Bible Study: Secrets To Being Lifted Up – Part 2
TOPIC: SECRETS TO BEING LIFTED UP – 2
BIBLE TEXTS: Isaiah 40:31; Psalms 40:1-4; 121:1-8; Matthew 6:33; 22:29.
KEY VERSE: Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30
SECRETS TO SECURE A LIFTING UP
1. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR PRIORITY LIST. 1 Sam 2:30; Matt 6:33; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 9:57-62. No man in our African context leaves his house to the market to benefit from “JARA”. Jara is exclusively for those who have made some purchases. It is a way of showing appreciation or customer relationship for patronage. The bigger the purchases, the more JARA. Christians insist on JARA from God without any corresponding action. Many claim that this year is their year without any valid proof of their relationship with God. For your information, God is a core businessman and will not part with His blessings without you honouring him. Seek Him first.
Discussion 2
- Discuss the actions of the three men in Luke 9:57-62.
- Relate their behaviour to the average christian today who wants blessings without honouring God first.
- Who amongst the three behaved the way you would have done? Be sincere.
- How can one seek God first?
2. MAINTAIN A STEADY COMMUNION WITH GOD IN PRAYER. Luke 18:1; Phil. 4:6. The praying man has a testimony that points to the fact that he has been with God, whereas the playing man has stories to tell which indicates that he has no time for a personal relationship but moves around from house to house telling stories. While Elisha sought God first and graduated to be a terror to God’s enemies and a blessing to many, Gehazi, who studied under him, ended up as a storyteller . (Compare 2 Kings 6:8-12 with 2 Kings 8:4-6).
READ: Bible Study: Secrets To Being Lifted Up – Part 1
Discussion 3
- What does it take to miss the man you should be? (i.e miss the opportunity of becoming fulfilled in life)
- Are there people you know that operate Gehazi’s type of ministry ? (answer yes or no, but no name should be mentioned).
- if your answer in b) above is yes, prayerfully determine to counsel the person involved..
- How did Elisha pay the price to get to where he was lifted up in ministry?
3) DEVELOP SWEET FELLOWSHIP (Koinonia) WITH HIM. Gen 18:17; Exo 33:1, 12-15; Ps 140:13; Phil. 3:9-10. The greatest of men remain great when they continually realize that they cannot do without him. No man outgrows the need for God’s presence. Men like Moses and Paul the Apostle who did incredible miracles still longed for His presence even at the close of their ministry. The best of men is made in His presence. Until Paul met with God, his life, ministry, and mission on earth remained fruitless. This meeting (fellowship) brought a lifting up. His ministry was redefined, and he rose up to be one of the finest apostles the New Testament church ever produced.
4) MAKE A MOVE AND YOUR PROFITING WILL APPEAR TO ALL. 2 Kings 4:8-16; 5:11-15; 7:3-9. Until you make a move in the right direction, you can never be more than who you are. Laying blames and complaining has never changed any human history. The four lepers, Naaman, and even the Shunamite woman all had bedevilling issues that should make their mouths FULL OF COMPLAINS. But they made a move.
Discussion 4
a) Share your testimony on how you made a move in whatever area of your life and the corresponding results you got.
b) Naaman would have missed out of this list of those who were lifted up if he never had good advisers. Have you ever helped someone to move out of his predicament ? Share your story.
ALSO, READ Bible Study: How To Position Your Self For A Lifting Up