Bible Talk
Topic: Doctrine
Lesson: Excellence Through Consistency
By: Brice Williams
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Opening Question: What is your name & one thing you are grateful for that is consistent in this world?
—————————> [Besides God]
Preface: Tim Kernan’s book 20/20 covering convictions that every person in the kingdom of God should have discussed “victory through excellence.” Today, I want to speak on excellence through consistency.
Verse#1: Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
- Q1: What is something people have to stay consistent at for a long time to make work?
- Q2: Why do you think God doesn’t just snap his fingers and gives us the things he asks for?
- Q3: What is a prayer you have on your heart that is impossible unless God steps in and grants it based on your faith?
Verse#2: Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
- Q1: How did Jesus react to the anxiety of knowing what was ahead?
- Q2: For what and why was Jesus praying?
- Q3: What would’ve happened had Jesus not been consistent?
Verse #3: 1 John 2:3-6
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does NOT do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever CLAIMS to live in Him MUST live as Jesus did.
- ἐντολή : entolē : en-to-lā’ : en-tol-ay’ : an order, command, charge or precep.
- Q1: So, what things on this list [ Have a 10 commandments poster ready ] do you notice society struggles with?
- Q2: What do you struggle with overcoming?
- Q3: How can we truly overcome these things?
Closing Thoughts and Scripture:
Had the desperate widow gave up in the face of adversity, she would’ve never saw justice. Had Jesus given in to his anxiety in the Garden, we’d never have a savior. Similar to these two people, if we fail to obey the word of that savior, we will fail to truly be IN HIM. Jeremiah 29 teaches that only those who have sought God with their whole heart have found Him. In my religious pride, I deceived myself thinking I had a relationship with God. I led a Bible talk group (like this) for 6 years as an unsaved religious guy. It wasn’t until I was challenged to live like Jesus lived did I see that I wasn’t right with God yet. In that moment, I humbled out and went after God with my whole heart. Only then will your impossible prayers be answered. Only then will God reveal his Glory to you. Only then will God’s true purpose for your life be revealed to you. Whether you are brand new to this group, already studying the Bible with us, or are a regular member, please get together this week and study the Word as a family so we can live our lives as Jesus did (as a family).
And That’s Bible talk……