Colossians 1:29 - We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less.

The Bible is a supernatural book.

(Hebrews 4:12, NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

· Old Testament - God’s laws, prophecies, before Jesus was born, points to the Messiah

· New Testament - details His life, ministry, death on the cross, resurrection and His coming again

(2 Peter 1:20-21, NLT) Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

(2 Timothy 3:16, NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

FIRST STEP: GET A BIBLE

A translation of the Bible is closely aligned with the original manuscripts as it has been translated from Hebrew, Greek, & Aramaic into English.

A paraphrase Bible is a paraphrase of the translation.

· Translations like NLT, NIV, CEV, AMP

· Paraphrase Bibles - Message Bible, Living Bible

· Biblegateway.com biblestudytools.com bible.com logos.com 


Option 1 - Start with the Gospel of John.

Option 2 - Read a Psalm and a Proverb each day.

Option 3 – Read Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.

Option 4 - Read Romans.

Second Step: Abiding is Obeying!!


1 John 2:3-6 TPT Here’s how we can be sure that we’ve truly come to know God: if we keep his commands. If someone claims, “I have come to know God by experience,” yet doesn’t keep God’s commands, he is a phony and the truth finds no place in him. But the love of God will be perfected within the one who obeys God’s Word. We can be sure that we’ve truly come to live in intimacy with God, not just by saying, “I am intimate with God,” but by walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Third Step: Let the Word of God Abide in You.

(1 John 4:4) Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

(1 John 3:1) Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children.

(Colossians 1:29) - We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less.

(John 17:3) - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

(1 John 2:2-8) Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep His commandments. If someone claims, “I know Him well!” but doesn’t keep His commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. My dear friends, I’m not writing anything new here. This is the oldest commandment in the book and you’ve known it from day one.

(Deuteronomy 6:4-5) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

(Genesis 1:26) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air…

GET TO KNOW THE FATHER

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1, MSG.

GET TO KNOW JESUS

(John 15:5-8 TPT) I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned. But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done. When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!”

GET TO KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT

(John 14:16-17, AMP) Listen to what Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Jesus described Him this way, “...I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever––The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you and will be in you,”

2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG – The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God (Father), the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

Homework

___ Psalm 25

___ Psalm 27

___ Psalm 105

___ Matthew 5-6

___ Philippians 3:10

___ Matthew 3:11-12

___ Acts 1:4-5

___ John 14:12-21

___ John 15:1-17

___ John 16:7-15

1 Peter 3:15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give, THE reason forthe hope that you have.

(Romans 8:11) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.

And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies (dead things) by this same Spirit living within you.

Shon’s translation - The resurrection of Jesus gives you the power to close the gap between the life you are living and the life you could live.

Why 3 Days?

(1 Peter 2:21) This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came His way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.

Friday - The Day of Pain

· Physical pain

· Emotional pain

· Relational pain

There is no pain that God’s purpose cannot redeem.

Saturday - The Day of Confusion

· We want answers

· We begin to doubt

· We give up

· We feel alone

(Psalm 73:16) When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood.

There is no confusion that His presence cannot calm.

Sunday - The Day of Resurrection

(Revelation 1:17-18) I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look --- I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.

(Romans 6:4-5) And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as He was…

There is no death that His power cannot resurrect!

(Philippians 3:10-11) I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him (Friday), sharing in his death (Saturday), so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead (Sunday).

(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(John 19:30) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”

Lesson #5: Be assured, there is a purpose and an end.

(Job 30:20) “I will call to you, O God, but you never answer; when I pray, you pay no attention.”

(Job 38:1-5) Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!”

(Job 40:3-4) Then Job answered the LORD: “I am unworthy-how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.”

(Job 42:1-5) Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know... My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”

√ God is all-powerful.

(Colossians 1:16-17 MSG) For everything, absolutely everything—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.

√ God is all-knowing.

(Hebrews 4:13 TLB) He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him.

√ God is ever-present.

(Hebrews 13:5-6) “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

When I know God is with me, I can face what is against me.

(2 Timothy 1:12) I am suffering... Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

1. I know that God loves me.

2. I know that God wants the best for me.

3. I know that God has a plan for me.

4. I know that God will bring me through.

5. I know that God wants to use my pain to help others.

(1 Timothy 1:15-16) --- This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

WIN: My struggles have a purpose and my pain has an end.

(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(John 19:28-29) Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Lesson #4 - Be human enough to acknowledge your need.

√ The fear of being hurt.

(Psalm 32:3-5 MSG) When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up. Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll come clean about my failures to God. Suddenly the pressure was gone.

√ The fear of being rejected.

(Psalms 139:14 NLT) Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”

√ The fear of being exposed.

(2 Corinthians 4:2 MSG) We refuse to wear masks and play games...Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see.

(1 John 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.

Get Comfortable With Who I Am.

(Romans 12:9 MB) --- “Love from the center of who you are. Don’t fake it.”

When I Unconditionally Connect.

(Philippians 2:4 CEV) --- 4Care about them as much as you care about yourselves 5and think the same way that Christ Jesus did.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 MSNT --- Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend…

When I Live Without Unrealistic Expectations.

Decision 1> Establish your circle.

· The Church is a Home.

Decision 2> Enact a growth plan.

· The Church is a Body.

Decision 3> Enlist an army.

· The Church is a Flock.

Decision 4> Embrace being loved.

· The Church is a Family.

WIN: I can be me, when I’m connected to those who believe in me.

(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(Matthew 27:46) “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Lesson #3 - Aim your hard questions at God; not man.

√ Trust in His nature.

(2 Corinthians 1:3) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.”

√ Trust in His promises.

(2 Corinthians 1:20) For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

√ Trust in His final destination.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

· Don’t Let the Bad Experience – Keep You From a God Experience.

· When you are let down, God Wants to Exceed Your Expectations.

(Isaiah 63:9 NLT) “In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy, he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.”

1. Learn while asking why.

(2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT) “In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”

2. Love while asking why.

(Hebrews 13:16 NLT) “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

3. Worship while asking why.

(Hebrews 12:28-29 NLT) “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.”

(Psalm 22:22-24 NLT) “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.”

WIN: Real worship is trusting God when life doesn’t make sense.

(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(Luke 23:39-43) One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Lesson #2 - Help others who are experiencing your same struggle.

√ It distracts us from our own needs.

√ It helps us to see the solution.

√ It allows us to put everything in perspective.

(Isaiah 58:10-11) If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

If you are going through a struggle, you need to help others!

(2 Corinthians 1:3-7 MSG) All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.

1. Give them hope.

(Luke 23:43 NKJV) "Assuredly, I say to you…”

(Psalm 40:2) He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

2. Walk with them in support.

(Luke 23:43 NKJV) "...today you will be with Me…”

(Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

3. Offer them salvation.

(Luke 23:43 NKJV) "...in Paradise.”

(John 14:1-2) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

WIN: Jesus offers more than a better now. He offers a better place.

(Hebrews 12:2 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

(Luke 23:34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Lesson #1 - Forgive everyone who’s trying to ruin your life.

(Matthew 24:10 NKJV) And then many will be offended, will betrayone another, and will hate one another.

(Luke 17:1 NKJV) Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come…”

(Proverbs 18:19) An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

√ Betrayal.

√ False accusation.

√ Rejection.

√ Abuse.

√ Humiliation.

(Hebrews 2:17-18 MSG) That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help (you and I) where help was needed.

(1 Peter 4:1 NCV) Since Christ suffered while he was in his body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had.

· Forgiveness is NOT minimizing the seriousness of the offense.

· It is NOT reconciliation.

C.S. Lewis - “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in me.

· It is NOT impossible to do.

1. Pray for them.

(Matthew 5:43-44) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

2. Bless them.

(Luke 6:27-28) But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

(Romans 12:14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

3. Do good to them.

(Romans 12:17-21) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Matthew 10:8) ...Freely you have received, freely give.

Win: The forgiven forgive!

1. Determine your present position.

2. Describe exactly what you want.

3. Find a promise from God.

4. Ask God for help.

5. Identify the barriers!

· DREAM Thief #1 --- Satan

John 10:10 – the Thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

· DREAM Thief #2 --- You

· DREAM Thief #3 --- Negative Emotions

· Dream Thief #4 --- TIME

· Dream Thief #5 --- People

6. Create a step by step plan.

Eliazar took with him ten of Abraham’s camels loaded with samples of the best of everything his master owned. He journeyed to Iraq, Nahor’s village. There he made the camels kneel down outside the town beside a well. It was evening and the women of the village were coming out to draw water.

He thought ‘I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says ‘Yes, certainly, [I’ll give you a drink of water] and I’ll water your camels too’ – let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac’s wife.’”

“When the camels had finished drinking he gave her [Rebekah] a gold ring for her nose and two large bracelets for her wrists. ‘Whose daughter are you?’ he asked. ‘Would your father have any room to put us up for the night?’”

7. Be patient and persistent.

(Verse 21) “The servant quietly watched her [Rebecca]. He wanted to be sure the Lord had made his trip successful.”

(Verse 33) “Then the supper was served, but Abraham’s servant said, ‘I don’t want to eat until I’ve told you why I’ve come. 'All right,’ said Laban [that’s Rebekah’s dad.] ‘Tell us your mission.’”

(Habakkuk 2:3) - “These things I plan [plan for your life] won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdo a single day!”

(Job 22:28 AMP) — You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light (of God’s favor) shall shine upon your ways.

(Mark 11:24 AMP) For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will (get it)!