by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 29, 2025 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
In this week's reading, we visit Luke's account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem. In this account, a few new things stood out to me. One of the blessings of reading through the gospels in chronological order, side-by-side, is that we get to see things from each perspective consecutively and draw out different details than we would by reading them separately.
One thing that really hit me today was how the disciples rebuked the people for bringing children to Jesus before they had even checked with Jesus. They came to their own decision that these children were not worth bringing to the Lord, maybe that they were a waste of time to someone as important as Jesus. They judged for themselves who should be allowed to come to Jesus. Jesus then used those His disciples had turned away as an example of faithfulness.
Those who do not have faith like a child will never inherit the Kingdom of God. Children are fully dependent on their parents. They trust quickly until they have been taught not to. I think about my kiddo and how when she was little, she was wildly trusting. She would jump on the couch, landing on me knowing I wouldn't let her fall. Even last night she called me to tell me she got hurt and ask what to do. She knew I would answer and provide the help I could. How little children trust and rely on their parents is how Jesus wants us to trust and rely on Him.
What does it teach you about God that He wants you to have faith like a child to inherit His Kingdom?
After this declaration, we get to see several examples of people's response to Jesus and Him calling them to Himself. What struck me today is that not only did Jesus come to save, but He came to seek. We read in John 6:44 that no one can come to Jesus unless God calls them to Himself, and here Jesus says He came to SEEK and save the lost. He leaves the 99 to find the one lost sheep. Jesus wants all sinners, which is every person to ever exist, to be found by Him, called to Him, and saved by Him. He died to save every person, and He seeks all of us to come and follow Him.
What does knowing Jesus came to seek and save you teach you about your relationship with Him?
I love the part about Zacchaeus climbing up the tree to see Jesus. This is a man the people later call out as a sinner and complain about. He is someone who extorted money, cheated people, and made his wealth by greed and deception. Even today our world likes to call out the Zacchaeus's. He was content to watch Jesus pass by from a distance, but Jesus sought Him out. I love seeing the evidence of God planting in Zacchaeus's heart the desire to see Jesus, and Jesus seeking him out. This sinful man was who Jesus then chose to stay with that night, to the judgment and displeasure of the crowd. They complained that Jesus would stay with a sinful man.
While the crowd complained about Jesus declaring salvation over this sinful man who had wronged them, Zacchaeus responded to the Lord by repenting, committing to making right the wrongs he could, and serving the Lord and the poor. Jesus saw Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus responded by letting Jesus change his sinful heart.
How does Zacchaeus's story change how you see yourself or others?
What stood out in particular in this account that you had not seen as clearly in the other gospel accounts?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 22, 2025 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
In Matthew 20 and 21 we begin to see a vital transition in the gospel story. Jesus' whole life on earth was a humble sacrifice but this is where He starts to really reveal Himself in preparation for the crucifixion. We see the events that many now celebrate as Palm Sunday, prophecies fulfilled, and Him having some deeper kinds of conversations with the disciples as well as the crowds and the Pharisees.
A couple of main themes strike me as I read through these chapters with the foresight of what is coming up very soon. As Jesus prepares for His brutal death, He is teaching about humility, generosity, service, faith, and prayer. All over these two chapters, these are the main points that jump out at me which serve as a needed reminder of what it means to be part of His Kingdom.
What are the main themes in these chapters that jump out at you? What does this teach you about Jesus and your own relationship with Him?
Those who choose to follow Jesus are called to be humble servants, to work hard for the Kingdom, and use what God has given to do the work He has called us each to do for Him with His resources. We are all called to go out and be workers of His harvest, and expected to bear fruit from the blessings He has given us to work with. Jesus teaches that those who belong to the Kingdom will produce fruit for the Kingdom.
What are you doing with the harvest God has sent you into?
Matthew 21:12-17 is a part of the story often referenced as an example of Jesus's righteous anger. As I read through this part of the story in the full context of what is happening, I can't help but notice that Jesus took the time shortly before He was arrested to not only cleanse the temple but also invited the "blind and lame" and even the children into the temple. The temple had been defiled by wealth and greed, and not only did He show His disgust at this, but He made a point to invite those that the religious leaders treated as unworthy to come and be with Him in the temple.
Jesus invited the lowly, those whom the culture deemed unwanted, and called those very people to Himself. He put HIs heart and purpose on display at this moment. Not only did He show His righteous anger at the corruption of the temple, but He showed us all what He really wanted the temple of God to be - a place for the lowly to come and seek God. At this moment, Jesus teaches us the importance of prayer, humility, and holiness over worldliness, wealth, and position.
What does this passage teach you about God?
What does this passage teach you about worship and prayer?
What does this passage teach you about your relationship with the Lord?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 15, 2025 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
Every week we get a little deeper, and maybe a little tougher to chew on for some of us. This week's chapters I am reminded of the importance of context. Not only context in the passages surrounding what we are reading, but context within the whole gospel story, as well as the context of the culture in Biblical times.
As you read these chapters, and really as you continue on this journey through the gospels in chronological order, I pose a challenge to you - keep the whole context in mind, ask questions, branch out to other parts of the Bible, keep your heart and mind open to what God wants to teach you, and don't neglect to pray as you read and study. Remember that the Bible is a continuous story versus many chopped-up stories smashed next to each other.
The Bible is relevant to itself all over its vast set of pages. Where man has placed breaks in a chapter or verse, God continues His narrative. Look past the verse and chapter numbers, headlines, and page breaks, and let God show you the connections He wants you to see.
In our chapters this week, Jesus is asked several loaded questions, approached by quite a few people, and explains some tough-to-swallow commands. The main takeaway for me in the entire reading is that we are meant to put Him first, always. Faith is not just obedience but is also sacrifice, service, and even persecution. To inherit eternal life, to receive salvation at the end of the age, we must follow Jesus which will include great sacrifice, humble service, and even suffering along the way in this life. The beautiful thing, though, is that we are also instructed to look ahead to the reward we will have in Heaven at the end of the age. This life will be hard, but the next life - eternal life - will be more than worth it all.
Take some time this week to consider the sacrifices you have made for the sake of Jesus. How has this blessed or transformed you, your life, and your faith?
What is God revealing or teaching you through these passages?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 8, 2025 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
This week's reading is humbling. Along Jesus's ministry journey, he heals ten men with leprosy. He then told them to go show themselves to the priests, which was the law and custom of the time. If you had leprosy you had to keep away from others, and if you were well again you had to go to the priest for them to bless and cleanse you and then welcome you back into the community.
I love what Jesus says when one of the men comes back to Him and falls down at His feet. The man didn't go to the priest, he came back to the One who healed him and Jesus's response tells us that is exactly what He wanted all of the men to do - praise God for the healing they received.
Describe a blessing you received from God. How did you respond?
He then gives us another important lesson that we all need to take heed of. He was asked when the Kingdom of God would come. His response teaches us that there are multiple phases to the coming of the Kingdom of God and that His presence is essential to every phase.
How does this passage challenge or confirm your understanding of the Kingdom of God? Explain.
Connected to Jesus's lessons about praising God and the Kingdom of God, He then tells a couple of parables about prayer and humility. I love His parable about God answering prayers. His point here is that He wants us to be persistent in prayer, dedicated and focused on giving all matters to the Lord, and trust the Lord to respond how and when He knows is best.
What does this parable teach you about your own prayer life? Explain.
He then tells a parable about two people, a tax collector and a Pharisee, praying and the different ways they prayed. Jesus points out that the one who shows humility is the one God will exalt. The one who exalts himself will be humbled by God because God hates pride. Those who see themselves as justified and righteous need to be careful and seek for the Lord to check their heart.
What does this parable teach you about God?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 1, 2025 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
Chronological Gospels: John 11
This week we read through John 11 where Jesus's dear friend Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, has died. Several times these three siblings are acknowledged as beloved by Jesus. Jesus was told of Lazarus's illness and His response is to pray and wait for God's timing. He waits for Lazarus to die, then goes to see Martha and Mary.
Describe a time you held onto faith even when circumstances were painful.
Jesus traveled to Martha and Mary, having told the disciples He was going to wake Lazarus up from sleep. Upon arriving and speaking with Martha and Mary, Jesus proclaimed that He is the resurrection and the life. Those who have faith in Him would never die. He was declaring that those who have faith would have eternal life.
What does this statement teach us about Jesus?
What does this teach us about who we are through Jesus?
In their grief, the women still show their faith in Him. They knew that God would work through Jesus. Jesus was moved by their faith and brought Lazarus back to life. This moment is a turning point in Jesus's ministry.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, causing many to witness this miracle and believe in Him. Some, though, told the Pharisees who then used this as an excuse to plot against Jesus. The Pharisees were so drunk with their power and position that they looked at all of the miracles Jesus performed and rather than worship they plotted to kill Him so they could keep their power over the people and trusted status with Rome.
Describe a time you saw God at work and missed the point. How did this impact your faith when you realized what you'd missed at the time?
In all of these moments that the Pharisees sought to kill Jesus I am reminded of my own fight against Him before finally coming to Him, but also I remember that even these moments were used by God for His purposes. As the story continues, we see how God used this within the ultimate plan for redemption.
Describe a time in your life when God used unexpected or even painful circumstances that led to good. What did this teach you about God?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jun 24, 2025 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
In Luke 16 Jesus tells a series of parables. He begins the chapter with the parable of the unrighteous servant where the man essentially worries he will be caught in his unrighteous deeds and be fired from his position. His response is to go around to all the people who owe his master a debt and shave off a portion of their debt in order to win their favor and hope they will help him in the future.
At the end of the story, Jesus says in the CSB to "make friends for yourselves by worldly wealth so that when it fails, they may welcome you into eternal dwellings." He goes on to explain that those who are faithful with little will be faithful with much, and those who are unrighteous with a little will be unrighteous with much.
This whole parable is a lesson to be future-focused and to have a Kingdom-oriented mindset. In the beginning, the servant was acting unrighteously thinking about his own gains in the moment. Later he is generous and forgiving to others in preparation for the future. We, too, are called to be generous and forgiving with the worldly wealth and resources the Lord provides for us, and use them for Kingdom purposes. We should allow Christ to determine how we use our possessions.
By focusing on serving the Lord with all that we have we will be devoted to Him and be blessed with more to continue to turn around and use again for His Kingdom. When we are faithful with a little, He will trust us to be faithful with more. No matter how much we are given we must remain Kingdom-focused and look to our future in Heaven as our reward and treasure.
How can you serve the Kingdom with what you have been given?
What does this parable teach you about the Kingdom and your role in it?
As Jesus continues His lesson He continues to emphasize the importance of Kingdom values over worldly values. It reminds me of the parable of the sower where one of the places seeds were scattered began to grow, but too many distractions and things of the world came and suffocated the roots and killed the vine.
When we become focused on worldly things and fail to focus on the Kingdom, we fail to use what we have for the Kingdom, and we end up letting worldliness distract us and suffocate the root of faith planted in us. We become our own stumbling block when we let the world tempt us away from Kingdom priorities.
Not only this, but when we fail to use what we have for the Lord's work, we prove to be unfaithful with the resources and blessings He has given us. He gives for His purposes, and if we don't use it for His purposes He will not entrust us with more.
What does this teach you about who God is?
What does this teach you about who we are to God?
Pray and reflect on how God wants to use you, and pray, like the apostles did, for Him to increase your faith.
by Water On Thirsty Land | Aug 1, 2024 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
Chronological Gospels: Luke 14-15
In Luke 14 and 15 Jesus teaches through many parables. The very first lesson of Luke 14 is about the Sabbath. The Pharisees had made many rules and regulations regarding the Sabbath and turned it from its intended day of rest and rejuvenation to a day of stressful and seemingly impossible restrictions on the Jewish people. They had made it clear the Sabbath rules were more important than spiritual matters and miracles, and here in Luke 14 we see Jesus again address this matter.
Jesus healed a man and then proceeded to tell the Pharisees how hypocritical their Sabbath laws and actions were. He pointed out that they'd of course save a son or even an Ox if he were injured on the Sabbath, but that they get angry when Jesus performs a healing miracle on the Sabbath. These moments in scripture lead me to reflect on my own heart and intentions about my personal Sabbath day of rest.
How do you take a Sabbath day of rest, and what might you need to change about it?
Jesus then goes on to teach in parables about the value of humility and generosity. What struck me also is that these parables also teach on the importance of heeding God's invitation to Himself. We are all invited to the table, but if we decline His invitation we deny His blessings, provisions, and a relationship with Him. Eventually, there will be no more invitations.
What stands out to you in these parables about who Christ is and your own relationship with Him?
As sons and daughters of the King of kings we can find much in common with these parables. The parable of the prodigal son, for instance, has 2 examples of sons that we can learn from. One, the younger, is the prodigal most can relate to in some way. We can be encouraged in that God is like the loving father who welcomes his prodigal son back with love and joy when he returns with a repentant heart.
The other son is often overlooked but serves as an important example as well. Whenever I read this story, I pray that my heart is not like the older brother who was feeling bitter and entitled, and in this seems to harbor unforgiveness toward his repentant brother. Not only this, but this son displays that he serves his father with ill intentions. He only seeks what he can gain and is bitter at what he feels is a lack of reward for his service. I pray I serve my Heavenly Father with a heart of grateful service and not fall into the bitterness this son displays toward his father.
What encouragement do you find in these parables today?
Be encouraged that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you, cares for you, and rejoices with you when you come to Him in repentance and humility. Blessed are those who show generosity, forgiveness, and kindness to others, and who encourage others to draw near to our Heavenly Father who is ready to forgive and restore His lost sheep.
Take time to pray on these lessons and meditate on them, remembering who God truly is and who He calls you to be - His child whom He loves.
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 25, 2024 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
Chronological Gospels: Luke 12-13
As we read Luke 12 and 13 this week, there are many important lessons for us to meditate on and apply to our lives. Jesus is teaching in many different cities, and tensions are rising all around Him. His disciples are with Him, and the Pharisees continue to push back against Jesus. At the start of Luke 12, Jesus gives a blunt warning not only to the disciples who traveled with Him but also to us today - beware of hypocrisy. Guard yourselves, and be aware that everything hidden will one day be fully revealed. God is not fooled by us.
He goes on to say that we should not fear people who can kill the body. The only fear we should have is of God. Fear is mentioned quite a few times in this chapter, but not every time does it mean the same thing. What Jesus is saying is to not be afraid of people lest they be displeased and do harm to you, but to fear God in this way. He then continues on with the exhortation to not be struck with fear and seized with alarm because God counts us as more valuable than even the sparrows.
We are to fear God in a way that is in awe and respect, but also in a way that we do not want to displease Him. We do not, however, need to be in fear and alarm toward God. When we feel anxious or afraid, Jesus invites us to look at His creation and see how God provides for all, then recognize that He provides and cares for us, too.
What does this passage teach you about the fear of the Lord?
In the same conversation, Jesus then proceeds to explain that not only should we not be afraid of people, and that we should desire to please God and trust Him to provide for us, but that we also should not be afraid or neglect to acknowledge Jesus before others, nor should we blaspheme the Holy Spirit. We should likewise be careful against greed and set our desires on the Kingdom of God and Heavenly things.
What does this passage teach you about who God is?
God continuously provides for all of His creation and wants us to trust Him to lead, guide, and provide for us. He wants us to use what He blessed us with to be rich toward Him and generous toward others. We must be careful not to store up treasures for ourselves and neglect our duty to hospitality and generosity. Becoming too focused on earthly wealth is a sure way to lose focus of the true treasure we have in Heaven.
In fact, Jesus explains to us that the cure for anxiety is to have faith and trust God to provide and to be generous with what He does provide. Seek His Kingdom, and do what is pleasing to Him.
How can you focus more on the Kingdom and less on earthly things this week?
How can you be rich toward God and generous with the blessings He has given you?
In all of this, we can learn how to better prepare for Christ's return, the time of which we do not know. He calls on us to be prepared, to have faith, to trust God's provisions, and seek His Kingdom. We must do the job He has given us to do and be found doing it when He returns.
What steps can you take to prepare for Christ's return so that you may walk through the narrow door before it shuts?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 18, 2024 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
This week's readings gave me quite a lot to think about and I hope the same will be said for you. We catch up with Jesus in Luke 10 when He sends out 72 disciples in pairs to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near, and to perform miracles in Jesus' name by the power Jesus granted them.
The very beginning of Luke 10 is a wonderful example of what we can be praying for, and also helps me to align my heart with the Lord. Jesus tells them that the harvest is abundant but the workers are few, and encourages the disciples, as well as us now, to pray that workers will be sent out into the harvest. We should pray likewise over how we are to be workers in the harvest.
Take some time to pray for workers to be sent out into the harvest, and for your own part in working the harvest.
The next part is a needed reminder with this prayer. We are not responsible for the response of others to the message of the gospel. Just as Jesus tells the disciples to shake the dust off their feet, we too should do likewise. Our responsibility and calling is to proclaim, and it is the responsibility of the hearers to hear and believe. If they do not, that is up to the Lord to do His will with them.
When the disciples returned, Jesus encouraged them not to praise the works they did in the name of the Lord, but to praise the fact that their names are written in Heaven. Another valuable lesson for us today. Be humble and give all the glory and credit to God, rejoicing in that He chose us and made us part of His family. Our reward is in Heaven. Jesus then gives another beautiful example of prayer.
What does this passage teach you about prayer?
After this, someone asks a series of questions that help us to learn more about how to inherit eternity in heaven, and likewise how God calls on us to love. To inherit eternity with God we are to love God with our whole selves, and also love our neighbors as ourselves. The question seems to be asked often who counts as our neighbor, and Jesus actually gives us that answer. He tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, and then asks who in the story is the neighbor.
What does this teach you about who your neighbor is and how to love them?
I love seeing this passage where the man given his sight rebukes the Pharisees. We so often put religious teachers and scholars on a pedestal and don’t correct people we have been trained to think know more than we do. This man, though, boldly proclaims what he has been taught from scripture and believes about Jesus despite the Pharisees’ power and responses. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God gives wisdom to those who truly desire it for the right reasons, and will be with His people. This man given his sight is an incredible and inspiring example.
Who in your life has inspired and encouraged you to be bold in your faith? Explain.
After Jesus teaches us to love those who show us mercy, He moves on to stay with Mary, Martha. Mary sat at Jesus' feet to listen to Him, while Martha was distracted with hosting. Martha in her distraction misses Jesus' teaching, and scolds Mary, asking Jesus to make her help.
How does this story apply to your own life?
In John 10:22-42, Jesus explains that His sheep hear His voice, know Him, and follow Him. His sheep are in His protection. He also explains to those who have seen many of His miracles and still don't believe that He and the Father are one. He also explains that if they won't believe by His words, they should believe by His works. This struck me as an example of faith and works. Works that are evidence of faith have power to plant seeds for the gospel. For Jesus, He did miracles by the power of God to bring some to belief, and some believed simply by His words. Likewise is still true about the workers going out to harvest. Some that we meet will be convinced by the works we do in His name, and some by the Word we proclaim in His name. Those who hear and recognize Jesus will know and obey Him.
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 11, 2024 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
In John 9-10:21 Jesus has just healed a man who was born blind which causes quite a stir. The disciples ask whether the man or his parents were in sin, indicating that the blindness was a punishment for sin. Jesus’ response is an important one for all of us. Jesus replies by teaching that the man’s ailment was not due to sin, but that he was blind so that he could be used to display God’s works.
As someone who has many ailments, has had many sufferings in my life, this lesson hit home early in my Christian life and still hits to this day. Sometimes suffering or sickness is a result of sinful choices. Sometimes it is implemented to lead us to repentance. Sometimes, though, it is purely for God to work through and in those circumstances and that person. I know I can look back and see that so much of my suffering was a result of my own sin, but also was being used by God to display His works and draw me to Himself, and sometimes others as well.
What is an ailment or circumstance in your life that, once through it, you recognized was God working in your life rather than a sort of punishment?
Another thing this passage got me thinking about is that we tend to judge what others are doing and assume we know if the work someone is doing is for God or not. This passage is a great reminder that only God knows the heart, and only God truly has the right to judge, but we have the responsibility to come alongside one another as fellow sinning human beings to grow in faith and godliness together.
After this lesson, the man who was given his sight is questioned by the Pharisees and Jesus is accused of not being from God. They constantly tried to discredit Jesus, and this circumstance was no different. Rather than recognize the miracle Jesus performed they sought to destroy His reputation and keep their own status as servants of God unblemished and unchanged. Many believed the Pharisees, but some, the blind man being one of them, stood up and spoke up.
I love seeing this passage where the man given his sight rebukes the Pharisees. We so often put religious teachers and scholars on a pedestal and don’t correct people we have been trained to think know more than we do. This man, though, boldly proclaims what he has been taught from scripture and believes about Jesus despite the Pharisees’ power and responses. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God gives wisdom to those who truly desire it for the right reasons, and will be with His people. This man given his sight is an incredible and inspiring example.
Who in your life has inspired and encouraged you to be bold in your faith? Explain.
After then addressing that the Pharisees’ failure to recognize their own spiritual blindness means they are still in sin, Jesus proceeds to give His famous speech about being the Good Shepherd. The only way to an abundant life is to enter through Him. He is the only way to salvation, the only way to a relationship with our Heavenly Father, and those who are truly of God recognize Jesus as the Good Shepherd and Savior of mankind. Those who do not recognize Him are not His sheep and not of God.
What does it mean to you for Jesus to be your Good Shepherd?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jul 4, 2024 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
Chronological Gospels: John 7-8
In John 7 and 8 this week, we read some important narratives between Jesus and those who sought to kill him. John 7 begins with Jesus addressing his brothers’ unbelief in Him, and tells them that His time to appear in public is not yet come, but that theirs is always at hand.
This got me thinking. What does it mean that our time is always at hand? The word here for time means a time appointed by God to appear publicly. To me, this says our time to publicly proclaim our faith and believe in Him is always at hand. Our time to repent is also always at hand.
What does this speak to you, that our time is always at hand?
As the story continues on, Jesus makes a point not to judge according to outward appearance, but according to righteous judgment. This companions with the teaching that we will be judged according to the measure we judge by. Judgment should not be based on human standards but godly standards, and not for human reasons, but instead with godly intentions. These standards and measures are found throughout God’s Word, and we can learn them as we grow in our relationship with the Lord and His Word.
Another thing this passage got me thinking about is that we tend to judge what others are doing and assume we know if the work someone is doing is for God or not. This passage is a great reminder that only God knows the heart, and only God truly has the right to judge, but we have the responsibility to come alongside one another as fellow sinning human beings to grow in faith and godliness together.
When Jesus later makes a promise that those who believe will have living waters run through them, He is promising the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers after He ascends to Heaven. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we learn to become more like Christ and allow Him to change our hearts to align with Him. He is the light of the world and anyone who believes will be given His light, and will no longer walk in the darkness of sin, ignorance, unbelief, and condemnation.
Is there someone in your life to pray over confronting about their sin? Explain.
Throughout John 7 and 8, Jesus is making the point that those who believe in Him will be blessed, will be given understanding, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, and also will be children of God. Those who truly believe will live like it, following Jesus’ teachings and commands, and truly following His ways. To be a true disciple of the Lord, you will continue in His Word. Anyone who is of God will obey God because they love God. If you truly believe in Jesus, you will believe His Word, and do what it says.
How does this truth about being a true believer change your perspective?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Jun 27, 2024 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
Chronological Gospels: Matthew 18
Matthew 18 is filled with some important instructions and lessons for all believers. It is an uncomfortable chapter for many people, but oftentimes we must get uncomfortable in order to grow.
The disciples came to Jesus to ask who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus teaches that the way to greatness is found in humility and service. He adds that the way to Heaven is by childlike trust and dependence in God. He continues on to explain that anything in your life that causes someone else or yourself to sin should be cut off.
How can you humbly serve others in the Kingdom? Explain.
Not only are we to be humble, trust in the Lord, depend on Him entirely, and serve God and others, but we should cherish new believers, those who are “like children” in the faith, and exercise Kingdom authority not by controlling others but by this humility and service we are called to. We should rejoice when the lost are found. It is important to note that what comes next is part of this same conversation. Oftentimes, this chapter is split up and much of the context is lost. Matthew 18:15-35 should be read in the same context as part of the same conversation as Matthew 18:1-14.
As Jesus explains the value of new believers, humility, service, trust, and dependence He also explains the correct process of disciplining fellow believers in the church. Notice that this is a responsibility given to believers as a whole and is not reserved for pastors and church leaders alone.
Jesus rejoices when a lost sheep is found, and now explains that if a brother or sister in Christ sins we should confront them privately about it first. If they do not heed the warning, we should bring 1 or 2 witnesses along to talk to them. If they still do not listen, then we get the church involved. If they still continue in their sin, we are to cast them out as if they are Gentiles. All of this should be done with the intention, hope, and desire to lead them to repentance. We should all have a heart of service and humility that desires to see a believer in sin repentant and restored.
If discipline occurs under the instruction and Lordship of Jesus, the Lord sanctions it. All discipline should be prayerfully considered and handled, never done with bitterness or resentment, and again always done with a heart and intent to lead them to repentance. If it is for the Lord, it should be brought to the Lord and led by the Lord in order to be blessed by the Lord. And if we are to be right with the Lord, we should bring any discipline received to the Lord to be led by Lord in the correction of the Lord.
Is there someone in your life to pray over confronting about their sin? Explain.
Just as we are given instructions to prayerfully handle discipline in the church, those receiving the discipline should do likewise. We see in Matthew 18:21-35 the importance of forgiveness, and again noting it’s relevance to the lesson of humility, authority, and discipline. We should never hold a grudge. Remember in 1 Corinthians 13 we read that love does not hold an account of wrongs. We should not hold an account of wrongs, nor should we fail to forgive. If we fail to forgive others, the Lord will bind us in our unforgiveness. He forgives freely those who earnestly seek it and we are to do the same.
Is there anyone in your life you are harboring unforgiveness toward? Any grudges you need to forgive and release? Explain and pray for help.
by Water On Thirsty Land | Oct 19, 2023 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
This week we catch up with Jesus as He takes Peter, John, and James up a mountain to be alone and pray. Here, Jesus transfigured and “shone like the sun” in all His glory and suddenly Moses and Elijah were with Jesus, talking with Him. Peter here cracks me up and reminds me so much of myself in those nervous moments you don’t know what to do so you just say whatever comes to mind.
Peter interrupts Jesus’s conversation with Elijah and Moses by telling Him “it’s good we’re here”. How often do we have those types of thoughts? “Wow God, it’s good I’m here so I can help You!” When really, we were there because He made it so - not by mere coincidence. Peter’s reaction reminds me that it’s so important to remain humble and remember God places us where He wants us for His purposes.
When was the last time you knew you were exactly where you were meant to be? Explain.
After Peter, John, and James totally miss yet another miracle, they decide to ask Jesus about a prophecy regarding Elijah. In Matthew, we read that Jesus tells the disciples that Elijah had already returned before Jesus as prophesied but he was not recognized, and they understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist. With this, Jesus also tells them that the Son of Man will suffer and be raised from the dead.
Describe a time God clarified something for you that you had been confused about.
Later, Jesus is brought a boy who has an evil spirit. The disciples were unable to cast the demon out, for which Jesus rebukes their unbelief. He tells them that if they do not have faith, they will not be able to do it. If they have faith the size of a mustard seeds, the smallest of all seeds, then nothing will be impossible for them.
Having faith is one of the biggest challenges we face a lot of the time. Our unbelief is often what hinders us. By growing in our faith and dependence on God, and growing in our belief that all things are possible through Christ, we can accomplish whatever it is God presents for us to do.
When was the last time you found yourself lacking faith? How can you grow in your faith and dependence on Jesus in these times?
The disciples later argued about which one of them was greatest, and Jesus’ response is one we need to remember. So often we, too, wonder about who is the best, the greatest, or even the worst. We try to put ourselves first, but in doing so we push ourselves to the back of the line. Jesus reminds us that it is the least who are the greatest, meaning it is those who are humble and don’t seek their own glory or status who are the greatest. Humility is a trait we all need to learn and reside in.
Describe a time your pride needed to be humbled.
The disciples then told Jesus they had told someone not to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. This comment makes me think of all the different ways God uses people to accomplish His divine purposes. Where one person is called to serve the Lord and spread the gospel in one manner, the next person is given a totally different means to accomplish the same goal.
Describe a time someone glorified God and shared the gospel in a way that differed from your own calling. What did this teach you?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Oct 12, 2023 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
This week we meet back up with Jesus and the disciples after Jesus has just fed another multitude, this time 4,000, with 7 baskets leftover. Last time it was 5,000 with 12 baskets leftover, which happened in Jewish territory, and this time it happens in gentile lands. Jesus is showing the people that He came for the Jews and the Gentiles alike.
After He feeds yet another many thousand people, the disciples head out with Jesus. Jesus gives a warning to beware of the teachings and example of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but the disciples again miss the point. They also miss the miracle of Jesus feeding another many thousand people…again.
Jesus and the disciples then carry on a very important conversation we can learn several things from. Peter confesses his belief that Jesus I truly the Messiah, and Jesus praises the fact that Peter did not come to this because of man, but because God has revealed it to him and he believed it. This is what we are all called to.
Jesus then explains the importance of holding onto this belief in faith. Those who want to truly follow Jesus must be willing to give everything up for Jesus, even their own life. This is both figurative and literal. Some will be faced with a literal life and death decision for their faith, but all of us are faced with a decision to die to our old selves and allow the Jesus to fill us with Himself giving us His spiritual life. As we go through our life growing in faith we should become more like Jesus and less like ourselves. This is a tough concept for many of us, but is well worth every ounce of pain, suffering, and discomfort for the promise ahead.
How has Christ transformed you and your life to bring Him more honor and glory?
The other main point that struck me in these passages is Jesus’ first reference to the Church. This is a passage that can be controversial for some. Based on the surrounding passages as well as the rest of scripture in context with this passage in Matthew 16, I believe Jesus is telling the disciples that He is the Rock on which the Church will be built, and that our faith in Him and testimonies build up the church. We read throughout the New Testament about Jesus as the chief cornerstone and the testimonies of the prophets and apostles are the foundation built upon Christ the rock and cornerstone.
Our testimony and witness to the world matters. Sharing the gospel and living in God’s truth help to build up the Church on the cornerstone, rock, and true foundation of Jesus Christ. Just like it was vital for the disciples to go out into all the world and proclaim the gospel to build up the early church, it is still the responsibility and privilege of followers of Jesus today to do likewise in the ways God calls, leads and provides for us to do.
How do you share your testimony and the gospel with others?
What impact have others had in your life by sharing their faith and testimony?
by Water On Thirsty Land | Oct 5, 2023 | Basic Bible Studies, Bible Studies, Books of the Bible, Chronological Gospels, Gospels Guided Study, New Testament Studies, Study with Me
This week as we dive into the gospels, we head into Matthew 15 and Mark 7 where we catch up with Jesus and one of His conversations with the Pharisees. John the Baptist has recently been beheaded, the Pharisees are hunting for ways to entrap Jesus, and Jesus has just performed the miracle of feeding the five-thousand with the loaves and fish.
The Pharisees here call out the disciples for not holding to the traditions of the elders, as they call it. In the Jewish culture, tradition was extremely important. They all held to the traditions that had been passed down from generation to generation. One such tradition was a ceremonial washing of hands before eating. To us washing hands before eating sounds simple enough, especially in a world over two years into a pandemic, but in this time it was ceremonial - not just for washing the dirt and grime off of your hands. The Pharisees were not talking about physical cleanness but were pointing out that the disciples were not holding to a tradition for ceremonial cleanness.
Do you have certain traditions you and/or your family follow? Describe some of them and where they came from.
I love Jesus’s response here. His responses are always an opportunity for us to learn something. Here, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees because they are touting that the disciples are not following a man-made tradition, yet the Pharisees are not upholding God-given commands. They are choosing to put their own traditions over God.
Thinking about your own traditions again, how do these traditions coordinate with God’s commands for your life? Are they complimentary or contradictory?
Jesus’s response to the Pharisees should cause us to evaluate our own routines, traditions, and intentions behind them. We should take the time to filter all of our habits, routines, and traditions through God’s Word to make sure they don’t take hold a higher place in our lives than God’s commands, but also to ensure they don’t contradict God’s Word.
We have to be willing to put aside man-made for God-commanded. Our intentions matter, and keeping God first takes intention and effort. Our intentions are known by God, and if our intentions are wrong it will come out of our hearts. If our heart is misaligned and not founded on Christ our hearts are defiled and that will flow out of us.
What areas of your life do you need to realign with God’s Word and commands?
Right after this, we see the gentile woman come to Jesus and beg His help. This image is so important at this moment in the story. The Pharisees, those who the Jewish people looked to for spiritual wisdom and guidance, were just called out for being “blind guides”. Now we see Jesus praise a gentile woman, an outsider, someone the Jewish people would have seen as an enemy of God in those times, praised for her faith and her child healed of a demon.
Jesus seeks to save ALL who will come to Him and have faith in Him. No matter your background, family, experiences, or sins He wants you to come to Him, trust in Him, and receive salvation through faith in Him.
Take some time to consider what you have not felt like you can bring to God. What is stopping you from trusting Him fully? What burden feels too heavy to be forgiven? Pray over it this week.
