Putting together the puzzle of seemingly confusing passages of scripture.

Transcription

1 Putting together the puzzle of seemingly confusing passages of scripture. 1

2 1. Why Teach with Paradox? 2. Turning the Upside Down, Right side Up 3. Get Lost to be Found 4. To Finish First, Be in Last Place 5. Victory Comes by Surrender 6. Only the Blind can Truly See 7. In Order to Keep Something You Must Give it Away 8. Slaves are Free, Free are Slaves 9. In Order to Reign We Must Serve 10. You Must Die to Truly Live 11. Become Humble and You Will Be Exalted 12. To Be Rich You Must Become Poor 13. The Least Shall Become the Greatest Definition of Paradox: * a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or selfcontradictory. * a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. synonyms: contradiction, contradiction in terms, self-contradiction, inconsistency, incongruity a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities. How to use this Book: Read the provided scriptures and make a note about consistent themes, concepts, or words. Write down the ideas you have as to why this principle of scripture is important to those who would practice Christianity. List the competing values, ideas, and ethics that can make the clear teaching of this passage difficult to see. Having looked closely at this principle of scripture and the competing ideas we face, make a plan to live this scripture. i.e. How can I lose myself, in order to be truly found? 1. Come to Class Prepared 2. Be Willing to Participate 3. Stay on Topic 4. Be Sensitive to Others A Few Group Rules: 5. Try Not to Dominate the Discussion 6. Expect God to Teach You Through Others in the Group 7. Anything Said of a Personal Nature in the Group is Confidential 2

3 Why Teach With Paradox? John 12:25- "Those who love their lives will lose them, but those who hate their lives in this world will keep true life forever." Step 1: What Do You See? 1. What Christian principle can be found in each paradox? 2. What worldly value is in competition with that principle? Matthew 10:39 - If your first concern is to look after yourself, you ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you ll find both yourself and me. Matthew 20:16 - Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first. Luke 14:33 - In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. John 9:41 - Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. Acts 20:35 - It is more blessed to give than to receive. LESSON 1 Romans 13:1 - All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. Matthew 10:39 - Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life. Matthew 18:4 - The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child. James 2:5 - Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith and to receive the kingdom God promised to those who love him. Mark 9:35 - Jesus sat down and called the twelve apostles to him. He said, Whoever wants to be the most important must be last of all and servant of all. 1 Corinthians 7:22 - Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ s slaves." 3

4 The World Turned Right Side Up LESSON 2 2 Corinthians 6: by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 1. List the difference in perspectives that Paul states in the above scripture: us from showing others God's viewpoint: 2. What things do your worldly friends misperceive about your faith in Christ? 2. Why do I keep silent when God has asked me to speak? 1. What will God accomplish by my counter-cultural lifestyle? 1. How will I see myself as I live to God's standard and not the world's? 2. What affect does godly living have on the lost? 2. How will I focus on becoming more like Jesus today? 3. What makes living for Jesus difficult in this world? 3. What counter-cultural habit will I begin to build in my life? 4

5 Get Lost to be Found Matthew 10:39 - If your first concern is to look after yourself, you ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you ll find both yourself and me. LESSON 3 Define Lost? Lost: Luke 15:1-7 Luke 15:8-10 Luke 15:11-32 Found: Matthew 13:44 Matthew 13:45-46 Matthew 13:47-52 us from knowing we are lost: 2. Why do some have false confidence in being found? Define Found? 3. What keeps me from seeing those in the world as lost? 1. What is the primary concern of God for the lost? 1. How will I lose myself this week to God's glory? 2. What is the proper response to "finding" out we are lost? 2. How will being "found" change my week? 3. How should the "found" regard those who are lost? 3. Can remembering my lost-ness help others? 5

6 To Finish First, Be in Last Place Matthew 20:16 - Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first. First & Last: LESSON 4 us focused on being first: Colossians 1:18 Revelation 21:6 Matthew 19:30-20:1-16 Mark 10:28-31 Define First? 2. How does a desire to be first effect our contentment? Define Last? 3. What value can be found in being last? 1. What are those who seek to be first looking for? 1. What little things will I do this week to make a big difference? 2. Why is being last such a distasteful thing? 2. how can I view being last as a positive? 3. Everyone wants to be first, but how many can be #1? 3. Can remembering my small-ness help others? 6

7 Victory Comes by Surrender Luke 14:33 - In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-34 Matthew 5: Corinthians 9:19-23 Define Victory? Victory & Surrender 1 Corinthians 6: Corinthians 15:50-58 Colossians 2:8-15 LESSON 5 us from true victory: 2. What areas of my life are the hardest to surrender? Define Surrender? 3. How can my desire to win keep me from God's victory? 1. What is God wanting us to give up or surrender? 1. How will I demonstrate my victory over sin today? 2. How can losing at any level lead to victory? 2. How does the cross refocus this spiritual principle? 3. As victors in Christ, how can we live surrendered lives? 3. What battles can I lose in order to win someone for Jesus? 7

8 Only the Blind can Truly See John 9:41 - Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, We see, your sin remains. Blind & Sight: LESSON 6 us from spiritual sight: Luke 5:31-32 Matthew 15:13-14 Define Blindness? John 9,39-41 John 12-39,40 John 14-19, What makes us think we see clearly, when we clearly don't see? Define Sight? 3. What should I be blinded to in order to see God? 1. What is it that God wants us to see? 1. What can I fix my eyes on in order to have sight? 2. How can those with sight help the blind? 2. How does the idea of blindness influence my faith? 3. I once was lost but now I see. How can that perspective help those who do not see? 3. what do I most want to see with my spiritual sight? 8

9 In Order to Keep Something - You Must Give it Away LESSON 7 Acts 20:35 - It is more blessed to give than to receive. Keep & Give us from giving away God's blessing: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 2 Corinthians 9:1-9 Matthew 5:38-42 Matthew 16:23-26 Acts 20: What things have kept that I should have let go of? Define Keep? Define Give? 3. What things have I let go of that I should of kept? 1. How is love kept when given away? 1. What gifts will I give this week in service to God? 2. What does God want our heart to feel when we give? 2. How will service to others bring me gain? 3. Describe those who seem to have everything but own nothing of spiritual value? 3. How can I empty myself today? 9

10 Slaves are Free, Free are Slaves 1 Corinthians 7:22 - Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ s slaves." LESSON 8 1 Corinthians 7: Corinthians 9:16-23 Free & Slave: Acts 26:28-29 John 8:31-38 us from experiencing freedom: Define Freedom? 2. Why do we act as slaves when Christ wants us to be free? Define Slavery? 3. What is the best way to use our freedom? 1. In what way does God consider us to be slaves? 1. List some bible words that can help me focus on the freedom of Christ? 2. In what way does God consider us to be free? 3. What is God's purpose in freeing us? 1 Corinthians 9:19 2. How will being "free" change my week? 3. How can my former slavery be useful in helping others? 10

11 In Order to Rule We Must Serve Romans 13:1 - All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. LESSON 9 Luke 12:35-40 Mark 10:42-45 Romans 13:1-8 Define Ruler? Rule & Serve: Matthew 6:19-24 Matthew 20:25-28 us from ministering to others: 2. What makes me feel powerful in this life? Define Servant? 3. What makes me feel weak in this life? 1. What is the danger in having some position of power? 1. What area does God want me to lead in? 2. When God gives authority to men, what does He expect? 2. How will I become a servant leader in that area? 3. What things should I rule over in life? 3. How will service leadership help others? 11

12 You Must Die to Truly Live Matthew 10:39 - Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life. LESSON 10 Luke 21: Corinthians 5:14-15 Luke 9:22-25 Define Living? Live & Die: Matthew 10:34-39 Matthew 8:21-22 Romans 7:4-6 us from dying to this world: 2. What lures me into thinking I'm living while I'm actually dying? Define Death? 3. What keeps me from seeing dead people? 1. What kind of life does God call us to? Luke 21: What habits can I build to enhance my spiritual life? 2. How would you describe the cross that God asks us to carry? 3. Describe how one should die in Christ in order to live? 2. How can living for Jesus help my view of the dead? 3. How can I live for God this week? 12

13 Become Humble and You Will Be Exalted LESSON 11 Matthew 18:4 - The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child. us from true humility: Humble & Exalted: 1 Corinthians 1:18-29 James 1:9-10, 4:10 Philippians 2:3-11 Matthew 18:1-6 Matthew 23:1-12 Hebrews 12: Why would we reject childlike humility in favor of arrogance? Define Humble? 3. Why does the world tend to overlook the humble? Define Exalted? 1. How can looking at Jesus bring us glory through humility? 1. What is it that causes me to exalt myself? 2. How can I be childlike this week? 2. Why does God want us to choose humility? 3. What humble act will I do this week for God's glory? 3. How do those who exalt themselves affect others? 13

14 To Be Rich You Must Become Poor LESSON 12 James 2:5 - Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith and to receive the kingdom God promised to those who love him. us from spiritual poverty: Rich & Poor: James 2:5-7 James 5:1-6 Luke 6:38 Define Rich? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Matthew 19:16-26 Luke 12: Why does earthly wealth tend to bring the wrong kind of security? 3. What poor attitudes can wealth induce? Define Poor? 1. How can I use my poverty to honor God? 1. What is God's concern about riches and His children? 2. How can poverty hinder me from seeing God? 2. How can remembering my spiritual debt enrich me? 3. What will I focus on when worldly wealth grips me? 3. What is it that God wants us to be rich in? 14

15 The Least Shall Become the Greatest LESSON 13 Mark 9:35 - Jesus sat down and called the twelve apostles to him. He said, Whoever wants to be the most important must be last of all and servant of all. us from being servants: Least & Greatest: Mark 9:33-37 Mark 10:42-45 Luke 15:11-32 Define Least? Matthew 11:11 Matthew 20: Corinthians 4: Why do I so often seek to be served? 3. What generally happens to those who serve in this world? Define Greatest? 1. How will I be a servant to others this week? 1. What status do I tend to seek and why? 2. How many can actually be first, and who should it be? 2. How can a servant's heart change the way I teach others? 3. How will I remember who is the greatest? 3. What does God want to do with those who are least? 15

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