Hello again! Welcome to the fourth session of What Love Is Online Bible Study! We are halfway through already. Can you believe it? I hope you are learning so much about God’s love for us and how we are to love others.
If you have any questions about how this study works, we’ve answered most of them here.
Catching up? That’s okay! We’ll leave the videos up, so you can take your time.
Okay, now onto the video! We’ve posted the questions to answer in the comments and your study assignment for the week below.
Questions to answer in the comments:
- In a world where so much is changing and in constant flux, what part of the definition of meno means the most to you and why? (page 76)
- Name one truth of the gospel or of Jesus’ teaching that you consistently come back to regardless of how culture shifts. (page 81)
- What does it mean to you that Jesus, the Holy One, has set you apart with His anointing? (page 80)
This week, complete Session 4: Easter Everyday and meet back here next week to discuss!
1. This really reminded me of the need to be PRESENT, to be in the moment. God wired me to be a planner, so my mind is constantly running to the nextm task and what needs to be done. I need to calm down my inner Martha and be more like Mary
2. My favorite passage comes out of John’s Gospel, chapter 6 – Jesus had a large group of people following Him. He throws out “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you can have no part of me.” – and most of the people get freaked out and leave. Jesus turns to the apostles and asks if they, too, are going to leave. Peter looks at him and says, “Where else would we go? You alone have the words of life.”
3. When I was 17 I was in a pretty bad car accident, which I walked away from unharmed for the most part. Since that time, I have known that God had a purpose for me to serve Him. I’ve seen His hand time and time again. Ministry is not the bed of roses that many think it is; it’s been the most satisfying and frustrating job I’ve ever had. But what keeps me here is 1) I love God, 2) Not following His calling would have some pretty unsatisfying consequences, 3) God is the best boss!, 4) I know this is where he wants me to be. To loosely quote Esther 4:14 – God has called me for such a time as this. Thank you, God. It’s pretty darn cool to be called and anointed.
1) Remain is the meaning that is speaking to me. With the world today running form the newest, latest and greatest catch phrase, or discovery, it is freeing to remain in the Word and the assurances that God is the same forever.
2) That I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
3) I can wrap my mind around being setting apart, the annointing is yet another matter. I need to start living in the knowledge that I have been called to a specific purpose, and every day there will be opportunities for me to be used for His plan and purpose.
1. To continue to be… that no matter how much this world and culture of ours changes, the truth of God does not! He remains the same! He is God, he remains!
2. Humbly I come back to the truth, and John 3:16 says it all “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
3. Again, I’m humbled, and knowing that I am fully his, belonging to him, there are just not enough words to describe how I feel, so undeserved yet given such a gift….
1. ….. to be held, kept continually. I feel as if i am unravelling. I love the image of God holding me close and keeping me safe.
2. The one truth I come back to is that I am saved by grace and not by what I do. Its not about keeping rules but all about Jesus and what He did for me.
3. I have never considered myself anointed like this – pretty amazing! If I have been anointed then God has a purpose for me and he will empower me to do it. So, get up Colleen and start living your destiny.
Go do it, Coleen. Love this!
1. To be present. In a world that is constantly changing and at a time in my life when I have lost several people that I was close to, the fact that God is always present is a great comfort. To know that He is present to help me at anytime and with me at all times does give me a different peace than anything or person can provide.
2. Jesus was born of a virgin, died on the cross, and rose again three days later. All for the remission of our sins. He lived on this earth just like I do however, He was able to resist all temptation and remain sinless. He paid the ultimate price for our redemption not for anything that He had done. The thing that still overwhelms me is that He did this for everyone but if I had been the only one then He still would have given His life just for me.
3. Looking back at when I accepted Christ I see that as a very personal time. However, I have always focused more on the fact that my sins were forgiven and that I belonged to Him. I never recognized this as a time of anointing and when I received the Holy Spirit. Maybe because I was younger then. The fact that I received an anointing at the same times my sins were being washed away is an incredible gift that I never want to take for granted.
1 – The part I liked the best in the definition of meno is “not to perish, to last, to endure”. It doesn’t matter what goes on in the world – God’s word, His love, His teachings will NEVER change or die away. That is powerful to me.
2 – The concept that God has it all in his plan. He knows what’s happening in the world – he knew it years before it happened and it is all part of His grand plan. We can’t understand what He’s doing, but we don’t need to. He has it figured out.
3 – It’s a true calling. It’s being set apart for this purpose in life. It makes me feel blessed and called to do works in His name. For His glory.
1. The part of the definition of meno that means the most to me is HELD. It is so personal; it is one-on-one when you hold someone else. There is an implication there of tenderness and purpose, not just “retained” but HELD. So awesome to think that God Almighty purposefully holds me ~ and I need to purposefully hold HIM.
2. The truth I return to is that salvation is a free gift from God. Not a result of works, not a result of wishful thinking or obedience and not some cold return on investment. God does not say, “You have worked hard enough. I will save you because you have proved yourself worth saving.” Instead, we can know that in our current state, no matter if we have accepted the gift yet or not, God loves us. Salvation is a gift based on love, carried out in love, and reflected by love. No one can change the Truth of how the Creator designed His gift of salvation.
3. I think I’ve understood that Christ has set apart his Church ~ that we are all anointed in that way. But this study has opened up the idea for me that my anointing is personal as well. Similar to my answer in #1, I’ve come to understand that my anointing is not just being set apart – but set apart for a specific, personal purpose. God holds *me*, anoints *me*. Not a sweeping action that covers everyone like a rainstorm and I happen to be included. But a personal anointing that calls me to my specific purpose in Christ. It amazes me that that kind of relationship with GOD exists.
Joanne – I loved that part too. The ‘held’ piece. So intimate and personal and sometimes all I have to hold onto.
The definition of meno that means a lot to me is, to be held. This definition reminds me of a rope, something I can hold on to and also be held by.
The one truth of the Gospel that I consistently come back to is that Jesus died to give me eternal life and through His shed blood I am 100% forgiven.
Jesus’ anointing comforts me. It means that I have what I need to live my life in a manner that glorifies Him and bear much fruit. I just need to meno.
1. Remain in Me. The world is constantly changing. It bombards us to go with the flow. Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever. Never changing. He says we are to be like Him.
2. The anointing you received from Him remains in you.
3. I am Loved by Him . He will never forsake me.
1. Meno……the world is a constant changing place, just look at what has been accomplished in the last 100 years, last 50 years, even the last 20 years. The shift of the world is not always favorable to Christians and to read in the Bible about how God is always the same and He keeps us close and nothing will ever change that, no one can come between us and God. We can move away from God but He never moves, He is solid!
2. The one truth that everything else is based on is that God’s Word never fails. Everything in the Bible is true and so we can believe with confidence everything that God has told us in his book!
3. In the Old Testament anointing was a very special ritual for kings, prophets etc. To be anointed by Jesus, especially when we don’t deserve it, is incredible. There are no words to really describe that kind of love.
1. What means the most to me about meno is both not departing and being kept because if we understand that Jesus is keeping us and He is our light in this dark ever changing world we won’t want to depart from him because he is our only hope.
2. Truth of the gospel that I consistently come back to regardless of how culture shifts—That Jesus saved me by his grace and I am sealed by his Holy Spirit for all eternity and nothing or no one can ever change that. I am in him and he is in me.
3. Because Jesus has set me apart and annionted me is so amazing to me
It means that he chose me to have a part in sharing the good news of the gospel and it is very personal in the sense that no one else can do what he annionted me to do. It encourages me to know that if I will be obedient Jesus will work through me and do what he called me to do. It is so humbling to know that Jesus uses human vessels to accomplish his eternal plan. To God be the glory!
Love this Mama! Encouraged & So blessed that even though we live thousand miles apart we can do this study together. Call you later
Love you guys are doing this together! So awesome.
Love you, Kelly Minter! Thankful for you & your gift to the body of Christ! My Mom & I’ve Enjoyed so much learning in 1 John this summer. It’s really been amazing! Thx again. & Some of your recipes are becoming staples at both our homes. Xoxo
Hey Lisa – great insight. Love that you’re digging on so many different levels. Thanks for the input this morning!