The Gospel Project for Adults Personal Study Guide ESV - Scene7

22 Pages·2013·1.89 MB·English

FALL 2013 : Personal Study Guide ESV
dE ret ez t S General Editor
nvi e r T a x W Managing Editor
E HLTE P S O G TC E J O R P P er s on a l Study Guid e ESV FALL 2013
God’s Word to You
A Summary of the Bible
In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. Tis God
created human beings in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble
submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God
and, in consequence, must sufer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death
and the wrath of God.
Tankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the
nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. Te Bible describes how
God acted mightily on Israel’s behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then
giving them His holy law. But God’s people—like all of us—failed to rightly
refect the glory of God.
Ten, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to
renew the world and to restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given
to Israel. Tough innocent, He sufered the consequences of human rebellion by
His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead.
Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the
news of Christ’s work to the world. Empowered by God’s Spirit, the church
calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our
forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results
in a life of ongoing transformation.
Te Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering
King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape God’s
judgment and live joyfully in God’s presence for all eternity. God’s message is
the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your
mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from
the dead, and you will be saved.
e eh t m o r f d r o W A s r o t i d
Ed Stetzer
General Editor—Te Gospel Project
President, LifeWay Research
“Why are we here? How can my life have meaning, value, and
signifcance? What is my purpose?” Tese are questions we all face at one
time or another. Explaining what the gospel says to these questions readily
demonstrates just how relevant the gospel is to people’s lives.
What happens after death is eternally important, yet the world isn’t always
ready to see that. But they are somewhat prepared to consider that because
we are made in God’s image, we have infnite value and dignity. Perhaps they
can recognize that sin is what robs us of experiencing the reason we have been
made—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. And on the heels of these,
perhaps they will see that Jesus alone is our only hope of redemption—that in
Him our sins are forgiven, the image of God is restored in us, and by Him we can glorify God and
enjoy Him both now and forever.
People are made in the image of God—the imago Dei. God made us, Christ died to save us,
and God has written His Word for us. Tat says to me that people are incredibly loved by God their
Creator, and we should love people through proclaiming the good news of Jesus who restores us.
Trevin Wax
Managing Editor—Te Gospel Project
Author of multiple books, including Counterfeit Gospels, Gospel-Centered Teaching, and
Clear Winter Nights: A Young Man’s Journey into Truth, Doubt, and What Comes After
“Who are you?” You are valuable and ought to be treated with dignity.
But why? Where does this value of human life come from? Te Scriptures
give us the answer by telling us where we came from and where we are going.
We were created in the image of the all-powerful, all-loving God for
His glory and our good—set apart from the rest of creation for His good
purposes. But in our sin, we’ve shattered the image of God. Glimpses of
His goodness come through, but we are failing about, unable to fulfll His
purposes for us. Yet this story doesn’t end with the image of God shattered
but restored. And this restoration comes through the Person and work of
Jesus Christ.
In this volume we study the doctrine of humanity. We’ll start of looking at God’s purpose
for humanity (refecting, relating, working, resting, ruling). Ten we’ll see how our Savior restores
us by paying the price for our disobedience and fulflling our purpose in our place. Finally, we’ll
look at the life of a redeemed human being and how we are slowly shaped into the image of
Christ—the One who redeems us, sends us out on mission, and promises to make everything new.
editors
obA ut teh ir W tesr
rep s o C e k i M : 1i t i n U s the one of the founding
® etc Pj r o s o e G l p � e pastors of Sooj urn Community Church in Louisville,
VAodluulmt Pee 2rs,o Nnualm Sbtuedr y1 GFaulild 2e0 E13SV eK ntucky, where he serves as the Executive Pastor of
Worship and Arts. He’s the author of Rhyth sm o f Grace :
Eric Geiger
Vice President, Church Resources oH w the hC ru ch s’ Worhs ip Tell s the Story o f the Gops el and
the co-author of Faitham ppin wgith Daniel Montgomery.
Ed Stetzer
General Editor He and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Dorothy
and Maggie.
Trevin Wax
Managing Editor
Philip Nation esr t n e F n e K : 2 tsi n U erves as the Senior Pastor
Director, Adult Ministry Publishing of Montrose Baptist Church and the Chancellor of
Faith Whatley Montrose Christian School in Rockville, Maryland. He
Director, Adult Ministry has formerly served as Dean of Intercultural Programs
and Assistant Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament
S
Meannda qguinegs tEiodnitso/rc,o mments to: Interpretation at e� Southern Baptist e� ological
Te Gospel Project: Adult Personal Study Guide, Seminary. eK n is married to Linda, and they have
One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102;
or make comments on the Web at three children.
www.lifeway.com.
Printed in the United States of America ye l hA s � o e G : 3 t i n U is the Discipleship Resource
Pastor for e� Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas.
T
(ISeS GNo sppeenl dPirnogje;c It®t:e mAd 0u0lt5 P5e7r3s5on5a3l) Sist upduyb Glisuhidede ESV He received a �M from Dallas e� ological Seminary
quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, in 2009 and has been on sta � at e� Village since 2006,
One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234,
Tom S. Rainer, President. © 2013 LifeWay overseeing the development of theological resources.
Christian Resources.
For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com,
or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer
Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN
37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription
address changes, e-mail
Table of Contents
Unit 1: God’s Purpose for Humanity
8 Session 1
Created to Refect: Te Image of God in Humanity
17 Session 2
Created to Relate: Relating to God, Others, and the World
26 Session 3
Created to Work: Te Doctrine of Vocation
35 Session 4
Created to Rest: Resting from Work, Resting in Christ
44 Session 5
Created to Rule: Humanity’s Authority in Representing God the King
Unit 2: God’s Provision for Humanity
54 Session 6
Jesus Refects: Jesus Is the Exact Representation of God
63 Session 7
Jesus Reconciles: Jesus Restores Communion with God and One Another
72 Session 8
Jesus Redeems: Jesus’ Work on Calvary Brings Salvation
81 Session 9
Jesus Reigns: Jesus’ Reign Fulflls Humanity’s Purpose
Unit 3: God’s Promise to Humanity
91 Session 10
Forever Family: Adoption
100 Session 11
Forever Refecting: Sanctifcation
109 Session 12
Forever Trusting: Perseverance and Assurance
118 Session 13
Forever Restored: Glorifcation
How to Use The Gospel Project
Session 1
Session 1: Ready Your Heart Session 1: Ready Your Heart
ICmraegae Bteadre rts oH aRvee Wfoertcht 1 CEvreerya Itmeadge tBoea rRere Isf Cealcletd to Refec
1
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yreoaudr ignrgosu tpo m preeeptasr feo yr othue b leefsosroen . –
itW I H moo haGawogo eimadn Prb eielgie k sahtaeohtru m eteiht rsp ?eceoe hbona epeangl geigne ait ndeyr oriynr ouR truph drete ilani ffsyget ei oafw r ycwyho.t oouHmr osawh ywiop w u eso vseuetrrvlrdayict oyenog aeuict y rayeolosluyup maro vcneohdtiu d?ar csah nG,d co rdyi’isnm g iossu?t – H wnH C otnwricks e,id dh Poeoefrma sua sueliPtl , bst msohaerelaf mio nkw rea 8eca y h nywsouspuedr eyc efoah evRuk.e eT tmlne oht o niefsg onokhet nmtci cocoaewnttodts en tiHdmheiea mwprt th.Gh tooow d fge eGhetalo ssd o ln,o mionte Hicloyiens od einr ’y spfo anoutiw?tee nlrolteivosens,? —to aotk
8 Personal Study Guide | Fall 2013 Session 1 9
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Session 2
Session 1: Respond in Your Life Session 2: Ready Your Heart
CEvrerya Itmeadge tBoea rRere’s fHoepce tIs Jeus CWhrena Gtoed S eteom sR Deislante 2
3
After your group meets, read anatamawMhedrhanreogsuaiaeuel rveaispuilmno tcin et,ihrBIWITeamh n nhu, dir bawe nlhu s .e rsiead eahalomjvI eotnhoust nlwe vid re’ a sdor Gsauoeodcebiy mor u uerFlaraon e,ester emarsitoy ilmedl harepm y d fltstdrni’aras.srsh h t aseaeot.tAr dm obeaeihgLiWtnctrcelns ete sr eoeagdk ydyce c o tyiyrn iHhi nr s teambsr, wfjee eougedbi casuslsadserahp es h.esns otspuaAtit go-eoe,dumh. onsuek e as otr oaJo t—t alhe a wstel;lofhwrf ,htse gre s tfewia .e nrhe ouf bytmeyiv Irege lhsmf C a wfeo a aeslaehCcogsyrefsit drnyoeakt ihrhaitl lthliew o eicvuhenrlirmitl mi eo on iatsohoaezndh nkeatvf eleubxagmlo i idel iad nrog sistwuc nv ibanhgua.enrtmu belnEshy soesb yartsbt e ,avto dtob thgma,;eP eat n iutaetrel hteaniah ahahrtn,nk ias rutsu ehsceneol de uti as oloe ”f p,frw i at trei m.wr anr(nh e iolSr osi1lr c vue n,ray mHtr orCfoyhe ,apes lgoh miHcdtno amnterehale— wir lese m:a.feient,od tws o 1“ah vwyadyqf5 .Trbie e e vn wau :teAah4syn aerhi li wemo osn7celtln oe yo-dcm dku rd.o fuf a4l omlm ilrd Lyrerirols9asn l si h sdatdakm)hiya otlhiea.Je n nos no nfeameav t , mswdt msesneymntsh,a u m sdtoitadeweane,hsh net duasn ,gaeme wdt.stret o ercegeAah m h ana roty rdnevnoitnashsaocafh i di pb l s ahsmlrfyb dmoe liaeryste wtiaous f ba t .bad emteaesfmoOeltedvo.est n me,wuetg, e ra d torh wnciE tihehenuitouehelRdohnesysfr., mdibdnct(fcMaqsoahiabeiue rseelretcnafetoae?th, ahu arpGIMIAOntsba”tn leomn ahdltnot(esn asduot tkatModedcs o n.h hgt ae dfnt a huyWaehrew iao stufoc ersut son r iewdohtshm, tgiosec f.ec eoam e.aor cf sr2 en ue mor nte nfd7meskfdtsha s rd:doihr. o4 ds,tet ssmac reIeatwm6i ,n otadsc rs siaJ o;e ncuehnrie petfn somsrla ra e snaynoe ui sdkuscun oties sirneistres .psn .et p,Pw , o n h tTwptdsniriwhswftsnehitho e isa.a irf t esieroia2nsynhtnktn n )f2tr epugenegfw, ’a : atowHo ns1srei trt)ecinr rauikehet’.stuses’ odhsl rd yaa mslaci m t is lt atekrhnift ohvieobofnoesedere oenvtryedf vsr r’brse tsc peirtoe,ohtnper e a. spr miwiui e tlisuPoynakarp tc has suglesn,ctorm ieMyei“a fersroouw e yel plpci omnymraso rm elo a f stwa Gcni ifr l shCnsincowe2 oranoi gcehv d2pady’thuult.er o s ys, orAi tmwdsdsMs. o h ntist Icmihs toeat,ye t rdh’othG osl naigGpepaem uareokladonH”artyg,tnk dels cd(r ishow avm o.sP ae, owt eu swshshsmG ,iti .t aiel o, bhioshl 2otin n “nuyud’eng2dsDi ’rtch :oae tse 1 ceovd 1aruv olpohe)ae s avecn.fdriusulsyoenrhayo ayl ds rnd f tYt l p mdoit mgmenobosreowr’nuoseta ,aeno f sams floydab fdmho:kt anl eger lierGbp ra e esni Jmynro u gfatetwat r,tsdesk shoyw i,ed utaom uer iianheystr
t
the ldeesvsootnio. nal that follows –
iI H iW ms oyhawoagu tem rm P ocliighfaae hatk htmneu ecgsas o emtrnh ektafehe nd edaim e mwbnayacgd yetdeh ey i enoR oo fhtuf ehto dlheipfvue re seeh toase c(funaA rdtverd eisancnumttlreyiro) reM?ancc atatinon w nd(?Ji te hWs eou htsrhey) sedotrirosf ?wrea hrteiyon nt o fortfo? Gm o tdh’se – H R dH aeorfwken dcea tisdP nos y n atyaoh otnuehud er kse ed nlnseaeopcs wootap unltaenridmiadr?dge eW y Rstoahouseam tepf exGraopeoynedecer rii e tswdn nihfceoecad fure slbeti?gelsn Wa iaf cshco ytamh nootfr uo swgruthf iy nGe nrmoiondotg ?im so rfe atnrta osg foe?fd y.
16 Personal Study Guide | Fall 2013 Session 2 17
Visit GospelProject.com/Blog for additional devotionals.
Visit GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources for links to podcasts, articles,
blog posts, and parental resources for joining your family together in discipleship.
6 Personal Study Guide | Fall 2013
UNIT
1
Gff’s Pffp� �
�r Hfmt� y
Memor y eV rse
And oG d lb essed them. And oG d said to them, eB“ fruitful and multiply and
l� l the earth and sudb ue it, and have dominion over the �sh of the sea and over
the ib rds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
–eG nesis 82 : 1
Writer
Mike Cosper is the one of the founding pastors of Sojourn Community Church
in Louisville, Kentucky, where he serves as the Executive Pastor of Worship and
Arts. He’s the author of Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the
Story of the Gospel and the co-author of Faithmapping with Daniel Montgomery.
He and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters, Dorothy and Maggie.
7
Session 1
Session 1: Ready Your Heart
Created to Refect
Image Bearers Have Worth 1
Let’s admit it. We look for ways to avoid annoying people: the whiny guy at
work, a needy sibling, or a neighbor who talks too much and stands too close. We
fnd ways of avoiding unpleasant interactions with other people.
God, however, demonstrates a diferent way. He tells us in 1 Samuel 16:7 that
He doesn’t see as we see—He looks at the heart. In James 3:9, He warns us about
cursing one another because we’re all bearers of His image.
Most profoundly, we see God’s way of looking at us in the eyes of Jesus, who
never scorned or dismissed one of society’s outcasts. Take a moment to read
Luke 18:35-43, which tells of a blind man who cried out to Jesus in the midst of a
passing crowd. He caused enough of a disturbance for those around him to try to
quiet him, but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 39).
Rather than dismiss the beggar, Jesus drew near and ofered grace. His life
illustrated love and sacrifce for those made in God’s image, both in how He laid
down His life and how He made many small sacrifces—giving His life to the poor
and broken, drunks, swindlers, and prostitutes who couldn’t help but be drawn
to Him.
Jesus’ example is perfect, and we’ll never fully live up to it. But by His grace, He
invites us to follow Him and experience a better way to live. We can live with an
eye open to the glory of God’s image planted in the hearts of everyone around us.
Pause and Refect
– I magine someone interrupting a worship service at your church, crying out
to God like the beggar in the story. How would you respond?
– W ho are the people in your life whom you strategically avoid and dismiss?
– H ow might it change your day if you saw everyone you met as God’s
image bearer?
8 Personal Study Guide | Fall 2013
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Session 1: Ready Your Heart
Created to Refect
Every Image Bearer Is Called to Refec
Imagine opening your mail one day and receiving an invitation to a banquet
from a powerful politician, celebrity, or athlete. Most of us (at least, those of us
who aren’t famous) would wonder, Why me? What have I done to be included? Why
did they notice me?
It’s one of the wonders of creation to note that God Himself—more important
than any president, actor, or quarterback—has taken notice of us. As His image
bearers, we occupy a remarkable place in the world. The psalmist marveled at
this when he wrote: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fngers, the
moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful
of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little
lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have
given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his
feet” (Ps. 8:3-6).
We live in a big, beautiful world. We live in a world of Grand Canyons and Niagara
Falls. Our oceans and forests teem with life that is both ferce and beautiful. And
yet God has taken notice of us—not just us as one species amongst many but us
as individuals amongst many. As the psalmist pointed out, God has noticed you,
crowned you with glory and honor, and made you a co-ruler of His world.
In Jesus, we see the fullest expression of God noticing us. He noticed the way
our sin had corrupted all that was beautiful in us, and He went to extraordinary
lengths to restore us.
Pause and Refect
– H ow does it make you feel to know that God has noticed you?
– H ow does Psalm 8 speak to someone who feels lonely or powerless?
– C onsider all the ways you might attempt to get someone’s attention—at
work, home, or in church. Then consider how God, in His infnite love, took
notice of us before we even noticed Him.
Session 1 9
Session 1: Group Time
Created to Refect
Te Image of God in Humanity
Te story of the Bible begins with a
startling fact. Once upon a time, there was
nothing. No universe. No sun, no moon. No
Nile, no Pacifc. Once upon a time, creation
wasn’t. And then, with a word, it was.
If we’ve learned anything from human
history, from peering through crude
spyglasses and billion-dollar telescopes that
orbit the earth, we’ve learned that the
universe is a big place. Everything is a
testimony to the grand imagination that
made it—a singular, creative Genius who
thought up the Horsehead Nebula and the
ladybug, black holes and electric eels, Bach and Hank Williams. Creation’s nearly
endless diversity is a testimony to the endless imagination of the Creator.
How does the fact of creation—the
fact that everything exists because
God imagined it and spoke it into Voices from
being—change the way we see the the Church
natural world? “The most distinctive feature
of the biblical understanding
of man is the teaching that
In this vast universe, one creature is singled man has been created in the
out for a unique project—a special creation given image of God.” 1
a gift like no other. God made man and woman, –Anthony Hoekema
(1913-1988)
and He made them in His image and likeness.
Here we examine the biblical truth that God
created humans in His image with the purpose of glorifying Him and enjoying Him
forever. Terefore, we have innate worth and value and are diferent from the rest of
creation. But due to our sin, the image of God in humanity has been shattered, and we
fail to fulfll our purpose. Tankfully, God has a plan to restore us through His Son.
10 Personal Study Guide | Fall 2013