STUDY #7: YOUR NEW REASON FOR LIVING (PART B)

AIM: To share further insights in how to live life to the full in a hostile world.

MEMORY VERSE 10: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt.28:18-20).

A New Way to Live Life to the Full:

1. LOVE GOD AND OTHERS: When asked about the most crucial commandment – Jesus replied: ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Mt.22:37-40).

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples if you love one another (Jn.13:34-35).

 QUESTION:

What qualities should characterize your new relationship with God and with others?

2. COMMIT YOURSELF TO THE GREAT COMMISSION: ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mt.28:18-20).

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

QUESTION:

What has Jesus called us to do?

Why is church attendance alone an inadequate response to the call of the Lord Jesus?

What resources do you have to respond to His call?

3. BEAR YOUR CROSS AND DENY YOURSELF: ²³ Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me (Lk.9:23).

 QUESTION:

What is a disciple called to do?  What might a cross look like today for followers of Jesus?

4. LOOK FOR CHRIST’S RETURN: ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. ¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Pet.3:9-13).

After Jesus taught about the End times, He warned His followers – ³⁴ “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with indulgence and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man (Lk.21:34-36).

QUESTION:

How should we live in the light of Christ’s promise of His coming again?

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Titus 2:11-14 …