Blog | Summit Woods Baptist Church

February 22nd, 2012

February 16th, 2012

Carefully Think

Read Matthew 4:12-17
To see the background of 4:12, read Luke 3:19-20 (Matthew 14:3-12 – for a record of John the Baptist’s death)
Read John 1:19-4:54 and make a list of all the ministry that took place between Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his preaching ministry as mentioned in Matthew 4:12.
Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee. Find a map of Israel in the back of your Bible and locate Nazareth in Galilee. How far from Jerusalem is it? Why would Jesus spend the majority of his ministry away from Jerusalem? Why would he begin his earthly ministry here?
What did Jesus emphasize in his ministry? Why not healing or miraculously feeding thousands? Why this ministry?

Many different events took place between Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his public ministry. Do you ever find yourself frustrated with God’s timing in when you will serve Him? Is God doing foundational preparation work in your life that you need to become more content in?
Are you content with where God has you? Where you live? The job you have? The stage of life you are in? Not that you cannot improve or that God may intent for you to move, but are you satisfied with God’s providence in where you are right now?
How central are the Scriptures to your serving Christ? How are your actions driven by the Bible? Do you ever find yourself assuming that your actions are more significant that what you believe? How does what we believe and what we say affect how we serve and what we do?

How should you respond to the timing, the place, and the way God has you serving Him right now? What challenges your contentedness? How could you more purposefully embrace where God has you right now?
Does any of this study bring any areas of sin to mind that you need to confess? Prayerfully respond.
How could you encourage someone else who is struggling with God’s providential plan in his or her life?
Pray for those who will be leading the service today: Dawson Bryant, music; Sam Karl, Scripture reading and prayer; Bret Capranica, teaching. Pray that they will edify and strengthen those who come.
Pray for those who do not know Christ to see a biblical vision of the Savior and desire to follow Him.
Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will sing together. Download any of the songs you do not have and prepare yourself to sing in a joyful, thoughtful, edifying manner with the church on Sunday.

February 15th, 2012

February 9th, 2012

Read Matthew 4:1-11
Who led Jesus into the wilderness?
Why was he led there?
Who tempted him?
Why do you think Jesus fasted while under such extreme temptation?
Read Deuteronomy 8 in connection with 4:4. What was the problem in Israel being addressed in Deuteronomy 8? How does that situation affect the exchange between Jesus and the Devil in 4:3, 4?
Why does the devil want Jesus to jump off of the temple (4:5-7)? What does Jesus indicate is wrong about the devil’s use of Scripture?
What does the devil want from Jesus in the 3^rd temptation? What does Jesus say is most important?

Read verse 1 again. What does this suggest about God’s involvement/non-involvement in our temptations?
Read through each of the temptations and Jesus’ responses again. What is the unique emphasis of each one? How could you be tempted in similar ways? What is the correct emphasis in countering each of these temptations.
Who was with Jesus to see this temptation? Why do you think it was important for us to know what happened during this temptation?

Make a list of areas of your life that you regularly find temptations to sin. At the core of the temptation, what is being challenged in your life?
What Scriptures would encourage you in each of the temptations you listed? How could you use these passages when you face temptation?
What do you learn about Jesus in this passage that gives you greater confidence in Him? Spend a moment in praise and thanksgiving for how sufficient Jesus is for you.
Pray for all who will be present Sunday: that the saints will be uniquely edified, that those without Christ will see Jesus’ sufficiency for them and repent, and that God will be loved in our gathering.
Pray for those leading the service: Dawson Bryant, music; Sam Karl, Scripture reading and prayer; Bret Capranica, teaching. Pray that each contribution will contribute to a unified expression from God’s people.
Meditate on the lyrics of the songs for Sunday. Download and listen to any of them you do not have. Make yourself familiar with the tune and the lyrics so you can sing with clarity and focus.