Archive for the ‘Discipleship’ Category
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study: Parables on the Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-33)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
Here are two short parables that Luke groups together. Neither of them appears in the other gospels. Apparently, Jesus meant to convey the same message through them both. Sometimes that message is seen as negative. It is summarized in v. 33 and is shown to not be negative after all. Let’s look at these two parables to get an understanding of this point.
The first parable is found in vv. 28-30. It might be called “The Parable of the Unfinished Tower.” As was often His custom, Jesus introduces it with a “Which of you?” question that expects the answer “No one.” The question is whether a person would start building something without first making sure he has enough to complete it. Obviously, no rational person would do so. Otherwise he might wind up with a building left unfinished. This would make him an object of ridicule. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 19: The Certain Appearance and Judgment of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:1-9)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
You might have wondered why Peter made spiritual growth so important in chapter one. The answer is in chapter two: erroneous teaching exists to threaten the spiritually immature. Peter tells us to expect the certain appearance and judgment of false teachers. He deals with each of these characteristics individually. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 18: God’s Word and Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 1:12-21)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
Peter has urged us to “grow in grace” (l:5-11). He has assured God has provided everything we need for that (l:3, 4). Now we are going to find out that we need more than bread to live. We are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Thus in 1:12-27, Peter will discuss the proper use God’s Word as a means for instruction and spiritual development. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 17: Add to Your Faith (2 Peter 1:5-11)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
Being a Christian is more than going to heaven when you die. It also includes continually living for God in the here and now. It includes growing toward spiritual maturity. Peter has assured us that God has provided everything needed for our spiritual well being. He now expounds and expands on the subject.
First, he exhorts us in the proper manner of spiritual growth (1:5-7). Adding it to our “faith” is the key. In attitude we are to be “giving all diligence.” The Greek word used here is spoude. This carries the idea of earnestness or zeal—even urgency.
There are seven Christian graces we should earnestly strive to add to our saving faith. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 16: Foundation for Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 1:1-4)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
Peter’s epistles don’t always get the same attention as Paul’s. That’s a pity because II Peter is certainly for our age. There has never been a time when Peter’s “false teachers” (2:7) were more prevalent than now.
The theme of II Peter, growing in grace, is well expressed in 3:18. The urgency of this message is made clear in chapter 2. It was needed in order warn to warn Christians of false teachers who would attempt to lead astray the spiritually immature (vv. 1, 18). Spiritual growth is the best way to avoid apostasy (1:8-10). In this article we will look at the foundation for spiritual growth laid out in the first four verses of II Peter. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 14: Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:6-19)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
Imagine what it would be like to hear Jesus praying for you! That is exactly what happened during the high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17. Verses 6-8 identify the disciples as the persons being prayed for. Jesus here describes the disciples as men given to Him from His Father (v. 6). Jesus passed on to these men the information His Father had given to Him. In this way Jesus demonstrated to them that He came from the Father (v. 8). So the prayer was prayed aloud primarily for the disciples benefit. There are three main petitions made on their behalf in the course of the prayer. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 13: Jesus’ Prayer in His Hour (John 17:1-5)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
John 17 is one of the several passages that may be called “The Lord’s Prayer.” The Gospels mention 25 such instances. However, in John 17 we find the only lengthy prayer recorded. We sometimes call it Jesus’ high priestly prayer. It was prayed on the eve of His crucifixion somewhere between the upper room and the Garden of Gethsemane. Apparently, it was prayed aloud in the hearing of His disciples.
During His ministry, Jesus often said His “hour” had not yet come. But in verse 1 the prayer begins, “Father, the hour is come.” When you read the words of this prayer, read them in the context of the approaching crucifixion. The prayer can be divided into three main parts. In this article we will look at the first part. (more…)
Posted on February 17, 2011 - by Admin1
Green Tree Bible Study 12: The Christian Mind (A Study in Philippians)
By Dr. Robert E. Picirilli
In the last article I suggested the value of studying a theme through a portion of Scripture. We then looked at the theme of joy in the book of Philippians. Another major theme in Philippians concerns the Christian mind. One’s “mind” is the way he thinks, and that undergirds all behavior. We have to think Christianity before we can act it.
The basic word for mind in Greek is phroneo. This word occurs 12 times in Philippians. Whenever it appears, it is always a verb rather than a noun. And the Greek word is always translated “mind” or “think” except in its Philippians 4:10 appearance where it is translated “care” or “careful.”
There are four other verses in Philippians where different Greek words are used. These words might also be translated “think” or “mind.” These four instances are found in l:27, 2:20 (Psyche best translated “soul” or “self” ); 4:7 (Noema best translated “mental faculties“); and 4:8 (Logizomai best translated “consider“).
Paul is here concerned about the Christian way of thinking. Let’s look at the main characteristics of Christian as portrayed in Philippians. (more…)
