Living and Moving in the Holy Spirit
Part II: Walking in the Spirit
Study Guide Week Four
Message for Sunday June 17, 2018
This Week Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 Additional Reading: Deuteronomy 5:9-10
Introduction
The word father brings a variety of reactions from people depending on their past experiences. Some folks have good memories, some have bad memories, some have regrets and some have a desire to change. God chose to reveal Himself as a father. It is the primary image God uses to describe His relationship with us. There are numerous places in the Old and New Testaments where God is referred to as father (approximately 1,084 times in the New International translation of the Bible). When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He instructed his disciples to pray to their "Father" who is in heaven (Matthew 6:9). God assumed that all cultures would understand what a Father was. However even a superficial look at our world shows us that the concept of fatherhood is under attack. In addition many fathers have failed to live up to their God given purpose as fathers. The result of all this is confusion and brokenness. There is a deep father wound in many people that is passed on generation to generation. This results in millions of essentially fatherless people. Paul, who never had children of his own, uses the term father to refer to his relationship with those he is building in faith. Paul repeatedly calls Timothy and others his sons (note verse 17). By examining Paul's relationship to the people in Corinth we can recapture what the Bible means to be a father. This can be applied not only in biological relationships between a man and his offspring but also in all relationships where we seek to build others spiritually. Women can apply these principles in their relationships also. Simply put there is power waiting to be unleashed as the principles of fatherhood from the Bible are applied in our lives.
The word father brings a variety of reactions from people depending on their past experiences. Some folks have good memories, some have bad memories, some have regrets and some have a desire to change. God chose to reveal Himself as a father. It is the primary image God uses to describe His relationship with us. There are numerous places in the Old and New Testaments where God is referred to as father (approximately 1,084 times in the New International translation of the Bible). When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He instructed his disciples to pray to their "Father" who is in heaven (Matthew 6:9). God assumed that all cultures would understand what a Father was. However even a superficial look at our world shows us that the concept of fatherhood is under attack. In addition many fathers have failed to live up to their God given purpose as fathers. The result of all this is confusion and brokenness. There is a deep father wound in many people that is passed on generation to generation. This results in millions of essentially fatherless people. Paul, who never had children of his own, uses the term father to refer to his relationship with those he is building in faith. Paul repeatedly calls Timothy and others his sons (note verse 17). By examining Paul's relationship to the people in Corinth we can recapture what the Bible means to be a father. This can be applied not only in biological relationships between a man and his offspring but also in all relationships where we seek to build others spiritually. Women can apply these principles in their relationships also. Simply put there is power waiting to be unleashed as the principles of fatherhood from the Bible are applied in our lives.
Some Background Information
The background or context of these verses is important. Paul had started the church at Corinth and led the people to a relationship with Jesus. After Paul left teachers came to the church and the church was led astray. The church started relying on human wisdom and not the power of God. They also started focusing on the external manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit and not the inner motivations of their hearts. They became 'spiritual' but lived immoral lives particularly in the area of sexual relations. Paul knew he had to take action and correct them. In writing this part of the letter Paul chose to use the image of himself as a father and the Corinthians as his children. From these verses we can take basic principles of biblical fatherhood and apply them to a father - child relationship and also a spiritual father - spiritual child relationship. These principles can also be applied by women in their relationships and by anyone in the work place.
Three basic principles appear in these verses related to fatherhood. First is the principle of the attitude of a father. Note verse 14 where Paul says his attitude is one of loving warning not shaming. Another verses that deals with this same concept is Ephesians 6:4. The second basic principle (verse 15) is that becoming a father is a matter of choice. Note that Paul says that he became their father. Paul is the perfect example of this is his relationship with Timothy (Acts 16:1) and Onesimus, who became Paul's 'child,' in prison (Philemon verse 10). The idea is for us to become fathers to those around us who need that relationship. Thirdly is the principle of imitation. A father must have a life worth emulating (verse 16). See also 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 1 and 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 9. By applying this principles in our relationships with the people in our lives we will release the power of a Father.
Digging Deeper Questions:
1. What are your experiences with your natural father? Would you describe it as positive or negative and why?
6. In what ways can you grow as a good role model so others can imitate you?
7. What do you want to apply to your life from these verses?
This Week’s Victory Challenge: Implement together a plan to reach other people through your group. (same as last week - keep at it until you have a plan)
The background or context of these verses is important. Paul had started the church at Corinth and led the people to a relationship with Jesus. After Paul left teachers came to the church and the church was led astray. The church started relying on human wisdom and not the power of God. They also started focusing on the external manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit and not the inner motivations of their hearts. They became 'spiritual' but lived immoral lives particularly in the area of sexual relations. Paul knew he had to take action and correct them. In writing this part of the letter Paul chose to use the image of himself as a father and the Corinthians as his children. From these verses we can take basic principles of biblical fatherhood and apply them to a father - child relationship and also a spiritual father - spiritual child relationship. These principles can also be applied by women in their relationships and by anyone in the work place.
Three basic principles appear in these verses related to fatherhood. First is the principle of the attitude of a father. Note verse 14 where Paul says his attitude is one of loving warning not shaming. Another verses that deals with this same concept is Ephesians 6:4. The second basic principle (verse 15) is that becoming a father is a matter of choice. Note that Paul says that he became their father. Paul is the perfect example of this is his relationship with Timothy (Acts 16:1) and Onesimus, who became Paul's 'child,' in prison (Philemon verse 10). The idea is for us to become fathers to those around us who need that relationship. Thirdly is the principle of imitation. A father must have a life worth emulating (verse 16). See also 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 1 and 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 9. By applying this principles in our relationships with the people in our lives we will release the power of a Father.
6. In what ways can you grow as a good role model so others can imitate you?
7. What do you want to apply to your life from these verses?
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