Come, Let Us Build
Daily Bible Studies for the Week Starting on Sunday, January 16, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Luke 6:39-39
39Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. 40A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher.
41“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 42How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then per-haps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
43“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thornbushes or grapes on bramble bushes. 45A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
46“So why do you call me ‘Lord,’ when you won’t obey me? 47I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. 48It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49But anyone who listens and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins.”
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this Lord’s Day! I pray that as I gather in worship with brothers and sisters through Your Son, Jesus, that You will fill us with Your Holy Spirit and glorify Yourself in every thought, word and action. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, I give this new week to You. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live each moment boldly for You. Keep me in Your will that I may advance the word and work of Jesus. In His name, Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, in this day of fasting and prayer, dedicated to discerning Your will for New Life’s future with regard to “Come Let Us Build,” I pray that You will show us Your plan, and glorify Yourself in us! In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your written word, which informs, inspires and invites me to participate in building Your eternal Kingdom! In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, I pray for strength today—strength only you can give through Your Spirit’s presence, that I may be a bold witness of Your love and grace. Let me be a blessing to everyone I meet. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, I pray for those I love who do not yet know You or Your salvation. Let my life be an example for them, because Your Holy Spirit is empowering me. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, prepare me right now, to live this weekend in and for You. Let me rejoice in rest, renewal and worship. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Background on the Text
Jesus often used parables or “snippets” from everyday life to explain some of the deep and profound principles of life in the Kingdom of God . In this week’s reading Jesus offers four separate illustrations from everyday life for building our lives on the right foundation. As Jesus shared these teachings with His disciples so long ago Luke tells us that they were part of a much longer discourse often referred to as “The Sermon on the Plain,” (Luke 6:17-49) which contains some material that is similar to His “Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. One of the amazing aspects of Jesus’ teaching is how he could state a truth in two or three sentences, which if lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit has tremendous impact for transformation in our lives. As you read and study God’s word this week, remember to start with a pray that God will fill You with His Holy Spirit and grant you both understanding and the power to live the teaching!
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts