Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Acts 18:23 - Acts 21:15; Lesson 17

John's study this week:

Content
(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

Acts 18:23-28
1. v23 – 26 While Paul sets out to visit the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples, Apollos ( as a knowledgeable and bold disciple of JC) came to Ephasus, staying with Pricilla and Aquilla at their home in order to receive more teaching.
2. v27 – 28 Apollos travels to Achaia encouraging believers and refuting arguments of Jewish opponents in public debate. Later he travels to Corinth.

Acts 19
3. v1 – 7 Traveling through the region of Ephesus, Paul meets a group of believers who had not heard of the baptism of the HS, having only been baptized (as John baptized) as a sign of repentance, explaining the difference where upon Paul laid hands on the twelve and then they received the HS and spoke in tongues and prophesied.
4. v8 – 12 Paul continued speaking there of the Gospel for several months, but some refused to believe, so Paul left, took disciples with him to Tyrannus where he lectured, and for two years continued preaching the Gospel to Greens and Jews who lied in the province of Asia as well as God performed miracles through Paul.
5. v13 – 16 At the same time Paul was invoking the name of Jesus to drive out evil spirits, sons of a Jewish priest were falsely using the name of Jesus to do the same, when one day an evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the evil spirit beat up them all.
6. v17 - 22 This episode became known to the Jews and Greeks of the region causing Christ’s name to be held in honor, many came to know Christ, some who practiced sorcery, burned their scrolls, helping the word of God to be spread widely and grew in power.
7. v23 – 29 Demetrius, a silversmith who made idols to Artemus, spoke with such passion against Paul’s teaching of the word of God, that a riot breaks out where Gaius and Aristarchus and pauls traveling companions are seized during the mayhem.
8. v30 – 41 Paul wants to meet the rioters, but is discouraged by the disciples and province rulers not to go for his own safety, and instead Alexander and the city clerk speak of restraint and not violence and eventually dismisses the assembled mob.

Acts 20
9. v1 – 6 Paul travels to Greece then as a plot is hatched to harm him, travels to Macedonia with friends following the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where they stayed seven days.
10. v7 – 12As Paul meets with followers to share a meal and teach, a young man named Eutychus accidentally falls asleep and tumbles from the3rd story window to his death, only to be miraculously revived by God through Paul thus strengthening the believers.
11. v13 - 38 Paul travels by ship to Ephesus spreading the Gospel and encouraging believers telling them of his plans to travel to Jerusalem giving praise for the privilege of spreading the Gospel finishing with a blessing and quote from Christ: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Acts 21
12. v1 – 6 Paul sails on to Tyre where he stays with disciples for seven days and although the believers, through the Holy Spirit, urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem he leaves praying with families as he finishes his visit and boards ship.
13. v7 – 11 Paul continues from Tyre to Ptolemais to Caesarea where he stays with Philip the evangelist where Paul meets with Agabus, a prophet, who prophesies “The Holy Spirit says” of Paul being bound hand and foot by Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and be handed over to the Gentiles.
14. v12 – 15 When the disciples heard the prophesy, they pleaded with Paul not to go, but he insisted, so when they saw that he would not change his mind, they said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Divisions
(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Paul and Apollos minister effectively in Ephesus and surrounding areas; Pricilla and Aquilas teach Apollos more about Christ.
Acts 18:23 – 19:12

Application: How are you learning more about Jesus?

Application: How are you using your gifts to strengthen the church? 

 
II. Paul ministers with the Holy Spirit, false teachers invoke the name of Jesus for their own purposes and idol worshipers start a riot.
Acts 19:13 - 41

Application: Who do you need to share the Gospel with TODAY?

Application: What are we to do when faced with false teaching?


III. Paul makes know his plan to travel to Jerusalem, while disciples urge him not to.
Acts 20 - 21

Application: How far will you go to bring the Gospel message?

Application: How do you gain sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading?


Subject Sentence
(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

The Holy Spirit’s work through believers brings encouragement and strength. (10 words)


Aim
(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to see that the Holy Spirit will lead those who follow Christ in bringing the Gospel to the world.

Monday, January 16, 2012

1 Thesalonians 1 - 5; Lesson 15

John's study this week:

Content
(In your own words, summarize passages into sentences. Goal of 12 – 15 sentences)

1 Thessalonians  1

1. v1 - 5 Paul gives thanks for all friends in the faith and for the work and labor produced by love knowing that God has chosen the followers who because of the Gospel and power of the HS live
2. v6 – 8a The followers there have become imitators of Christ because they welcomed the Gospel into their midst and become a model church to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia becoming known throughout the region.
3. v8b – 10 You need say nothing about your work as it speaks for itself as you have turned from idols to serving God living son, Jesus, who was raised from the dead and who will rescue us from the coming wrath.

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1 Thessalonians 2

4. v1 – 7 Our visit is no mistake, but work approved by God, work done to please God and not man, to present the Gospel as a witness to all who will receive the message.
5. v8 – 11 Paul states that through the tough times of his ministry he has been burdened to share the Gospel, and that the readers of the letter are witnesses of Paul’s team’s faithfulness as a father lovingly works with his children.
6. v12 – Paul encourages and exhorts believers to live lives worthy of God, who calls us into his kingdom.
7. v13 – 16 Paul thanks God for the work begun in the believers for they have begun a walk of faith suffering  just as the Jews have who believe from non-believers who try to keep the Gospel message from being spoken. They will have the wrath of God upon them.
8. v17 – 20 Paul has felt orphaned from his believing friends and although Satan had blocked their way, but finds hope in the glory to come from Christ’s return one day.

1 Thessalonians 3

9. v1 – 5 While in Athens Paul sent Timothy to continue the work and encourage the faithful so as to be strengthened through the trials and persecution.
10. v6 – 10 Paul received the good news regarding your growing faith and have been encouraged by your example, thanking God, praying constantly to see his friends again in order to strengthen their walk.
11. v11 – 13 Paul prays that the Lord increases your faith, strengthens your hearts so that they will be found blameless and holy upon Christ’s return.

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1 Thessalonians 4

12. v1 – 12 Keep living righteously in order to please God for you know that by the authority of Christ it is God’s will that you should be sanctified and live holy and pleasing to God, for God will punish those who reject His instructions so love one another and through your daily life will win the respect of others.
13. v13 – 18 According to God’s word, both the dead in Christ and those living will meet Christ when He returns and we will be with the Lord forever, so be encouraged.

1 Thessalonians 5

14. v1 – 8 We do not know when the Lord will return, but when he does there will be destruction in the land, so be prepared as we are children of light and day living soberly and righteously putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation.
15. v9 – 22 Paul reminds and gives practical instruction for living for God.
16. v23 – 28 Paul closes with what feels like a prayer.


Divisions
(Summarize main groupings of thoughts. Goal of 2, 3 or 4 divisions. ID passages covered)

I. Paul shares the Thessalonians’ shared past, living among them and sharing close communion with them.
1 Thessalonians 1 - 3

Application: How are you imitating Christ in your life?

Application:  How are you involved in community with your church?

II. Paul refocuses the Thessalonians’ present, encouraging them to live righteously and love with brotherly affection.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-13

Application: Who do you need to encourage to live righteously today?

Application: How would others describe your love for fellow believers and even your neighbor?

III. Paul speaks to the coming return of Christ, the Rapture and of heavenly expectation.   
1 Thessalonians 4:14 – 5:8

Application: Are you prepared for Christ’s return?

Application: Do you have a sense of anticipation for Christ’s return? What are you doing about it?

IV. Paul reinforces his teaching with practical exhortations.   
1 Thessalonians 5:9 - 28

Application: What will you change this week to incorporate Christ in your daily walk?

Application: How do you greet your fellow believers? Do you avoid some or greet all as Paul might?

Subject Sentence
(Summarizing the Divisions into one sentence):

Paul focuses on today and the hope of Christ’s return. (10 words)

Aim
(A main teaching point for the overall study of the passages):

To cause the audience to:

Remember where we have come from as believers with a refocus our vision of the big picture – the hope of Christ’s return and heaven.