Bible Study Weekend - John 5:16-30

Life Through the Son

16So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. 17Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. 21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.


Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus' words and actions upset the religious people of that time?

2. What does Jesus mean when he says, " 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live"? (vs.25)

3. What is the significance of the relationship between the Father and Son? How does it impact our lives today?

Talk Tuesday-Do You Ever Want To Run and Hide?

Have you ever wanted to escape reality? I used to tell a friend, "I'm going to run away." I have since repented of that as I've come to the realization that running away from something only means that you will run right into it again. Life is full of things, people and situations that can propel us into escape mode. Have you ever found that drowning out your sorrows in food doesn't really work? You can substitute food for t.v., shopping, entertainment or a host of other destructive 'sedatives'. I call them 'sedatives' because they only temporarily numb the pain of reality. What makes you want to run and hide? The unpredictability of life does it for me. This is where I have to constantly work on TRUSTING IN THE LORD.

The Psalmist says, "Whom have I in heaven but you?" Psalm 73:25

The awesome thing about the Lord, is HE IS our Abba Father, our Refuge and our Hope. He has offered us Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, so that we never have to be alone.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

Psalm 34:8

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. " Psalm 32:7

A refuge is a place where you can RUN and HIDE, knowing that you will receive shelter and protection. GOD can be that for us, if we will CHOOSE to run to HIM. When we do, He protects us and delivers us.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Is the Lord your refuge? How has knowing Him helped you with life's daily struggles? Have you experienced His shelter, refuge and deliverance before? How has this differed from using what I call a 'destructive sedative'? Please click on the comments link below to share your testimony or insight. What an encouragement it is to others. Stay tuned...next week we will be discussing the 'battlefield of the mind.'

Movie Monday - Blessed Be Your Name

Bible Study Weekend - John 5:1-15

John 5:1-15 (New International Version)


The Healing at the Pool

1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

7"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

8Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

11But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' "

12So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus asked the man, who was sick for thirty-eight years (vs 5-6), if he wanted to get well? Why did Jesus command the invalid to get up, pick up his mat and walk? (vs 8)

2. Why do you think Jesus healed the paralytic on the Sabbath?

3. Why did Jesus warn the man to stop sinning?

Talk Tuesday-GROW-Ministry

What is MINISTRY? Why MINISTRY? Does this apply to only selected few or have you also been called to actively participate in MINISTRY? The Bible states that God has given us all gifts of some kind. MINISTRY is serving others and God through these gifts. If you sing, you can minister in song by joining the choir or worship team. If you have the gift of hospitality, you should join an outreach by cooking, hosting, mentoring, acting and serving. You can help with Sunday school, nursery, counselling and a variety of different ministries.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11

As you serve others, you bless God and let the light of Christ shine brightly within you! You give glory to God through Jesus Christ. Getting involved in MINISTRY is a vital part of your Christian walk. It helps you to GROW spiritually as you walk in obedience before the Lord. MINISTRY is an act of love-love towards God and your neighbour. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ through the grace of God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-9

We must allow our faith to GROW, as we walk in relationship with God through Jesus. You will know a tree by its fruit. If you do not know what you should get involved in, pray and seek the Lord.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "you have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:14-18

How has getting involved in MINISTRY helped you in your walk with the Lord? What does MINISTRY mean to you? Does active participation in a MINISTRY draw you closer to the Lord? We want to hear from you. Please click on the comments link below to add your thoughts!

Movie Monday - Speed the light

Bible Study Weekend - John 4:43-54

John 4:43-54 (New International Version)


Jesus Heals the Official's Son

43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.

46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

49The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

50Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

54This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.



Questions:

1. Jesus has the power to heal.  Share the testimony of God's healing power in your life or someone you know.

2. What can we learn from this passage?

3. Why do you think Jesus points out that a prophet has no honour in his own country?

Talk Tuesday-GROW-Worship

Why WORSHIP?

WORSHIP is an expression of praise that comes from a thankful heart. Worship should encompass every area of our hearts, manifesting itself in our everyday lives. We ultimately WORSHIP God by how we live out our lives. When we read the Bible, we WORSHIP Him. When we pray, we WORSHIP Him. When we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we WORSHIP Him. When we help others, we WORSHIP Him. 

When we praise Him, we WORSHIP Him. Let's talk about WORSHIPPING the Lord through PRAISE. How do you praise the Lord? Why should you praise the Lord?

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to Your name,O Most High, 

to proclaim Your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,

to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. 

For You make me glad by Your deeds, O LORD; 

I sing for joy at the work of your hands. 

How great are your works, O Lord, how profound are your thoughts! " 

Psalm 34:1 

WORSHIP allows us to draw closer to Him, taking our eyes off ourselves and putting it on Him. As we praise Him, our WORSHIP immediately invites God's presence in our midst.

"But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3 

Let us WORSHIP Him even when life becomes difficult and the challenges seem great. 

 

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess His name." Hebrews 13:15 

What does worship mean to you? Let's talk...please click on the comments link below. Let's continue in the GROW series together! 

Movie Monday - To worship You I live

Bible Study Weekend - John 4:27-42

John 4:27-42 (NIV)

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

Many Samaritans Believe

39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41And because of his words many more became believers.

42They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Questions:

1. The woman went and told everyone about Jesus.  When you became a Christian were you eager to tell people about Jesus?

2. Jesus talks about the harvest, are you telling people about Jesus now?  Are you sowing or reaping?

3. The Samaritan woman shared her experience with others and people came to know Jesus.  How has your experience ministered to other people?

Talk Tuesday-GROW- Fellowship

Being part of a family is a wonderful thing. A family is there to laugh with you, cry with you, encourage you, defend you and help you to grow. It is often within the realm of family that we discover our strengths and see our weakness. When we come to faith in God through Christ Jesus, we become part of a family of faith, the body of Christ.

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

FELLOWSHIP is actively being part of the Body of Christ, not only attending church, but forming deep, lasting and honest relationships with other Christians. There is strength in numbers. FELLOWSHIP means that we encourage one another, along this journey of life, as we seek to live out the gospel. There is danger in trying to walk alone. If one falls, a friend walking along the same path can lend a hand to help pick him/her up.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

When we come to faith in Christ, the Lord blesses us with many spiritual gifts that are meant for service within the Body of Christ.

FELLOWSHIP helps us to know what role our gift plays in the Body of Christ. Each part of the body, has an equally important role. FELLOWSHIP provides the soil for our gifts to grow so that they can function in the role God intended.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

FELLOWSHIP also means that within our family of faith, there should be a measure of accountability. There is power in FELLOWSHIP through our prayer for one another.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

God created us to be in FELLOWSHIP with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ. God also created us to be in fellowship with one another. We walk in obedience when we have fellowship with our christian family. Finally the foundation of FELLOWSHIP is LOVE.

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:10-11

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

In life, we will experience many valleys, but Jesus never intended us to walk alone. How has FELLOWSHIP helped you in your christian walk? Please click on the 'comments' link to share your thoughts with the BGO family. Remember, let's FELLOWSHIP!

****Special Video for all who want a healing touch****

This is a special video for Judy, Blessed, my wife and anyone else that needs a healing touch from Jesus.  This is a powerful song by Kari Jobe.  I pray that you all will receive a healing touch from God. Nothing is impossible with Jesus.

Bible Study Weekend - John 4:1-26

John 4:1-26 (NIV)

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman

1The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

17"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."


Questions:

1. What is the living water Jesus is talking about?

2.  Jesus knew her history and still talked to her.  What do you need to bring before God that is preventing you from receiving this living water?(Talk to God.  You don't have to answer here.) What is preventing you from telling others about this living water if you have already received it?

3. What does it mean to worship in Spirit and in truth?  

Prayer Wall - October

What do you need prayer for? We will pray for you. Post your prayer request and share your testimonies.