Weekly Guide：Week 46
December 09, 2018
Forward
We are continuing the reading on the first and then the second book of Timothy.
It was stated in the first book of Timothy that the goal of command is love. Love God and love others with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. It is the goal of the law and the ways of the prophets. For a pure heart and good conscience bring out the sincere faith. For a pure heart is compassionate which does not only worry about being blind to the needs, but a will to help with the boldness of not worrying about being misunderstood. A sincere faith bringing out love and hope takes people to God whom they can lean on. When our spirits are filled with God’s love, our hearts then turn to the direction of love.
May you all be renewed in God’s word every day!
Question
How to flee from the desire and love of money?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Those who being holy for love of money bring about controversies and destruction.
-
Love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Eagerness for money, causes one to wander from the faith and pierces themselves with many griefs; Holiness with contentment is great gain to God’s people.
-
Man of God, flee from love of money, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
-
Those who are rich shall not make wealth, which is uncertain, as their hope but put it to good use wisely, make it a blessing for others, and take hold of the life that is truly life.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - God’s people shall fee from the love of money. They shall pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. It is to flee first then to pursue after. Rather, both shall be done concurrently. While getting away from corruption, we shall press toward the goal. Let me think about the meaning of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. How do these help me to build a firm foundation and take hold of the life that is truly life?
-
Identity - Money is not evil but the temptation and love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The uncertain wealth pierces us with many griefs. Put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment, helps us to lay up treasure as a firm foundation to take hold of the life that is truly life. What is my view of money? How am I putting my hope on money, which is uncertain, instead of God who provides me with everything? Have I ever been pierced by griefs and lack in peace? How shall I put my hope on God who provides me with everything?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How to be strong and disciplined when feeling weak and discouraged in serving the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Fan the gift of God into flame, for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
-
We must know He who we believe is capable of guarding what we have entrusted to him until that day. We must guard with the help of Holy Spirit who lives in us, with faith and love in Christ Jesus, the good deposit, the truth, that was entrusted to us.
-
Be a good soldier of Christ and be strong in His grace, because God’s word is not chained and His faith never changes.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - God is faithful. He does not forget us with the commission He gives and will guard it to the end; God is omnipotent, has already won, and His word is not chained; God gives power so we are not afraid. So, to be disciplined in His word is the only to go into battle. Are you discouraged in any way with your service? Are you timid in the age of hostility? Do you worry about how to lead your children and family whom the Lord entrusted to you? Think about your relationship with the Lord and His promises. How would you fan up the flame of the gift the Lord gave you and be strengthened again?
-
Integrity - Study 2:1-13 and note the characteristics of Christ’s soldier. What does the Holy Spirit remind me in each characteristic? How do I follow the example of Christ’s soldier in facing my daily business?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How a worker who present himself to God as approved and unashamed should act?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The unashamed worker who preset himself to God as being approved, correctly handles the word of truth and does not quarrel about words;
-
He avoids godless chatter which would indulge people to become more and more ungodly; He flees the desires of youth along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart;
-
He is not quarrelsome but kind, able to teach, not resentful. He gently instructs and hopes that God would lead others to repentance and to a knowledge of truth.
-
God’s solid foundation stands firm! The Lord knows those who are his and everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.
-
There will be terrible times in the last days, we shall have nothing to do with those who are godly on the surface but corrupted on the inside and control the gullible and weak. Their folly will be clear to everyone.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - We may feel powerless seeing those who do not listen and acting on their own desires and those being held captive by the false religions and idols. However, God’s foundation stands firm! He knows those who are his and everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. How does this promise bring hope to me? I might be burdened by the aforementioned people. Let me pray to the omnipotent God who is in control and made all the beautiful promises for those people.
-
Integrity - We must present ourselves to God as the approved workers and not being ashamed. This passage reminds us how to handle God’s word (correctly handle the word of truth, not quarrel about words), fellowship (flee the desires of youth along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart), treat the weak minded and sinful people (teach kindly, not to resent, instruct gently, and give hope in God). Have I experienced quarrel in words and not correctly handle the word of truth in my bible study group, fellowship, or daily conversations? Have I focused on food and entertainment in fellowship? Am I lack in patience and not willing to kindly teach and gently instruct (especially my spouse and children)? Let me pray to the Lord and present myself as an approved worker.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is the duty of those who want to live a godly life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, but the Lord always rescues them.
-
Endeavor in learning the truth, for the Holy Scriptures make you wise for salvation in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry.
-
Fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. There is in store the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to all who long for His appearing.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - We must endeavor in learning the truth so we may stand firm; we must preach the word and discharge all duties of our ministry. This is God’s command through Paul to Timothy and to remind us. Thanks to the Lord that we are almost halfway through out two year Bible reading plan. What is your thought in the past year of learning God’s word? Don’t worry if you paused. Pick it up again anywhere and remember to share the essence of the Bible and to share the great works of God almighty!
-
Walking with God - Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. However, God would rescue us even as we are being persecuted and bring us closer to Him. Those who long for His appearance would be awarded with the crown of righteousness on that glorious day! How do the promises of this life and hope for the eternal life help us who are living near the end of time and to encourage us to endeavor even more?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What is the work of God’s servant?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Elders and the overseers must be godly, blameless, hold firmly to the truth, can encourage as well as refute others.
-
With sound doctrine and clear explanation, encourage and rebuke, and help others to live a godly life that glorifies God.
-
Living godly life is the command from our gracious God, our savior.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - A life that holds firmly on truth and blameless is what God asks of all believers. Even for those who are not serving as elders or overseers, God asks the mature believers to teach and encourage others by sound doctrine, and to be responsible to refute those who oppose to it. How am I tirelessly learning the truth in my daily life?
-
Integrity - What is a blameless life? How does today’s passage tell us to see whether one is blameless? God not only asks the elders and overseers to live blameless lives but of all believers (Philippians 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Peter 3:14.) Think about the meaning of blameless. How shall I live blamelessly?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What should our attitude and basis be to do good?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The basis for us to do good is God’s kindness and love, not our own righteousness.
-
We need to be careful to be ready to do whatever is good, to be obedient to authorities, to be peaceable and considerate, to be gentle to everyone; these things are profitable for everyone. Avoid foolish controversies and useless quarrels.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - It is not because we are righteous, rather it is because God saved us while we are foolish and disobedient that we ought to do whatever is good. The basis for doing good is God’s kindness and love for all who are lost. The ability to do good is from God’s power in renewing us. Therefore, we need to connect with God to be ready to do whatever is good. What is my reason to do good? How can I gain the ability to do good?
-
Integrity - It is our relationship with God that gives us the ability to do good. But, it does not mean we have to wait to be fully mature spiritually to begin going good! To be ready to do good means to prepare to do good at any moment that opportunity presents itself. What principles of doing good can be summarized from what Paul mentioned in what to do and what not to do? What does it mean to be “profitable” and “unprofitable?” What is the true “profit?”
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is God's mystery?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Knowing God and His will is an important part of all Christians' life. It is not something that can be obtained by an intense training or bootcamp, but a lifelong endeavor of following God's will.
+ Jesus Christ is the realization God's mystery, His abundance, His knowledge and wisdom which are all within Christ Jesus.
+ Preaching the mystery of God is a task God gave to Paul. He preached with all kinds of wisdoms to present everyone fully mature in Christ.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - To become a person of God's liking, of His characters, is built upon knowledge of God and knowing His will. All of these are through a process of gradual transformation which requires time. Do not despair for temporary setbacks nor be arrogant for small gains. To build God's characters, we must retain His word in our heart and produce a crop by perseverance. How shall I persevere with patience and not be frustrated and give up?
+ **Fidelity** - To preach gospel requires all kinds of wisdom. It is a task that involves innovations where we need to build up relationships, to understand the society and culture, to explore the use of technology, to build up our own knowledge, and through all means to present everyone fully mature in Christ. How does this inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Life is elemental spiritual force of the world?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses' law is a shadow of things to come, the foretelling of Jesus, an incomplete revelation of God's wisdom, the elemental spiritual force. Jesus is the reality of God's true image in this world where God's abundance is realized in Jesus.
+ The Jews' way to righteousness through the works of the law can easily fall into traps of hypocrisy in that arrogance is brought out of self-imposed worship where false humility and harsh treatment of the body lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
+ The reborn Christians are not bound by the law because Jesus has already redeemed us from the law. The new life puts to death the evil that come out of the flesh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Humans have always tried to obtain righteousness through works of their own. Confucius claimed that he could follow his own heart without offending the law when he was seventy. Today's society tries to solve the problem of crime through politics, laws, culture, and education. However, the Bible tells us that it is impossible and even harmful if we try to achieve righteousness through our own works because to proclaim being self-righteous does not build relationship with God, it puts us farther away from the truth. The real righteousness is given by God through His redemption for our sins so that we may be saved by faith in Christ. What faith do I have in Christ so that I may be called righteous?
+ **Integrity** -The sanctification of the believers and building up of our characters are based on our relationships with God through the bread of life so that fleshly desires may be restrained. Dependence on methodology without God is self-reliance that causes self-righteousness. What self-righteousness do I need to throw away and turn myself over to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How do Christians connect with each other with love?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God's chosen people are redeemed through God's love. Likewise, being the church, the body of Christ, all parts of the body must connect with love, bear with each other, forgive one another, and bind together in perfect unity.
+ Paul had great relationship and co-worked with many Christians of the time included the once opinionated Mark.
+ The disciples of the early churches stay connected and co-operated with each other across churches. The elders and all believers also had great bonds as they carried out the great commission from Jesus. They united throughout the cities around the Mediterranean together and influenced the society of the time much more than possible by efforts of individuals.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - There are two aspects of love between believers: 1 forbearance and forgiveness; 2. Teach and admonish. How am I loving others with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in my heart?
+ **Fidelity** - We are ambassadors of Jesus' great commission in the world today. How am I setting aside of differences in race, heritage, region, societal status, and culture to seek unity in truth and by God's gifts and place to preach His gospel to make disciples all nations and baptize them in Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does a spiritual life with faith, hope, and love become witness of gospel?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The gospel of Jesus Christ is not limited to teaching by words but also encompasses the faith given by God through His great power.
+ A beautiful spiritual life allows others to see the work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope.
+ A life imitating the Lord's is the best and the most beautiful witness for Christ's gospel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - We are taught through words the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, we are given the life of Christ for which we may grow into on our way to sanctification through the great transformation power of God and continuous works of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is not enough to only learn the spiritual knowledge, but also with humility, lay up our lives to let God destroy the old and build the new. Pray to God to help me commit my life to Him.
+ **Integrity** - What faith, what love, and what hope does a mature life have? What is work produced by faith? What is labor produced by love? What is endurance inspired by hope? How should I live a life of faith, love, and hope facing the daily challenges and works?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What can be seen from Paul's life of faith, love, and hope?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul's faith helped him to strive to please God and rely on God to preach His gospel.
+ Paul's hope helped him to endure severe suffering facing strong opposition and rely on God to work courageously.
+ Paul's love helped him to care and comfort for the believers as mother nurses for her child and father encourages his own children.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God is a witness of Paul's faithful, loving, and hopeful life which was a result of his reliance on God. The opposition Paul faced was not unique to him as the same opposition was faced by the Thessalonian church as well as today's believers. Likewise, the close relationship Paul had with God can be ours, too. What opposition do I face now? How shall I rely on God for my faith, love, and hope?
+ **Community** - Paul's love to the Thessalonian church was like a caring mother nurses her children and a comforting father encourages and urges his children. The aim is to help the believers to live lives worthy of God. How does this remind me to respond to fellow Christians' criticism? What is my motivation and aim when urging them? What deeper understanding do I have about loving each other which God had commanded me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who is Paul's hope or joy or crown of happiness?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul's hope, joy, and crown of happiness is the believers when they stand before Lord Jesus Christ when He comes again.
+ The reason Paul wanted very much to be with them and sent ahead Timothy was to strengthen and help complete the Thessalonian believers' faith.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Paul worried that His suffering would cause the Thessalonian believers to give up their faith. God uses suffering to strengthen the believers' faith, but it can also be used by Satan as distraction. The suffering Paul remembered the believers. At the same time, the believers' faith was strengthened to bring comfort to Paul. To face suffering has always been difficult but through Paul's suffering, we see God blessed, comforted, and strengthened Paul and Thessalonian believers. How does today's passage help me view the sufferings myself or others are facing?
+ **Community** - God gave us shepherds who look after us. Likewise, there may be others who need our shepherding. How does Paul's love to the believers remind me to love those around me? How does believers' response to Paul remind me how I shall respond to my shepherds?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is God's mystery?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Knowing God and His will is an important part of all Christians' life. It is not something that can be obtained by an intense training or bootcamp, but a lifelong endeavor of following God's will.
+ Jesus Christ is the realization God's mystery, His abundance, His knowledge and wisdom which are all within Christ Jesus.
+ Preaching the mystery of God is a task God gave to Paul. He preached with all kinds of wisdoms to present everyone fully mature in Christ.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - To become a person of God's liking, of His characters, is built upon knowledge of God and knowing His will. All of these are through a process of gradual transformation which requires time. Do not despair for temporary setbacks nor be arrogant for small gains. To build God's characters, we must retain His word in our heart and produce a crop by perseverance. How shall I persevere with patience and not be frustrated and give up?
+ **Fidelity** - To preach gospel requires all kinds of wisdom. It is a task that involves innovations where we need to build up relationships, to understand the society and culture, to explore the use of technology, to build up our own knowledge, and through all means to present everyone fully mature in Christ. How does this inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Life is elemental spiritual force of the world?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses' law is a shadow of things to come, the foretelling of Jesus, an incomplete revelation of God's wisdom, the elemental spiritual force. Jesus is the reality of God's true image in this world where God's abundance is realized in Jesus.
+ The Jews' way to righteousness through the works of the law can easily fall into traps of hypocrisy in that arrogance is brought out of self-imposed worship where false humility and harsh treatment of the body lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
+ The reborn Christians are not bound by the law because Jesus has already redeemed us from the law. The new life puts to death the evil that come out of the flesh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Humans have always tried to obtain righteousness through works of their own. Confucius claimed that he could follow his own heart without offending the law when he was seventy. Today's society tries to solve the problem of crime through politics, laws, culture, and education. However, the Bible tells us that it is impossible and even harmful if we try to achieve righteousness through our own works because to proclaim being self-righteous does not build relationship with God, it puts us farther away from the truth. The real righteousness is given by God through His redemption for our sins so that we may be saved by faith in Christ. What faith do I have in Christ so that I may be called righteous?
+ **Integrity** -The sanctification of the believers and building up of our characters are based on our relationships with God through the bread of life so that fleshly desires may be restrained. Dependence on methodology without God is self-reliance that causes self-righteousness. What self-righteousness do I need to throw away and turn myself over to God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How do Christians connect with each other with love?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God's chosen people are redeemed through God's love. Likewise, being the church, the body of Christ, all parts of the body must connect with love, bear with each other, forgive one another, and bind together in perfect unity.
+ Paul had great relationship and co-worked with many Christians of the time included the once opinionated Mark.
+ The disciples of the early churches stay connected and co-operated with each other across churches. The elders and all believers also had great bonds as they carried out the great commission from Jesus. They united throughout the cities around the Mediterranean together and influenced the society of the time much more than possible by efforts of individuals.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - There are two aspects of love between believers: 1 forbearance and forgiveness; 2. Teach and admonish. How am I loving others with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in my heart?
+ **Fidelity** - We are ambassadors of Jesus' great commission in the world today. How am I setting aside of differences in race, heritage, region, societal status, and culture to seek unity in truth and by God's gifts and place to preach His gospel to make disciples all nations and baptize them in Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does a spiritual life with faith, hope, and love become witness of gospel?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The gospel of Jesus Christ is not limited to teaching by words but also encompasses the faith given by God through His great power.
+ A beautiful spiritual life allows others to see the work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope.
+ A life imitating the Lord's is the best and the most beautiful witness for Christ's gospel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - We are taught through words the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, we are given the life of Christ for which we may grow into on our way to sanctification through the great transformation power of God and continuous works of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is not enough to only learn the spiritual knowledge, but also with humility, lay up our lives to let God destroy the old and build the new. Pray to God to help me commit my life to Him.
+ **Integrity** - What faith, what love, and what hope does a mature life have? What is work produced by faith? What is labor produced by love? What is endurance inspired by hope? How should I live a life of faith, love, and hope facing the daily challenges and works?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What can be seen from Paul's life of faith, love, and hope?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul's faith helped him to strive to please God and rely on God to preach His gospel.
+ Paul's hope helped him to endure severe suffering facing strong opposition and rely on God to work courageously.
+ Paul's love helped him to care and comfort for the believers as mother nurses for her child and father encourages his own children.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God is a witness of Paul's faithful, loving, and hopeful life which was a result of his reliance on God. The opposition Paul faced was not unique to him as the same opposition was faced by the Thessalonian church as well as today's believers. Likewise, the close relationship Paul had with God can be ours, too. What opposition do I face now? How shall I rely on God for my faith, love, and hope?
+ **Community** - Paul's love to the Thessalonian church was like a caring mother nurses her children and a comforting father encourages and urges his children. The aim is to help the believers to live lives worthy of God. How does this remind me to respond to fellow Christians' criticism? What is my motivation and aim when urging them? What deeper understanding do I have about loving each other which God had commanded me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who is Paul's hope or joy or crown of happiness?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul's hope, joy, and crown of happiness is the believers when they stand before Lord Jesus Christ when He comes again.
+ The reason Paul wanted very much to be with them and sent ahead Timothy was to strengthen and help complete the Thessalonian believers' faith.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Paul worried that His suffering would cause the Thessalonian believers to give up their faith. God uses suffering to strengthen the believers' faith, but it can also be used by Satan as distraction. The suffering Paul remembered the believers. At the same time, the believers' faith was strengthened to bring comfort to Paul. To face suffering has always been difficult but through Paul's suffering, we see God blessed, comforted, and strengthened Paul and Thessalonian believers. How does today's passage help me view the sufferings myself or others are facing?
+ **Community** - God gave us shepherds who look after us. Likewise, there may be others who need our shepherding. How does Paul's love to the believers remind me to love those around me? How does believers' response to Paul remind me how I shall respond to my shepherds?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Isaiah rebuke the people of Judah and Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
+ Isaiah rebuked the people that they have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
+ The Lord dislikes meaningless offerings and hates worthless assemblies.
+ Encourage people to wash and make themselves clean. Take away evil deeds; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.
+ The faithful city has become a prostitute! Dwell in her the murderers! Zion will be delivered with justice, but rebels and sinners will both be broken.
+ In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What does the Lord dislike and hate? What does this remind me of how I worship the Lord?
+ **Integrity** - The words Isaiah used to rebuke the people for forsaking the Lord are shocking. Do I need the same warnings so that I don't sin like the Israelites at the time?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses