Explore new horizons of a living faith
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
Blog Site
Derek’s Blog which comes out weekly to fortnightly is at -
Go to the new more user friendly version - beingrecreated.org
Introduction
God abounds with life, when He invites us to share in life with Him, He is inviting us to live that abundant life. A life that develops us as people; a life that overflows with love into the lives of others and shares in God’s joy as lives are changed.
Bible Zone
- Life to the full - Jesus came to give us a life to the full.
- Eternal life - To know God and Jesus, whom He sent.
- Family of God - We are welcomed into God’s family as His children.
- Rest for weary - As we go with Jesus we experience life at His pace.
- Freedom - Jesus gives us a freedom independent of circumstances.
- Joy - As we live out Jesus’ love we experience His joy.
Jesus’ purpose is to give life. A full life here and one that extends that way forever.
- How does Jesus describe the life He offers?
- How does it contrast to that of His enemy?
- How have you experienced life taken from you or given to you?
John 10:10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Eternal life is not just a life that goes on forever, there is a depth of relationship to it.
- How does Jesus describe the life He has to offer?
- What right does Jesus have to give this life?
- What have you observed of the quality of life of those who claim to know God?
John 17: 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
In a world where family relationships are not the best, God offers to bring us into His family to experience a true depth of love which He, the originator of love can pour out into our lives.
- How far does God’s love extend?
- How does a person enter God’s family?
- What is the security of someone in God’s family?
John 1: 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him.11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Jesus offers a new way of life secure in His leadership. When we trust Him with the burden He has for us, life is a whole load lighter.
- Who does Jesus appeal to?
- What does He offer?
- What kind of burdens are you carrying?
- How could we learn from Jesus a way of carrying the load He has for us?
Matthew 11: 28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
Freedom is something that many aspire to, but few can look at their lives and really claim it. Jesus offers a freedom that is independent of our circumstances.
- To whom is the offer of freedom made?
- In what ways do you feel you are free or not free?
- What is the route to entering this freedom?
- How can knowing the truth set a person free?
John 8: 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Joy is a deep contentment in life that far exceeds the ‘frothy happiness’ so many people aspire to. Joy comes through living out the generous Spirit that Jesus puts in us as we walk with Him, secure that He will underwrite the generosity.
- When have you experienced a deep joy and contentment?
- What does Jesus ask us to do in order that His life overflows from us?
- What must we do in order that our joy overflows?
John 15: 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love.11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
Page appears in Bible Explorer titled -
GOD’S INVITATION
