To Live Is Christ…Week 5

A Phone Tree Bible Study Series (January 1, 2012 – March 4, 2012)

To Live Is Christ – The Life and Ministry of Paul

Phone Tree Bible Study Model: Treasure Hunting (Scripture Emphasis); Discovering Riches (Personal Study Option); So Says Beth (Lesson Summary and Quotes); The Journey to Self (Questions to Consider); Connecting (Take Away Points)

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Week 5: An Unfamiliar Road

Treasure Hunting: Acts 17:16-34; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Acts 18:1-17, 18-20, 19-25; Acts 19:1-23

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Discovering Riches: Do some background research on the Nazarite vow.

So Says Beth: In week 5, Beth affords us a look at ancient Athens. She touches on several key observations about the city itself, as well as its people. Additionally, she talks about the rare spot that Paul finds himself in and his response to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

- “We have been called to take the gospel to every nation. We must awaken to our responsibilities and our human inadequacies for the task.” (p. 96)

- “Aloneness exagerates our emotions and sensitivities…Solitude can also exaggerate negative feelings.” (p. 99)

- “God often proves Himself when we feel we have the least to offer.” (p. 101)

- “Even when the enemy tries to batter us and make us lose confidence, God can steal the victory with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” (p. 102)

- “…God never lets our heads get so lofty that our feet leave the ground” (p.105)

- “God wants to be found. He does not will for any to miss Him; and He is so gracious to show up right where we are looking – so He can take us beyond anything we’ve ever seen.” (p.113)

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The Journey to Self: (Answer one, some, or all.)

1) What insight does Isaiah 46:8-11 provide? (Read it and reflect.)

2) Is your heart resistant to taking the Gospel to others? (See Matthew 28:18-20.)

3) Am I willing to go forward with God no matter where He takes me or what He requires me to do? (Spend time journaling about this.)

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Connecting:

- Godly discernment is of value to the Christian who strives to abstain from all manner of foolishness and ignorance.

- God is the Highest. No other god can ever or will ever take His place.

- Sometimes we are placed in difficult situations, but we must remember that God is bigger than every one of them.

- The extraordinary works of the supernatural God are all around us; we simply need to look.

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Stay tuned to The Phone Tree to follow special To Live Is Christ blog links.

 

CSS Blog Tour…LIGHT UNDER THE HOUSE by Aaron L

What inspired you to write this story?

I feel very strongly about the breakdown of the family and fatherlessness and how there is much dysfunction and despair because of it. I wanted to tell a story to shed some light on the situations that many face and hopefully bring some type of reversal to the current dynamic in whatever small way I could. I wanted to challenge men, fathers especially, to be who they were created to be.

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The Phone Tree Bible Study Group was provided with a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview. The CSS blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services.