Discipleship Matters – What did Jesus Teach about the Final Judgment?

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
How do you feel about the concept of a final judgment in our lives? What is your response to that possibility?

Dig Into the Bible:
Matthew 13:24-30,
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 “but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 “But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 “So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 ‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following question:
1. What do we learn from this parable?
Matthew 13:36-43,
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” 37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 “The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked [one.] 39 “The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 “and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following question:
1. Who did he explain the parable to?
2. Why did he just explain it to these people?
3. Who is the one who sowed the good seed?
4. What is the field?
5. What is the good seed?
6. What are the weeds?
7. Who is the enemy who sows the people of the evil one?
8. What is the harvest? Who are the harvesters?
9. How will the angels deal with the harvest?
10. What does the weeding out accomplish?
11. What happens to the righteous ones?

Apply God’s Word:
12. What are the implications of this parable and its interpretation?
13. Which seed do you identify with? Its implications?
14. What decision do you face and the consequences of that decision?
15. What steps can you take to carry out that decision? _

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

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Discipleship Matters – What does it Mean to be Born Again?

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
How has the statement “be born again” impacted you? What are the implications of that statement?

Dig Into the Bible:
John 3:1-16,
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 “Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, [that is,] the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. Who met Jesus? What was his occupation?
2. Why do you think he came by night?
3. What did you discover about what Jesus meant when He said, “You must be born again”?
4. How did Nicodemus respond?
5. By the end of the conversation what did did he understand?
6. How is God’s love connected to new spiritual birth?
7. What does it mean to believe in the Son of God?
8. What will be the results of that belief?

Apply God’s Word:
9. When you read and understand this, do you know how to be born again?
10. What are the barriers to making that decision?
11. When will you decide to experience new birth and the promise of eternal life?
12. What steps can you take to carry out that decision?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – What Are the Step to Increase my Faith?

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
How would you describe your definition of faith? What do you feel like you trust the most in your life?

Dig Into the Bible:
Romans 10:17,
So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith is more than a strong belief in something, it is knowledge and understanding gleaned from the pages of the Bible not just in what, but in Who.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. What is your definition of faith?
2. What does this verse tell us is the first step to faith?
3. How does one hear the message?
4. Where do we find the words about Christ?

Apply God’s Word:
5. How will you pursue the words of Christ?
6. With what action and passion will you pursue these words?
7. How will you act on what they say?

Check out Hebrews 11:6,
But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

What does this tell us about faith?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – What Does Repentance Mean?

Understanding the Message of the Bible: What would you like to see changed in your life direction? What can you do to make that change?

Dig Into the Bible:
Acts 20:20-21,
20 “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 “testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before I came to know Jesus I thought a certain way, probably like most people. But after, I learned that my way wasn’t always the right way, and as I learned from reading and studying the words of Jesus my thinking, and my life, began to change. I was no longer conformed to this world but was being transformed by the renewing of my mind. I learned, if my thinking contradicted the Bible, then I had to change my thinking, not the Bible.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. Who is the speaker of this first sentence?
2. How did he provide teaching?
3. Why does he mention Jews and Greeks?
4. What does he encourage them to do?
5. What are they turning from?
6. How does repentance connect with turning away?
7. What are they turning away from. And to what?
8. What does it mean to have faith in the Lord Jesus?

Apply God’s Word:
9. What kind of experience have you had with repentance?
10. What do you think you need to do to turn to God?
11. What do you need to repent from?
12. How will you make this repentance a genuine experience?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – Why Did Jesus Invite His Disciples to Come and See?

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
What is it about God and Jesus that you would like to come and see? How can you continue this search?

Dig Into the Bible:
John 1:33-39,
33 “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” 35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

There are many opinions about Jesus that have no basis in fact. But we don’t need to wonder about Jesus, Who He is, what He said, and what He did. Jesus invites us to, “Come and see.” There is nothing secret about Him.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. Who is the speaker of the first sentence?
2. What was his claim about Jesus?
3. The man with two disciples made a statement about Jesus. What did that mean?
4. What made these disciples curious about who Jesus was?
5. What did they then do?
6. Why do you think they were so curious?
7. How did Jesus answer their curiosity?
8. Why do you think this is important as we learn more about Jesus?

Apply God’s Word:
9. How does this impact you if you were curious? What would Jesus say to you?
10. Would you be interested in reading the rest of John and discover more of who Jesus is?
11. When would be a good time to start that reading?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – What Did Jesus Mean when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life”

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
What questions do you have about Jesus being the only way? How do His words impact you?

Dig Into the Bible:
John 14:1-6,
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if [it were] not [so,] I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, [there] you may be also. 4 “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

No other religious figure has promised to take us to be where he is, only Jesus. No other religious figure has promised to prepare a place for us. Among religious figures Jesus stands unique in what He did, in what He said, and in what He promised. If what He said isn’t true then He can’t be the way or the truth or the life. He would be a fraud, a liar, or a lunatic. But if what He says is true then believing anything else would be redundant.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. Why would Jesus say, “Let not your hearts be troubled?”
2. When He says, “you believe in God, believe also in Me”, who is He equating Himself to?
3. How can He be preparing a place for us? Where is this place?
4. How do you understand this phrase, “NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.”

Apply God’s Word:
5. What did you discover about who Jesus is from this author who knew Him personally?
6. Would you be interested in reading the rest of John and discover more of who Jesus is?
7. When would be a good time to start this reading?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – What Does the Bible Say About Who Jesus Is?

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
What have you done to ask the question, “Who is Jesus?” What can you do to deepen your search?

Dig Into the Bible:
John 1:1-14,
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Many people have different ideas of who Jesus is. Some think Him to be a good teacher. Others think Him to be a good moral man. Still others believe Him to be some exalted spiritual leader. But what does the Bible reveal about Him? We can have our own ideas or opinions, but isn’t it better to go to the source and discover Who He is for yourself?

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. What does it mean in the beginning?
2. What is the meaning of “the Word”?
3. What does it mean that the Word was God?
4. How did the Word make all things?
5. What does this tell us Who the Word is?
6. What does “the true light” tell us about Who the Word is?
7. In verse 11, what clues do we discover about the Word being Jesus?
8. When it says, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”, who is this?

Apply God’s Word:
9. What did you discover about Who Jesus is from this author who knew Him personally?
10. Would you be interested in reading the rest of John and discover more of Who Jesus is?
11. When would be a good time to start that reading?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – Understanding How Much God Loves You

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
How do you respond when you hear God loves you? How important is love in your life?

Dig Into the Bible:
Romans 5:5-9,
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

There is much hopelessness in the world today. Suicide rates continue to climb. Surveys conducted show young people have little hope for the future. But God wants us to have hope; not in what we see but in Him. We can trust Him because we can see His great love for us through Jesus Christ. Through Him we will be saved.

Discover:
Answer the following questions to discover what the Bible says:
1. What does it mean, “the right time”?
2. What does, “ungodly mean”?
3. Who do people decide to die for?
4. Who did Jesus Christ die for?
5. How do we see that God “demonstrates love”?
6. What does it mean to be saved from, “God’s wrath”?
7. What questions do you have about this?

Apply God’s Word:
8. What do you feel about God’s love for you?
9. How did you see He demonstrated it?
10. What will you do to escape the wrath to come?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – Do You Understand that Jesus came to Seek and Save the Lost?…

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
How do you feel about being lost or found? What confusing things about life affect you at this time?

Dig into the Bible:
Luke 19:7-10,
7 But when they saw [it,] they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” 8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

People get lost in the woods all the time and don’t even know it. Until you know you are lost you don’t realize you need saving. Wait too long and it might be too late.

Discover:
1. What do you know about this story of Zacchaeus?
2. Who was this man?
3. How did people characterize this man?
4. What made him invite Jesus to his house?
5. What did Jesus mean when He said, “salvation has come to this house”?
6. What does it mean the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost?
7. What makes someone lost in Jesus’ eyes?

Apply the Bible:
8. What would make you recognize if you are lost?
9. How do you think Jesus feels about you?
10. What would it take for you to be found?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

Discipleship Matters – How Do Good Deeds Affect my Future with God?…

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
What are your feelings about the good things you have done in your life? What is your legacy?

Dig into the Bible:
Ephesians 2:8-9,
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Titus 3:5,
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Many believe heaven awaits them, regardless of faith in God, because they are good people. But we have different opinions as to what is good. Really, we boast in our own goodness. I’m better than that person because I’m not as bad as him. What does God have to say about our standard of goodness?

Discover:
1. What do these verses say how we are saved?
2. What is it we are saved from?
3. How is being saved a gift from God?
4. What are the works being described here?
5. What would cause us to boast?

Apply God’s Word:
6. How do you get this gift?
7. Where do works fit into our lives?
8. What happens in your heart when you know that you can’t be saved by works?
9. What weight does your righteous deeds carry in your salvation?
10. What can you do to experience the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit?
11. What will you do to receive this gift?

Digging Deeper:
12. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
13. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
14. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
15. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com