About the Walking Points Bible Study Series
 
Walking Points Bible Study Series

In the Bible, the word “walk” or “walking” is often a metaphor for one’s faith and relationship with God, as well as a right pattern of living.

The purpose of the Walking Points Series is to help followers of Christ draw from Scripture, those key truths and ideas that will help them walk faithfully with him – that is, know him better, love him more, become more like him, and follow him more faithfully.

Each lesson moves chapter by chapter, verse by verse, drawing from the text that which God has revealed. After a “bird’s eye view” question is asked, to get the big picture of the text, the questions that follow hone in on particular verses, in order to draw out key truths and ideas related to those verses.

Walking Points Questions

While application runs through most questions in each lesson, the Walking Points questions are designed to give the group members an opportunity to reflect on some practical “next steps,” so the application of God’s Word will continue to make a significant impact in their lives after the lesson is over. At the beginning of each lesson the members are asked to “review and report” on what Walking Point from the previous lesson they followed through with, victories and/or struggles they experienced, and what they learned that week.

Prayer Requests

Prayer requests in group settings frequently get stuck on appeals for physical needs. And often the requests are for people far removed from the members in the group. Christians absolutely ought to intercede for the physical needs of others. However, the “prayer request” space in this study guide will remind the group members that requests should primarily focus on the spiritual, physical, relational, emotional, vocational, and other needs of those who are part of the group.

Covenantal Reflection and Accountability Questions

These are questions from the Wesleyan tradition, designed for covenantal relationships. It’s doubtful a large Bible study would or should use these questions. Instead, these questions are included for smaller group use, such as a covenant/accountability group or a one-to-one discipling relationship. These questions assume a deep level of trust and confidentiality among those in the group, a serious commitment to one another’s spiritual growth, and Christlike love for one another.

A Personal Word about the Word

Having taught Bible studies and directed small groups for over 25 years, I have used many kinds of curricula. Some are more academic and do a marvelous job of imparting information. Other resources skate along the surface of biblical content but do better at drawing out application. Still other material creatively connects group members, but doesn’t necessarily help them grow spiritually.

In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul told the Romans not to be conformed to the world around them, but to be transformed by renewing their minds. A vital form of such mind-renewal occurs as we study God’s Word together. But such study should not be merely the imparting of information for its own sake. Instead, the purpose of studying God’s Word is mind-renewal and life-transformation.

Consider what God says about his Word throughout Scripture. It penetrates our deepest being (Heb. 4:12), judges our thoughts and attitudes (Heb. 4:12), makes us wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15), was breathed out by God himself (2 Tim. 3:16), is truth (John 17:17), is the means by which we are sanctified (John 17:17), is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16), thoroughly equips us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17), works as a mirror to show us our truest selves (James 1:23-25), endures forever (1 Peter 1:23-25), cannot be broken (John 10:35), counsels us in every sphere of our lives (Ps. 119:24), will not return to God empty but will achieve the purpose for which he sent it (Isaiah 55:11). As the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17), it is our offensive weapon in our war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.

​We are, therefore, to let it dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). Our Lord commanded us to abide in him and let him and his word abide in us, if we would bear much, good, and lasting fruit (John 15:1-8). It is as God’s Spirit renews our minds in and through God’s Word, in the fellowship of God’s people, that our lives will become increasingly transformed so that we will be better able to know, love, and follow the Lord and help others do the same.

There is no perfect study guide. However, I have tried to put together a resource that will help those who use it better appreciate and understand God’s Word and more faithfully apply it in their lives. I pray it will draw group members closer together as the Spirit of God moves through his Word and the discussion. And, of course, I hope prayer requests and the accountability questions will foster a deep and abiding relationship for those who make use of that part of the lesson.

Above all, I pray God will be glorified in each lesson.

There are presently two study guides ready for purchase. One is, Costly Discipleship, which is a six lesson study on Jesus' words about what it means to truly follow him. The other is a study of Philippians, entitled, Joy in Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dale

Matthew 6:10 – Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

God, Grant Us Reformation

In his book, Hot Tub Religion, J.I. Packer makes this observation,

“…we look at the church of our day and say, ‘We need another reformation.’ But do we know what we are saying? …We are in danger of settling for too narrow a perspective of what reformation is – too narrow a notion of what it was in the past and too narrow a notion of what it will be in the future if God visits us once more.”

Packer asks a good question. Do we indeed know what we are saying when we cry out for reformation? I was awakened to how little I comprehended the word when I began to study what reformation, biblically understood, truly means. I have discovered that this simple word is filled with great meaning. Contained within the word reformation are the ideas of revival, renewal, awakening, restoration, and even overhaul.

​As I have considered these words, I have come to realize that the coming of the Kingdom of God was and is a reformation. As our Lord Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God, he brought forth revival and renewal to people’s hearts, minds, and spirits. He awakened them to their great need for the living God. He brought forth restoration where only brokenness existed before. He turned existing ideas about God and humanity upside-down as he revealed God and his good news. He exchanged the temporal perspectives of man for God’s eternal perspective for every sphere of life. Because of this, I have come to see the need for reformation, biblical reformation, in three essential areas of life.

Reformation and the Individual

God uses individuals to touch and transform the church and the world. A.W. Tozer writes,

“It is mere common place to sing or pray, ‘Lord, send a revival, and let it begin with me.’ Where else can a spiritual quickening take place but in the individual life? There is no abstract ‘church’ which can be revivified apart from the men and women who compose it.”

Tozer points out that which should be obvious; that the church and world will not be reformed until faithful men and women begin chasing after God and his ways. Individuals do not have to wait for the church before they can be renewed to newness of life and the things of God. Our own faith must be real and personal before it can be social and corporate. Tozer adds,

“Every prophet, every reformer, every revivalist had to meet God alone before he could help the multitudes. The great leaders who went on to turn thousands to Christ had to begin with God and their own soul. The plain Christian of today must experience personal revival before he can hope to bring renewed spiritual life to his church.”

It is true, or course, Christianity is about community and relationships. No Christian is called to live alone on an island. However, this community is a community of men and women who have been personally and individually touched by the Holy Spirit and brought forth from death to life.

Reformation and the Church

One aspect that unites great leaders from Christian history, such as the Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, and John Wesley, was their prophetic word to the church in their day. Sadly, they were sometimes viewed as John the Baptist – as lone voices crying in the wilderness. However, the Holy Spirit moved through these faithful men to bring about reformation in the church in their day. God is still using people the same way in our day. In my own denomination, the United Methodist Church, I see faithful men and women standing up for the true and living God and his Word.  I also see God renewing lives in his church through a variety of renewal groups.  And I know it is through the prayer of these men and women that God will bring a mighty reformation to our denomination. This is true for churches in every denomination or no denomination at all. However, we need to be guided by a proper understanding of reformation, so we might know what direction to take, and therefore, what path not to take.

The puritan pastor and writer, Richard Baxter, has helped provide clarity concerning the notion of reformation. In his book, The Reformed Pastor, he showed that the idea of reformation, biblically understood, combines the heart and mind. In other words, we are not experiencing true reformation in the church when only one aspect is emphasized. Baxter points out that there must be inward spiritual renewal as well as outward correction of doctrine in Christ’s church. It does the church little good if she is only emphasizing correct doctrinal adherence and ignoring inward spiritual vitality. So too, a church that cares little for doctrinal faithfulness and only concerns herself with “religious feelings” cannot rightly be called faithful either. Instead, genuine reformation will reflect these two sides of the same coin. J.I. Packer comments,

“The Bible records many striking movements that textbooks usually call reformations. In every case this same two sidedness applies. These movements had an outward aspect; immorality and idolatry were put away. But they also had an inward side; men and women were stirred to seek God and renew their covenant with him.”

This is true reformation experienced in the Bible and in Church history. These two works, the inward and outward works of God, are really one work seen from two points of view. We cannot have one without the other. Prophetic voices must call Christ’s Church back to both emphases if we are going to experience real reformation. Martyn Lloyd-Jones declared that we have no reason to expect God to usher in reformation and revival if we are not being faithful to God in our present situation.

Reformation and the World

The Lord Jesus Christ came to a dark and lost world with the good and transforming news of the Kingdom of God. Individual believers, and the church, are called out of the world to bear witness to the Light of the world. We are called Christ’s ambassadors as we proclaim God’s message of reconciliation. Along with that beautiful, life-transforming message, God calls us to love our neighbors by serving them and standing up for them. We are called to be who we are in Christ – salt and light to a dark and decaying world. We live in the world though we are not of it.

Our faithfulness in our little part of the world will help bring about the reformation God desires. The Kingdom Jesus ushered in and proclaimed was not about slight adjustments here and there. It was about a complete overhaul – in our thinking, speaking, attitudes, values, priorities, beliefs, and behaviors. As God’s will is done in our lives as it is in heaven, God’s Kingdom-influence will be extended to the various spheres of our lives.
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So, let us pray that God will bring biblical reformation into our lives for his greater glory and the blessing of our families, churches, workplaces, communities, and world.

Walking Points

Meet with some brothers in Christ to discuss the following questions.
·         What areas of your life do you need biblical reformation? Explain each.
·         What are you presently doing to grow more faithful in these areas?
·         Do you regularly pray for God to bring reformation and revival into your life? Why or why not?
·         Watch the video and read the material, “If Men Will Pray.” (Click here for link) Discuss your thoughts with your group.
·         For one month, commit to regularly praying for reformation and revival for yourself and your group of men. At the end of the month, discuss what insights the Lord has revealed to you.

John 1:38a - Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”

What Are You Seeking?

·         Where are you going?
·         How are you going to get there?
·         How will you know when you’re there?

A few of years ago I received a newsletter from Len Sykes. Len is a godly man who mentors, teaches, disciples, coaches, and leads men in the Atlanta area. In his newsletter, Len shared a little about his ministry. I’m always encouraged when he shares what he’s doing, as well as what God is doing through him, because there’s so much I can learn about my own life and ministry.

Len wrote a little about his passion, mission, and vision for his ministry. He said those are the three main areas he encourages his men to focus on. The three questions I listed at the top of this devotional are my paraphrase of what Len is talking about. These are important questions to ask because, as the old saying goes, “If you don’t know where you’re going, then any road will get you there.” There are a lot of men who have no idea where they’re going and they’re making great time getting there.

These issues of passion, mission, and vision are very important. I think most men want to live for something bigger than themselves. Part of their frustration is they either don’t know what that something is, or they have an idea, but aren't quite sure how to pursue it.

Passion

This is the “why” question. What drives you? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Len says passion is “the emotional/inspirational element of our desire.” It’s that which energizes us.

What’s your passion in the various spheres of your life? For yourself as a man of God? For your family? For your work setting? For your church? For your personal ministry? For your community? What’s that something bigger than you that you want to live your life pursuing in each of those areas?

Mission

Len next points out that mission “relates to how we carry out our desires to serve the Lord and his people.” In other words, how are you going to fulfill your passion? How are you going to get there? What’s your plan? Who are those brothers in your life who are going to help you get there?

Vision

This last component “relates to what the end result” of your passion and mission will look like. In other words, how will you know you’ve fulfilled your mission (or that you’re making progress in the right direction)? Lots of aimless activity is not the same thing as moving toward your goal. Having a vision of what the goal will look like will help you focus and persevere as you move toward your dream of that “something bigger than yourself.”

My Prayer for You

My prayer for each of you is not only for you to have a passion, mission, and vision, but also for you to spend your life pursuing them as they relate to each sphere of your life – your personal spiritual growth, as a husband, father, employee/employer, church member, neighbor, etc. To be sure, this is a huge undertaking, but can you imagine anything worthier of your time and energy?

My family’s life-verse is 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” From the extremely important to the utterly mundane, all of life is to be lived for God’s
glory. My children probably grew tired of hearing this repeated over and over as they were growing up, but hopefully they could cite it to you. More importantly, I pray they are seeking to live it out. This is a key idea behind the phrase, “living life on purpose” or “living intentionally.”

Having a passion, mission, and vision, when pursued according to God’s Word, will help you glorify God in all the spheres of your life. If I can help you discover, develop, and pursue your “something bigger than yourself,” please do not hesitate to let me know. It would be a blessing to travel alongside you as you seek to follow God’s call in your life.

Walking Points

Reflect on the various spheres of your life listed below. Talk with a Christian brother or two about what your passion, mission, and vision for each area looks like now and how it might grow this year.
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·         Spiritual Growth
·         Husband
·         Father
·         Employee/Employer
·         Church Member
·         Neighbor
·         Citizen
·         Other Areas

Selected verses from Genesis 22

A Test

Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son – the son of promise – the dear child Abraham and Sarah had waited a century to have. It was this very son, Isaac, whom Abraham was to take to the mountaintop and sacrifice – to kill.

Abraham obeyed.

As Abraham and Isaac approached the fateful place, Isaac looked around, saw the fire and wood, but no animal for the offering. “…Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Isaac asked his father.

“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide…’” And he did. We know the story well. As Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, the Lord stopped him, and provided a ram to take Isaac’s place. God provided.

The Lord tested Abraham to see if he feared God (vv. 1, 12). A test from God is designed to move you forward in faith. The purpose of Satan’s temptations is to trip you up so you will fall backward. This was a test. And Abraham passed. He was blessed accordingly (verses 15-18). Why the blessing? Because God is gracious and Abraham obeyed God (verse 18).

Covenantal Faith

This is part of our covenantal relationship with God. If we obey God and the conditions of his covenant, God promises blessings (because he graciously sets the terms of the covenant, not because he must). If we disobey, he promises curses. What either of those may look like is not so clear. That God promises to work this way is very clear.

I wonder what blessings God desires to pour out upon us for our faithfulness today. Deeper faith maybe? More influence for the Kingdom perhaps? Greater responsibility? God specifically said Abraham’s descendants would be blessed through his faithfulness. Might our obedience now impact our children and our children’s children later? I believe the answer is “yes” to all those questions.

If God chooses to bless us in material ways, that’s fine. (Of course, we ought to thank God every day for the many “material” blessings we have already received from him.) But shouldn’t the blessings we desire be things like, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is heaven”? And shouldn’t the provisions we hope God will bestow upon us be along the lines of an ever-increasing knowledge of and communion with him, a growing conformity to his likeness, and an ever-expanding influence for his Kingdom?

Abraham was faithful and God blessed him. Where is God calling you to greater faithfulness in your life?

Walking Points
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1.       Do you agree with this devotion? Do you believe God still operates in this same “blessings and curses” motif in the new covenant? Why or why not? What Scripture might you appeal to?
2.       Abraham was told to sacrifice the whole world to him – his beloved son. What form of sacrificial living is God calling you to?
3.       What is preventing you from trusting God to provide for you?
4.       What obstacles are getting in the way of your obedience to God?
5.       What do you need to do to help you faithfully respond to God’s call in your life?
6.       What are the kinds of things you normally ask God to bless you with?

Walking Points: Reflection Questions and Next Steps
Coming Home: The Yes of Obedience
Luke 1:26-38

Pastor Bruce wrote,

“Mary and Joseph are the very first human beings confronted with the reality of Jesus’ advent into our world. Into their world. Two things stand out in each experience. First, obedience is not just keeping the rules or following a code. It is – in essence – an intentional assent to the will of God. Obedience is saying yes to God’s will for e. Secondly obedience is action. It is something that we do; it is not only an interior disposition, but it leads me to specific steps.

Note: this doesn’t mean we have all the answers. It doesn’t mean we know how it’s going to play out. May and Joseph were going on scant information that seemed impossible and likely made their heads swirl. Instead of certitude, they were left with trust. And trust makes a place for the Savior.”

Below are some “Walking Points,” which are questions for reflection and next steps for you to consider taking during this Advent season and beyond. You can use them for your personal devotional time or with others in a small group.
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1.       When the angel appeared to Mary to tell her the news that she was chosen of God to be the mother of Jesus, Luke 1:29 says, “…she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.”
·         What are two or three ways you discern God’s will for your life? Why are those good ways to discern God’s will?
·         If you are meeting in a group with others, share with them an experience in your life when you discerned God’s will for your life. Was it hard or easy? How did you go about it?
·         Eventually you had to step out in trust. Was that a scary time? Why or why not? What did you learn from the experience?
 
2.       Read Luke 1:30-36. Talk about impossible! Now read verse 37.
·         How does knowing who God is enable you to better trust him during tough times.
·         What are some ways we can better know God?
·         List three attributes or characteristics of God that you cling to during tough decisions in your life. Why did you choose those three?
 
3.       Now read Luke 1:38.
·         Spend some time praying privately, or together in your group, for the Lord to fill you with his Spirit to enable you to discern and respond to God’s call in your life, as Mary did.

Walking Points: Reflection Questions and Next Steps
Coming Home: Receiving Jesus
John 1:9-13

Our pastor is preaching an Advent series through December entitled, “Coming Home.” He writes,

“We often look at this season through the lens of nostalgia. The tug of our memories is almost irresistible. We long to go back “home” to the holidays of our past.

"But the message of the Scriptures is not that “we” journey back to some favored place in our memory. Rather, it is the startling news that God is making his home among us. We are left with some questions, “Will we receive him? How do we receive him?”

Below are some “Walking Points,” which are questions for reflection and next steps for you to consider taking during this Advent season and beyond. You can use them for your personal devotional time or with others in a small group.

John 1:9–13 (ESV)

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
 
1.       In verse 9, the Apostle John refers to Jesus as the “true light” (see also John 8:12).
·         What does John mean by that?
·         What does light do?
·         What do you think it means that the “true light gives light to everyone.”
·         In what ways do we get light from Jesus?
·         Share some examples of how Jesus lights your life (Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 2:8-10).
 

2.       Not only did Jesus, as the Son of God, come to the world, but he came to world he made (v. 10).
·         What are two or three things we learn about Jesus from those two truths in verse 10?
·         To think that the Creator of heaven and earth took human flesh and walked among us is astonishing. What emotions do you experience as you reflect on that? Why?
 

3.       The last part of verse 10 says the world did not know Jesus when he came. Verse 11 goes further by declaring Jesus came to his own people and they did not receive him.
·         What are some reasons people do not recognize and receive Jesus today?
·         What are some reasons you have recognized who Jesus is and have received him into your life as Lord and Savior?
·         How would you share God’s story of good news with a friend who has not yet “received Jesus?”
·         How would you incorporate your story into that larger story? (If you are doing these questions in a small group, share with the others how you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior.)
 

4.       What does John say it means to “receive” Jesus, according to verse 12?
·         Does he mean only intellectual ascent? If not, what are the biblical components of faith in Jesus?
·         What are the benefits of receiving Jesus (v. 12)?
 

5.       Being a child of God, biblically speaking, isn’t something you are simply by being alive. It’s not a condition that is the result of a natural process. Instead, it’s the result of a supernatural work (John 3:1-15; Eph. 2:8-9).
·         Compare and contrast what it means for a person to have their identity formed and shaped by who world says they are versus who God says they are as his child.  
·         What does it mean for you to know you are a child of God? What difference does that make in how you think, speak, and live your life?
·         How would you share that with a friend or family member who seems to be seeking their identity in all the wrong places?
 

6.       Write down the name of one person you would like to share your thoughts and experiences with, based on what you discussed in these questions. Begin to pray for that person now and for God to provide you with an opportunity to talk about Christ, and the difference he’s made in your life, with them.