8. The Second Coming

Related Media

What is the second coming of Christ? The second coming is one of the most important doctrines in Scripture. It is mentioned more than 300 times in the New Testament.¹ In Titus 2:13, Paul called it the believers’ “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13 ESV). Blessed can be translated as “happy.” Therefore, the second coming should be the happy and joyous expectation of every Christian. In Philippians 3:20 (NIV), Paul said this:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

In considering the second coming, we’ll look at its characteristics, purpose, the signs that precede it, whether it is imminent, and applications of it.

Characteristics

1. The second coming will be sudden—happening at an hour no one expects.

In Matthew 24:27, Christ described his coming being like “lightening” from the sky. He says, “For just like the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.” The coming is also compared to a thief in the night, which demonstrates how people will be unprepared for it. In Revelation 16:15, Christ said, “Look! I will come like a thief!” Because Christ comes like lightning and like a thief, no one will know the exact hour of his coming. Consider the following verses:

Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matthew 24:44

But as for that day or hour no one knows it—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son—except the Father. Watch out! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come.

Mark 13:32-33

Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Matthew 25:13

Therefore, any attempts to declare the timeframe that Christ will come are wrong. Unfortunately, there have been many false declarations throughout history and many people who have been led astray by them. Grudem’s comments on this are sobering:

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have made many predictions of specific dates for Christ’s return, and all of them have turned out to be wrong. But others in the history of the church have made such predictions as well, sometimes claiming new insight into biblical prophecies, and sometimes claiming to have received personal revelations from Jesus himself indicating the time of his return. It is unfortunate that many people have been deceived by these claims, because if people are convinced that Christ will return (for example) within a month, they will begin to withdraw from all long-term commitments. They will take their children out of school, sell their houses, quit their jobs, and give up work on any long-term projects whether in the church or elsewhere. They may initially have an increased zeal for evangelism and prayer, but the unreasonable nature of their behavior will offset any evangelistic impact they may have. Moreover, they are simply disobeying the teaching of Scripture that the date of Christ’s return cannot be known, which means that even their prayer and fellowship with God will be hindered as well. Anyone who claims to know the date on which Christ will return—from whatever source—should be rejected as incorrect.²

2. The second coming will be visible and dramatic.

Revelation 1:7 says, “Look! He is returning with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes on the earth will mourn because of him. This will certainly come to pass! Amen.” Also, Matthew 24:30 says, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” It will be visible and dramatic in that all people will see Christ arriving on the clouds with power and mourn because of him. They will mourn because they never repented of their sins, because they lived a life of not recognizing his Lordship, and because their time is up and only judgment awaits (cf. Matt 7:23, 13:41-42, 25:31-46).

3. The second coming will be physical.

When Christ ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives, angels said to his disciples in Acts 1:11, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.” Since Christ went to heaven in a glorified body, he will return in the same way. It is important to note that Christ will return physically because it was once popular in liberal teachings to say Christ will return spiritually in the sense that his teaching will be accepted and “an imitation of his lifestyle of love, would increasingly return to the earth.”³ However, Scripture is clear. He will physically return to the earth. “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,” which he originally ascended from (Zech 14:4, cf. Acts 1:11-12).

Purpose

What is Christ’s purpose in returning? What will he do when he returns?

1. When Christ returns, he will deliver Israel from the antichrist and the nations trying to destroy her; he will regather Israel and renew his covenant with her.

Zechariah 14:2-4 says,

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to wage war; the city will be taken, its houses plundered, and the women raped. Then half of the city will go into exile, but the remainder of the people will not be taken away. Then the Lord will go to battle and fight against those nations, just as he fought battles in ancient days. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which lies to the east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, leaving a great valley. Half the mountain will move northward and the other half southward…

Ezekiel 11:17-20 (ESV) describes how Christ will gather Israelites from all nations and give them their land and a new heart:

Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Likewise, Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:26-27 talk further about Israel’s salvation, as Christ will give them hearts to accept and obey him.

I will pour out on the kingship of David and the population of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will look to me, the one they have pierced. They will lament for him as one laments for an only son, and there will be a bitter cry for him like the bitter cry for a firstborn.

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’

2. When Christ returns, he will judge Satan by having him temporarily bound in the abyss for 1000 years.

Revelation 20:1-3 says,

Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. He seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan—and tied him up for a thousand years. The angel then threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)

3. When Christ returns, he will judge the unrighteous living on the earth.

In the parable of the weeds and wheat, Christ said:

As the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes sin as well as all lawbreakers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:40-42

Likewise, in the parable of the sheep and goats, Christ said:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left … Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

Matthew 25:31-32 and 41-43

Also, in the Parable of the Minas, Christ declared how he will return and destroy those who did not want him to be king. In Luke 19:27, he said, “But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!”

4. When Christ returns, he will reward the righteous living on the earth.

In Luke 19:15-19, Christ said this in a parable describing his return:

When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. So the first one came before him and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And the king said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’ Then the second one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made five minas.’ So the king said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

Those who have been faithful in Christ’s absence, Christ will reward with various degrees of ruling in the coming kingdom. Likewise, in Luke 12:35-37, Christ said this about his return:

Get dressed for service and keep your lamps burning; be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them!

In a paradoxical reverse of expected events, Christ will serve his servants when he returns. This should motivate us to be faithful while Christ is gone and to be eager to serve. Christ will one day reward our service. Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints.”

5. When Christ returns, he will set up his kingdom on the earth.

Zechariah 14:5, 9, and 16 says,

…Then the Lord my God will come with all his holy ones with him… The Lord will then be king over all the earth. In that day the Lord will be seen as one with a single name… Then all who survive from all the nations that came to attack Jerusalem will go up annually to worship the King, the LORD who rules over all, and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles.

In fact, there seems to be a gap of seventy-five days between the second coming and the beginning of the millennium. During this time, Christ will judge Satan and unbelievers, reward the righteous, and set up his kingdom on the earth.

Where do we see these 75 days? We see this by looking at various passages that describe the second half of the tribulation, the three-and-a-half years before his second coming. Daniel 12:11-12 says, “From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place, there are 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days.” Daniel describes the time from the middle of the tribulation where the antichrist sets an image in the temple (the abomination that causes desolation, Dan 9:27; cf. Matt 24:15, 2 Thess 2:3-4) to the end as 1,290 days, but then pronounces a blessing on the one who “waits and attains to the 1,335 days.” Why is there a 45-day gap?

In addition, in Revelations 12:6, there is a smaller number of days given for the time of the second half of the tribulation. It says, “The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.” During the tribulation, Israel will be protected for 1,260 days in the wilderness. This is apparently the end of the second half of the tribulation period. But this adds another gap of 30 days—75 days altogether to reach the 1,335 days, where Daniel pronounced a blessing. If we take the 1,260 days as the time Christ comes to protect Israel and the 1,335 as the time Christ’s millennial kingdom officially begins, that means there is about a 75-day gap between the end of the tribulation and the millennium.

What is Christ doing for those 75 days before the kingdom is set up? Some have compared this to the United States presidential elections. On November 3rd, the president is elected, but it is not until January 20^th that the president is inaugurated. During that 70+ day gap, the president elects his cabinet and sets in order his plans. This may be very similar to what Christ will do after his return. He defeats his enemies, resurrects and rewards believers—giving them authority to rule—and sets up the policies for his kingdom. The millennium will be discussed in greater depth in a later chapter.

Signs

In Scripture, signs are given to help us be prepared for Christ’s coming. Christ gave many of them in his Olivette discourse in Matthew 24, as he described the tribulation period which will happen on the earth before his coming.

What are some of these signs?

There will be a great rise in false prophets and messiahs.

In Matthew 24:4-5, 11, and 23-26, Christ said,

… Watch out that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many…And many false prophets will appear and deceive many … Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe him. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Remember, I have told you ahead of time. So then, if someone says to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe him.

There will be great distress on the earth including wars, famines, and earthquakes.

In Matthew 24:6-7, Christ said this:

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.

These will be like birth pains as we approach the end times. They will happen over and over again but increasing in strength before Christ comes to judge.

There will be a great persecution of Christians.

In Matthew 24:9, Christ said, “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name.”

There will be a great apostasy—a falling away of professing believers from the faith.

In Matthew 24:12-13, Christ said, “and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved.” Also, Paul described this great apostasy in 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3. He said,

…we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.

Apparently, the great distress of the day, including natural disasters, wars, persecution, false prophets, and false messiahs, will cause many believers to abandon the faith in droves.

There will be a great evangelistic work, as the gospel is preached to all nations.

In Matthew 24:14, Christ said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

There will be a rise of a powerful world-leader known as the antichrist who will seek to be worshiped as God and persecute the Jews and any others who do not follow him.

In Matthew 24:15-16, Christ said: “So when you see the abomination of desolation—spoken about by Daniel the prophet—standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.” The abomination of desolation refers to when the antichrist breaks his seven-year peace covenant with the Jews, places an idol of himself in the Jewish temple, and commands them and everyone else to worship him. A few passages describe this event:

He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

Daniel 9:27 (NIV)

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

and, by the signs he [the false prophet] was permitted to perform on behalf of the beast [the antichrist], he deceived those who live on the earth. He told those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had been wounded by the sword, but still lived. The second beast was empowered to give life to the image of the first beast so that it could speak, and could cause all those who did not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

Revelation 13:14-15

There will be unique signs in the heavens.

In Matthew 24:29-30 Christ said,

Immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven

All these signs and more will precede Christ’s coming.

Is the Coming Imminent or Impending?

As we consider the continual New Testament challenges to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him,” to “stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matt 24:44, 25:13), and to live righteously because Christ is “near” (Phil 4:5) and standing “before the gates” (Jam 5:9), it seems like Christ’s coming is imminent—in that it could happen at any moment. Also, the fact that Christ’s coming is compared to a “thief in the night” seems to argue for that (cf. Rev 16:15, Matt 24:43, 1 Thess 5:2). Nobody knows when a thief is coming—a thief could strike at any time. However, when considering the signs that will precede Christ’s coming, it is clear that Christ could not come at any moment (cf. Matt 24). The gospel still needs to be preached to the nations (Matt 24:14). At the moment, most people groups in the world do not even have the Bible translated in their own language.⁴ Israel does not even have a temple for the antichrist to place an idol in (cf. Dan 9:27, Matt 24:15). There are many things that must happen before Christ comes. Therefore, it is better to think of Christ’s coming as impending—in that it will happen soon. All the events could happen in our life-time. And because it is impending, we should always be ready for it and encourage others to be as well.

With that said, if the second coming is a two-stage event as pretribulationists believe (cf. 1 Thess 4:16-17, Matt 24:30-31)—Christ’s coming to take his church to heaven, followed by seven years of tribulation, and then Christ coming with his church to rule—then the second coming is in fact imminent. Christ can come at any moment to take his church. Either way, Christ is coming soon, and therefore, we must eagerly desire it and be ready for it.

Applications

Since Christ is coming soon, what should we do about it? Scripture teaches many things:

1. Because Christ is returning soon, we must faithfully use our gifts to serve God and others.

In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:19-23, Christ describes his return and rewarding of those who faithfully use their gifts in his absence:

After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Likewise, after teaching about the believers’ resurrection which will happen when Christ returns, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul said: “So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Because Christ is coming, we must always be outstanding in using and cultivating our gifts to serve others and honor God.

2. Because Christ is returning soon, we must regularly gather with believers to worship, pray, and practice the Lord’s Supper to encourage one another to be faithful in these last days.

Consider the following verses:

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25

For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.

1 Peter 4:7

For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26

3. Because Christ is returning soon, we must strive to be holy by getting rid of sin in our lives.

In 1 John 3:2-3 (ESV), John said this to the Ephesians:

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Also, in the context of Christ returning to judge and renew the earth (2 Pt 3:3-4), Peter said this:

Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God?... Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence.

2 Peter 3:11-12, 14

4. Because Christ is returning soon, we can always have hope, comfort, and encouragement, especially when enduring difficult times.

Consider the following verses:

…as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

Titus 2:13

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

…since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels…

2 Thessalonians 1:6-7

5. Because Christ is returning soon, we must faithfully share God’s Word to win the lost and disciple believers.

In the context of talking about Christ’s coming, Peter said this in 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” God delays Christ’s coming to judge because he desires that none should perish. Therefore, we must faithfully share the gospel so many will be saved.

In addition, Paul said this to Timothy who was pastoring the church of Ephesus:

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.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

Since Christ is coming soon, we must make disciples through faithfully teaching God’s Word.

6. Because Christ is returning soon, we must eagerly and patiently long for it.

Consider the following verses:

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.

2 Timothy 4:8

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

The one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20

Let anyone who has no love for the Lord be accursed. Our Lord, come!

1 Corinthians 16:22

You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.

James 5:8

In considering our need to be eager for Christ’s coming, Wayne Grudem’s comments are challenging:

Do Christians in fact eagerly long for Christ’s return? The more Christians are caught up in enjoying the good things of this life, and the more they neglect genuine Christian fellowship and their personal relationship with Christ, the less they will long for his return. On the other hand, many Christians who are experiencing suffering or persecution, or who are more elderly and infirm, and those whose daily walk with Christ is vital and deep, will have a more intense longing for his return. To some extent, then, the degree to which we actually long for Christ’s return is a measure of the spiritual condition of our own lives at the moment.⁵

Conclusion

The second coming is the believers’ happy hope. It provides hope because one day all things will be made right—there will be justice, peace, and righteousness. It provides hope because there will be a reward for our labor. It provides hope because one day we will see our God face to face. We must eagerly await our coming king and his kingdom. Come, Lord! Come!

Reflection

What stood out most in the reading and why?
What are characteristics of the second coming?
What are signs of his coming?
Is the second coming imminent or impending? Why or why not?
What will Christ do when he returns?
What applications does Scripture give to believers from considering the second coming?
What other questions or applications did you take from the reading?

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

¹ Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology (p. 403). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

² Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 1094). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

³ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 1092). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

⁴ Accessed 1/29/2021 from https://www.wycliffe.org.uk/about/our-impact/

⁵ Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 1093). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Related Topics: Eschatology (Things to Come)

网上牧师杂志–中文版（简体）, SCh Ed, Issue 46 2023 年冬季

A ministry of…

Author: Dr. Roger Pascoe, President,
Email: [email protected]

I. 加强讲解式讲道：传讲书信的信息，第一部分

A. 书信的文学特色

书信通常都有一个很类似的特色…

1. 书信的格式。书信都有一定标准格式，跟古时流行的书信方式无大分别：

a) 信首（问候、作者和收信人的简介，感恩）。

b) 内文（讨论一些特别议题、劝勉、请求、投诉等）。

c) 结尾（问安语等客套说话）。

2. 书信的一些常见特色。像其他书信一样，新约书信有以下的常见特色。

a) 直接进入内容，直接方式仅次于人与人之间的对话。

b) 是私人性质的。书信是以私人关系（“我 / 我们” 和 “你”）互相称呼，写信人和收件人之间只是在空间上有点阻隔吧了。无论如何，书信没有法律文件的冷酷和乏味，而是很容易令人有温馨的情绪，流露出作者的品性、情感、心境、态度、观感，和意见。

3. 书信的作用和体裁。新约书信并不只是用作传递消息之用，而却好像是一篇讲章，用作传扬生命之道。又因为作者要讨论一些敏感，及与生活有密切关系的问题，书信便提供了一个比口述更好的书写方式来沟通的平台。

正因为书信不论在体裁，讨论内容和讨论方式都具有独特风格，当我们想要参考某方面的资料（例如：“保罗在这问题上是怎么说的？”）时，我们可以把它当作一本百科全书来看。Moises Silva曾经说过：“我们要把新约所有书信作一全面的研读”（An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, 120），才可以明白作者的书写动机和对事情的观点。

新约书信是用不同的修辞方式出现（这是为着要迎合读者的情感、思绪，和口味），故此它可以用上很多不同的写作方法（例如对话、诗歌、写实 [ 例如加拉太书4章]），每种写法都有它本身的特性和演绎方式。

4. 书信的历史背景。跟其他圣经书卷不同的地方，书信都是因应某些需要、情况、困境，某些教会遇上难解的问题（例如：罗马、哥林多、加拉太教会等都曾遇上难以解决的问题），或某些人（例如：提多、提摩太、腓利门等）而产生出来的。但新约书信并不只和当代有关，但诚如朗多马（Tom Long）所说：“新约的书信跟其他大部份书信都是一样，虽与某些特定事件有关，但对后世仍是在讲说话” （Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible, 110.）。

要明白书信的意思和应用，至关重要的是我们须要对当时的历史背境有一深入的认识。找出了书信中所讨论的问题征结所在和解决办法，经过消化和整理，我们才可向现代读者解释和应用出来。在这个过程中，我们须要小心处理，如何将“过往”的经文过渡到“现在”的听众去。我们既须要忠于经文在古代的应用，也要忠于将之应用在今天的环境中。这是不容易做到的，因为古时发生的事情，未必可以适应于现代社会（例如：我们应否吃祭过偶像的肉？）。但无论如何，这些问题对我们来说也是适合讨论的。我们只需要注意一下，千万不要硬将“过往”的直接搬到“现在”去，也不要作出一些不适合的假设，硬生生的应用出来。

虽然如何将“过往”过渡到“现在”是一大难题，但讲解书信时，最大的益处就是在某些特定情形下，不论在教会或个人，应用或职责上，都可以给我们一个明确的教导。今天的神学家，释经学者，和教牧，他们的工作就是要决定那些教导是可以适用于现今社会的。

所以，如果这就是书信在文字上的特色，我们如何将其明白过来和讲解清楚呢？有什么可行的方法让我们遵从的？

B. 明白和讲解书信的一些指引

以下是一些可以帮助预备和讲解书信的一些指南 …

1. 文字结构的分析。这类分析在本刊前几期中已经讨论过了（例如：18-23期），但让我在这里再次强调数点在分析时要注意的事项。

文字结构的分析。这类分析在本刊前几期中已经讨论过了（例如：18-23期），但让我在这里再次强调数点在分析时要注意的事情。由于书信的固有特色（某些特殊的困难、问题等），有些人会贸然先去找出当时的历史和文化背境，然后才去明白内容。但重要的是，我们不能将经文的意思建基于重整过的历史和文化的背境上。所以，在把历史文化背境重整之前，我们应该把经文在文字方面先作一个释经学上的分析，从而解答到以下的问题：

a) 作者要说什么？

b) 他的意思是什么?

c) 他的论点和论证是如何演绎出来的?

然后，决定经文的结构和所要论说的。这正好是书信自己的本质 – 就是围绕着主题作个有系统性的论证，所以，你要找出经文的结构和论证要点，这便好组成你讲道内容的结构。这是对经文的写作方式和体裁作一仔细的分析。

作者在书信中，很有条理的将他的思想，论点、讨论和意见铺陈出来。我们只要把握每一段落，甚而整卷书信的思路（即辩证手法），我们便可以明白书信的来龙去脉。讲道时便跟着这个思路便可以了。

因此，当我们分析经文的文字结构时，我们可以使用以下的方法：

a) 决定整篇书信在文字上的结构 – 即是书信的主要段落。

b) 找出你所研读某段经文中（即一个或多个段落）中，作者是要传递什么中心思想（主题）。

c) 列出作者在这一段经文中，用作支持他论点的主要主张（一个或多个“要点”）。

d) 写出经文要带出来的影响（即目的是什么？）。

经文中的字面基本意义，到此可说是分析完毕。跟着我们便可以开始深入研究经文的内容，上文下理及每段落的意思（即是思想的脉胳）。到了这时，你才可以对经文的文法及字义作更深入的分析。

你一定要做到只用一个句子，便能把经文的中心思想表达出来，你的讲章才可以算是集中一起（即是不致于杂乱无章）。这也可以让你在整理讲章时，集中在如何把中心思想显示出来（即是将支持作者的论点可以尽情发挥）。

对于很多讲员来说，要找出经文的中心思想（主题）和关于这中心思想所提倡的意见（主张），不是一件简单的事情。这可能就是很多讲员只讲一般性的问题的原因了。但你一定要讲一些特殊的课题，因为作者也正是在讨论著一些特别的课题。如果经文是说及“神的爱”，你就一定要先决定作者是在说明那一方面神的爱。中心思想要明确 – 因为“爱”包含的意思实在太过泛了。是神给全世界的爱吗？这就是神的爱所包含的范围了吗？是神坚贞的爱吗？当你找出经文的中心主旨，你才可以依循作者的意思演译。

你的读者应该可以找到你所说的重点，原则和应用所引用的经文。你的讲章就要依从这个原则连贯起来，这样你便可以达到“务要传道”（提后4：2）的目的了。你讲道的信息，凭着圣灵，一定可以大有能力的在会众生命中彰显出来。

通常，你会用圣经的一段经文（即是含有同一个主题的经文）来讲道。如果经文太长，一次不能讲完（例如以弗所书1：3-14），你可以将之分成数个段落（例如：某个分题 / 重点），但每次都不要离开全篇的主题。

要明白书信，如果能懂一些圣经希腊原文便更有帮助，因为希腊原文可以是最有效的将经文的结构和作者要讨论的不同事情（要点）和全文的中心思想勾划出来。如果你不懂希腊文，可以借助一本从希腊文直译过来的圣经翻译（英文的翻译本有ESV, NASB, NKJV, CSB）。

2. 搜集历史资料。在分析完经文的文字结构后，我们便可以搜集你要讲述的经文的历史和文化背景。这可让我们更深入的了解经文的内容 - 例如谁是收信人，写信目的，有什么与文化及风俗习惯有关的资料等。

历史的认识，对释经及应用是很重要的，这对书信来说尤其重要。在预备书信的讲章时，我们一定要找出，作者要讨论什么事情，和事情发生的起因，我们才可解答以下的问题。

a) 作者为什么这样说？

b) 为什么他有这样的回应？

c) 作者是要为着某些问题而写这信？如果是的话，这问题是什么？

d) 这段经文中的文化背景是什么？在这经文有那些字眼是与文化有关的（例如：信首格式可能便属这一类）？

e) 书写的背后历史因素（问题、需要、情景），而致引起作者要写这封信的动机？

我不是提议将所找到的历史资料如数家珍的全部讲出来，你只要将其中与你要解释的神学真理、教训、和应用有关的讲出来就可以了。诚如Scott Hafemann指出：“讲道是宣讲经文中的神学真理，和教训，而不是要上一个有关新约时代的背景、政治环境、当时的语言，或社会问题和风俗习惯的课”（”Handbook of Contemporary Preaching” 一书中365页的Preaching in the Epistles）。

要找出书信的背后动机（甚或书信所要回答的问题），有时候真的不容易，因为我们常常要透过推理才能得出结论。例如，保罗在哥林多前书并没有直接的写出他要回覆哥林多教会的什么问题。因此，有时候我们便要从字里行间，试行重整当时的情境。这样做的弊病是很容易流于主观，或只是推测而矣，故此Moises Silva提议将所有我们（或其他学者）的理论都作一个试验，这样我们便可以找到经文的“终极”意义，而不是由推理得到的结论（An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, 126-128）。

II. 强化圣经中的领导才能
哥林多后书：“软弱中的力量”

在上期，我们对哥林多后书2:14 -7:16作了最后一次的讨论，就是保罗在讲论牧者领导才能时的题外话。在文中，我们已探讨过以下的问题：

1. 对牧会的信心（林后2:14-3:6）

2. 牧会权柄本质，第一、二部份（林后4:1-16）

3. 牧会的动机，第一、二、三部份（林后4:16-5:17）

4. 和好的职事，第一、二、三、四、五部份（林后5:18-7:16）

在离开讨论哥林多后书2:14-7:16之前，我想和大家分享我在分析哥林多后书时的体会，你便可以从中了解我在教授释经课前，我是如何预备教学资料的。你在每周预备讲章时，不会有充足时间作出这类释经研究的，但你可以借助释经书。

A. 时间

在哥林多前书，保罗处理了很多事情，其中有一宗是有人犯了乱伦的罪。在得悉教会已对那犯罪的人采取了惩治的行动后，保罗便如释重负，在林后1-7章中他更表示了欣慰。但在同一经文中，保罗却面临着越来越多的反对声浪。这第二波的反对声音在第10-13章中越发明显。保罗在此极力驳斥这班人是“假先知”。 “假先知”一词是保罗在得知那犯罪的人遭惩治后才使用的。对于这个遭到惩治的人和教会中越来越多反对声音是否有关联，我们就不得而知。

某种情况下，有些自称是使徒的假教师混进了哥林多教会，专门从事诽谤保罗。为此，保罗的信便是要驳斥这些人的指控，并暴露他们的虚假面具。为着保护哥林多教会，免被这群假教师的错谬道理所蒙骗，保罗便特为自己的人格、和使徒身份自辩。

同时，保罗亦须向哥林多人作一交代，解释他改变行程的原因（1:15ff.; cf. 林前16:5ff），并敦促他们要办妥为赒济耶路撒冷贫困信徒的捐款事宜，以预备他第三次的到访（13：1ff.）。他们这次筹募，是早已开始的了，但却是迟迟未完成。

打发了提多从以弗所到哥林多，并传递了前一封信（即哥林多前书），保罗便安排与提多在回程往特罗亚时会面。但到达特罗亚后，不见提多，他便决定往马其顿去，结果就是在那里，可能是在腓立比或尼亚波利，便遇上了提多（2:12f.；7:5ff.）。

提多给保罗带来了好消息，也有坏消息。好消息就是哥林多人很积极的回应保罗信上所写的，果断采取行动，正视他指出的问题，并加以纠正。这给保罗极大的喜乐（7:5）。但坏消息却是在哥林多教会中，仍然存在着好些，很明显是被那些假使徒挑拨的不良份子。这里是他们对保罗的一些指控：

a) 他们指摘保罗心口不一（因为他没有实现他说了的行程、而做了其他事情）。保罗回答说，他改变行程的原因，不是因为他拿不定主意或说话不可靠，而是他不想带着一个严厉的心情来见他们（2：1）。

b) 他们指控保罗心高气傲，其貌不扬，言语乏味，不诚实，不够资格作基督的使徒。

c) 他们怀疑保罗的使徒身份，因为他来哥林多时，没有荐信（3:1）。保罗为了这诸多关于他使徒身份的指控，特别提醒他们他一直是以一个福音使者来忍受诸般的非难（4至6章）。

d) 他们暗示保罗可能要为收集款项，赒济耶路撒冷贫穷信徒的工作，迟迟不能完成的缓慢进度负责（参阅八至九章）。

e) 他们指称保罗在远处未见面时，他那些令人折服的信显示他是一个坚毅勇敢的人。但见面时，却显得非常软弱（10:10；11:6）。

f) 他们宣称保罗传福音既不收酬金，便不值得花时间去听他（11：7ff）。他们甚而影射因他不取工价，可能他不是爱着他们（11:11; 12:15）。

这些使人分门结党的假使徒，他们的真正面目一定要被揭露出来 - 他们是偷着进来的，他们一点都不是真使徒。故此，保罗对这些指控都是基于真使徒和假使徒之间的不同点而加以剖析。其中之一就是真使徒是长久的受苦和克己。他的软弱没有让他有半点机会炫耀自己，但却全是彰显神的大神和恩典（11:21-12:12）。他告诉他们在那快要实行的第三次旅程，如有必要的话，他是不会犹疑行使他的使徒权柄（13:1ff）。但他的期望就是希望他们会毫无条件的归向他。

B. 文字结构及一致性

哥林多后书内容好像都是围绕着保罗的行程。他原本去希腊的第二次行程，是大概会两次到访哥林多教会，先由以弗所渡海到他们那里，逗留片刻，然后北上马其顿，回程时再到他们那里，和他们相聚一些时日，收集给耶路撒贫穷信徒的捐款后，才回到耶路撒冷。但最终他改变了行程 – 先从以弗所北上马其顿，跟着南行到哥林多（林前16:5ff，林后1:16），最后便到耶路撒冷。这样，他便可以和他们相聚一段稍长的时间，而不是两个短时期。

这个“行程”的细节便连贯了本书信上文下理。我们可以从中看到：

1. 过去：计划的改变（1-7章）。保罗表白自己的良心（1:12ff），并解释了为什么他改变了行程（1:15-2:4）。他是从以弗所到了特罗亚，以为在那里可以遇到提多。结果没有遇上，他便继续去了马其顿（2:12f.）。到此，经文有一段很长的文字（2:14-7:4），这些文字虽是全书信的一部份，但却与写作目的无关。到了7:5，书信才继续下去，在此保罗描述了他如何在马其顿遇见提多，和他带来的大喜信息，是有关哥林多教会对他的信（即哥林多前书）的积极回应。

2. 现在：差派提多完成筹募的事情（8-9章）。第八和第九章是描述为耶路撒冷穷苦信徒收集捐款的事。这不是题外的说话，但却迎合本书信的主题 – 保罗的行程可能有改变，但他访问哥林多教会的目的却是始终如一。他希望在到达前，为耶路撒冷信徒的捐款已经筹募完毕。为此，他差遣了提多和两位弟兄比他先行（并带同此封信，即哥林多后书）去统理这事。

3. 未来：确定并快将实现的保罗第三次到访（10-13章）。第十至十三章是揭露及谴责那些偷进哥林多教会及诋毁保罗声誉及权威的“假使徒”。保罗警告，在他第三次到访时，他必定会处理那些继续在教会滋事的人。

这个大纲，可以给大家将书信每段不同的主题及和语气一个结构上的分析，并把上文下理作一个概览。 Zahn说：“读者是被引导着，跟随保罗的行踪，由以弗所，经过特罗亚而到达马其顿（1-7章）；跟着和他在马其顿教会停留了一段时间（8-9章）；最后便被引导到如何利用保罗将要访问哥林多教会时的角度来了解教会所遇见的问题。′（T. Zahn, Introduction to the New Testament, Vol. 1, 312, 引用在Philip E. Hughes的The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, xxii中）。

4. 和哥林多前书的关系（“忧伤的信”）。我们不难想像为什么保罗称哥林多前书是一封“心里难过痛苦、多多地流泪” （林后2:4）的信。所以我们觉得那封忧伤的信就是指哥林多前书来说的；那么，哥林多后书便理应可以哥林多前书的内容来了解。那些说哥林多前书不是那封“忧伤的信”的人，可说是忽略了使徒在写给他所建立的教会时的信时的焦虑和悲痛情感。这可以从他信中尖锐笔锋看到出来，他谴责教会的分裂而非合作的团队精神；在灵命方面，保罗痛心教会偏于属世而不思属灵的事；保罗也极力教训他们要审理在他们中间所犯的罪行；责备他们竟有互相控诉的事情；主餐时，常有醉酒荒宴的事件；崇拜时不守规矩，误用属灵的恩赐，并纠正他们对主复活的真理的错误。

这样的一封信，如果不是出于焦虑和伤痛的心，并且满有泪水的，真不知是如何写出来的了。

5. 主题的连贯性：“软弱中的力量”。使徒就是用了这个标题，辩明他备受哥林多教会中反对人仕的诸多非难的使徒权柄的权威性。他肉体软弱，但神却用得着他，并加给他力量。故此，他的工作力量明显地是从神那里来的。为此，信中多次提到保罗的受苦、危险、和劳苦，就是要显明保罗在传道时所忍受的，亦同时显出神的大能。奇妙的是，人的软弱和神的大能竟可以在此相提并论。保罗在哥林多受到的攻击，都是集中在他肉身上的软弱，却从不提及他工作的果效。这主题一直贯穿着整篇书信（例：1:5f; 1:8f; 2:12f; 3:5f; 4:7f; 4:16-18; 5:1f; 6:4f; 7:5f; 11:23f; 12:5-10; 13:4）。

6. 最后四章的可靠性。在最后四章，使徒的语气突然改变了，这引起了很多人怀疑这四章应该是属于另一封信的。但我觉得我们无须多疑，因为这四章跟本封书信的结构如出一辙。况且，它和整篇的主题非常吻合，那就是神的力量是透过我们的软弱而成就出来。

除了最後四章和全篇書信的連貫性互相一致之外，其他本書信前後的連貫性也是很容易看到出來。例如，比較以下的經文，你便可以得出結論：1:13 和 10:11; 1:17 和10:2; 2:1 和 12:14, 21, 13:1f.; 2:17 和 12:19; 3:2 和12:11; 6:13 和11:2, 12:14; 8:6, 18, 22 和12:17f.).

C. 全篇书信的结构

第一段落：简介（1:1-14）。随着问安语（1:1-2），保罗有一段很长的感恩（1:3-11）。保罗多次的受苦和艰难，对他来说，不过是分享“基督的苦楚”（1:5），并且从中经历到从基督而来的“安慰”（1:5）。这些经历，虽然是突发和痛苦的，但却教导了他要紧紧靠着那“发慈悲的父，赐各样安慰的神”（1:3）。这个宝贵经历使他从今可以“能用神所赐的安慰去安慰那遭各样患难的人”（1:4）。工作是建基于受苦（那是基督的苦和从信徒而来的苦），和一直由从神而来的安慰扶持着。受苦和得安慰是分不开的。

这段感恩说话似乎是说他在建立一个根基，在这根基上，作为一个使徒，他受的苦和得到的安慰都是为着哥林多教会（1:6），并使他们得着确切的盼望，因为“你们既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰”（1:7）。就算饱受死亡威胁，却是“叫我们不靠自己，只靠叫人复活的神”（1:8-10）。他从死里得救，固然是借着神的拯救，也是借着哥林多信徒的祷告，结果就是许多人向神感恩，“就是为我们因许多人所得的恩”（1:11）。

第二段落：保罗的表白（1:12-7:16）。这里，保罗转到行程的话题，他表白改变行程计划，绝不是因世俗或忽是忽非的原因（1:12-14）。反对保罗的人，声称他的改变行程便显示他不是一个可靠的人。但再重新细心思想之后（1:15-22），保罗解释他改变的原因是因为他深深爱着他们，不想他们过份伤痛，好像上一次到访时，当他严厉的责备那个犯了乱伦罪的人所引起的伤痛一样（1:23-24）。跟着是一段勉励的说话，他们饶恕并爱那位因犯罪而受责的人（2:5-11，并比较林前5章）。保罗为着此人亦曾写给他们一封“心里难过痛苦”（2:4）的信。

就这样，笔锋一转便转到引起他写本信的原因 – 就是他遇见了提多（2;12-13 和7:5-16）-- 这个叙述，是因保罗用了很长篇幅讲论他工作的性质和宗旨（2:14-5:15），并呼吁信徒和好（5:16-7:4）而遭到打断的。

a) 工作的意義和目的（2:14-5:15）. 這是保羅對反對他的人的第一次表白，他表示自己对他的工作有足够资格和胜任有余。

第一，他是蒙神呼召事奉神（2:14-16a）。神夸胜的带领，使他能在各处所遇见人中，散发出“香气” - 在灭亡的人中“作了死的香气叫他死”，而在得救的人中，“就作了活的香气叫他活”（2:16）。

第二，他传道的力量是来自神（2:16b-3:6）。他能作好神的工作不是凭自己的力量，否则他便和那些假使徒一样，都是为着自己“为利混乱神的道”；但他却是在神面前凭着基督讲道（2:17）。所以，他不须要举荐自己（3:1-3），他的信心不是出于自己，乃是出于神，“他叫我们能承当这新约的执事”（3:4-6）。

保罗跟着便比较新约及旧约的职事（3:7-18）。新约的职事给他勇气，“将那些暗昧可耻的事弃绝了；不行诡诈，不谬讲神的道理”，而是在“神面前”把真理表明出来，“基督荣耀福音的光”（4:2, 4）。他是借着神的能力传扬基督（4:5），神吩咐要“光从黑暗里照出来”，同时，“已经照在我们心里，叫我们得知神荣耀的光颢在耶稣基督的面上”（4:6）。福音的宝贝（即是基督）是放在瓦器里（即是：保罗肉体上的软弱，4:8-11），其中所显现的能力不是保罗的，而是来自神的（4:7）。

但这个软弱的肉体瓦器不是常常毁坏和死亡的（4:10-12）。肉体的软弱只是今世和可见到的，但有一天这些都会被永恒和见不到的取代（4:16-18）。当“地上的帐棚若拆毁了”，就“必得神所造，不是人手所造，在天上永存的屋”（5:1-4）。

神将我们改变过来，是借着圣灵作凭据（5:5），这样，我们便得着“行事为人是凭着信心，不是凭着眼见”（5:6-8）的勇气。有着这个永恒的盼望，保罗立了志向，为要讨主喜悦（5:9），他努力劝别人留心审判是在“基督台前”和务要敬畏神，因为“主是可畏的”（5:10-11）。虽然，他传福音不是要取悦那些举荐他们的人（5:12; cf. 3:1-3），但他传道也不是漫不经心的，而是受着基督的爱所激励（5:14）。

b) 和好的恳求（5:16-7:4）. 作为基督的使者，保罗是在传讲一个使人和好的信息，因为基督为我们的罪牺牲了（5:16-21）。他劝他们“不可徒受他的恩典”（6:1），且要积极回应他艰辛的职分（6:1-10）。他敦促他们敝开心门，接纳主和他作为主使者的职分（6:11-13），承认如要与神有正常的关系，便要专心一致（6:14-7:1）。最后，保罗说他对他们有极大的信心（7:2-4）。

保罗继续复述他如何在马其顿，因再次遇见了提多而得到的安慰，并由他的回报，知道哥林多教会对他先前的信所作的正面回应而大大喜乐（7:5-16）。哥林多人经过保罗早些时候的训诫后，决心悔过，忧伤自己的过犯（7:10），保罗很是高兴，也放下心中的焦虑。

第三段落：为耶路撒冷贫苦圣徒的捐款（8:1-9:15）. 对哥林多人悔改，并且“向我的热心”（7:7），保罗表示大大的释怀和欣慰，他便开始进到另一个重要的话题，他须要跟他们讲明清楚，这就是为耶路撒冷贫苦信徒的捐项。很踫巧地，他遇见提多的马其顿教会，是一个在患难中仍然乐于捐献的好榜样（8:7-9）。保罗劝哥林多人效法他们的榜样，这便可显出基督牺牲的恩典（8:7-9）。真的，完成收集捐献的事对他们大有益处，这工作已持续一年之久，现在也应来个了结（8:10-11）。这是一个良机，让他们从“富余”中供应耶路撒冷教会在现时所缺乏的；可能在将来，这情形会逆转过来也说不定（8:12-15）。为了能在保罗到达之前办好这个捐项事宜，保罗特意差遣提多和另外两位弟兄先到哥林多（8:16-24），保罗敦促他们和提多合作（8:24），好叫保罗到达的时候，捐款便已预备妥当，好使保罗不会觉着为难（9:1-5）。最后，他教导他们信徒捐输的操练（9:6-15），我们捐输应该是慷慨和甘心乐意的（9:6-7），因为“神能将各样的恩惠多多地加给你们”（9:8），而且“必多多加给你们种地的种子，又增添你们仁义的果子”（9:10）。因此，不只他们凡事富足，神也会得到荣耀和感谢（9:11-15）。

第四段落：保罗对不断而来的攻击的回应（10:1-13:4）. 这可能是指2:17及4:2所提及的人，保罗现在直接回应那些攻击他的说话（10:1-18）。他没有否认自己是在“血气中”行事，但绝“不凭着血气争战”（10:2-3）。而他争战的兵器“乃是在神面前有能力，可以攻破坚固的营垒”（10:4）。

他也否认那些虚假传言，说他信中所说的很沉重，但却缺乏个人的权柄。论到权柄，无人拥有的可以和他相比。到再次见面时，保罗便会将他的权柄行使出来给他们看（10:7-10）。有些人专以自己的权柄为夸口，但保罗却不然，他“不愿意分外夸口，只要照神所量给我们的界限构到你们那里”（10:13-15），这里所说的界限当然是包括哥林多教会了。保罗的权柄，是基于“夸口的，当指着主夸口。因为蒙悦纳的，不是自己称许的，乃是主所称许的”（10:17-18）。

到了这时，保罗反守为攻，无情地揭露那些窃取教会权柄的假使徒的恶行（11:1-15）。他为着哥林多人不安，害怕他们会被那些“另传一个耶稣…另受一个灵…另得一个福音”（11:1-4）的人所蒙骗。他一点不在“那些最大的使徒以下”（11:5）；他独立传道，不是因为不愿意接受他们的金钱支助（11:7-9）的缘故。他最好的表态就是和攻击他的假使徒划清界线（11:12-15）。

跟着，保罗为着回覆愚昧人的愚妄话，他便稍微说了一点夸口的说话（11:16-21）。其他人既可以夸口，他当然也可以（11:21）。他是希伯来人的后裔（11:22），他为基督多受劳苦和牢狱之灾（11:23-28），他夸口那些其他人认为软弱的（11:29-12:10），例如他从大马士革逃出来（11:32-33），他肉体中叫他谦卑的一根刺（12:1-9a）。在软弱中所显出来的刚强，看似矛盾，但却被保罗看重成“我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全… 我什么时候软弱，什么时候就刚强了”（12:9b-10）。他为着自己的夸口而致歉 - 他们应是站在他一边的，而不是强逼他这样夸口（12:11），因为他在他们中间时，他们已看过他作为使徒的凭据。如果他们觉着他不及其他众教会，那只有一个可能性，就是他传道，没有接受他们经济支助。为此，他请求他们寛恕。

第五段落：他的第三次到访（12:14-13:6）。当他第三次到访时，他仍不会依靠他们的供应，更不会贪取他们的便宜（12：14-18）。他希望他们能够长大建立起来（12:19）。但他忧虑他们不会像他所期望的，而他们也不会看到他是他们所期待的（12:20-21）。故此，他提醒他们，他这次到访，会采取严厉措施，因为他们好像想从他身上找到“基督在我里面说话的凭据”（13:1-4）。

第六段落：结语（13:5-14）。为要唤醒他们注意自己的属灵境况，他吩咐他们省察自己是否真的基督徒（13:5-6）。他的恳求就是他们不要犯罪，这样他们便可以凡事无愧于心（13:7），他情愿他们是刚强，而他是软弱的（13:9）。他写信的目的，就是希望他们作出积极回应，刚强壮胆。当他第三次来时，他便不须要严厉的对待他们（13:10）。

E. 经文大纲

I. 开首语

A. 问安（1:1-2）

B. 感恩（1:3-11）

II. 保罗的自白（1:12-7:16）

A. 行程的改变（1:12-2:13）

B. 他的使徒职份（2:14-5:15）

1. 他胜任他的职事（2:14-3:6a）

2. 他的福音事工与摩西律法事工的比较（3:6b-18）

3. 他和反对對者的比较（4:1-12）

4. 他的动机（4:13-5:15）

C. 和好的请求（5:16-7:4）

D. 期待已久先前寄出的信的回音（7:5-16）

III. 收集給耶路撒冷贫苦信徒的捐款（8:1-9:15）

IV. 保罗对反对的人的驳斥（10:1-13:14）

A. 对批评声音的回应（10:1-11）

B. 揭露假“使徒”（11:1-15）

C. 保罗“愚拙”的言词（11:16-12:13）

V. 保罗的第三次到访（12:14-13:5）

VI. 結語（13:5-14）

这是一个很简短的结构大纲。为我自己的缘故，我已加插了很多分段，但这已足够你了解整个过程如何作出来的了。

III. 讲道大纲

题目：学习主耶稣 – 承认耶稣的位格（太16:13-23）

主旨：耶稣是誰？

主题：当我们认识耶稣时，我们一定要承认他是谁和他做了什么。

第一点：耶稣问门徒他是谁（16:13-20）

1. “人说我人子是谁？”(13-14）

2.“你们说我是谁？”（15-20）

a) 彼得对耶稣的重大了解（16）

b) 耶稣对教会的启示（17-20）

第二点：耶稣预言他的受苦（16:21-23）

1. 彼得责难耶稣（22）

2. 耶稣斥责彼得（23）

網上牧師雜誌 – 中文版（繁體）, TCh Ed, Issue 46 2023 年冬季

A ministry of…

Author: Dr. Roger Pascoe, President,
Email: [email protected]

I. 加強講解式講道：傳講書信的信息，第一部分

A. 書信的文學特色

書信通常都有一個很類似的特色…

1. 書信的格式。書信都有一定標準格式，跟古時流行的書信方式無大分別：

a) 信首（問候、作者和收信人的簡介，感恩）。

b) 內文（討論一些特別議題、勸勉、請求、投訴等）。

c) 結尾（問安語等客套說話）。

2. 書信的一些常見特色。像其他書信一樣，新約書信有以下的常見特色。

a) 直接進入內容，直接方式僅次於人與人之間的對話。

b) 是私人性質的。書信是以私人關係（“我 / 我們”和“你”）互相稱呼，寫信人和收件人之間只是在空間上有點阻隔吧了。無論如何，書信沒有法律文件的冷酷和乏味，而是很容易令人有溫馨的情緒，流露出作者的品性、情感、心境、態度、觀感，和意見。

3. 書信的作用和體裁。新約書信並不只是用作傳遞消息之用，而卻好像一篇講章，用作傳揚生命之道。又因為作者要討論一些敏感，及與生活有密切關係的問題，書信便提供了一個比口述更好的書寫方式來溝通的平台。

正因為書信不論在體裁，討論內容和討論方式都具有獨特風格，當我們想要參考某方面的資料（例如：“保羅在這問題上是怎麼說的？”）時，我們可以把它當作一本百科全書來看。Moises Silva曾經說過：“我們要把新約所有書信作一全面的研讀”（An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, 120），才可以明白作者的書寫動機和對事情的觀點。

新約書信是用不同的修辭方式出現（這是為著要迎合讀者的情感、思緒，和口味），故此它可以用上很多不同的寫作方法（例如對話、詩歌、寫實 [ 例如加拉太書4章]），每種寫法都有它本身的特性和演繹方式。

4. 書信的歷史背境。跟其他聖經書卷不同的地方，書信都是因應某些需要、情況、困境，某些教會遇上難解的問題（例如：羅馬、哥林多、加拉太教會等都曾遇上難以解決的問題），或某些人（例如：提多、提摩太、腓利門等）而產生出來的。但新約書信並不只和當代有關，但誠如朗多馬（Tom Long）所說：“新約的書信跟其他大部份書信都是一樣，雖與某些特定事件有關，但對後世仍是在講說話”（Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible, 110.）。

要明白書信的意思和應用，至關重要的是我們須要對當時的歷史背境有一深入的認識。找出了書信中所討論的問題徵結所在和解決辦法，經過消化和整理，我們才可向現代讀者解釋和應用出來。在這個過程中，我們須要小心處理，如何將“過往”的經文過渡到“現在”的聽眾去。我們既須要忠於經文在古代的應用，也要忠於將之應用在今天的環境中。這是不容易做到的，因為古時發生的事情，未必可以適應於現代社會（例如：我們應否吃祭過偶像的肉？）。但無論如何，這些問題對我們來說也是適合討論的。我們只需要注意一下，千萬不要硬將“過往”的直接搬到“現在”去，也不要作出一些不適合的假設，硬生生的應用出來。

雖然如何將“過往”過渡到“現在”是一大難題，但講解書信時，最大的益處就是在某些特定情形下，不論在教會或個人，應用或職責上，都可以給我們一個明確的教導。今天的神學家，釋經學者，和教牧，他們的工作就是要決定那些教導是可以適用於現今社會的。

所以，如果這就是書信在文字上的特色，我們如何將其明白過來和講解清楚呢？有甚麼可行的方法讓我們遵從的？

B. 明白和講解書信的一些指引

以下是一些可以幫助預備和講解書信的一些指南 …

1. 文字結構的分析。這類分析在本刊前幾期中已經討論過了（例如：18-23期），但讓我在這裡再次強調數點在分析時要注意的事項。

由於書信的固有特色（某些特殊的困難、問題等），有些人會貿然先去找出當時的歷史和文化背境，然後才去明白內容。但重要的是，我們不能將經文的意思建基於重整過的歷史和文化的背境上。所以，在把歷史文化背境重整之前，我們應該把經文在文字方面先作一個釋經學上的分析，從而解答到以下的問題：

a) 作者要說甚麼？

b) 他的意思是甚麼？

c) 他的論點和論證是如何演繹出來的？

然後，決定經文的結構和所要論說的。這正好是書信自己的本質 – 就是圍繞著主題作個有系統性的論證，所以，你要找出經文的結構和論證要點，這便好組成你講道內容的結構。這是對經文的寫作方式和體裁作一仔細的分析。

作者在書信中，很有條理的將他的思想，論點、討論和意見舖陳出來。我們只要把握每一段落，甚而整卷書信的思路（即辯證手法），我們便可以明白書信的來龍去脈。講道時便跟著這個思路便可以了。

因此，當我們分析經文的文字結構時，我們可以使用以下的方法：

a) 決定整篇書信在文字上的結構 – 即是書信的主要段落。

b) 找出你所a研讀某段經文中（即一個或多個段落）中，作者是要傳遞甚麼中心思想（主題）。

c) 列出作者在這一段經文中，用作支持他論點的主要主張（一個或多個“要點”）。

d) 寫出經文要帶出來的影響（即目的是甚麼？）。

經文中的字面基本意義，到此可說是分析完畢。跟著我們便可以開始深入研究經文的內容，上文下理及每段落的意思（即是思想的脈胳）。到了這時，你才可以對經文的文法及字義作更深入的分析。

你一定要做到只用一個句子，便能把經文的中心思想表達出來，你的講章才可以算是集中一起（即是不致於雜亂無章）。這也可以讓你在整理講章時，集中在如何把中心思想顯示出來（即是將支持作者的論點可以盡情發揮）。

對於很多講員來說，要找出經文的中心思想（主題）和關於這中心思想所提倡的意見（主張），不是一件簡單的事情。這可能就是很多講員只講一般性的問題的原因了。但你一定要講一些特殊的課題，因為作者也正是在討論著一些特別的課題。如果經文是說及“神的愛”，你就一定要先決定作者是在說明那一方面神的愛。中心思想要明確 – 因為“愛”包含的意思實在太過泛了。是神給全世界的愛嗎？這就是神的愛所包含的範圍了嗎？是神堅貞的愛嗎？當你找出經文的中心主旨，你才可以依循作者的意思演譯。

你的讀者應該可以找到你所說的重點，原則和應用所引用的經文。你的講章就要依從這個原則連貫起來，這樣你便可以達到“務要傳道”（提後4：2）的目的了。你講道的信息，憑著聖靈，一定可以大有能力的在會眾生命中彰顯出來。

通常，你會用聖經的一段經文（即是含有同一個主題的經文）來講道。如果經文太長，一次不能講完（例如以弗所書1：3-14），你可以將之分成數個段落（例如：某個分題 / 重點），但每次都不要離開全篇的主題。

要明白書信，如果能懂一些聖經希臘原文便更有幫助，因為希臘原文可以是最有效的將經文的結構和作者要討論的不同事情（要點）和全文的中心思想勾劃出來。如果你不懂希臘文，可以借助一本從希臘文直譯過來的聖經翻譯（英文的翻譯本有ESV, NASB, NKJV, CSB）。

2. 搜集歷史資料。在分析完經文的文字結構後，我們便可以搜集你要講述的經文的歷史和文化背景。這可讓我們更深入的了解經文的內容 - 例如誰是收信人，寫信目的，有甚麼與文化及風俗習慣有關的資料等。

歷史的認識，對釋經及應用是很重要的，這對書信來說尤其重要。在預備書信的講章時，我們一定要找出，作者要討論甚麼事情，和事情發生的起因，我們才可解答以下的問題。

a) 作者為甚麼這樣說？

b) 為甚麼他有這樣的回應？

c) 作者是要為著某些問題而寫這信？如果是的話，這問題是甚麼？

d) 這段經文中的文化背景是甚麼？在這經文有那些字眼是與文化有關的（例如：信首格式可能便屬這一類）？

e) 書寫的背後歷史因素（問題、需要、情景），而致引起作者要寫這封信的動機？

我不是提議將所找到的歷史資料如數家珍的全部講出來，你只要將其中與你要解釋的神學真理、教訓、和應用有關的講出來就可以了。誠如Scott Hafemann指出：“講道是宣講經文中的神學真理，和教訓，而不是要上一個有關新約時代的背景、政治環境、當時的語言，或社會問題和風俗習慣的課”（”Handbook of Contemporary Preaching” 一書中365頁的Preaching in the Epistles）。

要找出書信的背後動機（甚或書信所要回答的問題），有時候真的不容易，因為我們常常要透過推理才能得出結論。例如，保羅在哥林多前書並沒有直接的寫出他要回覆哥林多教會的甚麼問題。因此，有時候我們便要從字裡行間，試行重整當時的情境。這樣做的弊病是很容易流於主觀，或只是推測而矣，故此Moises Silva提議將所有我們（或其他學者）的理論都作一個試驗，這樣我們便可以找到經文的“終極”意義，而不是由推理得到的結論（An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics, 126-128）。

II. 強化聖經中的領導才能
哥林多後書：“軟弱中的力量”

在上期，我們對哥林多後書2:14 -7:16作了最後一次的討論，就是保羅在講論牧者領導才能時的題外話。在文中，我們已探討過以下的問題：

1. 對牧會的信心（林後2:14-3:6）

2. 牧會權柄本質，第一、二部份（林後4:1-16）

3. 牧會的動機，第一、二、三部份（林後4:16-5:17）

4. 和好的職事，第一、二、三、四、五部份（林後5:18-7:16）

在離開討論哥林多後書2:14-7:16之前，我想和大家分享我在分析哥林多後書時的體會，你便可以從中了解我在教授釋經課前，我是如何預備教學資料的。你在每週預備講章時，不會有充足時間作出這類釋經研究的，但你可以借助釋經書。

A. 時間

在哥林多前書，保羅處理了很多事情，其中有一宗是有人犯了亂倫的罪。在得悉教會已對那犯罪的人採取了懲治的行動後，保羅便如釋重負，在林後1-7章中他更表示了欣慰。但在同一經文中，保羅卻面臨著越來越多的反對聲浪。這第二波的反對聲音在第10-13章中越發明顯。保羅在此極力駁斥這班人是“假先知”。“假先知”一詞是保羅在得知那犯罪的人遭懲治後才使用的。對於這個遭到懲治的人和教會中越來越多反對聲音是否有關聯，我們就不得而知。

某種情況下，有些自稱是使徒的假教師混進了哥林多教會，專門從事誹謗保羅。為此，保羅的信便是要駁斥這些人的指控，並暴露他們的虛假面具。為著保護哥林多教會，免被這群假教師的錯謬道理所蒙騙，保羅便特為自己的人格、和使徒身份自辯。

同時，保羅亦須向哥林多人作一交代，解釋他改變行程的原因（1:15ff.; cf. 林前16:5ff），並敦促他們要辦妥為賙濟耶路撒冷貧困信徒的捐款事宜，以預備他第三次的到訪（13：1ff.）。他們這次籌募，是早已開始的了，但卻是遲遲未完成。

打發了提多從以弗所到哥林多，並傳遞了前一封信（即哥林多前書），保羅便安排與提多在回程往特羅亞時會面。但到達特羅亞後，不見提多，他便決定往馬其頓去，結果就是在那裡，可能是在腓立比或尼亞波利，便遇上了提多（2:12f.；7:5ff.）。

提多給保羅帶來了好消息，也有壞消息。好消息就是哥林多人很積極的回應保羅信上所寫的，果斷採取行動，正視他指出的問題，並加以糾正。這給保羅極大的喜樂（7:5）。但壞消息卻是在哥林多教會中，仍然存在著好些，很明顯是被那些假使徒挑撥的不良份子。這裡是他們對保羅的一些指控：

a) 他們指摘保羅心口不一（因為他沒有實現他說了的行程、而做了其他事情）。保羅回答說，他改變行程的原因，不是因為他拿不定主意或說話不可靠譜，而是他不想帶著一個嚴厲的心情來見他們（2：1）。

b) 他們指控保羅心高氣傲，其貌不揚，言語乏味，不誠實，不夠資格作基督的使徒。

c) 他們懷疑保羅的使徒身份，因為他來哥林多時，沒有薦信（3:1）。保羅為了這諸多關於他使徒身份的指控，特別提醒他們他一直是以一個福音使者來忍受諸般的非難（4至6章）。

d) 他們暗示保羅可能要為收集款項，賙濟耶路撒冷貧窮信徒的工作，遲遲不能完成的緩慢進度負責（參閱八至九章）。

e) 他們指稱保羅在遠處未見面時，他那些令人折服的信顯示他是一個堅毅勇敢的人。但見面時，卻顯得非常軟弱（10:10；11:6）。

f) 他們宣稱保羅傳福音既不收酬金，便不值得花時間去聽他（11：7ff）。他們甚而影射因他不取工價，可能他不是愛著他們（11:11; 12:15）。

這些使人分門結黨的假使徒，他們的真正面目一定要被揭露出來 - 他們是偷著進來的，他們一點都不是真使徒。故此，保羅對這些指控都是基於真使徒和假使徒之間的不同點而加以剖析。其中之一就是真使徒是長久的受苦和克己。他的軟弱沒有讓他有半點機會炫耀自己，但卻全是彰顯神的大神和恩典（11:21-12:12）。他告訴他們在那快要實行的第三次旅程，如有必要的話，他是不會猶疑行使他的使徒權柄（13:1ff）。但他的期望就是希望他們會毫無條件的歸向他。

B. 文字結構及一致性

哥林多後書內容好像都是圍繞著保羅的行程。他原本去希臘的第二次行程，是大概會兩次到訪哥林多教會，先由以弗所渡海到他們那裡，逗留片刻，然後北上馬其頓，回程時再到他們那裡，和他們相聚一些時日，收集給耶路撒貧窮信徒的捐款後，才回到耶路撒冷。但最終他改變了行程 – 先從以弗所北上馬其頓，跟著南行到哥林多（林前16:5ff，林後1:16），最後便到耶路撒冷。這樣，他便可以和他們相聚一段稍長的時間，而不是兩個短時期。

這個“行程”的細節便連貫了本書信上文下理。我們可以從中看到：

1. 過去：計劃的改變（1-7章）。保羅表白自己的良心（1:12ff），並解釋了為甚麼他改變了行程（1:15-2:4）。他是從以弗所到了特羅亞，以為在那裡可以遇到提多。結果沒有遇上，他便繼續去了馬其頓（2:12f.）。到此，經文有一段很長的文字（2:14-7:4），這些文字雖是全書信的一部份，但卻與寫作目的無關。到了7:5，書信才繼續下去，在此保羅描述了他如何在馬其頓遇見提多，和他帶來的大喜信息，是有關哥林多教會對他的信（即哥林多前書）的積極回應。

2. 現在：差派提多完成籌募的事情（8-9章）。第八和第九章是描述為耶路撒冷窮苦信徒收集捐款的事。這不是題外的說話，但卻迎合本書信的主題 – 保羅的行程可能有改變，但他訪問哥林多教會的目的卻是始終如一。他希望在到達前，為耶路撒冷信徒的捐款已經F。為此，他差遣了提多和兩位弟兄比他先行（並帶同此封信，即哥林多後書）去統理這事。

3. 未來：確定並快將實現的保羅第三次到訪（10-13章）。第十至十三章是揭露及譴責那些偷進哥林多教會及詆譭保羅聲譽及權威的“假使徒”。保羅警告，在他第三次到訪時，他必定會處理那些繼續在教會滋事的人。

這個大綱，可以給大家將書信每段不同的主題及和語氣一個結構上的分析，並把上文下理作一個概覽。Zahn說：“讀者是被引導著，跟隨保羅的行踪，由以弗所，經過特羅亞而到達馬其頓（1-7章）；跟著和他在馬其頓教會停留了一段時間（8-9章）；最後便被引導到如何利用保羅將要訪問哥林多教會時的角度來了解教會所遇見的問題。′（T. Zahn, Introduction to the New Testament, Vol. 1, 312, 引用在Philip E. Hughes的The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, xxii中）。

4. 和哥林多前書的關係（“憂傷的信”）。我們不難想像為甚麼保羅稱哥林多前書是一封“心裡難過痛苦、多多地流淚” （林後2:4）的信。所以我們覺得那封憂傷的信就是指哥林多前書來說的；那麼，哥林多後書便理應可以哥林多前書的內容來了解。那些說哥林多前書不是那封“憂傷的信”的人，可說是忽略了使徒在寫給他所建立的教會時的信時的焦慮和悲痛情感。這可以從他信中尖銳筆鋒看到出來，他譴責教會的分裂而非合作的團隊精神；在靈命方面，保羅痛心教會偏於屬世而不思屬靈的事；保羅也極力教訓他們要審理在他們中間所犯的罪行；責備他們竟有互相控訴的事情；主餐時，常有醉酒荒宴的事件；崇拜時不守規矩，誤用屬靈的恩賜，並糾正他們對主復活的真理的錯誤。

這樣的一封信，如果不是出於焦慮和傷痛的心，並且滿有淚水的，真不知是如何寫出來的了。

5. 主題的連貫性：“軟弱中的力量”。使徒就是用了這個標題，辯明他備受哥林多教會中反對人仕的諸多非難的使徒權柄的權威性。他肉體軟弱，但神卻用得著他，並加給他力量。故此，他的工作力量明顯地是從神那裡來的。為此，信中多次提到保羅的受苦、危險、和勞苦，就是要顯明保羅在傳道時所忍受的，亦同時顯出神的大能。奇妙的是，人的軟弱和神的大能竟可以在此相提並論。保羅在哥林多受到的攻擊，都是集中在他肉身上的軟弱，卻從不提及他工作的果效。這主題一直貫穿著整篇書信（例：1:5f; 1:8f; 2:12f; 3:5f; 4:7f; 4:16-18; 5:1f; 6:4f; 7:5f; 11:23f; 12:5-10; 13:4）。

6. 最後四章的可靠性。在最後四章，使徒的語氣突然改變了，這引起了很多人懷疑這四章應該是屬於另一封信的。但我覺得我們無須多疑，因為這四章跟本封書信的結構如出一轍。況且，它和整篇的主題非常吻合，那就是神的力量是透過我們的軟弱而成就出來。

C. 全篇書信的結構

第一段落：簡介（1:1-14）。隨著問安語（1:1-2），保羅有一段很長的感恩（1:3-11）。保羅多次的受苦和艱難，對他來說，不過是分享“基督的苦楚”（1:5），並且從中經歷到從基督而來的“安慰”（1:5）。這些經歷，雖然是突發和痛苦的，但卻教導了他要緊緊靠著那“發慈悲的父，賜各樣安慰的神”（1:3）。這個寶貴經歷使他從今可以“能用神所賜的安慰去安慰那遭各樣患難的人”（1:4）。工作是建基於受苦（那是基督的苦和從信徒而來的苦），和一直由從神而來的安慰扶持著。受苦和得安慰是分不開的。

這段感恩說話似乎是說他在建立一個根基，在這根基上，作為一個使徒，他受的苦和得到的安慰都是為著哥林多教會（1:6），並使他們得著確切的盼望，因為“你們既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰”（1:7）。就算飽受死亡威脅，卻是“叫我們不靠自己，只靠叫人復活的神”（1:8-10）。他從死裡得救，固然是藉著神的拯救，也是藉著哥林多信徒的禱告，結果就是許多人向神感恩，“就是為我們因許多人所得的恩”（1:11）。

第二段落：保羅的表白（1:12-7:16）。這裡，保羅轉到行程的話題，他表白改變行程計劃，絕不是因世俗或忽是忽非的原因（1:12-14 ）。反對保羅的人，聲稱他的改變行程便顯示他不是一個可靠的人。但再重新細心思想之後（1:15-22），保羅解釋他改變的原因是因為他深深愛著他們，不想他們過份傷痛，好像上一次到訪時，當他嚴厲的責備那個犯了亂倫罪的人所引起的傷痛一樣（1:23-24）。跟著是一段勉勵的說話，他們饒恕並愛那位因犯罪而受責的人（2:5-11，並比較林前5章）。保羅為著此人亦曾寫給他們一封“心裡難過痛苦”（2:4）的信。

就這樣，筆鋒一轉便轉到引起他寫本信的原因 – 就是他遇見了提多（2;12-13 和7:5-16）-- 這個敍述，是因保羅用了很長篇幅講論他工作的性質和宗旨（2:14-5:15），並呼籲信徒和好（5:16-7:4）而遭到打斷的。

a) 工作的意義和目的（2:14-5:15）. 這是保羅對反對他的人的第一次表白，他表示自己對他的工作有足夠資格和勝任有餘。

第一，他是蒙神呼召事奉神（2:14-16a）。神誇勝的帶領，使他能在各處所遇見人中，散發出香氣 - 在滅亡的人中“作了死的香氣叫他死”，而在得救的人中，“就作了活的香氣叫他活”（2:16）。

第二，他傳道的力量是來自神（2:16b-3:6）。他能作好神的工作不是憑自己的力量，否則他便和那些假使徒一樣，都是為著自己“為利混亂神的道”；但他卻是在神面前憑著基督講道（2:17）。所以，他不須要舉薦自己（3:1-3），他的信心不是出於自己，乃是出於神，“他叫我們能承當這新約的執事”（3:4-6）。

保羅跟著便比較新約及舊約的職事（3:7-18）。新約的職事給他勇氣，“將那些暗昧可恥的事棄絕了；不行詭詐，不謬講神的道理”，而是在“神面前”把真理表明出來，“基督榮耀福音的光”（4:2, 4）。他是藉著神的能力傳揚基督（4:5），神吩咐要“光從黑暗裡照出來”，同時，“已經照在我們心裡，叫我們得知神榮耀的光顥在耶穌基督的面上”（4:6）。福音的寶貝（即是基督）是放在瓦器裡（即是：保羅肉體上的軟弱，4:8-11），其中所顯現的能力不是保羅的，而是來自神的（4:7）。

但這個軟弱的肉體瓦器不是常常毀壞和死亡的（4:10-12）。肉體的軟弱只是今世和可見到的，但有一天這些都會被永恆和見不到的取代（4:16-18）。當“地上的帳棚若拆毀了”，就“必得神所造，不是人手所造，在天上永存的屋”（5:1-4）。

神將我們改變過來，是藉著聖靈作憑據（5:5），這樣，我們便得著“行事為人是憑著信心，不是憑著眼見”（5:6-8）的勇氣。有著這個永恆的盼望，保羅立了志向，為要討主喜悅（5:9），他努力勸別人留心審判是在“基督台前”和務要敬畏神，因為“主是可畏的”（5:10-11）。雖然，他傳福音不是要取悅那些舉薦他們的人（5:12; cf. 3:1-3），但他傳道也不是漫不經心的，而是受著基督的愛所激勵（5:14）。

b) 和好的懇求（5:16-7:4）. 作為基督的使者，保羅是在傳講一個使人和好的信息，因為基督為我們的罪犧牲了（5:16-21）。他勸他們“不可徒受他的恩典”（6:1），且要積極回應他艱辛的職分（6:1-10）。他敦促他們敝開心門，接納主和他作為主使者的職分（6:11-13），承認如要與神有正常的關係，便要專心一致（6:14-7:1）。最後，保羅說他對他們有極大的信心（7:2-4）。

保羅繼續複述他如何在馬其頓，因再次遇見了提多而得到的安慰，並由他的回報，知道哥林多教會對他先前的信所作的正面回應而大大喜樂（7:5-16）。哥林多人經過保羅早些時候的訓誡後，決心悔過，憂傷自己的過犯（7:10），保羅很是高興，也放下心中的焦慮。

第三段落：為耶路撒冷貧苦聖徒的捐款（8:1-9:15）. 對哥林多人悔改，並且“向我的熱心”（7:7），保羅表示大大的釋懷和欣慰，他便開始進到另一個重要的話題，他須要跟他們講明清楚，這就是為耶路撒冷貧苦信徒的捐項。很踫巧地，他遇見提多的馬其頓教會，是一個在患難中仍然樂於捐獻的好榜樣（8:7-9）。保羅勸哥林多人效法他們的榜樣，這便可顯出基督犧牲的恩典（8:7-9）。真的，完成收集捐獻的事對他們大有益處，這工作已持續一年之久，現在也應來個了結（8:10-11）。這是一個良機，讓他們從“富餘”中供應耶路撒冷教會在現時所缺乏的；可能在將來，這情形會逆轉過來也說不定（8:12-15）。為了能在保羅到達之前辦好這個捐項事宜，保羅特意差遣提多和另外兩位弟兄先到哥林多（8:16-24），保羅敦促他們和提多合作（8:24），好叫保羅到達的時候，捐款便已預備妥當，好使保羅不會覺著為難（9:1-5）。最後，他教導他們信徒捐輸的操練（9:6-15），我們捐輸應該是慷慨和甘心樂意的（9:6-7），因為“神能將各樣的恩惠多多地加給你們”（9:8），而且“必多多加給你們種地的種子，又增添你們仁義的果子”（9:10）。因此，不只他們凡事富足，神也會得到榮耀和感謝（9:11-15）。

第四段落：保羅對不斷而來的攻擊的回應（10:1-13:4）. 這可能是指2:17及4:2所提及的人，保羅現在直接回應那些攻擊他的說話（10:1-18）。他沒有否認自己是在“血氣中”行事，但絕“不憑著血氣爭戰”（10:2-3）。而他爭戰的兵器“乃是在神面前有能力，可以攻破堅固的營壘”（10:4）。

他也否認那些虛假傳言，說他信中所說的很沉重，但卻缺乏個人的權柄。論到權柄，無人擁有的可以和他相比。到再次見面時，保羅便會將他的權柄行使出來給他們看（10:7-11）。有些人專以自己的權柄為誇口，但保羅卻不然，他“不願意分外誇口，只要照神所量給我們的界限搆到你們那裡”（10:13-15），這裡所說的界限當然是包括哥林多教會了。保羅的權柄，是基於“誇口的，當指著主誇口。因為蒙悅納的，不是自己稱許的，乃是主所稱許的”（10:17-18）。

到了這時，保羅反守為攻，無情地揭露那些竊取教會權柄的假使徒的惡行（11:1-15）。他為著哥林多人不安，害怕他們會被那些“另傳一個耶穌…另受一個靈…另得一個福音”（11:1-4）的人所蒙騙。他一點不在“那些最大的使徒以下”（11:5）；他獨立傳道，不是因為不願意接受他們的金錢支助（11:7-9）的緣故。他最好的表態就是和攻擊他的假使徒劃清界線（11:12-15）。

跟著，保羅為著回覆愚昧人的愚妄話，他便稍微說了一點誇口的說話（11:16-21）。其他人既可以誇口，他當然也可以（11:21）。他是希伯來人的後裔（11:22），他為基督多受勞苦和牢獄之災（11:23-28），他誇口那些其他人認為軟弱的（11:29-12:10），例如他從大馬士革逃出來（11:32-33），他肉體中叫他謙卑的一根刺（12:1-9a）。在軟弱中所顯出來的剛強，看似矛盾，但卻被保羅看重成“我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全… 我甚麼時候軟弱，甚麼時候就剛強了”（12:9b-10）。他為著自己的誇口而致歉 - 他們應是站在他一邊的，而不是強逼他這樣誇口（12:11），因為他在他們中間時，他們已看過他作為使徒的憑據。如果他們覺著他不及其他眾教會，那只有一個可能性，就是他傳道，沒有接受他們經濟支助。為此，他請求他們寛恕。

第五段落：他的第三次到訪（12:14-13:6）。當他第三次到訪時，他仍不會依靠他們的供應，更不會貪取他們的便宜（12：14-18）。他希望他們能夠長大建立起來（12:19）。但他憂慮他們不會像他所期望的，而他們也不會看到他是他們所期待的（12:20-21）。故此，他提醒他們，他這次到訪，會採取嚴厲措施，因為他們好像想從他身上找到“基督在我裡面說話的憑據”（13:1-4）。

第六段落：結語（13:5-14）。為要喚醒他們注意自己的屬靈境況，他吩咐他們省察自己是否真的基督徒（13:5-6）。他的懇求就是他們不要犯罪，這樣他們便可以凡事無愧於心（13:7），他情願他們是剛強，而他是軟弱的（13:9）。他寫信的目的，就是希望他們作出積極回應，剛強壯膽。當他第三次來時，他便不須要嚴厲的對待他們（13:10）。

E. 經文大綱

I. 開首語

A. 問安（1:1-2）

B. 感恩（1:3-11）

II. 保羅的自白（1:12-7:16）

A. 行程的改變（1:12-2:13）

B. 他的使徒職份（2:14-5:15）

1. 他勝任他的職事（2:14-3:6a）

2. 他的福音事工與摩西律法事工的比較（3:6b-18）

3. 他和反對者的比較（4:1-12）

4. 他的動機（4:13-5:15）

C. 和好的請求（5:16-7:4）

D. 期待已久先前寄出的信的回音（7:5-16）

III. 收集給耶路撒冷貧苦信徒的捐款（8:1-9:15）

IV. 保羅對反對的人的駁斥（10:1-13:14）

A. 對批評聲音的回應（10:1-11）

B. 揭露假“使徒”（11:1-15）

C. 保羅“愚拙”的言詞（11:16-12:13）

V. 保羅的第三次到訪（12:14-13:5）

VI. 結語（13:5-14）

這是一個很簡短的結構大綱。為我自己的緣故，我已加插了很多分段，但這已足夠你了解整個過程如何作出來的了。

III. 講道大綱

題目：學習主耶穌 – 承認耶穌的位格（太16:13-23）

主旨：耶穌是誰？

主題：當我們認識耶穌時，我們一定要承認他是誰和他做了甚麼。

第一點：耶穌問門徒他是誰（16:13-20）

1. “人說我人子是誰？”（13-14）

2. “你們說我是誰？”（15-20）

a) 彼得對耶穌的重大了解（16）

b) 耶穌對教會的啟示（17-20）

第二點：耶穌預言他的受苦（16:21-23）

1. 彼得責難耶穌（22）

2. 耶穌斥責彼得（23）

Introduction to Coming to Jesus

Related Media

Download Word Document Click here to download the student handout for this lesson.

Download Word Document Click here to download the manuscript for this lesson.

Download Power Point Click here to download the PowerPoint for this lesson.

As I read through the book of Luke over and over in preparation for this study, I was struck with the shepherd’s heart that Jesus has for us. I realized that in many ways I felt like a wandering sheep who just needed Jesus to carry me home.

If you are like me, stressed with the busyness of life and even distracted by ministry demands, drink in the life of the Savior through your daily study time. Put it at the top of your list of priorities. Ask God to speak to you through each day’s lesson, through your small group discussion, and through the weekly lecture.

As you read the age-old story of Jesus, let it come alive to you. Consider what it must have been like to walk and talk with Him on the dusty roads of Galilee. Imagine yourself among the crowds of people pushing to get up close to the itinerant Teacher. See yourself grieving at the cross and exultant upon recognizing the Risen Lord.

May the Lord richly bless your study. May it truly be a time of coming home.

Kay Daigle
November 2004

How to Use this Study Guide

This study is designed to help you consistently spend time in God’s Word. You will gain the most from this study if you do it day by day, answering just that day’s questions, rather than trying to stuff it all in at once. Each week’s lesson is divided into five days of homework to encourage you to listen daily to His voice. The Bible is God’s message to you, and He wants to speak with you personally.

Unless instructed otherwise, use only the Scriptures to answer the questions. Rather than go to commentaries or even the notes in a study Bible, ask God to give you insight from His Word.

A Precious Word from God—Each week you will have a verse to memorize that brings out an essential lesson or thought from the week’s study. Begin learning it the first day. You might copy it on an index card and carry it with you throughout the week, hiding God’s Word in your heart.

Sharing questions are designed for you to write stories, insights, and applications from your own life. If we are to be in community with one another and support one another, we must truly know one another. You will never be forced to share one of these answers aloud with your group.

Responding to God questions are reminders that we study God’s Word so that He can speak to us and we are changed thereby. We should be listening for His voice. These types of questions ask for a response to God’s personal message to you. I have found that writing out my prayers helps me to focus better on what I need to say to God. No one will ask you to read yours, but you should always feel free to share your response with your group.

Diamonds in the Word are optional questions designed for those who want to dig deeper. Some of the answers will be easy for even a beginning Bible student to answer, and some will require more experience in God’s Word. As a group you will not discuss these, but the background that you gain from digging into God’s Word in a deeper way will certainly enrich your personal study.

Personal Stories

Each lesson includes a true story that relates the truths of that week’s lesson to a woman’s real life experience. Some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty! These stories will encourage you in your walk with God and your growth in godliness.

Related Topics: Curriculum, Gospels, Spiritual Life

Lesson 1: Prepare your Heart to Come Home (Luke 1:1-4:13)

Related Media

Download Word Document Click here to download the manuscript for this lesson.

Download Word Document Click here to download the student handout for this lesson.

Download Power Point Click here to download the PowerPoint for this lesson.

A Word from Kay Daigle on how to use the resources for this study…I want to encourage you to complete the personal lesson below before you click on any of the accompanying elements that may be found with this lesson (audio lecture, manuscript, PowerPoint, or handout). This study was written to help you maximize your personal spiritual growth. That means that you first spend time with God through His word, and then hopefully, discuss what you learned with a small group of women. After that, if you want to hear the audio (or read the manuscript) and follow the PowerPoint, filling in the handout, then that is a great time to do it! I cannot cover all the verses in depth, but you can read and study them for yourself. It is best for you to think through the passages before hearing what anyone else thinks, even me! You will find some lessons without lectures. At our church we use some of those weeks to spend extra time in our small groups sharing life stories, having a longer prayer time, or expressing how God is working in our lives.

A Precious Word from God

“He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.”

Mary in Luke 1:49 (NET)

Introduction

Do you long to come home—the place of love, companionship, rest, peace, and security? Perhaps this is the kind of home you can only long for, never having been able to enjoy such a place here on earth. Picture a home where Jesus waits for you. Will you choose to spend time there with Him? Although salvation is a free gift that we can never lose, believers do not always enjoy the blessings of being at home with Jesus on this earth. As you read His story, drink in His presence and enjoy His beauty, the beauty of God Himself. It is possible to come home while we wait to go “home”!

This week we look at Jesus’ early life and preparation for ministry. Although our lesson is long, covering more than three chapters of the book of Luke, the stories will be familiar to you. Attempt to read them as if you were reading them for the first time. Put yourself in the places of the characters. See the sights and smell the scents of first century Israel. Focus on God, and come home to all that He is!

Day One Study

Read Luke 1:1-4.

1. Luke outlines his reason, or purpose for writing this book here in the preface. What is it?

2. The NIV and the NET translations of the Bible use the word “fulfilled” in v. 1 where the NASB uses the word “accomplished”. What does the word fulfilled suggest about the events that Luke relates in his book?

Read Luke 1:5-25.

3. What prophecies are given to Zechariah about his son (vv. 13-17)?

4. How would you have felt if you were Zechariah? Why?

Read Luke 1:26-56.

5. What qualities do you see in Mary as you read through this passage? What does the text say that leads you to these insights about her?

Mary’s words in Luke 1:46-56, often interpreted as poetic or hymnic, are traditionally called the Magnificat, from the Latin for “My soul magnifies the Lord,” the first line of the song. Our memory verse this week is from Mary’s psalm. Begin to memorize it now.

Diamonds in the Word: Mary’s psalm is filled with similarities to Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. What parallels do you observe as you compare these passages? What does this reveal about Mary?

6.Sharing question:Sometimes God asks us to take on difficult assignments, just as He did Mary. Life situations such as broken families, difficult employers, or failing health challenge our faith. There are times when God brings trials, which are not caused by our own mistakes or sins, into our lives. God does this for a reason, just as He asked Mary to be pregnant outside of marriage in order to bless the whole world. Share with your group a difficult situation from the past or one which you are experiencing right now that you did not bring about through your own doing. What do you learn from Mary’s example that could have helped you?

7.Responding to God: Write a prayer of praise based upon Mary’s psalm. In it, deal with a specific situation that you are facing today. Drink in the beauty of the Lord’s character, and see yourself at home with Him.

Day Two Study

Read Luke 1:57-80.

Zechariah’s praise psalm is called the “Benedictus”, from the Latin of the first line.

Diamonds in the Word:What Old Testament prophecies does Zechariah mention? Use your concordance to find the cross references and indicate where they are found in the Scriptures. It may be helpful to write these beside the Luke passage right in your Bible so that you can easily find them as you share Christ with others.

8. Focus on 1:78-79. Describe Zechariah’s beliefs about what God would do for His people through the Messiah.

Read Luke 2:1-20, the often told story of Jesus’ birth.

9. Trace the various emotions of the shepherds from vv. 8-20. They were the first people to announce the Messiah’s birth.¹

Read Luke 2:21-40.

10. What insights do these verses give you about Joseph and Mary?

11.Sharing Question:What one quality do you see in either Simeon or Anna that you need in your life? What can you do to strengthen that area?

12. What truths about Jesus did God reveal to Simeon and Anna?

Read Luke 2:41-52.

13. How would you have felt in Joseph and Mary’s situation both before and after they found Jesus?

14.Sharing question:Share one situation from the past or present with your group in which you experienced anxiety or unbelief because you didn’t understand God’s plan.

15.Responding to God:Write a prayer asking God to help you focus on His hope and His promises when your emotions and circumstances tempt you to unbelief. If you are dealing with such a situation currently, mention it specifically. God is waiting for you to come home to Him in faith.

Day Three Study

Read Luke 3:1-20.

16. Describe John the Baptist’s preaching.

17. Write a definition of true repentance as you understand it from John’s message.

18. Read John 1:19-28. From Luke and John’s accounts of John the Baptist, what do you learn about his character?

19. How does the emphasis in John the Baptist’s message prepare the way of the Lord, fulfilling the prophecy quoted from Isaiah 40:3-5?

20.Sharing question:What one area of your life is not prepared for Jesus’ entrance so that you can truly be at home with Him? You may be refusing Him access so that you can run things as you please or simply because you think you can handle it. Perhaps you are harboring unforgiveness or bitterness against someone who mistreated you. It may be that you are gossiping about a friend or employer behind her back. Perhaps you are fearful about the future because you want it to be your way rather than trusting God for His way. Whatever it is, share your struggle. You may want to write the struggle down as your prayer request to share with your small group.

21.Responding to God:Write a prayer based upon the struggle that you mentioned in the last question. Confess anything that is sin and open your heart and yield this area to the coming of Jesus’ rule in your life so that you may truly know what it means to come home.

Read Luke 3:23-38, Jesus’ genealogy.

Diamonds in the Word:Compare this genealogy with the one in Mt. 1:1-17. Read in your commentaries and/or notes in your study Bible about the differences between the two. Explain your understanding.

Day Four Study

Read Luke 4:1-13.

22. Why did Jesus go into the wilderness to be tempted?

23. How did Jesus’ temptation, at this and other times in His life, prepare Him for ministry according to Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-15?

24.Sharing question:Share about a time of testing or temptation that God clearly brought into your life. Nothing you did put you in the situation. It may involve the temptation not to trust God or to reject Him.

Jesus was vulnerable to the first temptation because He had been fasting. The NET Bible comments:²

The reference to Jesus eating nothing could well be an idiom meaning that he ate only what the desert provided; see Exod 34:28. A desert fast simply meant eating only what one could obtain in the desert. The parallel in Matt 4:2 speaks only of Jesus fasting.

NET Bible

I find that fatigue can be a huge factor when I sin with anger, impatience, or speaking when I should have kept my mouth shut. Also, I am more prone to sin in my own areas of weakness, just as you are. Such things as materialism, pride, or the desire for love can open us up to temptation.

25.Sharing question:In what situations are you more vulnerable to temptation? How can being aware of these areas of vulnerability help you overcome temptation? What can you do to protect yourself from areas where you are more vulnerable to sin?

26. In your own words, describe the three temptations of Jesus recorded in the Scriptures.

Diamonds in the Word:How were these three temptations designed specifically for Jesus? How do they compare with the lusts of 1 John 2:16?

27.Responding to God:Pray Luke 11:4c for those areas of your life that are vulnerable.

Day Five Lesson

Today we continue looking at Jesus’ temptations—as well as our own. We have seen that His victory over temptation prepared Him for areas of His ministry.

Reread Luke 4:1-13.

28. What kind of response did Jesus give in every temptation? What does this teach you?

29. Read Ephesians 6:10-19 and answer these questions:

a. What part does God’s word have in resisting the enemy?

b. What other principles do you learn from this metaphor of armor about your own spiritual battles?

30. Often we are vulnerable to temptation when we stray from “home.” What principles of spiritual warfare do you learn as you look at 1 Peter 5:5-11? Although every verse does not mention the enemy, that is the context and it covers many ways that we leave home and become open to attack.

31. What parallels do you see in James 4:1-10?

32.Sharing question:Share with your group how one temptation that you have overcome has helped prepare you to serve God and His people.

Diamonds in the Word:Consider James 1:12-16. How do you reconcile this with Jesus’ experience and with the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:4? Write down the explanation as you would give it to a new believer.

33.Responding to God:Considering the principles that you saw in Ephesians, 1 Peter, and James, what specific action can you take to better stand against temptation? Write out a prayer asking for God’s strength to follow through.

The story that follows is Deborah’s true story of overcoming temptation by the power of God. I so appreciate the women who chose to share their struggles and temptations with you through this study. As you read these stories each week, think through how the principles of the lesson apply to the situation. I hope that you enjoy reading them as much as I did!

Deborah’s Story

Although I came to faith at 13, some years after college I spent time playing by my own rules. After I prayed for spiritual direction, God surrounded me at work with Christians that were praying for me. I wasn't too concerned about what they thought of my relationships because their judgment would be on their head not mine. Then one day God made it abundantly clear to me that the relationship I had with this man I was seeing was wrong. I would have to give him up. It was difficult. I had an index card next to the phone that said, "No, I won't see you again." When he called I read the card. When he would try to convince me otherwise I knew that he didn't understand what kind of spiritual relationship I had buried within my heart. It felt so good to be home spiritually. There were many unresolved issues but I had to believe that since the Father had not abandoned me he would take me the rest of the way home.

Fifteen years have passed. This fall I had an opportunity to share with some women my journey. I wasn't proud of what I had done but was amazed by God's forgiveness and grace. I believe that sharing my experience opened the door for some women to share their burdens with me. They too are seeking God's will. I now pray for these women regularly. I consider it now a blessing to be able to share how patient and how far the Father will go to reach one of his own.

¹Messiah is the Hebrew word for the Greek word Christ. Both mean “anointed one.”

²NET Bible: New English Translation, Second Beta Edition, (Biblical Studies Press L.L.C.), Note 15, p. 1803.

Related Topics: Curriculum, Gospels, Incarnation, Spiritual Life, Temptation

Lesson 3: Be Humble and Come Home (Luke 6:12-8:3)

Related Media

Download Word Document Click here to download the student handout for this lesson.

Download Word Document Click here to download the manuscript for this lesson.

Download Power Point Click here to download the PowerPoint for this lesson.

A Precious Word from God

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God belongs to you.”

Jesus in Luke 6:20 (NET)

Introduction

Our study this week involves the stories of several people who were poor spiritually, realizing their total dependence upon God. As we think about what it means to come home to Jesus, we realize an attitude of humility is a prerequisite.

Day One Study

Read Luke 6:12-16.

1. Review Luke 6:1-11. What was happening when Jesus chose the twelve?

2. What do you learn about making major decisions from Jesus?

3. Read John 6:64. We Christians often think that if we pray enough and ask God to open the right doors, all will go well; otherwise, we conclude that we must have missed God’s will. What do we learn about this idea from this passage about Jesus’ choosing of the twelve and this verse in John?

4. Read John 15:8, 16-17. What do these verses mean in a personal way to those of us who are disciples of Jesus?

Diamonds in the Word: Look up the word “apostles” in a Greek dictionary. What was the significance of using that term for the twelve? What does it tell you about their ministries?

5.Sharing question: Relate a story from your life when you made a major decision with much prayer. As you look back, how do you see God’s hand in that decision, even if things did not go smoothly or as you expected?

6.Responding to God: Write a prayer concerning a big or small decision that you are currently facing. Can you tell God that you will trust Him, believing that He knows better than you, even when the results are not easy?

Day Two Study

Read Luke 6:17-49.

You may be more familiar with Matthew’s account of this, or a similar sermon. Although Jesus stood on a plateau, or level place, it could have been in the midst of mountains; thus, this may be the same sermon recorded in more detail in Matthew 5-7, known as the Sermon on the Mount. If not, Jesus repeated some of the major teachings on another occasion. We could spend a long time on this message because the teaching is so rich. Sadly, we do no have enough time to do so. You might mark this spot and return to it once the entire study of Luke is over so you can study it in more detail.

Your Precious Word from God this week is from this sermon. As you memorize it, meditate upon what it means to be poor.

7. There are four contrasts in Luke 6:20-26. By saying it in both positive and negative ways, Jesus emphasized His point. Summarize the four contrasts.

8. List the specific ways Jesus taught us to love our enemies (6:27-36).

9.Sharing question: Think of the person who is your enemy by Jesus’ definition—the one who hates you, mistreats you, strikes you, or steals from you. How are you doing with loving actions toward him or her? What one specific loving action can you do for her this week in application of Jesus’ comments?

10. In light of the context of the entire passage (6:17-49), do Jesus’ instructions against judging others mean that we cannot hold them accountable, calling their words or actions sinful, or determine they have a heart issue? Explain your answer.

Diamonds in the Word:Use your exhaustive concordance to find other New Testament verses about judging others. How do you reconcile Luke 6:37 with the others?

11.Sharing question: Evaluate yourself according to Luke 6:43-49. How does this reflect humility? What can you do to listen and obey more carefully?

12.Responding to God: If you are artistic, draw a picture that represents some part of Jesus’ message in this sermon. Put yourself in it to represent your response to that message. If are you not artistic, try it anywayJ You don’t have to show it to anyone! Then, talk to God about it.

Day Three Study

Read Luke 7:1-10.

13. How did the centurion exhibit spiritual poverty and faith?

14. What was Jesus’ response to this faith and why? What specific things can you learn about faith and humility from the centurion’s example?

Read Luke 7:11-17.

15. What were the results of Jesus’ raising the widow’s son?

16. The centurion showed great faith, and Jesus responded. Why did Jesus act in the case of the widow, according to the text? What does this teach you about Jesus’ character?

Diamonds in the Word: Some believe and teach that faith always results in healing. Study Matt. 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24, 25 and comment. Use the stories that you have read in Luke and other examples from Jesus’ healing ministry as you explain the Scriptural perspective on physical healing.

17.Sharing question: What lessons can you apply from the two stories you have studied today when those around you need healing?

18.Responding to God: Write a prayer, poem, or psalm of thanksgiving to Jesus for who He is based upon these two stories.

Day Four Study

Read Luke 7:18-35.

19. One of those who heard the report about Jesus (Luke 7:17) was John the Baptist. Compare John’s question for Jesus (Luke 7:19) with previous statements he made in John 1:26-34. What change do you see? Read Luke 3:15-20. What has happened that might explain John’s question to Jesus?

20.Sharing question: What kinds of events in your life have brought doubt when you previously had faith?

21. Compare Jesus’ answer to John with His message in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:18-21).

22.Sharing question: How does Jesus’ assessment of John the Baptist (Luke 7:24-35) despite John’s doubt encourage you?

Diamonds in the Word:Do a character study of John the Baptist. Use your exhaustive concordance and study every passage that mentions him. Write down what you learn about his character.

23.Sharing question: If Jesus evaluated you before others, what would He say? What do you want Him to say about you at the end of your life? What actions do you need to take to become that person? What part does humility play in being that person?

24.Responding to God: Write a prayer of self-assessment, and request God to change you into the person you just described.

Day Five Study

Read Luke 7:36-50.

25. Describe the events at the Pharisee’s dinner.

What was nard? The NET Bible tells us.¹

Nard or spikenard is a fragrant oil from the root and spike of the nard plant of northern India. This perfumed oil, if made of something like nard, would have been extremely expensive, costing up to a year’s pay for an average laborer.

NET Bible

26. Contrast the woman’s love for Jesus with the Pharisee’s.

Diamonds in the Word: All of the gospels record a story of Jesus being anointed by a woman. Compare Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; and John 12:1-8 and this account in Luke. Which ones record the same story and which may be a completely different event. Why?

27.Sharing question: If your love for Jesus were measured by your sacrificial actions, how would you rate? What specific action would be most revealing? Why?

Read Luke 8:1-3.

Considering that this was the first century rather than our own, this is an amazing account. As women, we need to appreciate Luke for the stories of women that he alone of the gospel writers includes. It is interesting that there is no record in the gospels of a woman responding negatively to Jesus!

28. What impresses you about these women, particularly considering their culture?

29.Sharing question: Think about the woman who anointed Jesus and these women who traveled with Him. In what one way would you like others to better see your love relationship with Jesus? What can you do to improve to make it true?

30.Responding to God: Just as Peter and Levi, or Matthew, left everything behind and followed Jesus, so did a group of women. Ask God to give you such love and commitment to Him.

In our lesson we saw Jesus move on behalf of those who lacked faith. This next story reminds us that God is at work for our benefit even when we doubt Him.

Dorothy’s Story

During the first year of our marriage God moved on my behalf when I did not have the faith to believe that He would. My mother died unexpectedly during that year. I was pregnant with our first child. We were living in a different city, and I knew no one. Dick had been working there for a year before we married. Even though I was a Christian and also had the assurance that my mother was with the Lord, I was still angry with God for taking my mother from me. It hurt so much knowing that our child would not grow up having a grandmother.

For several months I kept to myself, grieving quietly and making no effort to try to make new friends in my new town. God reached out to me through one particular family in the church we attended. Sam worked for the same company as Dick. His wife Sue wouldn't take no for an answer when I insisted that I didn't want a baby shower. I told her I had no friends there to invite. She invited her own friends, and they showered me with much love and support.

The Lord gave us a beautiful baby girl. Six months after she was born Dick was transferred back to Dallas. We still keep in touch with our friends there who reached out to us in our time of need.

¹NET Bible Note 18, p. 1820

Related Topics: Curriculum, Discipleship, Gospels, Grace, Love, Spiritual Life

Lesson 4: Die to Self and Come Home (Luke 8:4-9:50)

Related Media

Download Word Document Click here to download the student handout for this lesson.

Download Word Document Click here to download the manuscript for this lesson.

Download Power Point Click here to download the PowerPoint for this lesson.

A Precious Word from God

“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Jesus in Luke 9:23-24 (NET)

Introduction

It seems that week after week Jesus’ words in Luke confront us with the demands of being a Christ-follower. So far we have been asked to leave everything behind and to humble ourselves if we are to really come home to the peace and rest in Jesus. Now we see that we need to die to self. Although our salvation is not dependent upon how well we accomplish this, our blessing, our peace and our witness often are. It’s not easy to get home sometimes

Day One Study

Read Luke 8:4-15.

1. List the four kinds of ground described in this parable and Jesus’ explanation of each.

2. What was Jesus’ purpose in using parables? Is this what you previously understood? If not, what was your understanding?

Diamonds in the Word: Some debate which soil(s) represent true salvation. Some would say that true believers can be barren while others say that they will produce fruit, but not always or all to the same extent. Read these cross-references and consider how they inform the debate: Phil. 1:6; Col. 1: 21-23; Jude 1:24; 1 John 2:19; and John 10:27-30. What is your perspective of this issue, and upon what verses do you base it?

Read Luke 8:16-18.

3. What does the light of truth in Jesus do in our lives?

Read Luke 8:19-21.

4. Review Luke 5:33-39. Jesus brought changes to the old order of things. What kinds of changes are mentioned in Luke 8:19-21?

5.Sharing question: What is your relationship with Jesus according to His words in v. 21? How does this make you feel? What does that suggest about the kind of relationship you have with Him in a practical way? How does understanding this relationship affect your feeling of coming home to Jesus?

6.Responding to God: Write a prayer in which you talk honestly to God about your family, both your old physical family and your new spiritual family.

Day Two Study

Watch in your reading today for four miracles that Jesus performed.

Read Luke 8:22-55.

7. What were the four miracles and how did they differ?

8. Describe how each of these people who came into contact with Jesus reacted to the miracles:

Disciples in the boat:

Demon-possessed man:

Herdsmen:

People of the town:

Woman in the crowd:

Jairus and his wife:

9. What would you say is the primary component that causes people to react differently to Jesus?

10.Sharing question: How did you initially respond to the stories of Jesus? There is a journey to faith and we get there in different ways. Where are you in the journey?

Diamonds in the Word: Continue to work on your list of miracles. Look in the other three gospels and read the accounts of these miracles there. What new information do you gain from those writers?

11.Responding to God: Ask God to open your heart to see Jesus’ miracles as if you were watching them unfold before you. Worship at His feet.

Day Three Study

Read Luke 9:1-11.

12. Where did the twelve receive their power and authority? What surprises you about the instructions that Jesus gave them?

13. What do the following verses say about your power as a believer? What difference should that make to you each day?

a. Acts 1:8

b. Matt. 28:18-20

c. John 15:5

d. 2 Timothy 1:7-8

Read Luke 9:12-27.

14. The reaction of the crowd to Jesus’ feeding them is not recorded. Dr. Bock says that indicates that the lesson is primarily for the disciples.¹ What may they have learned for future ministry from this occasion?

15. Compare the disciples’ answer about Jesus’ identity with the news that confused Herod (9:7-9).

16. What further understanding did Jesus feel that the disciples needed in order to be ready to proclaim Jesus as Israel’s Messiah (9:21-22)? In other words, they weren’t ready yet. Why would they need that information before they proclaimed Him?

The Precious Word from God this week is Luke 9:23-24. As you memorize it, meditate upon its ramifications in your life.

Understanding Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) means that we realize more and more what coming home to Him really means. The NET Bible helps us understand what the meaning of taking up the cross daily would have meant to the first century Jews.²

Only Luke mentions taking up one’s cross daily. To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world for turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion.

NET Bible

17. Read Galatians 6:12-14. How do these verses help you understand the quote above?

Diamonds in the Word: Compare Luke 9:23-26 with similar passages in the other gospels. Note to whom Jesus spoke and what He taught. Write down your understanding of Jesus’ words.

18.Sharing question: Are you willing to not only die physically, if necessary, but also die to other things that help you better follow Jesus? How are you doing with giving up material things for the sake of the gospel? Have you been willing to share the gospel at the risk of rejection from friends, family, or co-workers?

19.Responding to God: Talk to God about taking up your cross daily to follow Him as defined by the quote on the previous page. Write down what He says to you about what that looks like in your life in specific ways—in your job, your leisure, and your time.

Day Four Study

Read Luke 9:28-36.

20. How did this event fulfill the prediction of 9:27?

21. What was the departure, or exodus, that Jesus was about to take (9:31)?

22. How were God’s words in 9:35 a rebuke to Peter?

Diamonds in the Word: Read in your commentaries or study Bible notes about this event, called the Transfiguration. Write down your thoughts and insights.

23.Sharing question: Have you ever been guilty of thinking of Jesus as being on the same level with you or other biblical characters? How? How did that affect your faith?

24.Sharing question: Read Moses’ prayer in Exodus 33:18. Do you really have a heart to have God answer that prayer in your life? Why or why not?

25.Responding to God: Write a prayer based upon Ex. 33:18 or a prayer asking God to give you the kind of love for Him that erupts in this prayer.

Day Five Study

The disciples’ mountaintop experience was closely followed by a failure of faith.

Read Luke 9:37-45.

26. Why might believers fall prey so easily to failure after a mountaintop type of experience with Jesus?

Diamonds in the Word: Study passages in the four gospels where Jesus cast out demons. What do you learn about those who are demon-possessed? What do you learn about the cure?

Read Luke 9:46-50.

27. What do the events of the demon-possessed boy (vv. 37-43), Jesus’ words (vv. 44-45), the disciples’ argument (vv. 46-48), and John’s words (vv. 49-50) reveal about where the disciples were spiritually at this point?

28.Sharing question: With which of the stories about the disciples do you identify most? Why?

29.Sharing question: Where are you today spiritually? What reactions have you had this past week that reveal your real heart?

30.Sharing question:How much allegiance do you show God? How willing are you to die for Him? How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1-10? Why?

31.Responding to God: Write a prayer or poem confessing your struggles with self, faith, and spiritual pride.

Like these disciples, Carrie experienced temptation after a mountaintop experience.

Carrie’s Story

I think about this summer when I went to Israel. The whole trip was a mountain top experience! Minute by minute I was surrounded by the truth of God’s Word. Scriptures were coming to life as I stood on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, wondered in the wilderness, and walked the narrow streets of Jerusalem. However, there was one point during the trip, when we were in the ancient city of Dan (where the tribe of Dan settled) when I was tempted with disillusion. Satan was whispering to me that the bible was not real, it was all made up. He wanted me to believe that all of this land and places mentioned in the bible were written and made-up stories by man and not inspired by God. The experience in Israel was so overwhelming emotionally, that I for one minute thought “this is too good to be true.”

I prayed to the Lord at that moment, while walking in the ancient city of Dan, to take these thoughts of doubt from me. I didn’t want them and I wished I weren’t having them. I asked for his forgiveness for entertaining those thoughts and acknowledged His goodness, His faithfulness and His power to be creator of all. The Holy Spirit then reminded me of His authority, His miracles and His truth.

God was faithful and good to me to help me through my temptation when I called upon His name. Each time I begin to doubt and buy into Satan’s deception, I remember my Israel experience and call upon His name.

¹Bock, 164.

²NET Bible Note 8, p. 1829

Related Topics: Curriculum, Discipleship, Kingdom, Miracles, Spiritual Life

Lesson 5: Come Home but Don't Turn Back (Luke 9:51-11:13)

Related Media

Download Word Document Click here to download the student handout for this lesson.

Download Word Document Click here to download the manuscript for this lesson.

Download Power Point Click here to download the PowerPoint for this lesson.

A Precious Word from God

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Jesus in Luke 9:62 (NET)

Introduction

This week we move into a new section of the book of Luke. We looked at the time of Jesus’ birth and preparation and then His ministry in Galilee. Luke 9:51 records the beginning of Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, where He would be tortured, killed, buried and exalted. As recorded in Luke, it is not a straight line trip from Galilee to Jerusalem, but it is “a journey of destiny in which Jesus must meet His fate (Lk 13:31-15).”¹

Go with Jesus as He takes His final journey. Learn from Him how to face life as He faced death.

Day One Study

Read Luke 9:51-56.

There are several translations of the Greek words for Jesus’ actions in v. 51. The NASB reads, “He was determined.” The NIV says, “Jesus resolutely set out.” The NET is similar: “Jesus set out resolutely.”

1. What understanding of Jesus’ attitudes or feelings do these words give you in the light of what He knew awaited Him in Jerusalem?

2. Jesus faced rejection all along this journey. What reason is given for the Samaritan’s attitude toward Jesus’ visit (v53)?

3. How did James and John react to the Samaritans? What did this reveal about their hearts?

Diamonds in the Word: Read 2 Kings 1. Why might James and John have seen their situation with the Samaritans as similar to this one faced by Elijah?

Read Luke 9:57-62. The Precious Word from God is from this passage.

4. Considering Jesus’ responses to the three men who said they wanted to follow Him, what was He teaching about being His disciple?

5. Compare the attitudes of these three men to Jesus’ attitude in 9:51.

6.Sharing question: If someone were to look at the way you spend your time and your money, what priorities would they assign to your life? Why?

7.Responding to God: Confess the ways that you are like these three men. Recommit to follow Jesus and all that means, setting out resolutely as He did to what awaited Him.

Day Two Study

Read Luke 10:1-16.

8. What did Jesus say that explained the seriousness of rejecting His messengers?

9. We are all called to be workers in the harvest, and the Bible gives us much instruction for that role. Consider what instructions for the workers are given in these few verses:

a. Matt. 28:18-20

b. Phil. 2:14-15

c. 1 Peter 4:11

d. 1 Peter 3:1-4

10.Sharing question: How are you doing with Jesus’ specific instructions to you as a worker in the harvest? Have you “put your hand to the plow” in reality? Why or why not?

Diamonds in the Word: Spend some time thinking through other verses with which you are familiar, verses that give you instructions as to how to live before others so that you draw them to Jesus. Write down those that come to your mind. How are you doing with them?

Read Luke 10:17-24.

11. How were the disciples blessed more than prophets and kings? Explain Jesus’ words.

12.Sharing question: What advantages do you have in the United States and in your specific life situation that may bring you a stricter judgment than believers elsewhere?

13.Responding to God: Ask God to show you how to use those advantages for His glory. Listen for His voice and write down what He says to you. Resolutely set out to do what He tells you, rather than turn back from the work.

Day Three Study

Most of you will already be familiar with Jesus’ parable.

Read Luke 10:25-37.

14. Describe the conversation that led to the parable.

The Jews of that day would have considered the Samaritan a traitor or at least a “bad guy”, but Jesus made him the hero of the story.

15. Contrast the attitudes of the lawyer (vv. 25-29) and the Samaritan.

16. Parables are stories with one main teaching. Write a one sentence statement of Jesus’ point in this story.

Diamonds in the Word: Use your biblical reference material to look up parables. What are they? What is their purpose? How are they to be interpreted? What insights do you receive that help you better understand this particular parable?

17. According to these verses how did Jesus model loving a neighbor?

a. Rom. 5:6-8

b. Phil. 2:5-8

c. 1 Peter 2:21-25

18.Sharing question: Who is the one person or type of person who is most difficult for you to treat as your neighbor? Why? If you were the Samaritan and that person were the injured party, how would you have felt and what would you have done? (Be honest!)

19.Responding to God: Ask God to show you one specific way to love this person as yourself. Write down what you will do in the first person (I will . . .). Set out resolutely to do it! Be prepared to share your answer with your group.

Day Four Study

The story of Mary and Martha is another golden nugget about women in this gospel. I so appreciate Luke’s giving us a better perspective of Jesus’ relationship with women! You may have heard and read this story to the point of annoyance. As you read it again, try to picture yourself right there in Martha’s house.

Read Luke 10:38-42.

20. Contrast Mary and Martha’s priorities.

Diamonds in the Word: Read in your Bible notes or commentaries to learn more about women’s situations in that era.

21. Did Jesus devalue Martha’s service? Explain your answer.

22.Sharing question: In what ways are you serving Jesus? Why are you serving in those specific ways? For recognition? From guilt? Out of obedience? For its joy? Other motivations or combinations?

23.Sharing question: Make a list of the things in your life that distract you from time with God.

24.Responding to God: Pray over the list you made, writing down your thoughts about changes you need to make. Then, resolutely set out to do them, just as Jesus did. If you desire, write it as your weekly prayer request.

Day Five Study

Read Luke 11:1-13.

Not only does Luke emphasize women in his gospel, but he also emphasizes prayer. We cannot truly come home to Jesus if we don’t take part in the hard work of prayer. The particular prayer Jesus prayed in this passage is usually called The Lord’s Prayer, but a more appropriate name may be The Disciple’s Prayer.²

25. In light of Jesus’ purpose in giving the prayer, why may that be a more appropriate name? What was Jesus doing when the disciple approached Him?

Many times we learn to pray with a pattern. We may pray in the order of ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication). Personally I like the PRAY pattern (praise, repent, ask, yield).

26. Do you see any pattern in Jesus’ prayer in topics and/or order? What insights do you have into prayer from this model prayer?

27. What lessons on prayer did Jesus teach in vv. 5-10?

28. Compare James 1:17 with Luke 11:11-13. When God answers “no” to our prayers, what may the reason be according to these verses?

Diamonds in the Word: Compare Matt. 6:5-15 with this passage in Luke. What additional lessons on prayer do you learn from Matthew?

29.Sharing question: What prayer request have you been praying persistently for the longest period of time? What has been difficult about continuing to pray?

30.Responding to God: Pray for the grace to set out resolutely to work hard in prayer for the things that you know are His will and His good gifts. Pray for the wisdom to know the difference.

Tina’s Story

The summer of 2001 was full of life changing events. I married John, my friend of almost seven years, moved to Dallas for the first time, got a new corporate job, and sent my new husband off to medical school. Things seemed so hopeful and wonderful for us both and I do not hesitate to say that my whole life was wrapped up in John. I had been very faithful to my relationship with God in college and was very involved with my church there as a leader. But at some point during our wedding, I unconsciously (and incorrectly) decided to make John “lord of my life.” Nothing could have been more crushing, as I would soon find out. Medical school proved to be far more challenging and time consuming than either of us ever expected, and because he is human and fallible, John was not always there for me. I felt so alone in this new, huge city, with no really good friends and no church home. I made many mistakes trying to deal with this, but I finally realized that the root of my troubles lied in my priorities, and where I had put my faith. I kept trying to lean on John and when he wasn’t there for me, I turned to worse and worse alternatives. If I had only leaned on God and trusted in Him, I know He would have been there for me in every way. God never lets us down, even if things are in His timing, He is ALWAYS there for us. But we have to rely on Him, put Him first, and seek Him. Fortunately, even when we don’t, He comes after us. During the summer of 2002 I forced myself to go to the Women’s Bible study at my church. Not only did God wrap His arms around me, but He put godly women in my life that are still in my study today. It’s still a daily, conscious struggle to put God first, but I have felt the consequences in my life and relationships when I don’t. There is no doubt in my mind that putting God first in my life increases both my joy in happy times and my strength during difficult times.

¹Bock, 179.

²NET Bible Note 29, p. 1836.

Related Topics: Curriculum, Discipleship, Prayer, Spiritual Life

Lesson 6: Give it Up and Come Home (Luke 11:14-13:35)

A Precious Word from God

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus in Luke 12:34 (NET)

Introduction

It feels like every lesson hits me right in the face and I land on the floor! Over and over Jesus tells us that coming home to Him involves changing a lot of our attitudes and actions. He calls us to give Him more than we have ever given Him before. He calls us to come home with our whole hearts.

A Precious Word from God

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus in Luke 12:34 (NET)

Introduction

This week our study deals with a lot of subjects. We cannot cover it all in detail but will have to focus on certain verses. If you have time, you might look at the Diamonds in the Word optional study questions to give you more insight into those passages.

Day One Study

Read Luke 11:14-32.

1. What were the various responses to Jesus’ casting out the demon (11:14-16)?

2. How did Jesus argue the absurdity of the accusation in 11:15? Explain His logic in your own words.

3. According to 11:16 a group tested Jesus. How did Jesus rebuke them later in the passage? What is ironic, given what Jesus just did? What does it reveal about them?

Diamonds in the Word: Read the notes in your Bible or commentary concerning the illustration Jesus gave in 11:21-26. Explain them in your own words.

Jesus was hard on those who looked for signs because they did not believe what they had already seen. He was the only sign they needed.

4.Sharing Question: Have you ever been guilty of asking for signs before you were willing to risk belief? In what situation right now are you afraid to step out in faith unless you see the “sign” first? It may be things such as a career path, a step forward in a dating relationship, witnessing to a co-worker, or risking vulnerability in your small group.

5. Compare Luke 11:27-28 with Luke 8:19-21. What truth did Jesus continue to emphasize? Why might He have done this?

6.Responding to God: Consider your answers to #4 and #5. What response do you need to make to Jesus’ teaching? Write down your prayer.

Day Two Study

Read Luke 11:33-54.

Jesus’ illustration in 11:33-36 pictured the attitude of the Pharisees that we see revealed in the remainder of this passage.

7. How did this illustration set the stage for Jesus’ words to the Pharisees in 11:37-54?

8. Go back through the passage and list the various attitudes and actions of the Pharisees and lawyers (experts in the law) that Jesus denounces.

The Pharisees had a choice at this point—to open their hearts and come home to God or to refuse to hear God’s word and repent. They chose the latter.

9. How did their choice affect their interaction with Jesus (11:53-54)?

Diamonds in the Word: Go to your Bible resources such as a Bible dictionary, a Bible encyclopedia, or a commentary and find out more about the Pharisees and scribes.

Read Luke 12:1-12.

10. In light of the Pharisees’ power and influence in the land and their obvious distaste for Jesus, how did Jesus both warn and encourage the disciples?

11.Sharing question: What did Jesus say here that encourages you as you face a specific fear?

12.Responding to God: Write a prayer or poem of thanksgiving to God for the truths and promises in His Word.

Day Three Study

Today’s lesson involves a lot of verses, but persevere because tomorrow you will cover only seventeen verses! It all averages out.

Read 12:13-34. Memorize the Precious Word from God this week, and meditate upon its meaning for you personally.

13. We live in a highly materialistic society. Summarize the major principles Jesus taught about material goods in these verses.

14.Sharing question: Go to your closet and consider what is there. How does it reveal where you are really at home, in this world or in heaven?

Read Luke 12:35-59.

15. How do these verses relate to Jesus’ teaching on treasure?

16.Sharing question: When Jesus returns, we will stand before Him and account for our lives, not to pay for our sins but to gain reward. Share with your group how much this truth affects you as you live daily. Using the illustrations of the parables, which kind of slave/servant are you?

Diamonds in the Word: Explain the relationship of 12:49-59 to this section or do further study of the bema seat judgment in 2 Cor. 5:9-10.

17.Sharing question: Review Jesus’ words in 12:30-34. Ask God to show you what you need to do with some of your “stuff” in order to come home with your full heart. Be specific.

18.Responding to God: Ask God to help you keep your eyes on the eternal rather than today’s circumstances or the things that this world considers to be “needs”.

Day Four Study

Read Luke 13:1-9.

19. How did the Galileans’ words reflect their beliefs about God as Judge (review Luke 12:57-59)? What was wrong with their perspective, according to Jesus?

20. How does the parable in Luke 13:6-9 relate to what Jesus said in 13:2-5? What was His main point in this parable?

Diamonds in the Word: How would you explain the suffering in this world to someone who has just encountered tragedy? You are free to read on this subject. Use Scripture, even if you would not use it with the person.

Read Luke 13:10-17.

21. Contrast the responses of the synagogue official, the crowds, and Jesus’ adversaries to all that happened in the synagogue.

22.Sharing question: What kinds of legalistic attitudes have you encountered from believers? Share any attitudes of your own that reflect more concern with rules than with people.

23. How would you have felt, if you were this woman at these points in the story:

Before the healing
After being healed
Upon hearing the criticisms of the official
After Jesus responded

24.Sharing question: Relate the story of a time when either you spoke up for “justice” or someone spoke up for you when you faced injustice.

25.Responding to God: Write a prayer asking God to give you Jesus’ courage in facing the suffering and injustice of others. What do you have to give up in order to stand up for the rights of others? Is there any present situation in which you need to act?

Day Five Study

Read Luke 13:18-30.

Diamonds in the Word: Read the notes in your study Bible or commentary concerning the two parables in 13:18-20. How do they picture God’s kingdom?

Jesus never answered the man’s question of 13:23. Rather than talk about the few or the many, Jesus made the man focus on himself.

26. What did Jesus want this man to consider about himself (13:24-30)?

27. What relationship do you see between Jesus’ words about the door in 13:24-25 and His teaching in 13:1-9?

28.Sharing question: It is so easy to turn our attention from our own relationship with God to others. We hear a sermon and think about a friend or co-worker who needs to hear it. We study for our weekly lesson in Luke and wish a family member could be there to hear the discussion. Have you been guilty of failing to let God speak to you during this course by concerning yourself with others? Confess your attitude to your group. You may want to write down a prayer request for the week asking for your heart to be open to hear God’s personal message for you so that you come home to Him.

Read Luke 13:31-35.

29. What surprises you from a human perspective about Jesus’ attitude toward Jerusalem?

30.Sharing question: Do you grieve over those who will perish because they refuse to hear God’s word? What about those who are the enemies of Christ, who harm God’s servants? Think of a person or group in this category—perhaps those in the bondage of Islam who hate Christians; perhaps Americans who fight for restrictions of our religious liberty. What did Jesus say about your attitude toward them in Luke 6:27-36?

31.Responding to God: Write a prayer for those you mentioned in the previous question. What attitudes do you have to give up to pray for them?

This woman literally came home by giving up her security and trusting God. She chose to invest in her family rather than in financial security. Consider in what sense you will come home when you trust God in a specific situation.

Kay’s H’s Story

Kevin and I had always planned on my staying home once we had children. However, when the time came and Emily was born, it was more difficult than I had expected to leave a career I had worked so hard at for over 10 1/2 years. We had prayed, and planned, and sought advice from godly couples, and we believed we knew what God wanted us to do. However, giving up half our income while at the same time adding all the expenses of a new baby made me nervous. In the end, we decided just to trust God to provide for our needs, convinced of the importance of my investing time and energy in our child (and eventually children). The difficult thing to give up was not so much the money or the material things, though we have had to make different choices on spending than we would have if I had continued working. Really, it was much more difficult to give up the sense of control over our financial security and to trust God to take care of us.

We (mostly I) wrestled with this decision to leave work for several weeks after Emily was born. When I finally yielded completely to God, and with Kevin's encouragement, I went to the office one last time to tell my boss what we had decided. It also happens that he was Kevin's boss, too, and he was not surprised by our decision. In fact, he was very kind and wholeheartedly supported us. My resignation would take effect as soon as my maternity leave ended. But what came next is what really caused our faith and dependence in the Lord to deepen. About a week after I announced my decision to resign, I got a phone call from the project staffing administrator. He said the company was planning a "reduction in force" and, knowing that I had already planned to resign, he asked if I would like to volunteer for the lay-off. He explained the pros (several additional months of pay and benefits) and cons (there weren't any, since I was planning to leave anyway), and I told him Kevin and I would discuss it and get back to him. As Kevin and I talked later that day, we both realized that this was God's way of affirming our decision to trust Him with our finances and needs. It was like a huge sign saying, "I'll take care of it." And, through everything, He has.

Sometimes I get frustrated that we don't have the financial freedom two incomes would afford us, or the sense of security having both of us employed during such uncertain times might provide. But then I remember God's confirmation 6 1/2 years ago that investing in our children's eternal lives on a day-to-day basis is much more important right now than the material things we've given up, and I'm encouraged to keep trusting Him to provide.

Lesson 7: Be Faithful and Come Home (Luke 14:1-16:31)

Related Media

Download Word Document Click here to download the student handout for this lesson.

Download Word Document Click here to download the manuscript for this lesson.

Download Power Point Click here to download the PowerPoint for this lesson.

A Precious Word from God

“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you haven’t been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches?”

Jesus in Luke 16:10-11 (NET)

Introduction

As I have worked with believers through the years, I have found faithfulness to be in short supply. Many women volunteer and then fail to follow through with their responsibilities. Sometimes they even back out of promises they have made. Some women seek positions of authority; yet, they have failed to be faithful in lesser jobs.

As you study this lesson, ask God to reveal your résumé of faithfulness to you.

Day One Study

Read Luke 14:1-14.

Again, Jesus healed on a Sabbath, but this time He took the initiative rather than waiting for criticism.

1. Describe what happened.

2. What is Jesus’ point in the parable of 14:7-11? How does it apply to us in the church today?

3. What motivated the host according to 14:12? What would he have received if he had invited those who could not reciprocate?

4.Sharing question: Write down what you give others and what you do for them. Are you motivated by getting something back, perhaps friendship, praise, promotion or invitations? Ask God to reveal your true motives and admit them to your group.

Read Luke 14:15-24.

The comment of the guest in 14:15 elicits Jesus’ parable. The Net Bible helps us understand the cultural significance of the parable.¹

To make excuses and cancel at this point was an insult in the culture of the time. Regardless of customs concerning responses to invitations, refusal at this point was rude.

NET Bible

5. What unspoken misunderstanding about those who will participate in God’s kingdom did Jesus correct through this story? What did lack of faithfulness reveal about the first group?

Diamonds in the Word: Compare Romans 11:13-36 to this parable in Luke.

6.Responding to God: Write a prayer asking God to give you His heart for those on the fringes of society.

Day Two Study

Read Luke 14:25-35.

7. What did Jesus teach the multitudes about allegiance to Him?

Dr. Bock explains the idea of hate:²

“Hate” is used figuratively and suggests a priority of relationship. Jesus is first.

Dr. Darrell Bock in Luke

Diamonds in the Word: What stories of God’s people reveal this kind of allegiance? It may be a story from the Bible or one from the present day. How could you use it to illustrate Jesus’ principle of allegiance to Him?

8.Sharing question: Before God, consider your call as Jesus’ disciple. Think through your own relationships and possessions. Where is your allegiance in truth? You might write a prayer request to share with your group based on what God reveals to you about this.

9. What was Jesus’ point in the parables of the tower and the battle? How does it relate to allegiance to Him?

10. How does the illustration of the salt relate to this context?

11.Sharing question: What possible costs in your life may come with total allegiance to Jesus? Be specific.

12.Responding to God: Write a prayer or poem asking God for the grace you need to truly live with Jesus as your first allegiance.

Day Three Study

Jesus told three stories but so related them that Luke calls them “this parable”, as if it were one story (15:3).

Diamonds in the Word: Find a source that lists all of the parables of Jesus. Which of those we have studied are unique to Luke and which are retold in other gospels? How do these particular ones relate to Luke’s purpose in writing (1:1-4)?

Read Luke 15:1-32.

13. What precipitated the telling of these stories (15:1-2)?

14. What is Jesus’ central teaching common to all three of these stories?

15. How do these stories rebuke the Pharisees and their complaints against Jesus?

16. The third story is often referred to as the parable of the “Prodigal Son.” Evaluate Jesus’ points in this parable. Where is His emphasis—on the second son or somewhere else? If the title reflects the main story, what would you name it? Why?

17.Sharing question: Compare what happened to the younger son to your own story of salvation through God’s grace that reached out to you as a sinner and of your coming home in response.

18.Responding to God: Write a prayer or poem of thanks to God for His mercies in forgiving you and in protecting you at times from the consequences you deserve. Thank Him for loving you so much that you drew you home with His love.

Day Four Study

Read Luke 16:1-15.

Dr. Bock comments:³

This parable is probably the most difficult in Luke. Its point is clear enough—be generous and responsible with your resources—but how it makes the point is much discussed.

Darrell Bock in Luke

It is likely that the parable itself ends after the first part of v. 8, followed by Jesus’ comments.⁴

19. What did Jesus commend about the manager or steward in the story?

20. Explain Jesus’ lesson about using money in 16:9.

Diamonds in the Word: Read two or more commentaries or notes in study Bibles about this parable. What insights do you gain?

21. What does financial faithfulness reveal about us (vv. 10-15)?

22.Sharing question: Read these verses and write down other areas where you are entrusted by God as a manager or steward. Evaluate your faithfulness in each area:

a. 1 Peter 4:10-11

b. 1 Cor. 4:1-5

The following verses relate to specific groups of people, elders or apostles; yet, we can learn lessons about stewardship from them. Write down your insights from each Scripture and again, evaluate your faithfulness:

c. Titus 1:7

d. 1 Cor. 9:16-17

Read Luke 16:16-18.

The last part of v. 16 is apparently difficult to translate. Dr. Bock makes this comment:⁵

Most versions read everyone is forcing his way into it (NIV; NRSV has the variation “everyone tries to enter it by force”), but such as statement is manifestly not true. Everyone is not in a rush to enter in; many choose to reject the kingdom utterly. The key here is the Greek term biazo, which means “to apply force.” But the voice of the verb is ambiguous in Greek. . . I would argue . . . that Jesus is speaking of the persuasion applied to all through preaching. . . The preaching of the good news offers the opportunity to enter into kingdom benefits. Through this message all are urged to enter in. The time of fulfillment has come, and all are asked to share in its blessing. But to do so one must hear Jesus, not scoff at his authority.

Darrell Bock in Luke

23. Jesus’ comments in these verses seem disconnected to what He just said about financial faithfulness. Meditate upon the relationship between the two, and write down your insights.

24.Responding to God: Ask God to show you where you have fallen short in faithfulness and repent of those actions. Pray for the grace to become a woman who is faithful to her word in every area of life, both large and small.

Day Five Study

Read Luke 16:19-31.

25. Contrast Lazarus and the rich man.

26.Sharing question: Consider your lifestyle and your concern for the poor. How are you like the rich man? What are you doing to reach out to the poor?

27. What were the rich man’s two requests of Abraham? What did he hope to accomplish?

28. How is the answer to the second request significant?

Diamonds in the Word: Again, read what your commentary or study Bible says about this story. What do you learn?

29. How does this story relate to all Jesus has said from 14:7 on?

30.Responding to God: Write a prayer asking God for wisdom as you consider how you are to reach out to the poor around you. Write down the thoughts that He gives you. What should you do about those who beg at the street corners, etc.?

Dakan shares her story of how God gave her more and more ministry opportunities when she proved faithful in the small things.

Dakan’s Story

When our family relocated to California in 1994 I believed in my head that God had great things for us, but my heart was aching from being taken away from family and “home”. We began attending a small church. I volunteered to assist the teacher of the 6^th grade girls Sunday school class only to get to know the girls my daughter would be attending school with. My reasons were selfish for stepping forward. One month into the class the lead teacher became ill and could not return to teach, therefore I had become the lead teacher – not what I had signed up for! However God blessed me with those young girls and that experience. Months later the director of MOPS, Donna, asked me to speak at one of their meetings of 100 women, I laughed out loud – “Are you kidding,” I said, “I am just now comfortable speaking to these 6^th graders!” I declined, but driving home I thought maybe I should pull something together just in case she was persistent. I began to write out my testimony, finished it and put it away. More months passed and I was so relieved that Donna hadn’t mentioned MOPS again. Then one night she called to ask if I would consider being the TITUS woman for MOPS and without hesitation, I said yes. At that very moment I asked myself where that came from, only months earlier I had declined to speak to the women as a one time event, and now I was committing to speak twice a month for 8 months.

I did not see it then but it is so clear to me now that all along the way the Lord was preparing me; knocking off more rough edges and refining me along the way in order to glorify Him. He was asking me to step out, trust what He could do with me and allow me to see the need I had for Him. In spite of my initial selfish motive, God demonstrated His love for me, His desire for my personal growth and the joy I received from following Him on a deeper level.

¹NET Bible Note 10, p. 1851.

²Bock, 254.

³Bock, 262.

⁴NET Bible Note 37, p. 1855-1856.

⁵Bock, 268-269.

Related Topics: Curriculum, Discipleship, Forgiveness, Gospels, Grace, Love, Spiritual Life

You are here

From the series: The Bible Teacher’s Guide, Eschatology: Understanding Last Things PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE

8. The Second Coming

Characteristics

1. The second coming will be sudden—happening at an hour no one expects.

2. The second coming will be visible and dramatic.

3. The second coming will be physical.

Purpose

1. When Christ returns, he will deliver Israel from the antichrist and the nations trying to destroy her; he will regather Israel and renew his covenant with her.

2. When Christ returns, he will judge Satan by having him temporarily bound in the abyss for 1000 years.

3. When Christ returns, he will judge the unrighteous living on the earth.

4. When Christ returns, he will reward the righteous living on the earth.

5. When Christ returns, he will set up his kingdom on the earth.

Signs

Is the Coming Imminent or Impending?

Applications

1. Because Christ is returning soon, we must faithfully use our gifts to serve God and others.

2. Because Christ is returning soon, we must regularly gather with believers to worship, pray, and practice the Lord’s Supper to encourage one another to be faithful in these last days.

3. Because Christ is returning soon, we must strive to be holy by getting rid of sin in our lives.

4. Because Christ is returning soon, we can always have hope, comfort, and encouragement, especially when enduring difficult times.

5. Because Christ is returning soon, we must faithfully share God’s Word to win the lost and disciple believers.

6. Because Christ is returning soon, we must eagerly and patiently long for it.

Conclusion

Reflection

From the series: The Bible Teacher’s Guide, Eschatology: Understanding Last Things PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE

From the series: 网上牧师杂志–中文版（简体） PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE

网上牧师杂志–中文版（简体）, SCh Ed, Issue 46 2023 年 冬季

I. 加强讲解式讲道：传讲书信的信息，第一部分

A. 书信的文学特色

B. 明白和讲解书信的一些指引

II. 强化圣经中的领导才能 哥林多后书：“软弱中的力量”

A. 时间

B. 文字结构及一致性

C. 全篇书信的结构

E. 经文大纲

III. 讲道大纲

From the series: 网上牧师杂志–中文版（简体） PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE

From the series: 網上牧師雜誌 – 中文版（繁體） PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE

網上牧師雜誌 – 中文版（繁體）, TCh Ed, Issue 46 2023 年 冬季

I. 加強講解式講道：傳講書信的信息，第一部分

A. 書信的文學特色

II. 強化聖經中的領導才能哥林多後書：“軟弱中的力量”

A. 時間

B. 文字結構及一致性

C. 全篇書信的結構

E. 經文大綱

III. 講道大綱

From the series: 網上牧師雜誌 – 中文版（繁體） PREVIOUS PAGE | NEXT PAGE

From the series:

Introduction to Coming to Jesus

How to Use this Study Guide

Personal Stories

From the series:

From the series:

Lesson 1: Prepare your Heart to Come Home (Luke 1:1-4:13)

A Precious Word from God

Introduction

Day One Study

Day Two Study

Day Three Study

Day Four Study

Day Five Lesson

Deborah’s Story

From the series:

From the series:

Lesson 3: Be Humble and Come Home (Luke 6:12-8:3)

A Precious Word from God

Introduction

Day One Study

Day Two Study

Day Three Study

Day Four Study

Day Five Study

Dorothy’s Story

From the series:

From the series:

Lesson 4: Die to Self and Come Home (Luke 8:4-9:50)

A Precious Word from God

Introduction

Day One Study

网上牧师杂志–中文版（简体）, SCh Ed, Issue 46 2023 年冬季

II. 强化圣经中的领导才能
哥林多后书：“软弱中的力量”

網上牧師雜誌 – 中文版（繁體）, TCh Ed, Issue 46 2023 年冬季

II. 強化聖經中的領導才能
哥林多後書：“軟弱中的力量”