Weekly Guide：Week 96
November 24, 2019
Foreword
We continue to read the Gospel of John this week. This book starts with God’s word and His love to us through the word that became flesh. God intends to communicate to us not just through an imaginary concept but in a way that we can comprehend. God gave us something intangible, no longer hidden, to show that He would be with us and live in this world with us. He gave us His word, let many hear, see, and touch Him through the real human flesh of Jesus, the Son of God. He had shown us that He can embrace us, converse, walk, and even cry with us, forever. This was truly a turning point in human history for God has never revealed to human in such way.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
How may we worship God the father?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, will you give me a drink?
-
Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
-
Jesus pointed out the woman have had five husband and the man she had was not her husband.
-
The true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
-
My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
-
Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
-
Once more Jesus visited Cana in Galilee and there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. Jesus said to him: “Go, your son will live.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Jesus said the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth. How may I worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth? Have I reflected on the Spirit and truth in my heart?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why those who believe in Jesus will rise to live?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
In Bethesda, Jesus cured a person who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
-
The day was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed: “The law forbids you to carry your mat.” They also accused Jesus for breaking the Sabbath.
-
The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
-
Whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
-
Jesus said, you study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.
-
Jesus said, if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Jesus can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the He also does. We make Jesus our example which includes how He follow the will of the Father. What does this passage remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why does Jesus say His is the bread of life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus feeds five thousand with two small barley loaves and two small fish with left over filled twelve baskets.
-
Jesus walks on the water.
-
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.
-
Jesus says, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
-
The Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
-
The words Jesus has spoken-they are full of the Spirit and life.
-
Many of His disciples turned back but Simon Peter knew Jesus has the words of eternal life, is the Holy One of God.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Jesus teaches, do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life. How do I understand this? How does it affect my daily life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Where does the river of living water Jesus mentioned come from?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus said: “My time is not yet here.”
-
Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.
-
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.
-
You know me. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true.
-
The chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.
-
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
-
Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Jesus’ teaching is not His own. It comes from the one who sent Him. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. Reflect on my own conduct. Is it based on God’s word or my own experience and judgment?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why did Jesus say He is the light of life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery to test Jesus. Jesus said: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
-
Jesus did not condemn her and told her to leave her life of sin.
-
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-
Jesus said: “You will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
-
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
-
Jesus said: “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did.”
-
Jesus said: “If God were your Father, you would love me.”
-
Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Jesus said, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing.” It is the Father who glorifies Him. Do I work for my glory or God’s glory? How does the Holy Spirit remind me of God’s glory?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What does it mean that Jesus said He is the gate for the sheep?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus used His saliva mixed with mud on the eyes of a blind and cured him. The day was a Sabbath.
-
The Pharisees were divided on Jesus’ curing of the blind on Sabbath.
-
The blind believed Jesus as the Son of Man.
-
Jesus said, I am the gate for the sheep, whoever enters through me will be saved.
-
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
-
I and the Father are one.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Jesus says His is the good shepherd and would lay down His life for the sheep. Reflect on my love, how willing am I to lay myself down for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Esther selected as queen?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the third year of King Xerxes reign in the citadel of Susa, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials.
+ When the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
+ Vashti was removed from her position as queen.
+ Xerxes searched for beautiful young virgins and Esther was taken to the king's palace.
+ Esther was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence and the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - If Vashti did not disobey the king's command, would the Israelite be saved in later day? God's mind is higher than our own. Am I willing to see God's work in everything I encounter?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the possibility of annihilation come about to the Jews?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Mordecai reported the conspiracy of two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
+ Because Mordecai would not kneel down or pay honor to Haman, he was enraged and looked for a way to destroy all Jews.
+ Haman advised King Xerxes to issue a decree to destroy all Jews while he would give ten thousand talents of silver to the king. The king said to Haman to do with the people as he pleased.
+ They wrote out commands in the name of King Xerxes to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, and to plunder their goods.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Mordecai insisted on not kneeling down to Haman, upholding his principle and not to subjugate himself to the social norm. What struggle did Mordecai experience? Can I not submit myself to the society for the truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who could change the fate of the Jews?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, wailing loudly and bitterly.
+ Mordecai instructed Esther to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
+ Esther asked all the Jews: "To fast for three days. When this is done, I would go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
+ When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.
+ Haman set up a pole in preparation to kill Mordecai.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Mordecai asked Esther to risk her life to help him. Why didn't he ask God to help? How does God prepare us for the struggles we face today with questions like this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the Jews rescued by miracles?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Through chronicle, the King learned of Mordecai's honor and recognition he did not receive.
+ The king ordered Haman to robe Mordecai, lead him on the horse through the city streets, and proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!"
+ The king asked Esther what her petition and request were. Esther asked the king to save the Jews.
+ The king impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Haman conspired to kill Mordecai but ended up in giving him the honor and recognition. What do I think about this surprising outcome? How should I view God's control of my life?
+ **Identity** - Esther did not speak for the Jews immediately but waited for the next day when the king asked her. How would the outcome be different if she had done otherwise? Am I willing to wait for God's timing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What great honor did Mordecai get?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman. Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman's estate.
+ Esther asked the king to overrule the dispatches that Haman had sent out. The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
+ The city of Susa held a joyous celebration for Mordecai.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The thirteenth day of the month of Adar turned from a day of annihilation into a day of retribution. How do I view suffering under God's control?
+ **Fidelity** - For the welfare of the Jews, Esther and Mordecai were not satisfied with honor, recognition, and Haman's execution. Am I willing to other's needs above mine and seek each other's blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Jews kill and destroy those who hated them?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ On the thirteenth day of the Adar month, the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman.
+ Mordecai wrote to the Jews to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, their sorrow turned into joy and their mourning into celebration. The days are as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
+ Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The Jews assembled and fought together to turn sorrow into joy. God's protection is in His miraculous plan but we also need to do our part and work together to fend off our enemies. Are we still lacking in any area of our defense? How may I pray for it?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How to be strong and disciplined when feeling weak and discouraged in serving the Lord?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### 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 way 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?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### 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 lacking 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?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### 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 the 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?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### 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 for doing good?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### 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
### Question
How to face our past sufferings and mistakes?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ 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.
+ 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
+ **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?
+ **Integrity** - By the grace of God, we may face our past mistakes with courage and forgive those who owe us. Through God's power, I 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
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses