gospel project unit 3 session12 personal study guide 11/24/2013

8/13/2019 Gospel Project Unit 3 Session12 Personal Study Guide 11/24/2013

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FALL 2013: Personal Study GuideEd StetzerGeneral EditorTrevin WaxManaging Editor

TM


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2 TGP Personal Study Guide

THE GOSPEL PROJECT FOR STUDENTSPERSONAL STUDY GUIDE, FALL 2013

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1

PRODUCTION AND MINISTRY TEAM

VICE PRESIDENT, CHURCH RESOURCES: Eric Geiger

GENERAL EDITOR: Ed Stetzer

MANAGING EDITOR: Trevin Wax

CONTENT EDITOR: Andy McLean

DIRECTOR, STUDENT MINISTRY PUBLISHING: Jeff Pratt

DIRECTOR, STUDENT MINISTRY: Ben Trueblood

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One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0174, Or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com

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The Gospel Project: Personal Study Guide,

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Photos: iStockphoto and Getty Images


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SESSION 12

FOREVER TRUSTING

There are only a few things you can be certain of. One of

those things is that people will let you down. No matter who

they are or what your relationship with them is, at some

point they will fail you. Youre probably working through

something right now because someone let you down.

Fortunately, there is one who will never let us down. There is one we can

always trust.

This week, we will consider the related doctrines of perseverance

and assurance. As we do so, we will see three things. First, we can trust

that God will absolutely never abandon us. Second, we demonstrate

our trust in God through our endurance. Lastly, we are called to pursue

holiness as we trust in Gods promises and engage in His mission.

Trusting in God is not something that marks only the moment of

conversion. It is to be the defining mark of our entire Christian life.


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READY YOUR HEART

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Psalm 94:14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;

WERE MOVING to Shreveport, Louisiana. In the very moment that those words weresaid, all trust in my parents went straight out the door, along with my obedience to

Gods mandate for me to respect them (or at least for the next few months it did). Therewas no way God was leading us away from the city and friends I absolutely loved. Whywould my parents say that? How could I trust them (even though they had given me

every reason too)? How dare they move me away from my friends to a place where weknew absolutely no one? I was angry to say the least. I felt like my parents abandoned

me as I walked through the doors of my new school. I was terrified and alone. The firstgirl I introduced myself to told me that she already had enough friends. True story. It was

in those first few weeks in Shreveport that I realized that God was the only One whowould never let me down or leave me. He was the One to hold on to and trust.

Now that I am older (still living in Shreveporthappily now) I realize my parents

decision was not based on anything I originally thought. It was a wise decision, and Ihad no reason to not trust them and their decision-making skills. I am actually forevergrateful that they moved me here. Part of that reason is because, just as I learned

walking through the halls of Youree Drive Middle School during the early days of my 7thgrade year that God is completely trustworthy and dependable, I have learned later in

life that He is still the unchangeable, immoveable, and all-powerful God who loves me.Though I might not be able to understand the why of some things He does or leads me

to, just like I couldnt when my parents moved me, I can still trust Him. You can too. He

has not ever, not even for a moment, let me down. He is always faithful.

WERE MOVING

PAUSE AND REFLECT Write down any stories and situations in which you

remember God having been faithful to you personally. What areas of your life do you not completely trust Him? Ifyou are not going to trust Him, whom are you going to trust?

What is the danger in trusting in self or something otherthan God?


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READY YOUR HEART

Hebrews 3:14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our originalconfidence firm to the end.

YOU ARE SITTING in the auditorium in an assembly the whole school is attending.During the presentation, the speaker, who happens to be one of your teachers, calls

you to the stage. You think to yourself, Am I in trouble? You climb on stage and yourteacher asks you to stand on a desk. At that point, your teacher puts a blindfold on you,

and asks, Do you trust me? You have known him for sometime, you admit that he is atrustworthy person, and that he is always looking out for the good of students. So aftershort pause, you respond by saying, Uh, sure. He then says the most ridiculous thing,

Then fall back. Why is this so absurd? You can clearly hear the teacher telling you to

fall back and his voice is in FRONT of you. He reminds you that you said that you trusthim, and tells you again to fall back. Do you do it? Unknowingly to you, members of theaudience are standing directly behind you ready to catch you. I have heard many voicetheir trust, but have seen very few people actually fall.

Is that an accurate representation of your life with Christ? You voice yourcompanionship and loyalty to Him until things get hard or uncertain, until He asks

you to do something that makes you uncomfortable. Are your words simply falseproclamations or do you follow through in obedience? Know that disobedience can

simply be delaying what God has told you to do. It does not matter what it costs us or ifit even makes sense. I have found in my own life most of the time that Gods directionsimply does not make sense to me in the moment. The world and Satan whisper, Hes

in front, go forward. I must decide. Do I trust Him? It is not enough just to proclaim it. Imust be obedient, every time, until the end of my time. I must persevere, take the action,

follow through, and fall back. One thing I know: He is faithful! So fallHe will catch you.

PAUSE AND REFLECT What is God leading you to do today? Ask Him to speak toyou through His word.

Have you been following through in trusting Him lately? Isyour trust limited to lip service or are you willing to fall back?

What are some areas in your life that you are gripping on toand have become idols in your heart?

FOLLOW THROUGH


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READY YOUR HEART

10FALL 2013

Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I presson to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

I AM TERRIFIED of needles. Its not that I just dont like them. There is a fear that grips my

whole body every time I have to get a shot. When I had my wisdom teethed removed, Ilocked myself in the bathroom to avoid getting a shot of anesthesia. (I was in the 12thgrade). Just a month ago, at the ripe age of 29, I cried lots of tears as a nurse stuck me

in order to run a few tests. Knowing this, you can imagine my reaction to my doctorinforming me that I had diabetes and would have to prick my finger 5 times a day for

insulin tests until my baby was born. I had two options: not prick myself and live in fearabout my sons health or I could take action, doing everything I could to help my sons

health, trusting God with the rest. I ate properly, poked my finger, and my son was bornas healthy as could be!

Paralyzing fear sometimes cripples a Christian that should be running as hard

and fast as he can in pursuing the things of God. Questions like: what will they thinkof me? Will I insult or offend them if I share the gospel, implying that I dont think theyknow? There are so many questions and fears that can creep into ones life. You have

two options: sit on the sidelines and not participate or jump onto the field knowing Godis trustworthy. Fear is a tactic of Satan. Dont let him win. Do not sit on the sidelines

and be a bystander. Concentrate on God and His faithfulness and proceed forward. Aswith my diabetes, it is time to be active in the journey. Yes, sometimes the fears come

true and hurt, just like poking myself was often painful. However, as painful as pricking

myself was, the blessing of my son is so much better. Dont you miss out on all theblessings God has for you as you become more like Him. It will be worth it!

PARALYZING FEAR

PAUSE AND REFLECT What kind of fears do you have? What makes them fearful? Why would Jesus say, Dont fear those who kill the body

but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is ableto destroy both soul and body in hell(Matt. 10:28)? Whatdoes He mean?


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Because of our adoption, we trust God will.First, we can trust that God will absolutely never abandon us.Second, we demonstrate our trust in God through our enduranceLastly, we are called to pursue holiness as we trust in Godspromises and engage in His mission. Trusting in God is notsomething that marks only the moment of conversion. It is to bethe defining mark of our entire Christian life.

What evidences of our endurance do wesee in this passage? Who is ultimatelyresponsible for our enduranceaccording to the Lord?

Do you struggle to believe that God willnot abandon you? If so, why? What aresome common fears Christians haveabout things that might separate themfrom Gods love?

What then of the wolfWhat of our enemies?If the Fathers hand isgentle toward us, it isanything but gentletoward those whowould try to destroy uHis rod and staff aremore than decorativeartifacts. They areweapons wieldedagainst the evil one!

Never abandon us.Read John 10:27-29.

This passage comes right after Jesus declaredHimself to be the Good Shepherd who lays downhis life for His sheep (John 10:11). Now, a normalshepherd cant make the promises that Jesus

makes. A good shepherd attempts to protecteach little lamb, but sometimes the hungry lion orwolf wins.

But what if that shepherd was omnipresent(everywhere), omniscient (all knowing), andomnipotent (all powerful)? The wolf wouldntstand a chance. In nature, the wolf may snatch theoccasional sheep (10:12), but not in the kingdomof heaven (10:29). The grasp of God is our groundfor assurance.


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Help us endure.As Christians, we are to be led by the Spirit. TheSpirit changes everything. Paul even switchesterminology, using works in reference to the fleshand fruit in reference to the spirit.

How does calling the Spirits work fruit rather than

works change how we think about our relationshipwith the Holy Spirit? Where do you see the HolySpirit bringing out these characteristics in your life?

Warnings are important in the Scriptures.Gods grace to us is visible not only in Hispromises of reward, but also in warnings.Through promises and warnings, the Lordstrengthens our faith and leads us toreward. These warnings of God functionto keep us faithful. Those who trust God,

who take Him at His Word, who receiveand believe His promises and warnings,will endure. In fact, endurance is one of thesurest evidences of our trust.

How can we know that we are His house(Heb. 3:6)? How can we know that weshare in Christ (Heb. 3:14)? By holdingfast to our confidence and confession.

In what ways does thphysical picture of whIsrael experienced in wilderness corresponto the spiritual dangethat all believers attimes face? Do you

see yourself in them?How so?

If you have a friendwho professes to bea believer and yetcontinues to live inunrepentant sin, howdo you respond?

Fulfill Hispromise.Gods promise to preserve usin salvation is not so we can sitback and relax but so that we willmove forward with boldness onHis mission.

The Paul believed his salvation was secure.But that didnt cause him to sit on thesidelines. It caused him to get in the race. Yousee, Gods promise to us is freeing. It is thesafety harness, the tether, double-checkedand triple-stamped, which frees us from fearand empowers us toward the reward of Christ.

Where are you afraid to move forward infaith? Are there areas in which you arefailing to take hold of Christ? Do you find thepromises of Gods providence comforting?If so, how does that comfort compel you?

Notice not onlythat Christ hastaken hold ofPaul, but alsoPauls taking holof Christ? How dthe two relate?What can welearn from this?

Conclusion The life of the Christian is a life of continuatrusting. Biblical faith is not a one-time event where we believethe gospel and then move on from it. Rather, the faith we confesat the moment of conversion continues on throughout our lives awe humble ourselves under the Word of God and believe that Hehas given His Son for us, He is for us, He will never abandon us, anHe will complete what He has begun in us.

How has this lesson given you more assurance in Gods fatheprovision in your life?

What are some signs and evidences that God loves you, is foryou, and will never abandon you?


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ENCORE

1. NEVER ABANDON US (JOHN 10:27-29).

God is stronger than me, stronger than you plus me, stronger than the devil, plus all the demons,plus all the angels, plus all the Worlds Strongest Men competitors, and all our hydraulic machines.

We could go on and on. Jesus speaks to this reality in John 10.Tis passage comes right after Jesus declared Himself to be the Good Shepherd who lays down

his life for His sheep (John 10:11). Now, a normal shepherd cant make the promises that Jesusmakes. A good shepherd attempts to protect each little lamb, but sometimes the hungry lion or

wolf wins. But what if that shepherd was omnipresent (everywhere), omniscient (all knowing), andomnipotent (all powerful)? Te wolf wouldnt stand a chance. In nature, the wolf may snatch the

occasional sheep (10:12), but not in the kingdom of heaven (10:29). Te grasp of God is our groundfor assurance.

What then of the wolf? What of our enemies? If the Fathers hand is gentle toward us, it isanything but gentle toward those who would try to destroy us. His rod and staff are more thandecorative artifacts. Tey are weapons wielded against the evil one!

Te Lord will not allow anyone or anything to separate us from His love. Often we think of Godslove in sentimental ways, using a phrase like this to decorate coffee mugs, bumper stickers, and-shirts. But think about this for a momentnothingwill separate us from God.

Its a stunning statement, really. Consider the list: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine,nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, rules, things present, things to come, power, height,

depth, absolutely everything else in creation (Rom. 8:35-39). If all these things came together toexert their power and influence, they still wouldnt be able to even disturb the pinky of the Fathershand. Te Father will never forsake or abandon His children.

2. HELP US ENDURE (HEB. 3:12-19).

Tere are a few times I remember my parents yelling at me because I was on the brink of somedanger. Whether it was because I playing too close to the edge of the Grand Canyon, about to runinto the street as a car was bearing down, or I was haphazardly handling a knife, my parents wouldscream a warning out of love. Tat yell, piercing the sky and my mind, would awaken me to thedanger. In the same way, the Lord loudly proclaims warnings to keep His children from danger.

Warnings are important in the Scriptures. Gods grace to us is visible not only in His promises ofreward, but also in warnings. Trough promises and warnings, the Lord strengthens our faith andleads us to reward. But isnt our security firm in the Fathers sovereign grasp? If our safety is madecertain by Gods grip, why not simply sit around and coast? Te book of Hebrews was written inpart as a response to this danger of drifting (Heb. 2:1).

Te words of Hebrews 3 are sharp. Tey call for definitive action, dont they? Quoting from Psalm95, the author alluded to the judgment of Israel in the wilderness. Here was Israel, recently redeemedfrom Egyptian slavery. With their own eyes they had seen the waters part, with their own ears theyhad heard the waves fall over Pharaoh and his many chariots. Tey had tasted the manna and drunk

FOREVER TRUSTING

Because of our adoption, we trust God will...


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10FALL 2013

ENCORE

freely from the rock (Ex. 16-17). After all of these benefits, how did they respond? Grumbling,mumbling, moaning, groaning. Not to mention that little incident involving a golden calf.

Instead of viewing the warnings as suggestions, consider them instead to be like the loud roarof Aslan the Lion in C.S. Lewis Narniaseries. Te warnings are the means by which our King

awakens us to the dangers of drifting. And the voice of the King accomplishes what it is intended todo (Gen. 1:3; Isa. 55:11; 2 Cor. 4:6).

3. FULFILL HIS PROMISES (PHIL. 3:10-14).

Tough most of the population of the world does not suffer from acrophobia or vertigo, many of usexperience a little natural uneasiness around heights. Tis is why any good action movie involves a

walk along the ledge of a building, a jump across a precipice, a climbing of a rooftop crane, or somesuch moment to make the audience a little uneasy.

Imagine being a New York City construction worker in the early 1930s and walking along thegirders of the 90th floor of the Empire State Building. Great Depression or not, many of us would

have looked elsewhere for employment. But what if you were tethered to those girders? What if youwere double harnessed or triple harnessed? And you had back up after back up? At what point wouldthe security of the ropes have outweighed the fear?

Fear of heights is paralyzing. It keeps us on the ground and away from the action. Even if we wereto make it up to the girders, we would be clinging to a crossbeam. But here are these men harnessedto the building going about their work without a care in the world. Dont miss the point. Godspromise to preserve us in salvation is not so we can sit back and relax, but so that we will moveforward with boldness on His mission. Paul believed his salvation was secure. But that didnt causehim to sit on the sidelines. It caused him to get in the race. You see, Gods promise to us is freeing.It is the safety harness, the tether, double-checked and triple-stamped, which frees us from fear and

empowers us toward the reward of Christ.Notice the little word because in vs. 12 of Philippians 3. Paul wrote that his taking holdof Christ is related to Christs taking hold of him. Te truth of this text is seen throughout theScriptures. Gods promises and presence are always the ground upon which we stand and themotivation which moves us.

CONCLUSION

Te life of the Christian is a life of continual trusting. Biblical faith is not a one-time eventwhere we believe the gospel and then move on from it. Rather, the faith we confess at the momentof conversion continues on throughout our lives as we humble ourselves under the Word of God

and believe that He has given His Son for us, He is for us, He will never abandon us, and He willcomplete what He has begun in us.Infinite joy is promised for us by the One who will never forsake or abandon us. Our endurance

is connected to His. We trust Jesus, our Sovereign Lord and Savior, we trust this One who diedand rose again, we trust and so we too endure by daily turning to and trusting the gospel. For youneed endurance, so that after you have done Gods will, you may receive what was promised(Heb. 10:36).

gospel project unit 3 session12 personal study guide 11/24/2013

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