Prayer – Day 2

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. - James 5:13-18


Do you ever feel as though your prayers bounce off the ceiling – that God might listen to your pastor, or to someone really holy, but not to someone like you? I believe most of us feel that way. In today’s passage James encouraged the people in his church to pray – all of them. In the Old Testament, the Jews had their own version of a spiritual giant, a guy named Elijah. God answered his prayers (you can read about it in 1 Kings 17 & 18). Yet James wrote Elijah was just a man like you and me. God wants to answer your prayers in the same way. The question is do we want to be righteous like Elijah? If we do, then there’s no reason why we can’t see that kind of power in our prayer lives.

When was the last time you saw God answer a prayer in your life?

Pray in faith today about something that only God could accomplish.

Prayer – Day 1

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle - I am telling the truth, I am not lying - and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. - 1 Timothy 2:1-8


It seems everyone has a political opinion today, but politicians come and go. What doesn’t change is God’s plan for the world and your role in that plan. Believe it or not, you’re very important in bringing God’s plan to fruition. When you pray for government leaders, for the advancement of the gospel in other parts of the world, or for Satan’s plans to be defeated, you’re making a real impact. God could do this alone, but God isn’t going to. God wants to use you as well – that’s God’s plan. So your prayers are incredibly important – they can have worldwide impact! That means we need to be diligent in our prayers for what’s going on outside our small circle of friends.

What are some global concerns of the Church that you can pray about today?

Ask God to give you a bigger picture of how your prayers affect the world around you.

Week 24 – Prayer: First Letter to Timothy

Memory Verse

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2: 1-2


Have you ever read about elections that we decided by only a handful of votes? In happens all the time – even in elections for the President of the United States. And with such small margins for victory, few would deny that every vote is important. Therefore, no one can honestly say it doesn’t matter if he votes or not. Voting is a right and a privilege of American citizens. No matter who you are, once you turn 18, you get that right and the power that comes with it.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have something even more powerful (and you don’t have to wait until you’re 18 to use it). God tells us that our prayers are incredibly powerful – a stronger force that you’ve ever dreamed of having. Combined with the prayers of other Christians, our prayers are an amazing force in the world.

Paul knew the importance of prayer. Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, anticipating the end of his life. Looking back on his ministry, Paul knew unmistakably that the prayers of the churches were the foundation of his spiritual successes. He wanted Timothy and all of his churches to never forget how tremendously powerful the prayers of the saints are.

This week we’re going to look at both the prayers of the Church and our personal prayer lives. Maybe you’ve never really thought about your prayer life; maybe it’s just something you do. But with a force this powerful, we should expect the supernatural.

Spiritual Parenthood – Day 5

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also. - 2 Corinthians 6:3-13


Being a parent isn’t easy. (Go ask your mom or dad if you don’t believe me!). Sometimes even the people we try to help the most won’t appreciate what we’re doing for them. After all that Paul had done for them, the Corinthians still casually disregarded him. This hurt Paul just like it would hurt us. But Paul didn’t give up on them. (The letter of 2 Corinthians is proof enough of that.) When those you’re trying to train don’t respond as you’d like them to, remember that helping people grow is a long-term process. It’s not about a one-month or two-month commitment but a lifetime of sharing your life with them. Look past your own hurt and see the big picture. The people we’re trying to help will probably come around eventually, but we have to stay committed.

Have you ever been ignored after you invested a lot into someone?

How did you handle it?

Ask God to help you persevere in helping others – even when they don’t give much back in return.

Spiritual Parenthood – Day 4

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:3-11


Paul was no fly-by-night con artist. When he’d plant a church, he’d often spend months or even years helping the people get the church on its feet before he moved on. Because of his personal investment, those churches were very dear to Paul’s heart. Their members were like sons and daughters to him. Many of the letters we read in the New Testament are letters Paul wrote to the churches he’d started. Even though he couldn’t be with them physically, he wanted them to know he loved them, prayed for them, and was thinking about them. Your encouragement can go a long way in the lives of those you love.

Who do you encourage on a regular basis?

Ask God to remind you of some people you could encourage today with a word, a phone call, or an e-mail. Then do it!

Spiritual Parenthood – Day 3

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. - Titus 2:3-5


Whose job is it to be a spiritual parent? It’s easy to believe that teaching others how to be godly is a pastor’s job – or at least someone with more experience. Almost everyone thinks that way. But if you wait until you believe you’re ready to teach others, then you’ll never actually teach anyone. Paul exhorts Titus to encourage the women in church to train the younger women. It’s not just a job for a few, but it’s a job for every person in the church. The same could be said for the men of the church. Mentoring younger believers is everyone’s job, including yours. Don’t worry; Jesus isn’t asking you to be a spiritual parent to everyone, but keep your eyes open for the few people you could impact in a special way.

How can you begin mentoring younger believers in your church?

Is there anything in your life that would hinder you from taking on such a role? What is it?

Ask God to help you deal with it immediately.

Spiritual Parenthood – Day 2

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. – Mark 5:37

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." - Mark 14:33-34


While Jesus spent his years of ministry preaching and teaching all over Israel, he also poured a lot of time into his 12 disciples. And from among those 12, there were three with whom he spent extra time. Jesus knew it would take more that mass preaching to bring about the kingdom of God. It would require lifelong relationships. Ultimately, Jesus’ grand plan for discipleship was not telling the entire world about his Father, but investing his life in a few souls who’d turn around and invest their lives in others who’d do likewise until the task was accomplished.

Is someone pouring their life into you – like Jesus did with the disciples?

If not, then pray that God would send such a person into your life.

Ask God to show you someone into whom you can begin pouring your life as well.

Spiritual Parenthood – Day 1

He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. - Acts 16:1-5

Thus begins one the greatest partnerships in history. Timothy became Paul’s right-hand man and carried the torch after Paul was martyred. Paul wasn’t interested in just telling people about Jesus; he was also interested in preparing someone to take his place. Timothy’s dad most likely wasn’t a believer, so Paul took Timothy in and trained him like a son. Because of this long-term personal treatment, Timothy became a trusted friend and minister in his own right. God is calling us not only to spread the gospel, but also to train those who are less spiritually mature to walk with Christ. No matter where you are in your journey, you can always help those who are younger in the faith.

Who are some of your spiritual mentors?

Who are some of the younger believers your help - or could help - in their walk with Christ?

Week 23: Spiritual Parenthood

Memory Verse

"So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers."
Acts 16:5



Introduction

Babies require a lot of attention...in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. If you don't believe me, ask a new parent.

Spiritual babies are the same way: They also require a lot of attention. When people come to faith in Christ, they don't wake up the next morning with all the answers. In fact, new believers' questions keep multiplying. So it's a good think there are mature Christians around to help them.

In addition to our biological parents, God provides spiritual parents to show us how to grow in Christ. Your spiritual parent may be your pastor, youth minister, or a good Christian friend. Spiritual parents are crucial to your spiritual growth.

Paul played this role for a young man named Timothy. in Acts 16 Paul, already on his second missionary journey, decided to bring timothy along. And then Paul basically spent the rest of his life mentoring Timothy. Paul became Timothy's spiritual parent and helped him mature in the faith.

As you grow spiritually, God desires for you to parent other young believers. In fact, you should always have at least two types of people in your life: Someone who's discipling you (a "Paul"), and someone you're discipling (a "Timothy"). This week we're going to see how the early Christians parented each other so we can begin to do the same.

Rebuking in Love – Day 5

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. - Galatians 6:1-5


Confronting our friends is no easy matter. It’s messy and it can be hurtful. But Paul reminds us that is can also be dangerous. God calls us to help our brothers and sisters get out of their sinful patterns, and God will help us as we help them. But sometimes this means we’ll be exposed to the same kind of temptations that our friends have already fallen into. We have to keep our guard up as we reach out to struggling believers. Remember, it’s always easier to pull someone down than to pull someone up. So be careful. We need to protect ourselves as we help others.

What precautions would be helpful when reaching out to struggling friends?

Pray for God’s protection and help before you talk to your friends about their sins.

Pray for anyone you know who’s struggling in sin today.

Rebuking in Love – Day 4

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. - Matthew 18:15-17


When Jesus tells us how to confront each other (notice that he knows it will happen among believers), he coves all the bases we’ve talked about so far. First, he shows us that sin shouldn’t go unchecked; it needs to be confronted by the church. Second, he talks about our brothers. This isn’t an academic exercise; it’s a chance to love our brother (or sister) and him (or her) back into a right relationship with God and the church. Third, he suggests that we include others in the process. By doing so we make sure that we’re not confronting someone out of spite. Having others there who are objective about the situation keeps our emotions in check. Is this process easy? No! But this is the kind of game plan that works.

Have you ever tried this method when dealing with a conflict? How did it go?

Ask God to show you how to walk through each step of the process correctly and prayerfully when you’re confronting someone.

Rebuking in Love – Day 3

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. - James 5:19-20


Some people just like to argue and want to be right all the time. You may know someone like that who seems to confront everyone about everything. But God doesn’t tell us to confront others so we can be right and tell them they’re wrong. The goal is to save them from the destructive power of sin. If this isn’t our goal in rebuking someone, then we don’t have the proper attitude. Before you talk to someone about his problem, ask yourself why you’re doing it. Is it really to help him, or is this really about you? Remember, we have to rebuke others in love – not for our pride, not to make a point, and not because we don’t like them. Check your motives before you confront someone.

Think through the last confrontation you had. Why did you do and say the things you did and said?

Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit so you’ll be able to rebuke in love, rather than for selfish reasons.

Rebuking in Love – Day 2

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? - 1 Corinthians 5: 9-12


How many times have we heard the phrase, “But who am I to judge someone else?” While this is great advice for those outside the church, Paul reminds the Corinthians that if someone claims to be a believer and then lives a lifestyle that’s obviously contrary to the Scripture, then we have an obligation to help bring that person back to a right perspective. It’s not an option; it’s a command. It’s obviously difficult to do this and much easier to ignore the situation. But ignoring it only makes things worse and leaves a Christian brother or sister in bondage of sin. If we love one another, then we must learn to help each other remain faithful – even if that means confronting each other in love when necessary.

What are some reasons we don’t confront other believers in love?

Are they valid reasons?

Pray about any situations in which God might have you confront someone in love. And ask for God’s wisdom regarding what to say.

Rebuking in Love – Day 1

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" - Galatians 2:11-21


How’s this for a tense moment? What do you do when Peter and Paul – two of the most famous church leader of all time – have a disagreement? Paul knew Peter was tempted to drift back into his old ways, but those old way jeopardized the gospel. It would have taught people to live by works instead of grace. To Paul, the gospel was worth defending, even though it meant rebuking Peter in public. And in Peter’s letters we see no hostility whenever he mentions Paul. So we know this event didn’t ultimately divide them. The real question for you is this: Would you confront a friend in order to defend the gospel?

Is the gospel worth jeopardizing a friendship over? Why or why not?

Ask God to show you how to balance patience, love, and confrontation.

Week 22 - Rebuking in Love

Paul's Disagreement with Peter

Week 22 Memory Verse:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Introduction:

"Rebuke in love." Somehow those words don't seem to go together. Kind of like some other oxymorons, such as "jumbo shrimp" or "civil war". How can you rebuke someone and love them at the same time? But this is what God asks us to do when we face problems with other believers.

As Christians we're all still wrestling with our sin nature even though we've been set free from sin. That being the case, there will be times when have to confront Christian friends-when they gossip to us about others, when they make dating decisions that are scripturally wrong, when act out of anger instead of love or forgiveness. But do have to confront them? And if we do, then how do we confront them? Can't we just pray for them? Actually, no.

Paul illustrates this point well, since he personally dealt with this issue on many occasions. On a return trip to Jerusalem, Peter began backing off from his convictions about Gentiles being allowed equal access in the church. So Paul boldly confronted him about it and the matter was resolved. Paul then wrote to the Galatians about the incident-not to gloat, but because they were committing the same sin.

Two things are certain: There will be conflict, and we have to be involved in resolving it. We do have a choice, though, in how we handle these situations. This week we're going to look how to handle conflicts among friends.