Oct. 29, 2023

Belong Again

Celebrated

Primary Text: Luke 15:5-7         

Last Week’s Teaching:  Body of Christ - Family

1)  Children of God 

Romans 8:15-16:  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 

DQ 1) How does the Holy Spirit testify that believers are children of God?

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2)  The Body of Christ 

1 Corinthians 12:12-14:  The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.  

DQ 2) What are your personal gifts to be used in the Body of Christ?

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3)  Family

Hebrews 2:11:  Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.  So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.  

DQ 3) What is your role in the “family of God”?

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This Week’s Teaching:

1)  A Celebration of the Lord

Zephaniah 3:17:  The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.  

DQ 1) Does God Celebrate you?  How do you know?

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2)  Celebrations of Israel

Nahum 1:15:  Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!  Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows.  

Deuteronomy 16:13-15:  Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress….  For seven days celebrate the Feast to the LORD your God at the place the LORD will choose.  For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.  

DQ 2) What were the primary festivals of Israel?  What was the meaning of each one?

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3)  New Life Celebrations

Luke 15:5-7:  Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 

Luke 15:31-32:  "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" 

DQ 3) Why is a person’s ‘born again’ birthday a bigger celebration than their physical birthday?

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4)  Daily Celebration

Acts 2:46-47:  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.   

Psalm 34:1-3:  I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.  My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.  Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 

DQ 4) Why is daily celebration of God’s goodness enlivening to our souls?

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