“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
When we say that the Christian life should be “dynamic,” we’re saying it should be “powerful.” The Greek word Paul used in his letter to the Christians in Corinth is δύναμις (dunamis). The English word “dynamic” comes from the Greek and means “power, might, ability, energy” (the French word is dynamique). A dynamic life is a “powerful” life, a life with the energy and ability to achieve mighty things.
The idea of the Christian life being powerful is a central theme of the Bible. With that introduction, I’d like to share a series of Bible studies taught in churches more than 40 years ago. We invite you to read and share with others in any way God leads you.
[These notes are from a Bible study taught more than 40 years ago. The notes are in outline form.]
Questions and Answers
- Question: What is the inner proof of salvation?
- Answer: The fruit of the Spirit (Love) – Galations 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.“
- Question: What is the outward demonstration of our salvation to the world?
- Answer: Our love for the brethren – John 13:35
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
- Question: What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our love to a Christian brother or sister?
- Answer: (Ask audience and list on overhead)
- Answer –
- Answer –
- Answer –
- Answer –
- Answer –
- Question: What is a good definition for real love?
- Answer: (Ask audience and list on overhead)
- Answer –
- Answer –
- Answer –
3 definitions of what love is NOT!
- Love is NOT an impulse from feelings (talk about the difference between loving when we “feel” like it and loving because God “commands” it)
- Love is NOT always running with the natural inclinations (talk about “natural” love and “supernatural” love)
- Love is NOT spending itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered (talk about choosing certain brethren over others)
15 definitions of what love IS!
- Love IS “selfless” — love does not make good to self its end, but good to God in general is its end.
- Love IS “opposed to sin” — love will be opposed to all sin in every form and degree.
- Love IS “justice” — love will always do the right thing.
- Love IS “truth” — love will be truthful in every instance.
- Love IS “compassion” — love will promote concern for the poor and needy.
- Love IS “patience” — love will be patient in every circumstance.
- Love IS “meekness” — love will remember where it was before Christ found it.
- Love IS “humility” — love will be humble in any position of life.
- Love IS “condencension” — love will be willing to descend to the poor, the ignorant, or the vile for the purpose of securing their good.
- Love IS “candor” — love will treat every subject with fairness and honesty. It will oppose prejudice and pre-judgment.
- Love IS “kindness” — love will be kind and gentle to everyone.
- Love IS “sincerity” — love will always be opposed to hypocrisy in any form.
- Love IS “gratitude” — love will always be thankful in heart and grateful in action.
- Love IS “severity” — love will always act for the public good in cases where sin exists and where the public interests are at stake.
- Love IS “unity” — love will chose the same that God chooses. It is dedicated to the highest well-being of God and will be in harmony with the mind of God.
What is Unity?
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5
“ For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” 1 Corinthians 10:17
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16
The expanded translation of Ephesians 4:13 is – “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the experimental, full, and precise knowledge of the Son of God, to a spiritually mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ.”
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
Invitation
How many of you would say there is at least one brother or sister in the family of God who you have not been one with? There’s at least one brother or sister you’ve not loved in the way you ought?
Are you serious about experiencing the fulness of God? Do you want to live a “dynamic” Christianity? Do you want to have the power the Holy Spirit active in your life? Then you need to find that brother, that sister, wherever they are, and be reconciled with them.
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you, your family and your ministry.]
