May-June 2006 Syllabus Introduction & Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 8
Lesson 7
1. "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who receives it with joy; yet he has not ______ in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he _______. (Matt.13:20-21)
Those who teach the Word of God, should apply root conditioners to new Christians.
Last Mother’s Day, my husband gave me a rose garden. He was informed at the plant nursery to apply root conditioner to the plants, as a part of the planting process, to strengthen the roots.
It was explained that letting the roots get established was an important part of guaranteeing the future health and vigor of the plant. He was advised to wait three months before applying any fertilizer. This would cause the strength to go into the roots instead of encouraging new outward growth and flowering.
A Strong Healthy Root System
The point is that great care was taken so that the rose bushes would have a strong, healthy root system. A healthy root system would readily receive nourishment from the soil and easily ward off disease. The reward for such care in the beginning would be an abundance of beautiful, fragrant roses to enjoy for many years to come.
How is Your Root System?
A healthy, strong root system is vital for a Christian too. If you are not rooted solidly in the truth, you will not be a strong plant (Christian). You will perish from spiritual disease. You will definitely not produce an abundance of spiritual fruit to the glory of the Father.
Be Rooted In Christ
2. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, _________ and built up in Him and _________________ in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with __________________. ( Col. 2:6-7)
3. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the __________ of men, according to the basic principles of the ___________, and not according to Christ. (Col. 2:8)
He Has Not Root In Himself
The focus of this lesson has been on the strength of the root and not on the stony places. If stony places represent "tribulation and persecution" that arise "because of the Word", then the key to survival depends upon the strength and health of the root, for we are all planted in stony soil.
4. Yes and ____ who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will __________ _____________. (2 Tim.3:12)
Not For The Namby-Pamby
Let’s face it. The Christian life is not for the namby-pamby, the fainthearted, or the cowardly. It is a fact that when you become a Christian, you are going to have to be tough enough to survive at least 2 areas of rigorous, life long, grueling afflictions upon the soul:
A. As we have already studied in a previous lesson, Christians must endure the chastisement of the Lord.
B. The other we are considering in this lesson, is the persecution that all faithful Christians will suffer.
What Persecutions Paul Endured
Consider this comment that the Apostle Paul made to Timothy:
5. "...You have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, ...what persecutions I endured. And out of them ___the Lord _______ me. Yes, and all who _______ to live godly in Christ Jesus will __________ persecution. (2 Tim. 3:10-12)
Blessed Are You
6. Jesus said, "Blessed are you when they ______ and _________ you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they ______________ the prophets who were before you." (Matt. 5:11-12)
Endurance Is Required
7. Jesus told His disciples: "And you will be ________ by all for My name’s sake. But he who __________ to the ______ shall be saved." (Mt.10:22)
8. For I consider that the ______ of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the ______which shall be revealed in us. (Rom.8:18)
Are You Called According To His Purpose?
9. And we know that ____ _______ work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28)
10. What then shall we say to these things? If God is ____ us, who can be ________ us? (Rom.8:31)
11. Who shall ________ us from the love of Christ? Shall __________ or distress, or _____________, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom.8:35)
Sheep For The Slaughter
12. Yet for ________ sake we are ____________ all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Rom.8:36)
13. What then should our attitude be towards persecutions? (1 Pe. 4:16)
14. What is the promised reward for our endurance and sufferings?
A. 2 Tim.2:12
B. Mt.10:22
C. Rev.2:7
D. Rev.2:10
E. Rev.2:11
F. Rev.2:17
G. Rev.2:26-28
H. Rev.3:5
I. Rev. 3:12
One Particular Lily
Every Tuesday morning, my husband and I drive through eleven miles of the beautiful Virgin River Gorge on our way to a Bible study in Mesquite, Nevada. Bare, rocky mountains jut in every direction, rising high into the sky. Occasionally we may see a small, wiry plant that has survived the harsh desert conditions. I am amazed by one particular lily that produces an abundance of white flowers all summer long. It grows on the roadside and we see it as we travel through the canyon.
A Root Out Of Dry Ground
This lily reminds me of Isaiah 53:2-3:
15. For He shall grow up before Him as a _______ plant, And as a root out of ____ ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no _______ that we should desire Him. (Is. 53:2)
16. He is __________ and rejected by men, A man of______ and acquainted with grief. (Is. 53:3)
17. And we ____, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and ___ did not esteem Him. (Is. 53: 3)
18. Surely He has borne our ________ and carried our sorrows; Yet we ____________ Him stricken, Smitten by _____, and afflicted. (Is. 53:4)
19. But He was __________ for our transgressions, He was ________ for our iniquities..... (Is. 53:5)
A Lily Among Thorns
Christ was planted amongst the stones and thorns of this world, yet He survived. He was a root out of dry ground....the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns...(Song of S.2:1-2)
Are you rooted and grounded in Him?