LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

We believe the gospel, the good news, as three major components – the cross, the resurrection and the Kingdom.

Romans 5:8-21 By Jesus’ death, we are now justified, saved from God’s wrath, reconciled, and saved for eternity. Jesus, the second Adam, did right what the first Adam did wrong.

2 Corinthians 5:21 By His death, we have become the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 1:7 Through His blood, we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 9:11-14

Acts 2:22-37; 3:12-26; 4:5-12

1 Corinthians 15:1-24 Jesus is the first fruits.

1 Corinthians 15:45-58

Ephesians 1:18-23 The ascended Christ is above all except for Yahweh.

Matthew 5:3, 10, 19, 20; 6:10, 13, 33; 7:21-24; 9:35

Acts 1:11; 8:12; 28:23-31 He is coming back!

The gospel of salvation includes Christ’s death for our sins, Christ’s resurrection from the dead, and Christ’s return to establish the Kingdom of God.

2 Samuel 7:12-16  God promised David that He would raise up one of his descendants to build God’s house and to rule on the throne forever. David’s son, Solomon, failed to live up to that expectation; as did Rehoboam, his grandson.

Jeremiah 23:5  Most of David’s descendants who reigned as kings did not serve God well, though a couple did. By the time of Jeremiah, hope was waning. God reaffirmed His commitment to David, promising to raise up a descendant to reign as king in the land.

Luke 1:30-33  By the time of Jesus, it had been a millennium since God’s promise to David and five centuries since Jeremiah’s prophecy. Still, the Jewish people held out hope that one day the Messiah would come. Then God sent His angel Gabriel to Mary and promised that the time of waiting was finally over.

Psalm 2:1-9  This second messianic prophecy tells us that the Son of God was not just the king of Israel. Additionally, he will receive the nations as his inheritance and the ends of the earth as his possession.

Matthew 4:8-11  What qualifies Jesus to be the Messiah is that he has already passed the ultimate test. The devil offered him all the kingdoms of the world and he said, “No,” preferring instead to trust God’s way.

Matthew 10:37-39  Is Jesus your King? Have you committed yourself to his Kingdom? Anyone can come to him. Anyone can follow him. Anyone can receive salvation. The only requirement is total and absolute commitment.

Deuteronomy 6:3-5 “Hear, O Israel! The LORD [Yahweh] is our God

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, I am He, and there is no god besides Me;

Deuteronomy 4:35 and 39 There is no other.

Deuteronomy 10:17 God of gods, Lord of lords

Exodus 20:1-3

The word “elohim” occurs 2,606 times, most often (but not exclusively) referring to Yahweh. Judges, Moses, Samuel, David, angels, unholy gods, and demons also are called elohim.

When referring to Yahweh, elohim means the sovereign almighty God overall. When used regarding human judges and spirit beings, it also refers to a sovereignty of a lesser degree, one who manages the affairs of others. Yahweh is an elohim, but no other elohim is Yahweh.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 10:19-22

2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is the god of this age.

Hebrews 2:5-8 Angels are also called elohim.

Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; Acts 13:33; and Psalm 2:7

Hebrews 1:5-9; Psalm 45:6-7 Jesus will be the god of the new age.

Exodus 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods.

Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11 Yahweh is the Creator.

Revelation 1:8; 4:8 Yahweh is Almighty God

Psalm 97:9 Yahweh Most High

Psalm 24: 8-10 Yahweh King of Glory

Psalm 2:11-12 Worship Yahweh; give homage to the Son.

Psalms 29:1-2; 95:6-7; 99:5 and 9; 22:27; 66:4 Worship Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 6:3-5

Forge is a free online study resource that takes about an hour and is designed to empower you to lead a small group. Forge studies avoid technical jargon and insider Christian language in an effort to focus your time on the Scriptures. Forge equips you to get into the biblical text and ask relevant questions in a way that is engaging and interesting from the start.

The goal of Forge is to equip you to invite your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members to learn about the Bible. They require no preparation and are highly interactive. These are ideal for small groups of 3 or 4 people.

On our website, lhim.org, we are developing Forge studies on books of the Bible, doctrines, and Christian living. So far, we have studies on James, Colossians, Obadiah, as well as a handful on doctrinal topics like resurrection. We are continuing to make more, but we have enough to get you started.

Today, we are going to have a live demonstration of a Forge study. We will work through James chapter 1, so that you can see how easy these are to lead.

Prayer: With expectant hearts and minds, we seek your truth, O God. In this study, help us to be attentive as we listen, careful as we speak, and awake to your wisdom. Open our hearts to your Scripture and give us the courage to change in light of what we read. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have you ever been a refugee?

The Christian church started as a large group of Jews in Jerusalem. Life in the ancient world was tough: early on, opponents of Christianity persecuted the church, causing many to flee from the city. Tragically, violence like this was not uncommon in the ancient world. The new Christians in this situation were forced to relocate, living in new cities as transplants. Wherever they went, they were strangers, followers of a new, unpopular religion, and they probably faced all the troubles typical of refugee status. Many of them were poor, disadvantaged, and lacked the social connections needed to get ahead in their new communities.

James1 is an epistle (letter) probably written by Jesus’ brother James to new Christians who had been driven from their homes.

The epistle draws on the Old Testament Scriptures more than any other New Testament book. Unlike many of the other New Testament epistles, it’s not a message from someone to a single group, but to individuals spread abroad. It evokes both the impersonal style and the content of Jewish Wisdom Literature (like the book of Proverbs). But despite its Jewish style, James is intensely focused on what it means to follow Jesus.

In this study, we will go through chapter 1 of the book of James.

James 1:1–82

1:2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 1:5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 1:6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 1:8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.

Question: What is the posture James says God has when he gives wisdom? Explain.

James 1:9–11

Question: Compared to the secular world, which part of James’ words to the rich is a reality check?

James 1:12–18

Question: The passage describes a process that begins with temptation and ends in death. What are the steps between?

James 1:19–27

1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does. 1:26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 1:27Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their adversity and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Question: What does James say results from a person fixing their attention in God’s “perfect law of liberty” and then living it out?

James 1:1–8

1:2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 1:5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 1:6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 1:8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:9–11

James 1:12–18

James 1:19–27

1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does. 1:26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. 1:27Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their adversity and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Challenge: When you are tempted to speak quickly or in anger this week, slow down. Pray to God that he would help you to be faithful to his commands and merciful like he is.

Blessing: May you see the good fruit of trials and seek God’s wisdom in faith. May your willingness to live out God’s teaching lead to a life of blessing.

The Hebrew word “shalom” means more than just “calm” or “no war”.  It carries with it the idea of completeness, wholeness. Shalom is about all the pieces being together and in the right place. This Old Testament understanding serves as the foundation of the New Testament use of “peace” as well.

Jesus’ life wasn’t marked by tranquility and quiet all the time, and yet he had peace. The peace of Jesus flowed from his relationship with his Father.

Luke 4:28-30 – wild moment in the synagogue

Matthew 8 – a day in the life of Jesus

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27 – Jesus gives us his peace.

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27 – Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

The world we live in makes it hard to have peace and the devil wants to rob us of our peace – we need to fight for peace!

There are two parts of our fight for peace:

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts

Philippians 4:6-9 – Peace of God will guard your hearts and minds

Romans 16:20a – “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”

5:1 “Therefore” relates back to 4:19. Suffering is a major theme in 1 Peter, so elders are instructed to shepherd the family.

1:1, 6 Those who first received the letter lived in a difficult situation and were suffering.

1:10-11 With Christ, we see the suffering followed by the glories.

2:19-23 Jesus is an example of suffering rightly.

3:14-17 We are blessed when we suffer for the sake of righteousness.

4:1, 13 Rejoice in the suffering because you will share in the exaltation.

4:16-19 God will do right for you if you suffer the right way as Christ did.

5:1, 8 The comparison to a shepherd is apropos. Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 17:34-37; Acts 20:28-31

We are to exercise oversight as a watchman. Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:1-9

1 Peter 5:2 Godly motivation is mandatory. “Sordid” means ignoble action and motives arousing moral distaste and contempt.

4 There is reward for doing it right, just as there is reward dealing with suffering the right way.

6 Humble – 1 Peter 3:8; James 4:6; Micah 6:8; Matthew 18:1-4

7 Psalms 16:8; 21:7; 27:14; 37:5; 55:22; 62:2, 8

8 Romans 13:11-13; Ephesians 5:13-19; 1 Thessalonians 4:4-9

1 Peter 1:3-4

1 Peter 4:1-2 As we saw in chapter 3, suffering is likely if you are faithful to Christ. However, when suffering comes, this is an opportunity to face it the way Jesus did. Stephen provides a sterling example of courageously paying the ultimate sacrifice with forgiveness rather than vengeance in his heart (Acts 6:9-7:1, 54-60).

1 Peter 4:3-5 As Christians, we no longer indulge in the harmful behaviors of the nations. Your old friends may criticize your new lifestyle, but that’s ok. God is your judge and theirs.

1 Peter 4:6-8 As important as self-control is for the Christian life, loving one another still reigns supreme. Rather than sticking it to brothers and sisters who offend you, you can let it go, “For love covers a multitude of sins” (Prov 10:12).

1 Peter 4:9 Understandably, hospitality is waning in our society today. It requires time, money, preparation, cleaning, cooking, and vulnerability. Still, it’s a key way you can show love both to the household of faith as well as unbelievers.

1 Peter 4:10-11 The basis of our service to God and His people is God’s generous gifting to us. Do what God has called you to do with zeal.

1 Peter 4:12-19 Once again, we return to suffering. Don’t be ashamed of suffering as a Christian; instead, glorify God in that name. As we suffer, let’s entrust our souls to our faithful Creator while doing good.

1 Peter 3:8 Peter lists out a phenomenal collection of virtues for us to live out in community. We should seek unity, sympathy, love, tender hearts, and humble minds. Living this way not only makes for a better life, but it also testifies to visitors that Christianity works.

1 Peter 3:9 Nonretaliation takes great strength. It’s easy to strike back, taking an eye for an eye. As the people who have received blessings because of Christ, we can afford to be generous in blessing others, even when they curse us.

1 Peter 3:10-12 Regardless of what others do, we are to keep our tongue from evil and pursue peace. This calling is nothing new. (See Psalm 34). However, it remains incredibly relevant and challenging.

1 Peter 3:13-17 When living in an antagonistic society, it’s important to be zealous for doing good deeds and prepared for those who question us. Still, when we give others our reasons for belief, we must be careful to communicate with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:18-22 Jesus is our example. He too suffered. We can look to his heroic journey and take courage realizing that God vindicated him and enthroned him above the angels, authorities, and powers.

1 Peter 2:11-12 As Christians we are “sojourners and exiles” from this world. Like immigrants, we have our own unique culture and way of doing life. Since the “Gentiles” are watching, we should live honorably and do good deeds so they will glorify God.

Peter covers three categories of submission. All Christians should be subject to the government; slaves, to their masters; and wives, to their husbands.

1 Peter 2:13-17 The apostle commands Christians to be subject to the government. We know from other Scriptures that in certain situations it’s right to disobey the government (Acts 4:5-6, 18-20), but our default should be obedience and honor, even if the leader is sinful.

1 Peter 2:18-25 Slavery was a normal part of the ancient world. Peter’s focus is not on the injustice of slavery, but on the practical question of how Christian slaves should live. Amazingly, he compares suffering abuse from a bad master to the suffering of Christ himself.

1 Peter 3:1-7 Wives are to be subject to their husbands, even if they are not Christians. Rather than focusing on their looks, they should develop their character. Christian husbands must live with their wives in an understanding way and show them honor.