Sep. 19, 2021

ABUNDANT RELATIONAL LIFE

 Primary Text: 2 Timothy 2:12-13                September 18 & 19, 2021

 Previous Teaching:   Abundant Mental Life

 1)  A Transformed Mind

 Romans 12:2:   Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.   Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

John 16:13:  But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

DQ 1) From what to what does Christ transform the human mind?

DQ 2) Why is truth the foundation of a renewed mind?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

 2)  Taking Prisoners

 2 Corinthians 10:5-6:  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. 

DQ 3) How does our thinking influence our behaviors?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

This Week’s Teaching

 1)  The Model of Jesus

 Revelation 19:11:  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.  With justice he judges and makes war. 

Hebrews 3:5-6:  Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future.  But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house.  

2 Timothy 2:12-13:  If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 

DQ 1) Why is it impossible for God to be unfaithful?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 2)  Spirit-Empowered Faithfulness

 Galatians 5:22-23:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Revelation 2:8-10:  To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich!...  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

DQ 2) Are humans naturally faithful?  Why or Why not?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

 3)  Relational Faithfulness

 1 Timothy 1:12:  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 

1 Peter 5:12:  With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.  Stand fast in it. 

1 Corinthians 4:17:  For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord.  

1 Corinthians 4:1-2:  So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.  Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 

DQ 3) Why is faithfulness critical to healthy relationships?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

 4)  Unfaithfulness

 Hebrews 8:9:  It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 

Acts 15:37-40:  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.  Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 

DQ 4) How does unfaithfulness in one relationship affect other 

           relationships?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

 5)  Long-term Faithfulness

 Matthew 25:21:  His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master's happiness!' 

DQ 5) Is there anything that needs to change in your life to make

           you a person who is more faithful to Christ and people?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________