Bible Study Intensive

Paul took the last 2 chapters to present the rebuttal that God is not faithless, His plans have not failed. In Chapter 9 Paul told us that all God’s elect to be saved will be saved and that not all Israel would be saved. Some Gentiles would be saved. The failure of the Jews to believe was their own fault. What’s next?

Last week we talked about God’s Sovereignty. Many interesting questions for us to wrestle and dig to find answers. Paul is going to continue to challenge us this week in Chapter 10, and we see his grieving heart.

We were on a high mountain top of scriptural truth. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. It is much needed victory cry in a world where people act as if life has defeated them. The world is full of negativity. The Christian view is positive. One resource said, "We see God at the beginning of history (large and in charge), Jesus on the cross at the center of history (giving it meaning), an...

Week 9 and 10: My ESV Study Bible titles this "life in the Spirit". My English Standard titles it "The power of Sanctification: the question of living." Holman Christian Standard is "Life-Giving Spirit". These 39 verses begin with 'no condemnation' and end with 'no separation'. Does it get any better than this?

My ESV Study Bible titles this "life in the Spirit". My English Standard titles it "The power of Sanctification: the question of living." Holman Christian Standard is "Life-Giving Spirit". These 39 verses begin with 'no condemnation' and end with 'no separation'. Does it get any better than this?

This is one of the best known chapters in the Word of God. Last week, Paul answered those Christians who thought because they were under God's grace, they could live as they please. (License). In this chapter, he is going to talk to the opposite group who say, "We must live under the law if we are to pleas god." (Legalism). Oh boy! This chapter hits me where I live!

I thought more than once about the statement, "You cannot help 'being in Adam' for this came by your first birth over which you had no control. But you can help staying 'in Adam', for you can experience a second birth--a new birth above above--that will put you in Christ."

After finishing last week's lesson, I was very thankful for a God who provides all I need to be righteous in His presence. Paul starts this next chapter in all of my Bible translations with the word "therefore". The last words in chapter 4 are "our justification". He will use chapter 5 to explain what those words mean.

Paul left us at the end of the last chapter with the knowledge that we are all in the same boat. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That truth leaves little room for pride and bragging. Paul has stated his case--now he is going to prove his case using the Old Testament.

Last week we discovered how revolutionary Paul’s teaching was to the Jewish Christians. Their confidence had been in their lineage, sign of circumcision, and obedience to the Law. He blew all their perceived ideas of their right standing before God right out of the water. Only someone guided by the Holy Spirit does this.

Salvation has 3 facets. Allowing us freedom from the penalties of past sins. In the present salvation from the power of sin in daily life. And in the future salvation in heaven from the actual presence of sin. This salvation comes to anyone who believes in the gospel of Christ and what He did on the cross.

A week ago we learned a bit about Paul, the author of this book. He was raised a Jew, full of knowledge and zeal for God. That zeal birth in him a hatred for the believers in Jesus, and it caused him to set out with murderous intentions toward the followers of the Way. Then Jesus got ahold of him, and wouldn’t let go.

The disciples in vs. 29 say they realize Jesus is speaking to them plainly, not in proverbs. By verse 32 they say they know He is from God.

Go back to the answer on last week's question 13--that is our jumping off point. Read verses 15:1-17.

We were able to witness a very precious scene last week. Jesus' hour had come. We are in the upper room.

We ended last week with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Psalm 118:25-26 predicted this entry. The people hoped this king would end the Roman rule. It looked like the world was following Jesus.

As we left our story last week, we sense that the disciples are about to hear and experience a reality that they had not encountered before: Jesus had reference Daylight (symbolizing the knowledge of God's will and reliance on His guidance) and Night (absence of knowledge combined with self-reliance). Jesus is in Daylight.

We found out last week that Christ had come to be a shepherd for God's people. The role of the shepherd, according to Psalm 23, was to make the sheep lie down in green pastures, to lead them beside quiet waters, to restore their souls, and to guide them in paths of righteousness. Christ as the Good Shepherd was Himself the way to receive these blessings.

Last week, we saw Jesus claim to the the light of the world. The reaction to this statement from the Jews is that they pick up stones to try and kill him. It is all together fitting that the next encounter Jesus has with a broken man demonstrates the truth of His identity.

Last week we saw Jesus escaping a difficult situation with the Pharisees and in the process He redeemed a woman. Does it get any better than seeing that happen? He is in the business of doing that for us.

Some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have John 7:53-8:11. However, references by the church fathers to this event can be traced back to AD 100, which gives us validity to include it in our study. There is some debate about the exact time this took place in the ministry of Jesus.

This next section is important in regard to understanding what Jesus is proclaiming to the people. Jesus is talking about fulfilling their request for more bread in a very unique way, for a specific time and in eternity.

As we left Jesus last week He had made some very strong claims. No man ever made these claims before. According to the law of Moses for such a claim to be proved true there had to be two witnesses. (Deut.17:6)

We saw Jesus meet the woman at the well just as she was, with no judgement or prejudice. She opened her life to Jesus and then she opens the eyes of the townspeople and brings them to Jesus.