: 3rd Term Bible (11/12)

3rd Term Bible (11/12)

I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV)

***

11/12 Bible Term 3: Becoming a Vessel of God’s Power – Give God Thirty Days and See What He Will Do

by Donna Partow.

Objective: What light will they shine as they progress from high school into adulthood with freer boundaries.

Community Service 8 hours (4 hours church/community): 30%

Participation – In class discussion, timeliness, attendance, attitude, and personalized scripture: 20%

Writing- 3-4 page Reflection Essay: 20%

Reflection Paper 1: Due Thursday, March 5! The Martyr’s Song by Ted Dekker

Part A: Read the book, and answer the questions at the back of the book. 50 pts.

Part B: Using the questions as a guideline, write a 3-4 MLA page reflection paper in response to this book. Do not write a summary, but rather provide how your own personal convictions for Christ have been challenged. Would you personally be a martyr for Christ? Why or why not? Would circumstances be contigent as to being a martyr? Be sure to give examples and proper citations from the assigned book as well as any other materials you may choose to use–including the Bible.

Mid-term: The Martyr’s Song by Ted Dekker

End-term: Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Journal: 30%

Students will keep an in-class daily journal to include the assigned daily scripture, daily affirmation, personal scripture and chapter questions as taken from Becoming a Vessel of God’s Power.

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week 4:

– Assigned Friday, March 5th (Due Monday, March 8th): Journaling

1.Choose 5 topics; for example, hope, encouragement, strength, peace, wisdom.

2. Look up 4 to 5 separate pieces of scriptures relating to each topic. Write them down.

3. Write a few sentences in response to each topic to what the Lord put on your heart.

4. Personalize 1 scripture from each topic. These are your “personal scripture” for week 5.

**

Day 10 – March 1, 2010 – “Abandon Clock-Controlled & Checklist-Driven Bible reading

Daily Scripture: Psalm 119:10-16

Daily Affirmation: There’s no substitute for time spent in God’s Word.

Personal Scripture:

Questions: 1. How much time do you spend reading God’s Word? Is your time in God’s Word clock controlled or checklist

drive? How so?

Do you suspect that your clock-controlled or checklist-driven approach has hindered the Holy Spirit from teaching you the lessons he had in mind? Explain your answer.
Recall a time when God spoke to you very specifically from his Word. Describe the circumstance and the impact of what God told you.
Describe a time when you read God’s Word in a leisurely way, giving the Holy Spirit as much time as he needed to teach you the lesson he had in mind.
Practically speaking, what changes do you need to make to shift from an efficient approach to Scripture reading. . . to an effective approach to life?

Act: 1. Pick up your Bible and read until the Holy Spirit teaches you something specific and personal for your life. Ask him to reveal

something to you about your thoughts, attitudes, or circumstances.

2. On the following page, make a chart to log in minutes or hours your prayer time, your scripture time, and your tv/internet

Time for today through Sunday, March 7, 2010.

Day 11- March 2, 2010 – “Highlight God’s Word”

Daily Scripture: Psalm 119:105

Daily Affirmation: When I customize my Bible, I am sharpening my sword (Eph. 6:17)

Personal Scripture:

Questions: 1. If your Bible were lost, how lost would you be? How personal, and therefore irreplaceable, is it?

What do you think of the suggestion to color-code your Bible? What do you see as the advantages (and perhaps even disadvantages)?
What are some other ways you might customize your Bible?
Describe a time when you were excited about Bible study. What sparked your enthusiasm, and how can you recover that spark, if it seems to be fading?
What are some key topics you might begin highlighting—and studying?

ACT: Begin customizing your Bible in fresh, new ways. Try to invest at least thirty minutes in this starting exercise.

Day 12 – March 4, 2010 – “Take God’s Word Personally”

Daily Scripture: Psalm 119:111

Daily Affirmation: God’s Word has the power to transform me, especially when I make it personal.

Personal Scripture:

Questions: 1. Do you think God is disappointed with you? That you aren’t measuring up? Or are you profoundly aware that you

are dearly loved? Explain your answer.

What is your current identity? Is it in alignment with who God says you are? If you aren’t sure who God says you are or what he thinks of you, pray on it.
Have you ever been overwhelmed with the realization of God’s great love for you? Have you ever experienced a moment when wave upon wave of his love washed over you? If so, describe below. If not, ask God to give you such an experience, then note your reaction. (Stone of remembrance)
What was your reaction to Amy’s decision to spend hours each day reciting scripture aloud?
Write out some (2-3) of your own personalized scriptures. You may want to make index cards as well for these.

ACT: Think about the power of God within you if you read out loud each of the daily affirmations and/or your personalized

scriptures.

Day 13 – March 5, 2010 – “Let God Unleash the Power of His Word Through You”

Daily Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Daily Affirmation: God’s power is unleashed through me as I share his Word with others.

Personal Scripture:

Questions: 1. Recall a time when someone gave you “just the right scripture.” Describe the message & the impact it had.

2. Recall a time when you knew God used you to give someone else “just the right scripture.” Describe the impact.

3. What did you think of George Muller’s decision to give away every book other than his Bible?

4. Do you tend to spend more time reading Christian books, listening to tapes, and so on, than you do studying God’s Word? Why do you think that is? Do you feel the need to make any changes?

5. Can you think of someone, right now, who needs a message from God’s Word? Pray, asking God to lead you to a scripture that will speak directly to the situation. Write it out below.

Week 3:

11/12 Bible 3^rd Term 2010 Reflection Journal

Day 6 – February 22, 2010 – “Don’t Let a Guilty Conscience Hold You Back”

Daily Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Daily Affirmation: Confession and cleansing set me free to serve God.

Personal Scripture: Isaiah 54:17

Questions:

What has God provided to deal with the sin in your life?
What has God provided to deal with the guilty feelings associated with sin?
Describe a time when you were held back from serving God because of a guilty conscience.
As you allow God to cleanse you from sin, express how the purifying power of the Holy Spirit impacts both your emotions and your willingness to serve God.
What was the most significant lesson you learned from the life of Naaman?

ACT: Consider using your daily shower or bath as a time to cleanse spirit, soul, and body, confessing your sins and forgiving those who have sinned against you.

Day 7 – February 23, 2010 – “Commit to Daily Confession and Repentance”

Daily Scripture: John 7:37-38

Daily Affirmation: The power of God will keep flowing as long as I am purified daily.

Personal Scripture: Romans 6:19-23

Questions:

What evidence is there that something is blocking God’s power in your life?
What types of people or situations tend to fill your well with mud and rocks?
How can you be more alert to the types of things that stop up the flow of God in your life? Be as practical as possible.
Describe a time when your well was stopped up and/or a time when you were purified and noted a dramatic change in the flow of God’s power.
How will you incorporate a time of daily cleansing into your routine?

ACT: Take some extended time today to pray over each area of sin.

Day 8 – February 25, 2010 – “Pursue a Lifestyle of Radical Purity”

Daily Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1

Daily Affirmation: I choose a lifestyle of radical purity.

Personal Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

Questions:

What are some areas of your life where you tend toward impurity?
Give an example of how that impure lifestyle might hinder God’s power from flowing through your life.
What was your reaction to the radical lifestyle changes the author was led to make? Do they seem extreme? Reasonable?
Describe your typical day. Consider which aspects of your lifestyle promote purity and which might be hindrances.
What lifestyle changes is God calling you to make?

ACT: Take steps to implement the lifestyle changes God is laying on your heart.

Day 9 – February 26, 2010 – “Meet Weekly with your PIT Crew”

Daily Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Daily Affirmation: I need a PIT crew: prayer warriors, insightful counselors, and gifted teachers.

Personal Scripture: James 5:16

Questions:

Who are the prayer warriors in our life? How often do you gather with tem? Do you need to make arrangements to assemble an effective prayer team?
Who are the insightful counselors in your life? Do you seek their wisdom before making important life decisions?
Do you have an outstanding Bible teacher in your life? Do you need to find a weekly Bible study led by a strong teacher?
Describe the ideal operation of your PIT crew. How would you like to see it functioning in your life?
Who will you contact about being part of your PIT crew? Do you need to volunteer to be part of someone else’s PIT crew? (Ideally, there is crossover between the two.)

ACT: Enlist your PIT crew. Begin by contacting prayer warriors. If you do not know any, attend your church’s next weekly prayer meeting, and you’ll likely meet a few. One hint: look to the gray-haired crowed. Next, ask your pastor to recommend some insightful counselors, and again, be alert to the senior saints who have amassed years of wisdom that they’d probably love to share with you.

Week Two:

Day 2 – February 8, 2010

Daily Scripture: Psalm 77:14

Daily Affirmation: I remain confident that God is still a God of power.

Personal Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Questions:

Describe a time when you needed wisdom and God supplied it.
Describe a time or situation when you needed God’s special strength which he imparted to you.
If God still imparts wisdom and strength to his people, why would he stop imparting power? Should we pray for it? Why or why not?
Can you list other scriptures that give evidence that God still exercises power today? Or, can you give contemporary examples of God’s power at work?
1. Describe the most powerful spiritual experience you’ve ever had.

Act: List several areas where you need to experience the power of God in your life right now. Commit to pray over these daily.

Day 3 – February 9, 2010

Daily Scripture: Psalm 77:11-12

Daily Affirmation: I choose to remember the works of God

Personal Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Questions:

What does God want us to remember?
Why does he want us to remember?
Recount a testimony someone shared with you that had a powerful impact on your life.
Recap one or more of your most significant stones of remembrance.
Who are some people who might be either encouraged or challenged by your testimony? Write the names and which aspect of your story you want to share with them.

Act: Raise up some stones of remembrance. Record these here in your journal.

Day 4 – February 11, 2010

Daily Scripture: John 8:28

Daily Affirmation: If I want to experience God’s power, I must align myself with his purposes.

Personal Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8

Questions:

Can you think of an area in your life where you have not experienced God’s power? Describe.
Reflect upon your answer to question 1. Is it possible that God hasn’t intervened in your situation because you are out of alignment with his purposes?
Ask God to reveal his purposes in your situation. What are some practical steps you can take to get into alignment with God?
Describe a time when you saw God’s power demonstrated, and note how you were in alignment with his purposes at that time or in that situation.
If it was important for Jesus to be in alignment with the Father’s will and timing, what does that mean for you personally as you seek to experience the power of God.

Act: Drawing upon your answer to question 3 above, create an action plan that will enable you to get back into

alignment with the purposes of God.

Day 5 – February 12, 2010

Daily Scripture: Psalm 66:17-19

Daily Affirmation: The power of God flows most consistently through pure vessels.

Personal Scripture: Matthew 7:3-5

Questions:

Have you ever been confronted with a situation where the only possible solution required the power of God? Describe the situation.
How did you respond?
What was the final outcome of that situation? If you facing it right now, what is the current outcome?
Is there something you cherish more than the power of God?
What would it take to drive you to your knees, declaring, “Whatever it takes, I need to experience the power of God?” If you are there right now, describe what has brought you to this place.

Act: Use this next week to take specific steps to resolve anything that may be hindering the power of God in your

life. If it’s sin, confess it. If you’ve hurt someone, write a note, pick up the phone, schedule an appointment,

and make it right. If you’ve been hurt, walk the painful path to forgiveness.

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Prologue Part 1 – February 2, 2010

Daily Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Personalized Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Questions:

What kind of changes have you personally experienced?
What kind of changes do you anticipate in your future?
What do you hold sacred in your life that is constant?
Describe the constant and variable in you relationship with God.
How do you want to live your life?
Will you live as if each day is the last?
What is your personal mission?
Read Psalm 39:4-6; 90:12 and Romans 12:2, and write a personal reflection paragraph with regard to “legacy”.

Prologue Part 2 – February 4, 2010

Daily Scripture: John 8:12

Personalized Scripture: Psalm 119:97

Questions:

Where is the dark in your life?
Read Ephesians 5:8-14 and give a personal account to your understanding.
Will you let the light of God fill your darkness?
Read 1 John 1:5-7, John 8:12, and Isaiah 58:9-11, and write a personal reflection paragraph.

Becoming a Vessel of God’s Power by Donna Partow

Day 1: Friday, February 5, 2010

Daily Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:20 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> side 1

Personal Affirmation: “I can experience the power of God.” >>>>>>> side 2

Personalized Scripture: Psalm 69:30-31 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> side 2

Questions:

When you think of the power of God, what’s the first biblical example that comes to mind?
Do you believe God can still demonstrate his power in similar ways? Why or why not?
What is the most dramatic example of the power of God you know of? (Perhaps someone you know was miraculously healed, or you heard about a miracle from a missionary and so on.)
How have you witnessed the power of God at work in your own life?
What are your hopes for this thirty-day journey?
“Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about the power of God, he will answer that prayer with insights that go well beyond this book.” Further record those insights either on a 3×5 card or your journal.