March 2010 Archives
Taking Worship Home (Wednesday 03/31)
Introduction: Read John 4:43-54.
Meditation: Read Luke 4:14-30.
1. How is this passage similar to John 4:43-54? How is it different?
2. Although the people marvelled at Jesus’ teaching, what were they expecting from him? How did they miss the point of Jesus’ signs?
3. Why are they offended by Jesus? How does their offense reveal their true hearts?
4. Do you marvel at Jesus’ gracious words and promises only to be offended when he doesn’t deliver “signs” for you? What things in your life run the risk of causing you to become bitter toward Christ?
5. As you pray today, remember that Christ offers you himself. As you suffer and struggle, he has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. He may not take away your struggles, but he does use them for your good and his glory.
Taking Worship Home (Tuesday 03/30)
Introduction: Read John 4:43-54. The people of Galilee received Jesus because of the signs he performed. Yet Jesus considers their reception a dishonorable one.
Meditation: Read Matthew 12:38-42.
1. The scribes and pharisees wanted to see a sign from Jesus to confirm his word. What sign does he offer?
2. Why will the people of Ninevah and the queen of the South rise up in judgment on “this generation?”
3. We often desire Jesus to show us a sign that proves we can trust him. What sign does he offer us? Is there anything greater he can do?
4. How does the cross encourage us when we face difficult circumstances that cause us to doubt Jesus? Do you believe Jesus? Why or why not?
5. Pray that God would enable you to believe Jesus without the demand for a sign. Remember that he has already done more than enough in his death and resurrection to convince us of his person and work.
Taking Worship Home (Monday 03/29)
Introduction: Read John 4:43-54.
Meditation: Read Matthew 13:53-58.
1. What is the nature of the dishonor shown Jesus here? How is this different than that of John 4:43-54? How do both responses threaten to miss Jesus?
2. What things about Jesus do you find offensive? How does Jesus get in the way of your plans for your life?
3. As with the Samaritan woman, Jesus was relentless in his grace toward the official of John 4. He refused to simply be used as a means to an end. How has Christ been relentless in showing you himself? Are you thankful? Why or why not?
4. Pray that Jesus would get in your way this week. Thank God that he doesn’t leave you to your own plans, but works his plan in your life.
Taking Worship Home (Friday 03/26)
Introduction: Read John 4:27-42. The encounter of the Samaritan woman with Jesus anticipates the book of Acts in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Meditation: Read Acts 1:6-11.
1. What was the content of the Samaritan woman’s witness? Did she focus her witness how Jesus had transformed her or on his own actions? What finally made the people believe (Jn. 4:42)?
2. The disciples were told that they would share in reaping the harvest. In the book of Acts, we see this come to full expression. What do the disciples need to equip them to be adequate witnesses (Acts 1:8)? What is the content of their witness? How is it different from the kind of “witnessing” that often goes on today?
3. How have you been confronted by God with everything you’ve ever done? What has your response been—despair or hope? Why or why not? Do you believe Jesus when he offers himself to you? Why or why not?
4. Remember that effective witness is that which points to the saving work of Jesus. We too often make ourselves the main content of our witness (what Christ has done in us in sanctification) instead of the objective work he has done for sinners outside of themselves.
5. Pray that God would give you a heart to believe the good news of what Christ has done. Enjoy the fact that he died and rose for you, knowing full well everything you ever did.
Taking Worship Home (Thursday 03/25)
Introduction: Read John 4:7-14. The Samaritan woman did not understand who Jesus was or what he had to offer. While she wanted water, he offered life itself.
Meditation: Read Psalm 143.
1. Why does the Psalmist thirst for God?
2. The Psalmist recognizes his own unrigtheousness (v.2) and is plagued by enemies. Do you feel the weight of your own sin? Do you feel the desperation of being hunted by the enemy who seeks your destruction (1 Peter 5:8)?
3. What is the basis for the Psalmist’s plea for help? What is the basis for our plea?
4. One difference between the Samaritan woman and the Psalmist is that she doesn’t make a plea to answer her greatest need. What does Jesus’s persistence teach us about God—does he wait for us to make the proper plea before coming to rescue us? In fact, if God does not pursue us, we won’t even see our need of rescue. How does this encourage you?
5. Pray that God would deliver you from yourself and your great enemy. Live today with the realization that God is not only eager, but takes the initiative in rescuing his people.
Taking Worship Home (Wednesday 03/24)
Introduction: Read John 4:16-26. The Samaritan woman’s central problem is worship. It turns out that she is not alone. True worship is the central problem for all of us.
Meditation: Read Jeremiah 2:4-13.
1. What is God’s charge against his people? How is their sin worse than the nations?
2. God uses the image of broken cisterns to describe our efforts at replacing him with our own idols. What does this say about self-made religion? Why is thirst an appropriate image of this condition?
3. Even though we try to mix true worship with our own idolatry, God says that self-made religion is a forsaking of him. When we confuse law and gospel, what are the implications?
4. How does God show his faithfulness even when forsaken by his own people (see John)? How does Christ’s offer of himself for sinners encourage you when you are overwhelmed with your own lack of faithfulness?
5. Pray that God would enable you to understand his faithfulness to you. Remember, he has replaced your broken cisterns with his precious Son.
Taking Worship Home (Tuesday 03/23)
Introduction: Read John 4:1-30. It is important to remember that eternal life is not just a life that goes on forever—rather it refers to quality of life.
Meditation: Read Isaiah 12.
1. How is this passage fulfilled in Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan worman?
2. The woman would be satisfied with water that would help her sustain this life. How does Jesus show her that the water he offers is of a better quality (see vv. 16-18)?
3. Do you ever consider the promises of God as applying only to this life? Would you be satisfied if eternal life were just an extension of this life? Why or why not?
4. Pray that God would help you to see that he has promised much more than the continuation of this fallen world. In Christ, we have a well of true living water that nourishes our souls and allows us to know the Father savingly.
Taking Worship Home (Monday 03/22)
Introduction: Read John 4:1-10. The Samaritan heresy has a long history.
Meditation: Read 2 Kings 17:24-41.
1. How did the “Samaritans” come into being?
2. The Samaritans worshipped God, but refused to throw their other gods away. What are the idols of your heart that compete with God for your attention? What things in your life steal your loyalty away from God?
3. How important is passing on true worship from generation to generation? Those of you who have children, how are you reinforcing true worship at home?
4. The Samaritan woman comes from a long line of idolaters who “fear the Lord” even as they serve their idols. Why is it so surprising that Jesus would take time for this woman? What does this say about the grace offered in the gospel? How is that encouraging for you and me?
5. Do you doubt your salvation because you can’t seem to shed all your idols? Pray that God would give you faith to look to Christ and receive the grace offered in the gospel. Remember, he knows everything you’ve ever done and yet offers you living water.
Taking Worship Home (Saturday 03/20)
Meditation: Read John 1-3. Let’s review what has been covered so far.
1. What do these chapters teach us about Christ?
2. What do these chapters teach us about mankind?
3. How have these passages encouraged you? How have they challenged you?
4. In preparation for public worship, pray that God would center your hopes and expectations on Christ. Thank God that he calls his people to worship and praise him for promising to meet us through his means of grace.
Taking Worship Home (Friday 03/19)
Introduction: Read John 3:22-36. John’s disciples were in danger of missing the big picture. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ in preaching repentance and warning of God’s wrath. Christ alone is the lamb of God who can deal with God’s wrath. Meditation: Read Revelation 6:12-17. 1. We now live in a time of grace as the gospel goes out to the nations. When the day of wrath comes, how terrible will it be? 2. Does it surprise you that the wrath of final judgment is the wrath of the lamb? Why or why not? Sometimes we can mistakenly picture the Father as the one who is full of wrath, while the Son steps in to protect us (almost implying that they work against each other). How does this passage correct this misunderstanding? 3. People often try to serve God while avoiding Christ (by keeping the law, replacing Christ with a great teacher or preacher, etc.). What are some of the ways people do this? Why is it impossible to serve God while avoiding Christ? How does this shed light on John the Baptist’s attitude toward Christ? 4. Do you try to avoid Christ in your dealings with God? In what ways? 5. Pray that God would make Christ central to your life. As you sit under the means of grace each week, look to Christ alone as the fulfillment of all God’s dealings with his people.
Taking Worship Home (Thursday 03/18)
Introduction: Read John 3:22-36.
Meditation: Read Romans 6:1-14.
1. What is the difference between the baptisms of John and Jesus?
2. How is our baptism in Christ a source of hope? What promises are communicated in our baptism?
3. How does our baptism help us fight against sin? How does baptism encourage us when we have sinned?
4. Pray that God would remind you of your baptism and the promises communicated through it. Remember that you are united to Christ in his death and resurrection—so there is hope even as you struggle with sin in this life.
Taking Worship Home (Wednesday 03/17)
Introduction: Read John 3:22-36. This passage is very much about how Christ fits into the big picture.
Meditation: Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-22.
1. Paul is defending his change of plans with respect to visiting the Corinthian Church. Why is such a defense necessary?
2. Paul wants to reassure the Corinthians that his change of plans is not a reflection of a change in his gospel. How does he defend the gospel?
3. All the promises of God find their yes in Christ (v. 20). What effect does this have on Paul? What effect did it have on John the Baptist? How did it provide confidence for both?
4. Do you see Christ as God’s “yes”? Is he the center of your hope and confidence even as circumstances change around you? What things in your life threaten to shake this confidence?
5. Repent of your doubts concerning Christ. Pray that God would give you confidence in his promises. Look to the death and resurrection of Christ to see just how much God’s good will extends to you—even in the midst of your doubts.
Taking Worship Home (Tuesday 03/16)
Introduction: Read John 3:22-36. Jesus is from heaven and testifies of heavenly things.
Meditation: Read Hebrews 1.
1. What qualifies Jesus to speak for God? How is he superior to all other angels (messengers)?
2. How does Hebrews 1 help explain John the Baptist’s complete joy in the rise of Jesus’s ministry?
3. Do you believe Hebrews 1? What parts are difficult for you to believe? If you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, what are the implications for receiving his testimony?
4. How does your unbelief manifest itself? What circumstances of life challenge your faith in the promises of Christ?
5. Pray that God would overcome your doubts. Challenge your unbelief and look to the promises of Christ to strengthen your faith.
Taking Worship Home (Monday 03/15)
Introduction: Read John 3:22-36.
Meditation: Read Isaiah 62:1-5.
1. In light of Isaiah 62:1-5, what is John the Baptist saying about Jesus? Why is he willing to become less?
2. What does God promise to do to and for his bride? How does Jesus fulfill this promise?
3. God delights in his peole because of Jesus. Do you have a difficult time accepting this fact? Why or why not? How does the righteousness you receive from Christ allow you to enjoy God’s presence?
4. Rejoice that God delights in you! Rejoice that you are united to Christ and cared for as his bride! Pray that God would help you to receive the benefits of Christ by faith.
Taking Worship Home (Saturday 03/13)
Introduction: Read John 3:16-21. Everything with respect to God hinges upon Jesus Christ.
Meditation: Read 1 John 5:6-12.
1. Where does the testimony concerning Christ come from? What does it consist of?
2. What is the result of this testimony?
3. Is it possible to remain neutral concerning Christ? Why or why not?
4. How does this passage compare to John 3:16-21? What ways do you try to bypass Christ in dealing with God? What does this lead to?
5. Pray that God would apply all Christ’s benefits to you. Pray that he would grant you a desire to cling to Christ as your only hope of life.
Taking Worship Home (Friday 03/12)
Introduction: Read John 3:16-21. Our lives may be lived in the light because God has loved us in Christ and given us faith in him.
Meditation: Read Galatians 2:15-21.
1. How are both Jews and Gentiles justified? What does Paul not want to “rebuild”? Why not?
2. Why does Paul have a new life? What is the source of this new life? What does this life have to do with John 3:16-21?
3. Do you see yourself as having died with Christ so that the life you now live is “new”? Why or why not? In what ways do you try to live as if Christ never died for you? How should you deal with this?
4. Repent of trying to live as if Christ never died. Pray that God would again remind you of his love for you and show you the life you have in Christ. Thank God for his great mercy and rest in the promises of the gospel.
Taking Worship Home (Thursday 03/11)
Introduction: Read John 3:16-21. All God’s actions toward those he redeems are done in love.
Meditation: Read Ephesians 1:3-14.
1. We are predestined in love and in Christ. What does this say about God’s plan of redemption? When did he “begin” to love sinners?
2. What blessings do we receive because God loves us? At what cost to himself?
3. How does it encourage you to think of God’s planning and accomplishment of your salvation? Have you been overwhelmed by the gracious love of God—or is it still too good to be true?
4. Pray that God would grant you grace to understand his great love for you. As you struggle to live as his child, remember that he has done everything necessary for your salvation!
Taking Worship Home (Wednesday 03/10)
Introduction: Read John 3:16-21. Christ’s saving benefits are received by faith (belief). Without faith we stand condemned.
Meditation: Read Romans 10:5-21.
1. Paul makes a point that the righteousness that comes by faith does not come through the effort of the one who seeks it. Where do we find this righteousness (v. 8)?
2. How are we able to call upon the Lord? What means does God use to created faith? How does this affect your view of public worship?
3. Do you ever try to force your way to belief? Are you exhausted from trying to create what only God can create through his word? What makes belief difficult for you? How can you deal with these difficulties?
4. Pray that God would give you ears to hear and eyes to see what he has promised you in Christ. Pray that he would grant you belief in his Son.
Taking Worship Home (Tuesday 03/09)
Introduction: Read John 3:16-21. It is difficult to understand the love God has for us. It is not natural to us.
Meditation: Read Romans 5:1-11.
1. What is the source of our peace with God?
2. How do we have access to grace?
3. What enables us to rejoice in the midst of our sufferings?
4. How profound is the idea that Christ would die for sinners? What does his death accomplish?
5. How should the fact that you have peace with God affect you? Does it affect you? Why or why not? Are you still trying to earn his favor?
6. Pray that God would enable you to understand his love for you in Christ. Pray that he would grant you the faith necessary to receive and rest in Christ.
Taking Worship Home (Monday 03/08)
Introduction: Read John 3:16-21. Everything hinges upon one’s relationship to Christ. One stands or falls based on whether they are in Christ or have fled to the darkness.
Meditation: Read 1 John 3:11-24.
1. How is this passage similar to John 3:16-21? How does God’s love change us?
2. What is the “commandment” we all must keep? How do we keep it?
3. When we fail to love properly, how does God encourage our hearts?
4. Have you considered God’s love for you? Does it affect your attitude toward others? What should you do if you find that you are failing to love as you ought?
5. Pray that God’s love for you in Christ would change your heart. Thank him for caring for you and rest in the death and resurrection of Christ.
Taking Worship Home (Saturday 03/06)
Introduction: Read John 2:23-3:15. Man’s inability to see God’s kingdom requires the sovereign mercy of God to be overcome.
Meditation: Read Romans 4:13-25.
1. Why does God give us promises? Why doesn’t he leave us with the law?
2. Why could Abraham look to God’s promises in hope even though he was as good as dead? How does this fit with being born again?
3. How does Christ’s death and resurrection serve as support for our faith and hope in God’s promises?
4. Are you confident in God’s promises? What promises do you doubt? What is the source of these doubts? How can they be overcome?
5. Pray that God would convince you of his ability and goodwill toward you. Look to the promises of the gospel and know that God spares no expense to come to the rescue of his people—even those who are as good as dead!
Taking Worship Home (Friday 03/05)
Introduction: Read John 2:23-3:15. Review the contrast between flesh and Spirit.
Meditation: Read Romans 8:1-11.
1. How does Paul contrast flesh with Spirit? How does this parallel John 3:1-15?
2. Keep in mind that flesh refers to this fallen existence. Why is it impossible to please God in the flesh?
3. What is the relationship between God’s law and the flesh?
4. What does the Spirit provide for those who belong to Christ? What are the consequences?
5. How are you trying to relate to God—flesh or Spirit? Are you relying on your own self righteous deeds or the righteousness of Christ?
6. Be thankful that you belong to Christ! Repent of your continued reliance on the flesh to try to live the Christian life. Look to the gospel again and again to receive grace by the Holy Spirit.
Taking Worship Home (Thursday 03/04)
Introduction: Read John 2:23-3:15. To see the kingdom of God, one must be born of water and the Spirit.
Meditation: Read Ezekiel 36:22-38.
1. Why does God bother with sinners?
2. What does God do with water and his Spirit in order to redeem his people?
3. Why are God’s people unable to honor him properly? How will God deal with this?
4. How does this passage serve to clarify Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus?
5. What is your only hope to be right with God?
6. Pray that God would continue to destroy your heardness of heart with his gospel. Thank him for working and pray that his holiness would be vindicated as he applies the benefits of Christ to his people.
Taking Worship Home (Wednesday 03/03))
Introduction: Read John 2:23-3:13. In verse 6, Jesus contrasts being born of flesh and being born of the Spirit. The flesh, though good in creation, has been corrupted by the mankind’s fall into sin.
Meditation: Read 1 Corinthians 15:42-58.
1. Why can flesh and blood not inherit the kingdom of God?
2. What is the difference between seeing the Kingdom (in John) and inheriting the Kingdom (in 1 Corinthians)?
3. Paul speaks of our resurrection as our actual entering into final victory over sin and death. Where do we see this victory now? How does this give us hope?
4. Pray that God would enable you to see the Kingdom established by Christ and your place in it. Remember that now we see it from afar, but Christ now prepares a home for us when we arrive upon our resurrection!
Taking Worship Home (Tuesday 03/02)
Introduction: Read John 2:23-3:13. We have already seen what is in man. Because we are corrupt, we must be born again of the Spirit.
Meditation: Read Luke 1:26-38.
1. How was Christ born? In light of John 3, how is his birth fitting?
2. In Luke, the birth of Jesus by the Spirit is tied to his being called the Son of God. For him, this is a title he had from eternity. Being born again of the Spirit makes us children of God. Why? How can this be?
3. Do you see your life tied up with Christ’s? What are the implications for how you live now? Being united to Christ in death and resurrection can be scary and exhilerating at the same time. Why is this?
4. Pray that God would help you understand the depths of his love for you in uniting you with his Son.
Taking Worship Home (Monday 03/01)
Introduction: Read John 2:23-3:13. Jesus new what was in man and it was not pretty.
Meditation: Read Romans 3:9-20.
Paul quotes a series of Old Testament text in his indictment of mankind. What is in man? What do you think it was like for Jesus to live among sinners who pretended to be righteous?
What caused Nicodemus to miss his own sin and need of salvation outside himself? How do you try to cover up what is in you? How do you make yourself look better than you really are?
Paul concludes that the law will justify no one because of what is in them. How does Jesus affirm this in his description of the new birth? If we are to be born from above, what is it going to take?
Be thankful that God has given you new life in Christ. Pray that he would show you the ways that you try to still stand on your own righteousness and repent. Thank him for the work he continues to do in putting to death your old self-reliant self. Be encouraged as you consider that God has not left you to your self.