Lesson 5

This week we will study Galatians 5:25 ... "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

There always seems to be interest in the Holy Spirit.  But I wonder how much we truly understand about the Holy Spirit.  We should start this study by disregarding what someone else may have told us before, what we have read in books, or our own opinion.  Our goal is to understand the Holy Spirit more clearly through a careful study of scripture alone.

Ask yourself several questions before going further:

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
2. What characteristics of the Holy Spirit can I discover in  scripture?
3. What role does the Holy Spirit have for a Christian?
4. How am I to respond to the Holy Spirit?
5. What does it mean to "live" and "walk" by the Spirit?
   
   Now let's go to the scriptures for answers! We will discuss this together on Sunday. Hope to see you there.
   
   Please also remember everyone on our prayer list. Romans 8:26-27

Is it REALLY important to read the Bible?

Of course, it is important to read the Bible!   Does that sound like something we can all agree on?  Perhaps.  But do we "practice what we preach"?   How much time do we spend reading/studying the Bible outside of our organized worship.

Americans overwhelming (77%) believe morals and values are declining in the U.S. The most-cited cause for the decline is a lack of Bible reading.  Where are we Christians on this?   Consider your own individual and truthful answer ...

Lesson 4

This week our focus is on the "Let Us" passage found in II Corinthians 7:1

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Look for the keywords in this verse.  What about this word "defilement".  What does it mean exactly?  What other word is used for defilement in other translations?   What or who was the source of the Corinthians' defilement?

What does it mean to "perfect" holiness?  Are we perfect in God's sight?  Why or why not?

Can we perfect holiness without cleansing ourselves?  

What does it mean to fear God?

Can we be holy if we do not fear God?

Share the Word

Are you looking for a way to share the Word with those seeking to learn?  

Here is one way: World Bible School

Lesson 3

In this lesson, we take a look at I Corinthians 10:8-9.  Each verse begins with our phrase "let us".  As with our other passages, we need to read much more than these two verses to understand what is being taught.

When 23,000 people die in one day, it is tragic!  How did they die?  Was it avoidable?  Were there any warning signs?

Take the time to read and study I Corinthians 8, 9, and 10.  Decide for yourself what the apostle Paul is teaching in those three chapters and why it was necessary.  Then consider this:  how can this message apply to me in my Christian walk?  We will be discussing that and more in this lesson.  I hope you will join us in class!

Ukraine Christians Need our Prayers

The Ukraine continues to be in the news. It is dangerous and unsettling there. We should be praying for our Christian brothers and sisters right now! Here are some congregations in the Ukraine with their email and website addresses:

A list of Ukraine congregations

A longer list of Ukraine congregations

Lesson 2

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

We should be constantly aware that the world does not see things the same way that Christians do.  When it comes to judgement, everyone has an opinion about when and how, even whether or not we should judge.  Study the scripture in context.  Look up other scriptures related to judgement.  Here are some questions to consider:

1. How does the world view judgement?
2. How should the child of God view judgement? 
3. What does Paul mean when he says we should not put an "obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way"?
4. Am I exercising godly judgement?
   
   
   Pray for godly wisdom in this area.  Ask yourself if someone has ever been a stumbling block to you.  Now ask yourself if you have ever caused someone else to stumble.  If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, how did/should you handle it?
   
   See you in class!