STUDY ONE
TOPIC: KNOWING GODS WILL
TEXT: 2 PETER 3:9
AIM: The most important pursuit in life is to know God intimately. His desire is
not that we simply know facts about Him, but that we have a deep and
personal relationship with Him.
MEMORY VERSE: Psalms 40:8... I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law
is within my heart.
INTRODUCTION
One lady was interested in knowing Gods will sat by a window with her Bible
open and allowed the breeze to open the pages and she chose a verse a random
by allowing her finger to fall on a verse. She read the words, "Judas went and
hanged himself." Horrified, she closed the Bible and tried again. This time her
finger found these words, "Go and do thou likewise." Even more dismayed, she
quickly tried a third time and the wind-and-finger method led her to a verse that
said, "Whatsoever thou doest, do quickly. God is looking for willing hearts in a
Generation that know not God, those who whole-heartedly decide to do the will
of God. (II Chron.16:9) You can know God's will! God has no favorites. You do not
have to be special, but you have to be available. You do not have to be clever, but
you must be willing to learn from Him. You do not have to be talented, but you
must be willing to obey whatever He commands. You do not have to possess
much, but you must give everything you have. In todays studies we will begin
our studies in knowing His will personally.
DISCUSSIONS
1. What are some of the differences between knowing God and simply
knowing about God?
2. What is the connection between our concept of God and the strength of
our faith?
3. Review the following benefits of knowing God and dig a little deeper
into each one. Have the group share examples from their own lives of
how knowing God better has resulted in these benefits.
Knowing God increases my faith, Psalm 9:10.
Knowing God changes my perspectives, Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Knowing God helps me to see myself clearly, Isaiah 6:1-5.
Knowing God gives me strength and confidence, Dan. 11:31-32.
Knowing God increase my giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
CONCLUSION
Pray especially that we would not just know about God, but that we would
commit ourselves to the lifelong journey of really knowing Him.
STUDY TWO
GENEROSITY, THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST
MAIN TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 8: 9
Memory Verse: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down ones life for ones
friends - John 15:13
INTRODUCTION
In all matters of Christian character and virtue, the example of Christ is the
standard to be followed. During His life on earth, Christ demonstrated generosity
to various groups of people which culminated in the giving of His life to
humankind. In general, generosity refers to the quality of selflessness, liberality
in giving and the willingness to give your time, money, energy, talents or efforts
for the benefit of others. This flows from a pure intention to seek the interest of
others and not the desire to be seen and noted for acts of kindness. Our study
will enable us identify the marks of generosity as demonstrated by Jesus.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. How do you understand generosity?
2. How does Christs earthly ministry and death demonstrate generosity?
Verse 9
3. What is the meaning of according to your means? (v. 11)
4. What was Jesus motive for all the sacrifices he made for humankind?
Romans 5:8-11
5. Taking Christ as an example, what should be our motives for acts of
generosity?
6. If you do give to someone in need, is it your business how they spend
that money? Should any accountability be required?
7. How would you apply lessons from todays study to your life?
CONCLUSION
To be generous means to be selfless, liberal in giving, kind and willing to meet
the needs of others. Jesus gave up the glory that was rightfully His. He emptied
Himself of His divine nature and privileges and took the form of man to enable
Him fulfil the mission of saving humankind from eternal damnation. In Christs
example, we can identify selflessness, sacrifice, liberality and the willingness to
meet a need. Further to this, His motive was not to seek glory for Himself but the
salvation of humanity. As followers of Jesus, His generosity and motive ought to
serve as an example for us. Thus, our motives for helping people must be
sincere and pure and should spring up from a genuine love. Our acts of
generosity must be devoid of selfish motives, public show of religiosity and the
desire to project ourselves (Matt 6:2-3).