Lesson 11
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Journey Through God's Word
The Church
1. To begin our study of the church, we will take a look at what Jesus said regarding his followers during his earthly ministry. Look up the following verses and writes key phrases that show God's plan for the church.
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 28:18-20
John 14:12
2. What instructions had Jesus given to his disciples before his ascension? See Luke 24:46-49.
3. Why do you think it was necessary for the apostles to be clothed with power before they could fulfill their commission?
4. Turn to Acts 2 to see the fulfillment of Jesus' word and the birth of the church. From verses 1-4, describe in your own words the coming of the Holy Spirit.
5. From verses 5-13, describe the witnesses to this event and their responses.
6. Read verses 14-41. Write the verse references and phrases to show that:
a) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit fulfills prophecy
b) The death and resurrection of Jesus fulfills Scripture
c) Jesus' present position and ministry
d) The call to salvation
7. Read verses 42-47. What things characterized the newborn church?
8. In what ways does the life of the church today resemble this early stage?
9. How does your own heart compare to the heart of these first believers?
Read Ephesians
10. Please include references and words or phrases from Ephesians to answer the following questions. What do you learn from this epistle regarding:
a) The ministry of Christ
b) The working of the Holy Spirit in believers
c) The unity of the body of Christ
d) Our calling
11. What truths do you find most amazing about what Christ has done for us and what we can be in him?
12. We looked at Christ's plan and commission for the church and learned about the Spirit's work in us to make us like Jesus. Now let's look at passages that show us how we can do the works of Jesus. Read 1 Corinthians 12-14.
a) What does 12:1-11 teach about the variety of gifts?
b) Why is the Spirit manifested in gifts?
13. a) What does 12:14-31 teach about God's arrangement of the body?
b) What does it say about our mutual dependence on each other?
14. As indispensable as gifts are, what does chapter 13 say is even more important?
15. See Galatians 5:22-23. What other fruit does the Holy Spirit cause us to bear as we abide in Christ? Note: The fruits of the Spirit give us a "snapshot" of what Jesus looks like, and how we can look like him.
16. Look up the following verses and explain how God gives us grace that we would work out the life of Christ: Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3:16, Galatians 2:20 and Jude 20.
17. Read Philippians 2:1-11 with 1 Peter 4:7-11. What do we learn about living out the mind of Christ?
18. See 1 Peter 4:12-19. What truths does Peter give his readers to encourage them in trial and how are we to respond to trials?
19. What further encouragement do we receive from James? (See 1:2-4)
20. We all face trials, and are given the grace to persevere. Read Colossians 1:18, 24 and explain the relationship between our trials and Jesus.
21. What truth did you learn or were reminded of in this week's study that will have the biggest impact on your walk with Christ in your current trial/blessing?
Copyright © 2008, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture Quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001, by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Journey Through God's Word
The Church
1. To begin our study of the church, we will take a look at what Jesus said regarding his followers during his earthly ministry. Look up the following verses and writes key phrases that show God's plan for the church.
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 28:18-20
John 14:12
2. What instructions had Jesus given to his disciples before his ascension? See Luke 24:46-49.
3. Why do you think it was necessary for the apostles to be clothed with power before they could fulfill their commission?
4. Turn to Acts 2 to see the fulfillment of Jesus' word and the birth of the church. From verses 1-4, describe in your own words the coming of the Holy Spirit.
5. From verses 5-13, describe the witnesses to this event and their responses.
6. Read verses 14-41. Write the verse references and phrases to show that:
a) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit fulfills prophecy
b) The death and resurrection of Jesus fulfills Scripture
c) Jesus' present position and ministry
d) The call to salvation
7. Read verses 42-47. What things characterized the newborn church?
8. In what ways does the life of the church today resemble this early stage?
9. How does your own heart compare to the heart of these first believers?
Read Ephesians
10. Please include references and words or phrases from Ephesians to answer the following questions. What do you learn from this epistle regarding:
a) The ministry of Christ
b) The working of the Holy Spirit in believers
c) The unity of the body of Christ
d) Our calling
11. What truths do you find most amazing about what Christ has done for us and what we can be in him?
12. We looked at Christ's plan and commission for the church and learned about the Spirit's work in us to make us like Jesus. Now let's look at passages that show us how we can do the works of Jesus. Read 1 Corinthians 12-14.
a) What does 12:1-11 teach about the variety of gifts?
b) Why is the Spirit manifested in gifts?
13. a) What does 12:14-31 teach about God's arrangement of the body?
b) What does it say about our mutual dependence on each other?
14. As indispensable as gifts are, what does chapter 13 say is even more important?
15. See Galatians 5:22-23. What other fruit does the Holy Spirit cause us to bear as we abide in Christ? Note: The fruits of the Spirit give us a "snapshot" of what Jesus looks like, and how we can look like him.
16. Look up the following verses and explain how God gives us grace that we would work out the life of Christ: Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3:16, Galatians 2:20 and Jude 20.
17. Read Philippians 2:1-11 with 1 Peter 4:7-11. What do we learn about living out the mind of Christ?
18. See 1 Peter 4:12-19. What truths does Peter give his readers to encourage them in trial and how are we to respond to trials?
19. What further encouragement do we receive from James? (See 1:2-4)
20. We all face trials, and are given the grace to persevere. Read Colossians 1:18, 24 and explain the relationship between our trials and Jesus.
21. What truth did you learn or were reminded of in this week's study that will have the biggest impact on your walk with Christ in your current trial/blessing?
Copyright © 2008, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture Quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001, by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
