For those of you wondering if you can disciple your own group starting in the fall, here are suggested Bible studies to use or not to use.
God bless you!
Warning: Don't turn your meetings into Bible classes! Allow plenty of time for worship, sharing and prayer.
Sept., week 3: John 13:34, 35: “Love One Another”
1. “New command” because the old was Luke 10:27: “Love… as you love yourself.” New: “Love… as I
[Jesus] have loved you”!
2. Four ways in John 13 we see He loves us and therefore how we are to love each other:
a. With a selfless love (v.1: “The full extent….”)
b. With a serving love (vss. 4,5).
c. With an unconditional love (vss.6,7: “later,” after Peter’s denials, they’d be on the same old terms).
d. With a responsible love (vs. 8: “Peter, I love you too much to let you stay dirty!”)
3. Our primary testimony to the world: vs. 35
[Optional: each member commits to loving each one in group with a selfless love, serving love,
unconditional love, responsible love.]
Sept., week 4: Luke 10:27: “Your First Priority”
1. Discuss four ways we’re to love God (v. 27).
2. Among other things, this demands time. RCO: “There’s no way a believer can become godly without
a daily quiet time.”
3. Go through an abbreviated Q.T. on the spot:
a. As an example of Bible study, take Heb. 12:1-3.
Each write answers to same questions Paul asked in Acts 22:8,10: “Who are you, Lord?” “What
shall I do, Lord?”
2 min.: write what you learn about Him in Heb. 12:1-3. [Leader announce when time is up.]
2 min.: write what you see to obey in Heb. 12:1-3.
[In daily Q.T.’s these 2 questions can be asked of any Scripture.]
b. Prayer. As an example of a prayer outline, each write prayers in silence as leader announces
time:
2 min.: A – adoration
2 min.: C – confession
2 min.: T – thanksgiving
2 min.: S – supplication (bold requests!)
[Commitment: September to June members write their Q.T.’s every day? 5 times a week? Show each
week for accountability? This puts “teeth” into your purpose to grow with Christ.]
October, week 1: “Three Priorities”
1. John 17, Jesus shows these are also His priorities:
Vss. 1-5 Glory of Father, glory of Son
Vss. 6-19 Wellbeing of believers (protection, joy, etc.)
Vss. 20-26 “That the world may believe.., know.”
Conclusion: Priority 1: Christ
Priority 2: Body of Christ
Priority 3: World Christ died to save
2. John 15, Jesus teaching disciples in upper room:
Vss. 1-11: Priority One, “Abide in Me.”
Vss. 12-17: Priority Two, “Love one another.”
Vss. 18-27: Priorty Three, “Testify to the world.”
[Discuss application of priorities to our lives.]
PRIORITY 1: Christ
- Corporate worship
- Personal quiet time
- Living in His presence
- Giving to Him
PRIORITY 2: The Body of Christ
- Commitment to church – local and world wide
- Small groups, discipling, etc.
- Interceding in prayer for one another
- Giving to one another
PRIORITY 3: The World Christ died to save
- Excellence of life to represent Him well
- Witnessing, missions
- Praying for the unsaved
- Giving to the needs of the world
If you each want to read through the Bible next year (strongly recommended) each may want to order
Daily Walk (800-877-5539) for daily guide. Subscr. cost: $18 per year.)
October, week 2: Isaiah 40:9-26: “Priority One: God’s Greatness”
1. Vs. 9: Discuss ramifications of spreading the Word.
2. End of vs. 9: “Here is your God!”
Vss. 10-28 describe this God:
Vss 10,11: What’s He like?
Vs. 12: How big is He?
Vs. 12: How wise is He?
Vs. 14: Who trumps Him?
Vs. 15: Is He threatened by international politics?
Vs. 16: Is our greatest offering good enough for Him?
Vss. 17-20: Is anyone/anything able to rival Him?
[Idol: anyone, anything we think about, work for, love more than God. Discuss.]
Vs. 21: Are you beginning to get it? Hel-lo–?
Vs. 22: Think about this. Then compare it with Eph. 2:6!
Vss. 23, 24: Are we to fear the news of Iran, North Korea?
Vss. 25, 26: Ray Ortlund, Jr.’s, book Isaiah, pp. 247, 248:
“We today, with a scientific outlook, should be even more awestruck at the greatness of God
displayed in the heavens. Here we are on tiny Planet Earth. The closest star to us is, of course,
the sun. The sun generates energy with the same explosiveness as a hydrogen bomb – its own
continuous internal nuclear fission. The surface of the sun is a relatively cool 10,000 degrees
Fahrenheit, while the center is a toasty 27,000,000 degrees. The diameter of the sun is 870,000
miles, 109 times larger than the earth, and its volume could contain 1,000,000 earths. Its luminosity
is equal to four million trillion 100-watt lightbulbs – more than you'll find even at Home Depot. And
the sun is just an average star….
“But so what? Is all this just a big stunt? No. God wants us to see something about himself. The
God who brings out their host by number every night, who calls them all by name so that not one of
them is missing - this God has made a promise to us about this fifth-rate little world we live in. He has
promised us himself in all his glory. Do you think this God deserves your confidence? Do you think
this God who manages the universe, right down to the faintest star, will lose track of you?
“In this passage Isaiah is speaking to people whose mood is like that of many today. They may say
the right things, but deep inside they don’t really believe anymore – not with a faith that overcomes the
world. They’re looking at things through their own eyes. So the promises of God do not put a spring in
their step and a sparkle in their eye and steel in their backbone. Why? God just doesn’t look big
enough for the risk-taking audacity of true faith. But God is inviting us to turn our perceptions around
and see everything from his point of view. He understands that the struggle of faith is won or lost in the
way we perceive reality. Yes, we are dwarfed by the creation; but the creation is dwarfed by God. See
it that way. See him that way. When you feel threatened by world events and overwhelmed by your own
problems, there’s another way to perceive it all. God is opening up to you a prophetic vision. And the
Biblical gospel is his way of calling to us, ‘Behold your God!’ (Isaiah 40:9).”
Vs. 27: Do we live with His attitude?
Vs. 28: DUH!
[Lingering prayer time of worship (on knees?)]
October, week 3: John 15:1-11: “Priority One: Abiding in Christ”
If you’d like a short study on this, let Kayli at R.M. fax it to you or mail you a copy.
Written by an “old great.” Rich!
[If you’re going to teach Bible structure in November, each start now memorizing the books of the Bible.]
October, week 4: “Priority One: The ACTS of Prayer”
1. Adoration: Rev. 4 and 5
Man created in the image of God. “Image” means reflection. We were made to reflect God’s nature and
character. Worshipping Him helps that happen.
a. Scene of perfect worship in heaven. Who worships? Rev. 4:6-8, 9-11; 5:11,12; 5:13 finally whole
universe!
b. How do they worship?
Intellectually (thoughtfully, with doctrine): 4:8
Emotionally: 5:12 “in a loud voice”
Physically (use their bodies): 4:10, 5:8,14
c. “Most Americans tend to worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.”
2. Confession
a. Confess your faith. (Discuss personal creeds. Must include “the gospel:” 1 Co. 15:1-4.)
b. Confess your sins. Ps. 32:1-5. (Don’t let them stockpile; keep short accounts.)
3. Thanksgiving (follows forgiveness: 1 Jn. 1:9)
a. Ps. 100:4 (gates, courts: His presence)
b. 1 Th. 5:18 (what is “this”?)
4. Supplication
Ray and Anne taking a walk; Ray: “Anne, I need to ask God for bigger things. Pray God will give me
some new big things to ask Him!”
a. Asking largely: 1 Chr. 4:10
b. Intercession for our lost world: Ge. 18:22-33
c. Intercession for authorities: 1 Ti. 2:1-4
d. Pray sometimes with intensity: Mt. 7:7
Ask: “Lord, I’d sure like….”
Seek: “Lord, I really need….”
Knock: “Lord! Please! Help!”
Martin Luther once prayed, “Lord, if You don’t give me this, I’ll never trust You again!” God did.
e. Praying continually: 1 Th. 5:17
November, week 1: “Crowns:” What God Rewards
(To prepare to make personal goals from Jan. to June)
1. “Crown of righteousness,” 2 Ti. 4:8, for eagerly awaiting Christ’s return
2. “Crown of rejoicing,” 1 Th. 2:19,20, for soul winning
3. “Imperishable crown,” 1 Co. 9:24,27, for being disciplined
4. “Crown of life,” Jas. 1:12; Rev. 2:10, for persevering in suffering
5. “Crown of glory,” 1 Pe. 5:2-4, for discipling
[By now each say memorized books of the Bible.]
November, week 2: Bible structure, Old Testament
November, week 3: Bible structure, New Testament. (If you locals need help on these two lessons,
ask a discipler who teaches them to teach you, or let me know and I could hold a class. – Anne)
[4th week off for Thanksgiving? Otherwise review Bible structure, Q and A.]
December, week 1: Priority Two: Discuss Col. 3:8-17.
Memorize Col. 3:17
If Daily Walks were individually ordered the first week of October, they should have arrived by now,
to start reading Jan. 1. If not, check on 800-877-5539.
December, week 2: Priority Two: Marriage
Discuss Eph. 5:18-33. Memorize Eph. 4:2. Homework: Bring 3 personal goals each next week, copies
for each person, to be accomplished by final meeting in June. Measurable, attainable.
December, week 3: Luke 1, the Christmas Story
1. See how each character was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak:
a. John the Baptist: Like 1:15. Became a life-long “voice”: 3:2-4
b. Mary, receiving the most remarkable “filling,” 1:35. Began to speak: 1:46-55.
c. Elizabeth: 1:41. She spoke: 1:42-45.
d. Zechariah: 67-79, “filled… and prophesied.”
e. They are our examples: Eph. 5:18,19.
2. Go over six-month goals (Jan. – June). Make sure they’re measurable and attainable. Copies to each.
If your group is individually reading through the Bible next year, using their new Daily Walk, instead of
waiting until Jan. 1 they can get a head start after Christmas!
January, week 1, if far enough away from New Year’s Day; otherwise week 2: Priority Two: 13 ways
New Testament tells us to communicate with each other
1. Suffering together, 1 Co. 12:26
2. Rejoicing together, 1 Co. 12:26
3. Bearing one another’s burdens, Gal. 6:2
4. Restoring one another, Gal. 6:1
5. Praying together, Ro. 15:30
6. Teaching and admonishing one another, Co. 3:16
7. Refreshing one another, Ro. 15:32
8. Encouraging each other, Ro. 1:12
9. Forgiving one another, Eph. 4:32
10. Confessing sins to one another, Jas. 5:16
11. Being truthful to one another, Eph. 4:25
12. Stimulating (inspiring) one another to good deeds, Heb. 10:24
13. Giving to one another, Php. 4:14,15
Question: Have I placed myself so deeply within a living, functioning local body that I am functioning
in all these ways, and so living as a healthy, cleansed, growing, contributing member of the body of
Christ?
If your group started reading through the Bible January 1, now and every few weeks check to encourage
them to stay up to date. They should be in the Psalms when you end in June, but urge them to finish the
year!
January, week 2, or extra, sometime during the year:
Discuss, leisurely and meaningfully, 1 Corinthians 13.
Ask group members to bring all versions and paraphrases that they can, to compare.
Spontaneously along the way, admit personal lacks relating to these verses and be prayed for by
someone else on the spot.
January, week 3, Priority Two (see Priorities, Oct., week 1).
Exodus 18 and Acts 6: Disciples vs. Committees
1. To relieve leadership, make committees.
A. Committees are formed when work loads get too heavy.
1. Moses: Ex. 18:13-23.
2. Apostles: Acts 6:1-4.
B. Committees exist for specific tasks.
1. Ex. 18:24-27.
2. Acts 6:5,6.
C. Committees are God-ordained, important (Acts 6:7). Great honor to serve God in this way.
D. But committees have both dangers and limitations.
1. Danger: They take, not give strength. Can deplete.
2. Limitation: They provide for present need, not future vision. Sterile, nonproducing.
a. Moses’ thousands died when that generation died. Never heard of again.
b. Board of Deacons of Acts 6 died when those deacons died.
2. To reproduce leadership, make disciples.
A. Disciples exist to pass on Christianity by fellowship, example, teaching.
1. Moses with Joshua: Nu. 11:28; Jos. 1:1-3.
2. Elijah with Elisha: 1 Ki. 19:19-21; 2 Ki. 2:9-12.
3. Jesus with Twelve: Mk. 3:13,14.
B. Disciples befriend, comfort, strengthen leaders.
1. Joshua with Moses: Ex. 33:7-11.
2. Elisha with Elijah: 2 Ki. 2:1-6.
C. Disciples contain the seeds of reproduction, new life.
1. They build for the future: Peter, James, John, leaders of early church in Acts.
2. They nourish and edify; you’re stronger, not weaker, as a result of discipling: Col. 1:28,29.
3. Discipling is God’s master plan to grow and multiply His church: Mt. 28:18-20.
3. If time, examples of each (disciples, committees).
A. Moses discipled Joshua, trained his successor, built for the future: Dt. 34:5,9.
B. Joshua never discipled anyone – only formed committees: Jos. 18:3,4.
C. Contrast end of Moses’ life (end of Dt.) with end of Joshua’s life: Jud. 2:7-10.
D. Paul discipled strategic followers:
John Mark wrote book of Bible, Mark.
Luke wrote two books: Luke and Acts.
Timothy pastored the Ephesian (strongest) church.
January, week 4, Priority Two: Three Ways to Handle Others
1. Shape up
2. Pull up
3. Lift up
(Terms borrowed from psychologist Sally Folger Dye)
1. Shape up method: useful with preschoolers
“You shape up or [threat].”
“If you run into the street again I’ll spank you.”
“If you talk back to me again I’ll send you to your room.”
Most primitive: negative, demeaning: It works!
Kids need to know early that sin and pain go together. (Dt. 28:1,15). It’s how later they’ll understand
the Cross.
2. Pull-up method: useful for elementary age kids
“I will set goals for you. When you achieve them, I’ll reward you.”
Still demeaning (you’re in charge) but positive.
“If you brush your teeth 7 days in a row, I’ll put sticker on refrigerator.”
“If you make your bed 7 days in a row, I’ll give you a dollar on Saturday.”
(Pull-up method behind Boy and Girl Scouts.)
3. But when they’re bigger than you, Lift Up method
Make yourself lower: “I’m a sinner, too (get specific). Let’s pray for each other.” 1 Pe. 5:6.
Make him higher, lifting him, affirming him even before he actually is what you say. “Blessed is the
child whose parents’ judgment is based on what the child will some day be.”
Study Romans 4:22-24. See that God uses “lift up:” declares us good now, before we are perfect in
heaven; “credits” righteousness to us.
4. These three methods are how God has dealt with us
In Garden of Eden, Shape up: “avoid this fruit – or die.”
Did it work? No.
With Israelites, Pull up: “Obey the law – and I’ll give you land in Canaan.”
Did it work? No.
Offered to all mankind, Lift up: Lowered Himself (through His Son on the Cross) to raise us high.
2 Co. 5:21. Jn. 3:16.
February, week 1, Priority Two: Life Together in the Body
Study, discuss, pray over Colossians 3:12-17.
Homework: Begin memorizing The Apostles’ Creed to study in three weeks. Copies to each.
The Apostles’ Creed:
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son,
our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell*; the third day He rose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall
come to judge the quick and the dead.
“I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic** Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.”
*Meaning land of the dead rather than place of punishment
** Meaning the Church Universal
February, week 2, Priority Three: Witnessing, Evangelism, Missions
1. Read together Luke 9:12-17.
2. Question: “If we consider the food to be the gospel (the presentation of salvation through Christ), what
can we learn about Priority One, how the Lord operates; Priority Two, our responsibility; and Priority
Three, what can be the response of unsaved ones?”
3. Give first names of unsaved family, friends, neighbors, coworkers; sentence prayers for each as they are
named.
Question: Can anyone yet say The Apostles’ Creed?
February, week 3: (Anyone want to say the Apostles’ Creed? Deadline next week)
Eight things God does with our sins:
1. Isaiah 43:25 Has blotted them out
2. Isaiah 44:22 Has swept them away like a cloud
3. Psalm 103:12 Has removed them as far as the east is from the west (infinite. From north to south
would be measurable.)
4. Isaiah 38:17 Has put them behind His back
5. Micah 7:19 Will tread them all underfoot
6. Micah 7:19 Has hurled them all into the depths of the sea
7. Colossians 2:13 Has forgiven them
8. Hebrews 10:17; Jeremiah 50:20 Will never remember them again
Homework: Assign members to study Scriptures and other studies and give 10-mintue reports next time on
phrases of the Apostles’ Creed:
1. “…[Jesus] who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary”
2. “…dead, and buried. He ascended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead.”
3. “…From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”
4. “…I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church….”
5. “…the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.”
If there are six members, separate #4 into two.
February, week 4: The Apostles’ Creed
Leader give brief history: It grew out of Peter’s confession in Mt. 16:16 and was used in primitive form as
testimonies when converts were baptized. The first few centuries it was memorized and passed along but
not written down. Separate parts of it were quotes of Ignatius, second century. Early church fathers worked
to put our bottom-line beliefs in nutshell form.
What we now have in complete form can be traced to the late 400’s A.D.! There are two other ancient
creeds, but the Apostles’ Creed “is by far the best popular summary of the Christian faith ever made within
so brief a space” (The Creeds of Christendom).
Now almost 2,000 years old, it is still said weekly around the world by almost all people of the Christian
faith. In America it is quoted weekly in most denominational churches, but, to our shame, most new churches
don’t even know it exists. To lose this precious treasure would not only weaken our doctrinal soundness and
understanding but would cut us off from historical Christianity and from Christians worldwide. The average
church today has a serious case of amnesia!
Furthermore, as we wouldn’t “update” an antique piece of art, so we mustn’t try to modernize Christianity’s
greatest treasure beside the Bible, but learn what the words meant when they were formed so long ago and
pass it untouched to future generations until the Lord comes.
Now group members each say the Apostles’ Creed, and then each give ten-minute study reports.
March, week 1, Romans 12:3: Biblical Self-assessment
Discuss in turn:
1. How am I different than I was five years ago?
2. How am I the same as I was five years ago?
3. What do I want to remain the same, five years from now?
4. What do I want to be different or see changed in the next five years?
Pray around the circle for the dreams and longings for the person on your right.
March, week 2, Husbands and Wives: Eph. 5, 1 Pe. 3
Men: Study and discuss Ephesians 5:21-33, emphasis on vss. 25-31. Also 1 Peter 3:1-8, emphasis
on vss. 7, 8.
Women: Study and discuss Ephesians 5:21-33, emphasis on vss. 22-24. 1 Peter 2:13, 14, 18; 21-23;
3:1-6,8.
March, week 3, Study of Ephesians for three weeks.
Today: Three Generations of Ephesians
1. First generation, 30-something A.D. (Christ had recently died, risen, ascended back to heaven.)
A. Acts 18:19-21 They had a hunger to learn.
B. Acts 19:1 Paul kept his promise, stayed and preached there several years.
C. Acts 19:18-20 Revival!
D. Acts 20:17-38 Paul commended them and warned them.
2. Second generation, 60-something A.D.
A. Paul writes Ephesian letter to children of those who’d started off in revival. They are grounded
and healthy.
B. Eph. 1:1-3 Soars off right away into deep doctrine. Ephesians the deepest theologically of all
Paul’s letters.
C. Eph. 1:18-21 Breadth of knowledge – even future
D. Eph. 4:3-6 Unity of the church…
E. Eph. 4:11-13… but also diversity of gifts
F. Eph. 5:22-32 Marriage; Christ and the church
G. Eph. 6:4 Tells parents to bring up godly children. They didn’t! Third generation slipped.
3. Third generation, 90-something A.D., grandchildren of those fired up for Jesus in Acts 19.
A. Christ Himself is concerned, writes them a letter: Rev. 2:1-7.
B. Vss. 2,3 They’re going through all the outward motions of their parents.
C. Vs. 4 But their hearts have gotten cold, and they don’t even realize it, have to be told.
D. Vs. 5 Remedy: remember, repent, re-do. Threat if they don’t (lampstand: their church).
E. They didn’t! Today no more church. Part of Turkey, radically Muslim.
4. Discussion: What generation Christian are you? How are you raising your children? Prayer.
Homework: Assign each to research one doctrine from Ephesians 1 and give ten-minute reports next time:
1. Ephesians 1:4,5: chosen, predestined
2. Vs. 5: adopted
3. Vs. 7: redeemed
4. Vss. 9,10: mystery
5. Vss. 13, 14: marked with seal of Holy Spirit
6. Vss. 18-21: our hope
March, week 4: Read Ephesians, chapter 1, then ten-minute reports.
Memorize Ephesians 1:3.
April, week 1, Satan: Ephesians 6:10-18
A. Describe the believer’s warfare, vss. 10-13.
B. Describe the believer’s armor.
C. Conclusion: the healthy Christian walk (truth, faith, prayer, etc.) staves off the enemy without
aggressive battling. We “stand,” unmoved (vss. 11, 13, 14). The battle is the Lord’s.
April, week 2, Holy Week: Memorize 2 Co. 5:21.
Group read John chapters 18, 19, stopping for comments or prayer. Refreshments could be bread
and water. Pray on knees?
April, week 3: Rest before Work. Memorize Heb. 4:10.
A. God’s principle for the day
1. Ge. 1:5 Evening and night first, then daytime.
2. Also vss. 8, 13, 19, etc. God’s order! Turn your mind around!
No: start with morning, fall into bed exhausted.
Yes: Start with evening, make all preparations for next day, plan bedtime to get eight hours’
sleep, and live the next day prepared and rested.
3. Jewish holidays the same: Lev. 23:32.
B. God’s principle for the week
1. Observe carefully the Christians’ Sabbath, the first day of the week: Jn. 20:1. Resurrection Day
became Christians’ church day: 1 Co. 16:2. Worship and really rest on first day, with plenty of
sleep, to be ready for Monday through Saturday.
2. Remember your Sabbath begins Saturday evening (lay out clothes, make all preparations), to bed
for eight hours, so that everybody’s rested to worship!
C. God’s principle for the year
1. Leviticus 23: God’s annual holidays for the Israelites, some lasting a week
2. Notice some liturgical, some mourning, some fun
3. Celebrate God’s year! Rejoice over Christmas and Easter, mourn together Maundy Thursday
evening (final Passover, which Jesus and disciples observed at night) and Good Friday and
Saturday. Observe Lent, if that’s your custom.
D. Notice God’s practice of three days’ rest before their major activities or events.
1. Exodus 19:10,11
2. Joshua 1:11
3. Ezra 8:15a, 21 before trip from Babylon to Israel. Vs. 32 rest after trip before settling in.
4. Neh. 2:11 before scouting the city wall to rebuild it.
E. Book of Acts full of action! But begins with chapter 1 in prayer and waiting for the Holy Spirit.
F. Discuss application to our lives.
April, week 4: Say 23rd Psalm from memory?
Read, discuss, pray over this Psalm.
Psalm 23
(read responsively)
The Lord is my Shepherd – THAT’S RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want – THAT’S SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – THAT’S REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters – THAT’S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul – THAT’S HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness – THAT’S GUIDANCE!
For His name’s sake – THAT’S PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – THAT’S TESTING!
I will fear no evil – THAT’S PROTECTION!
For thou art with me – THAT’S FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – THAT’S DISCIPLINE!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – THAT’S HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil – THAT’S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over – THAT’S ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – THAT’S BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – THAT’S SECURITY!
Forever – THAT’S ETERNITY!
May, week 1, The Next Great Event in History
[One out of every 25 verses in New Testament deals with Christ’s second coming.]
[There will be a special reward for believers who long for His coming: 2 Timothy 4:8.]
A. WHAT will happen next: John 14:1-3.
1. “You” plural: all believers.
2. Discuss vs. 1.
B. HOW it will happen: 1 Thess. 4:13-18
1. Vs. 15: No disadvantage to dying!
2. Vs. 16: Voice, trumpet, regal! With great authority! But not heard or seen by unbelievers.
We are snatched “in an instant:” 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.. 1 Th. 5:1, 2 says Christ will come for His
own like a “thief in the night.”
[Later Christ will come openly to reign. As His first coming had many events – birth, life, death,
resurrection, etc. – so His second coming will have many events. See Rev. 20, 21, 22.]
3. Avoid sensationalism. It’s fabulous enough! Take it to your heart and be comforted (1 Th. 4:18).
C. WHAT DIFFERENCE Christ’s coming makes: 1 John 2:28; 3:1-3
1. Glad anticipation!
2. Gratitude!
3. Concern to be ready, purifying ourselves, not be caught ashamed!
4. Be sure you’re “born again” (John 3:36)!
May, week 2, This Business of Money: Earning, Spending, Saving, Giving
A. Earning
1. Where does your money come from?
a. Not from job: your job doesn’t know your needs, your emergencies, etc.!
b. God alone knows! Mt. 6:11. Ask Him! Pray!
c. God owns everything: Ps. 50:9-12.
d. He gives or withholds depending on what will make us grow, learn to trust: Dt. 8:2-5.
2. God may even supply through unbelievers
a. Egyptians --- Israelites --- tabernacle
Ex. 3:21, 22; 12:35,36; 35:4-9. [Where would fleeing slaves, refugees, get materials to
build a tabernacle worth millions?]
b. Magi ---- Joseph and Mary ---- trip to Egypt
Mt. 2:11
Mt. 2:13-15 [Where would a poor young couple get money to flee suddenly to another
country and live there for an indefinite period?]
3. Discover first what is God’s will for you. He always finances His will.
B. Spending
1. For yourself: necessary, but don’t make it a big deal. 1 Co. 7:29-32a.
2. Borrowing: Pr. 22;7; Dt. 15:6; Ro. 13:8
3. Ultimate spending: 2 Co. 12:15
C. Saving
1. Through the years spend under your income. Your nestegg will grow. Pr. 13:11
2. Spend modestly. Pr. 25:16; 30:7-9
3. Save, yes; hoard, no: Lk. 12:15-21
D. Giving
1. The poor are to give: 2 Co. 8:1-7.
2. The rich are to give: 2 Co. 9:6-9
3. Both hoarding and giving are for ourselves: Mt. 6:19-21. Hoarding fills our earthly bank: we
leave it all. Giving fills our heavenly bank: it will be there for us. Givers will be wealthy for eternity.
4. All believers are to tithe. Tithing is paying our rent for the world (air, land, water, etc.).
a. Old Testament: Mal. 3:8-12
b. New Testament: Luke 11:42
c. Tithe, but much more! Luke 6:38. God wants us to give heavily to prove we believe His
promises. 2 Co. 5:7.
5. Comparatively speaking, we Americans are all rich: 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
6. In discipling, our example counts more than our words!
Homework: Bring list of subjects you think important to teach to your future groups.
May, week 3: Discuss homework, read lists, add to them, pray.
May, week 4: What Happens When You Expose God’s People to His Word (when you disciple believers):
Nehemiah chapter 8
A. Reading and listening
1. Who was qualified to hear? Vss. 1,2. (Not unbelievers: discipling is not evangelism.)
2. How did they listen? Vs. 3
B. Making the conditions conducive
1. How did they make the reading possible for all to hear? Vss. 4, 5.
2. What induced God’s power in the reading? Vs. 6.
C. Interpreting and teaching
1. Is just anybody qualified to teach? Vss. 7, 8.
D. Controlling reactions
1. Is excessive emotionalism necessary when the Spirit is working? Vss. 9-11.
2. The people obeyed and rejoiced, v. 12.
3. But they still had unconfessed sins! What spontaneously happened next? 9:1-3.
E. Letting God control reactions to His Word
1. Did the leaders now understand their people’s needs and get involved? Vss. 4-6 and following.
2. Genuine revival isn’t whipped up by man; it comes down from God. But looking at Neh. 8:1, what
started it all?
3. Pray for revival! Our needs are great. Pray God will work in power when you disciple others in
His Word.
June, week 1: Have a meal together? Invite spouses and/or a friend?
If usual group is together, why not target each member, one at a time, while the others tell what they
love/like about him/her? Then have group prayer for each person.
If spouses are together, each couple might tell how they met, fell in love, and married and each give
testimony of when they came to Christ.
Perhaps you’ll want to set one date next fall to reconvene for accountability and report on your new groups!