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 another’s 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 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

5. 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.”

6. The Christian Life Lesson 3, April 18 The Christian Life Lesson 3, April 18

7. HOPE Key Text 1 Peter 3:15 NIV “Always be prepared to give the answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.”

8. HOPE Initial Words {209} As followers of Christ we can have hope even amid a world that in and of itself offers none. And that’s because this hope is not based on ourselves or on anything we or the world can offer. This hope is based solely on Jesus and His promises to us.

9. HOPE Quick Look 1. Origin of Hope (1 Corinthians 15:16- 19) 2. Affirming Hope (Luke 21:26-28) 3. Embodying Hope (Psalm 31:24)

10. HOPE 1. Origin of Hope 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 NIV “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”

11. 1.Origin of Hope Hope Beyond the Grave {214} The hope of resurrection is an essential component of our total faith experience. If there is no resurrection, our faith is empty. It is based on the fact that Christ has conquered death. As a result, the death of the believer is but a temporary “sleep” from which he or she will be raised and given eternal life.

12. 1.Origin of Hope Eternal Hope {216} Eternal life is not simply a continuation of our present life. Eternal life has an altogether different quality. We can learn from Jesus’ own resurrection. He rose with a “glorified” body that could no longer be subject to the laws of nature in the way our present bodies are. Yet, He was the same Person, recognizable by His outward appearance.

13. HOPE 2. Affirming Hope Luke 21:26-28 NIV “Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world…. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

14. 2. Affirming Hope Hope Amid Our World {210} “Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. God’s people should be preparing for what is to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.” Child Guidance 555.

15. 2. Affirming Hope Hope Amid Our World {210} Ours is a world of war, corruption, greed, and terror. But whatever happens, we have hope through Jesus. There may be anguish among nations. People may even faint from terror, but this will not be the case for those who have been expecting their Lord. These things should only confirm for us the truth of God’s word.

16. Psalm 31:24 NIV “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the L ORD.” HOPE 3. Embodying Hope

17. Hope—Here and Now {212} The Christian Hope has to do with the future: Christ’s return; the resurrection of God’s people; a new heaven and a new earth; eternity with God. But salvation is also a present reality. That kind of hope separates us from those without the certainty that life has meaning and that in Christ humanity has an eternal future.

18. 3. Embodying Hope Hope—Here and Now {212} The apostle Paul reminds us of the radical change that takes place when we accept Jesus as our Lord. As long as we are separated from Christ, we are “without hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12 NIV). But all this changes when we are no longer “far away” from God but have been “brought near through the blood of Christ” (vs. 13 NIV).

19. HOPE Final Words {218} Manifold are the promises that He will come a second time. He said so Himself: “ ‘I will come back!’ ” On the final page of the Bible this promise is repeated: “ ‘Yes, I am coming soon’ ” (Rev 22:20 NIV). It is “the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NIV).