STUDY – 1 THE GIFT OF GIVINGA- HEAVEN`S EXAMPLE
1- What example of giving has God given to the World?
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that the gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting live.” John 3:16.
2- What did Christ do to redeem us?
“Who gave himself for our sins.” Galatians 1:4 – see Titus 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6.
3- Why did He lay aside His riches and become poor?
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9.
B- THE MORE BLESSED WAY
4- As Christ sent out His disciples to preach, to heal the sick, and to raise the dead, what did He say to them?
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8.
5-What did Christ say of the blessedness of giving?
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
6- What did Jesus do?
“Who went about doing good.” Acts 10:38.
STUDY – 2 PREACHING THE GOSPEL
A- THE GREAT COMMISSION
1- Before leaving His disciples, what great commission did Christ give them?
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.
2- What is the gospel of Christ?
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16.
3- How extensively and for how long did Christ say the gospel should be preached?
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.
B- THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES
4- What was the object of Christ’s ministry?
“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Isaiah 42:6,7.
5- For what purpose did Christ select the apostle Paul, and send him to the Gentiles?
“And he said…I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness…to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:15-18.
C- THE MISSION OF THE MINISTER
6- How are those who preach the gospel described?
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth, that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7.
7- What is the Christian minister commanded to preach?
“Preach the word” 2 Timothy 4:2.
8- Of what did Christ say the Scriptures testify?
“They are they which testify of me.” John 5:39.
Note: Every one, therefore, who preaches the word aright, will preach Christ. Paul, who faithfully preached God’s word, said he was determined not to know (i.e., to make known) anything “save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.
9- How does God expect His ministries to preach the world?
“He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.” Jeremiah 23:28.
10- How did Christ present the truth to the people?
“And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.” Mark 4:33.
11- What rule for teaching doctrine is laid down in the Bible?
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upn line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28:10.
12. How should the servant of God labor?
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:24, 25.
Note: While the claims of the law of God are present to the sinner, ministers should never forget that love – the love of God – is the only power that can soften the heart and lead to repentance and obedience, and that to save men is their great work.
D- PREPARATION TO PREACH WITH POWER
12- As a preparation for their work, what did Christ do to the apostles?
“Then opened ht their understanding, that they night understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:45.
13- For what did He tell them to tarry in Jerusalem?
“But tarry we in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.
14- How did the apostles preach the gospel?
“With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.” 1 Peter 1:12.
15- What was the result of this preaching?
“Many of them which heard the word believed.” “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priest were obedient to the faith.” Acts 4:4; 6:7.
16- What promise is made to the faithful gospel minister?
“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6.
STUDY – 3 THE POOR, AND OUR DUTY TOWARD THEM
A- THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARD THE POOR
1- What is God’s attitude toward the poor?
“He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” Psalm 72:12.
2- For what purpose did Christ say God had anointed Him?
“He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.” Luke 4:18.
3- What did Paul say regarding our duty to the poor?
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring wy ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.
4- What classes are we especially enjoined to help?
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17.
5- How did the patriarch Job treat the poor?
“I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” Job 29:16.
B- THE RELATION OF TRUE RELIGION TO CHARITY
6- What is pure and undefiled religion declared to be?
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27.
7- What king of fast is most acceptable to God?
“Is not this the fast that I have chose? …Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not himself from thine own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6, 7.
8- How does the Lord regard kindness shown to the poor?
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10.
C- FATE AND REWARD
9- What fate awaits those who turn a deaf ear to the poor?
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13.
10- What is promised those who do this work?
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry and he shall say, here I am…And if thou dray out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fall not.” Isaiah 58:9-11.
11- What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and five to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.” Matthew 19:21.
Note From Matthew 25:31-45 we learn that Christ identifies Himself with needy, suffering humanity; and that any neglect shown them He regards as done unto Himself, and any service rendered to them as though done for him. We are not saved because we help the needy; but if we experience the salvation of Christ, we will love the unfortunate. This is a test of the genuineness of our profession.
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