1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Apr May Jun 2009 Adult Bible Study Guide Apr May Jun 2009

2. Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says designed by claro ruiz vicente. For honest Christians, it is not necessary for anothers creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS. The Christian Life An Appeal

3. Reinder Bruinsma Contributor Principal Contributor Reinder Bruinsma Contributor Principal Contributor

4. The Christian Life Walking the Walk {180} The modern era, is an era in which logic, reason, and science have formed the foundation of all truth. According to this view, all reality can be reduced to formulas, to laws, and to scientific predictions. If it cant be explained through logic, reason, and science, it isnt real.

5. The Christian Life Walking the Walk {180} In recent years theres been a backlash against this thinking. People dont believe, and rightly so, that all reality can be explained in cold rationality alone. There is something about us that no formula, no test tube, no scientific law ever could capture.

6. The Christian Life Walking the Walk {180} This backlash has spilled over into all realms of life, including religion; however, as with most reactions, it has in some cases gone too far, even to the point of pushing aside or ignoring the concept of doctrinal truth. Whats important, were told, isnt teachings or doctrine but experience. What does your faith do for you nowthats what matters.

7. The Christian Life Walking the Walk {181} Truth is not just knowledge of doctrines and texts but something that influences the believer on a personal level. There is a practical, life changing aspect of our religion that never should be denied or denigrated. At the same time, the role of experience never should take away from the importance of correct biblical teaching.

8. The Christian Life Contents 1. Love 2. Faith 3. Hope 4. Life 5. Revelation 6. Sin 7. Grace 8. Rest 9. Heaven 10. Discipleship 11. Stewardship 12. Community 13. Mission

9. The Christian Life Our Goal {181} We want to look at both aspects of our faith: doctrine and experience. Not only to understand these themes better but also to have been enriched as far as Christian experience is concerned. One focus: the One in whom we live, and move, and have our being.

10. The Christian Life Lesson 1, April 4 The Christian Life Lesson 1, April 4

11. Love Key Text 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

12. Love Initial Words {183} God is Love. Whatever else God is, and whatever He has done, is doing, and will do everything is a manifestation of His love. This love is as comforting as it is difficult to comprehend. Gods love far exceeds what human beings usually label as love, which is sometimes a mere shallow feeling. God does not just have love. He is love.

13. Love Quick Look 1. Needing Love (Genesis 1:26, 27) 2. Experiencing Love (1 John 3:1-3) 3. Reflecting Love (Matthew 22:37-40)

14. Genesis 1:26, 27 NIV Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Love 1. Needing Love

15. Lovethe Fabric of Life {184} Life without love is a subhuman kind of existence. There is a built-in need in us to receive love. We need the love of parents, of family and friends. But just as much as we need to receive love, we also need to give love. True love does not begin with us. This capacity is created in us by our creator.

16. 1.Needing Love Lovethe Fabric of Life {184} Gods love always precedes our love. This point is crucial. True love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found. We love Him, because He first loved us.Acts of the Apostles 551.

17. Love 2. Experiencing Love 1 John 3:1-3 NIV How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

18. 2. Experiencing Love The Old Testament God {186} Gods love is eternal. The words to His OT people apply to all times: I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3 NIV). Gods love in creation (Gen 1:26-31, 2:21- 25). Providing solution for sin (Gen 3:15, 22:8). The gift of the Sabbath (Exod 31:12-17). The continuous gift of prophecy (Amos 3:7).

19. 2. Experiencing Love The New Testament God {188} Gods gift of His Son (John 3:16). The Sons giving of Himself (Phil 2:5-8). The Gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-18). The availability of spiritual gifts (Eph 4:11- 13). The certainty of salvation (1 John 3:1-3). An eternal future in an environment of love (2 Pet 3:13).

20. Matthew 22:37-40 NIV Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. … Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Love 3. Reflecting Love

21. A Response of Love {190} If we truly have been converted and become disciples of the Lord, the principle of love will reign in our lives. Whatever our weaknesses, we will steadily grow in our love for God and for our fellow human beings. In a very real sense conversion is reorientationa shift away from the love of self to the love of God and others.

22. 3. Reflecting Love Love Personified {192} Jesus Christ is our ultimate Role Model. If we wonder what our love should be like, we need to look only at our Savior. In Him we see the perfect example. The love of Christ compels us, (2 Cor 5:14). When we grasp something of the magnitude of Christs love, it will create a loving response, and this will give us the intense desire to share that love to others.

23. Love Final Words {191} In John 13:34, 35 Jesus states: A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all man will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (NIV). The fulfillment of this directive was to be the defining characteristic of the church.