Bible Studies

CONTENTMENT

1.  Describe what brings you the most happiness in life.

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-19.

2.  In what way does serving God make a person rich?

3.  Why is it important to realize that our earthly goods will be worthless in eternity?

4.  What is the danger in seeking material wealth?

5.  Explain how a person can find true contentment.

6.  What warnings does Scripture give to rich people?

7.  Why is it difficult to be satisfied with what we have?

8.  In what way can a desire for money destroy a person?

9.  List the benefits of sharing your wealth with others.

10. Why do you think people believe that money brings security and fulfillment?

11.  Why is it tempting to trust in our wealth, instead of God?

                         

                                                  

“THE CHURCH AT PERGAMOS”                                                                                             Revelation 2:12-17                                                                                                                             “The church of compromise”

1. Definition of Terms:                                                                                                                      

A. THE SHARP SWORD WITH TWO EDGES is the Word of God. The Word of God is an instrument of salvation and an instrument of death – reference Hebrews 4:12.                 

B. SATAN’S THRONE –One of the prominent buildings in this city was the temple of Esculapius, a pagan God whose idol was in the form of a serpent. Satan’s seat would also represent the wickedness that existed in this city.                                                                   

C. THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM corrupted the church by tempting them to sin through inter- marriage with the heathens around them causing them to compromise their faith in the matter of idol worship  - reference Numbers 22-25.                                                     

D. THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLATIANS was a sect superimposed upon the laity and robbing them of spiritual freedom. The church at Ephesus was commended for resisting this sect while the church at Pergamos was condemned for compromising its faith by accepting it.            

E. HIDDEN MANNA seems to refer to the benefits of fellowship in Christ and the spiritual strength that is afforded by this experience – reference John 6.    

F. THE “WHITE STONE” – White is a symbol of purity in the Bible. At the time John wrote this letter white was also the word used to describe a brilliant diamond. In the courts of that day white stones were a sign that the individual had been acquitted while a black stone meant he had been condemned. The giving of the white stone to the believer is an indication that he has been accepted and favored by Jesus Christ.

2. Discussion                                                                                                                                      

How did God deal with compromise in the early church?  Acts 7:39,                                      Galatians 2:11-13, 1 Timothy 1:19-20                      

What does God say about compromise in the church today? (2 Timothy 4:3-4;                 2 Peter 2:15-16; 3:17; 1 John 2:19) 

How does Paul describe the world we live in today?  (Romans 1:29) 

What should a Christian do when living in an evil world? (Ephesians 6:10-17)                        
How should Christians respond to compromise?  (Philippians 1:27; Titus 1:13;              Jude 3) 

What sacrifice should a Christian be willing to make to resist compromise?                             (Acts 7:39-40; Revelation 2:13) 

 What is the reward promised for not compromising your faith? (Revelation 2:17)