LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

A life of discipleship can be described as “a long obedience in the same direction.” While in our Christian walk, we might take wrong turns and have to course correct and get back on track moving forward toward the Lord, our desire should be to develop a pattern in our lives every day of taking one step closer to being like Christ.

John 15:1-8 Deuteronomy 5:28-33 Genesis 12:1-10 Proverbs 24:16The post A Long Obedience in the Same Direction first appeared on Living Hope.

Zerubbabel was an important leader among the initial migration of Jews from Babylon. Arriving in Jerusalem they built an altar and began work on the temple. Though the government forced them to stop, Zerubbabel eventually led the effort to reinitiate the building project. Likewise, Clarence Jordan of Georgia serves as an example of persevering in the work God called him to amid great opposition and danger. These two examples show us the value of persevering through tedium and trials so that we can be faithful to God’s calling on our lives.

Ezra 1:3, 5 In 538BC Cyrus the Great, king of the Medes and the Persians, released the captives of Judah to return to their ancestral land. Nearly 50,000 people responded to the call, migrating approximately 900 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:2-3 After arriving, they set up an altar where the temple had been and offered burnt offerings to God.

Ezra 3:7-8, 11 Under Zerubbabel’s leadership, they laid the foundation of the temple and threw a celebration to mark the event.

Ezra 4:4-5 Opposition arose from “the people of the land” who bribed government officials to stop the construction project.

Ezra 5:1-2 Haggai and Zecahriah prophesied that God wanted them to begin the work again. Amid great uncertainty and likely persecution, Zerubbabel reinitiated the building project.

Ezra 6:6-12 After an official investigation by local and national governments, Darius I officially endorsed the work, even contributing funds to it.

Ezra 6:17-18 Because Zerubbabel persevered, God’s people finished the temple and dedicated it with many sacrifices and much celebrating.

The post Zerubbabel’s Perseverance first appeared on Living Hope.

Zerubbabel was an important leader among the initial migration of Jews from Babylon. Arriving in Jerusalem they built an altar and began work on the temple. Though the government forced them to stop, Zerubbabel eventually led the effort to reinitiate the building project. Likewise, Clarence Jordan of Georgia serves as an example of persevering in the work God called him to amid great opposition and danger. These two examples show us the value of persevering through tedium and trials so that we can be faithful to God’s calling on our lives.

Ezra 1:3, 5 In 538BC Cyrus the Great, king of the Medes and the Persians, released the captives of Judah to return to their ancestral land. Nearly 50,000 people responded to the call, migrating approximately 900 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:2-3 After arriving, they set up an altar where the temple had been and offered burnt offerings to God.

Ezra 3:7-8, 11 Under Zerubbabel’s leadership, they laid the foundation of the temple and threw a celebration to mark the event.

Ezra 4:4-5 Opposition arose from “the people of the land” who bribed government officials to stop the construction project.

Ezra 5:1-2 Haggai and Zecahriah prophesied that God wanted them to begin the work again. Amid great uncertainty and likely persecution, Zerubbabel reinitiated the building project.

Ezra 6:6-12 After an official investigation by local and national governments, Darius I officially endorsed the work, even contributing funds to it.

Ezra 6:17-18 Because Zerubbabel persevered, God’s people finished the temple and dedicated it with many sacrifices and much celebrating.

The post Zerubbabel’s Perseverance first appeared on Living Hope.

Acts 18:24-28

Priscilla and Aquila took the time to share with Apollos what they have learned about the “way of God.”

They were willing to give of themselves in order to shape the life of another.

Acts 18:1-4

After leaving Rome (Italy), Aquila and Priscilla met Paul in Corinth, Greece. Interestingly, they were of the same trade/occupation, and so they invited Paul to stay with them and work with them. Paul stayed in Corinth for a total of a year and a half.

1 Corinthians 16:19

Aquila and Priscilla were leaders, and they hosted a church in their house. It seems like a small remark, but hosting a Christian gathering in your home was not such an easy feat in the Roman Empire as one might think.

Romans 16:3-5

Paul does not explain what it is that Priscilla and Aquila did, but it was significant enough for Paul to describe in extravagant terms as though it were a massive risk and sacrifice on their part for him.

Luke 10:1-23

Jesus sent the 72 disciples out 2×2. There is strength with another.

The post Priscilla and Aquila first appeared on Living Hope.

Acts 18:24-28

Priscilla and Aquila took the time to share with Apollos what they have learned about the “way of God.”

They were willing to give of themselves in order to shape the life of another.

Acts 18:1-4

After leaving Rome (Italy), Aquila and Priscilla met Paul in Corinth, Greece. Interestingly, they were of the same trade/occupation, and so they invited Paul to stay with them and work with them. Paul stayed in Corinth for a total of a year and a half.

1 Corinthians 16:19

Aquila and Priscilla were leaders, and they hosted a church in their house. It seems like a small remark, but hosting a Christian gathering in your home was not such an easy feat in the Roman Empire as one might think.

Romans 16:3-5

Paul does not explain what it is that Priscilla and Aquila did, but it was significant enough for Paul to describe in extravagant terms as though it were a massive risk and sacrifice on their part for him.

Luke 10:1-23

Jesus sent the 72 disciples out 2×2. There is strength with another.

The post Priscilla and Aquila first appeared on Living Hope.

Elisha was a prophet who repeatedly made bold moves in his walk with God. His example serves as a corrective to a milquetoast Christianity that hesitates and hopes without ever stepping out boldly in faith. Is it time for you to make a bold move?

1 Kings 19:19-21 Elijah invited Elisha to train with him to become a great prophet of God. Elisha may have hesitated, but before long he fully committed.

2 Kings 2:1-2, 8-14 When Elijah was to depart, Elisha refused to leave his side, requesting a double portion of the spirit.

Miracles of Elisha in 2 Kings

1. splitting the Jordan with Elijah’s mantle (2.13-14)
2. healing waters of Jericho with salt (2.19-22)
3. prophecy of water coming to save military campaign (3.15-19)
4. cursing youth resulting in a bear attack (2.23-24)
5. multiplying widow’s oil (4.1-7)
6. predicting the Shunammite woman would give birth (4.16-17)
7. raising the Shunammite woman’s son (4.32-35)
8. purifying the stew (4.40-41)
9. multiplying loaves (4.42-44)
10. healing Naaman’s leprosy (5.1-27)
11. floating an axe-head (6.1-7)
12. predicting where the Syrian army was (6.8-12)
13. striking the Syrian army with blindness (6.18)
14. healing the Syrian army of blindness (6.20)
15. predicting restoration of the economy in Samaria (7.1)
16. predicting the recovery and subsequent murder of the Syrian king
17. predicting the number of Israel’s victories over Syria (13.20)
18. raised to life someone who touched his bones (13.21)

The post Elisha first appeared on Living Hope.

Elisha was a prophet who repeatedly made bold moves in his walk with God. His example serves as a corrective to a milquetoast Christianity that hesitates and hopes without ever stepping out boldly in faith. Is it time for you to make a bold move?

1 Kings 19:19-21 Elijah invited Elisha to train with him to become a great prophet of God. Elisha may have hesitated, but before long he fully committed.

2 Kings 2:1-2, 8-14 When Elijah was to depart, Elisha refused to leave his side, requesting a double portion of the spirit.

Miracles of Elisha in 2 Kings

1. splitting the Jordan with Elijah’s mantle (2.13-14)
2. healing waters of Jericho with salt (2.19-22)
3. prophecy of water coming to save military campaign (3.15-19)
4. cursing youth resulting in a bear attack (2.23-24)
5. multiplying widow’s oil (4.1-7)
6. predicting the Shunammite woman would give birth (4.16-17)
7. raising the Shunammite woman’s son (4.32-35)
8. purifying the stew (4.40-41)
9. multiplying loaves (4.42-44)
10. healing Naaman’s leprosy (5.1-27)
11. floating an axe-head (6.1-7)
12. predicting where the Syrian army was (6.8-12)
13. striking the Syrian army with blindness (6.18)
14. healing the Syrian army of blindness (6.20)
15. predicting restoration of the economy in Samaria (7.1)
16. predicting the recovery and subsequent murder of the Syrian king
17. predicting the number of Israel’s victories over Syria (13.20)
18. raised to life someone who touched his bones (13.21)

The post Elisha first appeared on Living Hope.

There are many heroes we look up to in the Bible – Abraham, Moses, David, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and of course, Jesus – just to name a few. But who are the unsung heroes? This week we kick off a new series which will take a closer look at some important, but obscure figures who made a significant impact on biblical history. We start off with Rahab, a woman whose dubious reputation did not stop her from declaring her faith in Yahweh, in word and deed, when it mattered most.

Joshua 2:1 Two spies are sent by Joshua to Jericho and stayed with Rahab, a prostitute. Joshua 2:2-3 The king of Jericho sends for Rahab. Joshua 2:4-5 Rahab lies to the king’s men. Exodus 1:15-21 The midwives lied to Pharoah to save babies from slaughter. Joshua 2:6-7 Rahab hides the spies on the roof and diverts the king’s men. Joshua 2:8-11 Rahab declares her fear for Yahweh and that Yahweh is the one true God. Joshua 2:12-14 Rahab makes an agreement with the spies. Joshua 2:15-16 Rahab helps the spies escape and gives them instructions. Joshua 2:17-20 The spies pledge to save Rahab and her family from destruction. Joshua 6:12-17 The Israelites march into Jericho. Joshua 6:22-23 Joshua sends for Rahab and her family. Joshua 6:24 Jericho is destroyed. Joshua 6:25 Rahab and her family are spared and make their home in Israel for generations to come. Matthew 1:1-5 The genealogy of Jesus includes Rahab. Hebrews 11:31 Her faith, courage, and trust in God make Rahab a significant biblical figure. James 2:25 Faith alone does not justify a person. James uses the example of Rahab hiding the spies as faith being completed by works.

The post Rahab first appeared on Living Hope.

There are many heroes we look up to in the Bible – Abraham, Moses, David, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and of course, Jesus – just to name a few. But who are the unsung heroes? This week we kick off a new series which will take a closer look at some important, but obscure figures who made a significant impact on biblical history. We start off with Rahab, a woman whose dubious reputation did not stop her from declaring her faith in Yahweh, in word and deed, when it mattered most.

Joshua 2:1 Two spies are sent by Joshua to Jericho and stayed with Rahab, a prostitute. Joshua 2:2-3 The king of Jericho sends for Rahab. Joshua 2:4-5 Rahab lies to the king’s men. Exodus 1:15-21 The midwives lied to Pharoah to save babies from slaughter. Joshua 2:6-7 Rahab hides the spies on the roof and diverts the king’s men. Joshua 2:8-11 Rahab declares her fear for Yahweh and that Yahweh is the one true God. Joshua 2:12-14 Rahab makes an agreement with the spies. Joshua 2:15-16 Rahab helps the spies escape and gives them instructions. Joshua 2:17-20 The spies pledge to save Rahab and her family from destruction. Joshua 6:12-17 The Israelites march into Jericho. Joshua 6:22-23 Joshua sends for Rahab and her family. Joshua 6:24 Jericho is destroyed. Joshua 6:25 Rahab and her family are spared and make their home in Israel for generations to come. Matthew 1:1-5 The genealogy of Jesus includes Rahab. Hebrews 11:31 Her faith, courage, and trust in God make Rahab a significant biblical figure. James 2:25 Faith alone does not justify a person. James uses the example of Rahab hiding the spies as faith being completed by works.

The post Rahab first appeared on Living Hope.

What does God want?

Genesis 1:26-28 God’s original and ultimate purpose for humanity

1 Timothy 2:1-4 What does God want?

2 Peter 3:9 Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet?

John 3:16 Why did God give His Son? Why did Jesus give his life?

Colossians 1:27 With the holy spirit, we have Christ within enabling us to be in the image of God with His morals, motives, and desires.

2 Corinthians 5:14,15 Controls, constrains, compels, or motivates as it did for Peter, Andrew, John, James, and Paul.

16 Our understanding of others is no longer based on external, superficial criteria such as social status, race, gender, wealth, or physical appearance.

1 Corinthians 2:13 Spiritual lens – How does God see people?

1 Corinthians 5:17 Our morals, motives, motions now align with Gods’.

1 Corinthians 5:18 Ministry of reconciliation – helping people to come to God or to come back to God through Christ

19 Word of reconciliation – Romans 10:17

20 Ambassadors for Christ

21 Our qualifications

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Right now is the acceptable time.

Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray for open doors.

Psalm 37:3-5 God will give you His desires if you seek them.

Psalm 73:25-28 We must maintain God’s desires.

The post Focus on Reaching Others first appeared on Living Hope.