6/27/10 Guide

I Want Something Else

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Week of 6/27/10

Getting Started

Do you have any fun plans for the summer? What do you normally do for the forth of July?

Digging Deeper (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)

1) What did you take away from this week’s passage?

2) Read verse 1. What are some ways that we can “guard our steps” in approaching God?

When we approach God trivially, it’s because we’re not grasping the seriousness of the meeting. In reviewing Scripture we see that when people met God in supernatural ways, it drastically changed their posture of body and life. Consider that in a very real sense, God is no less present with us now than when he appeared in discernable ways. Therefore, our response should be similar. Our approach must be thoughtful, heartfelt, and prayerful if we are to recognize and respond appropriately to God.

3) Is there anything you do to prepare for worshipping God and listening to God on Sunday mornings?

Here are some passages that might provide principles to follow (Ex.23:19; Dt. 23:18; Ps. 122).

4) In verses 1 and 2, Solomon emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God to listen intently? How can a person listen to God? What are they listening for? What are they listening to?

5) One way we hear God is by listening to and reading the Bible. What are some helpful habits that we can develop in reading the Bible? If you were to give a person tips on guarding their steps in approaching the Bible, what would you tell them?

Here are Nine Rules for Reading the Bible - HERE

6) Read verses 2 & 3. Solomon associates quantity of talking with sin. Look at the immediate context and compare this passage with Pro. 10:19 and James 3:1-8. Why is controlling how much you say (quantity) so important in protecting quality of what you say?

7) In verse 2, Solomon encourages us not to say too much by directing our attention God’s greatness and our smallness: “God is in heaven and we are on earth, so let your words by few.” Why is it that what we say and how much we talk reflect our awareness of these truths (or lack of awareness)?

Consider Calvin on the topic of knowing God and knowing ourselves - HERE

8) Verse 4 says to fulfill our vows to God for “He has no pleasure in fools.” Why is it foolish to make a vow to God and not fulfill it?

9) Solomon speaks of a person foolishly making vows to God. What might these vows to God look like today? How might delayed or unfulfilled vows reflect overconfidence upon ourselves and a trivialization of God?

10) Compare this passage with what Jesus says about vows in Matthew 5:33-37. In what way does Jesus add to and expand on the words of Solomon?

In Matthews 5:33-37, Jesus cannot mean that all forms of oath making are prohibited. Why? Jesus later in his life responds to an oath (Matt.26:63-64). The righteous angel of Revelation 10:6 is described has having “swore by him who lives forever and ever.” The apostle Paul calls God as his witness in verifying his intentions towards the Corinthians (2 Cor.1:23; cf. Gal 1:20). Even Jehovah swore by himself (Hebrews 6:13). Among these there are other numerous famous and celebrative oaths made throughout redemptive history: Jonathan and David (1Sam. 18:3,4; 20:16, 42; 2 Sam 21:7) The Jews with each other to serve God (1 Chron. 15:12-15; Neh 10:28-32) Moses to Caleb (Josh 14:9) Ruth to Naomi (Ruth 1:17) Boaz to Ruth (Ruth 3:13 Elisha to Elijah (2 Kings 2:2). In Matthew 5, Jesus was referring to the prevent practice of frivolous swearing. One commentator notes that a man might swear a false oath “a hundred thousand times and yet not be guilty of vain swearing.” This man would have justified his behavior of not following through with his oath by saying that he didn’t “swear by God.” He might have sworn by heaven, or by earth, or even by the hairs of his own head, but in his mind this isn’t swearing by God. As such, he regarded such oaths as not being binding. Jesus counters this prevalent philosophy of promise making by insisting that all things belong God. To swear by anything is tantamount to swearing by God. As such, our word should be so sure and solid that our “yes” or “no” should be good enough.

11) Have you made any vows before the Lord recently? What actions are you taking to fulfill you vow?

Put it Into Practice

In verse 7, Solomon encourages us to stand in awe of God. What attribute or characteristic of God are you particularly astounded by? What attribute of God do you need to be more awed by? Take some time this week to listen to what God says in the Bible about that characteristic.

6/20/10 Guide

I Want Something Else

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

Week of 6/20/10

Getting Started

Who is one of your oldest friend that you still stay in touch with? How long have you known them?

This week we’re going to talk about relationships, in general, are you an introvert, an extrovert, a social butterfly or caterpillar?

Digging Deeper (Ecclesiastes 4:8-12)

1) What did you take away from the passage we looked at on Sunday?

2) Read verse 8. It describes someone who is lonely. What was one of the loneliest times of your life? How did it affect you? How does it seem to affect the man that Solomon speaks of?

3) In verse 8 the man who is working hard asks the question “For whom am I toiling?” Is there someone you’re working for? Who is it? Does having someone to work for giving more meaning to our work? What do think is the point of this passage?

4) Verse 9 says that two are better than one because they have a good return on their work. Share a project, or task that you tackled in the past, in which the help of someone else played a crucial role?

5)For fun - Each of the following projects go better with help. But if you had to pick just one, which one would you definitely want to have help with.

· Moving all your stuff to a new place

· Repainting the inside and outside of your home

· Putting in new landscaping

6) In verse 10 Solomon says that friendships make tough times easier. Share about a difficult time in your life in which people stepped in and helped you through it. Who was it that stepped in? What did they that helped?

7) In verse 11 Solomon says that relationships enable you to enjoy things that people can’t enjoy on their own. In the example given, two isolated people are two cold people. If you had to change the example, what would you say?

8) In verse 12 Solomon says that relationships provide safety. Use your small group as a reference. How does you small group provide spiritual safety?

Putting It Into Practice

Revisit question (7). Is there someone in your group that you can help? As individuals, is there someone in your life who is struggling that can use your help.

6/13/10 Guide

I Want Something Else

Ecclesiastes 3

Week of 6/13/10

Getting Started

What are some areas in your life that you procrastinate in? What are some areas that you are punctual?

Digging Deeper (Ecclesiastes 3)

1) What did you take away from this past Sunday’s message?

2) Read through Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Go through each pair of terms and discuss what you might look for to determine whether it’s the right time to do these activities.

3) Reflect on last year and finish this phrase: “2009 was a time to ___________.”

4) Look ahead to this year and finish the phrase: “2010 is a time to _______________.”

5) Verse 7 says there is a time to be silent and time to speak. Share a time in your life when you realized it was either a time to speak up, or a time to be quiet.

6) Verse 8 tells us there is a time to love and a time to hate. Is it okay for a follower of Jesus to “hate” Give examples for your answer.

Scripture calls us to hate evil. Romans 12:9 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Again, ^NIV Psalm 97:10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. The issues are (1) to what or whom are your to direct hate and (2) how do you express hatred towards evil. As to (1), we are clearly to hate the acts and consequences of sin, but what about the perpetrator of sin? God himself might serve as an example. He both hates and loves evil doers (Psalm 5: 5-6 with John 3:16). He love what they were created as and hates what they become. His love is so great, he works to restore them from their sin.

7) Read verses 9-10, 12-13, and 22 and answer these questions: (a) How and why is work a burden (vs.10)? (b) How is it the gift of God (vs.13)? (c) What are the ways that we can make too much of our careers? (d). What are the ways that we can make to little of our careers?

God created man to work, exercising a level of dominion over his surroundings (Psalm 8:5-8). Due to the fall, work becomes laden with pain and labor (Gen 3:17-19. And yet, there is still enough of God’s common grace in our work to provide for ourselves and families, love our neighbors, and delight in God’s provision through them.

8) In verse 11 Solomon says that God “set eternity in the hearts of men.” Do people instinctively know that God exists and that he has a purpose of our lives? What other passages speak of this? What are some ways that you might point a skeptic to see “eternity” in their hearts?

Some key passages are Romans 1:18-23; 2:14; Psalm 19. One might use our inescapable sense of morality and argue that God exists: 1. Moral laws exist. 2. Moral laws transcend physical laws. 3. Moral Laws need a Moral Law Giver. 4. God is that Moral Law Giver.

9) In verse 14 Solomon makes a connection between God’s sovereignty and our worship. How do you feel towards God when you can’t change your circumstances? How can we cultivate worship in these circumstances?

10) In what ways is man like animals (19-22)? 
In what way is he different?
 What kind of test does God bring upon man (see 18)?


Putting It Into Practice

Revisit question 2. Is there something that you feel that maybe you should stop or start doing? Share with the group and pray for God’s wisdom on the matter.

Verse 7 reminds us there is a time to speak. As a follower of Christ, one of the things we’re called to speak up for, is our faith. Who are you currently sharing your faith with?

All Church Prayer

This Sunday we will be honoring our volunteers. Take some time this week to ask God to encourage our volunteers in their service to Him by their service to others. Pray that God would continue to refresh and empower them for ministry.

Guide 5/23/10

I Got The Power

2 Kings 6:8-22

Week of 5/23/10

Getting Started

This section of Scripture deals with having a 180-degree change of perspective. What’s a food that you once loved and now hate, or you once hated but now you love?

Digging Deeper

What did you take away from this past Sunday’s message?

Read verses 8-12. Elisha possesses the ability to know things and see things that most people don’t. Reading over 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, do you think that some of the gifts listed may include something similar to what Elisha possessed? Why or why not?

For further consideration, consult the first three messages on the general topic by Wayne Grudem - HERE

In verse 16 – 17, Elisha helps to give perspective to the servant. How does godly counsel help to change our perspective of challenge? How does ungodly counsel also influence how we view things?

Psalm 1; Pro.12:15;13:10;27:9.

In verse 17, Elisha prays for his servant to see the crisis from the proper perspective. What are some of the ways that prayer helps to give us a proper assessment of our problems? If you had to counsel someone on what to pray and how to pray in their difficulties, what would you say?

Prayer is in some way, inserting God into a circumstance; the exercised dependence on God.

Compare verse 17 with Ephesians 1:17-23. How does a rich understanding of the three truths of the gospel listed in Ephesians 1:17-23 empower us to live life well?

Read Psalm 119:18, in this prayer, someone is asking for their eyes to be opened? What is it that they want to see? Is that a good request? Why?

Read Numbers 22:31. When Balaam’s eyes were opened, what did He see? In both 2 Kings and Numbers 22, people needed their eyes opened to see angelic activity. Do you think angelic activity is common, or uncommon. Why?

In verses 21-22 Elisha leads the King to deal graciously with the Aramean army. What are some of the ways that we vent our stresses on people and circumstances when we don’t view them from God’s perspective? How does having God’s perspective on people and circumstances change how we handle them? Give some examples from your life.

In verse 23, Israel’s gracious actions towards the army resulted in the Arameans ceasing from raiding Israel’s territory. What’s the broader Biblical principle illustrated there. Can you think of other passages that describe this principle?

Romans 12:17-21 ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. ²⁰ "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Putting it Into Practice

If God could open you eyes in one way, or one area, or one decision, what would it be?

Consider that it was Elisha’s prayer that gave his servant perspective. Is there anyone in your life who needs your prayer to help him or her in their time of trouble?

5/16/10 Guide

I Got The Power

2 Kings 5

Week of 5/16/10

Getting Started

Have you ever broken a bone? Which one(s)? How?

Digging Deeper

This chapter tells of a commander who was healed of leprosy. What is leprosy? How might this condition have affected this man’s reputation and job-performance?

leprosy, in the OT a disorder affecting humans, fabrics, and houses. There are different types of leprosy that afflict persons (Lev. 13). Though it is not clear what these skin diseases are, it is certain that they are not modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease). The plague in fabrics and houses is described as greenish or reddish spots (Lev. 13:49; 14:37), thus indicating a type of mold or mildew.

Persons or objects afflicted with leprosy can pollute others. Anyone who enters a leprous house must bathe. If a person tarries there by eating or lying down, both bathing and laundering are necessary (Lev. 14:46-47). Surprisingly, the Bible says nothing about the effect of a leper’s impurity. The leper certainly polluted at least like a polluted house and probably like one who has an abnormal bodily discharge (Lev. 15:2-12; 5:6).

A leper is to be excluded from habitations (Lev. 13:45-46; cf. Num. 12:15; 2 Kings 7:3-4). When the person recovers from the affliction, purification rites are performed (Lev. 14:2-20, 21-32). Similar rites are performed for a renovated house (14:48-53; note that these rites are not as extensive as the healed leper’s). These purification rites are not for the removal of leprosy, but only for the removal of residual ritual impurity (see Mark 1:44). A rite for the curing of leprosy is found in the case of Naaman immersing in the Jordan seven times (2 Kings 5:10, 14).

Fabrics incorrigibly infected with leprosy are to be burned (Lev. 13:52, 55, 57) and building materials so infected must be discarded outside the habitation (14:40, 41, 45). There is some evidence that leprosy was considered a punishment from God for sin (cf. Num. 12:10-15; 2 Kings 5:27; 15:5; 2 Chron. 26:20-21).

The Gospels report that Jesus healed people afflicted with leprosy (e.g., Matt. 8:1-4; Luke 17:11-19) and he commissioned his disciples to do the same (Matt. 10:8). Jesus is also reported to have visited the home of Simon the leper (Mark 14:3), perhaps one of those he had healed. The data do not enable one to determine if this ‘leprosy’ was Hansen’s disease. ^[1]

In verse 2 we read of a young girl who was seized from her home by the Aramians? How does she respond to her captivity? What does she teach us about how we are to face difficult surroundings and people?

Instead of justly retaliating against her captors, she genuinely seeks their good. For application, see Matt. 5:38-48; 1Cor. 7:17-24; Eph. 6:5-8.

Read verse 7. Why do you think the king of Israel was so upset?

He believed this to be a foil for another invasion; a way “to pick a quarrel.” Further, he lacked the conviction that God could step in. Elisha asks why the king despaired? The question was rhetorical, pointing out the lack of confidence that the King had in God and his messenger.

In verses 9-10, it says that Elisha didn’t personally answer the door when Naaman arrived. Could Elisha have been testing Naaman by not personally welcoming him? Why would he have done something like this?

When Elisha sent his assistant to answer the door in his place, he was communicating that the commander was subservient to the prophet of God, or better yet, the God that the prophet represented. It’s a fallen tendency for people in great positions to have too great of an opinion about themselves. If this were a test, it was designed to reveal the condition of the man’s soul – whether he was humble or arrogant. Isaiah 66:1-2 – “Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? "For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

Read verse 11. Why do you think Namaan was angry? What was Namaan’s expectation? Was this a reasonable expectation? How can preconceived notions of how God works get in the way? Can you think of a time that God worked in a way that you didn’t expect?

It appears that Namaan was expecting some theatrical process of healing, as well as some supernatural manifestation. He believed that God only works in winds, earthquakes, and fires, when he is often to be found in the whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13).

Dipping in the Jordan River was probably an act of humility on Namaan’s part. In what ways does the Bible connect God’s power in someone’s life to his or her humility? Give some illustrations and statements of Scripture that address this? Can you think of a time when you had to humble yourself in the process of seeking help from God?

What are some other examples in Scripture where people placed too much trust in what God used to accomplish his will? Can you think ways that we might do the same today?

Consider Israel’s unhealthy dependency on the Ark of the Covenant (1Sam. 4:3&11).

In verses 13-14, Naaman’s servant persuaded him obey the prophet. What was his counsel? How was Elisha’s instruction a display of grace to Naaman?

Read verse 15. What effect did this healing have on Namaan? How did He respond? What can we learn from this response that we can put into practice?

Read verse 16. Why do you think Elisha refused to accept a gift? What does this show about Elisha?

Putting It Into Practice

How is your personal Bible reading going?

Communion Blurb

This week we’re celebrating communion in our small groups. If you’re not yet part of a group, visit one this week.

---

^[1]Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary (1st ed.) (555). San Francisco: Harper & Row.