Living Stones Podcast

1)What does “Know thy enemy and know thyself” have to do with war? 2) What type of war are we in as believers in Christ and what can we learn/know about who our enemies from this passage? 3) Where can our enemy be found according to this passage, and what are their tactics and goal? 4) Have you noticed any of these things in our world today? Explain.  5) What can we do about this as believers in Christ? 6) After today’s episode is there anything you feel you need to do differently or to put into practice?

1) Who or what is “the keeper of the cup/truth”? 2) Why does the truth need a keeper? 3) How do we “keep the truth”? 4) Take a look at John 18:37-38? What did Jesus have to say about truth to Pilate? 5) Who or what is “the truth/cup”? 6) What from today’s lesson do you want to remember or put into practice?

Lesson 34  1)Why was the “thesis statement” of the letter from Paul to Timothy that we studied this week important? 2) What does the word Church mean? 3)How can we say that the local church is where heaven and earth meet more than anywhere else? 4) What does “the truth” have to do with Church? 5) What made Christ angry? How about Paul? 6) What from today’s lesson spoke to you in a special way?

1)Name the two jobs in the Church that Pastor Mike equated to the two “orders of knights” and why they are needed in the Church? 2)What qualification does a Bishop of the church need to have that is missing from the list of qualifications for a Deacon? 3) What qualification is added in verse 11 for Church Deacons that is missing from the Bishop’s list? What are the different ways Churches interpret this? 4) What encouragement does Paul give to those who want to do the hard job of being a Deacon in the Church? What can we learn from this ourselves if we are not a Deacon? 5) What do you especially want to remember from today’s lesson?

1)Why do Paul’s "Ingredients” matter when it comes to overseers in the church? 2)What do these “ingredients” have to do with you, even if you are not a leader in the Church? 3)Choose one or two of the “ingredients” and explain what you learned about it/them.  4)Why is it important that we have a good testimony among “outsiders”? 5)Is there one of these “Ingredients”that you feel you need to work on personally?

1)What does “overseer” mean and why does their example matter? 2)Explain what you learned about an overseer being the following: -above reproach -The husband of one wife 3)What does it say about a person if these things are true about him sexually and why is that important for a church leader? 4) What are some tools Pastor Mike gave to use for combating sexual temptation? 5)What does all of this have to do with a man in the family of God/the church who isn’t a church leader? 6)What do you want to remember most from today’s teaching?

1)What made Paul mad and why? 2)Why are righteous leaders important in the church? 3)Why should we be slow to lay our hands on people and make them leaders in the Church? 4)What stood out to you most from the list of things Pastor Mike gave us about what we should be doing for our leaders in the church? Is there anything you personally need to do or change after studying this list? 5)Why is being a leader in the church a noble task?

1)Review: What has Paul been discussing in chapter 2 and why? 2)Explain the process of salvation, using what you learned about justification, sanctification and glorification. 3) What did Paul say was a problem of all women, truly all people? What was Paul’s solution to this and why? 4) In what ways to see that a woman could become more and more like Christ through child bearing and rearing? 5)What do you want to remember most about this teaching?

1)What is Paul talking about in this passage that can be divisive, and why would he even bring it up?     2)What is Paul NOT saying in this passage?     3)What is Paul saying and why is he saying it?     4) What is the problem today in the Church over Paul’s words?       5) What was God‘s/Paul’s desire for the church then and now? Do you see your view of the role of women in the church as helping this goal to flourish? Why or why not?

1)Why is Paul interested in how the church conducts itself?     2)What does Paul want for the men of the church to do and why?     3) What did the women of Israel donate/sacrifice for the lavor of the tabernacle and why? What thoughts come to your mind as you think of this?       4) What does Paul want for the women of the Church to do and why?     5) From Paul’s teaching, what four things should women focus on as they adorn themselves for Church?       6) What do you want to remember most about today’s teaching?

1)Why was Timothy’s job going to be hard?     2) What is God’s goal for men?       3) What did Paul desire the men to do so that this goal of God’s could happen?     4) Why should the men of the church listen to Paul’s desires?     5) What would unbelieving men notice about believing men if they did what Paul instructed and why is it important?

1)Review:    a)What is Christ’s goal or desire for us as Believers?     b)What is God’s desire for all people?     2)What is Christ’s part in this goal?     3)Explain what you learned about Paul’s part in Christ’s goal.      4)Explain what our role as Believer’s is in Christ’s goal.     5)What do you want to remember most or put into practice from this lesson?

1) Name the goals that God has for us that will make Him happy.       2) Explain what you learned about these four life goals that God has for our lives.      A) A peaceful life     B)A quiet life     C) A godly life     D) A dignified life     3.How is it possible that these goals could happen in our lives?     4) With this in mind what are we to pray for all those in authority and for all people?

1) Explain Paul’s A.P. prayer class 101 and why it is so difficult.       2) Explain Paul’s A.P prayer class 201 and why it can be so difficult.     3) In what way can we pray when those in authority are challenging, corrupt or evil?     4) In what way can we pray when those in authority are benevolent?     5) Can you think of any way that your prayer life needs to change?

1)Review: What is to be the 1st priority of the church?     2)Explain what you learned about the following things Paul said should be included in our plan as we go before the King of Kings as a church.     Supplications     Prayers     Intercessions     Thanksgivings     3)Why is the way we pray important?       4) After studying this lesson, is there any way that you need to change the way you pray?

1) What position or title is given to all believers in Christ?      2) What is the role of this position?   (     3) Who should we be praying for?       4) What changes in us when we take this role seriously?       5) Can you think of a way you can make this priestly roll a bigger priority in your life?

1) Using the teaching today explain why prayer is so difficult for us and why it is so important.     2) If it is not yet your normal practice, will you commit to pray on your own for 5 minutes each day this week?     3)If it is not yet your normal practice, will you commit to pray with someone else twice this week?     4) If it is not yet your normal practice, will you commit to focus on, and pray along with, the times of prayer in church this Sunday?

1) Show the importance of the church by explaining what the church is used for by God?       2)From this lesson, why is it important that the church be run correctly; according to God‘s plan?       3) Explain Timothy’s thesis statement from I Timothy 3:14-15.     4) Give reasons why Paul wanted everything to be in order in the Church.       5)What do you feel God wants you to remember most or put into practice from this lesson?

1) Review: Why was Timothy‘s job so hard?    2) In what form did Paul’s encouragement come to Timothy in the verses we studied today?    3)Name the things that Timothy was to do to “not go off course” and “go in the ditch”.    4) Give the reason the two men used as a warning to Timothy were “in the ditch”, and why Paul would do something so harsh to them as he did.     5) What do you want to remember most about this lesson?

1)Review-Why was Timothy’s job hard?   2)Review- Name the ways Paul has encouraged Timothy that we have discussed so far.   3)How did Paul encourage Timothy in our study today?   4)Using what you learned today define prophecy and what it should be used for.   5) How does 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 guide us in receiving prophecy?   Ten Tests of Personal Prophecy Does it come from a godly mature believer? Does it align with Scripture? Does it speak to kingdom/ministry work? Is it an encouragement? Is it 100% accurate to the situation? Is it a welcome word to the believer? Does it build up the faith of the recipient? Is there no tinge of manipulation or self-glorification or benefit to the giver? Is it confirmed by spiritual leadership? Does it build up the church and the greater good?

1) who did Paul say he was and how does this compare to God?     2) What changed for Paul and why?   3) What gifts does Paul say Christ brought with Him when He came?   4) Have you accepted these gifts that Chris came to give you? If so, write a brief testimony here using what you learned today?  

1)What is the problem with us desiring control in our lives?     2) Name the ways God is described in Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy 1:17   3. How does understanding who God is help us in our daily walk?   4. Which of the attributes of God we studied means the most to you today and why?   5. Has our study of God‘s attributes adjusted your worship in any way?

1) Name the main things Paul focused on in his testimony.     2) Think back to the things mentioned in the teaching that Christ had done for Paul, has Christ done any of these things for you as well? If so, name them if you can.      3) Think back to the reasons Paul had to praise God, do you have any of these same reasons to praise God? If so, explain.   4)When should we be ready to give our testimony or parts of it? (Always. In regular normal relationship conversations, in small groups or wherever we are.)   5)Take a moment and think about what God has done in your life.. Praise Him with the words of Paul in verse 17

1) Name the three ways teachers can use the Bible unbiblically and explain in your own words why this is a problem.     2) In one sentence, explain how a teacher can teach using the Bible biblically.      3) What does the word of God used rightly lead us to? What does the word of God used wrongly lead us to?   5) What do you feel God want you to remember from this lesson?

How is Satan and Eve's version of God's command different than what God said? (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7) What were and are the results of Satan's twist on Scripture? How has this teaching changed your thoughts on teaching your receive? Read Jude vv.1-4 and vv. 17-21 and share what the problem was and the solution Jude offers.

In what way is the Bible a road map for us today?   What are the ramifications if a teacher doesn't use the right road map?   What are the results of sound or "healthy" doctrine?   Read the tools that Pastor Mike gives for understanding the Bible, which tool interests you the most?   To understand the Bible rightly we must understand it in it's:   Historical Context - "A passage can never mean what it never meant."  "This verse/book wasn't written to you, but was written for you." To understand the original meaning of this passage I must understand the setting, culture, history, people and author in the time it was written.   Grammatical Context - Words matter, these are God's word; we should understand how this word is written. The mood, tense, word usage, range of word meanings... all of it can bring out the meaning and color the words God is sharing with His people.   Literal Context - "If the passage makes common sense, seek no other sense." Most of the Bible is plainly understood. Some is poetry or prophecy which is not literally understood, but most is narrative or straight teaching, and its meaning is not mysterious.   Contextual Setting - "Context is King!" If you do not understand a verse, read the greater context of the passage, the paragraph it is in, the book it is in, the general idea the author has been presenting throughout the book. "The Bible is its best own interpreter." Use the Bible to answer confusion by looking at related passages that speak to the same thing.  The Bible is 66 books, but one author, the Holy Spirit. All Scripture interrelates with itself.

How would Timothy and the early church vet teachers?   What authority should Bible teachers teach under?   What authority did the apostle Paul teach under? (Acts 17:11)   What is a practical way we can vet a Bible teacher? (Hebrews 13:7)

After listening to the podcast episode 9 answer the following:   What did Paul do or say for Timothy that would encourage him from saying, "take this job and shove it?"    2 Timothy 1:2 2 Timothy 1:3 2 Timothy 1:4   2. What two things did Paul remind Timothy of that would have encouraged him (2 Timothy 1:5-6)   3. How does 2 Timothy 1:7 speak to you today with the challenges and tasks you have today?

Episode 8 1) Name and explain the three things Paul gives us in his  "motivation" checklist that a teacher of the Bible must have.   2) What can happen if a teacher or leader has the wrong motivations?   3) Take time to examine the motivations you have for your service to the Lord.

1) Why did Paul write the letter to Timothy that we call 1 Timothy? 2)What job had Timothy been given to do as a living stone? 3) What were some of the errant teachings going on in Ephesus? 4) What is our role today compared to Timothy’s?

1) Who commissioned Paul and Timothy for their ministry? 2) What words are used to describe the gospel in verse 2? 3)Using what you’ve learned from the teaching today, explain why these three things are important and how they should work properly in the church. -Leadership- -Relationships- -doctrine- 4) Is there anything you feel God wants you to do differently or specifically remember after learning what you have today?

1)What do you remember about the martyr Thomas Harding? 2) In what way is our spiritual martyrdom as believers different from the martyrdom of Thomas Harding and other martyrs? 3)Read and meditate on the following verses then explain some practical steps they give us for offering our lives as living sacrifices to God. - Hebrews 13:15 -Hebrews 13:16 - 1 Peter 1:6-7     4) Name other spiritual sacrifices Believers put on the alter before God that you can think of.     5)What do you think God wants you to remember from this lesson?

1) According to this week’s lesson, give the second thing God is building us up into as Living stones.    2)Explain what Holy means and how it is possible Believer’s could be “Holy” priests. (Set apart for God. We are made Holy by what Christ has done not us)   3)Name and explain the two priestly duties we have as “Holy priests” that link us to the priesthood given to the Hebrew people?   4)What comes to your mind as you think about this role you have and duties you have as a “Holy Priest” in a Holy priesthood?   5)Is there anything you feel God wants you to do differently or remember specifically from this lesson?

Lesson 3 1) From the teaching explain in one sentence why we should physically go to church instead of worshipping at home? 2) What do we spiritually form together when two or more living stones come together to meet in Christ name, and why is it important? 3) Name one or two of the 10 things mentioned that God does when we gather together as living stones in God‘s house. 4) Do you see Sunday gatherings any differently after this teaching? Explain. 5) Do you feel God is asking you to do anything differently after learning what you have today?

After listening to the podcast answer the following questions:   1) Using this and last week’s message, what is the difference between dead rocks and living stones, and how does this take place?     2) Explain three ways the Holy Spirit is “building” us as believers from the list Mike shared (see below) in and why you think this is important.   Endwells us (1 Cor 6:19; Romans 8:9; John 14:16-17); Empowers Us (2 Tim 1:7; Acts 1:8); Changes us (2 Cor 3:18); Teaches us (John 14:26; 1 John 2:27; Eph 4:11-16); Open our eyes to the truth (John 16:23; 1 Cor 2: 10-16); Gifts us (1 Cor 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8); Intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27); Encourages us (John 14:16-17); Convicts/Grieves us (John 16:8-11); Unites us (Eph 4:3-6; 1 Cor 12:13); Leads us (Romans 8:14; Gal 5:18); Seals us (Eph 1:13-14; 2 Cor 1:21-22); Reminds of us God's Word (John 14:26); Show us God's will (1 Cor 2:10) Transforms us from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18)      3) What is your 3-fold part in the building process? Explain each part if you can.     4) What do you feel God wants you to do with what you learned today?

Lesson one   After listening to episode one "Living Stones" answer the following:   1) Describe the difference between dead rocks and living stones and how a person can change from a dead rock to a living stone.   2) What did you learn or want to remember about stones in the Bible?   3) What do you learn about God from this lesson?    4)What did you learn about yourself from this lesson?    4) What do you think God might be wanting you to do with what you have learned today?