TLC Questions - Week of April 22, 2007

* TLC Questions From John 4:21-24*

“True Worshipers “
For Israelites, worship was centered in the Exodus experience – what God had done for them by setting them free from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. For Christians, worship is centered in the gospel – what God has done for all believers by setting them free from the bondage of sin and death. Christian worship celebrates the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of all who believe.
Therefore, Christian worship is not limited to any day of the week or to any particular season of the year. Christians are free to worship God in their personal time with Him throughout the day and corporately as they come together in fellowship with other believers.

1. (vs 23) Jesus said that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for
they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”
** What criteria sets ‘true worshipers’ of God apart from other religious groups?
** Where is the truth of God found?
** Who claimed to be “… the way and the truth and the life”?
** Where is this statement found?

2. (vs23) The Father “seeks” or craves true worshipers.
** Do true worshipers need create a certain atmosphere in order to worship God?
** What factor sparks or generates true worship to God?
** Do we offer in worship a gift that we enjoy or what God will enjoy?

3. (vs 24) “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
** How does this relate to what Jesus taught in John 3:6-7?
** Who qualifies to be able to “worship the Father in spirit”?
** In what area do Christians communicate with God? (see John 14:15-17)

4. (vs 24) ”.. worship in spirit and in truth.”
** Does your worship cause you to focus your heart and mind on God?
** Does worship have the capacity to draw you nearer to God?
** Does worship have the capacity to transform you as you give to God?
** What factor sparks or generates true worship to God?

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night" (Ps 92:1-2).

True worship is not confined to singing in church or open praise, but it is the acknowledgment of God and all His power and who He is in our lives. To truly worship God, we must know Him and not be ignorant of His good and glorious nature (Acts 17:23). In a nutshell, worship is to glorify and exalt God; to show our loyalty and admiration to our Heavenly Father!

TLC Questions - Week of April 1, 2007

* TLC Questions From Song of Songs (5:9-6)*

“No One is Like Him “

In chapter 5 verse 9 the Beloved is asked by the skeptics what makes her Lover so different from anyone else? There are many others, why is Jesus so special; why do you think He is who He claims to be? She answers in verses 10-16 by giving a detailed description of Him. His beloved recognizes the many beautiful things about Him that can only be known by having a close and intimate relationship with Him. To know Jesus is to love Him and to love Him is to know Him. Many go to the extent of just knowing about Jesus Christ but not really knowing Him in a personal and intimate way. How about you?

1. What makes Jesus so special in your life?

2. What makes Jesus different than just another religious symbol?

3. What is your knowledge of Jesus based on?

4. What sparked your relationship with Jesus Christ?

5. Can you name 7 attributes of Jesus Christ?

6. Is your relationship with Jesus Christ based on your knowledge of Him; knowing
Him or both?

7. Which is stronger, knowing Him or your knowledge of Him?

8. Do you have desire to want to know Jesus Christ in a more intimate way?
· If so, what steps would you take to allow that relationship to grow?

9. If you were to describe Jesus Christ to an unbeliever, what would you say to them?

10. What assurance do you have for His continued love for you?

TLC Questions - Week of March 25

* TLC Questions From Song of Songs 5:2-8 *

“Receiving Then Giving “
Chapter 5 gives us a picture of Jesus Christ, our Lover and His bride the church. As the bride remains in fellowship with her Lover she receives His love and His grace. It is her responsibility as a faithful bride to give out to others that which He has given to her. Both receiving of His love and giving His love are very important. You and I, His bride need to sit at the feet of our Lover and receive, but we also need to give to others what we have received from Him. We need to take His Word and His Promises and give them to others in this lost and dying world.

1. (vs 1) He is inviting His bride to join with Him in fellowship.
* How does this line up with the invitation given in Revelation 3:20?
* What is the first step taken to have fellowship with God?
* What produces true joy in a Christian’s life? (see 1 John 1:3-4)

2. (vs 2) The bride (church) has been sleeping, but her Lover has been busy all
night long.
* How does this portray the sleeping church and Jesus Christ?
* Whose ‘Steps’ should the church be following?
* How does this apply to our lives?

3. (vs 3-4) Her Lover is knocking, but she isn’t opening the door.
* Is she rationalizing her need to not arise and get out of bed?
* Why is she not responding to her Lover’s knocking at the door?
* Can we do the same thing when we know the Lord is speaking to us?

4. (vs 5-6) The bride is a picture of a lot of Christian folks today. When they finally get
around to opening the door, the Lord’s fragrance is there, but He was gone.
* What can cause us from missing opportunities to experience intimate fellowship with our Lover,

Jesus Christ?
* Can we lose the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives?
* What can break our fellowship with the Lord?
* Do our priorities play a role in missing His calling?
* Where would you place Jesus Christ on your list of priorities?

5. (vs 7) The bride is being attacked by those who should have been protecting her.
* Why do you think the bride was powerless and vulnerable to being attacked?
* Where was the protection she needed?
* What kind of problems do we face when we try to live the Christian life under our own power?
* Why was the bride powerless? (see question 4)

6. (vs 8) The bride knows that apart from her Lover she is weak, so she asks for help.
* Do we need help in finding our Lover?
* How close are we to Him?
* How do we stay in constant fellowship with Him?

TLC Questions - Week of March 25

* TLC Questions From Song of Songs 5:2-8 *

“Receiving Then Giving “
Chapter 5 gives us a picture of Jesus Christ, our Lover and His bride the church. As the bride remains in fellowship with her Lover she receives His love and His grace. It is her responsibility as a faithful bride to give out to others that which He has given to her. Both receiving of His love and giving His love are very important. You and I, His bride need to sit at the feet of our Lover and receive, but we also need to give to others what we have received from Him. We need to take His Word and His Promises and give them to others in this lost and dying world.

1. (vs 1) He is inviting His bride to join with Him in fellowship.
* How does this line up with the invitation given in Revelation 3:20?
* What is the first step taken to have fellowship with God?
* What produces true joy in a Christian’s life? (see 1 John 1:3-4)

2. (vs 2) The bride (church) has been sleeping, but her Lover has been busy all
night long.
* How does this portray the sleeping church and Jesus Christ?
* Whose ‘Steps’ should the church be following?
* How does this apply to our lives?

3. (vs 3-4) Her Lover is knocking, but she isn’t opening the door.
* Is she rationalizing her need to not arise and get out of bed?
* Why is she not responding to her Lover’s knocking at the door?
* Can we do the same thing when we know the Lord is speaking to us?

4. (vs 5-6) The bride is a picture of a lot of Christian folks today. When they finally get
around to opening the door, the Lord’s fragrance is there, but He was gone.
* What can cause us from missing opportunities to experience intimate fellowship with our Lover,

Jesus Christ?
* Can we lose the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives?
* What can break our fellowship with the Lord?
* Do our priorities play a role in missing His calling?
* Where would you place Jesus Christ on your list of priorities?

5. (vs 7) The bride is being attacked by those who should have been protecting her.
* Why do you think the bride was powerless and vulnerable to being attacked?
* Where was the protection she needed?
* What kind of problems do we face when we try to live the Christian life under our own power?
* Why was the bride powerless? (see question 4)

6. (vs 8) The bride knows that apart from her Lover she is weak, so she asks for help.
* Do we need help in finding our Lover?
* How close are we to Him?
* How do we stay in constant fellowship with Him?

TLC Questions - Week of 3-11-07

* TLC Questions From Song of Songs 2:8-13 *

“Do You Hear His Voice? ”

Our Lover, Jesus calls out to His bride (you and me) for fellowship and like any good sheep we are to hear His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to My voice, I know them and they follow Me. I gave them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28). Our relationship with our Lover should be so intimate that when He speaks, like any good sheep, we know it is Him!

1. (vs 1) “Listen! my lover!”
* What can cause us to miss hearing the voice of God?

* How can we be sure that He is speaking to us?

2. (vs 1) He comes, “.. leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills..”
* Is there is any obstacle that can hold back our Lord from coming to us?

3. (vs 9) “.. He stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering

through the lattice.”
* What kind of a wall can we erect between us and the Lord?
* Even though we are not face to face with Him, will that separate us from His love for us?

4. (vs 10) “My lover spoke and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
and come with me.” Jesus wants to marry His Bride, you and me.
* What kind of a relationship does Jesus want with His bride?
* What do you believe this marriage ceremony speaks of?
* When will this wedding will take place?
* Where will this wedding take place?

5. (vs 11-12) “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. (v 12)
Flowers appear on the earth; the season on singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”
Note: The winter and rains are seasons of our sins and iniquities.
* What time period do these seasons speak of?
* How long will they last?
* What do the doves represent?

6. (vs 13) “The fig tree forms its early fruit… Arise, come, my darling; my
beautiful one, come with me.”
* How does this line up with Matthew 24:32-33?

** Do you believe the Lord is speaking to His church today?

** How He speak to His church?

** How does He speak to you and me individually?

** So that we not miss hearing His voice, what two things are essential in our lives?

TLC Questions Week of March 4, 2007

* TLC Questions From Song of Songs Ch. 1 *

‘I’ve Got a Crush on You”

The Holy Spirit gave to Solomon a Love Song which is a picture of Jesus Christ and His church. It speaks of the greatest love affair this world has ever known. A relationship in which God’s love permeates the soul of mankind and changes lives forever. This supreme and everlasting experience is the center piece of Christianity, and it takes place between Jesus Christ and those who trust in Him. God came near to man in order to woo him into an intimate relationship which begins on this earth and continues throughout eternity with Jesus Christ and His bride, the church.

1. (vs 2) The young bride (you and/or the church) speaks to the Groom, Jesus Christ.
* What do the words ‘kiss’ and ‘kisses’ indicate to you?
* Do you believe the bride questioned the Groom’s love for her?
* Why would this young bride make such a request?
· * What act of the bride and groom seal the marriage ceremony?
* How do you perceive your relationship with Jesus Christ?
* Is your love for Jesus a legalistic act or an intimate experience?

2. (vs 3) There was a ‘fragrance’ brought to Jesus at His birth and at His death.
* What was that ‘fragrance’?
* What do you believe that “fragrance’ reminds us of?

3. (vs 4) The bride is calling out to her husband.
* What kind of a relationship/fellowship does this speak of?
* What compelled her to seek this fellowship?
* How does this line up with 1-John 4:19?

4. (vs 4) His ‘chambers’ would be that secret place of His presence.
* Where do we find that secret place of God’s presence?
* What important thing takes place in His chambers?
* Do we need and invitation or an appointment to enter this place?
* How does this line up with Ephesians 3:14-19?

5. (vs 5-6) The bride’s brothers made her work outside in the sun and she was
dark. Her social status was very low as she was considered a field worker.
* How did she describe herself in her Husband’s sight?
* Was her Husband disappointed in His bride’s appearance?
* Did her past difficulties in life affect His love for her?
* How does this line up with Ephesians 5:25-27?
* How does your Lover, Jesus Christ, see you this very moment?

This young bride was aware of her spots and stains. She wasn't blind to all the reasons why her Lover had every reason to reject her. But yet she was able to say, "Dark am I yet lovely.." (vs 5)

Even though she knew of her imperfections, she was confident that her Husband saw her as a beautiful bride "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless' (Eph 5:27).

* How could she be so confident that she was 'lovely' in the eyes of her Husband?
* How about you... how does He see you?

Week of February 25, 2007

• ** TLC Questions From Matthew 8:1-15**
  
  “His Power–His Kingdom Revealed”
  
  The purpose of Matthew’s gospel is to portray Jesus Christ as King. Jesus had just finished teaching what we refer to as The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-6-7) in which He proclaimed the principles of His Kingdom. The question is, If Jesus Christ is King, does He have the power to carry out His Kingdom Principles or is He all talk and no ability? Matthew 8:1-15 tells us of three powerful and unique miracles proving that Jesus Christ is King. He is not just a speech maker, but a miracle worker.
  
  1. (verse 2) The leper approached Jesus not doubting that He was capable
  of making him clean, but asked if is He was willing?
• Why do you believe he asked if Jesus was willing to make him clean?
  
  2. There were hundreds of lepers in that area that didn’t come to Jesus asking
  for a healing.
• Do you believe Jesus would have healed them if they would have asked?
  ·
• Do you believe that people can miss out on lots of blessings because they doubt the willingness of the Lord and don’t ask Him?
  ·
• Why do you believe we can doubt the Lord’s willingness to help us in our times of difficulties?
  
  3. (verse 3) “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man… immediately
  he was cured.”
• · Did Jesus have to touch the man in order to cure him?
• Leprosy was highly contagious, yet Jesus touch him. Why did He touch him?
  
  4. (verses 5-6) Rome conquered and ruled over Israel.
• Why do you believe this Centurion, a Roman officer asked Jesus for help?
• Two times (vs 6&8) he addressed Jesus as “Lord”? What made him do this?
  
  5. (verse 6) For the most part, servants were treated like used cars. When they got
  sick the Roman officers bought one that was healthy.
• What does this tell you about the character of this soldier?
  
  6. (verse 8) Notice two key words.. ‘deserve’ and ’word’.
• What two qualities do these words reveal in this Roman officer?
  
  7. (verse 9) The Centurion speaks of his authority
• By whose authority did he recognize in Jesus?
  
  8. (verse 10) Jesus was 'astonished"
• What does this tell you about the 'spiritual condition' of Israel at that time

9. (verse 15) Jesus touched Peter’s mother-in-law and two things took place.

• What two important things take place when Jesus touches a person?