Transcription
Advanced Bible StudyFALL 2021 CSBStudy 1:No Doubt:Six Things We CanKnow for SureStudy 2:Walking in Confidence 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources
WH E R E ’ S YOU R TRUST ?Your trust is a valuable commodity. You exercise trust quite frequently, but the thingsand people you trust don’t always deliver. You trust your car to get you home, but unforeseen engine troubleleaves you on the side of the road. You trust the medication prescribed by your doctor, but your body doesn’trespond like you hoped. You trust the one you voted for, but despite her best efforts, she can’talways deliver on her promises.The one place trust always pays off is when you trust the promises of God. We arehopeless sinners without God, yet He offers forgiveness, hope, and a new life. Godis faithful, and He will deliver on what He says. All you need to do is take Him at Hisword; trust Him. Trust that Jesus’ death removed your sin. Trust that His resurrectionfrom the dead ensures a new life for you. Trust that He enters your life in a relationshipthat will never end.If you would like a new life in Christ, trust Him. Repent of your sins and put your faithin Him. Admit to God you are a sinner and ask Him to forgive you. Turn from the sinthat has kept you from God and accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness. Confess your faithin Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Express your repentance and faith by prayingsomething like this:“ Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross toforgive me of my sins. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and askYou to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank Youfor Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From thisday forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”Share your decision to follow Jesus with a pastor or those in your Bible study group.Get involved in a church that will help you grow in your faith. Be baptized as anexpression of your faith. 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources
CO NTE NTSNo Doubt: Six Things We Can Know for SureSuggested forthe week ofIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6September 5Session 1Sure of ForgivenessSeptember 12Session 2Sure of a RelationshipSeptember 19Session 3Sure of the Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33September 26Session 4Sure of VictoryOctober 3Session 5Sure of God’s Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59October 10Session 6Sure of Salvation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7204672Walking in ConfidenceSPECIAL FOCUSIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85October 17Session 1The Basis for Confidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86October 24Session 2Confidence in the Face of Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99October 31Session 3Confidence in the Midst of ConflictNovember 7Session 4Confidence in Seasons of Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . 125November 14Session 5Confidence After We Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138. . . . . . . . . . . . .112Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151November 21Special FocusGive Thanks to God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152November 28Session 6Confidence in Times of Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Bible Studies for Life Discipleship Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178A DVA N C E D B I B L E S T U DY 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources3
DO N ’T M I SS TH I S !Social MediaBible Studies for LifeAdvanced Bible StudyFall 2021 Volume 16, Number 1Connect with a community of Bible Studies for Lifeusers. Post responses to questions, share teachingideas, and link to great blog content.Facebook.com/BibleStudiesforLifeLynn H. PryorTeam LeaderGet instant updates about new articles, giveaways,and more. @BibleMeetsLifeSend questions/comments to:Content Editorby email to lynn.pryor@lifeway.comor mail to:Bible Studies for Life:Advanced Bible StudyOne Lifeway PlazaNashville, TN 37234The AppAdvanced Bible Study is available asan eBook. Visit Lifeway.com/bsflebookfor more information.Advanced BibleStudy TeacherThe Bible Studies for Life: AdvancedBible Study Teacher Guide featuresa two-page teaching plan plus anOptional Idea and an illustration orfact to Dig Deeper into each passagestudied in this book.Family ConnectionFamily Connection helps parents connect with their studentsand kids by talking about what they’re learning in their differentBible study groups. Family Connection makes it easy forparents to engage their children in spiritual conversation.Family Connection is available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/FamilyConnection.4 2021 Lifeway Christian ResourcesKen BraddyDirector of Sunday SchoolBrandon HiltibidalDirector of Adult MinistryOr make comments on the web atwww.lifeway.comPrinted in the United States of AmericaAdvanced Bible Study (ISSN 2330-9423; Item005075005) is published quarterly by Lifeway,One Lifeway Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, BenMandrell, President. Copyright 2021 Lifeway.For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com,call (800) 458-2772, or write Lifeway CustomerService, One Lifeway Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234.For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to oneaddress, e-mail orderentry@lifeway.com, fax(615) 251-5933, or write to the above address.We believe the Bible has God for its author;salvation for its end; and truth, without anymixture of error, for its matter and that allScripture is totally true and trustworthy. Toreview Lifeway’s doctrinal guideline, please visitwww.lifeway.com/doctrinal guideline.Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripturequotations are taken from the Christian StandardBible , Copyright 2017 by Holman BiblePublishers. Used by permission. ChristianStandard Bible and CSB are federallyregistered trademarks of Holman BiblePublishers.Quotations marked ESV are from the HolyBible, English Standard Version (The HolyBible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry ofGood News Publishers. Used by permission. Allrights reserved.Passages marked NASB are taken from theNew American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975,1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used bypermission. www.lockman.org.Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are takenfrom the Holy Bible, New International Version ,NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. Allrights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version”are trademarks registered in the United StatesPatent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
M E ET TH E W R ITE RSCorey Meggs wrote the six-session study titled No Doubt: Six Things WeCan Know for Sure. Dr. Meggs is the senior pastor of Pleasant Hill BaptistChurch in Somerset, Kentucky. He earned a D.Ed.Min. from MidwesternBaptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Nancy, are the grateful andbusy parents of two children.Bryan Beyer wrote the study titled Walking in Confidence. Dr. Beyerholds a Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College and is Professor of Bible atColumbia International University. He loves teaching the Bible at CIU, atlocal churches, and in Israel! Bryan is married to Yvonne. They have threemarried adult children and five granddaughters. Bryan enjoys fishing andoutdoor sports. Dr. Beyer has written for Lifeway since 1991.Kevin Peacock wrote the Special Focus session titled Give Thanks toGod. Serving through the IMB, Kevin teaches Old Testament and Hebrewat Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College in Cochrane, Alberta,Canada. Originally from Mississippi, Kevin and his wife Brenda have beenin Canada since 1997 (by way of South Korea, Scotland, and Texas). He haspublished numerous journal articles and Bible studies and is a contributorto the Christian Standard Study Bible and the Holy Land Illustrated Bible.A DVA N C E D B I B L E S T U DY 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources5
I NTRO DUC TI O NNo Doubt: Six Things We Can Know for SurePhilosophers might raise the idea that we can’t be sure ofanything. Science tells us we can be sure of what we see andobserve, but what about those things we can’t see physically?Some people think that matters of faith are just things we hopeare true or that we want to believe are true. The Book of 1 Johntells a different story. “Intangible” things like love, forgiveness,and salvation can be seen in how they impact and transformour lives. We can be absolutely sure of the things of God andthe way He seeks to work in our lives.How This Study Supports the Discipleship Plan (p. 178):Live Unashamed. The Book of 1 John gives us multipleassurances related to our walk with Christ. With suchassurances, doubts fade, and we can live our lives undauntedand unashamed.6 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources
B I B L ESE S SION 1S T U D I E SSure of ForgivenessF O RThe PointL I F EWe are forgiven when we confess our sin and walk with Christ.The Passage1 John 1:5–2:2The Bible Meets LifeOne of my favorite stories in all of the Bible is about Joseph,the son of Jacob. Joseph was one of twelve brothers; he washis father’s favorite son and his older brothers knew it. Theywere, in fact, jealous because of their father’s love of Joseph.Ultimately, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Not only isthat as bad as it sounds, but they did it because they thoughtthey would never see Joseph again. The brothers then couldhave their father’s love all to themselves.But, for those who’ve never heard this Bible story, the brothersdid not get their selfish way. No, in the course of time and withthe providence of God, Joseph became second in command toPharaoh as a ruler in Egypt.At this point, you might think Joseph became a bitter manwho thought about what his brother’s did every single day.But, you would be wrong. Rather than harbor unforgivenessagainst his brothers who had betrayed him, Joseph served theLord with his whole heart. Joseph was faithful, regardless of hispresent circumstances.When, as a powerful man in Egypt, Joseph at last revealedhimself to his brothers, they were terrified and thought heA DVA N C E D B I B L E S T U DY 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources7
would use his power over them to gain revenge over what theyhad done. And he could have. Instead, Joseph told them hewould take care of their families during the tragic famine. InGenesis 45:7, Joseph told his older brothers, “God sent me aheadof you to establish you as a remnant within the land and tokeep you alive by a great deliverance.”After their father died, the brothers thought Joseph wouldchange his mind and mistreat them. Again, they were wrongabout their brother. Joseph told them in Genesis 50:19-20, “Don’tbe afraid. Am I in the place of God? You planned evil againstme; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.”Joseph learned how to forgive others. No matter who has hurtyou, you need to forgive. When we forgive, then we can be ablessing to others. Bitterness is defined by the pain of the past.Forgiveness is possible when we choose to serve others ratherthan seek revenge. So, all of this begs the question: how do welearn how to forgive others like Joseph forgave his brothers?First, we must learn how to be forgiven by God.The SettingThe apostle John wrote his first epistle so that followers of Jesuswould be certain about their salvation in Christ (1 John 5:13). Wecan know that we have eternal life in Christ. We do not have tofret, worry, or wonder about what’s most important. The biblicalgrounds for our assurance of salvation in Christ is explainedthroughout the first epistle of John.For example, John wanted to emphasize the fellowshipthat we can enjoy with the Father, with Jesus, and with otherfollowers of Jesus. We read in 1 John 1:3-4, “What we have seenand heard we also declare to you, so that you may also havefellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Fatherand with His Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things sothat our joy may be complete.”8S e ss i o n 1 2021 Lifeway Christian Resources
T H E P OIN TWe are forgiven when we confess our sin and walk with Christ.Not only is the Christian life possible, but it also is enjoyablebecause of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Our past isforgiven because of His death and resurrection. Our presentand future are now defined by our relationship with Him.Through the good news of Jesus Christ, man can be forgivenand enjoy fellowship with God. John marks the path so thatwe can discover how to experience this incredible opportunity.The result will depend upon how we personally respond to themessage about Christ.If our lifestyle contradicts our claims to know Christ, thenwe are lying to ourselves (1 John 1:6). If we dispute that we aresinners in need of a Savior, then we deceive ourselves (v. 8).If we deny that we have sinned, t
ADVANCED BIBLE STUDY 7 B IB L E S T UD IE S F O R L IF E SESSION 1 Sure of Forgiveness The Point We are forgiven when we confess our sin and walk with Christ. The Passage 1 John 1:5–2:2 The Bible Meets Life One of my favorite stories in all of the Bible is about Joseph, the son of Jacob. Joseph was one of twelve brothers; he was his father’s favorite son and his older brothers knew it .
