Weekly Guide：Week 47
December 16, 2018
Forward
This week, we start reading the books of Philemon and Hebrews.
We read God’s word each day and should know the great effectiveness of His word. God breathed His word into Bible, inspired man to record it into the scriptures, and brought life to countless believers. The Bible brings us to know Jesus, to receive His salvation, to transform us, and to train us so that we may continue to receive the benefits. The Bible teaches us the knowledge we ought to know, admonishes us of the unrighteous acts, directs us on the path of God, encourages us to obey the righteous way of Jesus, so that we may receive the gift of salvation by grace through faith, and that we may be matured and sanctified in God.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
How to face our past sufferings and mistakes?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Onesimus was an escaped slave from Philemon and had owed Philemon a lot. Led by Paul, he became a believer and was transformed by the grace of God’s salvation. Philemon received the grace of gospel and was an important co-worker of the Corinthian church with much love and faith to testify for.
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Paul sent Onesimus back to Corinth to face his mistakes from past. At the same time, to bring the letter from Paul to Philemon asking him to treat Onesimus with love instead of authority. Paul would pay back what Onesimus owed and expressed wish to benefit in the Lord that Philemon would welcome Onesimus.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - The broken relationships can only be rescued with gospel. The manifestation of gospel is seen everywhere in the book of Philemon. Think about the gospel filled life when Paul handled this difficult relationship. How may I apply the same to my relationships? How does it help me reconcile with those around me?
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Integrity - By the grace of God, we may face our past mistakes with courage and forgive those who owe us. Through God’s power, my may become the ambassador of peace. Summarize their lives’ attributes: Paul’s humility and gentle teaching; Philemon’s faith, love, and obedience; Onesimus’ courage and transformation. Where am I lacking? Where have I improved?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who is Christ? Do you know Him?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Christ is prophet, high priest, king, and all of God’s mysteries.
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Christ is the Son of God, is the radiance of the glorious God, is the exact representation of God’s being, and superior to the angels.
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Christ is the creator and through Him the universe was made.
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God is the one in control that the universe follows His plan, not to the left, not to the right. Jesus is the appointed heir of all things.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Think about the miracle of God’s creation and my understanding of His glory with the knowledge that Jesus is the creator of the universe. How does this affect my identity and value?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Jesus accomplish the salvation?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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We must pay careful attention to God’s word as it is crucial to our eternal lives.
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The salvation was first announced by the Lord, then confirmed by those who heard Him, then testified by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by the gift of Holy Spirit distributed by His will.
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Do not ignore God’s salvation. Willingly missing it will cause the utmost regret.
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Mankind was made a little lower than the angels, but still God gave mankind the authority over all creations.
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Jesus is our savior. He suffered death of flesh and blood so that we may be saved and freed from the slavery of our fear of death.
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Jesus’ resurrection dissolved the power of sin and won over the authority of death.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - How does keeping in my mind the Lord grace and paying careful attention to God’s word help me strengthen my identity and value?
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Identity - How does the knowledge that we were made little lower than the angels, but still God gave us the authority over all creations helps me with my identity and value?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
In what does Jesus surpass Moses?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Moses was a servant of God in the old testament, but he fell far short of Jesus who is the Son of God.
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Jesus builds the house of eternity.
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We ought to make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following the example of disobedience.
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The word of God is alive and active.
Meditation: My Story
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How to understand Jesus’ duty as the great high priest.
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord is the source of growth of our spiritual lives, we shall depend only on Him and make Him the goal of our focus.
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Jesus is the great high priest of grace and faith, the priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
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Jesus is able to empathize with our weakness, has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He did not sin.
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Jesus completely obeyed God’s will to bear for us our suffering.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - How am I willing to accept and understand those who are weak in faith or have already fallen to encourage them to get closer to God?
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Integrity - Bible teaches us to move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. Are you mature or still in the infant stage of your spiritual growth? How would you move forward in the knowledge of truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What are the differences between the priesthood of Jesus and Aaron?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus is the great high priest in the order of Melchizedek, not of the Aaron’s.
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Jesus is eternal and His priesthood is forever and permanent so that He is able to save completely those who come to God through him.
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Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Jesus surpasses any man and blesses all mankind.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - What role does Jesus, the great high priest, play in my relationship with God? Jesus is worthy of all praises and glories. How am I worshiping Him every day?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is a life pleasing to God like?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul encouraged the Thessalonian believers to continue to do what they were doing, with faith, love, and hope, to strive and endeavor to do even more.
+ Paul with Jesus' command asked the Thessalonian believers not to live in sin but holy lives.
+ Paul encouraged the believers to love each other, to live quietly, and to testify.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Thessalonian believers were quite mature in their lives of faith, love, and hope but Paul encouraged them to do even more. It is never enough practicing life's integrity as we strive to do more. Think, without reservation, about the areas have I grown and be grateful for it! At the same time, don't be complacent in believing that I have it all. How shall I continue to do more?
+ **Integrity** - Live a holy life, stay away from sexual immorality. A command from Jesus. Not obeying this command will both pollute our body which is God's temple and offend others around us. The morality of the time in Roman Empire was corrupted as in today. We face the same challenges and temptations as the Thessalonians faced. Whether married or not, man or woman, what temptations do I face? How do I use my body in the right way by keeping it holy and by respecting it? How do I teach my children to keep their bodies holy and not to follow the world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How will it be like when Jesus comes again?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ When Jesus comes again, the dead will be brought to life, then with those are still living on earth, will be gathered together in the clouds and meet with the Lord in the sky to be with Him forever.
+ The day Jesus comes again will be like a robber coming at night, no one knows when.
+ Believers shall watch and keep minds awake, take cover with faith, love, and hope, to wait for the Lord's coming.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Waiting for the Lord's coming, we must watch and keep our minds awake, be children of light, take cover in faith, love, hope, and comfort and strengthen each other. This means we shall remind ourselves of this promise when we are weak. This is no rhetoric! Think about my own weaknesses and difficulties I'm facing and ask the Lord to help me realize such hope with my life through the work of the Holy Spirit.
+ **Identity** - We are unlike the world for we know Jesus will come again. Whether dead or still alive, all those who belong to Jesus will leave this world and meet with the Lord to be with Him forever. This is not so distant a promise, it is the reflection of the realization of our identity and value. Let me imagine what it will be like the day the Lord comes again. What comfort and relief form the world's sufferings and temptations does it bring?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Paul tell the Thessalonian believers to have a close relationship with God and with others?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Christians shall respect God's servants who work among them.
+ Christians are to live in peace with each other, speak to those who do not want to work, comfort those who feel they cannot keep going, and help the weak. Always look for ways to do good to each other and to all people.
+ Christians are to follow God's will, stay connected with the Holy Spirit and the way of the good.
+ The God of faith will set Christians apart for Himself.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Paul asked the believers to connect with God: be full of joy all the time, never stop praying, give thanks in everything. What does this remind me of in my daily life? How do I give thanks for things I don't believe are good? What does it mean not to try stopping the work of the Holy Spirit? Are there callings from the Holy Spirit that I excused myself from? What does it mean not to laugh at those who speak for God? What attitude do I hold when listening to sermons?
+ **Community** - Paul encouraged the believers the first thing about the relationship with the limbs is to respect those who works. What are the differences between respect and think much with love? Is there anything I need to change in the way I treat the servants of God? Paul mentioned the second thing being to do good with each other. What does it mean to treat each other by doing good with each other? (Jesus said only God is good, Luke 18)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What hope does the promise of the Lord's coming brings to those who are suffering?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The faith stays strong in those who are suffering because God wants them to prove themselves to be worthy in His holy nation.
+ God does what is right and will allow trouble to come to those who are making it hard for the sufferers. He will help those who are suffering.
+ God will bring His righteous judgement when the Lord comes again.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God wants the believers to suffer for His holy nation. We might not be facing persecution, but there are other forms of suffering. Can I think of some examples? The promise of the Lord's coming is not just to let us to be with Him forever, but also brings glory to the faithful and punishments to those who refuse Him. From the above question about suffering examples for His holy nation, how does His promise help believers rejoice in hope and endurance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who is the source of the unlawful before the Lord's coming?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ There will be signs, there will be people turning away from God, and the coming of their leader, the man of sin, before the Lord's coming. So, do not be troubled or worried when some say the Lord has already come.
+ Satan will use this man of sin. He will do strange things and many powerful works that will be false. All who do not believe in the Lord will be guilty when they stand before God.
+ When the Lord comes, He brings the end to the man of sin.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - We are in the age of time's end and there are those who pronounce the Christ is already here. How should we face them according to Paul? The man of sin will come and do strange and powerful things. But nothing can take away the salvation and those who turned away from God would have no excuses because God's plan will be accomplished. Where have you experienced God's sovereignty?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What example did Paul set?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ We must understand our own identity and know whom to rely on, so we may stand firm and be strengthened in every good deed and word.
+ Keep away from all who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching. Warn them as you would do for a fellow believer so they may feel ashamed and turn around.
+ Make example of Paul, working quietly, earning his own living, not being a burden of others, not being disruptive, not being idle, not being an unproductive busy body.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The churches of Paul's time usually share everything and meal together. Some would take advantage of this and not being productive but disruptive. Therefore, Paul warned these people to work quietly and earn their own food. Such people are those, in God's household, relying on others to complete their assigned tasks and yet meddling everywhere. Have I criticized others? Let me reflect on my own actions and duties, have I done my best to complete all my tasks?
+ **Community** - Paul said to keep away from those who idles and disrupts and does not live according to the teaching so that they would realize their shame and repent. But, to treat them as fellow believers not enemies. The purpose of teaching is to love and admonish is to help them repent. When I see improper behavior from fellow Christians, what would be my intention to evade or admonish?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is a life pleasing to God like?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul encouraged the Thessalonian believers to continue to do what they were doing, with faith, love, and hope, to strive and endeavor to do even more.
+ Paul with Jesus' command asked the Thessalonian believers not to live in sin but holy lives.
+ Paul encouraged the believers to love each other, to live quietly, and to testify.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Thessalonian believers were quite mature in their lives of faith, love, and hope but Paul encouraged them to do even more. It is never enough practicing life's integrity as we strive to do more. Think, without reservation, about the areas have I grown and be grateful for it! At the same time, don't be complacent in believing that I have it all. How shall I continue to do more?
+ **Integrity** - Live a holy life, stay away from sexual immorality. A command from Jesus. Not obeying this command will both pollute our body which is God's temple and offend others around us. The morality of the time in Roman Empire was corrupted as in today. We face the same challenges and temptations as the Thessalonians faced. Whether married or not, man or woman, what temptations do I face? How do I use my body in the right way by keeping it holy and by respecting it? How do I teach my children to keep their bodies holy and not to follow the world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How will it be like when Jesus comes again?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ When Jesus comes again, the dead will be brought to life, then with those are still living on earth, will be gathered together in the clouds and meet with the Lord in the sky to be with Him forever.
+ The day Jesus comes again will be like a robber coming at night, no one knows when.
+ Believers shall watch and keep minds awake, take cover with faith, love, and hope, to wait for the Lord's coming.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Waiting for the Lord's coming, we must watch and keep our minds awake, be children of light, take cover in faith, love, hope, and comfort and strengthen each other. This means we shall remind ourselves of this promise when we are weak. This is no rhetoric! Think about my own weaknesses and difficulties I'm facing and ask the Lord to help me realize such hope with my life through the work of the Holy Spirit.
+ **Identity** - We are unlike the world for we know Jesus will come again. Whether dead or still alive, all those who belong to Jesus will leave this world and meet with the Lord to be with Him forever. This is not so distant a promise, it is the reflection of the realization of our identity and value. Let me imagine what it will be like the day the Lord comes again. What comfort and relief form the world's sufferings and temptations does it bring?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Paul tell the Thessalonian believers to have a close relationship with God and with others?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Christians shall respect God's servants who work among them.
+ Christians are to live in peace with each other, speak to those who do not want to work, comfort those who feel they cannot keep going, and help the weak. Always look for ways to do good to each other and to all people.
+ Christians are to follow God's will, stay connected with the Holy Spirit and the way of the good.
+ The God of faith will set Christians apart for Himself.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Paul asked the believers to connect with God: be full of joy all the time, never stop praying, give thanks in everything. What does this remind me of in my daily life? How do I give thanks for things I don't believe are good? What does it mean not to try stopping the work of the Holy Spirit? Are there callings from the Holy Spirit that I excused myself from? What does it mean not to laugh at those who speak for God? What attitude do I hold when listening to sermons?
+ **Community** - Paul encouraged the believers the first thing about the relationship with the limbs is to respect those who works. What are the differences between respect and think much with love? Is there anything I need to change in the way I treat the servants of God? Paul mentioned the second thing being to do good with each other. What does it mean to treat each other by doing good with each other? (Jesus said only God is good, Luke 18)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What hope does the promise of the Lord's coming brings to those who are suffering?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The faith stays strong in those who are suffering because God wants them to prove themselves to be worthy in His holy nation.
+ God does what is right and will allow trouble to come to those who are making it hard for the sufferers. He will help those who are suffering.
+ God will bring His righteous judgement when the Lord comes again.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God wants the believers to suffer for His holy nation. We might not be facing persecution, but there are other forms of suffering. Can I think of some examples? The promise of the Lord's coming is not just to let us to be with Him forever, but also brings glory to the faithful and punishments to those who refuse Him. From the above question about suffering examples for His holy nation, how does His promise help believers rejoice in hope and endurance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who is the source of the unlawful before the Lord's coming?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ There will be signs, there will be people turning away from God, and the coming of their leader, the man of sin, before the Lord's coming. So, do not be troubled or worried when some say the Lord has already come.
+ Satan will use this man of sin. He will do strange things and many powerful works that will be false. All who do not believe in the Lord will be guilty when they stand before God.
+ When the Lord comes, He brings the end to the man of sin.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - We are in the age of time's end and there are those who pronounce the Christ is already here. How should we face them according to Paul? The man of sin will come and do strange and powerful things. But nothing can take away the salvation and those who turned away from God would have no excuses because God's plan will be accomplished. Where have you experienced God's sovereignty?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What example did Paul set?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ We must understand our own identity and know whom to rely on, so we may stand firm and be strengthened in every good deed and word.
+ Keep away from all who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching. Warn them as you would do for a fellow believer so they may feel ashamed and turn around.
+ Make example of Paul, working quietly, earning his own living, not being a burden of others, not being disruptive, not being idle, not being an unproductive busy body.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The churches of Paul's time usually share everything and meal together. Some would take advantage of this and not being productive but disruptive. Therefore, Paul warned these people to work quietly and earn their own food. Such people are those, in God's household, relying on others to complete their assigned tasks and yet meddling everywhere. Have I criticized others? Let me reflect on my own actions and duties, have I done my best to complete all my tasks?
+ **Community** - Paul said to keep away from those who idles and disrupts and does not live according to the teaching so that they would realize their shame and repent. But, to treat them as fellow believers not enemies. The purpose of teaching is to love and admonish is to help them repent. When I see improper behavior from fellow Christians, what would be my intention to evade or admonish?
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 Lord abandoned the descendants of Jacob because they are full of superstitions from the East; they embrace pagan customs.
+ The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted. The idols will totally disappear. He is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support.
+ The Lord rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people and woe to the haughty women.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - List out the people's sins in the passage and compare to today's society. What are we sinning against the Lord today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did the Lord's vineyard yield bad fruit?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ After judgment, the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, the Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; He will cleanse by a spirit of judgment.
+ In the vineyard on a fertile hillside, He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.
+ The vineyard of the Lord is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed.
+ Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes.
+ The Lord will whistle for those at the ends of the earth, to come to plunder the people.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Do I find in today's church the tyranny and injustice in the vineyard parable? Am I being insensitive? What is our current situation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Isaiah commissioned by the Lord?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne. Above him were seraphim.
+ Isaiah thought of woe to himself for he knew he was a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips.
+ The seraphim flew to him with a live coal and with it he touched his mouth to take away his sin.
+ Isaiah answered the Lord's calling.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Isaiah though of his own sin in front of the holy throne of the Lord. How do we, the believers in the age of the New Testament, feel differently from him? Why?
+ **Fidelity** - Isaiah said: "Here am I. Send me!" to answer the Lord's calling. Am I ready to answer God the same way? What would stop me from doing so?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Isaiah prophesy of the fate of the two kings who were to attack Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ When Ahaz was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and king Pekah of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem.
+ The Lord said to Isaiah and his son Shear-Jashub to tell Ahaz: "Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid."
+ The Lord spoke to Ahaz: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." A sign the two kings of Aram and Israel would be rejected.
+ The Lord foretold: "The wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria."
+ The Lord told Isaiah: "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread. For both Israel and Judah He will be a stone that causes people to stumble."
+ People should inquire of their God, not consult with mediums and spiritists.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Facing his enemies, Ahaz was told by the Lord to keep calm and don't be afraid. Can I do the same when facing my enemies because of the Lord's promises?
+ **Identity** - Facing difficulties, people often consult with mediums and spiritists. When I face difficulties, would I panic and ask everywhere for help? What would be the cause of my lack of faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses