Building Healthy Relationship Series part 1

Building Healthy Relationship Series

Wednesday Night Homegroup

Part 1: Thanksgiving and Prayer - Philemon 1:1-7
_________________________________________________________________Topics: Encouragement, Friendship, Prayer, Relationships, Slavery, Thankfulness, Words

"Doctrinal rightness and rightness of ecclesiastical position are important, but only as a starting point to go on into a living relationship and not as ends in themselves" ~ Francis Shaffer

"God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are." ~ Billy Graham

Philemon, the recipient of this letter,was a prominent member of the church at Colosse, which met in his house. Paul wrote this short letter to Philemon probably at the same time as he wrote Colossians, 60-62 AD. It was probably sent to Colosse, Philemon’s home, along with the letter to the Colossians. This letter is a specimen of the highest wisdom as to the manner in which Christians ought to manage social affairs on more exalted principles. We can learn many lessons of love, forgiveness, and christian character despite mistreatment. This book is key in the study of building strong relationships.

Open It

1. What role have someone’s words of encouragement played in your life?
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2. How much of what is said to you each week at work and home is negative or positive?
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Explore It

4. What two godly qualities did Paul desire for his readers? (1:3)
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5. How did Paul pray for his audience? (1:6)
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6. What had Philemon done for the other Christians in the region? (1:7)
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Get It

7. What are the subjects or concerns you most often address in your prayers?
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8. How can compliments and encouragement influence someone’s life?
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9. How does it help a person to pray for him or her?
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Apply It

10. Who in your life needs a word of compliment or encouragement at this time?
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11. Make a list of several people you need to pray for this week?
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Love Grown Cold: Study Of Malachi

Feel free to use this study if you want the study/student guide message me and I'll send it to you. God Bless.

Love Grown Cold: Study Of Malachi

"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." Matthew 24:12

Teaching Guide Part 1 (Malachi 1:1-9)

Open It

1. What unique relationship do you treasure?

2. When you are displeased about something, how do you express yourself?

3. When have you felt taken for granted or treated with disrespect?

Overview/Commentary

Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament is a discouraging document. The days of Ezra and Nehemiah were past, and no imprint seemed to be left on the people of Judah. Again we find them sliding down toward sin and spiritual apathy, trapped in the old patterns, but now completely indifferent to Malachi's call for another fresh start.

We as people must be reconciled not only to God but to one another, "or else I will come and strike the land with a curse" (Malachi 4:6). Reading this book, the last testimony to the men and women of the return, a peculiar realization grows. God's people have lost their vision of God, and of their own future.

This is important for us to grasp, because the principle applies to us as well as to Israel. We too are forced to live with imperfection—our own imperfection as well as that of those around us! It is so easy to become discouraged when we try and try again, and still seem to fail.

When we lose sight of our destiny, and when we fail to grasp the reality of growth, our motivation to live for God begins to die. This is what happened to the people of Judah in Malachi's day. They had looked inward, lost sight of the destiny ahead, and abandoned hope for personal growth and change.

Malachi's book is organized around a series of seven sarcastic questions posed by the people of God in response to God's words to them. These questions show a definite rejection of the divine viewpoint; they show how far Judah's loss of a sense of destiny had caused them to drift spiritually.

In looking at these questions, it is easy to see some of our own attitudes reflected. In God's response we can hear His call, inviting us to turn our steps again toward our destiny.

I. Prepare

Jot down where you personally want to be in 10 years.
Have each of your group members jot down, and then share, where each wants to be in 10 years. See the "Link to Life 1" explanation.

● Link to Life 1:

Prepare your group for a study of Malachi by "dreaming." Ask each member to jot down where he or she wants to be in 10 years. Explain that "where you want to be" should include all one's goals—personal, financial, and especially spiritual—the kind of person you want to be.

After each has jotted down his or her dream, share these in groups of four or five.

Then explain that what we find in Malachi is a definition of what can keep an individual or a people from realizing its dreams of growth and change.

II. Explore

Love lost (Malachi 1:1-5)

4. What did God claim for Israel? (1:2)

5. What was the judgment of Edom? (1:3-5)

The Book of Malachi begins with an affirmation: " 'I have loved you,' says the Lord" (Malachi 1:2). What a starting point in our relationship with God! It is not that we loved God. He loved us and, acting in love, He delivered His people.Yet the people of Malachi's day replied with a plaintive whine: "How have You loved us?" It is as though a child, used to plenty, complains because he's been denied some new toy. With all the evidence of history and with all their present prosperity, Judah could still claim to be uncertain of God's love!

God's answer is to point to the fact that He chose their ancestor Jacob over his twin Esau (who was the ancestor of the people who even then surrounded Judah). God's love was demonstrated primarily in that He chose to establish a relationship with His people; love draws us to Himself.

The phrase, "Esau I have hated" (Malachi 1:3), bothers many. It seems best to understand this expression not as a statement of feeling or attitude but as a legal term. In that day a father used this terminology in legally designating one son to inherit his possessions while decisively rejecting the claim of another. By custom such a rejected son really was loved. And he was given resources to make his own way. But the legally "loved" son inherited.

God has shown His love for us in that He has chosen us to inherit all that He has and is, for we are His people, and He is our God.

Honor denied (Malachi 1:6-9)

6. What was God’s complaint against Israel? (1:6-14)

7. How were the priests implicated in contemptible worship practices? (1:8-10)

God's complaint against Judah is that, though He has called this people into a relationship with Himself, the people have refused to honor Him. This goes beyond disrespect; they have despised God's name (Malachi 1:6). As the prophet pointed out, a son honors his father—and God had been a Father to Judah. A servant shows respect to his master; and God was rightly called "Lord" and "Master" by His people. Why then was God treated in Judah as unimportant?

The people of Judah react to this charge with another caustic reply. You can almost hear the tone of outraged innocence. "How have we despised Your name?"

In answer God simply pointed to the mildewed bread on His temple's altar; to the ill and injured animals offered as sacrifices. Why, these people were offering to God what they would never dare to present to a human governor!

IV. Get It

8. Israel was guilty of giving God leftovers. In what way do we sometimes give God leftovers in our worship? in our finances? in our time?
9. How does God deal with you when you give Him less than your best?

V. Apply It

Do the chart study suggested in "Link to Life 2". Working as a group, define the issue involved; look at how the underlying attitude of the people was expressed in their acts, and suggest ways this attitude might be expressed in our day.

This chart study will provide a mastery of the material in Malachi, and serve as a solid foundation for application.

Link to Life 2: Youth / Adult

To reach personal spiritual goals—and other healthy goals that can be achieved only through God's blessing—we need to avoid the attitudes and actions that we see revealed in Malachi.

Lead your group in a chart study of this book, looking together at each section of the book as discussed in the commentary.

As you look at each section, first identify the issue that Malachi dealt with. Then look at the patterns of thought and behavior that revealed the attitude of the people of his day toward this issue.

Finally, in the third column of the chart, jot down modern parallels. What contemporary attitudes and acts would show that we have become lukewarm, as did the Jews of Malachi's day?

Chart: Malachi Study Chart

Issue	Judah's pattern	Modern patterns

Look at the chart, and transform the negatives into positives.

10. What attitudes or actions can you change to show honor to the Lord?

That is, suggest how a person can grow in commitment to the Lord. For instance, the people of Malachi's day ignored God's love as expressed in His choice of their nation. We can remember God's love, expressed in Jesus, who has loved and saved us. Or note that the people of Malachi's day withheld their best from God. We can give Him our best.

Back To The Basics: Gen 1

STUDY OF GENESIS CHAPTER ONE

First we will look at the person of the creator. 
A. Christ Is the Creator (Colossians 1:15-17). Genesis is all about Jesus. Matthew 1:1 tells us Genesis is the book of the generations of Jesus. Genesis records the acts and personality of Christ in the Beginning and before the beginning. Genesis is know as the book of generations, origins and beginnings. Genesis is a Greek word which is translated generations in Matthew chapter 1. It means “beginnings” or “origins”  Genesis is a name taken from the Greek, and signifies "the book of generation or production;" it is properly so called, as containing an account of the origin of all things. There is no other history so old. There is nothing in the most ancient book which exists that contradicts it; while many things recorded by the oldest heathen writers, or to be traced in the customs of different nations, confirm what is related in the book of Genesis. 
The Hebrew name for God used in Gen. 1 is ʾelōhîm.ʾ— Is the Hebrew name for God that links Him with creation. The root word is El which means "mighty, strong, and prominent".  This word is used in a plural in one sense yet singular in another. We see that all the members of the God head are addressed in this one word ʾelōhîm.  This form shows the plurality of the Godhead represented in one form or deity. When Paul say Christ is "the image of the invisible God" in Colossians 1:15 He made it clear that Jesus is God. In fact this statement means "an exact representation and revelation:. In addition Jesus Himself said, "if any man has seen Me, He has seen the Father" (John 14:9). It is only in Jesus and through Jesus that we can see the invisible God. Since no mere creature can reveal God, in fact Jesus must be God.
Christ existed before creation. (15).The term firstborn of all creation has nothing to do with time, rather it has everything to do with prominence, might, and strength. It fits the description of God in Genesis 1:1. Firstborn was a titled used to signify "first importance, or first rank". Just as Solomon was not born the first of David's sons, yet was called the firstborn. In the same way Christ is sovereign over all things. He was not created, 
Christ created all things (16). All things were created by him. 
John 1:1-5 In this passage John Says that the "Word" was in the beginning, was with God, and was God. The "Word" comes from the Greek word Logos. In This passage John echoes Genesis (Gen 1:1), but whereas Genesis refers to God's activity at the beginning of creation, here we learn of a being who existed before creation took place. In the beginning the Word already was. 
So we actually start before the beginning, outside of space and time in eternity. If we want to understand who Jesus is, John says, we must begin with the relationship shared between the Father and the Son "before the world began" (Jn 17:5, 24). This relationship is the central revelation of this Gospel and the key to understanding all that Jesus says and does. The first verse is very carefully constructed to refer to the personal distinctness yet the essential oneness of the Word with God. To be with God means the Word is distinct from him. The word with comes from the Greek word (pros) in a context like this is used to indicate personal relationship, not mere proximity (cf. Mk 6:3). But he also was God; that is, there is an identity of being between them. 

B. God is a creative designer who is actively involved in creation

In the beginning God...
This statement confounds the minds of many and refutes the arguments of many in one short sentence. Before anything ever was God was. This refutes the atheist who says there is no God; The agnostic who claim it is impossible to know God; The polytheist who worship many gods; the pantheist who claim that "all nature" is god; the materialist who claims that matter is eternal and not created the fatalist who teaches that there is no divine plan behind creation and history.
We do not need to prove God's existence. His existence is self evident, in that creation must have a creator. The burden of proof lies with those who accuse that He does not exist. it is much harder to prove something doesn't exist than to prove the existence of someone or thing.
God created heaven and earth.
In this chapter alone we see the clear personality of our Creator God. We can see His creativity, purpose, and design. He did not create mass of space gas and allow it to combust and create the marvelous galaxy we have today. Science disproves the theory of the Big Bang. If evolution is correct than why does Neptune spin backwards and on it's side. I feel God threw some things into creation to upset the plans of those who doubt.
Here is something interesting to note the complete working of God and his design. In this chapter of 31 verses we can see God working (ie speaking, seeing, naming, blessing, or creating) 31 times. Another point of interest, of all the things God creates he blessed man more than any other creation.

Back To The Basics: Study Of Genesis (INTRO)

Introduction

Each and everyone of us have at one point been curious about our family history. Some time ago I began looking into the history of my family. I’m not sure what it is about studying your family history that is so intriguing. Perhaps it’s the stories you learn, the place your family has gone, or the characters you discover. We all have a unique story, family history, and memories. Inside each of us I’m sure there is a desire to learn more about who we really are.




I remember the excitement I felt when I was able to trace my lineage back to the 1600s and laughed as I couldn’t pronounce the names of my relatives. It has long been an interest of mine to hear the many sides to the stories of the past. When I was a little boy I would sit on Father’s lap and beg him to tell me stories of his younger days. I enjoyed sifting through the black and whit photos of my grandparents looking at the people they were. Learning about the world that my ancestors grew up in was to me among the most fascinating discoveries. One day I sat in my great grandparents kitchen listing for hours as they told me their story of survival love and beginnings during the Great depression. 
Learning from history can be one of the most important ventures of our lives. Classical American Philosopher George Santayana once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” It is vital we learn from the failures, mistakes, and successes of those who have gone before us. To get a picture of where you are going, we ought to look at where we have been. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “there is nothing new under the sun… whatever has been shall be again… There is nothing new under the sun.” In other words we ought to examine the lives of those who have gone before us follow in the footsteps of those who began a great work and carry it out. On the other hand, we ought to take heed that our steps don’t fall to closely to those who have walked down a slippery slope of destruction. 
That is what this book is all about, learning from those who have gone before us. In a way the book of Genesis is the story of the generations of our family. It is the story of how it all began. There are stories of heartache, failures, successes, love, and faith all found in the pages of these great book. We read vivid descriptions of  the greatness and glory of our Creator. We read firsthand accounts of God’s concern, involvement, and creativity. In the first chapter God reveals to us his personality, creation, and plan for the new creation.