Bible Study - Class meets on Thursday from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CST.

[songmoua]

Survey: (I will need everyone to chime in.)


Which way do you guys prefer? 

1.  Reading one chapter per week with indepth discussions like James Chapter 4 and 5.
 

[songmoua]

BoyRescue,

I really like this.  I was confused about this too because I have seen some well-to-do Hmong people who don't seem to abuse it or hoard it.  And then I think about Solomon and David... and Job .... and Abraham... they were rich too. 

I have heard many people preaching and saying that in order to be Christlike, we ought to live poorly.  A few years back, I was praying and was reminded by God that he does bestow richness on people so we need to ask him.

I love these insights, I was also confused about this, but this totally gave me a difference perspective.

[LadyLionness]

Bible Study via conference call discussion line... Sunday from 4 to 5 PM CST... join us if you want to.


(218) 632-0337


Passcode:  323829

[LadyLionness]

Dear Lord,


Please be with us today as we study your words.  May they stay in the forefront of our minds.  All this I pray in the name of my Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

[LadyLionness]

Matthew Chapter 18:1-35


In this section, the theme is the childlikeness of true believers.  Jesus characterized conversion as being like children.  It pictures faith as the simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own.  Like children, they have no achievements and no accomplishment s to offer or commend themselves with.


Here, Jesus is talking about those who humbled themselves like children... true believers.

[LadyLionness]

Matthew 18:6-7[/size]
6 If one of these little children believes in me, and someone causes that child to sin, it would be better for that person to have a large stone tied around the neck and be drowned in the sea. [/color][/size][/color][/size]7 How terrible for the people of the world because of the things that cause them to sin. Such things will happen, but how terrible for the one who causes them to happen! [/color]

[LadyLionness]

Matthew 18-6-7 Discussion


Historical background:  A millstone is a used for grinding grain.  It is a stone so large, it took a donkey to turn it.  Gentiles used this form of execution, and therefore it was particularly repulsive to the Jews.


Children are trusting by nature.  They trust adults, and through that trust their capacity to trust God grows.  Parents and other adults who influence young children are held accountable by God for how they affect these little ones' ability to trust.  Jesus warned that anyone who turns little children away from faith will receive severe punishment. 


Jesus warned the disciples about three ways to cause "little ones" to lose faith   tempting them, neglecting or demeaning them, and teaching false doctrine to them.  As leaders, we are albe to help young and new believers avoid anything or anyone that could caus them to stumble in their faith and lead them to sin.  We must never take lightly the spiritual education and protection of the young in age and in the faith.


It is expected that those in the world will cause Christians to be offended, stumbe and sin, and they will be judged for it.  But it should not be that fellow believers lead others into sin, directly or indirectly.  One would be better off dead.  A stumbling block is anything a believer does -- even though Scripture may permit it -- that causes another to fall into sin.


Romans 14:13 teaches us that both "strong" and "weak" Christians can cause their brokers and sisters to stumble.  The strong but insensitive Christian may flaunt his freedom and intentionally offend other's consciences.  The scrupulous but weak Christian tries to fence others in with petty rules and regulations, thus causing dissension.   Paul wants his readers to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others' needs.  Since we are all strong in some areas and weak in others, we need constantly to monitor the effect of our behaviors on others.


Some Christians use an invisible weaker brother to support their own opinions, prejudices, or standards.  "You must live by these standards " they say, "or you will offending the weaker brother."  In truth, you will often be offending no one but the speaker.  While Paul urges us to be sensitive to those whose faith may be harmed by our actions, we should not sacrifice our liberty in Christ just to satisfy the selfish motives of those who are trying to force their opinions on others.  Neither fear them nor criticize them, but follow Christ as closely as you can.


The point of Paul's message is that instead of passing judgment on their brothers, they should use their best judgment to help fellow believers.

[LadyLionness]

Matthew 18:10-14


10 "Be careful. Don't think these little children are worth nothing. I tell you that they have angels in heaven who are always with my Father in heaven. [/size][/color][/size]11 [/color][/size][/color][/size]12 "If a man has a hundred sheep but one of the sheep gets lost, he will leave the other ninety-nine on the hill and go to look for the lost sheep. [/color][/size][/color][/size]13 I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that were never lost. [/color][/size][/color][/size]14 In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want any of these little children to be lost.[/color]

[LadyLionness]

Mathew 18:10-14 tells us to not "despise" or belittle another believer by treating him or her unkindly or indifferently.  The phrase on "their guardian angels" refers to angels watching over little children, as well as angels in general who are pictured as "always" watching the face of God so as to hear HIs command to them to help a beliver when needed.  It is extremely serious to treat any fellow believer with contempt since God and the holy angels are so concerned for their well-being.


Just as a shepherd is concerned enough for one lost sheep to go search the hills for it, so God is concerned about every  human being he crates (he is "not willing that any should perish,"  2 Peter 3:9).  We will come in contact with children and new believers who need Christ at work, home, school, in church, and in the neighborhood.  Steer them toward him by your example, your words, and your acts of kindness.


1 Timothy 2:4 teaches us that God desires the salvation of all people.  On the other hand, the Bible indicates that God choose some (not all) people to be saved (see these two scriptures for more info on predestination:  1 Timothy 4:10 and Roman 8:29). 


2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God's seemingly delay in bring about the consummation of all things is a result not of indifference but of patience in waiting for all who will come to repentance.

[LadyLionness]

Matthew 18:15-20


15 "If your fellow believer sins against you, go and tell him in private what he did wrong. If he listens to you, you have helped that person to be your brother or sister again. [/size][/color][/size]16But if he refuses to listen, go to him again and take one or two other people with you. 'Every case may be proved by two or three witnesses.' [/color][/size][/color][/size]17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, then treat him like a person who does not believe in God or like a tax collector. [/color][/size][/color][/size]18 "I tell you the truth, the things you don't allow on earth will be the things God does not allow. And the things you allow on earth will be the things that God allows. [/color][/size][/color][/size]19 "Also, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about something and pray for it, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. [/color][/size][/color][/size]20 This is true because if two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them."[/color]

[LadyLionness]

Matthew 18:15-20 deals with conflict resolution.  Here, Jesus teaches us how to manage conflict.  There may be no clearer passage in the Gospels on conflict than Matthew 18.  While Jesus spoke about addressing sin in the church, His words suggest broader principles and applications.


According to Jesus, addressing conflict and healing offenses should be a priority for us.  He even instructs us to postpone our worship if we remember an unresolved offense (Matt.  5:23, 24). 


Conflict will arise in any organization.  Humans disagree because they are wired differently and have different agendas.  Note what Jesus taught about organizational conflict when someone has clearly done wrong:


1.  Initiate the contact (v. 15).
2.  Confront the person in private (v.15).
3.  If no resolution comes, meet again with one or two more people (v. 16).
4.  Confirm the facts in the meeting and work toward a solution (v. 16).
5.  If no resolution comes, bring the issue before the church or organization (v. 17).
6.  Agree upon the truth and the appropriate options for the offender (v. 17).
7.  If no resolution comes, release the offender from the church or organization (v. 17). 


Behind this process lies the authority Jesus has given to church leaders (Matt. 11:18-20).  We must act wisely, because we have God-given authority (18:18), because God will confirm and support the decisions made in harmony (18:19), and because He is present when we gather in His name (18:20).

[LadyLionness]

Dear Lord,


Thank you for being with us today and leading our Bible Study.  Your words refreshes us and gives us hope for the future.  We love you and thank you.


All this I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

[LadyLionness]

Hello, Folks.


Sorry about the long absence.  So many things were happening and then the holidays. 


I have finally recovered from my trip to Cali, so I will continue with the Bible Study Class again tomorrow. 

We will finish Matthew Chapter 18 (vv. 21 - 35) and start on Chapter 19.  Hope to see you all here.

[supadupac]

Hello, Folks.


Sorry about the long absence.  So many things were happening and then the holidays. 


I have finally recovered from my trip to Cali, so I will continue with the Bible Study Class again tomorrow. 

We will finish Matthew Chapter 18 (vv. 21 - 35) and start on Chapter 19.  Hope to see you all here.

  man i have a bunch to catch up on

[LadyLionness]

Dear Heavenly Father,


It is a brand new year.  We are so grateful for your love and your steadfastness.  Father, I pray that you will be with us this afternoon as we look into your words.  Help us to understand them and help us to apply them to our daily life.  Father, you are wonderful and I love you.

All this I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.