Preparing with Hope January 29, 2023

disciple:  someone who follows Jesus and leads others to do the same.

One of the "goals" of this blog is to help you to grow as a "disciple".  A disciple is someone who is following Jesus and leading others to do the same.  So, it's great for you to study God's Word every week.  It's fun seeing so many people attending worship on Sunday.  But if we aren't leading others to follow Jesus and sharing with them what we're learning, then we're really missing a necessary step of discipleship.   

Pray.

So, before you do anything else...start with prayer.  Pray and listen to God.  Quiet your mind and ask the Holy Spirit to not only open God's Word for you, but also to give you the chance to share what you learn with others.  

Observe.

Now read through the text (you might want to print this out).  Remember, this isn't a race.  Take your time.  Observe what God is trying to say to you.  We're going to read each verse three times this week.  The first time mark every reference to Jesus by circling the word or words.  Again, don't rush.  Check to make sure that you've found every time it is referring to Jesus.
Now, read the verses again.  This time but a box around every reference to God or Lord or Holy Spirit.  Try and see how this is connected to Jesus.  

Proverbs 30:4 (NIV)

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 1:35 (NIV)

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."

1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (NIV)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Mark 16:19 (NIV)

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God

2 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom,

Application.

Finally, read through the verses one more time.  This time try and observe if there is a theme that God is speaking to you.  

Is there something God is calling you to share with someone else?  Remember, a disciple is not only learning about Jesus but also sharing what they learn with others.  What is God calling you to share with others?

Is there something God is calling you to do?  

Apostles Creed:

I look forward to sharing with you some of the things I've learned this coming Sunday (January 29, 2023) as we continue to study the Apostles Creed together.  I want to encourage you to read the entire Creed but also focus on the section that is in bold.  See you Sunday!


I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.


I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic* church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.

*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places

1 Comment


Tim Taylor - January 24th, 2023 at 9:20am

Feel free to leave your thoughts or questions here about this section that we'll be studying. I can't promise to answer everything but I love to engage with you all about the Bible and how it applies to our lives.

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