Elijah Prequel: Remember

1. Read Deuteronomy 4:1-23 and 1 Kings 16:21-34. 1 Kings 16 describes the spiritual and political condition of Israel (Northern Kingdom) just prior to Elijah coming on the scene. How did a people who experienced so much of God’s favor fall into such a desperate state?
2. What are some truths/commands they failed to remember?
3. Read the following Psalms. In what different situations did the psalmist remember God and His work?

Psalm 42:1-5—

Psalm 63:6-8—

Psalm 77:1-12—

Psalm 119:49-56—

4. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. How does remembering the gospel help us remember who we are?
5. Read the following scriptures. How did a memory of God’s past work create a desire for revival?

Lamentations 3:19-24, 40-42—

Habakkuk 3:2—

Psalm 44:1-3, 23-26—

Psalm 143:5-12—

Questions for discussion and reflection Saint Week 4

Bible Study Questions for Reflection and Discussion (Week 3)
Justification

1. Read Romans 5:1-11. What does it mean to be justified? Verse 1 states that justification results in peace with God. How does it do that? Does justification seem fair to you?

2. Which of the following statements is supported by Romans 5:2.
o “I am justified before God because of the good (righteous) things that I have done.”
o “I am justified before God because He does not take my sin that seriously.”
o “I am justified before God because of Christ’s sacrifice for me.”
o “I am not justified before God because of my sin.”

Support your conclusion using Romans 5:1-11. Explain what is wrong with the other statements.

3. Read Romans 8:30-34. Why is the answer “because God said so” sufficient to give the Christian assurance of his or her position in Christ.

4. What changes in my life is God calling me to as a result of a renewed understanding of my identity in Christ?

Just Plain Cool

Two weekends ago on Mother’s Day Susan and her daughter Courtney were baptized. What makes this story even more amazing is that neither mother nor daughter came to church that morning planning to be baptized. Around Zion, this is called “spontaneous” baptisms. As the message was taught (on our being “washed” from 1 Corinthians 6:11) God’s Spirit was doing His work in these women’s hearts. Just like the Ethiopian in Acts 8:36 said to Philip after placing his faith in Christ, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” so Susan and Courtney each decided it was time for them to go public with their faith.

While recounting the story this past Sunday a young man Ray Doolittle has been discipling decided he too is ready to go public. He is planning to be baptized this coming weekend.

Here are a few thoughts… Ultimately, every testimony has its beginning with God in eternity past… but even from a human perspective, they have been a long time coming. Every week you invest countless hours encouraging, teaching, praying and serving… many times without seeing much fruit for your efforts. Then all of a sudden, something happens that gives us a glimpse into what God is up to… and that just plain cool. Our job is to remain faithful during the “in between” which is exactly what Paul instructed in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.” (The Message)