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Susan Curry’s applications for moms
Lessons from the Life of Paul—what a daunting topic! The more I looked at the scriptures, the more I knew that we could not possibly cover the breadth of the material on his life and his work. Thus, I had to focus on some part of the scriptures that would speak to us as women of the twenty-first century. For those of you who desire to study it all with as much detail as possible, I understand; I would love to do the same! But for the average woman, I hope the amount of work will be challenging but not overwhelming!
When I taught school, I knew that it would be a great mistake to teach to the lowest-achieving child. My job was to challenge and hope that some of that group would catch a vision for learning. My hope and prayer for you is the same. I know that some of you tend to just show up without having spent time in God’s word for yourself. Please continue to come even when you have not done the work for yourself. But my prayer is that you begin to desire a daily relationship with the God of the universe who speaks to you personally through his word. I hope that you begin to be challenged by the insights of those in your group and want that same kind of excitement from hearing from God for yourself.
I pray that we all are overwhelmed by the focus of the apostle Paul, a focus on serving God’s kingdom in all of life that directed all that he did. He had the same kind of focus required by runners who succeed over a long distance.
How many of you are glad to be back at Bible study? I know that I am. I did have a very eventful break, however. My daughter got married, so of course, I have to show you a picture! Here are Lindsay and Tyler. Lindsay is the runner in our family, and I have learned a lot about running from her since I am certainly not a runner even if I can dress the part! Even those of us who aren’t runners or swimmers or tri-athletes know that it takes a whole lot of fuel to keep going in a long race. Although a marathoner generally eats a lot of carbohydrates in advance of the race, it is not enough. Running that far means that the body consumes thousands of calories; thus, the athlete must be refueled as she runs.
Even as a non-runner, I have experienced the need for fueling up daily. A few years back at the end of a work day, I stopped to run some errands, but I was very lightheaded and my body was weak. I wanted to cry and felt bad all over. I decided there was something really wrong with me. Did I have a hidden disease that was showing up? Maybe I was about to have a heart attack! I called my husband and told him how I felt. (Why I thought he could help is a mystery; he is not a doctor!) But, he is much wiser than I am and remembered that I was on a fast that day. I had had nothing but a bit of juice and a lot of water since about 6 p.m. the previous evening. My body was depleted of energy!
We can’t make it very long without eating or we will fall apart physically and even emotionally. The same principle is true spiritually. We must take in a continual diet of spiritual food in order to keep on going over the long haul.
Paul often used the metaphor of a race for the Christian life. Today we’ll look at need to fuel that race with spiritual food.
Turn with me to Matt. 4:1-4:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus indicated that the word of God is as necessary to the soul as bread is to the body. There is nothing wrong with food; God made it as a good and necessary thing. But if Jesus had eaten bread rather than fast as God had led him to do, he would have placed the temporal over the eternal. We will run on empty if we try to substitute anything else for the true fuel in our lives.
So, the question for each of us is this:
Do we take into our lives and hearts more of the physical, which will someday pass away, or the eternal, which will last forever?
We will run on empty if we do not ingest more of the spiritual than temporal things, which are good things if they don’t take over. What are some temporal things that overwhelm the spiritual in our lives? Jobs, hobbies, exercise, education, achievement, children’s activities, homes, looks, or anything material—all good things but not the best.
Even if we commit, as you have, to be in God’s word, it is easy to check it off like a task, set it aside, and then fill our hearts and minds with the temporal.
I have an elderly relative who is a long-time Christian. She reads a few Bible verses and prays every day, but she fills most of her time watching TV. Every night she watches political talk shows, which upset and worry her over a constant stream of issues. Instead of spending her latter years trusting God with the future and even being a light to the women in her senior residence, she is running on empty because her real focus is the temporal.
But that doesn’t have to be true; there is another choice. We can choose to run on empty by focusing on the temporal rather than the eternal,
How does God’s word provide the fuel that we need in order to run the race well? Let’s look at 2 Tim. 3:16-17:
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
This passage expresses so well the necessity of taking in God’s word so that we can live it out. Paul says here that it teaches us; we learn about who God is and what he is like. We learn about ourselves. It reproves us by showing us where we are wrong; it corrects us by teaching us how to fix the problem; and it trains us in living righteously, God’s way of living. The end result is that we are prepared to live out the good works that God has given us to do.
The purpose of taking in the scripture is to fuel our lives to follow God, to run the race he has given us. It is not to just know the Bible, just taking it in like someone who eats but never exercises; if so, we become fat and sick! Bible study is not just about learning; it’s about taking in spiritual fuel so that we have the energy to live it out every day. Bible study is about action.
Let’s look at more specifics as to how that works. Filling up with God’s word gives us spiritual food—
Let’s read John 17:17-19.
Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I set myself apart on their behalf, so that they too may be truly set apart.
The night before Jesus died, he spoke this prayer on behalf of all of those who choose to follow him. He prayed that we would be set apart from the world where he was sending us. And he said that it was the truth of his word that sets us apart. If you have another version of the Bible, it may use the word sanctify or make holy rather than the phrase set apart. The word is used of those things which God sets apart for himself, for his own use. To prepare us for the race, God uses his word to make us more like him, more holy, to become the people he would have us become.
Is part or your race to raise godly children? You become the mother you need to be in order to do that good work by fueling up with scripture. Is part of your race to be a light in your workplace or neighborhood? You need the fuel of God’s word to be the person God can use there.
Look at Heb. 4:12, where we see one way that God’s word sanctifies us or sets us apart for his use:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.
We can deceive ourselves, but God’s word stabs our hearts, revealing what is inside.
On Friday a dog was loose in our street. I was afraid he would get run over so I took him in and called the number on the tag. A woman answered and said she was the owner; she lives a street over from us. After I told her I had her dog, she grudgingly said, “Well, I guess I’ll come get him.” Three-and-a-half hours later, she was no longer answering the phone and had still not come by. At that point I took him to her house, but she didn’t answer the door. I tied him to the porch, believing that she was there ignoring me. Sure enough, after I was a half block away, I could see the door open and the dog disappear inside. I was very annoyed with this woman! However, God began to work in me through his word, not that I was reading it at that point, but the truths I knew were like a sword to my heart. When I first called and she actually answered the phone, she said she had had a bad morning; I could hear little kids in the background. Why didn’t I serve her by taking the dog to her in the first place knowing she was stressed? I was too busy, too involved in my own stuff to do it. After all, I had done my part by rescuing the dog from possible death so she should at least come get him! But the truths of God’s word began to stab me. To be a person God can use in my neighborhood, I need to ingest God’s word.
Not only is God’s word our spiritual fuel for becoming a person God can use, it is also fuel
Read Ps. 119:105.
Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.
To run God’s race we must know which direction to go. It’s not so much that God will give us one particular passage that tells us, although he may, but it’s that we have fueled our hearts with the word over a long period of time; thus, we know his character and his principles, which point us to his will.
God’s word is also our spiritual fuel—
Look at Eph.6:17:
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
In the context Paul describes our battle with the enemy, Satan. All of the weapons are defensive except this one, the sword of the Spirit, which he identifies as the word of God. We saw Jesus use the word of God as a sword when he was tempted; he responded with scripture.
When the enemy attacks you by bringing lies into your mind, can you attack him with the word? Maybe he suggests that something is good when God has said it is not. Or he says that you are not valuable when you are. You must be ready to answer with the truth of God’s word if you want him to flee. But if we haven’t taken it into our lives and hearts, we aren’t fueled to run the race; instead, we get stymied by the enemy.
Taking in God’s word regularly must be a priority. It gets us fueled and ready to go in the race!
We are at the beginning of a semester of Bible study. Each of us has committed to be in God’s word for three months. There is nothing more dangerous to Satan than that because the word energizes us for the race. It is a threat to his ability to work in our lives; thus, he doesn’t want you to do your Bible study each day. He doesn’t want you here to be encouraged, supported, and challenged by these other women. He doesn’t want you here to encourage and support them. So he entices you to prioritize the temporal, just as he did Jesus. God has placed you with your particular group of women not just for you, but also for them. We run together fueled by God’s word.
I bought this t-shirt this weekend. It says, “eat, sleep, run!” I loved it because it describes our lives. We fuel up for the race through time in God’s word; we rest for the race when we sleep; and everything else is the race. Everything you do in life is part of your race: your relationships, your job, your free time. Ladies, let’s all fuel up and run the race well!
“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!”
“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!”
Although I am not a runner and do not desire to run anywhere physically (!), I am a runner for God! God has called all of us to live in ways which parallel what we see in long distance runners. The apostle Paul often used such illustrations to picture the Christian life. He was one who ran the race of life well, and we can learn from his example to do the same.
You have probably noticed that we are calling our memory verses “Energy for the Race”. God’s word brings spiritual energy to us in the same way that food, particularly food high in carbohydrates, provides physical energy for the race. My hope is that you study these lessons day by day, as they are designed, because in so doing, you build up your spiritual life as food builds up the body. Without a consistent diet of God’s word, we are unable to complete our races.
In this study we will look at Paul’s race and the example he has left us. How did Paul become a runner for Jesus? How did he start the race? You may be familiar with the story, but read it this week from the perspective of those who knew him at that time. It must have been quite a surprise to them to learn that Paul was a runner for Jesus!
Today we will look at Paul’s background. You will note that his Hebrew name was Saul; early in Acts that was the name used for him. His Greek name was Paul or Paullus. This was not a name change; the author of Acts simply began calling him by his Greek name when his ministry focus turned to the gentile world (Acts 13:9).
Paul, here called Saul, is first mentioned, seemingly in passing, in Acts 8:1-3.
Scan Acts 6:8-7:53 to get the context. Then, read Acts 7:54-8:3 carefully.
1. What do these verses reveal about Paul at that time?
2. Based on what you just read, would you agree with the statement that Paul became a surprising runner for Jesus? Why or why not?
Read Philippians 3:4-6.
3. List what you learn about Paul’s background from this passage.
Extra Training: Research the Pharisees in your Bible resources or an online website.1 Write down any insights you gain into them and Paul.
4. How does Paul’s description of himself in Philippians help explain his motivation in persecuting followers of Jesus?
5. Sharing question: Write a short description of your past, as Paul did in Philippians. Paul lists his positives here. What would you include in a listing of who you are and what you have accomplished? (Be prepared to share this with your group. God has placed you in this particular group for a reason. God’s kingdom is based on community, and you are a vital part of this small group. Of course, don’t share so much that you inhibit others from sharing! Be sensitive so that everyone has a chance to talk! Be a true friend by listening to the stories of others and not just telling them about yourself!)
6. Responding to God: Thank God that he can use everything in your past—all of your background, accomplishments, and mistakes as a runner in his kingdom. Write out your prayer below. After the study, it can be a wonderful blessing and reminder to go back through the prayers that you have written.
We continue the story of Paul the apostle, who was called Saul at this point in the text. The event we study today likely occurred around 33 A.D., about three years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Read Acts 9:1-9.
7. Write your own account of what happened here as if you were writing it for a news report. Good reporters tell who, what, when, where, why, and how about their stories; they investigate eyewitnesses; and they write a headline to capture the attention of the reader. (I am giving you fewer questions today so you can spend more time on this one! Use your creativity and have fun! You don’t have to share it if you don’t want to—but please volunteer!)
Extra Training: Read one or both of Paul’s own accounts of this event in Acts 22:3-16 and Acts 26:12-18. What additional insights do you gain?
8. We are not told how Paul felt so we can’t speak for him, but we can consider how we would have felt in his place. How would you have felt at this point in light of what you had been doing and what you had just experienced?
9. Sharing question: Have you ever been proven wrong about something? Describe what it was and how you discovered that you were wrong. How did that affect you in both the short term and long term?
10. Responding to God: Thank God for humbling experiences. Ask him to continue reminding you that you can be and are often wrong! Write out your prayer below.
Review Acts 9:1-9 and read Acts 9:10-19a. (If you are unfamiliar with the letters after verses, they refer to the parts of the verse—“a” being first, “b” second, etc.)
11. What were God’s instructions to Ananias and how did he respond?
12. In your view, was it okay for Ananias to respond to God as he did? Why?
13. What was God’s answer to Ananias’ issues with Paul? What do God’s words about Paul suggest about what would happen to Paul as his life went on?
14. Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. How does v. 17 (our memory verse this week) help explain why God expected Ananias to help Paul?
If you have not begun learning this verse, now is a good time to do so! You may want to place your memory card in your car so you can refer to it at red lights—but not while driving:)
Extra Training: What other Bible characters were surprising choices for God to use? Review their stories in the Bible. If you can’t think of any such people, feel free to research what scholars say in commentaries or online about the three accounts of Paul’s conversion instead (Acts 9:1-19; 22:3-16; 26:12-18).
15. Sharing question: Are you running for Jesus, i.e., are you a Christ-follower? If not, where are you on your spiritual journey? We all begin in different places, and it often takes us down many roads before we believe in Jesus. Share where you are on your journey. If you are a follower of Jesus, how did God work in your life to bring you to faith?
16. Sharing question: What makes you a surprising runner for Jesus? We all are in some way or the other. Your background? Your upbringing? Your sins? Your lukewarm attitude toward God?
17. Responding to God: Write a prayer or poem of thanks that God uses surprising people for his kingdom, especially you!
Read Acts 9:19b-22.
18. What did Paul do in Damascus according to these verses?
Read Paul’s account of events from his early Christian days in Galatians 1:11-17.
19. Is there anything in his description of himself here that you find significant? Write down his travel chronology.
Some scholars place Acts 9:19-22 after the trip to Arabia and some would place it before. Luke, the author of Acts simply skips that part of Paul’s life, forcing some speculation as to the specific chronology since he spent time in Damascus both before and after Arabia.
Extra Training: Study the chronology of Paul’s life, or better—compare at least two resources. A commentary on Acts or Galatians may be helpful.
Now we’ll go back to Acts and pick up the end of Paul’s time in Damascus, which may have begun in Acts 9:22 or 23. Read Acts 9:23-25.
20. When Paul returned to Damascus, to whom was he preaching? How did they respond? What happened as a result?
21. Sharing question: Clearly those in Damascus were as surprised as Ananias that Paul was now running for Jesus! Sometimes the past takes a long time to overcome. What in your past has been most difficult to overcome as a believer? Your reputation? Your habitual sins? Your guilt or shame? Your old ways of responding to life?
22. Responding to God: Pray your memory verse back to God with your name in it. Ask him to help you believe that you are a new creation and that he empowers you to overcome the things you wrote in the previous question. Write down your thoughts below.
Read Gal. 1:18-20 and Acts 9:26-29. Most scholars believe these two passages describe Paul’s initial visit to Jerusalem as a Christian around 36 A.D.
23. Paul had just been forced out of Damascus to avoid being killed. Then in Jerusalem, believers questioned his commitment to Jesus. What feelings may Paul have had in light of all these events? What would you have done?
With Acts 9:27 in mind, also read Acts 11:19-30.
24. How did Barnabas prove himself as an encourager, the meaning of his name?
25. Describe the church situation in Antioch at that time. How did they show confidence and trust in Paul?
Extra Training: Read Gal. 2:1-10, apparently Paul’s account of this second trip to Jerusalem around 46 A.D. What do you learn from Paul’s example?
26. Sharing question: Can you think of a person who has believed in you, perhaps even interceding positively on your behalf? Is there someone who encourages you to believe that God is at work to give you the grace and power to overcome your past? If so, mail her a note thanking her for that encouragement. Tell your group about the ways she has encouraged you. If you can’t think of someone like that, seek out a woman who believes that God is in the process of changing you. When you find yourself needing a word of encouragement, invite her to get coffee or dessert. Take the initiative to get the encouragement that you need. Write this down as your prayer request for your group this week.
27. Responding to God: Consider what great grace and mercy God has shown you by giving you a race to run despite all of your failures and sins! If you struggle with believing that he has forgiven you and can use you, write out what continues to haunt you. Write your memory verse with a marker right over the list! Thank God for the grace he gave you to become a surprising runner!
If you have done one of my studies before, you know that I always include a real life story that brings reality to the truths of our lesson. Hopefully, through this lesson you have seen that we are all surprising runners for Jesus. This woman is no exception.
Who was it who said, “Our part is to run away from God as far and as fast as we can and God’s part is to come after us and save us,” or something like that? Well, that’s what I was doing and that’s what God did. It’s surprising that God chose me because before he did I didn’t know anything about him and I really wasn’t making any effort to find out.
At the time I left home for college I had been to church only a handful of times in my life. I had never even read, much less studied the Bible. My thoughts about God and religion were purely philosophical. I had never heard the gospel, at least that I can remember. I definitely had no understanding of what a “personal relationship with God” meant. In fact, I really had no interest in God at all. Never mind—he was interested in me anyway. And that’s the really surprising part.
At school I was suddenly surrounded by people who had everything I didn’t—a relationship with God that was real and personal, based on knowing him from His word (the Bible) and belief in His Son Jesus who died to take away their sin and rose again to eternal life (the gospel). At first when they tried to talk to me about it, I either ridiculed them or just literally shut the door in their faces. I argued and debated, and I thought I had all the right intellectual answers based on good reason and logic. My testimony could be something like Paul’s: I thought I was pretty smart. In a worldly sense most people might have agreed with me. But God wasn’t impressed. He knew my reasoning and logic couldn’t come close to his wisdom. Now I see that what was once my greatest source of pride and accomplishment causes me the greatest sense of shame and humility. But thanks be to God, he hadn’t given up on me and his grace is bigger than my sinfulness, pride and stupidity.
Despite my stubbornness and refusal to listen to most of the people who tried to talk to me, God was breaking down my resistance and beginning to speak to me through a few individuals. Through their prayers with and for me (which were met at first with, “Sure you can pray for me. I don’t think it will do any good, but if it makes you happy knock yourself out.”), kindness, and even time talking to me about what the Bible really says, eventually God showed me that he’s real, and it doesn’t matter what I or anyone else thinks about him. He also showed me that I’m a sinner and his Son Jesus is the only one who is uniquely qualified to take away my sin, and that he did. It surprised a lot of people when I stood up at a campus evangelistic meeting and declared my faith in Jesus Christ, but it didn’t surprise God. He had plans for me.
Would anybody from my past be surprised to see me following Christ and spending my time and energy on his activities rather than the things that motivated me before? Yes, pretty much everyone who ever knew me would be! That fact has caused some painful conversations over the years, but it’s also created some great opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the reality of 2 Corinthians 5:17.
What an incredible responsibility I have as a mom. I am not only a runner (a surprising runner) for Jesus, but I am also training up the next generation of runners. Desiring to be a godly example and a spiritual encourager to my children has been a powerful motivation for spiritual growth in my life.
In order to run the race well, we need to focus on the race ahead instead of looking back at things that could hold us back. How do we as moms overcome the struggles we have had in the past and the guilt and shame that may still remain from our background, our sins, and our wrong choices? Satan would love nothing more than to keep reminding us of our failures. Scripture calls him the “accuser of the brethren.” When we agree with his accusations and his assessment of our situation, we may be paralyzed and unable to experience what God wants to do in us and through us. Thoughts that keep us looking back at failures instead of looking forward to God’s plan and purpose for our lives do not reflect the truth of our being a new creation.
One thing that I have found helpful in my own life is to counter the lies of the enemy with specific verses that reveal the truth that God wants me to know. For example, when I feel inadequate as a mom and say “I can’t,” I can remind myself that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13 NKJV). When Satan reminds me of past sins or failures, I can renew my mind by reminding myself of 1 John 1:9 (NASB), “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Action Step: Identify one stumbling block that is holding you back from being the kind of mom the Lord wants you to be. Ask the Lord to help you not merely know but also experience the truth of His word. Find one or more “weapons” verses to counter the lies of the enemy. (Our memory verse for this week, 2 Corinthians 5:17, is a good place to start).
1 For example, bible.org has an article called “The Pharisees” by Dr. Allen Ross. I found it by searching “Pharisee” on the site. Then, I looked at the listing of articles for the one that seemed to be about the Pharisees in general. You can use this type of search for many biblical topics.
How many of you have been to France? Three years ago my husband Gary and I got to go France. He had been promising me that trip for ten years and we finally did it. We were first headed to Normandy so we rented a car, and we were smart enough to get a navigational system. They programmed the GPS at the airport and we were off. As we drove further into the French countryside however, I couldn’t ever find our highway on the map they gave us. The exit signs listed towns, but I just couldn’t figure out exactly where we were.
How many of you have been to France? Three years ago my husband Gary and I got to go France. He had been promising me that trip for ten years and we finally did it. We were first headed to Normandy so we rented a car, and we were smart enough to get a navigational system. They programmed the GPS at the airport and we were off. As we drove further into the French countryside however, I couldn’t ever find our highway on the map they gave us. The exit signs listed towns, but I just couldn’t figure out exactly where we were. After more than an hour it became clear that the system had sent us totally in the wrong direction. The person who programmed it must have failed to press enter and the GPS sent us to the previous destination, which was in the opposite direction of where we wanted to go. So obviously we made a u-turn and headed back the other way—what a detour!
This week we looked at the story of the apostle Paul’s u-turn in life in Acts 9. He, too, thought that he was headed in the right direction, following God. But God intervened and turned his life around.
You remember that soon after the birth of Christianity, the followers of Jesus, who were all Jews in those early days, began to be persecuted by their Jewish countrymen, particularly those who were zealous for God’s word and God’s law, both good things. An early leader in the hunt for those who believed in Jesus was Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul, who set out to find them in neighboring cities and return them to the rulers in Jerusalem for judgment. While on his way to Damascus to arrest more Jewish believers, Paul was suddenly knocked to the ground by a light from heaven. A voice accompanying the light asked, “Why are you persecuting me?” Of course, Paul was dumbfounded as to who would ask such a question when he was busy about God’s business. He was likely more amazed to learn that it was Jesus himself speaking to him from heaven! The one whom he had believed to be a fraud was alive in glory! Perhaps most amazing is that he commissioned Paul, the one responsible for the murder of many of his followers, to take the news of Jesus to those who had not heard!
This event was a total u-turn in Paul’s life. No longer did he persecute Christ-followers; he was now persecuted for his own belief in the resurrected Jesus. No longer was he the poster child for the Jewish rulers and Pharisees; he was now their enemy. No longer was he focused on extinguishing the gospel; he was now its chief distributor.
Sometimes when we have heard a story over and over we become immune to its power. Some of us here are in that category concerning this account of Paul’s conversion. We have followed Jesus and studied his word for many years, and we have forgotten what a surprising story this really is. This is a great story! Paul was on one side one minute and on the other the next, and in that moment, everything changed. His complete turnaround is one of the most compelling reasons to believe that Jesus was truly resurrected from the dead. How else can you explain such a u-turn?
Each of us must also make a u-turn in life, just as Paul did, because we are also headed in the wrong direction.
The direction we are headed seems right for a while; we do good things along the way; we may even think we are going God’s way, headed toward him. However, the time comes when we realize that it’s not God’s way at all, but we are headed the wrong way; we’re not in God’s race at all but on a different course. God is calling us to make a u-turn to follow Jesus.
Let’s think about Paul’s u-turn and what was involved in it.
Turn to Phil. 3: 4-9. We’ll begin with the second half of v. 4.
If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. (NASB)
If we had been part of the culture of that day, we would have said that Paul had an outstanding resume as a Jew. He had every advantage; he had been to all the right schools; he was a man going places in the Jewish religious community. As great as these things were, Paul says they were actually liabilities to him when it came to Jesus, whose goodness far surpasses any resume that he could produce. Before he made a u-turn, he thought his resume looked pretty good, but God showed him otherwise. Paul’s resume was actually deficient!
We are going the wrong way, just as Paul was, thinking we have great resumes to show God when they are in reality lacking. We each must make a u-turn because we are
Perhaps we think that we were born into a relationship with God because of our parents or because of our religious heritage. Or we might feel that we have achieved enough in life for God to accept us. It’s possible we look around and see that we have lived more godly lives than others have. So on a sliding scale, we are accepted and loved by God. But Paul says the opposite is true. The only one we can compare ourselves to is God himself, and we fall very short of his perfection.
Paul’s resume suggested that he was a righteous man, that he was doing the things that were right in God’s eyes. Do you think God would be impressed with your resume? Would he say that you have been choosing what he says is right—all the time?
We are headed the wrong way because
and that our resumes should make God accept us. That belief that we’re good enough for God is
which is at the root of our other sins. When we turn from God’s way to our own, it’s pride that trusts in our own wisdom. When we refuse to bow the knee to the Creator of the universe, it’s pride that rejects his rule in our lives. When we look at our accomplishments and compare them to others who have done less, it’s pride that judges others on what we can see.
We go the wrong direction, trusting in our deficient resumes for God’s acceptance, thinking we’re righteous because
Instead of comparing ourselves to what God says about us, we compare ourselves to others who don’t seem to be doing as well as we are. They aren’t as good, as generous, as sacrificial, or as holy as we are. Of course, we don’t dare make comparisons to the Mother Teresas of this world!
Let’s turn to Rom. 3:9-18, a great place to compare our resumes:
What then? Are we better off? Certainly not, for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin, just as it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one,
There is no one who understands,
There is no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
Together they have become worthless;
There is no one who shows kindness, not even one.”
Their throats are open graves,
They deceive with their tongues,
The poison of asps is under their lips.”
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood,
Ruin and misery are in their paths,
and the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
In v. 9, Paul makes his point and then proves it by quoting the Old Testament. He says that all people, no matter their heritage, are sinners. That means that no person’s resume can get God to love us or bring us into a relationship with him. We can never do enough to reach the level of God’s perfection. None of us is righteous, which simply means we do not do the right thing, the things that God would do. As this passage clearly teaches, we don’t understand God; we don’t seek him; we all turn away from him; we aren’t kind; our words involve lying, deception, poison, cursing, and bitterness; we are quick to judge others and bring ruin to them; we do not know the way of peace; in summary we don’t fear God.
This is our real resume. This is what we really are inside; thus, we cannot please God as we are. Our resumes are deficient even with all the good things we can list.
Paul’s resume sounds pretty good to us, but to God it was lacking because of the things Paul left out, his sins. Because of them, it wasn’t enough for Paul to be born into a religious family; it wasn’t enough for him to have thoroughly studied and followed the Old Testament law; it wasn’t enough for him to have done more for God than most other people or to be zealous and sincere. God knew Paul’s heart and Paul’s actions and they didn’t measure up,
We are all headed in the wrong direction, as Paul was, by trusting in our deficient resumes for God’s acceptance, and
We saw this in Paul’s story in Acts. He was the model Jewish religious leader, getting rid of all Jews who would turn people away from God, especially Christians. He sincerely believed that he was doing God’s work, and he was sincerely wrong. In Philippians 3:5 Paul mentioned that he had such a high level of zeal for God that he persecuted the church. In fact, Jesus asked Paul why he was persecuting him. To murder and kill Jesus’ people was the same as attacking Jesus himself. Perhaps that is why Paul recognized that we are all enemies of God.
Look at what Paul said in Rom. 5:10 on the screen:
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life?
When we ran from God, we opposed him and his kingdom. When we said we could reach God on our own by our resumes, we opposed the truth about ourselves and about God. We were his enemies because we were essentially standing with the other side. We may not have persecuted anyone; we may not have openly attacked God in any way, but we essentially called him a liar when we said we were good enough for a relationship with him.
Are you depending on your own goodness to commend yourself to God and be accepted by him? It’s a deficient resume, no matter how religious it may be.
We are all headed the wrong way when we think God’s acceptance is based on what we have done.
How do we do that? First, we must admit that our resumes aren’t good enough. In other words,
Instead of the pride that takes us the wrong direction, we realize that we are sinners in need of God’s mercy. We must give up depending on our goodness before God and depend on Jesus’ goodness. Let’s read again how Paul put his experience in Philippians 3:7-8:
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ
Paul says in v. 8 that he now realizes that the total of his achievements was rubbish compared to Jesus. The Greek word for rubbish means dung. I read this comment about the word in the NET Bible: it “was often used in Greek as a vulgar term for fecal matter. As such it would most likely have had a certain shock value for the readers. This may well be Paul’s meaning here, especially since the context is about what the flesh produces.”1 Paul said his flesh and its achievements are nothing and produce nothing without Jesus. He was humbled and did a u-turn from someone who expected God to accept him on the basis of his good works to someone who realized it was waste! It was a deficient resume.
Paul says that’s true of us all in Romans 5:6-8:
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We see here that we are helpless; we are ungodly; we are sinners. That’ll humble us! To make that u-turn, we must recognize that we are sinners, in need of God’s mercy because we aren’t able to earn it on our own; therefore,
We saw that Paul trusted in Jesus’ righteousness in Phil. 3:8-9. Look at it again:
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and may be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes form God on the basis of faith.
After Paul’s u-turn, he depended on the righteousness of Jesus which comes from God on the basis of faith. He no longer trusted in what he did, but he now trusted that Jesus’ death paid for his sins and brought him into a relationship with God.
When we do a u-turn, we trust that Jesus gives us his righteousness, which is complete and perfect, not deficient. When we stand before God and he asks us why we think we should live with him forever, we say it’s based on the perfect righteousness of Jesus, which he gave us as a gift. That perfection makes us God’s daughters.
Faith in Jesus means that we believe that Jesus was God himself who came to earth as a man and died to pay for our sins; we believe that he rose again on the third day and has returned to heaven. This is what we call the good news or the gospel, which the church of Jesus has shared with the world for 2,000 years.
Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
Paul saw the Lord on the road to Damascus, and it changed his life completely!
Have you seen the glory of Jesus? Have you depended on his righteousness rather than your own? Have you made that u-turn because of his identity as God who died for you?
If you have, you have a story, just as Paul did. Each of us has a very different story of how God interrupted our lives and caused us to make a u-turn. In my case I grew up in a Christian home, but that didn’t mean I was going in the right direction. We must each make that u-turn for ourselves; our parents cannot do it for us; there is no Christian DNA that we inherit from them. A u-turn may be in an instant, as we see in Paul’s story, or if may have been a gradual revelation that we are sinners and that Jesus is the answer. When I was about 6 or 7, I began to be very convicted about my sin. And because my church was very intentional about sharing the gospel, I knew that I couldn’t depend upon my own goodness but needed Jesus’ forgiveness and his righteousness to be God’s child. So I made a u-turn and trusted in the Jesus I had grown to know and love through my church.
Now that doesn’t mean that I have done everything right since that time. But it does mean that my life set out in a new direction and I was now in the race that I would continue the rest of my life. There have been periods when I have not been a very good runner and there are still times when I fail to run well. But overall, God has me in the race and he will keep me there and move me forward.
There may be someone here who is going in the wrong direction, trusting that you are good enough to merit God’s favor. You may be very religious, as Paul was, or you may have totally denied the existence of Jesus or his right to control your life. Today is a great day to do a u-turn and fall on his mercy to put you in the race. You will never regret it!
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.”
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.”
My husband and I were able to see early on that God didn’t design either of our children to be sprinters. They never led in the races on field day at their schools; they never ran very fast around the bases in their games. We quickly recognized that there would be no hundred-meter gold medals in their futures!
Each of us has our own particular race given by God, and he has designed us especially for that event. Just as God creates us with certain physical attributes, he also designs us for the spiritual race in which he puts us. Our races involve using the specific gifts he has given us in the particular places of service where he calls us to be. We don’t race against others because no one else is in our personal race. Instead we are in an endurance race that requires us to finish well what we were called to do. We must be faithful to complete the race that we have been given.
Begin work on your memory verse. It’s a great summary of this lesson!
1. Review Acts 11:19-26. What was Paul doing in Antioch at this time?
Read Acts 13:1-4. Scholars place this event between 46-48 A.D. Quite some time had passed since Paul began running his race for Jesus!
2. What happened as the church leaders in Antioch prayed and fasted?
3. Look back at what Paul had been told previously about his ministry: Acts 9:15-16; Acts 22:14-15 (Paul’s own version of the same story); Acts 26:16-18 (again, Paul telling it); Gal. 2:7-9. Was there any way in which this calling in Acts 13 was a new one? Why or why not?
4. What can we learn from Paul’s life and from these church leaders about finding God’s direction?
In our individualistic society, we often push for what we believe is God’s agenda for us rather than wait on God’s Spirit to reveal his will for us through a church body as a confirmation of our calling. Because of our oneness with our spouses, God not only reveals his will for married women through the church but also through our husbands. When God is ready to send us forward, he will move our husbands in support and agreement.
5. Sharing question: Are you waiting for God to show you how he wants you to serve? If so, what specific actions can you take to discover that in light of Paul’s story? If you are already involved in ministering in your church and know this is where God has uniquely placed you, share how you discovered your mission and how God has confirmed it since that time.
6. Responding to God: Ask God to help you discover your gifts and ministry, if you are unclear about them. Ask him to confirm what he shows you through your church’s leadership and through the fruit he brings from your service. If you already know what your particular race involves, thank him for allowing you to serve him and bring joy into your life by doing so. Write your prayer or poem below.
Extra Training: Read about the apostle Peter’s special calling in John 21. What did Jesus emphasize as Peter’s motivation to serve? What do you learn about the uniqueness of each person’s calling?
Yesterday we read that the Holy Spirit specifically called Paul to a unique ministry or race. Today we’ll look at that ministry a bit more.
7. How did Paul describe his race or ministry in each of these passages?
c. Col. 1:25-29
d. 2 Tim. 1:11
8. Read all of these verses: Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:1. What is the common thread in what Paul says about his ministry? Why do you think he would make that emphasis when he wrote the various churches?
The word apostle is the Greek word apostolos, from the verb meaning to send. It means one sent, an ambassador. “It designates the office as instituted by Christ to witness of Him before the world.” 2
9. How did Paul describe Timothy’s particular race in 2 Tim. 4:5?
10. Sharing question: God has sent you out, too, on your own particular race. Do you believe that God has chosen you to do particular work for his kingdom? Why or why not? If you truly believed that, what difference should it make in what you do and how you spend your time?
11. Sharing question: What one thing do you need to change in your life today in order to fulfill the ministry that God has given you personally? Are your priorities out of whack? Are you too busy with other good things to do the best things? Are you allowing other people to determine and control your time rather than God? Are you too fearful to try?
12. Responding to God: Write a prayer below based on your answer to the previous question. You may want to write this also as your prayer request for your group this week.
We will not cover all that Paul did in Acts because of limited time. If you want to read all that Luke records of his journeys, do the Extra Training optional questions. You may also want to follow the progress of Paul’s various journeys on a map in your Bible or Bible atlas.
At the end of this week’s lesson is a chart that traces Paul’s first journey. I have listed the cities that Acts records. When you read what happened somewhere, fill in that section of the chart. In the end you will have a summary of this journey to keep. You will notice that Luke does not tell us what happened everywhere so you will have blank areas. If you do the Extra Training today, you will read the section of Acts covering the first three cities. If not, just skip that part of the chart.
Extra Training: Read Acts 13:4-12, which begins the first journey. Tomorrow we skip this passage and go on to Paul’s next stop on the road. Feel free to read in any available resources about this section of Acts.
Once again we go to Acts, following Paul on his first of three missionary journeys.
On Day One you read in Acts 13:3 that Paul and Barnabas left Antioch to obey God’s Spirit. Once Paul began his missionary journeys focusing on the gentiles, Luke began to call him Paul rather than Saul. (See Acts 13:9)
Read Acts 13:13-16, 42-52, or read the entire passage, including the sermon that Paul gave in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch in Acts 13:17-41. (The sermon is your Extra Training for today.)
13. Summarize the events that happened in this city, and fill in your chart.
14. How did these events help fulfill the mission that God had given Paul and Barnabas according to their words in Acts 13:46-47?
15. What fruit came out of Paul and Barnabas’ ministry in Pisidian Antioch (13:48, 49, 52)?
16. What does John 15:4-5 teach you to do in order to produce fruit in your own life and ministry? Give an example of how you practically do that.
17. Sharing question: Share with your group one specific example of fruit from your ministry. If you are not involved in any ministry, what fruit have you seen produced in your own life from someone else’s ministry?
18. Responding to God: Ask God to help you abide in Him as you minister in the specific race that he has called you to run. If you tend to prioritize the work instead of your relationship with him, talk to him about ways to refocus so that he produces the fruit. Write your thoughts below.
Yesterday we read that Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium after shaking the dust off their feet in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:51). “Shaking the dust off their feet was a symbolic gesture commanded by Jesus to his disciples, Matt. 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5. It shows a group of people as culpable before God.” 3 From Iconium the missionaries went to Lystra.
Extra Training: If you have time, read what happened in Iconium in Acts 14:1-6 before reading today’s lesson and fill in your chart.
Read Acts 14:6-18.
19. Again, use your skills as a reporter and write a news story from the perspective of someone in Lystra concerning these events. Write a headline if you wish to do so. Fill in your chart.
You are probably already aware of the identities of Zeus and Hermes. The NET Bible describes them: “Zeus was the chief Greek deity, worshiped throughout the Greco-Roman world (known to the Romans as Jupiter).” And “Hermes was a Greek god who (according to Greek mythology) was the messenger of the gods and the god of oratory (equivalent to the Roman god Mercury).”4
20. What did Paul and Barnabas explain about the character of the true God to the people of Lystra (Acts 14:15-17)?
Read Acts 14:19-20.
21. What was amazing about how the trip to Lystra ended?
22. Sharing question: In Acts 14:17 Paul and Barnabas explained that God has revealed himself to all people by providing for them. In what specific ways has he provided for you? Was there a time when you were in need when he provided? Perhaps it wasn’t a physical need. Share the situation and what God did for you with your group. Did you recognize it as God?
23. Responding to God: Draw a picture (yes, you can do it!) of yourself receiving God’s provision. It could be a daily provision or some other provision. Spend time thanking him.
Read Acts 14:20b-28. Paul and Barnabas’ arrival back in Antioch completed the first missionary journey.
24. Luke gives us a very short summary of what happened in Derbe in v. 21, but I don’t want us to miss it. What happened there when Paul and Barnabas visited?
25. After they visited Derbe, where did Paul and Barnabas go? What was so amazing about their decision to visit these cities? (You may need to review your chart or your lesson this week to find this answer.) What would you have done in their place? Why?
26. Explain what they accomplished there (v. 22-23).
Extra Training: Read in your resources about the cities and culture involved in this first journey.
27. What do you learn about Paul and Barnabas’ character from this first missionary journey? You may need to scan back over Acts 13:4-14:20 or review this week’s work.
28. Sharing question: On what character trait that you saw in Paul and Barnabas do you need to most work in your own life? What can you do to grow in that area? Give specific ideas or ask your group for their suggestions.
29. Responding to God: Talk to God about your answer to the previous question. Write down your thoughts below.
I've always had an affinity for working with women and children. They're whom I'm most comfortable around and seem to relate to the best. I really became aware of this when I started traveling, both for fun and on mission trips. On my mission trip to Africa I ended up helping with the nightly service for children. I so enjoyed interacting with them, playing games with them, and teaching them how much God loved them. On my trip to China, I went for the purpose of determining how best our church could help with children's ministries, but I ended up having lots of encounters with the mothers and other women there and had the opportunity to encourage them and see the challenges they were dealing with. This inspired me to try and connect them with resources here that would help them with studying God's word and receiving training on how to teach and lead women.
Through these encounters it helped me to realize how much the women and children here at home also need training, encouragement and love. It helped me to seek ways that I could also help here at home. I hope to have more opportunities to serve women and children both here and abroad, wherever God leads.
It is so easy to look around and compare ourselves with other mothers. Their race looks easier or more appealing or more fun than ours. Their children are better at school, at sports, or at social skills. Perhaps their children have more interest in spiritual things. We want our lives to be easy and successful and having children may make our lives richer and more interesting but probably not easier and perhaps not more successful (at least in the world’s estimation). God uses our children and their difficulties to drive us to depend on Him and to search out wisdom from His word and from His people.
Just as God gives us certain talents, abilities, spiritual gifts, interests, and desires which make us unique and help us know what His plan for our lives involves, He blesses us with particular children with their own unique gifts and challenges. As I have taken an inventory of my own life, I see how God has given me unique opportunities, gifts, and interests in order to point me in the direction of working with moms. God has given me three children – each one a special and unique creation of His. My children have enriched my life and have taught me things I would not have learned any other way.
As you determine the race God has planned for you, I would encourage you to look at your design – your abilities, your limitations, your spiritual gift or gifts, your interests and passion, your opportunities, your family, and your stage of life. Ask your husband for his insight and pray that God would direct you to walk each day in the path he has chosen for you.
Then look at the children with which he has blessed you. What are their unique characteristics? How has God designed them? As you pray for wisdom to deal with the issues your children face, you will not only receive wisdom, but you will also learn how to find God’s wisdom through his word and through other believers.
If you have been blessed with a child with special abilities or special needs, your path may not look like that of your friends. God may take the very thing that looked like a negative at first and turn it into a ministry that can glorify Him and build up others in similar circumstances.
Action Step: Look for the things that are unique in your life and in the lives of your children. Thank the Lord that he has a particular race designed just for you. Ask God to show you his plan and how you can glorify him as you walk each day seeking his guidance and wisdom. Record your insights here.
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Place Visited |
Acts Verses |
Outcome of the visit |
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Seleucia |
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Salamis on Cyprus |
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Paphos on Cyprus |
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Perga in Pamphylia |
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Pisidian Antioch |
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Iconium |
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Lystra |
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Derbe |
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Lystra |
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Iconium |
2 Spiros Zodhiates, Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers), 238.
3 Note in NET Bible on Acts 13:51.
4 Note in NET Bible on Acts 14:12.
Think about something you have tried to do that you just weren’t good at. Maybe it was a sport, art, crafts, cooking, math or a musical instrument. Who can think of something? God has made each of us with both strengths and weaknesses. We try something, but sometimes we’re just bad at it!
Think about something you have tried to do that you just weren’t good at. Maybe it was a sport, art, crafts, cooking, math or a musical instrument. Who can think of something? God has made each of us with both strengths and weaknesses. We try something, but sometimes we’re just bad at it!
I have never been good at any sports, not any! I can barely swim; I throw like a girl; I am slow; and I usually miss when batting! Once I was on a girls’ softball team and I learned that my best chance to get on base was to take every pitch and hope to be walked!
Somehow in ministry, we think it’s different. We think we should all be great evangelists or good working with children or comfortable visiting sick people. But God has given each of us talents and gifts that prepare us for our own unique races. We must run our own race and quit trying to run someone else’s!
I have a long list of things that I tried years ago: nursing home visitation, sitting with someone in the hospital, VBS, door-to-door evangelism. It wasn’t so much that I hated them; I was simply terrible at them! I wondered if I felt like a failure, not realizing that I am not supposed to be good at everything!
Paul knew better; God called him to a particular race and that was his focus! Today we’ll consider what we learn from Paul’s example as we focus on the ministry part of our races. Let’s look at it!
The Christian race involves our whole lives. Remember my t-shirt—eat, sleep, run! That’s it; the race is everything outside of taking in the food of God’s word and resting! We are all ministers. Every part of our lives is part of the race—our jobs, our relationships, our leisure time. Everything is involved in God’s plan for us to be his ambassadors to the world. It’s not all about our service in the church, although that is a big part of it. However, today we will focus on that part of your race, your ministry within the body of Christ.
Let’s look at Paul’s race; we first see that it was based on God’s calling and gifting.
In 2 Tim. 1:11 Paul said that he was called to be an apostle, a preacher, and a teacher. When God calls us to something, he equips us to do it. That means that Paul had the spiritual gifts necessary to complete this work. Whatever gifts God knew Paul would need to teach and preach and do mission work were given him when he became a believer.
Paul’s Christian race also
As we know from our lessons, Paul was thoroughly prepared in the scriptures after studying under the Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Who better to use the Old Testament to prove the truth of Christianity both in person and by letter? Also, Paul’s home was Tarsus, outside of Israel. He lived in the midst of a non-Jewish world as a child, although he was likely protected from its influence by his parents. However, his experience must have served him well as he traveled into the broader world on mission for God. We will also see later in our studies that Paul was a Roman citizen, which greatly helped him out in sticky situations!
So Paul’s race was based on his calling and gifting, and it lined up with his background. Finally, our study revealed that Paul’s personal race
Our first two points were fairly easy to observe and note. This one is, as well, if we had studied all the passages at once. But we looked at some of them in lesson 2 and the rest this week. So let’s review them to see how Paul’s race progressed.
Turn to Acts 9. What we’ll read follows the account of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. Let’s begin at v.19.
Acts 9:19b-25, speaking of Paul:
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
We see here that early in Paul’s race he was using his gifts to proclaim Jesus’ deity, as he was called to do. However, at this time, his audience was all Jewish. He took the open door of opportunity as a Jew to speak in the synagogue.
Let’s continue reading in v. 26 of Acts 9, at which time Paul had been a believer about three years.
When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to kill him. When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
So at this point Paul took advantage of opportunities to speak to the Greek-speaking Jews, or your Bible may have translated it as Hellenists. This was a group of Jews who had absorbed Greek culture and were consequently suspect to the more conservative Jews who lived in Israel. Paul was using his gifts and God’s call on his life in various situations and opportunities. At the end of his time in Jerusalem, these Hellenists plotted to kill him so the church sent him home to Tarsus.
Some time passed while Paul was there. Although we have no record of what he did in Tarsus, we can be sure that he continued using the opportunities that God gave him to share the good news of Jesus.
Now let’s skip to Acts 11, beginning in v. 19. At this point Luke, the author of Acts, inserts a flashback to earlier persecution as background to the story he is about to tell:
Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message to no one but Jews. But there were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene among them who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks too, proclaiming the good news of the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
Remember that Stephen’s persecution took place before Paul’s conversion. In fact, the account of his murder was the first biblical mention of Paul. But look how God used that event. Because of the persecution in Jerusalem, those who followed Jesus left the city and scattered to other areas where they shared their faith with other Jews. But some of those who went to Antioch were so excited about their faith that they actually shared their stories with the Greeks also, and many of them began to follow Jesus.
The church in Antioch was a pace-setting church, which did what no other church had yet done! And God blessed their efforts and brought great fruit. Sometimes it’s easy for us to miss the significance of a detail, but this was monumental: a church reaching out to the gentiles! I wonder if they had some fallout from some of their membership for that!
With that background, drop down to Acts 11:25.
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a significant number of people. Now it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Note Paul’s opportunities! He now was ministering to the gentiles. Remember that God told Ananias that Paul was his “chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.” This was his first real opportunity to focus on the gentiles.
Again, Paul simply responded as God opened doors. He obediently took each opportunity and ran with it. Each time Paul’s ministry expanded greater and greater. Finally, we read Acts 13:1-3:
Now there were these prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch from childhood) and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them off.
Paul didn’t go out breaking down doors to fulfill God’s plan but waited on God to open the opportunities at the right time. It took about thirteen or fourteen years for him to be sent out on this journey. He honed the use of his gifts while he waited. He trained in Arabia; he even went home to Tarsus when the doors closed in Jerusalem. Although I am sure he continued speaking out about Jesus there, I wonder if he felt that God had forgotten his plans for Paul. But one day, totally unexpectedly, Barnabas appeared in Tarsus and invited Paul to join him in Antioch to teach and reach gentiles. Then, as Paul was faithful to his race there, God opened a much wider opportunity of ministry traveling and sharing Jesus with anyone who would listen. And that opened the doors to his writing the letters which became his legacy to all believers of all time. Through them, Paul continues to minister to us today!
We can learn much about finding our own personal races from the life of Paul. What principles can we follow?
Since Jesus hasn’t spoken to us personally from heaven about our callings—at least I don’t know of anyone here who fits that category, we must discover them. Since our life race involves our gifting, we need to set out to discover what that is if we aren’t clear.
I am going to give you some practical ideas of how to find your own ministry so that you aren’t trying to be someone else or to please anyone else except God as you run. We don’t see Paul do these specific things because he knew what his gifts and calling were. I am basing much of what I am telling you now on my own hunt and on what I have seen in the lives of others. And I am basing it on the fact that God wants you to run your own race, not someone else’s, so his desire is that you know what your race entails.
How do you find your gifts? First, I suggest that you
We’ve had lessons on spiritual gifts before in our past studies. If you weren’t here, I can get you a copy if you want one. The Bible lists some gifts in several places and that is always the best place to start looking for what God wants you to know. Don’t start with a test! They are very human and I have found them to be very flawed. At most, they point to areas to try.
After you’ve studied the Bible,
These people should be Christians who know something about spiritual gifts. Ask them if they have recognized any of your gifts. What possibilities do they see in your life? This is still a starting point not the answer!
You may also want to
Find out what drives them, what characterizes their ministries, what they want to see happen in the lives of other people. See if you identify with any of their answers.
But the only way to know for sure, whether you use a test or follow my suggestions is to
This is the real test because if you are gifted, you will love it, it will invigorate you rather than drain you, and there will be fruit.
Secondly, to find out what is involved in your personal race—
God uses your background, just as he did Paul’s. So ask yourself this question:
I had a really good Bible background from my father. That helped prepared me to teach the Bible for years before I attended seminary. Perhaps your educational and professional experience has groomed you to use your gift of administration with planning events or your gift of service to prepare graphics. Maybe your musical background allows you to use your gift of encouragement by leading worship. Our executive pastor has an MBA and years of experience running hospitals. The role of an executive pastor involves all the financial and organizational structures of the church. His background prepared him to serve in that capacity.
Once you discover your gift and evaluate your background, you go to the next set of questions:
Some would call this your passion, but since I don’t identify with that way of saying it, I prefer to say it’s my burden. What are you concerned or excited about?
Even after identifying that I had a gift of teaching and the background that prepared me for it, I still had to figure out what specific ministry I was called to do. I was very burdened in one church that there was not much of a concern that adults grew in their knowledge of the word of God. I saw people teaching Sunday School with little biblical understanding. My burden focused on teaching adults. I wanted them to lead their families well and live out their faith. I had a burden for them and thought everyone else should, too.
Finally, to find your race you must
This is what we saw so well in Paul’s life. He knew that he was called to the gentiles but he waited on God to bring it about. He waited for the church to be in agreement and send him to them.
I think the key to doing this is to believe in the great power of God and to
Prov. 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.
God has the power to turn a king’s heart, which in the bible involves his thinking and decision-making. If God can do that with the horrible and mercenary kings of Old Testament times, he can do the same with anyone. Practically, this means that even if you don’t trust your husband to hear God, it’s not his choice; it’s God’s. If God wants you to do something, he will turn your husband’s heart to receive it, even if he isn’t even a believer. Trust God to do it. You and your husband are called to be one. God is responsible to get your other half to support what he wants you to do.
Certainly, if God can turn the heart of an unbeliever to support your race, he can move the hearts of the church as well. We saw him move the leaders in Antioch to send Paul and Barnabas out. Even though the scriptures don’t say this, clearly God laid Paul on Barnabas’ heart so that he went to look for Paul. Wait on unity with your church and your husband before you begin, and believe that at the right time, it will happen. When it does, you have to take those steps of faith and trust God with what you leave behind. Paul lost family and career, but he placed himself in God’s hands.
In the meantime as you wait for the opportunity,
Just as Paul did!
Finally,
If this is truly what God wants you to do, there will be fruit. It may take time and it may take work, but it will bring you joy in the race!
I have spent most of my race not as part of a church staff but as a regular church member like all of you. My race has involved being a wife and a mother, being a neighbor and a friend, volunteering at church and teaching school. But at the heart of my race you would find my giftedness and the burdens and opportunities that God has given me. Those things helped inform me as I moved forward in my race. They showed me what to prioritize and what to let go of.
Once I discovered my gifts and paired them with my burdens, it became easy to say no to what was outside of that as far as ministry time. Of course, we must all share Christ with those whom we know; we must all encourage our fellow believers; we must all be merciful and share our material possessions, even if we don’t have these gifts. But our focus is to be on the ministries where we are gifted.
I have never asked for any of the ministry positions that I have done. God has always opened the doors as others watch me and note where I am gifted.
If my husband isn’t totally supportive, I don’t do it.
God has given you a special race that only you can run. Be sure you aren’t trying to run a race that someone other than God wants you to run. Let him guide you. Then, give the race your all. You aren’t supposed to be good at everything, but you will be good in the areas where God has gifted you. At the end of your life you want to be able to say with Paul, “I have finished the race!” Expect to hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
“I extolled the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever. For his authority is an everlasting authority, and his kingdom extends from one generation to another. All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who inhabit the earth.”
“I extolled the Most High, and I praised and glorified the one who lives forever. For his authority is an everlasting authority, and his kingdom extends from one generation to another. All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he wishes with the army of heaven and with those who inhabit the earth.”
Daniel 4:34b-35b
Although I have absolutely no experience with long distance races myself, I do have a daughter who has run in two marathons and many shorter races, which gives me some experience by osmosis or something! I know that it is wise to run with a group progressing at the same pace. If a runner starts too fast, she grows so tired that she cannot complete the race. If she runs too slowly, her time will not be her best. As I watched my daughter run in the marathon, I noticed pacers amidst the runners holding signs with the pace time so that those wishing to run at that speed could stay up.
As one running in God’s race, Paul was paced by the Spirit. We, too, must learn to listen and follow the leading of the Spirit in our lives so that we complete the race well by his pacing.
Last week we read about Paul’s first missionary journey. After some time in Antioch, he went down to Jerusalem for an important meeting (c. 48 A.D.). If you have time to read about it, do the Extra Training optional study for today. When the meeting was over, Paul returned to Antioch where he soon headed off on another missionary journey, which occurred between 48-52 A.D.
Extra Training: Acts 15 summarizes an early meeting of church leaders to deal with theological issues that had arisen from the gentiles coming to faith in Jesus. Read Acts 15:1-35. Then, read any commentary or notes you have on this event, popularly known as the Jerusalem Council. Note Paul’s role.
Read Acts 15:36-41. Note the chart of the second journey at the end of this week’s lesson. Be sure and fill it in as we go along if that is helpful to you.
1. What was Paul’s goal for this second journey (15:36)?
2. Compare Acts 13:5, 13 with Acts 15:37-39. What was the problem with John Mark? State the arguments you can think of on both sides of this disagreement. How would you have felt if you had been Paul or Barnabas?
3. Read the parable in Mt. 25:14-30. A parable is a story with a primary point. What is the main teaching that Jesus emphasized in this parable, and how does it apply to the debate over John Mark?
4. Sharing question: Have you ever worked on something with someone who proved unfaithful to the task? What was your response—one similar to Paul’s or to Barnabas’? Why? Or you may have been the one who was unfaithful. If so, share your story.
5. What was Paul and Barnabas’ solution to the conflict? How can this compromise be seen as a positive?
This same John Mark is the one who eventually wrote the gospel named for him! God used Barnabas to give Mark a second chance.
6. Responding to God: Think of a specific time you failed God or others. Thank him for being a God of second chances, a God of grace that gives us blessings that we do not deserve. Write your prayer or thoughts below.
Read Acts 16:1-5. Make notes on your chart of the Second Journey.
We learn in these verses that Paul circumcised Timothy. God required all Jewish boys to be circumcised at eight days of age (Gen. 17:9-14).
Extra Training: Read in your resources about circumcision and its significance to the Jews.
7. Read these verses and consider what you learn about the relationship of those who follow Jesus to circumcision: Gal. 2:1-5; Gal. 6:15; 1 Cor. 9:19-23. Write down your insights as to why Paul would have circumcised Timothy before taking him along on the journey.
8. Sharing question: Have you ever given up a right or a desire in order to share your faith with others? If so, tell your group what it was and the situation that required your sacrifice.
Read Acts 16:6-10.
Note that in Acts 16:10 the pronoun changes from “they” to “we”. Most scholars see this as an indication that Luke joined Paul and his party at this point. As you read the rest of Acts, you can follow Luke’s presence by noting his use of these words.
9. In what ways did God’s Spirit pace Paul at this point of the journey?
10. Sharing question: Think of a time when God’s Spirit clearly led you. How did he do that? Did he use his word, other believers, circumstances, prayer? Share the story with your group.
11. Responding to God: If you are in a situation right now where you need God’s guidance to pace you in your run for him, talk to him about it right now. Give him the freedom to guide you however he chooses to do so. Talk to him about the specific ways you will look for his will, spending time seeking him.
Read Acts 16:11-40, the story of what happened in Philippi, Paul’s next stop. Enter your notes on the chart.
Extra Training: Research the ancient area of Macedonia through maps and other Bible resources.
12. The record of what happened in Philippi follows a common pattern for many stops on the journey: Paul’s seizure, the charges, and the reaction. Summarize each of these areas from this story.
13. Describe the opposition to Paul and Silas in Philippi. What motivated those who accused them? How did Paul and Silas use the Roman legal system to their advantage?
14. Sharing question: What is the lesson for you from this story? What part of it most sticks out to you? Why?
15. Sharing question: Think of your friends, co-workers, and family members who do not share or understand your faith. What threatens them about you or what you believe? How should you handle it? Can you handle it differently or not?
16. Responding to God: Ask God to show you how to love those who oppose you or your faith. Write down the thoughts you have.
The Spirit continued to pace Paul’s journey. Read Acts 17:1-10.
17. How do you see the Spirit pace Paul’s stay in Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:10-15, and fill in your chart from this chapter.
18. What put Paul on pace to leave Berea?
Sometimes we give Satan all the blame when things go wrong; it could not possibly be God’s will or plan! What about this situation with Paul? Was Satan solely responsible for the opposition that required his quick exit from Berea?
19. Look up these verses as you consider God’s sovereignty over Paul’s travels, even the persecution and the hardships. Write down the things over which God rules, according to these verses.
b. Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6
c. Dan. 4:17, 34-35 (Hope you’re learning your verses!)
Extra Training: Use any resources available to read about God’s sovereignty.
20. Sharing question: Do you tend to think that you are outside of God’s will when things go wrong? If so, how would you have handled Paul’s adventures? Would you have left and returned home? On the other hand, you may accept God’s sovereignty of even the hard things, believing them to be part of his plan to pace you and move you along in your race as well as fulfill your life purpose. If so, how do you do that when you face real problems and hardships? What keeps you believing?
21. Responding to God: Consider one specific circumstance in your life right now. Write a prayer or poem entrusting it to the sovereign hand of the God who loves you. Write it below.
Paul went alone to Athens (Acts 17:14-15). Read about it in Acts 17:16-34.
22. How did Paul approach the Greeks in Athens differently from the way he had approached the Jews in his travels? Look back at these verses: Acts 9:22; 13:13-41 (skim, looking for general approaches); and Acts 17:1-3. Consider how he approached the Jews in these 3 passages and how his message is different in Athens. Write down your insights.
23. What does Paul’s approach to different cultural and religious groups teach you about sharing Jesus with different people in your life?
24. Sharing question: List 2-4 people you know who are not Christ-followers. Write down beside each name what you know about their backgrounds—educational, religious, social, etc. If you were to apply Paul’s principles of evangelism to them, how would you approach each one differently? Ask your group for help with specifics if you are unsure.
25. Responding to God: Ask God for opportunities to talk about your faith to each one of these people listed in the previous question. Pray for insight. Draw a picture of you sharing with these friends. Pray for them to have open hearts.
After leaving Athens, Paul continued his second journey through Corinth, Ephesus, Caesarea, and Jerusalem; then, he returned to Antioch in Acts 18:22, in approximately 52 A.D.
Fill in your chart from today’s verses.
Extra Training: Read Acts 18:1-22 which takes you to the end of this second journey.
Sometimes it’s hard to see what God is doing when circumstances change and we face difficult times. Although unable to do so at the time, Ann can now look back and see God’s sovereign hand moving her on.
I am from a small town in Texas and grew up with the notion that you graduated from high school and maybe went to college. Then you got married. I had dated the same guy all through high school and for two years in college, so I assumed that we would get married eventually. I was deeply hurt when he announced after our sophomore year that we should date other people over the summer. He had gotten a job in the city where we attended college, and I was going back to our home town. I was still hoping that after the summer, we would get back together. After all, we had dated for six years.
In late July I received a “Dear Ann” letter stating that he had met someone else, and that they would be getting married in August! To say the least, I was devastated. I returned all of his personal items that I still had and burned his pictures, but my heart was truly broken. How could God have allowed this to happen? He had truly closed the door on that relationship.
I returned to college that fall, and tried to get on with my life. I dated several people and eventually met a special person. We dated for two years and were married. Eventually we moved to Dallas for his job and to raise our family. Shortly after moving to Dallas, I was invited by an acquaintance to a Christian Women’s Luncheon where women shared their testimonies about how trusting Christ as their Savior had changed their lives. One of those who gave her testimony was the wife of my husband’s cousin. My acquaintance soon became my friend and mentor who led me to the Lord. We signed our children up for Five – Day Clubs and Vacation Bible Schools at several churches the next summer. We had a weekly children’s Bible study group for our children and one other family with stories and songs. Our children trusted Christ and eventually our husbands joined the family of God. Though our paths seldom cross now, she was one of the tools God used to lead me to Christ.
It has been many years since God intervened and put me on the path that eventually led me to Him through his son, Jesus Christ. He knew all along what his plans for me were, and what it would take to get me where he wanted me to be. I am thankful that He changed the direction of my life so many years ago.
Pacing is definitely a difficult issue for me. Even when I seek God’s direction and want to do his will, I have a tendency to get ahead of the Spirit’s leading by using my own creativity, ideas, and hard work to try to accomplish God’s will. I may try to accomplish God’s will in my own human strength or in my own timing.
I think this is particularly hard in my role as a mom. I am a natural “fixer.” If one of my children had a problem, particularly when they were younger, I wanted to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
My trying to fix everything reveals more about my theology than I would like for it to. If I really believe God is sovereign, that he is in control, and that He wants the best for his children, why is it so difficult for me to trust him with a problem? Why is it so difficult for me to accept his timing? Do I really want God’s best in the long run or do I just want everything fixed in the short term?
What about you? What do you do when one of your children has a problem? Are you praying for wisdom and seeking godly counsel in order to know his direction? Are you looking at God’s word to see how it applies to your specific situation? Are you waiting on the Lord and not running ahead of the Spirit’s leading as you work toward a solution?
Action Step: Identify one particular situation or problem with one of your children for which you need the direction and pacing of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to show you his will and his timing as you walk through the situation. Ask him to help you trust him in the circumstance and to help you not take matters into your own hands. Thank him in advance for his answer. Write out your prayer below.
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Place Visited |
Acts Verses |
Outcome of the visit |
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Syria & Cilicia |
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Derbe & Lystra |
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Region of Phrygia & Galatia |
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Region of Mysia |
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Troas |
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Philippi |
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Thessalonica |
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Berea |
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Athens |
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Corinth |
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Cenchrea |
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Ephesus |
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Caesarea & Jerusalem |
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Antioch |
“With this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
“With this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
We all know that marathon runners must consistently train over months, periodically running longer and longer distances to get fit for the race. They do so because the goal is before them—to complete the marathon. Those who lose sight of the goal can easily grow tired of the daily grind of running and fail to keep training consistently. When that happens, they are unlikely to finish the race.
Paul kept his eyes on the goal before him despite great hardships. We have much to learn from his focus.
We have followed Paul through one missionary journey and most of a second. This week we will move out of Acts, which simply tells the stories of his travels, into some of Paul’s letters. Last week we watched Paul experience persecution in place after place. How was he able to keep going? To answer that, we will look for insight from his letters into his goal. Next week we’ll pick up the second journey again.
The first letter that Paul ever wrote was likely 1 Thessalonians. We read last week of his visit to Thessalonica on the second journey (Acts 17:1-9). You may want to review what happened on your chart on the previous page of this workbook. Because Paul was forced out of the city so quickly, he decided to follow up with a letter.
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8 and note the context surrounding these verses.
Extra Training: If time permits, read the entire book of 1 Thessalonians after reviewing where Paul was in his own race and the trials he was facing. Consider what you learn from him about being faithful to the race set before you.
1. What was Paul’s concern? In other words, why did he write this letter and send Timothy to Thessalonica? What news did he receive back?
2. What reassurance about his own race did Paul give the readers of his letter (1 Thess. 3:3-4)?
Read 1 Thess. 2:1-4.
3. How did Paul describe the goal set before him in these verses?
4. Sharing question: Honestly evaluate how important it is to you on a scale of 1-10 to please God in all that you do. Consider how much you even think about that as you go through your day, making choices about what you think and how you respond, and act. What one thing can you do this week to keep that goal before you at all times?
5. Responding to God: Draw a picture of you! Yes! Illustrate the choice to please God or to please yourself or others. Picture yourself making the right choice.
Although 1 Corinthians was written later in Paul’s journeys, it includes some great insights into his focus. Early in the letter Paul revealed that the church in Corinth was fractured. Various church members had chosen their favorite teachers to follow, and schisms were developing. Read 1 Cor. 3:5-15.
Extra Training: Read 1 Cor. 1:1-3:4 which describes the problems in the church in Corinth. In what ways could these quarrels have affected the Corinthians and their own races?
6. In 1 Cor. 3:5-9 Paul depicted the people of this church as a field being farmed. How did he illustrate his own work in that field (1 Cor. 3:5-6)? What results did he expect from his work (1 Cor. 3:7-8)?
7. Paul then changed the picture of believers, no longer portraying them as a field but as a building (1 Cor. 3:9). What was Paul’s work on the building? Why might he describe it this way? What work were others doing on the building?
8. What kind of work brought reward to the worker? Contrast the two types of work and what they may represent.
9. Although this picture of the building specifically applies to teachers and leaders within the church, we can extend the principles to all of us and our Christian races. What do you learn for your own work in your own God-given race? How will you feel that day when your work has been revealed if you receive a reward from Jesus?
10. Sharing question: Consider what you are building for the kingdom of God. Think about the ministry God has given you. Consider the spheres of influence into which he has placed you. Are you working out of your own power, building with things that man can grow and produce (like wood, hay, and straw), or are you working out of God’s power and strength producing what only God can produce (like gold, silver, and gemstones)? Describe one thing you can do in your life and/or your ministry in order to insure that you are building with the things that last. Make it your prayer request for your group this week.
11. Responding to God: Write a prayer or poem describing your desire to build something of eternal value.
Read 1 Cor. 4:1-5.
12. How does this passage relate to Paul’s goal and/or his focus on it?
13. How does 1 Cor. 9:16-17 connect to this passage?
14. Summarize Jesus’ parables in Luke 12:35-48. What is the primary lesson?
Extra Training: Use your resources to learn more about stewards or to read what commentators say about the parables you just read.
15. Responding to God: Spend some time listening to God in light of today’s verses. Write a prayer below that expresses your desire to hear from him. Ask him for insights and then answer the next question.
16. Sharing question: What did God say to you from these parables and the verses in 1 Corinthians about the importance of focusing on the goal in your race?
As we continue considering Paul’s focus, we’ll move forward in his life to a letter written some years after the first two missionary journeys, Philippians. We read last week about Paul’s visit to the city of Philippi during his second journey. You can review what happened there if you desire.
Read Phil. 3:12-14. (How are you coming with memorizing Phil. 3:14?)
17. For what was Paul laboring or striving (Phil. 3:12, 14)? In other words, what was his focus?
Extra Training: Research the Greek games of that era and the prizes awarded to the winners and how it relates to Paul’s goals.
18. In order to focus, Paul said that he had to forget other things. What were they? Go back to Phil. 3:5-6 and list some of those things specific to Paul. Consider our previous lessons. Can you think of other things he had to put behind him in order to move forward?
19. Sharing question: What in your past trips you up and makes it difficult to focus on the goal ahead? They could be good things, like those Paul listed in Phil. 3:5-6; they could be sins and mistakes that you have made; or they could be losses that you grieve.
20. Phil. 3:5-6 are great verses to help you put the past behind you. What truths in the following verses help do the same thing? If you struggle with the past, it may be helpful to memorize one or more of them.
a. Heb. 10:17
b. Rom. 8:28-29
c. Rev. 5:9-10
d. Phil. 3:7-8
21. Sharing question: Which of the verses in the previous question most helps you focus on the goal rather than the past? Why?
22. Responding to God: Use the verse that you chose as the basis of a prayer for yourself and your focus. Write it below.
Paul was a focused, single-minded believer. In our two lessons in Acts, we watched him keep keeping on no matter the cost. In his letters he expressed this focus in many ways. Today we’ll read one last passage where he describes the hardships and difficulties that he experienced in order to finish the race set before him by God.
Read 2 Cor. 4:7-18.
23. Sharing question: Which description of the contrasts between Paul’s difficulties and attitudes (2 Cor. 4:8-9) do you find most encouraging? Why?
24. To what does Paul attribute his ability to make it through all of these problems (2 Cor. 4:14-16)?
25. How does Paul describe his focus as he bears the pain of persecution and attack (2 Cor. 4:17-18)?
Extra Training: If you have any Greek tools that you can use, investigate the meanings of the adjectives in 2 Cor. 4:17 where Paul contrasts his suffering with the glory to come.
26. Sharing question: What is your part in making sure your inner person is renewed day by day, as Paul says in 2 Cor. 4:16? What do you do to allow God’s renewal to take place, especially when you grow weary of the race?
27. Responding to God: Draw a picture of the future when you are in the presence of Jesus. Draw him giving you a reward or prize for faithfully completing the race that he has given you to run.
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21 (NIV)
How exciting to share this adventure with you at this time! For it was during the last weeks of December, 2000, that Father God spoke very clearly to my husband and me, that we were to leave a very successful, thriving sports ministry after thirty years of involvement as staff and volunteers. We have often referred to it as our “Abrahamic calling”, as we were told to leave what we knew—as Abraham was told to leave Ur and go to a land he would be shown. That is exactly what Father said to our hearts. We had no idea what or where our future would take us. But He did tell us to be in the posture of Mary at the feet of Jesus rather than Martha. He then did an incredible work by giving us both the same Scripture passage of assurance: “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me… Then the LORD replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time… Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’” Habakkuk 2:1-3 (NIV) I don’t know about you, but that is not usually one of those passages that just pops up for devotionals. In fact, we were visiting some friends and one of them just mentioned the passage in some casual conversation. When we got home, we immediately looked it up and there was our instruction: Watch/Wait/Write.
As is the case with many in the Word of God, time is for our growth. Being a “type A” personality, my hubby had to grow in sitting at the feet of Jesus rather than making something happen. He felt six weeks would probably be the max of such a posture. When it became six months, then twelve, well, I’ll leave the atmosphere to your imagination. Plenty of questions and searching went on. Multiple times we went back to the Habakkuk passage for assurance. But just as in the cases of Abraham, Moses, Joseph, we knew that the Lord had given us His direction.
About three months prior to our resignation, the Lord led me to a book by Stormie Omartian, Just Enough Light for the Step I Am On. I cannot tell you any of the content, but that title was seared into my/our heart/mind. The Holy Spirit has used that phrase through much of this adventure. Unfortunately, we want a huge floodlight and He tells us He is our flashlight. Just keep the focus on His steps and follow along.
It has now been eight years of getting to know Him more closely and intimately. The vision came for us to establish a new ministry that would come alongside pastors and churches to help them build houses of prayer. He gave us the blueprint and we wrote it down. We have watched Him provide people, finances, open doors, and even let my hubby be a contributing writer for a book designed to use for a bible college and seminary course curriculum. We have spoken around the nation and made multiple new friends. And this past summer, He even had us invited back to that former sports ministry we had previously served in to teach coaches and their spouses how to pray together.
Staying in the Word, relying on prayers of many old and new brothers and sisters in Christ, and reading multiple books kept us focused on the call. We are still in that posture of Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet. That is the only way to “keep on keeping on”. I don’t think it is supposed to change. Remember, Jesus is waiting, too. He is waiting to come back. Until then, He is still busy about Father’s business—prayer—as are we.
Every mom who has gone to a ball game to watch children has heard the familiar saying, “Keep your eye on the ball.” From the first game I attended, I noticed that this is the phrase repeated again and again. Even with this admonition, the kindergartener in the outfield at a t-ball game will usually watch a passing butterfly with great interest rather than focus on the game in which he is playing. Even professional athletes lose focus at times. Last night, I heard a television announcer criticize a professional football player in a playoff game for dropping a perfect pass because he took his eye off the ball.
In a similar way, it is easy for me as a mom to lose my focus on eternal things just as the ball player takes his eye off the ball. When life is filled with taking care of children and their needs, we get caught up in the immediate need or on the next item on our “to do” list and forget our primary focus. Do I see myself as “just a mom” taking care of the daily needs of my children or do I see that I am called to raise up a godly offspring to know the Lord. In both cases, I am going to love my children and meet their needs. However, I can choose to have as my primary mindset the spiritual training of my children and a focus on eternal values rather than merely moving from one meal or one crisis to the next without giving any thought to spiritual things.
We receive so much input each day from the world’s viewpoint that we have to renew our minds continually in order to keep our focus on the eternal. Paul gives us this exhortation in Romans 12:2.
“Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.”
Action Step: Are you renewing your mind each day? Are you keeping your focus on eternal values or have the world’s values captivated your heart? Ask the Lord to renew your mind each day as you read his word. Write out your prayer below.
How many of you wear glasses, either for reading or distance? How many of you did wear glasses but fixed the problem with surgery? Since I was 12 years old, I have worn glasses to see objects in the distance. Everything more than a foot away is out of focus, and the further away it gets, the fuzzier it becomes!
That’s why I wear contacts for distance—so I can see all of you just fine. But when I have them in, they prevent me from focusing my eyes on what is right in front of me. Then, I have to use glasses in order to read. So every day I have to make a choice about what to focus on in order to get anything done. If I am out and about, I wear my contacts, but if I am reading, I don’t because they keep me from being able to see the words. My goal determines my focus. The same thing is true physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Without focus, we will not achieve the goals before us; without focus, we will not gain the reward in the race.
We’re all aware that highly successful people focus on what is important. They learn to mentally fix their sights on what is ahead. We see it in business, politics, and in the athletic world.
One of today’s most-focused athletes is swimmer Michael Phelps. Although he has recently been in the news in a more unfavorable light, smoking pot, he is truly a great athlete, having won seven Olympic gold medals in Athens in 2004 and a record-setting eight gold medals last year in Beijing.
In order to achieve his goals, Phelps has been training for years, learning the techniques of swimming and building up his body. He began competing when he was only seven-years-old. To concentrate on one thing for that many years and to train an additional four years after having already won seven golds indicate great focus and determination.
Watch this video where Phelps describes his focus. (clip)
Basically, Michael Phelps keeps his eyes on his objectives. He thinks of nothing else as he approaches the race; he is single-mindedly focused on his goals.
The apostle Paul modeled that same kind of focus. He was motivated to continue his race by keeping his eyes on the goal before him; thus, he kept on keeping on despite hardship, persecution, and opposition.
What was the goal that motivated him to continue running when the race grew hard? By extension, what goal will keep us going in our races?
Let’s look at Phil.3 to answer. I know that you read this passage along with some others in your homework, but now we’ll look at it in more detail.
Begin in v. 10:
My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul said in vv. 10-11 that his aim or his goal was to know him, meaning Jesus. Your translation may not use the word “aim”; however, the Greek construction apparently indicates purpose so the translators put the word aim here to clarify Paul’s meaning. It was his purpose, his aim to know Jesus.
The Greek word for “to know” is ginosko, which is also used as a Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse. It involves the idea of intimacy. The term wasn’t used to avoid the word sex but to suggest more than simply physical union, to indicate an intimate knowledge of someone else. The word suggests the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them personally.
Our goal should be the same as Paul’s—to intimately and experientially know Jesus.
In Jesus’ prayer the night before his crucifixion, he said this in John 17:
“Now this is eternal life– that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.”
So often we think eternal life means life after death. That’s wrong! Eternal life begins as soon as we trust Jesus because it’s all about knowing him. Eternal life is about life on earth as well as life in heaven, life that is all about knowing Jesus more and more.
Are you motivated by the thought of increasingly knowing Jesus? What difference would it make in how you accepted what is happening in your life right now if you saw it as an opportunity to know him more personally? Paul described in detail what is involved in growing intimacy with Jesus; it involves experiencing the power of Jesus’ resurrection, the fellowship of his sufferings, and becoming like him in his death.
So first, intimately knowing Jesus involves experiencing his resurrection power. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us as believers, and through it, we experience the presence of Jesus. But how do we know that power? It happens as we serve with the gifts that he has given us; it happens as he carries us through hard times; it happens as God works to answer our prayers and as we lean on his strength and his grace.
It was only as an adult that I really began to know in a personal way the power of God. He was there as I walked through my father’s illness and death; he was there when I taught the Bible; he was there when I showed love for my husband that I didn’t always feel. Every time I relied on him rather than myself, I experienced his power came to know him more.
According to Paul, knowing Jesus not only involves experiencing the power of his resurrection, it also involves knowing the fellowship of his sufferings. Jesus dealt with suffering both as he walked through life and as he accepted the abuse and sin involved in his passion. But Jesus viewed his suffering as purposeful; he did it so that we might be reconciled to God.
How do we share in Jesus’ sufferings? He has paid the full cost of our sins; our sins are gone forever. So what does it mean to partner with him in his sufferings? In Philippians, Paul connects sharing Jesus’ sufferings with becoming conformed to his death. We share in his sufferings as we die to ourselves and live for him, as we give up what we want and serve others for a greater purpose, just as he did in his suffering and death.
We see this in 1 Peter 2:20-25:
For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
When we die to self and give ourselves to others for the sake of Jesus, we may suffer; it’s hard! But when we respond as Jesus did, we come to know him. When we don’t retaliate but love our enemies, when we don’t speak in anger to someone who is angry with us; when we don’t do what we would enjoy to give time to those who need our encouragement and help; when we give up our own aspirations to focus on the needs of our families—these are the ways that we begin to know Jesus more intimately and personally because we experience his suffering and his death tangibly.
As we have followed Paul’s life so far, we have seen him experience the sufferings and death of Jesus. Over and over and over he was persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned for the sake of Christ. Yet, he never stopped but joyfully stayed faithful to his race.
A member of my extended family is going through a divorce. She and her husband agreed not to talk about each other. But will she do that if he slanders her to mutual friends, his parents, or their children? I am praying that she will be like Jesus in the situation, even if she suffers for it. I am praying that she will refrain from retaliation and bitterness and be forgiving and gracious. That would be a tough thing: to forgive if there’s no repentance, and to refrain from retaliation if there is slander. However, in doing so, she would share in Jesus’ suffering and death by living out of his resurrection power, and thereby come to know Jesus more.
Although we talked about the fact that each of us has a unique calling and gifting and therefore a unique ministry, the race is equally or even more about our character and our influence. If we were to see everything in our lives as essential to developing the character of Jesus in us so that we come to experiential knowledge of him, it might transform our attitudes toward those things.
It’s Romans 8:28-29:
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
We can accept whatever comes because we believe that God will use it to make us more like Jesus and we will come to know him more and more intimately. Instead of being bitter about the way someone has treated us or angry about the circumstances into which God has placed us, our acceptance means that we will determine to learn from it and act as Jesus would.
Last week for our share questions, many of you talked about where you are in the race—full speed ahead, sidelined with injury, in training, and so on; they were great questions for sharing. But today I want you to think of the fact that whatever life situation that you felt was stopping you or sidelining you may actually part of your race. God can use it to bring you to know Jesus more and, therefore, become like him in his death.
However, if you are sidelined for your own lack of faith, your reluctance to follow Jesus, your sins, or your lack of effort, know that these are not put in your race by God. You have to determine to put those aside and get back in the race. But if you feel sidelined by circumstances that have come into your life, know that you aren’t really sidelined; this is part of your race. If you are home with children, that is not keeping you from your race, it is an essential part of your race. Or maybe you feel sidelined by an illness or a hard relationship. Whatever it is, think—how is God using that part of your race to make you more like Jesus? What people have come into your life as a result of your situation? How are you to influence them?
Every life situation is part of knowing Jesus more and more. When you work for a boss who is overbearing and unjust, you share in the sufferings of Christ if you respond in love, praying for her. When you have to care for a sick child or parent, you experience dying to self. When your husband or co-worker needs your help with something and your do so willingly despite your own busyness, you experience the death of Jesus. When you face a devastating illness, you have the opportunity to experience Christ’s resurrection power each day as you walk through it with him.
Look back at Phil. 3:12. Paul says that he aimed to somehow attain to the resurrection of the dead. If we were to read everything Paul said about the resurrection of the believer, we would see clearly that he isn’t saying that it’s an iffy thing as to whether his body is resurrected for eternity. So what does he mean? The best explanation that I read is that in knowing Jesus and experiencing his death, Paul hoped to live out on earth a glimpse of the resurrection life that Jesus brings. He hoped that others would see Jesus living in him. If we aim to know Jesus in the midst of every situation we face, we’ll live out his resurrection life and achieve the goal of knowing him.
Our goal is knowing Jesus. What is our responsibility to see that happen?
Let’s reread Phil. 3:12-14:
Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul knew that he hadn’t achieved perfection yet and would not while on earth, and neither will we. But we don’t quit trying simply because it’s not possible to be totally like Jesus in this life. Paul says we are responsible to put forth intense effort.
We see this repeated: in v. 12—Paul strives; in v. 13 he reaches out; and in v. 14 he again strives. All of these phrases suggest using our best efforts. Success in the race involves hard work. It’s not “Let go and let God.” We are to actively work to move forward with Jesus, to come to know him and to become like him.
There are many things involved in striving, reaching out, or exerting intense effort to come to know and be like Jesus. But one thing you can do and have committed to do is your weekly lesson for this Bible study. It is impossible to know someone without an investment of time. And being in God’s word is essential to spend time with him; it’s through his word that he talks to you!
Paul was actively and intensely striving toward his goal, and we must do the same if we are to run the race well. We also learn from Paul’s mindset. He said that he forgot the past and reached ahead.
Now, it’s not about totally forgetting everything in the past. We learn from the past and we are to remember God’s work in our lives. Those things help us move forward. But we must never let the past stop us in the race. There is no retirement in the race that allows you to quit serving God and to stop focusing on knowing Jesus. Paul says we must continue reaching ahead!
At the top of this chapter in Philippians Paul said that he let go of his past, which included both good and bad, in order to know Jesus. What are you holding onto? Past achievements or past sins? Or both? If you are focused anywhere but on the goal ahead, you will not exert the effort needed to achieve it.
For several years I was connected to a large Bible teaching ministry. I not only taught my own groups of women, I also traveled the country teaching workshops on how to study the Bible and how to lead small groups. But some difficult circumstances came into my life involving some other people loosely connected to that ministry. As a result, I had to determine whether God wanted me to keep going on that course or whether this situation was meant to redirect my race. The passage that he used to guide me was this one—“forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out to the things that are ahead.” I couldn’t shake the verses! I couldn’t move forward if I focused on past ministry and the hurts that had come into my life; I had to turn my thoughts to the future. That was when I went to seminary to prepare for whatever that was—and of course, that eventually brought me here.
Paul laid out his goal—knowing Jesus; he emphasized his responsibility to exert intense effort to move forward; he described his mindset as single-minded; and finally he mentioned the reward. Look again at Phil. 3:
Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Apparently in the games of those days, the victor was called upward to be presented with the prize, which was often a laurel wreath or garland. At the Athens Olympics in 2004 they recreated that tradition, as you can see in this picture of Michael Phelps with a laurel wreath on his head.
The day will come when you will be called upward to Jesus where he will reward you for faithfully completing your race. Our translations of the Bible use the word crown, but it’s that wreath. What a great day on the winner’s platform that will be if we have been faithful to the race that he has given us and are recognized by Jesus as victors. The greatest part will be Jesus’ pleasure in what we have done. If we will keep our eyes on the goal of knowing him, forgetting the past and intensely moving ahead to the reward, we will hear him say “Well done, my good and faithful servant. . . . Enter into the joy of your Master” (Mt. 25:21).
“Then Paul replied, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
“Then Paul replied, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
I think I could do sprints much more easily than a long race, such as a marathon, because I would just get tired of the cost. Eventually, I would quit. Enough is enough! Often runners in the Christian life do the same thing. We go and go and go, and then one day we just quit, believing that we can no longer do it. Surely God doesn’t expect his people to deal with such hardships in serving him! Paul’s example, as we just read in this week’s verse, gives us a different perspective.
This week we move into Paul’s third journey. At the point of his departure from Antioch in about 52 A.D., he had already written several letters and sent them off to the various churches where he had ministered on the first two journeys. Dates are not definite, of course, but many scholars believe that both of the Thessalonian epistles and both letters to Corinth were written during the second journey.
Read Acts 18:22-23, the end of the second journey and the beginning of the third.
1. What was Paul’s purpose in re-visiting these churches?
The Greek definition of the root word for strengthening in Acts 18:23 means “(1) to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix; (2) to strengthen, make firm; (3) to render constant, confirm, one's mind.”5
2. Sharing question: Are you facing a situation that makes it difficult to be firmly set in your faith? Share it with your group. Consider writing a prayer request asking God to bring people into your life to strengthen your faith.
3. Responding to God: Ask God to bring to mind the name of another believer whose faith needs strengthening because of life situations. Write her a note encouraging her and reminding her of God’s love. Don’t try to fix the problem but show the love and concern of Christ. If possible, you may want to call her rather than write a note. Share with your group what you did and any outcome of which you are aware.
Extra Training: Read Acts 18:24-19:7. Read some commentaries on these verses.
Read Acts 19:8-20, which describes events when Paul was in Ephesus.
4. Summarize the highlights of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and the results that God brought from it.
5. This period in Paul’s life was fairly peaceful compared to some of the other things that he had experienced. If you had been in his place, how would you have felt about it and how might you have responded to it?
6. Responding to God: Pray that you would always be open to follow God’s will, even when you have to leave behind what is peaceful or comfortable.
Read Acts 19:21-20:1. The NET Bible calls what happened “a great disturbance”; the Message says it was a “huge ruckus”; and The Living Bible describes it is as “serious trouble”.
7. This is great headline material! Write the story as if you were the local news anchor, telling it in a way that would make people want to tune in.
8. In what ways was the message of Jesus a threat to the Ephesians?
Extra Training: Study about the city of Ephesus and the goddess Artemis.
9. Sharing question: How do you see the message of Jesus threaten people in our culture today? Consider what they stand to lose if the gospel is true, perhaps personally or even monetarily!
10. Sharing question: Is there anything in your own life that you would lose if you truly followed Jesus with all of your heart? Is there any part of his message that you tend to ignore rather than obey because you are unwilling to give up something? What is it? Ask for prayer from your group this week that you would desire to please God more than having this in your life.
11. Responding to God: Ask God to show you if there is anything you need to add to your answer in the previous question. Write down a prayer of confession for placing an idol in your heart before Jesus. (An idol is anything that you have made your own god, for example: money, entertainment, beauty, leisure, friends, popularity, happiness, security, etc.)
Read Acts 20:1-12, which records Paul’s return to Macedonia and Greece where he had spent so much time on his second journey.
12. How does the information in Acts 20:3 seem like the same old thing happening again to Paul? How would you be feeling if you were in Paul’s place?
13. Our verses this week have related some miraculous stories. What miracles occurred in these passages?
b. Acts 20:8-12
14. Compare the miracles done by Paul in Acts 19:11-12 with those done by Peter in Acts 5:12-16.
15. How do the following verses relate to the miracles of this time period?
a. 2 Cor. 12:12
Extra Training: There is much debate about healing today. See what commentary you can find on the various perspectives.
God may answer the prayers of his people to heal today. His name is still Yahweh Rapha, the God who heals. We are to pray for those who are sick, boldly asking God to heal, but we must also accept that healing is not always God’s plan. Death is part of God’s plan for eternity, to bring us to a place where there is no more death. When we cannot discern God’s will in the situation, we have the assurance that the Spirit prays according to God’s will on our behalf (Rom. 8:26-27).
16. Sharing question: Share with the group a story of God’s healing in response to prayer. It may be your own story or the story of someone whom you know well.
17. Responding to God: Is there a person for whom you could pray for healing? Ask God what his will is in the situation so you can pray accordingly. He may place on your heart to pray for the person in a different way than simply for healing. You may want to look at examples of kingdom prayers at the end of Week Nine lesson for ideas of scriptural prayers to pray for him or her. Write your prayer below.
Extra Training: Use a Bible atlas or map to follow the progress of Paul’s journey from Troas to Miletus in Acts 20:13-17.
Read Acts 20:18-38, which records Paul’s message to the elders of Ephesus.
18. List the ways that you see Paul model ministry in his farewell address to the elders.
19. Sharing question: What one lesson about your own ministry, whether it’s serving behind the scenes or leading up front, do you see in the way Paul describes his ministry here? How can you apply it this week?
20. How do you see Paul’s attitude of refusing to quit the race in his comments to the Ephesians? How does his relationship with them make it particularly difficult?
21. Responding to God: Write a poem or prayer proclaiming your determination to refuse to quit no matter what. Recognize that only God can give you the grace to follow through.
Read Acts 21:1-17, which takes Paul from Miletus, where he met with the Ephesian elders, to Jerusalem, his intended destination.
22. What warnings did Paul get along the way that could have kept him from continuing on to Jerusalem?
23. How did Paul’s response to these warnings reveal that his desires for his life were to do what Jesus wanted him to do? (Be sure and memorize this week’s verse, Acts 21:13!)
24. Sharing question: What would keep you from responding as Paul did to knowing that God’s will involved something very difficult?
Extra Training: Read at least one commentator’s thoughts about these warnings and Paul’s response.
25. What emotions may Paul have felt at this point? Why?
I understand that marathoners reach a point in the race when they really want to quit; they are too remote from the finish to believe it’s attainable, and they are so far into the race that they are about to drop from exhaustion. At that point another runner coming alongside and encouraging her not to quit but to focus on the goal can make all the difference.
26. Sharing question: Have you ever felt that you could just not go on another day? Have you been so discouraged that you wondered if it was worth following God at all? Have you considered how much easier life would be if you could wander off as you pleased rather than staying on God’s course? If so, share your story with your group. What or who did God use to encourage you to keep following his path?
27. Responding to God: If you know a believer who is discouraged, in pain, or perhaps angry at God, ask God to show you how to be an encourager to her today. Write a prayer for her, and find a verse to pray over her situation. Send her a note of care and love.
We have a great story this week from a woman who has dealt with great difficulty and loss. The temptation was to quit, but she was encouraged by others and God’s Spirit; thus, she determined to keep on going in faith.
This year has been one of overwhelming challenges for me. My husband lost his job right after the first of the year in a situation that involved a painful betrayal. I was in a high-risk pregnancy due with our fourth child the next month. This dear blessing was born via a C-section that was unplanned. She stayed in the NICU for a week afterward. My recovery involved unexplained nerve pain for the next six months. And we continued to feel called to home school our children. The Lord did not provide a job right away for my husband. In fact, while I am writing this, He still has not provided it. Most days, I am just waiting to exhale.
Yet, the Lord is faithful each moment of each day. Some days, He speaks a quiet word to my heart: “I only need a mustard seed.” Other days His Word jumps off the page and feeds my soul. He has sent women into my life that I wasn’t good friends with prior, but I consider them dear sisters now. They have considered it a labor of love to pray me through these things. They listened and obeyed when God placed me on their heart. I am deeply grateful for them. My husband and I came upon an internet devotional ministry. The timeliness of these and the scriptures in them are another fuel for my spirit to keep going.
I have learned that God does not leave us alone when the trials come. He may seem silent because He is not answering the specific questions that I have. He is not silent. If we ask Him for encouragement, He sends it in the way we need it. I have learned that the Lord reveals things in trials that I would not have heard from Him had I not gone through them. I have learned that pain is good sometimes, and I can either harden or soften my heart toward hearing from the Lord in this pain. Because I know He resurrects that which He allows to die, I choose to pray from a soft heart: “Teach me what I cannot see” (Job 34:32), and I expectantly wait on Him.
Have you ever thought about what factors make it more likely for you to be discouraged or to want to quit? My mother called me one day with advice she had heard on Christian radio that was directed to moms. She told me what she had heard and then she printed the very practical and common sense advice so I would have a copy. It went something like this…“Eat right and get plenty of rest. Exercise. Stay on your knees.” I know that this is not only good advice, but also that it is advice that is very difficult to follow – particularly the part about getting plenty of rest. (What mom, especially a mom of young children, ever got enough rest). Following these principles would greatly reduce our stress level and would help us guard against discouragement.
Just as we can feel discouraged because of our failure to follow common sense suggestions about eating, sleeping, and exercising, we can also face negative consequences, stress, and hardship when we are doing everything we can to do what is right. Paul faced much hardship and opposition for doing what was right and for proclaiming the truth about Christ. In spite of the negative reaction he received, Paul never quit but doggedly pursued his calling to preach the gospel.
I am called to persevere in doing what is right. I need to persevere on the days when I feel well and on the days when I am exhausted and want to quit. Paul was not surprised by opposition and hardship and neither should I be surprised.
Action Step: Are you careful to eat nutritious meals, get enough rest, and exercise regularly? Are you “staying on your knees” in prayer, especially when life is challenging? Are you willing to persevere in spite of opposition and hardship when you are doing exactly what God has called you to do?
If you struggle in any of these areas, confess that to the Lord and commit yourself to doing your part to resist discouragement and to persevere in doing what is right.
5 Strong’s #4741.
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.”
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.”
My daughter ran in the Chicago marathon in October 2007. The weather that day was extremely hot, over 90°--too hot to run so far! Because the organizers were caught off guard, many water stations ran out of water, leaving runners in danger of dehydration. My daughter was participating with her boyfriend, who is now her husband. At one point he got overheated and had to rest for a time; she stayed with him for a while to make sure that he was okay before she headed out alone.
The race of the Christian life must be run in community; we are there to encourage and care for the other runners around us. That is part of our race! Paul used his letters and his visits as primary tools of support for other believers. As we read from his letters, think about your responsibility for your own community of faith.
At the end of last week’s study we left Paul in Jerusalem on his third missionary journey. We are going to take a break in the chronology of his travels this week to study from his letters. Most of those we’ll consider were written before he arrived in Jerusalem.
Today we will look at the way Paul encouraged believers by correcting them in the truth.
Read Galatians 1:6-10.
1. What seems to be the problem with the people in the church in Galatia?
Read Gal. 4:19; 5:1-7.
2. What insights do you have into Paul’s concern for these believers being deceived?
Extra Training: Read the entire book of Galatians considering Paul’s concern for the truth and its impact in their church.
Read Gal. 3:1-14.
3. Write down any insights that you have into Paul correcting these believers by presenting the truth that we come to God through faith and not through our works. What methods did he use? What did he stress? (Review Gal. 4:19-20 and Gal. 5:10-11 as you consider his methods.)
4. Look at the following verses, considering why truth is important. Why should we be concerned for those who believe something not true? Write down your insights.
c. John 8:31-32
5. Sharing question: In what situations would you help another believer understand truth instead of what she believes? If you have presented truth as part of your care and concern for someone, share the story. It may have been a simple reminder of truth for someone struggling to believe.
6. Responding to God: Write out your prayer below, asking God to give you the courage to support and encourage others when wrong thinking about God, etc. is affecting their walk and lives.
Yesterday we saw that Paul was concerned for truth and was willing to correct those who believed wrongly. It was one means of caring for other runners. Today we will look at another way that Paul supported other runners.
Read Romans 14:13-15:6.
7. How did Paul encourage the Romans to support and care for others?
8. How does this parallel what Paul wrote in Phil. 2:3-11?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.
9. Compare what Paul says here to what he said in Rom. 14.
Extra Training: Read 1 Cor. 9:1-11:1 as a whole so that you get the entire context. Note how Paul modeled this attitude.
10. Sharing question: Think of some of the rights we enjoy in our country. What right could you give up in order to better show your love for others? Is there anything you can sacrifice in order to reach another person for Jesus? What about things that you may not call rights, but things that you enjoy—your own time, your possessions, your privileges? Explain your answer.
11. Responding to God: If you were clueless as to an answer to the previous question, pray for God to show you something specific in your life. If you did, pray for the grace to give up that right. Write down your thoughts.
I think we all enjoy saying positive words to others! It gets a bit more difficult when we have to rebuke someone if we are to truly care for them. Somehow we want that to be someone else’s job; however, God has given us the care of the community of faith and we are responsible to love them enough to tell them that they are going in the wrong direction. Let’s look at it in Paul’s letters.
Read 1 Cor. 5:1-13.
12. What sin in this man (1 Cor. 5:1) and what sin in the church itself (1 Cor. 5:2) did Paul admonish? Why was he so concerned about it (1 Cor. 5:6)?
Extra Training: Read Jesus’ principles for rebuking another believer in Matt. 7:1-5; 18:15-20. Feel free to read any commentary on these passages. You may be interested in the Peacemaker Ministries website for help with such situations.6
Read Galatians 2:11-14.
13. Whom did Paul reprove this time? In light of what you read in Galatians on Day One of this week’s study (see #2 and #3), why was he so concerned with these actions, especially by these particular people?
14. Write down your insights into how the following verses apply to rebuke:
a. Gal. 6:1
b. Eph. 4:25
c. Col. 3:16-17
d. 1 Thess. 5:14 (Your weekly verse!)
e. Psalm 141:5 a, b
15. Responding to God: Pray Psalm 141:5 a, b in the previous question (e) for yourself. Write out the verses putting your name in them.
The purpose of rebuking a brother or sister is restoration. In love we rebuke so the person turns around and goes in a positive direction, God’s direction.
Read 2 Cor. 7:6-12. The letter Paul mentions (v.8) is missing; therefore, we are not certain about the specifics of the rebuke.
16. What connection did Paul’s previous letter of reprimand have to their restoration?
17. Read Rom. 2:3-4. In this section of Romans Paul reveals the sin of those who consider themselves “good”, at least much better than others. Consider v. 4. How should we look like God when we attempt to restore others?
18. Sharing question: Has anyone ever reprimanded you in love for your words or actions (someone other than your mom or dad)? How did you receive it? Or perhaps you had to go to someone you loved and rebuke her. What was most difficult about it? How did she receive your words? Tell the story without sharing the specifics, including the identity of the other person.
19. Responding to God: Ask God to move you to love someone enough to go to her and help restore her to fellowship with God. If there is someone right now in your life who needs a word of truth in love, pray for her. Then, act on that prayer. You may want to get the prayer support of other mature believers before you go. Journal about this.
20. Sharing question: Write down what God showed you in the previous question and share it with your group. If you went to this person, share in general what happened. If you have not gone, share your plans and make yourself accountable to the group to follow through.
This week we have considered how Paul supported and loved those in the community of faith. He could have easily gone off to other cities and forgotten those left behind; instead, he continued to check on them himself or through others, and he wrote letters of encouragement as needed. Paul fulfilled his responsibility to the community. Today, we will look at one more way that he encouraged them.
Read Romans 16:3-16.
21. In what ways did Paul support and encourage believers in this passage?
22. Compare Colossians 4:7-15, and write down your insights.
Extra Training: Read 1 Thess. 1:2-10; 2 Thess. 1:3-4; Philemon 1:4-7 and consider how Paul encouraged these believers in a similar way.
23. Sharing question: In what ways have others encouraged and cared for you? What has been most helpful?
24. Write a note of encouragement right now to someone who ministers to you!
25. Responding to God: Spend several minutes silently before God. Ask him to show you someone else who needs your encouragement today. Perhaps there is someone in your small group of women doing this study that needs support or care. Does she need to hear truth, perhaps a reminder that God does truly love her when she doesn’t believe it? Does she need a loving rebuke? Does she need you to give up something for her—time, money, possessions? Does she need you to simply write or call her, letting her know that you remember where she is in her race? Ask God for insight, and then respond accordingly.
26. Sharing question: Share with your group what you did after God spoke to you.
This week we have two wonderful stories, both from missionaries. First is the story of a woman who went through a very difficult period. In the midst of her struggle to trust God, a friend gave her some simple encouragement that spurred her on in her race. Our second story is from a missionary who believed that she was called in community to speak truth to another believer out of love.
Five years ago, while going through menopause, I had the hardest six months of my life. My daughter got engaged, and we began planning a big wedding. Then, my son was diagnosed with a mental illness. Then, my mother was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease with less than six months to live. Then my husband had emergency surgery. Then two young men, whom my husband and I had practically raised, began a heated doctrinal controversy in the church. Then, the church purchased a building, but neighbors brought a lawsuit against us. I was so angry at God, not that He didn’t have the right to bring any one of these experiences into my life, but that He sovereignly chose to do it all within a six month period! I doubted His Word; hadn’t He had given me more than I could bear?
I wish I could say that I prayed and talked things through with Him like I had in other difficult moments, but I didn’t want to pray! However, I did not try to hide the fact that I was spiritually arid. So other people prayed for me. Because of their prayers, the Holy Spirit got through to me and renewed my thought life. My turning point came when, in a prosaic conversation with a friend, I suddenly began to weep for no apparent reason. I felt embarrassed and apologetic, but she said, “With all you have been going through, you need a good cry.” It was God who arranged for me to finally break down with a friend who has the gift of mercy. She said very little, but what she did say were definitely words the Lord had given her. From that point on, I was ready to honestly express my feelings to God. Once our dialogue was re-established, it didn’t take long before I asked Him to forgive me for my lack of faith and bring me to a new level of experience and relationship with Him even if that involved further pain. It became a daily choice I had to make.
The hot flashes and mood swings lasted another two years; the wedding was beautiful, but it was sad to give our girl away; my son still has a mental illness; my mother died; the two young men left the church in protest; the church lost one court case and has another pending; my husband got hernias from moving the church too soon after his operation and had to have further surgery! The only miracle that happened during those six months happened in me.
We first met Mary when we were serving in Bolivia in 1982 (just weeks after our 26 year old son died in an accident). Mary, along with her husband accepted the Lord shortly after we met. After a few years of enjoying wealth and the "good life", however her life, marriage, and health all went to pieces.
As God works, although we were then living in the U.S., we "happened" to be visiting Bolivia at various times of crisis in her life. I was able to talk very openly with Mary because she knew I loved her and wanted God's best for her life. At times this meant calling her attention to things in her life that were not God-honoring. God was my only source of wisdom in knowing what to say and do, and she never resented what I said. We always prayed together.
The years past and she and her husband were divorced. I kept assuring Mary of my love and God's unconditional love for her. She started growing in her Christian faith, had a deep hunger for the Lord and His Word and continued to grow spiritually by leaps and bounds. God allowed our close relationship to continue, at times by email, phone, skype or she would come and visit us. In March she flew us to Costa Rica, where she is living, so that Dave could perform the religious ceremony of her son's wedding (he and his wife are dynamic Christians). What a joy and privilege that was!
Mary came to the place in her life where she knew God was calling her to serve Him; the more she heard about Wycliffe Bible Translators (more from others than from us), she wanted to get involved in getting God's Word to people in their heart language. In a miraculous way, she is now employed by our International Administration to be a full-time consultant/administrator specifically in the "Last Language Initiative" recently launched. She is thrilled and rejoicing in this exciting area of ministry. We are also excited...and so thankful! God is indeed faithful. Let's remember to not give up on anyone but keep trusting HIM, even for the impossible.
Paul’s example of pouring out his heart and life in ministry is a model for all believers but especially for moms. We are called to teach and share the truth with our children. We give up our rights and sometimes things we enjoy in order to fulfill our calling as moms. We learn to speak the truth in love to our children and to others. We also learn to encourage our children and let them know that we are there for them.
I have written out a series of questions for moms based on this lesson. Ask yourself the following as you think about the implications of this lesson.
Are you teaching your children the truth? Are you helping them learn to be discerning and to compare/contrast what they hear with the word of God?
Are you adjusting your schedule and priorities in order to do what God has called you to do as a mom?
Are you speaking the truth in love to your children? Will they learn from you how to be truthful without being antagonistic or argumentative?
Are you encouraging your children and looking for things they are doing well?
What about your husband? Are you adjusting your schedule and priorities to meet his needs? Are you honest with him? Are you encouraging him and thanking him for his provision, his leadership, and his faithfulness to you and to your children?
Action step: Select one of the questions above and write out something you can do to improve in an area of weakness. For example, “I will look for something each day for which I can thank my husband (or children) in order to encourage them.”
How many of you know your neighbors, say 2-3 houses on either side of you? For 22 years we lived on a cul-de-sac of thirteen houses and knew probably ten of the families at any given time. There were times when we helped those nearest us as they had needs, and they helped us. We fed their cat; they fed our dog. Gary mowed their front yard when they were too busy. We watched out for strange people and cars when they were on vacation. I took the wife to the doctor after she had foot surgery and food when she had a baby.
As I thought about community this week, I thought about these people. Here’s a movie clip about a similar street, but the people on this street are a bit uneasy about some new neighbors, whom they haven’t bothered to meet. Pay particular attention as the teenage neighbor describes the situation.
Clip of The Burbs
You may have seen this movie, The Burbs, long ago. I was intrigued by the various neighbors. There’s the teenage kid who is simply entertained by people-watching. He detaches himself from the others but watches everything. You heard him describe Tom Hanks’ character, he says that he doesn’t want to believe there is anything amiss with the new neighbors because that would mean that he would have to deal with the issue. Tom’s buddy loves to believe the worst and delights in casting suspicion on everything the neighbors do; he’s a true gossip. The Bruce Dern character sees himself in some kind of war and is ready to attack if necessary.
Too often our church communities look like The Burbs. Instead of being a community of support and care, facing conflicts and problems head on, we gossip, we pretend that nothing is going on, we delight in creating suspicion or we attack one another. Sometimes, like this teenager, we participate for our own benefit rather than looking for ways to serve others.
That’s not what true community is about. To use our running theme, true community is like this group of runners, called the Road Runners, who bond together to make it through the race. Such teams form to share their expertise, to train together, to cheer each other on when the going gets hard, and to hold one another accountable to stay the course and finish the race. The church should look more like this than The Burbs community!
The Christian race can be tough, ladies. We will be hurt; we will face disappointment; we will veer off course. Without the community of believers encouraging us, loving us, and challenging us, we will likely never make it to the finish line.
That is why we believe in small groups here at Northwest and right here in this Bible study. We get our expertise in running the race from God’s word so that is at the heart of our training. Our multi-generational groups enjoy the presence of experienced runners who can encourage the rest of us on. Although each of us has a unique race, we run together through life as we live out the presence of Jesus in the community of faith; we are to be his hands and feet and voice to those in the race with us; we are the presence of Jesus in one another’s lives.
Look at Jn. 14:15-20. Jesus spoke these words to the disciples on the eve of his death.
If you love me, you will obey my commandments. Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever –the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you. I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you. In a little while the world will not see me any longer, but you will see me; because I live, you will live too. You will know at that time that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you.
Jesus promised the indwelling of his Spirit to his followers. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus in us. If Jesus truly lives within each of us who believes in him, that means that we take Jesus with us wherever we go. When you go to work each morning, Jesus is in your workplace not only because he is present everywhere, but because he is tangibly there in you. When you interact with your child’s friends, Jesus is in you; when you come to your small group each week, Jesus is present in a real way in you. That means that he can live out his life through you into the lives of the other members of your group! And you will find his presence in them. That is what true community is about.
Look at Gal. 2:20:
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We live out Jesus’ life because he lives in us. That means--
Look at John 13:34-35:
I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.
Jesus stressed a new community for those who follow him, a community built on love for one another, measured by his own love for us.
How is it possible to love as Jesus did? It is only possible because Jesus lives within us and does it through us. Thus, we can live out his presence
Look at 2 Tim. 1:7:
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
That Spirit is the Holy Spirit, the presence of Jesus within us. It is the power and love of Jesus that we live out, not our own power or our own love.
So what does it look like to love the church community as Jesus loved us? That kind of love is detailed in the “one another” commands of the New Testament. Let’s look at them. Although I am not going to read the verses because of time, we’ll list the gist of each command.
The first “one another” after the command to love one another is in Rom. 12:10, where we are told to--
The word honor in the Greek means to value something for what it is worth. At what price did Jesus value us? As his children, he priced us at the cost of his own death. So we are to honor those in our church community who drive us crazy, whose worth to the church we may question, who aren’t even living out their faith very well. We value them as Jesus does.
We also live out Jesus’ love in community as we --
Paul uses the word build metaphorically in both Rom. 14:9 and 1 Thess. 5:11. Instead of erecting a building, we are to build up one another spiritually. We saw examples of this in our lesson: Paul built up the believers in the truth so they could live it out; he built them up when he recognized the service they had given, when he encouraged them in their faith, and even when he rebuked them!
Living out Jesus’ love also means that we
In Galatians 5:13 Paul says that although we are free in Christ, that freedom is restricted by loving others enough to serve them by giving up our rights. You studied this in your homework. We serve each other by making sure our actions don’t put a stumbling clock in the lives of others. For example, if I know that you are trying to get out of debt, I don’t try to convince you to go shopping with me to help me pick out something new!
We are also called to--
This literally means to pick up and carry a weight for someone else. We do this when we pray for the other women in our groups, when we give to those who have need, when we weep with those who weep.
Our next command to live out the presence of Jesus in community is to--
Bear with means to endure or to forbear. We studied this concept last fall in Abigail, who had to forbear with a difficult husband. If you remember, forbearance involves the idea of not retaliating, of not returning what the other person deserves. The New American Standard translates Eph. 4:2 as “showing tolerance for one another”. The Bible in Basic English says “putting up with one another.” That’s a hard one!
In living out the presence of Jesus, Ephs. 4:25 tells us to--
In our homework we looked at speaking truth to those whose theology is confused; however, this particular command in Ephesians deals more with being truthful about someone’s life, confronting sin when necessary as we saw Paul do. This is part of what it means to love someone. As mothers, we don’t love our children well if we let them run wild or if we allow them to have everything they want. We are to love other believers in the same way, so much so that we speak truth when necessary so they become mature.
The next “one another” includes several ideas:
Kindness, forgiveness, compassion—being in the midst of a community that exhibits those qualities would look so different from the world. That kind of community would bring Jesus into one another’s lives without question and speak to the world of his love.
In Eph. 5:21, we are called to
Those of you who have studied the marriage passages are probably familiar with this verse. But it doesn’t merely deal with marriage but with all relationships in the community of the church. We are to listen to one another and give up our right to win, so to speak, because we are motivated by reverence for Christ.
I think that moves us right into our next verse, Philippians 2:3:
This command precedes the verses describing Jesus’ humbling himself in death. He gave up all of the rights and privileges of being God in heaven for our sakes. We are to give up our preferences for the sake of others in that same way, to be the presence of Jesus in their lives.
According to Col. 3:16, we are also to--
The Greek word exhort can mean instruction, warning, or admonition. It literally means placing something in someone’s mind. So this is a broad instruction telling us to talk to one another about truth, about God, about what is right and about danger that looms before us if we stray from God’s best for us.
Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to
This is a different word from the word exhort in the previous command. This one means to comfort and strengthen by means of consolation. It can also include admonition but seems to focus more than the previous word on the comfort we give one another.
The next one says in a different way what we have seen already:
Over and over God tells us to be more concerned about everyone else than about ourselves. We are to pursue what is the best thing for other people and for the group instead of only looking after ourselves.
In James 5:16 we have another “one another” command:
If Jesus is present in us, he is present in others when we gather as believers. There is something positive about confessing to each other. It makes us accountable to the community for our repentance. James also says to pray for one another, which is part of sharing one another’s burdens. Ladies, we have to take seriously our responsibility to pray for one another in our groups. I know that when I ask for prayer, I am counting on those who get the request to pray. I know that you feel the same way. But we have to be as concerned to pray for others as we are that they pray for us. Community is not just about what we get out of it, but it’s about what we give to the other members of that group; it is about the tangible presence of Jesus in us loving them.
The next command in living out Jesus’ love is in 1 Pet. 4:9:
The word for hospitality suggests being a friend to a stranger. But in this case it says to do this for one another. As we show hospitality to other believers, we show the love of Jesus to them. We become his hands giving food and clothing and shelter to those who need it.
The final one another is in 1 Peter 4:10 which says to--
In this context we are to serve one another using our spiritual gifts.
The word serve literally means to serve as a slave. Our gifts are not for our own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community of faith. The community needs each of us to shoulder our part of the load so that God’s work is done.
All of this seems overwhelming to me as we go through it. The reality is that it’s not done with a checklist. Instead, we must focus on living out Jesus’ presence within us loving one another as he loved us. If we live daily in touch with his presence and his power in us, we will hear him telling us how to respond to the community of faith as he would. We are his voice, his hands, and his feet to care for each other. Just as a runner must have a community of runners around her, we are dependent to succeed spiritually with a group surrounding us. We are to give to that group and receive from them the love of Jesus.
I remember the first group with which I ever had this kind of community. We had a great group of diverse women: an older widow, an empty-nester, several women with teenagers, women with school-age children, and some of us with little kids. Together we shared God’s word, we encouraged one another, we heard stories from the older women about how God had been faithful to them, we prayed for one another and cried with one another. We treated each other as Jesus would have treated us if he had been physically present. I walked more closely with Jesus because of the influence and accountability of this group of women in my life.
I hope that is what is happening here in your groups. Do you see yourself as Jesus present with these women? Do you see them as Jesus present with you? Do you give of yourself for them? Are you accountable to each other to get your homework done, to share your life with them? Ask Jesus how to love them as he would, how to give to them as he would, and how to receive from them his message to you.
This year our church theme is “Jesus, we want what you want.” As I have dealt with that, he has impressed me that what he wants for me is to look more like him. As I studied these “one another” commands, he confirmed that over and over. That means that I should live out these one anothers.
Let’s take a minute to consider this list of “one anothers.” Sit silently before God and ask him to impress one of them on your heart, one that you should stay mindful of, one to have at the forefront of your mind. Listen to what he says. You may want to look up the verse itself. We’ll spend a couple of minutes in silence and then I will pray for us all.
“And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and the knowledge of the truth.”
“And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and the knowledge of the truth.”
Although I don’t run, I do try to care for the body that God has given me; however, to be honest I don’t do very well at it. I allow anything and everything to distract me and keep me away from the gym! Sometimes it seems that life is opposed to my being in shape and gives me every excuse not to work out. I need encouragement!
Similarly, in the race of life we will encounter every reason to quit running for God. One of the most difficult hardships we may face is the opposition of those we love. Paul also dealt with this issue; his own people, the Jews, consistently resisted him and his message of Jesus. It happened in various cities on his journeys, and this week we see it occur in the very heart of Jerusalem. Although discouragement could have sidetracked him in his race, Paul continued running, loving those who opposed him and taking every opportunity to share God’s message with them.
Let’s return to the chronological story of Paul from Acts. In Acts 21 he completed his third missionary journey when he arrived in Jerusalem about 57 A.D.
Read Acts 21:17-26.
1. What rumor about Paul’s teaching had circulated among the Jews (Acts 21:20-21)? Why was it upsetting to them?
Extra Training: The teaching they attributed to Paul was not the issue that had been decided by the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, but they sound similar. What differences do you see here and in Acts 15:5-11, 20-21?
2. What did the church elders suggest that Paul do to avoid conflict with these Jews (Acts 21:22-24)? How did Paul respond to their request?
There are several suggestions as to the nature of this vow or purification. A likely option for its purpose was “to restore purity after he has traveled in Gentile-areas; for the others, it is an affirmation of their Nazirite vow of at least thirty days.”7
3. Would you agree with the decision for Paul to be purified in light of the situation in Jerusalem? Consider 1 Cor. 9:12, 19-22 and Gal. 1:10, which you read in previous lessons.
4. Sharing question: Who in your life is from a different cultural or religious background than yours? Perhaps it is a co-worker or neighbor. Can you think of any barriers that stand in the way of your reaching her with the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Are there barriers that can be removed so that you don’t shut her off from hearing you? Talk with your small group if you are uncertain; they may have some good ideas for you.
5. Responding to God: Pray for this person and ask God to show you ways of loving her. Write down your prayer and your thoughts below.
Once again there was a near-riot caused by those who disputed Paul. If you have time, read Acts 21:27-40 as your Extra Training for today.
Rather than say “enough is enough”, as I probably would have done, Paul used the situation as an opportunity to continue his race and to care for his people, whom he loved.
Read Acts 22:1-22.
6. What was Paul’s approach to sharing the gospel to this Jewish audience? In what ways do you see him try to get them to listen rather than reacting negatively to him? How does Paul model this week’s memory verse? (Be sure and read it and learn it!)
7. Sharing question: We all move toward God in different ways, just as Paul shared in this passage. Share the story of your journey of faith. Spend some time writing it out and summarizing it so that there is time to hear stories from several women in your group:)
8. How did the crowd react to Paul’s story (Acts 21:22)? What do you think touched them off?
9. Sharing question: If you have ever had a negative reaction to your story of faith, share what happened with your group. Did this opposition make it more difficult for you to share again? How did it make you feel?
10. Responding to God: Thank God for the ways that he drew you to himself. Perhaps he used something dramatic as he did with Paul or perhaps he placed you in a family of believers. Write out a prayer or poem below.
Today we continue the story of the riot in Jerusalem as the Jews demanded that the Romans deal with Paul.
Read Acts 22:22-29.
11. What did the Roman soldiers do when the Jews again created an uproar over Paul?
12. How did Paul use the law to his advantage?
The Roman commander was frightened to hear that Paul was a Roman citizen. Dr. Darrell Bock explains: “The beating in Acts 22 is known as a flagellatio, since whips (flagella) would be used. . . .The flagella were used on noncitizens and slaves.” He also quotes Cicero saying that “to bind a Roman citizen is a crime, to flog him an abomination, to slay him is almost an act of murder.”8
Extra Training: Read more about Roman punishment. You may find more information in your commentaries on the gospels where Jesus was scourged by the Romans.
13. Sharing question: Close your eyes and picture yourself in Paul’s place—your own people trying to kill you, the Romans wanting to beat you, no one seeming to hear your story. How would you have felt at this point? How would you have felt about the Jews? Be honest!
14. Read Rom. 9:1-5. How did Paul feel about his people?
15. Sharing question: Is there anyone in your life who is a thorn in your side, so to speak? Someone who opposes you, argues with you, takes advantage of you, or treats you badly? What feelings do you have toward him or her? How can you respond to her/him in love? Have you considered that your love may open the door of opportunity to share Jesus’ love, if not with this person with those who watch?
16. Responding to God: Ask God for the love you need for others who treat you unfairly and oppose you in any way, maybe at work, maybe in your family. Write a prayer for those who come to mind.
Once again Paul was forced to defend himself against those who opposed him, in this case the Jews.
Read Acts 22:30-23:11.
17. Paul didn’t share his story this time. What was his strategy for dealing with the Jewish leadership?
18. Do you think Paul’s plan worked or not? Why?
19. What happened the next night while Paul was in the soldiers’ barracks (Acts 23:11)? How was it both encouraging and discouraging?
Extra Training: Read in Joshua 1:1-9 when God called Joshua, another great leader, to take courage because of what he was facing. What parallels do you see? How do both passages encourage you?
20. Sharing question: Share about a difficult time in your life when God sent encouragement to you in some form. Perhaps he used a Bible verse, a friend’s words, a song, a sermon, or simply a quiet word in your heart.
21. Responding to God: Think about a tough situation you face today. Draw a picture of yourself being encouraged by God, who is there although unseen.
Yesterday we read in Acts 23 that the Lord appeared to Paul to give him courage to face what was ahead. We studied in Week 6 that Paul encouraged others running the race. Today we’ll look at some of the other ways that God encouraged him. We have read some of them before but others will be new to you as you read.
22. Read all of these verses. (This is your whole day’s work so it’s not as long as it looks!) Jot down your thoughts about the ways that God sent Paul encouragement. Consider the situation at the time and why Paul needed it.
a. Acts 16:6-10
d. Gal. 4:13-14
e. Phil. 2:25
23. Sharing question: Which of the verses in the previous question spoke to you personally? How and why?
Extra Training: Even Jesus needed special encouragement at times of great hardship. Can you think of times in his life when God encouraged him in some way? If you have time, scan through one of the gospels considering this question.
24. Responding to God: Thank God for one way he has encouraged you this week. If a person was involved, write a note thanking her as well. Write down your prayer.
My brother-in-law has always liked me as a person, but not as a Christian. He is married to my husband's only sister. He is Hindu and was not happy at all when my husband accepted Jesus as his savior. My brother-in-law chose to retaliate by ignoring me and just being rude to me whenever I visited their home. His father was very much the same way, always making comments about me being too much of an independent thinker, not allowing my husband to just tell me what to do. He did not agree about things such as my husband helping with household chores because of his cultural background.
I have prayed a lot about these through the years; every time I visited, I would stop about a block before their home and ask Jesus to help me show them His love and not to respond to their comments in a bad way. I have also prayed a lot for the Lord to give me an opportunity to present the gospel to them. On Wednesday before Thanksgiving, my sister's father-in-law became very ill, and we stopped to visit him at the hospital. God gave me the opportunity to present the gospel, and I told him that I loved him. He responded well and just smiled. Later my brother-in-law came into the room, and the three of us prayed together. I was amazed at the opportunity the Lord had planned. They both thanked me for the prayer! I could not believe it! I told the two of them that I love them and that Jesus loves them even more. The father died the following Saturday. I was not able to go to his funeral, but my sister went and told me that "The Prayer on the Mount" was read at the Hindu funeral, as one of his favorite "poems".
The day after Christmas, the Lord allowed my husband to give his testimony to my brother-in-law. He is very interested in reading Mathew and Mark. He was very nice to me.
I believe all of us treat others badly some times, not because we are bad people but because we allow ourselves to be used by the devil to be mean to one another, especially non-believers. But as believers, we should be aware of this and love our enemies so much that they ask themselves, "Why is this person being so nice to me even when I am not nice?" This gives us the opportunity to show the love of God to them.
Have you ever wanted to escape or resign from your responsibilities as a mom? When I was really tired and nothing seemed to be going well, I certainly wanted to escape. The only problem was that I did not have a place to go:)
Paul is a model for us in the way he dealt with hardships and discouragement. Not only did he not try to escape or resign, he persevered. In fact, he went beyond mere perseverance to reach out in love to those who were opposing him. We cannot emulate Paul’s example except through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. Only the Lord can give us the kind of love that reaches out to share the gospel with those who oppose us.
Is there someone in your life who is negative about your relationship with Christ? Is there someone who is treating you unfairly because you are a follower of Christ? Is someone in your family critical of the way you are trying to rear your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? It would be much easier to avoid these people as much as possible, but following the example of Christ and of Paul requires that we pray for them, love them, and continue to try to reach them for Christ.
Action Step: Think of at least one person who is discouraging you or who is opposed to you in your walk with Christ and in your trying to rear godly children. Pray for this person’s salvation and ask the Lord to give you a heart of love and forgiveness toward him or her and an opportunity to share Christ’s love.
7 Darrell L. Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Acts (Grand Rapids, MI; Baker Academics, 2007), 647.
8 Bock, 664.
“Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win. Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.”
“Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win. Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.”
We all know that every competition has a set of rules; any participant who fails to follow them is disqualified. In 1980 Rosie Ruiz was the apparent first-place female runner in the Boston Marathon, completing the race in a record time of 2:31:56. However, race officials disqualified her when it was determined that she had not run the entire race but had instead jumped in from the crowd and sprinted to the finish!
God has placed us here to run a race for him, and we must run carefully or we will disqualify ourselves from the race that we were intended to run. Yes, God is forgiving, and God continues to use us even when we fail badly, but our choices and our actions may result in God’s using someone else in the place we should have served. We will miss the blessing in this life of seeing God produce fruit, and we will miss reward in the next life.
As we see in our memory verse, Paul knew the danger of losing focus and discipline. He was committed to run in a way that pleased God and that commended him to others so that he could earn a reward at the finish.
Before we continue the story of Paul, let’s talk about what the “rules” are for the race. We know that we no longer live under the Law of Moses, as we have seen in a number of scriptures written by Paul. However, God does call his servants to live according to his word. We do not live lawlessly; instead, out of love for Jesus we live holy lives. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). We live according to the rules because we love him and want to please him, not because we are scared of judgment. Let’s look at some of the verses Paul wrote on this subject.
Read 1 Cor. 9:24-27, which includes this week’s memory verse.
1. What was Paul doing in order to run well enough to win the prize? How does Gal. 5:22-23 relate?
2. Sharing question: Consider how discipline or self-control affects other areas of your life. How could failing to be self-controlled result in your failing in other areas, which could then affect your ability to serve God fully? On a scale from 1-10, how much personal self discipline do you exhibit? In light of what you saw in Galatians, what can you do to grow in this quality?
3. Look at the following scriptures, and write down briefly what you learn in each verse about how God expects his people to live, his “rules”:
a. 2 Cor. 7:1
d. Col. 3:12-13
4. Sharing question: In what areas from the preceding verses do you most struggle? How do they affect your race for God?
5. How does John 14:15 relate to the verses in #3?
Extra Training: Read through 1 John 4:7-5:4. What additional understanding or explanation of John 14:15 does this give you?
6. Responding to God: Draw a picture of yourself in training for the race, exercising discipline in the area which you mentioned in the previous question. You could draw a stick figure saying “NO!” to something that draws you away from the life God would have you live.
At the end of last week’s lesson Paul was in Jerusalem, being held in the Roman barracks because of a riot of the Jews who opposed him. Now, on to the next installment of Paul’s story! (Paul’s story reminds me of a television series where each episode ends with a crisis for the star!)
Extra Training: Read about the plot to murder Paul in Jerusalem and his escape in Acts 23:12-22.
Read Acts 23:23-24:27. This is a fairly long passage, but as a story, you should be able to read it fairly quickly.
Fyi: “Felix was Antonius Felix, a freedman of Antonia, mother of the Emperor Claudius. . . [who] became procurator of Palestine in A.D. 52/53. His administration was notorious for its corruption, cynicism, and cruelty.”9
7. Where was Paul sent and why (Acts 23:23, 31-33)? (Antipatris was a city where they stopped for the night, about half-way to their destination.)10
8. What kind of man was Felix, according to this record of him in Acts?
9. Describe Paul’s time of imprisonment under Felix.
10. Sharing question: What do you see in Paul’s character during unfair and difficult situations that most impresses you? Why? Is there anything in the verses from yesterday’s lesson in #3 that applies?
11. Responding to God: Talk to God about how you respond under duress, injustice, and pressure. Ask him to show you where you fail to look like Jesus. Confess and forsake that sin. Ask for grace to let God’s Spirit empower you to show forth his glory at such times. Write your thoughts, prayer, or poem below.
Finally, there was a new procurator, Festus; I wonder if that may have given Paul some hope for an end to his imprisonment!
Read Acts 25:1-12.
12. Why would it have been dangerous for Paul to go to Jerusalem to be tried (Acts 25:2-3)?
13. Summarize the interaction between Paul and Festus.
Extra Training: Read Acts 25:13-26:31, which takes us to the end of Paul’s stay in Caesarea. Consider Paul’s concern for the salvation of all, even unjust rulers.
14. From the following verses, to what conclusions concerning Paul’s case did these various people in power come?
a. The Roman commander in Jerusalem: Acts 23:26-30
b. Festus: Acts 25:17-20
c. King Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus: Acts 26:30-32
Read Acts 26:28-29, which occurred at the end of Paul’s defense before King Agrippa and company.
15. What was Paul’s concern for those who were imprisoning him without any real evidence?
16. Responding to God: Sit before God silently, asking him for insight into your own soul. What is your attitude toward people who have treated you unfairly, unjustly, or even with contempt? Have you prayed for their salvation or harbored unforgiveness and bitterness toward them? Are you concerned for them as Paul was for his jailers? What about others, people whom you don’t like for various reasons? Are you praying for them? How could your attitude prevent you from serving God in this situation? Write down what he shows you.
17. Sharing question: Be honest with your group. Share what God showed you as you listened to him in the previous question. How are you praying now? If you are struggling, write a prayer request for yourself concerning this issue to share with your group this week.
Paul was finally sent to Rome by ship so that Caesar could hear his appeal. This trip likely occurred late autumn through early spring of A.D. 58-59.
Extra Training: Read Acts 27:1-8. Research the ships of that day and follow Paul’s route as you go through the rest of this lesson.
Read Acts 27:8-44.
18. Summarize the story, writing a headline if you wish.
19. Paul gave the ship’s crew some encouragement and advice, based on what God had shown him (Acts 27:10, 22-26, 30-32, 33-36). Describe how their responses to his words change during the course of the trip.
20. What do you learn about Paul’s character from this story? How did he live out what he said he believed? Do any verses from Day One #3 apply?
21. Responding to God: Ask God to show you someone who isn’t a Christ-follower who needs encouraging. Ask him to show you some verses that you could use to encourage her. Write her a note including those scriptures.
22. Sharing question: Write down what you did and share it with your group.
We left Paul at the end of Acts 27 shipwrecked and stranded on Malta.
Read Acts 28:1-10.
23. What miracles did Paul do on Malta and how did the natives respond?
Extra Training: Read Acts 28:11-24 and any commentary you have on Paul’s trip to Rome.
The authorities in Rome allowed Paul to be imprisoned in a house with only one guard (Acts 28:16). Because of this, he had the freedom to meet with many people. At this time he called for a meeting with the Jewish leaders.
Read Acts 28:23-31.
24. How do you see Paul still running his race at the end of Acts?
25. Sharing question: We have seen Paul continue running according to the rules, keeping his eyes on the prize before him. What have you learned from him so far about perseverance and faithfulness to your race?
26. Responding to God: Ask God to show you some specific ways to keep on keeping on right now, especially if you are facing disappointment or discouragement in your race. Thank him for the ways that he has encouraged you this week through the life of Paul.
Today’s story is from a runner who has learned how to keep her eyes on Jesus so that she can persevere and run well, according to the rules.
I have kept a vision of the work God has for me over the long haul through prayer and Bible Studies. I think that the more we seek instruction, the easier it is to be closer to God and to His purpose for our life. I have been a Christian since the age of nine years old. I am now in my 60’s. From the ages of twenty through forty, I was on-again and off-again with God. I always read my Bible, but didn’t always do what was pleasing to God. As a parent wanting to raise godly children, I turned to more serious Bible studying and to more prayer. It became a habit and now it is second nature to pray and study God’s word. Of course, I’d love to say that I never falter, but that would be dishonest. There are times that I have to tell myself that I need God’s word to help me live each and every day. Sometimes I become so lax when I’m between Bible studies. But God has placed on my heart to keep Him close at all times. My number one priority should be doing God’s will. I do think about God a lot. I think that the Holy Spirit is more dear to me than ever before. I want to serve God and do His will with enthusiasm!
As moms, we are constantly modeling the Christian life to our children. Our children hear what we say and they watch what we do. We may tell them, “It is wrong to lie.” If they hear us be dishonest with a friend, with our husband, or even with a clerk in a store, they realize that our actions do not match with our words. Even though they may not say a word, they notice our failure to do what is right. Our conduct reveals what we really believe.
I always hoped that my children would know when I was teaching them something and that they would somehow see the importance of that. However, I wanted them to ignore what I thought were “non-teaching” times which were everyday occurrences. Unfortunately, my children considered every minute of every day a teaching time. If I yelled at another driver, I soon got to hear those words back at a later time. My actions became like seeds. I planted them and then I got to reap the harvest again and again.
Action Step: Is there an area in your life in which your words and your actions are not matching? Ask the Lord to reveal one thing you need to do differently in order to be obedient to his commands. Write down what he reveals to you and how you will respond.
9 Note in NET Bible on Acts 23:24.
10 Note in NET Bible on Acts 23:31.
“With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with perseverance and requests for all the saints.”
“With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with perseverance and requests for all the saints.”
My co-worker Christi has a sister who recently participated in a three-day event to benefit breast cancer. She exercises regularly, eats really well, and trained for the 60-mile course according to all the experts’ advice; basically, she did everything right and was very well prepared and ready to go. However, she failed to hydrate adequately as she went along; the body needs a lot of water to keep up that kind of pace. By the end of the second day, she was forced to get medical help to continue.
Water to the body is what prayer is to the believer; without it we cannot keep going. Rather than depend upon the power of God through prayer to live our lives, we often begin to rely upon our training, our intellect, our experience, and our giftedness to carry us. Often a trial hits us and reveals that we are running on our own power rather than by the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer doesn’t always change the situation, but it does always change the runner so that she can make it to the finish line!
Paul sought prayer from others for his own race, and he prayed for those in his circle of influence. This week we will learn about prayer from Paul.
Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome, as we saw last week. The letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are often called prison epistles because scholars have traditionally believed that Paul wrote them during this imprisonment.11 Most of the verses you will read this week are from these books, just to be somewhat chronological as we study.
First, let’s look at Paul’s prayer requests for himself while incarcerated.
Read Ephesians 6:10-20, which contains your memory verse for this week. Don’t forget to take the memory card and practice the verse, not only this week but in the future so that you remember it!
1. Copy Paul’s prayer request (Eph. 6:19-20).
2. How does Paul’s prayer request fit into the context that you just read (vv. 10-18)? In other words, how do they relate?
Read Colossians 4:2-4.
3. Write Paul’s prayer request in your own words.
Extra Training: Read Rom. 15:30-32, which was written earlier, probably on Paul’s second journey before he went to Jerusalem and was incarcerated. Consider in what ways God answered his prayer from what we know happened in Jerusalem and after.
4. Think about Paul’s house arrest in Rome as he wrote these prayer requests. What insights do you have into his focus and his heart while facing very trying circumstances?
5. Sharing question: What do you learn about prayer for yourself and for others from Paul’s requests that you have studied today?
6. Responding to God: Write out a prayer request for yourself to share with your group this week. Focus it on God’s purposes for you and your completion of those purposes, i.e. finishing your own race. Pray it for yourself. Write down your thoughts below as you listen to God’s response.
Read Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus.
7. For what was Paul specifically thankful for them (vv. 15-16)?
8. Sharing question: Think of someone for whom you can be thankful in the same way. Spend a minute thanking God for her/him, just inserting that name in the verses. Write down your thoughts to share with your group concerning what you see in this person’s life that causes you to be thankful.
Apparently the word for “spirit” in verse 17 is not totally clear in the Greek. As the NET Bible says, “Some take it to mean ‘the Spirit,’ others ‘a spirit,’ and still others ‘spiritual.’”12 So there are a variety of translations of this verse.
Extra Training: Look up the NET Bible notes on Eph. 1:17 and read the various translations of it on that website. Read any commentary on this issue that you find as well.
9. What did Paul pray to be the results of their receiving wisdom and revelation, regardless of how the word “spirit” is translated (vv. 18b-19)?
10. Sharing question: Meditate on this prayer. In what circumstances would you pray this for someone you know? What kinds of situations or circumstances or thinking patterns would she be experiencing? You may want to write this prayer out and label it specifically so that you find it easily when you encounter someone who needs it.
11. Responding to God: Ask God for whom you should pray this prayer and then do so, inserting the person’s name in the verses. If appropriate, write a note to the person relating the prayer that you prayed.
Read Ephesians 3:14-21.
12. Paul begins this prayer with “for this reason”, which tells us that he has just written the reason in the preceding verses. Go back and determine what that reason is. How does it all relate?
13. What was his specific request for these believers in Eph. 3:16?
14. What results of God’s fulfilling that request does Paul mention in Eph. 3:17-19?
Extra Training: Read this prayer in several translations as well as any commentary you can find. Write down your insights.
15. Sharing question: In your life right now, what difference would it make if God answered this prayer for you? For example, what practical difference would it make today if you truly comprehended and knew the love of Christ? Or if you experienced any of the other results that Paul mentioned?
16. Paul ended his prayer with a statement of praise in Eph. 3:20-21. What does he say about God that describes his greatness?
17. Sharing question: How would you be encouraged in a specific area of your life if you truly believed Eph. 3:20-21?
18. Responding to God: Take this prayer and pray it for someone whom God lays on your heart. Consider praying it for that person daily. Write down your response to what God shows you.
Read Philippians 1:3-11.
19. For what was Paul thankful about the Philippians (Phil. 1:3-8)?
20. Responding to God: Think of someone who has co-labored with you in ministry or who has poured grace upon you as you have run your race. Write a prayer of thanks below for her based upon Paul’s prayer. Consider writing her a note, which includes your prayer.
21. For what specific things did Paul pray for them (Phil. 1:9)? What would be the results according to Phil. 1:10-11?
Extra Training: Read these verses in several translations and meditate on them before God, asking him to give you insight into this prayer.
We should base our prayers on the promises of God. In the midst of this prayer (Phil. 1:6), Paul mentions his confidence that God is at work in the lives of these believers.
22. Compare Phil. 1:6 with the verses below. Write down any insights that you have into how God works out Phil. 1:6.
a. Heb. 12:5-12
b. Rom. 8:28-29
23. Sharing question: Is there someone in your life whose Christian walk seems at a standstill? You may not be able to share who the person is without being inappropriate with your group, but do share the situation. Consider asking God to work in her life according to his promise of Phil. 1:6.
Read Colossians 1:3-13.
24. Once again Paul began his prayer with thanksgiving for these folks because of what God was doing through them. What was he seeing in their lives that brought thanksgiving to his heart (Col. 1:4-6)?
25. Sharing question: How would it encourage you if someone thanked God for you and listed specific things that she has seen in your life?
Extra Training: Thanksgiving reminds us of the grace and power of God; it increases our faith as we see God at work in our lives and in the lives of other believers. It teaches us to believe him for bigger things. What insights do you gain from Phil. 4:6-7 about prayer and thanksgiving? Feel free to read from resources.
26. Responding to God: Take out the list of women in your group. What character quality or area of growth have you observed as they have shared over the course of this study? Write down one thing below for each woman. Be prepared to share these during your discussion, or write a note to each one mentioning what you have seen that makes you thankful for her.
27. What were Paul’s specific requests and what did he expect to happen as a result (Col. 1:9-12)?
28. Sharing question: How would you benefit personally if this prayer became real in your own life?
As we have looked at a few of Paul’s prayers this week and at his own prayer requests, think about their focus. So often we pray for our own will, telling God the actions he should take in the situation. We do not always pray for the will of God.
Read through the kingdom prayers on the last page of this lesson, after the stories.
29. Sharing question: Think of someone on your prayer list right now, someone going through a struggle of some kind. How can you change the focus of your prayers for her/him to a higher level, a kingdom purpose level? It will mean that you pray for God to produce something eternal in that person—character, growth, and kingdom impact—rather than for God to necessarily take away the problem. Write down how you have been praying and a new kingdom-focused prayer.
This week our first storyteller shares how much the prayers of the saints meant to her in a tough time. Although God has kingdom purposes in illness, often God also graciously heals when we beseech him on behalf of others, as was true in this case. At the same time we need to pray for kingdom purposes in the midst of the illness. The second writer describes how God saw her through a difficult time. As you read her story, consider how God worked in a kingdom-focused way through her trial.
In March, 2007, I found out I had breast cancer. Our pastor Neil had just started a series called "Let's Pray", so when I called my husband to tell him our news, he said, "Let's pray first." Then, I found out that I'd need chemo, and the sermon series continued—Let's pray hard. I found that I had friends (and mere acquaintances) that prayed more boldly than I did. They asked and believed God for bigger, greater things. As my treatment continued, our series did, too—Let's pray together. I had a prayer pager that my mom sent me. It had a number people could call when they prayed for me. On my end, all it did was buzz. There was no number displayed for me to know who it was who was praying. I thought it was hokey at first. It would buzz, and I'd be amused. It buzzed fairly frequently. I joked with John that maybe someone just kept hitting "redial" to make it work.
But then, as my treatment intensified, or as big decisions had to be made about the course of treatment, it buzzed more often. At times (when we were really having a tough time), it was irritating. We kept it in the car so we could sleep. It was so relentless. But relentless is like God—radical in grace, furious in love, abounding in mercy. And in the wee hours of the morning, when I thought no one was awake but me and God, that pager would be buzzing. No fanfare. No publicity. Nobody getting credit for their prayers. Just faithful, anonymous saints taking my requests before the King of heaven and earth. What a treasure! What a comfort! What a sweet gift from the Lord. I was not alone. My eyes were opened.
It's like when "Elisha prayed, 'O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hill full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17 NIV).
After graduating from college, I was struck with an unexplained illness. This was a very rare illness that was self-diagnosed and couldn’t be explained by doctors or healed with medicine. It’s comparable to depression—you don’t want to get out of bed and it’s on your mind all day. It left me feeling alone and frustrated. It wasn’t something that anyone could understand.
During this time, God showed me that he is a big God. I had been praying for awhile for a “challenge”—something in life that would make me appreciate each day. Well, I asked and I received! It was way more than I asked for, but God gave me the strength each day. I didn’t miss a day of work, and although it did limit me from activities and spending time with friends and family, it was a challenge I needed. Without God, I couldn’t make it through the day. He provided me strength to get out of bed and make the most of my situation. I tried to maintain joy because I knew God had a reason for what I was going through and he was working for my good. There is no medicine or words or anyone that could have fulfilled what I needed. I was dependent on God and knew that he was my source of daily strength.
Over two-and-a-half years later, he has taken me a long way. I have almost been healed completely from an incurable disease. Would medicine have done that? Probably not. God didn’t promise me an easy journey, but he did promise that he would provide strength to get me through the difficult times. I can’t take credit for anything that has happened over the past few years; instead, I know that God was working in me and with me. Most importantly, I have grown closer to him and have seen his healing powers and loving heart.
One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of being a mom lies in the area of prayer. As a mom, I am privileged to pray for my children and with my children. Many moms pray for their children. It is tempting to always be praying, “Please let my child make the team at school” or “Please help my child to pass this test.” While these are important requests, we can go beyond merely praying for a good day or a successful tryout to praying the kingdom prayers that we looked at in this lesson.
As I am reading in Scripture, I can pray God’s word back to him for my children. I can do this wherever I am reading in the Bible. For example, if I am reading in the book of Proverbs, I might pray the following verses for my children.
“Lord, I pray that my children would not let kindness and truth leave them but that they would bind them around their neck and write them on the tablet of their hearts. Lord, help them find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.” (adapted from Prov 3:3-4)
“Lord, I pray that my children would trust in You with all their heart and would not lean on their own understanding. I pray that in all their ways they would acknowledge You and that You will make their paths straight.” (adapted from Prov 3:5-6).
Action Step: Select a chapter in the book of Philippians. Find a verse or several verses from that chapter that you would like to pray for your children. Write out the verse as a prayer for your child or children below.
11 The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983), 614, 647, 667.
12 Note in NET Bible on Ephesians 1:17.
“Entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.”
“Entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.”
We have focused on long-distance races as an illustration of the race of the Christian life. But there is another race picture that has great parallel, the relay! As we know, passing the baton from one runner to the next is crucial to the success of the team. Each runner must be sure that the succeeding runner has the baton.
As we consider the time between Jesus’ first coming and his return, we realize that the continuation of the faith depends on each succeeding generation. We are responsible to pass it on to those who follow, who will then pass it on to others.
Paul’s life story indicates his whole-hearted belief in raising up a new generation of faithful Christ-followers. We’ll see it more clearly as we look at this week’s lesson.
When we last looked at the chronological story of Paul’s race, he was under house arrest in Rome. There is evidence from his epistles that he was eventually released and continued his missionary journeys. However, at some point he was imprisoned again in Rome and executed around 66 or 67 A.D. His final letters (1 Tim., Titus, and 2 Tim.) were written from prison to men whom he had trained in ministry.
From the time he began his first mission trip, Paul included younger men as apprentices. If you remember, he and Barnabas took John Mark with them on that initial journey (Acts 13:5). When Paul refused to take Mark again because he had abandoned his responsibility and left for home (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39), he replaced him by picking up Timothy on his travels (Acts 16:1-3).
1. Read the following verses and write down the names of those whom Paul was apparently influencing in ministry. If there is any information given about the specific work they were doing at the time, include that.
a. Rom. 16:1
b. 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:17
d. Eph. 6:21-22
f. Col. 4:7-14
h. Titus 1:4-5; 3:12-13
j. 2 Tim. 1: 16; 4:9-12, 20-21 (I left this one for last because it was Paul’s final letter and he mentions some of those whom he has already mentioned in previous epistles.)
2. Summarize what these verses have shown you about Paul and his commitment to the next generation. In what ways did he invest in their lives? Did anything surprise you?
Extra Training: Look for some commentary on Paul and his mentoring or training of others. Or read about Timothy as his longest and most well-known spiritual son.
3. Sharing question: Who has influenced your race for Christ? Perhaps you would consider her a mentor or perhaps not, but she has passed the baton on to you in some way, expecting you to step up as a believer. In what ways did she make a difference in your life? Share that with your group. If this person is unaware of this, write her a note and thank her.
4. Responding to God: Thank God for those who have influenced you to run well for Jesus. Write a prayer or poem, which includes your feelings about what they have done for you.
The epistles of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus were not only Paul’s final letters, but they were all written to pastors, men whom he had trained and sent out in ministry. His last words were focused on the next generation; he was completing his work of passing on the baton.
Although you are not a pastor, just think of Paul as working with younger men who were called to the same kind of work that he did. The principles of mentoring work in any situation, with our children or younger women who face the same challenges of life that we have faced.
5. Read these verses and write down how they may have encouraged or challenged Timothy and Titus in their races:
d. 1 Tim. 6:20
e. Titus 1:5
f. Titus 2:6-8
Extra Training: Read the entire book of 1 Timothy, considering the ways you see Paul encourage, teach, and challenge this spiritual son. What can you learn from him about mentoring others?
6. How did Paul refer to these men whom he was mentoring or discipling in the following verses? 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4? What is involved in such a relationship?
7. Sharing question: What scares you, if anything, when you hear the word “mentor” or think of “mentoring”? Does the term “spiritual mothering” have any different connotations for you as you consider what mothering is all about? Describe what might be involved.
8. What do you learn from Titus 2:3-5 about your responsibility as a woman to pass the baton? Is there a command for you to follow? What is it? What areas of mentoring are included?
9. Sharing question: Have you given time and friendship to a woman younger in the faith? As we see from Paul’s example as he traveled, this can be done in groups as well as one-on-one—even as part of this Bible study small group! Have you seen yourself within the group as part of God’s plan to pass the baton and influence other women through your own life and experiences? If you are a younger woman, this may be your time to learn, but recognize that you are there to bless these other women as you learn from them. Share your thoughts.
10. Responding to God: Ask God to show you what it means to pass the baton to your children and to younger women. Pray for the courage to fulfill the responsibility God has given you to do so. Write down your thoughts.
Today we will focus on 2 Timothy, Paul’s final letter. It is a particularly personal book, and we can learn much about influencing believers younger in the faith from Paul’s example. If you are a mother with children at home, consider how this all applies to that relationship as well.
If you have time, read all of 2 Timothy thoughtfully as your Extra Training for both today and tomorrow. You have two days to read this book of only 4 chapters.
11. Read the following verses in 2 Tim. and write down how you see Paul encourage, challenge, or train Timothy. How was he acting as a spiritual father to Timothy? How did he pass on the baton?
a. 2 Tim 1:3-5
b. 2 Tim 1:6-7
c. 2 Tim 2:2 (This verse reminded Timothy to pass the baton himself and is your memory verse!)
d. 2 Tim 2:3-7 (Think about why Timothy may have needed this encouragement in light of Paul’s current situation.)
f. 2 Tim 4:5
12. Sharing question: What do you learn from Paul’s example in the previous verses about influencing someone younger than yourself? Consider the various ways he exhorted, etc. rather than the specific words.
13. Sharing question: Apply Paul’s exhortations to Timothy to your own life and Christian race. Which of these verses most encourages you? Why?
14. Sharing question: Consider your Christian life and experiences. Honestly evaluate how God has worked in your life and how you can use that to influence younger women. What have you learned about God’s character, about his faithfulness, about his love that you could share with another woman? What have you learned about raising children? About marriage? About living in the workplace as a believer? Share one thing that comes to mind with your group.
15. Responding to God: If you don’t already have a woman or women whom you might call a spiritual friend or daughter, ask God to bring someone into your life. If you do have such a person, pray for her and her spiritual walk. Draw a picture of you and a younger woman as you share life. Sometimes when we picture ourselves doing something, it seems possible.
Today will be your last day to study something new because tomorrow will be a review of what God has done through the entire study. Let’s read today about Paul’s completion of the race he had been given.
Read 2 Tim. 4:6-8.
16. In v. 6 Paul described his life as a poured-out offering, which suggests a drink offering. As you have done this study, in what ways have you seen Paul pour out his life as an offering to God?
17. In what three ways did Paul describe the finish of his life race in v. 7? What result would follow according to v. 8?
18. Read 2 Tim. 4:18. What kept Paul centered when he faced desertion and opposition here at the end of his life?
19. Read these verses, written earlier in Paul’s life. Write down what you learn about his attitude toward death.
b. 2 Cor. 5:6-8
20. Sharing question: As you look toward the end of you life, whether it comes tomorrow or fifty years from now, what one thing can you begin doing today to help guarantee that you will be able to say with Paul, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!”?
21. Responding to God: Ask God to work in your life to give you the strength, the grace, and the endurance to finish well, as Paul did. Write your prayer below.
This week’s stories are at the end of Day Five, as usual. However, you may want to read them now since tomorrow we change focus to a review of all that God has done during this study rather than consider passing the baton.
It is our final day of study. I don’t know if you have felt that these ten weeks of study have gone quickly or at a snail’s pace! I do hope that you feel a sense of accomplishment to have made it to the end. If you have skipped any lessons, go back and work on them while you are not in a weekly study. Find a way to continue daily in God’s word so that you gain the strength and energy for your race.
22. Sharing question: Review the Table of Contents of this study. If you have time, you may want to skim through the entire study. What lesson was most meaningful to you? Why?
23. Sharing question: What have you learned from the life of Paul that was most personally meaningful to you? Why did it impact you?
24. Sharing question: What Bible verse was most significant to you? Why?
25. Sharing question: What has God done in your life through his word? What changes has he brought?
26. Sharing question: How has your group influenced and supported you?
Consider sharing one of these answers with the larger group at our Celebration time next week. Remember that it’s not about you but about God’s work in your life. It’s an opportunity to bring him praise and glory! Thank you for your commitment to make it through the entire study. I know that God will bless you richly as you continue to be faithful to him and to the race that he has given you to run!
Our final stories are from women who believe in the value of mentoring!
I had trusted Christ, but I really didn’t know what that all meant. My brother led me to the Lord and I began going to church and one gal, Gwen, really impressed me. She had just lost her pilot husband in a plane crash and she was sharing in our Sharing Service her struggles and pain as she grieved. At this point in my life I thought my husband dying in a plane crash would be answered prayer! But, as she shared she made me realize some of the things I would miss, too—like his putting out the garbage and his remembering when insurance was due and his locking the doors at night, and his income! I began to appreciate my husband in a new way; we got a lot of counseling and began to work out our differences.
Gwen was such a neat woman and I really liked her spirit, and she lived near me in town, not out in the suburbs where the church was located. We got to be friends, and she mentored me unknowingly. We went to lunch and Bible study together regularly. She was SO friendly – she always took an interest in the waitress and the valet and whoever seemed to be around. And I began to see how others were so attracted to her because she was so outgoing. I can remember thinking, “Why are you talking to the waitress – she’s just a waitress!” and then realizing how much it meant to the waitress and how appreciative she was to be noticed, AND what great service we got! Soon I found myself mimicking her in a lot of different ways – being kinder, more thoughtful and more loving. It’s still my goal in life to be Gwen and love the way she loves – because He first loved us and that’s our job now – to love others.
Early in my Christian life, Martha Binion, who had been instrumental in my salvation, encouraged me to read the Bible daily and to memorize scripture. She mentored many women individually and in small groups. She had a strong walk with the Lord which she developed through daily Bible reading, praying, and memorizing in an organized way. I could see that she was modeling what she was asking me to do, and I admired what I saw in her.
She introduced me to an organization called Bible Memory Association which sent me a little booklet of verses to memorize each week; there was also a plan for children which both of my girls took part in. We were required to say five verses each week to someone, and we chose a neighbor. We were given small rewards by the organization as an incentive, which was quite appealing to the children. This was an excellent way to get the Good News into the neighborhood.
Martha met with me and a friend weekly. We went through a series of small books about basic Christianity. Later she led a Bible study at my house which was attended by some of my neighbors. Some years later she asked me to lead a Bible study. She really took a risk trusting me to teach women who were older and much more spiritually mature than I was, but it proved to be an enormous time of growth for me.
I met a young woman named Cindy at a women's retreat who asked me to meet with her a few times but actually lasted for years. She was going through some difficult things which were way beyond my experience, but I basically just listened to her, prayed with her, and encouraged her to study the Bible with me. Meeting with Cindy was a first step in meeting with others. I really don't know how God has used me in their lives, but I do know that I have grown spiritually and gained friends that I never would have had otherwise. We have studied small structured Bible study books, books of the Bible, or sometimes we just talk about what's going on in our lives and what we see God doing. I have met at various times—before work, during lunch, and early on Saturday mornings. I never thought of myself as a mentor; I was just a person spending time with someone!
Moms have a unique opportunity to mentor their children. The imprint we make on our children is lasting. Our relationship with Christ must be authentic and growing in order to pass the baton of faith to the next generation.
As we think about developing faith in our children, we might have an image of taking our children to church and involving them in as many religious activities as possible. We might even do this believing that this will make up for our own lack of spirituality. Just as we might take a child to a gymnastics coach for training, we take them to church for spiritual training. While I think it is very important to be faithful in church attendance and I am grateful for the spiritual training that takes place in a vibrant church, the Bible places the responsibility for spiritual training on the parents. The church comes alongside the parents but does not replace them. We cannot outsource the responsibility that we have to mentor our children.
Action Step: Have you been relying on the church or a Christian school to do the primary spiritual training of your child? If so, ask the Lord to change your focus to accept that responsibility yourself. Write out one thing you can do to step up your training schedule at home.
My Aunt Billye passed away recently. She had numerous physical problems and was in a nursing home at the time. On her final night she asked one of the workers to stay in the room with her, saying that God had told her that she was about to die. After the funeral this woman wrote a letter describing their conversation, including my aunt’s final words to her children, grandchildren, and sisters. They were foremost on her mind.
Paul’s last written words were penned from prison in Rome to his son in the faith Timothy. Now this was not the two-year Roman imprisonment of Acts 28. It appears that Paul was released from that house arrest about 63 A.D. He then traveled sharing the gospel perhaps three years before being imprisoned and then beheaded under Emperor Nero, according to early church tradition. His last epistle makes it clear that Paul knew his death was approaching so he wrote to the one closest to him, to Timothy.
Who would you contact if you knew that you were facing death? Likely it would be someone whom you love. What message would you want to give? Certainly you would want to remind them of your feelings for them, but you might also want to send a message of importance, a message about your hopes and prayers for their futures.
That’s what Paul did when he wrote Timothy. This letter was the final piece of passing on the baton of faith to Timothy.
We are all familiar with relay races. Each runner has a leg of the race to run; then, she hands off a baton to the runner who follows her. As Paul wrote to encourage Timothy, he left a picture of how he had passed on the baton through the years. He did it first
I have recently seen how effective modeling can be as a teaching tool. This picture shows my two Westies, Libby on the right and Maggie on the left. We got Libby as a puppy, but Maggie came into our lives in January as a lost dog (not the one I mentioned some weeks ago). Libby has been modeling some behavior for Maggie, and it’s not good behavior! One of Libby’s favorite pastimes is watching television, especially commercials which she apparently memorizes. She is particularly fond of commercials with dogs. As soon as she hears one of her favorites, she runs from any part of the house, jumps on the chair beside the TV, and barks and barks at the dogs! When Maggie first came, she had no interest in TV, but when Libby went crazy, she did too! Clearly, she originally didn’t even know why they were jumping and barking, but she soon figured it out. She learned from Libby’s model!
We all teach by example. Paul modeled finishing the race.
Look at 2 Tim. 4:6-8:
For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
Paul described his race: he had competed well; he had finished the personal race to which God had called him; and he had kept the faith. From these verses we learn that Paul was able to complete the race because he was
Paul says that all who set their affection on the coming appearance of Jesus will receive the crown of righteousness. The crown was that laurel wreath from the games. Do they get the crown just because they want Jesus to come back and rule and reign? I don’t think so. I think that those who set their affection on the coming of Christ live differently, righteously, and that is why they are rewarded. Because they want what Jesus wants, they will hear him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
On the other hand, those whose affections are attached to this world rather than Jesus do not live to please him. It’s evident in the way they spend their money on themselves and their families rather than on his kingdom purposes. It shows up in how they invest their time and energy.
In contrast, because Paul focused on the kingdom, he modeled endurance by trusting God for a reward and by trusting him to be faithful in any hardship.
Look at 2 Tim. 1:11-12:
For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day.
Paul said, “I know the one in whom my faith is set.” Knowing God is the key to trusting him in the hard situations; the more time we spend in his word and in fellowship with him, the more we will believe in his goodness, his love, and his power. That’s why Paul could say that he was convinced that God was able to protect what Paul had entrusted to him until that day. What had Paul entrusted to Jesus? His life now and his eternal future. That’s why he could be faithful to the end and model that for his spiritual sons.
I don’t know if you have been as blown away by Paul and his life as I have. And his story isn’t new to me. I have read it and heard it dozens of times. But somehow focusing on the story over and over, week after week after week, has truly impacted me. Paul never quit when I would have been greatly tempted to! If I had faced what Paul did, I could have easily fallen for the lie that I must not be in the center of God’s will and quit the race!
Paul never believed such lies; he never quit! He knew God’s character and that God is faithful in any hardship, no matter how bad it seems. God promises his grace and the power to make it through the race. That means that if I face a situation where I need it, God will give it to me. Although I look at Paul’s trials and wonder if I could keep going, I do know that if I ask God for the grace and strength to do so, he will provide it, no matter how difficult the situation is, just as he did Paul. I can make it!
Paul modeled a life that finishes the race, trusting God for the reward, trusting him to be faithful in any hardship, and
Look at 2 Tim. 2:8-11:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned! So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.
Paul’s circumstances seemed to limit the gospel, but the gospel wasn’t based on Paul’s situation but on the power of God. At times our circumstances may appear to restrict God’s purposes, but Paul says that they don’t. His purposes extend into our forms of imprisonment, our darkest hours, and our greatest struggles. If we will remain faithful to him, he will bring forth fruit in our lives and from our testimony to others through the way we handle it.
How else did Paul model for those who followed him? He trusted that God was with him and that God was all he needed.
Look at 2 Timothy 4:16-18:
At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.
How difficult it must have been to be deserted by all of your friends when you needed them most. Paul had to go to trial in Rome with no outward support, but Jesus stood by him and strengthened him. And Jesus knew exactly what it was like to be alone and deserted because that is what happened to him at his arrest; his disciples all fled out of fear.
Ladies, I know that many of you are in difficult situations and you face them more or less alone. It may appear that God has deserted you when you experience injustice, sickness, loss, or difficult relationships. But he is there, right beside you, just as he was with Paul. And when you rely on him, he is all that you need; he will give you the strength to make it through the circumstances and finish the race. That is what Paul modeled for us.
He passed the baton to the next generation, and we are called to do the same through modeling a life that finishes the race. We also pass the baton, as Paul did,
Let’s look at a few verses in this letter which help us see this from Paul. Let’s begin at the beginning of the letter.
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
Paul saw Timothy as a son, just as he did his other companions. As you know from your study, Paul and Timothy had an ongoing relationship which lasted many years beginning with the second missionary journey. Because Paul saw him as a son, he both encouraged and challenged him. Instead of thinking of yourself as a mentor, think of yourself as a spiritual mother. You know that as a mother, you don’t have all the answers and you won’t do everything perfectly. But a mother has years of experience and wisdom, coupled with great love for her children; through their relationship, she encourages and challenges them as they need it, as Paul did with his sons.
Read 2 Tim. 1:5-8:
I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you. Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.
Paul challenges Timothy to do what Paul has modeled, be courageous in sharing the gospel even if it results in suffering.
Look over at 2 Tim. 3:10-14:
You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all. Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about.
Timothy personally saw Paul do what Paul describes in v. 10—teach, believe, love, endure, and suffer. He encouraged Timothy to continue in what Paul has taught him both by his words and by his life.
Now look at 2 Timothy 4:1-5:
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.
Again, Paul challenged Timothy to do the very things that he had seen in Paul’s example: preach the truth, show godly character, and endure. He summed it up by saying “fulfill your ministry!” It was now up to Timothy; he had the baton!
We, too, must pass the baton to other women, as Paul called us to do.
Look at Titus 2:3-5:
Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good. In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited.
Note the phrase older women. Many of you are younger, way younger than I am; however, you aren’t younger than everyone. But if you still need time to learn and grow, you need to pursue it because you’ll turn around tomorrow and find that you are old! It seems like yesterday that I was twenty! Start preparing by learning from godly women now!
Note what Paul tells the older women to do: “exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good.” It’s all about character first and then teaching what we model. Then, Paul says, “In this way they will train the younger women. . .” In this way, that is by living it out and then by teaching it, the younger women will learn. This is exactly how Paul did it, by modeling and teaching it. We are to do the same thing.
I don’t think this list of godly qualities is exhaustive. These were the areas that Paul felt needed attention at that time. We could add many more in our day. It’s up to the older women to consider the culture and model and teach what the younger women need to know about godliness today.
But how do we build deep relationships in our day and age? Paul spent loads of time with his men, just as Jesus did with his. How do we invest time in the lives of other women in our busy culture?
This doesn’t always mean one-on-one. Paul had a group of men with him, just as Jesus did. Think of Peter; every time Jesus had to admonish him about something, there was a bunch of other guys who heard it, and they all learned from Peter’s mistakes. When one in the group asked Jesus questions, they all benefited from his answers. I suggest that your small group here is a way to invest in the lives of younger women and a time to learn from older women.
If you feel that you need a one-on-one conversation, ask God to connect you with someone older and wiser. Ask her if she would meet with you sometime. Don’t make it sound like you want a mentor to teach you everything; that’s scary for us because we all know our issues. Just ask her to meet you for prayer and encouragement. Find different women to talk to about different areas of your life. Take advantage of the connections you make here.
I never had a woman who mentored me in the ways that we usually think of—a long-term one-on-one situation. But I can name a number of older women who connected with my life in different ways. I took every opportunity to learn from them as they shared their stories and their knowledge of God’s character. They were great encouragers to me as I tried to fulfill the ministry that God had given me. As they shared, I learned that I could trust God to go with me through any situation; I learned how godly women dealt with life. They modeled what they said and I caught it. I pray the same for you. Put yourself in situations where you learn from mature Christian women and then give yourself away to those younger than you by modeling, encouraging, and challenging them. Love them as you would a daughter. Build such strong relationships that your heart is with them at the end of your life. In this way you finish the race well, just as Paul did! Now is the time to pass the baton!
Focus your prayers on the bigger issues of the kingdom, knowing the coming of the kingdom is the will of God for the women in your group and their families—“Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Study the prayers of the New Testament and see how they involved kingdom issues: character-building in those who suffered, the glory of God in the midst of persecution, and the knowledge of Jesus in the world.
Matt. 6:33-34: Pray for ____ to seek first God’s kingdom in her life. (If there are monetary or physical needs involved, this is a condition necessary for God’s promise to supply to kick in.)
Jas. 1:2-4, 12: Pray for God to use this difficulty to produce endurance, completion, and blessing.
Jas. 1:17-18; 4:3: Pray for ___ to trust that God gives good gifts, realizing that His gifts are better than those she wants.
Eph. 1:17-21: Pray for God to give _____ wisdom and the revelation of Him in the midst of this time.
Eph. 4:1-3: Pray for _____ to walk worthy and to show forth these qualities to others with whom she is having difficulty.
Col. 1:9-12: Pray for God to fill _____ with the knowledge of His will that she may walk worthy.
Col. 3:1-4: Pray that God will give _____ the grace to set her mind on the things above rather than the circumstances.
Rom. 8:28-29: Pray that _____ will trust that God is at work in the midst of these difficulties for her good, not for her destruction. Pray that God will use this time to mold her more into the image of Jesus.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983.
Bock, Darrell L. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Acts. Grand Rapids, MI; Baker Academics, 2007.
NET Bible at www.bible.org
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance at http://net.bible.org
The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983.
Bock, Darrell L. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Acts. Grand Rapids, MI; Baker Academics, 2007.
NET Bible at www.bible.org
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance at http://net.bible.org
Zodhiates, Spiros. Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.