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Fervent Day 2 Grace And Peace: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Grace And Peace!

The Questions

1) Who is Paul addressing in verse 1 and why are they supposed to stand firm?

2) Why is Paul urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree? (verse 2)

3) What do we learn about prayer from verses 6 and 7?

Philippians 4:1-7

4 So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Original Intent

1) Who is Paul addressing in verse 1 and why are they supposed to stand firm?Paul is addressing believers in the ancient city of Philippi. To know why Paul is instructing them to stand firm we must look back to what he wrote in Philippians 3:12-21. Here Paul reminds believers to not dwell on the past, but instead look ahead to the prize. (verse 13) He also, with tears, reminds believers that not all people follow Christ. There are enemies of the cross and their end is eternal destruction. (verses 18-19) Paul then reminds them of who they are in Christ, and the rich reward waiting for them in Heaven. (verses 20-21) This foundational reminder is what leads up to Paul’s instruction for the Philippian believers to stand firm. They must stand firm in Christ, anchoring their identity in Him in order not to be swayed from following Jesus by those enemies of the cross.

2) Why is Paul urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree? (verse 2)
Euodia and Syntyche were two believers who were both prominent leaders within the Philippian church. Paul does not provide details about the disagreement between these ladies, however, he does urge them to end their disagreement and repair the relationship, not only for the themselves, but for the whole church. Paul urges their reconciliation for the benefit of the gospel’s mission. They could have been extremely effective in spreading the Good News, but their arguing could cause others to turn away from the eternal hope Jesus offers. Paul didn’t want to see the spreading of the gospel hindered by their inability to reconcile and therefore he urges them towards unity.

3) What do we learn about prayer from verses 6 and 7?
First and foremost, Paul reminds his audience to not worry about anything. (verse 6) However, he does not leave them wondering what to do with their worry. He immediately instructs them to turn to the Lord with everything in prayer as the antidote for their anxieties. Paul provides the Philippians with guidance about different ways of entering into prayer conversations. While prayers often include petitions to God, there are greater depths to explore, and Paul points his audience toward these deeper waters. Prayers should be characterized with heartfelt thanksgiving as we remember and praise God for all He has done and for Who He is as our Lord and Savior. The result of patterning our prayer life in this way results in indescribable peace! (verse 7)

Everyday Application

1) Who is Paul addressing in verse 1 and why are they supposed to stand firm?While Paul is addressing the believers in Philippi, his message is just as much for believers in Jesus today as it was for them. Just as there were those who were not in Christ in Philippi, we find ourselves in the path of those who also do not belong to Christ in our everyday lives. There were enemies of the gospel in Paul’s day and there are enemies of the gospel in ours. Satan is at work and there isn’t a promise of ease when we become believers. Instead, we are promised attacks. Therefore, we must keep our eyes on Christ, on our identity in Him and stand firm against the attacks that are sure to come. When we keep our focus on the prize to come and trust in our identity in Him, we are able to stand firm against any attack that comes our way. Let’s ask the Lord to not only help us stand firm in truth, but also to remember Paul’s tears when he considered the enemies of the cross. Paul’s desire was for those who were far from God to be drawn near to Him. Who can you begin fervently engaging with love to share the gospel?

2) Why is Paul urging Euodia and Syntyche to agree? (verse 2)
These women were believers and leaders within the church at Philippi and they found themselves in the midst of a disagreement. Paul urged them to repair their relationship for the sake of the gospel. While we can love the Lord with all our hearts, serve within His church, and share the Good News with those He puts in our path, we can also damage the advancement of the gospel if our relationships with others are damaged and disunifying. People cannot hear what we are saying about eternal life and Jesus’ love when our actions do not match up. If we are sharing about a God who loves unconditionally, but we cannot love each other, the unbelieving world misses the message. Just as Paul urged these women to agree and repair their relationship for the sake of Christ, we must also ask ourselves if we have a relationship that needs repairing for the sake of the gospel. Who do you and I need to reconcile with in order to allow the Lord to fully work through our lives?

3) What do we learn about prayer from verses 6 and 7?
As believers, we are all called not to worry as it belies what we know to be true about God and His good, kind character. We enjoy a personal relationship with the God of the universe; He is in control of everything and desires for us to turn our worries over to Him. These are burdens He doesn’t want us to carry! However, we all know this is easier said than done. Paul reminds us in these verses there is no petition too big for God. We can bring it all to Him, trusting His will in every situation. A mentor of mine says it well, “We don’t pray before we work, prayer is the work and then God works.” That’s the God we serve. We petition God, then wait for Him in His divine timing to work. God will always answer. However, we need to remember God will answer in His wisdom, not necessarily what we desire. Paul’s reminder to give thanks is also crucial for us to include in our prayers. I can personally attest to God’s goodness when we thank Him. As we respond in thankfulness, looking for the ways God is working, we begin to see through His eyes instead of ours. When we begin choosing thankfulness as a habit, we find reasons to be thankful even in the hardest of situations. We begin to see God’s hand at work even when life doesn’t make sense. God is always working. Are we looking for His activity?

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Calling Day 13 One To Another

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 5:15-6:9
Mark 12:28-34
Psalm 133:1-3

Calling, Day 13

I saw the picture.
I bet you did, too.

George Floyd’s body on the ground, a police officer’s knee to his neck.

I. Can’t. Breathe.

And the Church began to move.

While racial injustice has soared for the United States’ entire existence and slavery built the understructure of our nation, we’ve been quiet.

Excuses.

“If only…”
“Well, if they hadn’t…”
“They should’ve…”

Until the injustice was so blatantly obvious we couldn’t ignore it any longer.

I’m ashamed it took the dying words of a lynched man to wake us up.

Our call to love, to submit, to live in unity within the Church is as old as mankind
because our God is a God of unity.

All throughout Scripture, God tells us to love. He shows us He is a listening and hearing God and since we were made in His image, we should be listening and hearing, too.

Yet.

We have women in abusive marriages begging for help.
While the Church looks away. 

We have children crying for parents to love and care for them.
While the Church looks away. 

We have Black neighbors decrying injustice and racism of all kinds.
While the Church looks away. 

Or, at least, it did.

In Ephesians, Paul calls the Church to action, disputing the idea we were ever given permission to turn a blind eye to the many dark injustices in the world.

First, he calls us to unity, instructing us to be wise and clear-minded. He exhorts us to speak to one another with the music of heaven threaded through our words and to worship together, offer our thanks to the Lord, and …
submit to one another in reverent awe of Christ. 

Did you catch the lack of distinction?

Submit.
Every. Single. Believer.

The world tries to put the Bible within the context of its own darkened, limited, sin-stained understanding. Unfortunately, many Christians believe the world, instead of reading the Bible and commentaries and seeking the perfect understanding of the Holy Spirit. (Example: the world likes to say, “Only God can judge me.” But we know from Scripture, that is a misrepresentation to excuse sin.)

So, it’s no surprise we’ve believed the world’s pronouncement that submission is archaic, antifeminist, and oppressive. The idea of submission can leave us with a bad aftertaste if we refuse to learn what the Lord truly means by the beautiful dance of submission.

The Lord’s desire for us to submit, each to the other, whoever the “other” is, regardless of gender, heritage, race, position, or ethnicity, is born out of how God holds submission within Himself as a triune God. Each member of the trinity actively submits to the other to bring about whole oneness and perfect unity.
A lovely, holy dance of submission, one to another.

If we, as Christians, submitted “one to the other”, we would look a lot more like Jesus than we do right now.

Biblical submission is not archaic, antifeminist, or oppressive.
It isn’t abusive, it’s beautiful.

Submitting means putting others before ourselves.

In fact, the idea of biblical submission is closely related to meekness. Before you start thinking this means weakness, here’s the definition Jesus referenced for the Greek word for meek:

“Intentionally choosing to lovingly, gently defer in order to esteem and value another.”

Meek submission requires strength of character, complete reliance on God to supply our needs, and a tender, compassionate willingness to pause and listen to others’ words and respond to their needs. Meek submission lovingly and intentionally lays aside our own arrogant need to be right and instead, elevates the other person.

In order to live this way in our everyday lives, we must first submit to God by fully grasping His will for the Church to live as one unified Body.

Now here’s the thing… when I say the Church looks away when injustice reigns, I don’t mean every church or every person in the Church, but shouldn’t we be unified in opposition to injustice?

When People of Color within the Church speak up on division, shouldn’t the whole Church hold each other up?
That’s unity.
That’s submission.
That’s meekness.

Paul goes on to explain wives are to submit to their husbands, children are to honor and respect their parents, and slaves are to obey their masters (or employees to employers), all of which looks like a big, heaping spoonful of beautiful, godly, strong and gentle, meek submission.

Before Paul really gets into details, he first instructs us to speak to one another in love, give thanks, and submission to one another.

No distinction. No qualification. No excuse.

All of us are to submit to one another. 

And all are to submit to Christ.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
–Jesus

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Calling Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Calling!

Pause 3 Day 4 Growing Pains

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Pause 3, Day 4

“We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain,
since you have become too lazy to understand.”

These words from the pen of Hebrew’s author, which originated in the heart of God, could have been overheard falling from my lips to my teenager in recent weeks.

“You have such potential! Why would you choose laziness over hard work?
Just decide to commit and then follow through.
You are ship-wrecking your life with your lazy decisions!”

My motivation was to get my teenager to take their homework and life choices more seriously; they were stuck spinning their wheels, stalling out, when they could be excelling and growing. The frustrating part was my teenager had access to every tool available in order to succeed, they just needed to use the tools.

In the same way, God fervently calls out to us as believers.
“There is so much more for you! Why are you satisfied with surface-faith?!”

God has equipped us through His Spirit to follow Him.
He has given us biblical community to be transparent with and grow together with.
He has supplied His own Words for us to know and experience deep connection with Him through.

How easily we choose laziness over commitment to a deep, vibrant relationship with the Almighty!

God’s desire for our growth is clear, “demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.”

Let’s determine to leave lazy-following in the dust, and live diligently as we imitate Christ!

Grab your Bible, a journal and pen,
and open your heart to bask in the presence of the Almighty!

Today's Challenge

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down all of Hebrews 5:11-6:12 today. As you copy, lookup a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at www.biblia.com). As you write, think of the incredible gift it is to be invited into God’s presence through His word!

2) Choose one of these options to walk into more with Jesus as you make the intentional choice to grow with perseverance and determination!
           a) Pitch in to do something extra at church. Whether it’s helping with cleanup, opening doors, trimming weeds, or offering to help in a child’s classroom, step up to loving deeper by serving in a new way.
            b) October is Pastor Appreciation Month and a note of genuine kindness goes a long way in showing love and giving encouragement. Consider sending your pastor an email or card!
            c) Check out some local ministries in your area and make plans to serve with them for an afternoon. Maybe it’s organizing school donations, serving soup, or stuffing backpacks for kids. Even better, get some friends to join you!
            d) Prayer walking is a simple way to begin shifting the eyes of your heart to truly see others. Walk around your neighborhood, some city streets, the aisles of your grocery store, or intentionally sit at a local coffee shop and pray, pray, pray. Pray for the people around you, pray for hearts to turn towards Jesus, pray for your own heart to be ready to share the full gospel if given the chance. Don’t worry about seeing results, that’s God’s job!
            e) Strike up a conversation with a random stranger. It may move to spiritual topics, it may not, but showing love to those outside our immediate circles always begins with a simple conversation. “What have you been doing today?” “Do you live nearby?” “Where do you go to church?” “What are your favorite local restaurants?” “I love your top! Where did you get it?” These open-ended questions work well!

3) Share the exciting, bold ways you are growing deep today with the rest of the GT Community! Our Facebook community page is always open! Or snap a photo and tag us on Instagram @gracefully_truthful

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Hebrews 5:11-6:12

We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

6:1 Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, 2 teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And we will do this if God permits.

4 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, 6 and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt. 7 For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.

9 Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them. 11 Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, 12 so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 2 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause 3 Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause 3!

Captivating Day 4 Community Calling: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Community Calling!

The Questions

1) What is Paul referring to in verse 16 when he uses the connecting word “then”?

2) What does it mean for us to be a new creation once we are in Christ (verse 17)?

3) Who and what is God reconciling, and how does this shape our present reality regarding our relationships (verses 18-19)?

4) What makes us “ambassadors for Christ,” and how should it affect our lives to be His representative (verse 20)?

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Original Intent

1) What is Paul referring to in verse 16 when he uses the connecting word “then”?
The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in Jewish culture. All the known authors of the biblical epistles were either an apostle (meaning they were an original disciple of Jesus) or a close relative of Jesus. These men were all uniquely inspired and equipped by the Spirit of God to relay messages to the people of God through their writing. It’s probable that Paul wrote at least three letters to the Corinthian church. 1 Corinthians 5:9 refers to a previous letter; and in 2 Corinthians 2:3-4, he references information which was not covered in the first letter. Bible scholars believe there was at least one other letter, probably written between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.
It is essential in the study of 2 Corinthians 5 to consider its context within the letter as a whole, as well as his original letter to the people in Corinth (1 Corinthians). As he often does, Paul is expressing one extended thought regarding the gospel’s work in the life of a believer. In these letters, he uses the words “for” and “therefore” and “so”. Paul’s use of “then” in verse 16 refers the reader to what he said in the previous sentences regarding our relationship with Christ (verse 15). Because of His death, believers are those “who should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.” This was the essence of all of Paul’s writing. And of his living. (Romans 8:9-11, Galatians 2:8-21 Ephesians 2:4-8)

2) What does it mean for us to be a new creation once we are in Christ (verse 17)?
Most dictionaries define a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on His teachings.” Unfortunately, the English dictionary falls short of communicating what being a Christian really is. The word “Christian” is used only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:21-26 ; Acts 26:25-29 ; 1 Peter 4:13-16), and was not meant as a compliment. At the time, it was common for Greeks to mockingly bestow nicknames to specific groups. Therefore, those who had followed Jesus – the one claiming to be the Christ – in their behavior, activity, and speech, were identified with Christ and were dubbed “little christs.”
In verse 17, Paul gives a definition of what it really means to be a Christian. His writing, teaching, and his own life, focused on the truth that a person who was ”in Christ” most significantly demonstrates his new identity by inwardly rejecting the (old) self-absorption into which each person is born. As a “new creation,” the believer’s mindset/heart enthrones Christ, not self. Paul’s aim was to persuade the Corinthians to deny themselves and the sinful habits attached to a self-focused life.

3) Who and what is God reconciling, and how does this shape our present reality regarding our relationships (verses 18-19)?
Scripture teaches the believer’s life is not worldly (verse 16). Once someone has become a “new creation,” he or she is in union with God and His kingdom purposes, just as Christ is. Although there will one day be an ultimate reconciling of everything to God (Acts 3:20-22 Colossians 1:19-20), God sent Jesus to become human in order to redeem the human race He created. Paul mentioned this in his first letter. (1 Corinthians 1:28-31) Every person is in desperate need of being reconciled with God because sin broke the relationship God had established with man, separating us from Him forever (Isaiah 59:2). Humanity, which was once God’s good creation, became God’s enemy because of sin. Thankfully, unlike every other religion in the world which dismisses the requirements of the moral law for mercy’s sake, Christianity is the demonstration of God’s mercy through His justice. The very sin that alienated every person from the Creator was also atoned for through Christ’s sacrificial death. (Romans 3:24-26 ) Instead of counting the trespasses of man against him, which was justified action, God Himself took the punishment (through Christ) so those who believe can be reconciled to Him. In response, the reconciled become part of God’s work in the world to reconcile others to Him.

4) What makes us “ambassadors for Christ,” and how should it affect our lives to be His representative (verse 20)?
Merriam-Webster defines an ambassador as one who is “accredited to another sovereign state … as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign.” Referring to himself as Christ’s ambassador, Paul saw himself and all believers as representatives of The Sovereign Lord. (Ephesians 6:18-20). Constantly aware of the grace of God, Paul’s letters indicate urgency as he pleads with the Corinthians to know and proclaim Christ crucified. (1 Corinthians 15:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:14-15, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 ) Paul continues his plea in Chapter 6, reminding the reader that God’s grace is to be received and applied to their lives, not ignored. As a new creation, a believer is intended to be a living gospel proclamation of Christ’s work on the cross on the sinner’s behalf. (Romans 12:1)
“Christ’s ambassadors come in God’s name, with His entreaties, and act in Christ’s stead, doing the very thing He did when He was upon this earth, and what He wills to be done now that He is in heaven.” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible).

Everyday Application

1) What is Paul referring to in verse 16 when he uses the connecting word “then”?
Paul wrote the majority of books we have in the New Testament. In all his writings, we see two big themes which give us a sense of his calling. He was chosen to 1) preach Christ to the Gentiles, and 2) relay God’s purpose for the Church. (Ephesians 3:8-9 )We know from his letters to the Corinthian church that conflict and unresolved issues had escalated among God’s people.  Paul once again took time to remind them of the gospel he was called preach. 2 Corinthians is Paul’s appeal to the church to practice forgiveness and reconciliation. Paul connects it this way: “For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: ‘If one died for all then all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.’” (5:14-15)
Because of what Christ has done for the redeemed, we live for another world!

2) What does it mean for us to be a new creation once we are in Christ (verse 17)?
CS Lewis said, “Now the whole offer which Christianity makes is this: that we can, if we let God have His way, come to share in the life of Christ. If we do, we shall then be sharing a life which was begotten, not made, which always existed and always will exist. Christ is the Son of God. If we share in this kind of life, we also shall be sons of God. We shall love the Father as He does and the Holy Ghost will arise in us. He came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other men the kind of life He has — by what I call ‘good infection.’ Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.” CS Lewis
God created humanity in His likeness and “it was very good”.  (Genesis 1:31) We failed to respond to Him in the way we should have and lost the good relationship we had when we sinned against Him. In His mercy, God redeemed and restored mankind, giving us the opportunity to be remade into His likeness and to enter into a forever relationship with Him. Paul gives us a great description of what it means to walk in this new life in Ephesians 4.

3) Who and what is God reconciling, and how does this shape our present reality regarding our relationships (verses 18-19)?
Those of us who have been reconciled to God through the cross of Christ are called to bring others into the family of God.  Paul made a plea for believers to recognize their responsibility to share the message of reconciliation with others. Although it’s not clear how we will be “repaid for what we have done … whether good or evil” at the judgment seat of Christ (5:10), Paul connects it to our witness in verse 11. Bible Commentator Bill Vaughn helps us to understand this: “The nature of the judgment … is not to judge sin … [but to] judge each Christian’s service for possible rewards. Paul’s greatest ambition was to please his Lord. Christians should follow Paul’s example and let the judgment seat of Christ be the reason for their ambition to please the Lord Jesus Christ in all of their service.”
The prophet Ezekiel had a similar word from the Lord (Ezekiel 3:17-19). Charles Spurgeon paraphrased Ezekiel’s words by saying: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and un-prayed for.”

4) What makes us “ambassadors for Christ,” and how should it affect our lives to be His representative (verse 20)?
Believers are the ambassadors of the kingdom of God (that is, the rule of God over all the people in the world). As such, we represent Him to the world. He uses us to tell those not yet in Christ, that they can be reconciled to God through His Son. Paul’s plea to the church at Corinth is the same call on the life every believer. We are to sense the urgency of our mission of reconciliation. Because of His great mercy and love, God sent Jesus to pay the price for our reconciliation (John 3:14-17). The One who had never sinned became sin for us. (verse 21) This sacrifice compels us to share the message of reconciliation as bold ambassadors, doing so in love and compassion for those who have not yet experienced it.
“Our identity in Christ should be such an integral part of our lives that it is impossible for someone to know us well without understanding how our Christian faith informs our lives. By all means, build deep relationships with unbelievers. And be up front about who you and are and what you believe. Don’t go in cognito in order to be a better witness. Let people see Christ in you and let them know Who it is they’re seeing.” (Trevin Wax)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Community Calling!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Captivating Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Ignite Day 2 The Wick: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Wick!

The Questions

1) What do we learn about the early believers from this passage?

2) What do we learn about prayer in this account?

3) Why was the place where they prayed shaken? (verse 31)

Acts 4:23-31

After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant:

“Why do the Gentiles rage
and the peoples plot futile things?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers assemble together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.”

27 “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

Original Intent

1) What do we learn about the early believers from this passage?
In a word? Unity. One purpose, one mind, one Body in their many parts, all working together for their singular mission. “After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything” (verse 23). After being released from the council of the Sanhedrin where they had been detained and threatened for preaching Christ, Peter and John didn’t part ways and keep it quiet what had happened that afternoon, going home to nurse their wounds. They understood that living out the mission of the gospel, necessitated continual dependence on biblical community. They did not wait until the coming Sunday to connect with their local believers. No, they immediately went to “their own people”, telling them everything, which precipitated a powerful time of prayer and deep, life-giving connection. This local body of believers, this local church, carried one another’s burdens, set everything aside from the everyday tasks to come together in prayer, lifting their voices together. They spoke truth, they prayed boldly, they were answered and experienced God’s physical response together. Jesus’ core prayer for all believers is this, “make them one as we (Father, Son, and Spirit) are one. (John 17:21).

2) What do we learn about prayer in this account?
First, prayer here is natural and based on an open and trusting relationship with the Almighty. When Peter and John came and shared their report with their local church community, the very first response was prayer. They didn’t first discuss and deliberate on steps to protect themselves from future persecution, leaving prayer as an afterthought. Second, prayer was familiar. On hearing the report, they simply raised their voices and started praying. To be okay praying out loud in a group of other believers, you have to either 1) have no stage fright or 2) already have a close relationship with the Lord where prayer is commonplace. These believers were familiar with the Almighty, their prayer was conversational, they had made their home with Him; talking with Him about big and small and everything in between was simply their mode of operation. Third, prayer includes praying Scripture back to the Lord to keep their prayers focused and grounded in truth. (Verses 25-26 are quoting Psalm 2:1-2) Fourth, prayer acknowledges reality. The believers spoke frankly and honestly about their situation, the trials they were facing, and the religious unrest plaguing them. Fifth, their prayer relied on the bedrock of God’s faithfulness. The believers prayed for God to give them boldness and they expected He would give it to them. Finally, their prayer for God to heal and perform signs is not only secondary to the request for boldness, but also has one intent: for the lost to know the Savior. (John 4:48) Healing and miracles were not asked for to comfort those suffering, but for the glory of the Lord to be revealed and souls rescued for eternity.

3) Why was the place where they prayed shaken? (verse 31)
The Almighty God is Lord of all creation, nothing is beyond His sphere of control in any realm, physical or spiritual. It makes sense that the God of All would use creation to not only reveal Himself, but also to reflect His glory. Paul write in his letter to the Romans of God plainly revealing His “invisible attributes” through what “has been made” that is, creation. (Romans 1:20-21) In other places in Scripture, God uses the physical world to point our attention to the spiritual one, and His lordship over all. For the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, God met him in a still, small voice after sending an earthquake, a fire, and tornado. (1 Kings 19:9-13) In speaking with Job, the man faithful to God regardless of his tragic circumstances, the Lord spends several chapters pointing out the magnificence of creation from the micro to the macro level, all for the purpose of shifting Job’s heart towards God’s glory. (Job 38-41) This great encounter came to Job “out of the whirlwind” from whence the Lord spoke. (Job 38:1) Creation, and physical acts within creation, are intended for one main purpose, to point to God’s glory. Jesus said that if people were to stop praising God, the rocks themselves would cry out in praise! (Luke 19:40) The shaking of this place where the local body was meeting and praying was intended as a physical marker to encourage spiritual hearts as they were reminded of the God who hears and answers their prayer. They did not pray so that the place would be shaken, but God chose to bless them with a physical representation of His answer as well as a physical answer.

Everyday Application

1) What do we learn about the early believers from this passage?
In our western culture of individualism, this aspect of unity among believers is easily missed or down played. We find a way to manage on our own and only reach out “if we really need it”. Sisters, this is not the Lord’s design or His good, Father heart for us! Surrounding yourself with a solid local body of believers and engaging in a small, tight-knit group of Christ-followers to walk beside you, speak truth over you, and pray alongside you is exactly what Jesus prays for us! Have you made yourself available to others, being vulnerable with them and inviting them to do the same? Are you sharing with other sisters and brothers in a manner that looks like “doing life together” instead of simply showing up on a Sunday to sit in your regular spot? Boldly reach out to surround yourself with biblical community, decide to invest deeply in it when you have it, and take steps to lead others in vulnerability and speaking truth in this context. This richness is truly life-giving!

2) What do we learn about prayer in this account?
Whether you’ve been practicing the spiritual disciple of prayer for decades, you’ve never prayed, you consider prayer to be a bit mystical and “genie-in-a-bottle-esque”, or something else entirely, the God who crafted you has designed prayer for the purpose of knowing Him and growing in your relationship with Him. While it can feel mysterious, the more you practice speaking with the Savior, the more familiar His voice becomes. Consider the 6 steps from above and consider which areas you might have misconceptions about prayer or have room to grow in.  What about prayer is comforting or maybe uncomfortable? What questions do you have about prayer? Consider keeping a prayer chart and noting what you pray most often for or how you pray and compare it to the prayer recorded in this passage. What do you think it means to pray for God’s glory to be made known? Write down your thoughts and share with your own biblical community or send us an email here!

3) Why was the place where they prayed shaken? (verse 31)
We like to be eye-witnesses, we like to experience things firsthand for ourselves, and we are easily caught up in the physical realm of these experiences as we touch, see, hear, taste, and smell. Sometimes, because of this easy connection to the physical realm, it becomes a challenge to remember that everything in creation is intended to point to the Creator. Ultimately, we are not called to pray for our glory, our comfort, or our will, but for the glory of the Lord to be revealed in increasing fashion. While we don’t always experience a physical representation of the Lord’s answer that we can experience with our senses, it does not mean His answer is any less real. When we do see a connection between the physical and the spiritual, be encouraged in the Lord’s reminder that He is indeed God of All and will bring hearts close to Him as He reveals more of His glory in our situations!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Wick!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Ignite Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Seeds Day 12 Seeds Of Encouragement: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Seeds Of Encouragement!

The Questions

1) Who is being spoken to in this verse and what is Jesus saying to them?

2) What is the power received?

3) Why Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth?

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Original Intent

1) Who is being spoken to in this verse and what is Jesus saying to them?
This verse is spoken by Jesus before He ascends to Heaven. Jesus is with His disciples on the Mt of Olives outside of Bethany. Essentially, these words are the last ones Jesus says to His disciples before leaving them. In those moments, Jesus promises His disciples they will not be abandoned even though He is leaving them. The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection and had spent time with Jesus after His resurrection. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus instructed His disciples to share the Gospel with all nations.  However, with these words, Jesus tells them to stay and wait. He doesn’t want them to go alone to carry His gospel to the nations, but instead wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Jesus knows their mission is will not be accomplished alone. He knows they need what only God can provide.

2) What is the power received?
This power is the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we hear the word “power” we often think physical strength. However, this isn’t what Jesus is referring to here as this is a spiritual power. This power is the strength, courage, and boldness by which Jesus’ disciples will go out and accomplish the mission Jesus is laying before them. Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to go out before they had the power from the Holy Spirit. He told them to wait for it. Jesus knew there was no hope in them being witnesses if they did not have the power only God can provide. The power of the Holy Spirit would come and equip them with all the tools needed to be successful and effective witnesses. Without the Holy Spirit, they would never have success.

3) Why Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth?
Jesus had given His disciples what we call the Great Commission at the end of Matthew 28. Here in Acts 1:8, Jesus expounds on that command and lays out a plan of action. The disciples were Jews who would have lived in Jerusalem and Judea. Their mission is to begin sharing the Gospel and making witnesses right where they were in everyday life and then move out from there in every widening circles of influence. The disciples were to continue moving into Samaria and then into the rest of the world. Essentially, this lays out the plan to take the Gospel to the Jews and then the Gentiles. Expositor’s Bible Commentary words it this way, “Jerusalem, Judea, – the Apostles were to begin their great practical life of witnessing at home, but they were not to stay there. Samaria was next to have its opportunity, and so we shall find it to have been the case; and then, working from home as centre, to the uttermost parts of the earth.” Never were the disciples to stay in the comforts of home. God’s plan was always to send His power and enable the disciples to share the Good News with His entire creation.

Everyday Application

1) Who is being spoken to in this verse and what is Jesus saying to them?
While Jesus is speaking directly to His disciples in this verse, His message is still for us today. As believers, we are also His disciples and these words are just as much for us as it was for those who heard it first when Jesus spoke. We too have the job of sharing the Gospel with all nations. However, if the disciples could not take on the task in their own power, why should we think we can? Just as they needed the Holy Spirit, so do we. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are also given the gift of the Holy Spirit who never leaves. We can choose, however, to ignore His voice and attempt to do His work on our own strength. Here is where we need to be reminded of Jesus’ message to His first disciples and to us!

2) What is the power received?
Spiritual power is a gift provided by the Holy Spirit. The disciples needed the power to go out boldly and confidently share the Gospel bearing witness to Jesus. Before the Spirit was given, the disciples were told to wait. Jesus would not send them to accomplish a mission if they were not equipped to accomplish it. If the disciples needed the Spirit’s power and they had physically walked with Jesus and learned at His feet, we should also acknowledge we need this power in order to bear witness to Jesus. This power allows us to step out in courage to share the truth of who Jesus is and why the world needs Him. Where is the Spirit leading you? Are you in the habit of engaging with Him through Scripture, journaling, prayer, and quiet listening? If we are to accomplish the Lord’s mission in our everyday lives, our effectiveness begins and ends with our dependence on the equipping power of the Holy Spirit!

3) Why Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth?
Just as Jesus lays out a plan for the disciples to carry out the Great Commission at the end of this verse, He lays out a plan for us. As believers, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations just as the original disciples were. Even though we don’t live in Jerusalem our plan of action should look similar to the disciples. We are first to start in our own “Jerusalem”, the place we call home. Who is God calling us to share the Gospel with in our homes, in our neighborhoods, or in our workplace? Next, we are to look to the area or city we live in, our “Judea”. Samaria would have been a little farther out from home. It could be like asking who am I to share the Gospel with within the region God has placed me. Lastly, I am to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. There is no place on earth that is not worthy of hearing the Good News. Where is God asking me to go? Any one of these areas may feel out of our comfort zone, but with the power of the Holy Spirit we can bravely and boldly go and bear witness making disciples. When I lived in Las Vegas my church said it this way, “Las Vegas, the West and the World”. I now live in Kansas City, MO and my church says it this way, “our church, the Northland, and beyond.” Think about where God has placed you… how can you reword this action plan Jesus gave to match where God has you located. It will be different for all of us, but the end goal is the same… to see every nation to the end of the earth hear the Good News of Jesus!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Seeds Of Encouragement!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Seeds Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Incorruptible Day 10 Love That Lasts

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 1:22-25 
1 Peter 2:11-16
Leviticus 19:16-18
John 13:34-35 

Incorruptible, Day 10

As the children got off the bus there was a buzz of animated chatter.
Just arriving for a week at camp, they were full of excitement and eager to get started. 

Well, most of them were... 

At the back of the line were two brothers, fear and apprehension written all over their faces.  Their response to the leaders’ friendly greetings was monosyllabic, their manner hesitant and uncertain.  It was all new to them and they had no idea what to expect. 

Fast forward a week, and children were piling back onto the bus to return home.  Again, the two brothers hung back, but this time their behaviour wasn’t motivated by fear and anxiety, but by reluctance to leave a place of happiness and a desire to say individual goodbyes to each leader. There were hugs, tears, and smiles, as we stood amazed at the radical transformation in such a short space of time. 

I’m convinced the reason was love.   

We had quickly discovered the two brothers had a difficult home situation.  They had never experienced a loving Christian community before, and the impact on them was profound.  It’s said that actions speak louder than words, and it’s true. The way we treat others and our attitudes towards them have more impact than we often realise. 

In his letter to the first-century Christians, Peter highlights this truth.  He writes to the believers about how to behave towards one another, towards their unbelieving neighbours, and those in authority.
He emphasises the lasting impact of their conduct. 

Peter implores, “show sincere brotherly love for each other,
 from a pure heart, love one another constantly.”  (1 Peter 1:22)
As these believers lived in difficult circumstances, facing opposition, persecution, and suffering, it was important they stood united. 

Peter tells them this unifying love springs from their new life in Christ.
They have been born again into His family as brothers and sisters and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).  This love isn’t the mushy, romantic, feelings-based love the world portrays in songs and movies, but the committed, selfless, sacrificial love Jesus displayed in His life, death, and resurrection.  

Jesus Himself taught that loving one another was a mark of following Him, which would impact those who witnessed it. One cannot remain unchanged by love. 

Let’s be real though.
Loving others, even other Christians, is hard sometimes.
Opinions and personalities clash, we rub each other the wrong way,
we can act thoughtlessly and selfishly, and sometimes hurt one another. 

But we are still called to love.
Not because we have the ability on our own, but because, as Peter says, “we have been born again….(by) imperishable seed.” (1 Peter 1:23)

In 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3, Paul details what it means to love with our new, incorruptible nature.
And it’s radically different from the world’s image of love.
Paul describes a patient, forgiving, enduring love that allows us to live in harmony even when it’s challenging. 

This love is impossible to work up by ourselves.
Love is a fruit of the Spirit, not our own efforts.
It is the result of God working within us enabling us to love.
However, it is also a choice we make to cooperate with God’s work in us, and be committed to this kind of love.

The word translated as “constantly” in verse 22 is rendered in other versions of the Bible as “earnestly“, “fervently“, or “with all your heart,” conveying the sense that this is a love we must choose and actively pursue.   

In chapter 2, Peter goes on to write about the importance of believers conducting themselves honourably before the unbelievers around them.  He encourages them that their actions and attitudes are a witness, pointing others to God! 

For the same reason, and with the same love, believers are called to submit to figures of authority, “for it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.“  (1 Peter 2:15) 

These must have been incredibly challenging instructions in a culture where the believers faced ridicule and intense persecution from authority, but they were called, by their love and their honourable behaviour, to glorify God and make Him known. 

The same challenge is for us today. 
How well do we love our Christian brothers and sisters?
How well do our actions witness to those around us?  
Are we truly known for our love?   

The impact of putting Jesus’ incorruptible love on display is great! 

I doubt that the two brothers who came to camp went home remembering much of what they heard about Jesus that week, but I do know they went home having experienced, probably for the first time, a loving community where they were valued, accepted, and deeply loved. 

For those brothers, that week was only the beginning.
The two boys returned year after year, gradually they began truly taking in what was being taught. Eventually they came to faith in Jesus for themselves! 

Our little acts of love may not seem like much, but their impact can be eternal.
Incorruptible love produces incorruptible results.
As Peter reminds, so much around us is fading,
but God’s Word, and the new life we have in Him – this life of love – remain forever!

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Incorruptible Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Here’s a link to all past studies in Incorruptible!

Incorruptible Day 9 Redeemed From Emptiness: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Redeemed From Emptiness!

The Questions

1) Who is Peter writing to in these verses? 

2) Who is the adversary Peter is writing about and how does he attack? 

3) How do we resist our adversary?

1 Peter 5:8-14

8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. 

10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen. 

12 Through Silvanus, a faithful brother (as I consider him), I have written to you briefly in order to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Original Intent

1) Who is Peter writing to in these verses?
Peter addresses this letter to believers living in exile in 1:1, but in 1 Peter 5:1-4, he specifically writes to the elders and 1 Peter 5:5 addresses young men. However, the second half of 1 Peter 5:5 and following is written to both groups. Who were these elders and young men? Elder is not simply a term to describe age. The Greek word Peter uses, “presbyteros”, refers to those in a position over others or an overseer within the church. They would have been strong believers who had been walking in the faith. The younger men mentioned in verse 5 refer to those who sit under the elders. They would have been men in the church who were not elders and would have probably been less spiritually mature than the elders. After giving them each specific instruction, Peter then turns his attention on both groups. He continues with words of advice and warning intended for both groups of people, which is what we find in these verses.  

2) Who is the adversary Peter is writing about and how does he attack?
These verses are very clear there is an adversary in the devil. Peter specifically describes this adversary as a roaring lion. In order to understand our enemy, we must look to other parts of the Bible to learn who he truly is. Both Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 introduce the devil as a fallen angel cast from Heaven due to pride, thinking he could become god himself.  Job 1:7 informs us this adversary, Satan, roams the earth going to and fro. Another translation of the Hebrew, “accuser”, tells us he looks for those to accuse. This is precisely what he is doing in the book of Job, looking for one to accuse; this is still his aim! Peter paints a description of a lion ready to attack when he finds the weak, separated member of the pack. The devil will attack when he sees the greatest opening to do maximum damage. These attacks look different depending on each person, but John 8:44 reminds us our enemy is the father of lies. His attacks are not truth and should not be held as such.  

3) How do we resist our adversary?
After describing the adversary, Peter doesn’t leave his readers to wonder what to do. Instead, Peter gives them specific advice on how to deal with this adversary. These elders and young men are to resist him and stand firm. The beginning of verse 8 also reminds readers to be sober-minded and alert. Be on the lookout for the attack that is coming. It’s no secret the enemy is looking ready to attack at the opportune moment; believers must be ready. Peter also reminds them they are not alone in their suffering. Other believers are experiencing suffering alongside them. Matthew Henry writes, “It was the faith of these people that Satan aimed at; if he could overturn their faith, and draw them into apostasy, then he knew he should gain his point, and ruin their souls; therefore, to destroy their faith, he raises bitter persecutions, and sets the grand potentates of the world against them. This strong trial and temptation they must resist, by being well-grounded, resolute, and steadfast in the faith.” These believers must cling to the truth they know of the One True God who saved their souls. They must cling to their salvation in what Jesus has already done on their behalf and not give in to the lies their enemy is aiming at them. Lastly, they must never forget they are not alone. Believers throughout the world experience the similar attacks from their common enemy.

Everyday Application

1) Who is Peter writing to in these verses? 
While these verses are addressed in the original context to the elders and young men Peter was writing to, there is still an application for us. We may not be pastors or hold the specific office of elder within the Church, but Peter’s words are still a warning to us. These words can be applied to those who have been walking with Jesus for many years and those who are new to a relationship with Him. As believers, we are members of the global, timeless Church and we should heed the advice and warnings Peter gives. 

2) Who is the adversary Peter is writing about and how does he attack?
Our adversary is still alive and well just as he was when Peter wrote these verses. Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains that Peter describes the enemy by his character. First, he is our adversary, our enemy, who wants only to hurt and destroy us. Second, Peter calls him the devil or Satan whose role is to accuse believers. Third, he is a roaring lion on the prowl. Lions do not hunt the strong animals who can defend themselves. Instead, they look for the weak or hurt animal, separated from the pack. Satan is the same; he is on the hunt looking for the weak believer separated from community to attack. It’s easier to attack a weak believer without community as there is less chance of defense. The enemy will lie to believers in order to accomplish his goals. We must recognize our enemy for exactly who he is, and respond accordingly with truth!  

3) How do we resist our adversary?
We are to resist our adversary stand firm just as the believers Peter is writing to. The believers in 1 Peter are reminded of other believers suffering and we too must remember there are believers around the world experiencing similar sufferings to us.  Paul Marshall of Freedom House states that 80% of the world’s believers, those who are genuinely walking with Jesus and living out their faith, live in persecution. Just as a lion looks for the one separated from the pack, our adversary wants to separate us from other believers. He wants us to feel alone, not belonging to a larger community of believers. When he separates us from other believers, his attack becomes much easier. We need biblical community around us reminding us we are not in this battle alone. We must also remember that while we may be in the middle of a battle, the war has already been won. 1 Peter 5:2 reminds us we already share in the glory! No matter what lies the devil is telling us, we must cling to the truth and stand firm. Once we place our faith in Jesus, we are redeemed from all we have ever done and will ever do. Jesus did it all when He went to the Cross bearing all our sin and shame then rising from the grave, defeating death and the devil himself. We fight our battles, but we are never, ever alone and never without hope!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Redeemed From Emptiness!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Incorruptible Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Incorruptible Day 7 Inner Shift: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Inner Shift!

The Questions

1)  How does having a mind “ready for action” impact our holiness? 

2) What does being “sober-minded” have to do with hope and holiness? 

3)  Why is it important we set our hope on the grace we received in Christ?

1 Peter 1:13-16

13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

Original Intent

1)  How does having a mind “ready for action” impact our holiness?
Peter writes this particular letter, “to those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad…” (1 Peter 1:1).  His audience consists of believers who have been displaced from their homes due to their faith, and who are thus familiar with hard circumstances and persecution.  In their time of struggle and need, Peter doesn’t tell them to take a break or that their trouble is over; instead, he tells the exiles to live a holy life within the battle.  How are they to do that?  First, be ready for action.  Peter understands that when God’s people are ready to take action in battle, they will already be on the defensive, looking out for the enemy, and ready to put up a fight.  With the next potential battle as their focus, Peter understands that these disciples will be more likely to resist the schemes of the devil by living lives that are focused on God and His standards for holiness.   

2) What does being “sober-minded” have to do with hope and holiness?
Peter follows his call to be prepared for taking action with the direction to be calm in spirit.  He says that not only do we need to be ready to act, but that those actions should be accompanied by a mind that is even-tempered (see Thayer’s definition).  He calls for the people to refrain from overreacting, even in the midst of difficulty and an uncertain future.  Peter knows that if the people of God fail to be sober minded they will be unlikely to come across as holy to the watching world.  Not only that, Peter understands God’s people would risk detracting from the hope others might find in Christ.     

3)  Why is it important we set our hope on the grace we received in Christ?
Peter’s final admonition to the people is to have the right focus before them: hope in the grace offered through Christ Jesus.  First, Peter desires for the people to have a right view of themselves,  as sinners in need of salvation.  When hope is placed in Christ, Peter understands the people will be less likely to try to save themselves, do enough, or be enough.  Instead, he wants them to know that they can do nothing apart from Christ.  Second, Peter desires for the people to have a right view of Christ:  as the Savior.  Not “a” savior.  Not an option.  THE Savior.  One and only.  Peter grasps the truth that a mind set on the salvation and hope that come from grace through faith in Christ alone offers a much more accurate and appealing image of Christ to others as they watch us navigate difficult times in life.

Everyday Application

1)  How does having a mind “ready for action” impact our holiness?
Looking at this passage begs the question:  am I ready for action?  Peter continues this idea later in this same book when he says we are to be, “…ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you,” (1 Peter 3:15).  Are you ready to answer questions others may have?  Are you ready for the next battle you may have to face?  Are you prepared to put up a good fight?  Are there areas of your life and walk with Christ you need to shore up?  Does your response to difficult circumstances in your life cause others to ask why you are different? 

2) What does being “sober-minded” have to do with hope and holiness?
Cool, calm, collected.  It’s a favorite phrase of mine and a friend.  We tend to use it as a joke, but in the context of this scripture, it’s quite serious.  Why?  Because that’s exactly what being sober minded looks like.  When you consider the application of that truth in your life, ask yourself some hard questions.  Do you give yourself space to THINK before you react?  Would people look at your social media and be able to call you sober-minded by what they see?  Or would they see someone who speaks before thinking?  Or speaks to provoke and argue?  Or seeks attention for themselves?  Take a sober minded look at your posts during the last battle or difficulty in your life and ask Jesus to help you see what He sees.  Are you attracting others to Christ in your words, or pushing them away? 

3)  Why is it important we set our hope on the grace we received in Christ?
If my focus is on the grace I have received through Christ, I will understand my place as a sinner in need of salvation.  For some of us, there is discomfort in seeing ourselves as sinners.  We want to think we’re better than that.  Or perhaps we are tempted to believe that though we are sinners, we must work to save ourselves.  Neither of those stand up to the truth of scripture that Jesus is the only one who saves sinners like each one of us.  He is the only one who can do that work.  He is our only hope for rescue.  Are those ideas clear in your mind, or do you sometimes struggle with those truths?  What evidence is there in your life to support your answer?  Do others see and hear you articulate that during the difficult times in your life?  Or do they encounter someone who is constantly striving and working to control or manage life and its difficulties?  Will they see someone who is self-focused, or someone who points them to the hope of Christ? 

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Inner Shift!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Incorruptible Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.