JESUS SAVES
BIBLESTUDIES
Here are some bible study resources that you can use in your small groups, connect groups, home groups and bible study groups that can hopefully help you to go deeper into and understand our Heavenly Father's word more! We recommend that you use the notes from the commentary section of this website alongside these bible studies, as leaders notes to help you guide the discussion in the bible study. Feel free to copy and past the bible study resources below into your own word document so that you can print them out to use in your bible studies!
Once again, please test these resources with God's word to make sure it is in line with the truth! We hope these studies help you draw closer to our wonderful Saviour Jesus! God bless!
BIBLESTUDY ON PHILEMON
(PART 1)
CONTEXT: The book of Philemon was written by Paul from prison around the same time as the letter to the Colossians in AD 60-62. It is believed that Philemon may have been an elder in the church at Colosse. Philemon was a slave owner who later became a christian as a result of Paul's preaching. Paul writes this letter interceding on behalf of a runaway slave named Onesimus who left Philemon as a non-believer, but came to know Jesus while running away and meeting Paul. Onesimus then became a great help to Paul as a believer in Christ!! (Colossians 4:9)
Key notes:
- Slaves during this time period who ran away could be severely punished with execution or at the very least brutally disciplined.
- The book of Philemon indirectly deals with the christian view point on slavery.
Read Philemon vs 1-25
Q1. How does Paul introduce himself? How can this change of perspective help us in our circumstances?
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(vs 13,Ephesians 4:1, Acts 16:22-25, Philippians 1:12-14)
Q2. How does Paul greet the believers here? What aspects of our christian identity and calling are revealed in this greeting?
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(Philippians 2:25, Matthew 9:36-37, 1 Timothy 5:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Ephesians 6:11-18) Do we identify ourselves by these terms as Christians?
Q3. What does Paul refer to the "church" as being?
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(Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 16:19) How does this change your view on what church is?
Q4. Paul greets Philemon using a common greeting used in a lot of his letters. What is the purpose of this greeting?
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Q5. What was Philemon commended for in vs 4-7? (Are we commended for the same as christians?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(James 2:14-18, James 2:1-9, Psalm 133, 1 Corinthians 16:18, 2 Corinthians 7:13)
BIBLESTUDY ON PHILEMON
(PART 2)
READ PHILEMON 1:8-25
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CONTEXT: Here in vs 8-21, Paul now writes to intercede on behalf of Philemon's runaway slave named Onesimus.
Q1. On what basis does Paul appeal to Philemon for his slave Onesimus? (8-9)
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What is my motivation for helping others? What do I do when I am lacking the right motivation to help others? (2 Corinthians 5:14)
Q2. What does the name 'Onesimus' mean? (vs 10-11) How does this relate to the way Onesimus was living his life before?
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Are we living out the potential in our name that Jesus has called us to? (Genesis 32:28, Acts 13:9)
Q3. What is God's view on slavery in light of this passage? (vs 16)
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1 Timothy 1:10, 1 Corinthians 7:21
Q4. How does the letter to Philemon point to Jesus? (vs 18)
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Q5. Who was Epaphras and what does his life teach us?
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(Philippians 2:25, Colossians 1:7, 4:12)
Q6. Who was Demas and what does his life teach us?
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(Compare 2 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:15) its not about how we start this journey, but how we finish the race in Jesus that matters!!!!
THE TRINITY
BIBLESTUDY ON THE TRINITY
(The Triune nature of God)
Firstly, it is true that some say that the word 'trinity' is not in the bible. The term 'trinity' is a man-made word used to describe a biblical concept, just like the word 'bible' is a man-made word used to refer to the fullness of word of God. This bible study will seek to see if this concept is biblical based on the scriptures of the word of God!
Q. What is the doctrine of the Trinity?
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The doctrine of the Trinity suggests that based on the bible, there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons- The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In other words, God is three-in-one. What must be made clear is that we do not believe in 3 separate Gods! Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10-12 and Isaiah 44:6 clearly state that God is one.
Q1. Is the Trinity concept possible based on scripture? (Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12, James 2:26, John 1:14, (Isaiah 61:1 with Luke 4:1,18, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16), Psalm 11:5)
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Q2. Where in the bible does it mention and DISTINGUISH between God The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit together? (Where are Father, Son and Holy Spirit present together in scripture?) ie. Where is the Trinity shown in the bible?
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(Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 3:21-23, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, John 16:13-15, 1 Peter 1:2, Psalm 110:1, John 17:5- mentions the Glory Jesus had with God before the world began- Isaiah 42:8, Hebrews 1:3, Acts 7:55, Revelation 3:21, Ephesians 3:14-17, John 14:16-23)
Q3. Where does the bible EQUATE Jesus with God the Father, and the Holy Spirit with God the Father and Jesus?
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(John 8:58-Exodus 3:14, Colossians 2:9, John 20:28, John 1:1-3,14, Isaiah 7:14, Titus 2:13, Isaiah 9:6, John 10:30, Philippians 2:9, John 17:5-Isaiah 42:8 these verses equate Jesus with God)
(Acts 5:3-4, 1 Peter 1:11-12, Ephesians 3:16-17, John 14:16-23 these verses seem to equate The Holy Spirit with Jesus and God the Father.)
Q4. When we go to heaven, will we be able to see Jesus and The Holy Spirit distinguishable from God the Father?
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(Acts 7:55, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 8:1, Romans 8:34, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 4:5,8-11, Revelation 5:5-7,9-14, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 110:1, Romans 8:34- with whom is Jesus interceding on our behalf?)
The trinity concept simply tries to accept the fullness of scripture that shows Jesus and The Holy Spirit are equated with God and at the same time are also distinguishable from God our Heavenly Father.
BIBLESTUDY ON JONAH 1
BIBLESTUDY ON THE BOOK OF JONAH
CONTEXT: The 5th book of the minor prophets, the book of Jonah appears to have been set around 790-745 BC possibly during the reign of King Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25-27) and could have been written as late as 613 BC before Babylon conquered Assyria. According to 2 Kings 14:25, Jonah, son of Amittai and was a prophet to the northern Kingdom of Israel and was from Gath Hepher. At a time when Israel was experiencing relative peace and prosperity under King Jeroboam II, Jonah was asked to preach repentance to Ninevah which would later (50 years after Jonah) become the capital city of the Assyrian empire under Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:36). Assyria would subsequently be the superpower that would send the northern Kingdom of Israel into exile around 722 BC (2 Kings 17:5-6).
Further proof that Jonah did really exist is given by the fact that Jesus refers to him in Matthew 12:39-41, which reminds us that God can use us despite our failings and faults!
The bigger picture of the book of Jonah:
Chapter 1- God calls Jonah to preach repentance to Ninevah, but Jonah instead runs away from the Lord. God then brings a storm to discipline Jonah, and he is thrown overboard into the sea and swallowed by a big fish.
Chapter 2- Jonah seems to repent in prayer from inside the fish.
Chapter 3- God calls Jonah again to preach repentance to Nineveh. This time Jonah is able to preach from personal experience! Nineveh repents!
Chapter 4- Jonah is still unhappy with God and this time vents his displeasure with God. God gently corrects Jonah and shows how much He cares for even the gentiles!!
Read Jonah Chapter 1:
In vs 1 it says "The word of the Lord came to Jonah". Biblically speaking, in what ways does God speak to us? (Ezekiel 1:1, 2:1-2, Acts 11:5, Acts 2:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Discuss.
Q1. What did God ask Jonah to do?
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Notice the similarity to the great commission? Go! Will we be obedient?
Q2. Why was Jonah asked to go to Nineveh? (vs 2)
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(Genesis 6:5, 15:16, 18:20-21, Revelation 18:5)
Q3. What was Jonah's response when the word of the Lord came to him? (vs 1-3) What was he meant to do? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
What do we do when the word of God comes to us? Do we pass it on? (Jeremiah 1:4-7, Joel 1:1-2, Ezekiel 6:1-2, 7:1-4) (Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 15:3)
Q4. Why might Jonah have run away from the Lord when asked to preach to Nineveh? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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How do you deal with the situation where God does something that you don't like? Will we choose to love our enemies? Are we like Jonah or Jesus?
Q5. How do you deal with the situation where God does something that you don't like?
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Jonah 4:1-3
Q6. What did God do to correct Jonah? (vs 4)
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Matthew 8:23, Mark 4:35-41 Sometimes the reason we go through the storm is because of our own disobedience (vs 12). God disciplines those He loves- Hebrews 12:6
Q7. What was the result of this storm? (vs 6-16)
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God can turn around our mistakes for His glory! Notice God used this storm to save the sailors and give Jonah the opportunity to witness to them!
Q8. What did God do for Jonah in vs 17?
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Jonah 4:6-8 God's provision doesn't always look the way we think it will! The means by which God saved Jonah was by providing a big fish.
Q9. How does Jonah point to Jesus?
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Matthew 12:39-41
Extra Notes:
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BIBLESTUDY ON JONAH 2 (THE NATURE OF PRAYER)
BIBLESTUDY ON THE BOOK OF JONAH 2
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CONTEXT: At the end of chapter 1, we have just seen Jonah swallowed up by a great fish that God provided, where he will spend the next 3 days and 3 nights in the dark, smelly pit of this fish. Chapter 2 now records the PRAYER the prophet Jonah prayed of the struggle within him while in the belly of the fish during those 3 days and nights!! This is where Jonah will ultimately learn to minister from personal experience. Q. WHAT HAS GOD USED TO DISCIPLINE AND TRAIN YOU?
THE PRAYER OF JONAH: Read Jonah 2:1-10
The structure of Jonah's prayer:
- vs 2-6 Jonah contrasts the distress of being disciplined by God when he was thrown into the ocean to die, with the comfort and hope that God still hears his cries for help and brings salvation!
- vs 7-9 God's discipline brings Jonah back to seeking Him, obeying Him and thanking Him!! (Psalm 119:67)
In vs 1-2 it says that Jonah prayed to God from inside the fish in his distress. WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE WHEN WE ARE IN DISTRESS? What should your response be?
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(James 5:13, Psalm 120:1)
Q1. BASED ON VS 1-2, WHAT IS PRAYER?
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Notice prayer is simply speaking to God. Jonah prayed.....He said... (Luke 11:2, Jonah 4:2, 1 Samuel 2:1)
Q2. WHERE CAN WE PRAY TO GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER? (vs 1)
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If Jonah can pray from inside a fish, then God can hear us from anywhere!! Matthew 6:6- we can pray from our rooms. Matthew 26:39- Jesus prayed from a garden!
Q3. DOES GOD HEAR OUR PRAYERS? (vs 2)
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Its amazing that even in Jonah's disobedience, God chose to hear his prayer from inside the fish (vs 7)! If God heard the prayer of Jonah (vs 7), how much more the prayers of the righteous! (1 Peter 3:12)
Q4. WHAT SHOULD WE LEARN TO PRAY? (vs 2-6)
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Learn to pray God's word and according to His word!! Jonah quotes the psalms in his prayer here. vs 1 (Psalm 120:1), vs 3- Psalm 42:7, vs 6b- Psalm 103:4. In Daniel 9:2-19, Daniel prayed in accordance with the word of God from Jeremiah 25:11-12.
Q5. AT WHAT STAGE DOES JONAH REMEMBER THE LORD? (vs 7) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Do we only seek Jesus when we are in trouble? (See Judges 2:16-19) On the flip side of the coin, this shows us God's mercy and that He uses discipline to get our attention and to turn us back to Him!!!
Q6. AT WHAT STAGE DOES JONAH OFFER HIS SONG OF THANKSGIVING TO THE LORD? (vs 9) When should we thank Jesus?
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Do we only thank Jesus after He delivers us from the trial, or while we are still in the trial? Jonah thanked Jesus while still in the fish, not after he was already delivered from the fish! (Philippians 4:6-7, John 11:41, John 6:11) Let us learn to thank Jesus while still in the trial!
Q7. WHAT IS THE LAST THING JONAH DECLARES IN HIS PRAYER? (vs 9) What is he now able to share from experience?
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Jonah has personally experienced salvation from the Lord in his own situation, so he is now able to share to the Ninevites from personal experience, that Salvation truly comes only from the Lord!!! Do you share from your own personal experiences? What is your testimony?
EXTRA NOTES:
Notice from Jonah's prayer that not once does he recognise his fault and ask God for forgiveness? (Learn to take responsibility for our mistakes)
You might also notice the apparent selfishness of Jonah''s prayer with 'I' being mentioned almost double the number times the "Lord" is mentioned. (Let our prayers focus more of who Jesus is and less on us!)
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BIBLESTUDY ON JONAH 3
THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES!
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CONTEXT: Chapter 2 ended with Jonah personally experiencing and declaring that salvation comes from the Lord! Now Jonah was in a position to preach to the city of Nineveh from personal experience.
Q1. WHAT IS COMFORTING ABOUT THE FIRST VERSE OF CHAPTER 3?
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Despite Jonah's stuff up and disobedience in chapter 1, Our Heavenly Father gave him a second chance! He is the God of second chances! Can you recall a time when God gave you a second chance to obey Him? Do we in turn give others a second chance even though they may hurt us?
Q2. WHAT WAS JONAH'S RESPONSE TO GOD'S REQUEST THIS TIME?
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Do we learn from our past mistakes?
Q3. WHAT DID JONAH PREACH TO NINEVEH? (vs 4)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notice Jonah doesn't mention anything about repentance and turning from sin? He simply mentioned the coming judgement and that was enough for Nineveh to repent! This reminds us there is no set formula for saving someone! (Contrast Acts 2 where Peter gives a big gospel speech for the people to repent.
Q4. HOW DID THE NINEVITES RESPOND? (vs 5-8)
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They believed the word of God, they fasted in humility and mourning over their sin in repentance even though they were a great city, they called urgently on God to have mercy on them and were willing to give up their evil ways. Note the similarity to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Contrast response from Sodom Genesis 18:20, 19:6.
Q5. WHAT WAS GOD'S RESPONSE TO NINEVEH'S REPENTANCE? (vs 10)
(What does this reveal about the character of God?)
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Our Heavenly Father had compassion and relented from bringing His judgement! (Jonah 4:2, Jeremiah 18:7) God came for the gentiles also. 2 Peter 3:9.
BIBLESTUDY ON JONAH 4
THE TALE OF 2 ATTITUDES
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CONTEXT: We have just seen in chapter 3 that God is the God of second chances. He gave Jonah a second chance to preach repentance to Nineveh and they heeded God's warning to repent. This reminds us that our Heavenly Father's heart is one of compassion towards the lost and His desire is that all should repent and turn to Him!! (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4). Now in chapter 4, we are going to see a contrast between God's heart and Jonah's towards Nineveh, which will beg the question: Whose heart and attitude are we reflecting for a lost mankind?
(Watch 'Read scripture' Youtube video on Jonah)
Read Jonah chapter 4:
Q1. WHAT WAS JONAH'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS NINEVEH BEING SAVED AND WHY MIGHT HE HAVE HAD THIS ATTITUDE? (vs 1-3)
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(Compare Luke 15:2, 25-28- attitude of the older brother) James 2:13
Q2. In vs 1 it says that Jonah was angry. WHAT DID JONAH DO IN HIS ANGER (vs 2)? HOW DOES THIS COMPARE WITH HOW JONAH REACTED IN CHAPTER 1:3?
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Do we run away from the Lord and give Him the silent treatment or do we vent our frustrations to Him?
Q3. WHAT WAS GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS NINEVEH? (vs 2) What should our attitude towards all the lost be?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. (Psalm 103:8-13, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) It is interesting to note that Jonah knew God was gracious and compassionate and yet refused to reflect God's character to the Ninevites.
Q4. WHAT QUESTION DOES OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ASK JONAH IN VS 4? What might God be implying by this question?
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Our Heavenly Father is the only one who has the right to judge and be angry. Romans 9:13-16.
Q5. WHAT DID GOD PROVIDE FOR JONAH? (vs 6-8)
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3 times it mentions in these verses the word provide (manah). The same God who provided the fish and the vine to save and protect Jonah, is also the same God who provided the worm and the scorching east wind to teach Jonah a lesson. God's provision doesn't always look the way we think it will! God's provision also has different purposes.
Q6. WHAT WAS THE LESSON GOD WANTED JONAH TO LEARN? (vs 10-11) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Jeremiah 18:7, Genesis 18:32
Extra notes:
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IS OUR ATTITUDE LIKE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S OR JONAH'S?