A
SHORT COURSE for Young People and Adults
SMALL
GROUP MEETINGS - one 1½ hr discussion session each week for 5-7 weeks
PREREQUISITE – The Key to the Bible series
REQUIREMENTS
- complete Bible containing the Old and New Testaments with cross references
and concordance
COMMITMENT
- prepare for, attend and participate in all group sessions
GOAL
- teaching and interaction on topics flowing from the central Story of the Bible
LESSON
PLAN
1st session - The Holiness of
God
2nd session - Temptation
3rd session - The Certainty and
Necessity of Suffering
4th session - Attitude
5th session - The Impact of
Truth
STUDENT - THE HOLINESS OF GOD
PROCEDURE
& INSTRUCTIONS - Complete study sheets prior to meetings as homework
assignments. Do not read ahead or check
your responses with the instructor's set. Complete each exercise before moving on to
the next. Follow the directions and
answer the questions that are asked.
Write down your questions, observations and thoughts.
GET ACQUAINTED - What puzzles (or
disturbs, or surprises, or ____________) you most about God?
What's
wrong with the question, "Are you saved"?
What
two concepts must one understand in order for the pouring out of God's wrath at
the death of Christ to make sense? The h___________
of God and the s_____________ of man
·
The primary meaning of
the word "holy" as applied to God in the Bible is separate, on a different
plane (out of our league), transcendent (exceeding usual limits), in a class
all by Himself.
How
is the primary meaning first drawn out in the Bible (Gen.1:1-27)?
What
was the result? (Ps.19:1)
(Isa.6:3b)
·
The connotation of the
word "holy" and it's derivatives in the Bible is moral and ethical
purity, excellence. (see Heb.12:14;
1 Pt.1:15-16)
·
God alone is HOLY in the absolute sense of being supreme in
His transcendence and excellence. He is
perfect in essence (self
existent, eternal, unchanging, etc.); nature
(knowledge, power, wisdom, etc.); and character
(righteous, good, etc.). Perfection is
not equitable with the idea of limits.
His love is not infinite, but He is longsuffering. His authority is total.
Look
up the following passages, note the context and write your observations and
comments. Notice the kinds of words that
are associated with and used to describe God's holiness.
Ex.15:11
Compare
and explain Rev.15:3-4.
Comment
on the following passages that refer to different aspects of God's
holiness. What do they have in common?
Dt.3:24
Ps.71:19
Mic.7:18
Comment
on the following passages. What do they
have in common?
1 Tim.1:17
1Tim.6:15b-16
Jude 25
·
Notice how attempts to express the exalted holiness of God stretches
beyond the limits of language. It is
obvious that human language is insufficient to do so.
What
title containing the word "holy" is applied to God in the Old
Testament?
What
title containing the word "holy" is applied to Jesus in the
New Testament?
What
are the expressions of sovereignty in Isa.6:1?
Comment
on v.3.
In
your own words, describe the scene in v.1-4.
Explain
Isaiah's reaction (v.5).
What
elements are common to Isa.6:1-4
& Rev.4?
What
is decidedly different between Isa.6:1-7
& Rev.4?
Explain
Peter's response in Lk.5:4-11 at the
great catch of fish.
Explain
the disciples' reaction in Mk.4:35-41
when Jesus calms the storm.
DEFINE:
Iniquity -
sin -
trespass -
transgress -
lawless -
disobey -
offend -
How
can sinners dwell with God in His perfection of holiness? Acts
26:18
"God is most glorified in us when we
are most satisfied in Him," John Piper
Further Study
Look
up the following passages and note the kinds of words that are associated with
and used to describe God's holiness.
Rom.11:33-36; 16:27; 1 Pt.4:11b;
Rev.5:11-14
INSTRUCTOR - THE HOLINESS OF GOD
GET ACQUAINTED - Ask, "What puzzles
(or disturbs, or surprizes, or ____________) you most about God?"
What's
wrong with the question, "Are you saved?" It's not specific enough in that it fails to
identify the reason salvation is necessary.
Saved from what?
What
two concepts must one understand in order for God's judgment of sin and the
pouring out of God's wrath at the death of Christ to make sense? The holiness
of God and the sinfulness
of man
·
The primary meaning of the word "holy" as applied to God
in the Bible is separate, on a different plane (out of our league),
transcendent (exceeding usual limits), in a class all by Himself.
How
is the primary meaning first drawn out in the Bible? "In the beginning, God created the
heavens and the earth." (Gen.1:1-27) By showing His supreme and absolute uniqueness as creator in contrast to
all else (creation).
What
was the result? "The heavens declare
the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork (Ps.19:1)" and "the whole
earth is filled with His glory (Isa.6:3b)."
·
The connotation of the word "holy" and it's derivatives in
the Bible is moral and ethical purity, excellence. (see Heb.12:14; 1 Pt.1:15-16)
·
God alone is HOLY in the absolute sense of being supreme in
His transcendence and excellence. He is perfect in essence (self existent, eternal, unchanging, etc.); nature (knowledge, power, wisdom,
etc.); and character
(righteous, good, etc.). [Perfection is not
equitable with the idea of limits. His
love is not infinite, but He is longsuffering.
His authority is total.]
Look
up the following passages, note the context and write your observations and
comments. Notice the kinds of words that
are associated with and used to describe God's holiness.
Ex.15:11 is from the song of
Moses. God had shown the gods of the Egyptians
to be false and Pharaoh to be powerless to stop Him from taking the Hebrews for
Himself. Now He destroys the entire
Egyptian military in the red sea as He delivers His people. "Who
is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, majestic
in holiness, awesome in glorious
deeds, doing wonders?" is a rhetorical question extolling God's
transcendent nature as seen in His
awesome power and works. "In the greatness
of Your majesty, You overthrew Your adversaries" (v.7).
Compare
and explain Rev.15:3-4. "Great and amazing are Your
deeds, O Lord God almighty! Just
and true are Your ways, O king of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord and glorify
your name? For You alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts
have been revealed." - It is analogous to the victory song of Moses where God
pictured redemption and judgment. It is
the Lamb who brought them about.
Comment
on the following passages that refer to different aspects of God's holiness.
What
do they have in common? All pose rhetorical
questions.
Dt.3:24, "What god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such mighty
acts as Yours? - Moses remembering the past 40 years of God's deliverance and
provision, pleading with God to enter the land
Ps.71:19, "Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the highest heavens. You who
have done great things, O God, who is
like You?" - reflections and prayer of an old man (David?) on his troubled life
and God's righteousness in What He has wrought
Mic.7:18, "Who is a god like You, pardoning iniquity and passing
over transgressions for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever
because He delights in steadfast love." - God's longsuffering
toward
{"Ascribe
to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor
[beauty] of holiness." (Ps.29:2) "Worship the Lord in the splendor
of holiness; tremble before Him all the earth." (Ps.96:9)}
Comment
on the following passages. What do they
have in common?
They
exalt Christ by ascribing to Him different aspects of God's holiness.
1 Tim.1:17, "To the King of
ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and
ever. Amen."
1Tim.6:15b-16 - closing referring to
"our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.14),
"He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of
lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no
one has ever seen or can see. To Him be
honor and eternal dominion. Amen."
Jude 25, "To the only God, our savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and majesty, dominion and authority
before all time and now and forever.
Amen."
·
Notice how attempts to express the exalted holiness of God stretches
beyond the limits of language. It is
obvious that human language is insufficient to do so.
What
title containing the word "holy" is applied to God in the Old
Testament? The Holy One of
What
title containing the word "holy" is applied to Jesus in the New
Testament? "Have You come to
destroy us? I know who You are - the
Holy One of God." (Mk.1:24)
- Jesus
casts out an unclean spirit
"We
have believed, and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."
(Jn.6:69) - Peter's declaration when
many disciples turned back
{Following
upon Jn.1:1-3, "The Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only son
from the Father, full of grace and truth" (Jn.1:14). Speaks of the absolute
uniqueness of Jesus.}
What
are the expressions of sovereignty in Isa.6:1? "The Lord" [sovereign]. Sitting upon an exalted throne [absolute authority]. "The train of His robe filled the
temple" [beyond
all earthly authority].
Comment
on v.3. "Holy, holy, holy is
the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." Holy to the superlative degree, commanding an
angelic army. The verification of His
supremacy, knowledge, wisdom, power, goodness, etc., is evident throughout the
planet.
In
your own words, describe the scene in v.1-4.
The
exalted grandeur and majesty of the sovereign and transcendent God.
Explain
Isaiah's reaction (v.5).
It
is the breakdown of a man who sees the awesome reality of God, "I am
undone." He is exposed as completely
unworthy and pronounces utter hopelessness for himself and his nation in their
defilement.
What
elements are common to Isa.6:1-4
& Rev.4? A human observer; scene of glory and power;
central figure is God, seated on a throne; appearance not described; surrounded
by living creatures, worshipping.
What
is decidedly different between Isa.6:1-7
& Rev.4? John is not threatened and disturbed as Isaiah
was. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God
almighty, who was and is and is to come." (4:8b, see Rev.5)
Explain
Peter's response in Lk.5:4-11 at the
great catch of fish.
"Depart
from me, for I am a sinful man, O
Lord." (5:8) - completely unexpected
Explain
the disciples' reaction in Mk.4:35-41
when Jesus calms the storm. "And they were
filled with great fear … 'who then is this that even the wind and sea
obey Him?" (4:41) What did they expect when they woke Him?
DEFINE:
Iniquity - a general term for
unrighteousness, not conforming to what is right, ie. injustice
sin - to miss the mark, fall short, fail to measure
up, goal set by a positive command
trespass - to take a false step
and so blunder from the correct path of uprightness and truth
transgress - to pass over the line
drawn by a negative command
lawless - people don't recognize
any law governing their actions
disobey - one word means
obstinate rejection of God's will, another means refusal to listen to a proper
authority
offend - stresses the effect of your trespass
upon someone else, you cause them to stumble
How
can sinners dwell with God in His perfection of holiness? Acts
26:18
Paul
was sent to the Gentiles "to open their eyes [they have no
comprehension of the truth] that they may turn from darkness [ignorance] to the light and from
the power of Satan [who has kept the truth from them (2 Cor.4:3-4) and in whose domain they live, Col.1:13-14] to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place
among those who are sanctified in Me [Jesus]." By being sanctified [set apart, made holy] by faith in Jesus
"God is most glorified in us when we
are most satisfied in Him," John Piper
Further Study
Recommended - MP-3 rym200~1, "
Target Audience" by Steve Lawson - "The Holiness of God"
(revised and expanded edition) by R.C. Sproul [or CD Series; cassettes; MP3; http://www.ligonier.org/ ]
Look
up the following passages and note the kinds of words that are associated with
and used to describe God's holiness. Rom.11:33-36; 16:27; 1 Pt.4:11b;
Rev.5:11-14
STUDENT - TEMPTATION
GET ACQUAINTED - Elaborate on what you
find most difficult (or rewarding, or satisfying) about following Christ.
·
From the beginning, we find that
there is a voice contradicting God's.
What is the essence of the serpent's words (Gen.3:1-5)?
What is the key to the principle dealing with
how to construe the events and circumstances of our lives?
Can the serpent's deception be thought of as
misdirection and if so, why?
What are some of the implications underlying
the serpent's words?
Was the outcome what the serpent said and what
Adam and Eve thought it would be?
Explain.
What was the universal outcome of Adam's
transgression (Rom.5:12, 14, 18a, 19a; 1
Cor.15:21a, 22a)?
Write out and consider Jn.8:44-45.
·
Besides that of the devil, there
is now after the fall of man, a second voice arising out of the heart of
man. It too is deceptive and speaks
(rationalizes) always against the truth (Gen.6:5;
Jer.17:9).
What insight does Gen.4:7b and associated text reveal about the way temptation
operates?
Explain the process by which temptation to
sin works (Jas.1:13-17).
·
The New Testament begins much
the same as the Old, with the temptation of the new Adam (1 Cor.15:45, 47). The devil
is called the tempter in Mt.4:3,
and comes by design (v.1) to tempt
Jesus. The word "tempt" in all
its forms refers to a stressing by test or trial to either prove one's mettle
or cause one to stumble, fail, sin, depending on the intent of the tester.
Read Lk.4:1-13
and comment on v.13.
Comment on Mt.18:7.
In what other ways was Jesus tempted (Mk.8:33; Heb.2:14-15, 17-18; 4:15;
5:7-9)?
Read the parable of the sower in Mt.13 and comment on the different
aspects of temptation.
·
Satan breaks us down and
discourages us by working both ends: first he incites us to sin [1 Chr.21:1, incited David to number
Comment on the subject of trials in Job.
Write observations and glean help from the following
passages and surrounding text for the times you are tempted. 1
Jn.2:14b & 15-17
Jas.4:1-10
& 13-17
1
Pt.5:6-9
1
Cor.10:12-13
Rom.6:12-13
Rom.8:6-7
Eph.6:10-11
Summarize Heb.12:2-15.
INSTRUCTOR - TEMPTATION
GET ACQUAINTED - Ask someone to
elaborate on what they find most difficult (or rewarding, or satisfying) about
following Christ.
·
From the beginning, we find that
there is a voice contradicting God's.
What is the essence of the serpent's words (Gen.3:1-5)?
He placed a negative construction upon God's
motives and so impugned God's character.
What is the key to the principle dealing with
how to construe the events and circumstances of our lives?
God is good (Ps.34:8;
31:19; Heb.11:6).
Can the serpent's deception be thought of as
misdirection and if so, why? Yes,
the serpent is getting them to focus upon his claim rather than looking at what
he is doing by making such claims. In
thinking about the content of the claims themselves, Eve fails to consider what
saying such things means or implies.
What are some of the implications underlying
the serpent's words?
Serpent knows the true truth about God's
command and His motives. Serpent is trustworthy
and has Man's best interests at heart. God
is withholding good deceiving them, and therefore cannot be trusted.
Was the outcome what the serpent said and what
Adam and Eve thought it would be?
Explain.
Yes, they didn't physically die right away and
they did gain knowledge of good and evil.
No, it wasn't a good thing as the serpent seemed to suggest.
What was the universal outcome of Adam's
transgression (Rom.5:12, 14, 18a, 19a; 1
Cor.15:21a, 22a)?
All people are by nature sinners [the
reason a new birth is required] and condemned, dead to God,
separated from Him who is the source of life, and are so designated by physical
death.
Write out and consider Jn.8:44-45. "You
are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's
desires. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth…When he lies, he speaks out of
his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
·
Besides that of the devil, there
is now after the fall of man, a second voice arising out of the heart of
man. It too is deceptive and speaks
(rationalizes) always against the truth (Gen.6:5;
Jer.17:9).
What insight does Gen.4:7b and associated text reveal about the way temptation
operates? "Sin
is crouching at the door. Its desire is
for you, but you must rule over it."
Sin is personified as a demon crouching outside
the door of a house hungry, desiring to devour Cain who is inside. God was reasoning with Cain and warning him
that he was at a critical stage. His
anger was about to turn into irrational hatred [open
the door for sinful desires] that will dominate him, lash
out and work evil through him. God
approached Cain with a question that called him to reconsider the
reason(s) for his anger (v.6). This is the path to repentance.
Explain the process by which temptation to
sin works (Jas.1:13-17).
The believer is going through trials (v.12) and is tempted to blame God who
is always good (v.13) and gives good
gifts (v.17) for what is being drawn
out of his own heart (v.14-15). The warning is to not allow the events and circumstances
(difficulties) cloud what you know (deceive you) about God (v.16).
Instead, construe them in God's favor because He even uses the very
trials themselves for our benefit (v.2-3). The key is to persevere through the trial
cherishing God's goodness (v.16-17)
and trusting in His good work (v.2-3).
· The New Testament begins much the same as the Old, with the temptation of the new Adam (1 Cor.15:45, 47). The devil is called the tempter in Mt.4:3, and comes by design (v.1) to t