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WARM UP:Most
non-Christian cultures do not share the Christian way of thinking about
a God who chooses each person and has a loving plan for their life. Lets
look at some common errors...
Animism - Idols do not make
long-term plans, the "gods" react to
offerings, spells etc in a quite unpredictable
and capricious way. They may often be cruel. and
hard to please.
Buddhism - An impersonal
Fate is in charge of one's destiny.
Islam -. The "will of
Allah" is harsh, uncompromising and
fatalistic.
Confucianism - Wise and
pragmatic, however there is no transcendent God ,
no Creator of the heavens and the earth. No
eternity to live for, suffering is to be avoided
and has no eternal merit.
Daoism - God is a path or a
force not a personal loving agent. Does not
choose, love or will.
Shinto - Nature forces are
kept in balance and appeased. No clear plan or
direction.
Ancestor worship - The
ancestors are kept happy so they do not inflict
revenge and cast curses. There is little sense of
order or of a planned destiny for mankind or
forgiveness.
Mediums and spiritists- may
see a little way into the future but the plans
they reveal are from Satan. Reliance on them
brings fear, bondage and darkness. They do not
steer people into a sense of being chosen by a
loving God who values personal freedom.
Western materialism - There
is no God, only matter matters. There is no plan
at all. Eat, drink, be merry for tomorrow we die.
1. Read: Romans
8:28-33, Ephesians 1:4-11, 1 Thess 1:4, 1 Peter
1;1,2
Does God have a good and
blessed plan for your life?
What words does the bible
use to describe the "final product" of
God's plans?
God chooses you and
"buys you back" (redeems you). He then
becomes your owner and we belong to Him having
been "bought with a price -the precious
blood of Jesus". What rights does this give
God to change your life and plans?
2. Read 1 Thess 1: 4-10
What signs told Paul that
the Thessalonians had been chosen by God?
How can we know if God
has chosen us? (Romans 8:14-18, 10:9-13)
3. What are some of the
"principles" behind God's choosing,
electing and appointing...
Matthew
22:1-14_______________________________________
1 Cor 1:27,28
_________________________________________
James 2:5
____________________________________________
Romans 11:1-8
________________________________________
Acts 13:48
____________________________________________
John 15:16-21
_________________________________________
Matthew 20:1-16
______________________________________4. Being chosen of God means that
certain things simply will not happen to us....
1 Thess 5:9
___________________________________________
John
5:24_____________________________________________
Romans
8;1,2__________________________________________
Romans
8:331-37______________________________________
5. Being chosen
by God also means that certain things will happen
to us.......
Hebrew 12:5-11
_______________________________________
Revelation 17:14
______________________________________
Matthew 24:29-31
_____________________________________
Luke 18:1-8
__________________________________________
1 Peter 1:13,14
_______________________________________
6. What does
Satan try to do to the elect?
Matthew
24:24________________________________________
2 Timothy 3:12
_______________________________________
1 Peter 2:4-10
_________________________________________
ohn 10:10
___________________________________________
7. Read 2 Timothy
2:10-13, Romans 8:29- 30, 1 Cor 15:50-55
What do you think
"eternal glory" will be like?
What, if any, are the conditions for our
obtaining it?
8. Read 2 Corinthians
4:16-18, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Hebrews 10:32-39
Why does God permit His
chosen people to suffer?
How does the fact that we have been chosen by God
help us in hard times?
What are God's recommended reactions to trials?
What verse or concept has spoken to you the most
tonight?
Write it out as a prayer to God.
What action can you take this week as a result of
tonight's study?
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Copyright Asian Internet Bible Institute 1995-2000
For
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e-mail the editor John Edmiston atjohnedmiston@yahoo.com
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