. Proverbs 19:11 says, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” If we are patient, not envious or self-seeking, we are much less likely to even take offense. Acting in love means we put others before ourselves. Love can cover a multitude of sin in that, when we act in true love, we are prone to overlook minor offenses, tolerate the provocations, and forgive the sin.

Recommended Resources: Loving the Way Jesus Loves by Philip Ryken and Logos Bible Software.

Qs and As. Question related to the Trinity and the Son of God / Son of Man statements

Beautifully Answered to a Muslim by ExMuslim. Must watch.

Posted by Griffin Abid on Sunday, January 4, 2015

Question: "What does the Bible say about talking too much / being talkative?"

Reblogged from gotquestions.org
Answer: The Bible warns us against talking too much or being overly talkative. In fact, the Bible says that a fool can be recognized by his many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3). Ecclesiastes 10:14 adds that a fool “multiplies words.”

The Bible discourages using an abundance of words where a few would suffice. “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues” (Proverbs 17:28). Those who feel compelled to give utterance to every thought in their heads usually end up in trouble.

Proverbs 10:8 describes the overly talkative person as a “babbling fool” (ESV, NASB), a “prating fool” (NKJV), or a “chattering fool” (ISV) who will come to ruin. Such a person is contrasted with one who is “wise of heart” and who “will receive commandments.” The antithetical parallelism of Proverbs 10:19 warns that talking too much naturally leads to sin: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (ESV).

The wise person refuses to talk too much. Rather, he fears the Lord, listens to the Lord, and obeys the Lord. He follows the example of Mary, “who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said” (Luke 10:39). When our mouths are full of our own words, we have little time or interest in God’s words. Talking too much usually means listening too little.

Modern culture offers numerous avenues through which we can express ourselves verbally. Social media, blogs, cell phones, and call-in radio all enable us to keep up a constant stream of chatter. But how much of our talking is truly edifying or important (see Ephesians 4:29)? Saying what needs to be said is important, but talking too much easily leads to saying what should not be said.

Restraining our lips is an indication of wisdom and humility. Talkative people often do not take the time between their many words to choose their words carefully. Christians should be aware that talking too much is detrimental to our witness in the world, as James reminds us, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26). James later says that controlling the tongue is one of the hardest things to do, humanly speaking (James 3:2). In fact, “no human being can tame the tongue” (James 3:7). Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit to help us with the task, and here is a helpful prayer: “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

The apostle Peter is often quoted in the gospels, and it seems that he was a talkative person by nature. In one instance at least, Peter’s verbosity was ill-advised. On the mount of transfiguration, Peter says to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say . . .)” (Mark 9:5–6). Notice that Peter “did not know what to say,” so, of course, he said something! It’s just what talkative people do. God quickly silenced Peter by redirecting his focus: “A cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’” (Mark 9:7). Peter’s talking had to be replaced with listening.

Just as the overly talkative person displays foolishness, the one who holds his tongue demonstrates knowledge and understanding. “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit” (Proverbs 17:27). We can’t gain knowledge if we are constantly talking, but understanding comes from listening and using our words sparingly. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak . . .” (James 1:19).

Recommended Resources: Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication by Andy Stanley & Lane Jones and Logos Bible Software.

Sin Unto Death - Biblical Qs and As,

Reblogged from http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/48718/

Thursday, June 11th, 2015 

• Heaven
• Sin

Q.  What is the “sin unto death” in 1 John 5:16?  I have been told it refers to believers who cross the line and God takes them home.


A.  The sin that leads to death is the refusal to believe Jesus died for all our sins.  John was writing against the Gnostic error which among other things taught that it wasn’t the death of Jesus that allowed us to be forgiven for our sins.  Instead it was the acquisition of secret knowledge. Believing this leads to death because it puts us outside the only provision God has made for our forgiveness.  Scientology, Freemasonry, and other false religions are based this same idea.

The Lord’s death paid the penalty for all the sins of our life, and He forgave us for every one of them when He went to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). Since all of our sins are already forgiven the idea that we could somehow commit a sin bad enough that it would cause God to end our life and take us to heaven is not Biblical, but is a man made notion.

Besides it doesn’t make sense that the consequences for committing such a terrible sin would be an early arrival in Heaven where we’ll live in a state of unimaginable bliss forever.  It’s like getting a head start on eternity for being bad.

Is pride a sin?

Reblogged from http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/is-pride-a-sin/ Monday, June 8th, 2015 

• Forgiveness
• Sin
• Spiritual Life

Q. I have a question about pride. In our Bible study last night, someone said that he didn’t agree that pride is all that bad. His example was that he takes pride in his job, not so much in the job title, but that he takes pride in doing a good job at what he does.
 
Other members of the group brought up the issue of motives and that we do all for the glory and honor of God. And that sin is compared to leaven in the OT in that leaven puffs up and that is what pride does, it puffs us up.
My question is, are we straining at mere use of words, or should we take “pride” in making sure we do a good job, or is all pride (in whatever form) sin?


A. Right from the beginning, it was pride that caused all the trouble. Satan’s pride, as evidenced in Isaiah 14: 13-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-17, caused his downfall. Cain’s pride was wounded when his offering was rejected, resulting in the first recorded murder. Job’s pride blinded him to the sin of self righteousness that left him open to Satan’s attack, the Pharisees were so infected with Spiritual Pride that they didn’t think they needed a savior. The list goes on and on.
The use of leaven to symbolize sin is no coincidence. In the process of rising, leaven corrupts the dough through fermentation. Just so are we corrupted as pride causes us to be “puffed up.”
Taking pride in our work denies our Creator the credit He deserves for having invested in us the capabilities required to do it. The Bible tells us to do everything as if to the Lord (Ephes. 6:7, Colossians 4:23), as an offering of praise to Him. To every compliment we receive, every “well done” we hear, even the sense of satisfaction we feel, our response should be “Thank you Lord.”

Gary Stearman´s commentary on the Age of Grace

"How can salvation be not of works when faith is required? Isn't believing a work?"

Reblogged from http://www.gotquestions.org/QOTW.htm

Answer: Our salvation depends solely upon Jesus Christ. He is our substitute, taking sin’s penalty (2 Corinthians 5:21); He is our Savior from sin (John 1:29); He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The work necessary to provide salvation was fully accomplished by Jesus Himself, who lived a perfect life, took God’s judgment for sin, and rose again from the dead (Hebrews 10:12).

The Bible is quite clear that our own works do not help merit salvation. We are saved “not because of righteous things we had done” (Titus 3:5). “Not by works” (Ephesians 2:9). “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). This means that offering sacrifices, keeping the commandments, going to church, being baptized, and other good deeds are incapable of saving anyone. No matter how “good” we are, we can never measure up to God’s standard of holiness (Romans 3:23; Matthew 19:17; Isaiah 64:6).

The Bible is just as clear that salvation is conditional; God does not save everyone. The one condition for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ. Nearly 200 times in the New Testament, faith (or belief) is declared to be the sole condition for salvation (John 1:12; Acts 16:31).

One day, some people asked Jesus what they could do to please God: “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus immediately points them to faith: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:28-29). So, the question is about God’s requirements (plural), and Jesus’ answer is that God’s requirement (singular) is that you believe in Him.

Grace is God’s giving us something we cannot earn or deserve. According to Romans 11:6, “works” of any kind destroys grace—the idea is that a worker earns payment, while the recipient of grace simply receives it, unearned. Since salvation is all of grace, it cannot be earned. Faith, therefore, is a non-work. Faith cannot truly be considered a “work,” or else it would destroy grace. (See also Romans 4—Abraham’s salvation was dependent on faith in God, as opposed to any work he performed.)

Suppose someone anonymously sent me a check for $1,000,000. The money is mine if I want it, but I still must endorse the check. In no way can signing my name be considered earning the million dollars—the endorsement is a non-work. I can never boast about becoming a millionaire through sheer effort or my own business savvy. No, the million dollars was simply a gift, and signing my name was the only way to receive it. Similarly, exercising faith is the only way to receive the generous gift of God, and faith cannot be considered a work worthy of the gift.

True faith cannot be considered a work because true faith involves a cessation of our works in the flesh. True faith has as its object Jesus and His work on our behalf (Matthew 11:28-29; Hebrews 4:10).

To take this a step further, true faith cannot be considered a work because even faith is a gift from God, not something we produce on our own. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). Praise the Lord for His power to save and for His grace to make salvation a reality!

One New Man - Qs and As

Reblogged from: http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/one-new-man/
Saturday, October 25th, 2014

 

Q.  I am of the understanding that when we become a Christian we are baptized into Jesus Christ, yet there is a ‘Messianic’ Jewish teacher on television who teaches that when we accept Jesus Christ we are grafted in and become that “one new man”as a Jew.  I think he says ‘a spiritual Jew’.  

While reading Romans 2:29 it says “He is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;  whose praise is not of men, but of God.”  I understand the circumcision of the heart part, but I am not understanding the connection between the Jew inwardly.   As Christians we don’t keep the law, so I don’t understand how this applies.

A.  I believe this teaching is intended to be a rebuttal to another false teaching called replacement theology.  For generations now some Christians have been teaching that Jews can only find spiritual fulfillment through the Church.  Now some Messianic teachers, especially those who relate to the Hebrew Roots movement, are saying Gentiles can only find  spiritual fulfillment through Israel.  Neither position is correct.

If you read Ephesians 2:11-22 carefully you can see that in his “one new man” teaching Paul was saying that God has taken some who were formerly called Jews and some who were formerly called Gentiles and made them into a new group called the Church.  It was an expansion of Paul’s comment in Galatians 3:28. If God had taken some who were Jews and some who were Gentiles and made them all into Jews He wouldn’t have one new man. He would simply have more Jews and fewer Gentiles.

As for Romans 2:28-29, Paul was saying that people would no longer be considered Jewish in God’s eyes simply because they had been circumcised in the flesh. His phrase “circumcision of the heart” is another way of saying “born again”.  The point is that whether they are circumcised in the flesh or not, Jews who are not born again are considered to be unbelievers just like Gentiles who are not born again.