Every child of God defeats this evil world through faith - 1 John 5:4-5, 2 Cor 10:3-5

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. - 1 John 5:4-5

What does winning look like? Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21). Not to destroy people but to build them up (2 Cor 10), not weapons of the flesh but of divine power to destroy strongholds, arguments, opinions against the knowledge of God. Taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 

How do we take every thought captive to obey Christ?

 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls… Matthew 11:29,30

Those belonging to Christ live by the Spirit, not selfishly (Romans 8:1-16)
     - How does being in Christ, set us free from sin?
Suffering in Christ, with Holy Spirit brings unfathomable hope (Romans 8:17-30)
     - Does God change his mind?
Secure in God's love, Christ intercession through all hardship (Romans 8:31-39) 

“Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times” (Ephesians 6:17–18)

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." 2 Cor 10:3-5

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Receiving the gift of eternal life and mercy by faith (Romans 4, Titus 3:3-7)

Eternal Life starts now and lasts forever

Eternal life refers to a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin. The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life (the verb is present tense in the Greek, too what-is-eternal-life).

Receiving the gift of life by faith (Romans 4)

1.  Contrast the ideas of working for a wage (Romans 4:1-8) or privileged upbringing (Romans 4:9-15) and receiving a promised gift through faith (Romans 4:16-25). What truth about faith do you get in reading Romans 4:18-19?

2.  What aspects of the promise in Romans 4:16-17 would you like to learn more about? Consider using the index in the back of your Bible to look up these terms.

3.  Hebrews 11:1-7 introduces faith in the context of God’s faithfulness in history, creation, and future events. Why is it impossible to please God without faith?

God’s mercy gift for you (Titus 3:3-7)

4.  What distinctive roles does the Father, Son, and Spirit play in giving us Eternal Life?

5.  How will you ask God to receive this gift today?

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Jesus explains our promised hope (John 14: 1-31)

Coming to God for hope

Biblical hope is built on faith. Hope is the earnest anticipation that comes with believing something good. Hope is a confident expectation that naturally stems from faith. Hope is a peaceful assurance that something that hasn’t happened yet will indeed happen. Hope must involve something that is yet unseen. Hope is looking to the reality of the future. (difference-faith-hope)

Focus Verse: (Jesus said,) I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. (John 14:29). 

Jesus explains our promised hope (John 14:1-31)

1.  What are the details about the hope for the future Jesus offers in John 14:2,3?

2.  In John 14:12-14 there is great hope promised by Jesus for living out our days.  What hope do you see that encourages you?

3.  What is the basis for our hope for a life that extends beyond death?  (John 14:18,19)

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God’s love given in Jesus Christ, received with Faith and Hope (1 John 4:7-21, 1 Cor 13:1-13)

Coming to God motivated by love

God is the source of love. He is the initiator of a loving relationship with us. True love is part of God’s nature.  Any love we have for God is simply a response to His sacrificial love for us.  His love for us is what motivates us to love Him.

God’s love given in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:7-21)

1. How do we know what love is? (1 John 4: 9-10)

2. What evidence will reveal the quality of the love we have received from God? (1 John 4:13-20)

3. What instruction do you see in 1 John 4:20,21 regarding love within close family relationships?

Love is received with Faith and Hope (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

4. Why is seeking to live the “way of love” so important?  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) 

5. What qualities of love are listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8?  How would a good father demonstrate these qualities toward his child? 

6. 1 Cor 13:13, says faith hope and love last forever but the greatest is love. Love always benefits another.  What did Jesus teach about love in a community from John 13:34-35? 

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Jesus shows how God forgives people who ask (Luke 15:1-24)

Coming to God for forgiveness

Sins have a root or a starting place.  Ideas and thoughts embraced and repeated become like building blocks that become structures in our hearts and mind.  Our purpose here is to expose the root or foundation of sin that has escalated and grown. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “bad company ruins good morals." Jesus famously said, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart... (Luke 6:45)".  So how do we expose sin to remove it and bring healing?

Jesus shows how God forgives people who ask (Luke 15:1-24)

1.  What’s Jesus point in the stories about a lost sheep and a lost coin (Luke 15:7,10)? How is a lost sheep and a lost coin different than a lost person (Luke 15:12-16)?

2.  What significance do you see in the progression of one lost sheep out of a hundred, one lost coin out of ten and one lost son out of two (Luke 15:3,8,11)?

3.  What attitudes does the lost son have in returning to his father (Luke 15:17-19)? How does the father respond to his son returning and the words he speaks (Luke 15:20-24)?  

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Jesus demonstrates the importance of forgiveness (Luke 5:17-26)

Coming to God for forgiveness

Sins have a root or a starting place.  Ideas and thoughts embraced and repeated become like building blocks that become structures in our hearts and mind.  Our purpose here is to expose the root or foundation of sin that has escalated and grown. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “bad company ruins good morals." Jesus famously said, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart... (Luke 6:45)".  So how do we expose sin to remove it and bring healing?

Jesus demonstrates the importance of forgiveness (Luke 5:17-26)

1.  What problem did the man on the bed have (Luke 5:18)? Luke 5:20 says Jesus saw their faith, what was it that Jesus saw them doing (Luke 5:19)? How did their faith impact that man (Luke 5:20,24-26)?

2.  What came first for the man, forgiveness of sins or physical healing? Why were the scribes and Pharisees upset about Jesus forgiving the man’s sin?

3.  What did Jesus want to prove and how did he prove it (Luke 5:23-24)? What impact did Jesus’ words and actions have on the man and witnesses (Luke 5:25-26)?

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Jesus teaches about our role and God's role in Prayer (Luke 11:1-13,John 16:16-33)

Coming to God in prayer

The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.

Jesus teaches about our role in Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)

1. What was Jesus doing that made his disciples ask about prayer? From Luke 11:2-4, in your own words what did Jesus teach them to pray about?

2. What was Jesus’ point of the story he tells in Luke 11:5-8? How does this relate to the invitation and promise given to everyone in Luke 11:9-10?

3. Jesus teaching on prayer culminates in Luke 11:13. What does this verse say about God’s promise to those who ask?

Jesus teaches about God’s role in prayer (John 16:16-33)

4. From John 16:23-24 what is the promise Jesus is giving to his disciples regarding prayer? Why will this take place (John 16:26-27)?

5. How does John 16:20-22 relate to the earlier teaching of Jesus from John 3:3-8? How does the metaphor used bring to light the will of God in our faith verses our own will? (Eph 2:8)

6. What statements do the disciples make that point to their faith (John 16:29-30)? What will be evident when we come to God in prayer (John 16:22,24,33)? According to Hebrews 11:6, why is faith important as we pray?

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[i] For information on Christian motivation in prayer see https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-motivation.html

[ii] https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-prayer.html, https://www.gotquestions.org/why-pray.html

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Discover the scriptures for yourself (S.O.A.P.)

Discover the scriptures for yourself

S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It’s a way of getting more out of your time in God's word.

• Scripture is the Holy Bible, God’s revelation to people of his redemptive plan for humanity.
• Observation is what the scripture tells us about God, ourselves and our world. Look for what it tells you about yourself, God and others as well as a command to obey or a promise to claim.
• Application is what God revealed to you regarding your life, relationships and direction. Ask what should I do and who should I tell.
• Prayer is communicating heart to heart with God, committing to do God’s will in your life.

Discovery Passage: John 3:16-21

Scripture

1. What verse or verses stuck out to you in your reading?

Observation

2. What did you observe in the scripture that touched you personally?

Application

3. How can you apply your observation so that it impacts your life?

Prayer

4. Where do you need God’s help in applying this truth in your life?

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Jesus shows how love impacts hope, manifested in relationships (Luke 10:25-37)

Coming to God for hope

Biblical hope is built on faith. Hope is the earnest anticipation that comes with believing something good. Hope is a confident expectation that naturally stems from faith. Hope is a peaceful assurance that something that hasn’t happened yet will indeed happen. Hope must involve something that is yet unseen. Hope is looking to the reality of the future. (difference-faith-hope)

Jesus shows how love impacts hope, manifested in relationships (Luke 10:25-37)

1.  What is the lawyer hoping to receive from Jesus? (Luke 10: 25-28)

2.  What was the lawyer trying to justify or validate within himself by asking, “Who is my neighbor?”  (Luke 10:28)

3.  How did the parable cause the lawyer to see himself? How does the man who was left for dead receive hope?  (Luke 10:30-37)

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