7 Ways of Christ

Look Back

• What did Jesus promise his disciples before he ascended to heaven? (Acts 1:4-5)
• Why do you think the disciples needed the Holy Spirit before starting their mission?
• How does the promise of the Holy Spirit encourage you in your daily walk with God?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: Acts 1:1–10
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

Acts 1:1–10 (ESV)

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes.

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 Jesus promised the disciples the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5)

2 Jesus promised the disciples power when the Holy Spirit comes on them (Acts 1:8)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Asking questions about times and seasons that God has not revealed to us (Acts 1:6)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 The disciples stayed in Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4)

2 Jesus taught about the kingdom of God during the forty days (Acts 1:3)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Wait for the promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4)

2 "You will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Look Forward

• How can you wait on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life?
• Who are the people God has placed in your "Jerusalem" that you can be a witness to?

Look Back

• What does Peter's sermon in Acts 10 reveal about God's heart for all people?
• How did Cornelius' story challenge Jewish assumptions about who could follow Jesus?
• Who in your world seems "far away" from God? How does this passage encourage you to reach them?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: Acts 10:34–48
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

Acts 10:34–48 (ESV)

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (this is Jesus of Nazareth), 37 you know what has happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. How he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people, but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10:43)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Showing partiality or prejudice against certain groups of people (Acts 10:34)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 Cornelius prayed regularly and gave generously to the Jewish people (Acts 10:2)

2 Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household without hesitation (Acts 10:34-43)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Preach to the people and to testify" (Acts 10:42)

2 Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

Acts 10:34-35 "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."

Look Forward

• Who in your world seems "far away" from God? Pray for them daily.
• What steps can you take this week to share the gospel with someone outside your comfort zone?

Look Back

• How did Jesus show compassion to the large crowd before feeding them? (Matthew 14:14)
• Why did the disciples doubt Jesus when He walked on water? What were they afraid of?
• How does this passage encourage you when you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: Matthew 14:13–33
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

Matthew 14:13–33 (ESV)

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 And when he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now in the evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 But Jesus said, "They need not go away. You give them something to eat." 17 They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves because the wind was against them. 25 And towards the end of the night Jesus came towards them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid." 28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was frightened, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 Jesus promises "Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Having little faith and doubting when circumstances look scary (Matthew 14:31)

2 The disciples' initial response was to think Jesus was a ghost (Matthew 14:26)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 Jesus had compassion on the crowds and met their physical and spiritual needs (Matthew 14:14)

2 Peter stepped out of the boat in faith when Jesus called him (Matthew 14:29)

3 The disciples worshipped Jesus when they recognized who He was (Matthew 14:33)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid" (Matthew 14:27)

2 Call out to the Lord when you are sinking in doubt (Matthew 14:30)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

Matthew 14:27 "But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid.'"

Look Forward

• What "storm" are you facing right now? Remember Jesus walks on water and is with you.
• How can you step out in faith like Peter, even when the circumstances seem impossible?

Look Back

• What does it mean to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus? (Luke 9:23)
• Why did Jesus say we must hate our family and even our own life to be His disciple? (Luke 14:26)
• How does Jesus' teaching about counting the cost challenge our modern understanding of discipleship?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: Luke 9:57–62 and Luke 14:25–33
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

Luke 9:57–62 (ESV)

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 59 To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60 And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 And another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." 62 Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 14:25–33 (ESV)

25 Now great crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 "Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a long way off, he sends a delegation and asks terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 Jesus promises that those who leave everything for His sake will receive much more in this time and eternal life (Mark 10:29-30)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Putting earthly relationships above our commitment to Jesus (Luke 9:59-61)

2 Starting something without counting the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:28-30)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 Those who were willing to leave everything to follow Jesus immediately (Luke 9:57, 61)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Follow me" (Luke 9:59)

2 "Bear your own cross and come after me" (Luke 9:23, 14:27)

3 "Count the cost" before becoming a disciple (Luke 14:28)

4 "Renounce all that you have" to be Jesus' disciple (Luke 14:33)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

Luke 14:27 "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

Look Forward

• What area of your life is keeping you from fully following Jesus?
• How can you "count the cost" of discipleship in a practical way this week?

Look Back

• What was the significance of Jesus' appearance changing on the mountain? (Matthew 17:1-2)
• Why did Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus? What does this tell us about the Old and New Testaments?
• How does Peter's response ("It is good that we are here") show his misunderstanding of the moment?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: Matthew 17:1–9
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

Matthew 17:1–9 (ESV)

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter answered Jesus, saying, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 God the Father personally confirms Jesus as His beloved Son (Matthew 17:5)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Trying to build tents and stay in the moment rather than listening to Jesus (Matthew 17:4)

2 Fear and terror when we encounter God's glory (Matthew 17:6)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to be with them in a special moment (Matthew 17:1)

2 The Father's voice commands us to "listen to him" (Matthew 17:5)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Listen to him" (Matthew 17:5)

2 "Rise, and have no fear" (Matthew 17:7)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

Matthew 17:5 "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

Look Forward

• Where is God calling you to "listen to" Jesus more closely this week?
• What "mountain top" experiences do you need to hold onto when facing the "valley" of everyday life?

Look Back

• How did Jesus' delay in going to Lazarus show His sovereignty over death? (John 11:1-6)
• What does Jesus' weeping at Lazarus' tomb reveal about His compassion? (John 11:33-35)
• How does Martha's confession of faith ("Even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you") challenge your own faith?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: John 11:1–44
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

John 11:1–44 (ESV)

1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, and her brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is sick." 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, "This sickness is not to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11 After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awake him." 12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 So then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Now Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. 20 So Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." 28 And when she had said this, she went and called Mary her sister privately, saying, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, comforting her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weep and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the blind man's eyes have done something so that this man would not have died?" 38 Then Jesus, again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." 40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 "Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Doubting Jesus' timing and power when situations seem hopeless (John 11:21-22)

2 Focusing on the problem (the odor, four days in the tomb) instead of Jesus' power (John 11:39)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 Martha's confession of faith: "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:27)

2 Jesus' compassion – He wept with those who grieved (John 11:35)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Take away the stone" – remove obstacles to God's work (John 11:39)

2 "Unbind him, and let him go" – free others from what binds them (John 11:44)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

John 11:25-26 "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Look Forward

• What situation in your life feels like Lazarus has been dead four days? Trust that Jesus can bring life.
• How can you help "unbind" someone who is bound by sin, fear, or doubt?

Look Back

• What did Jesus mean when He said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life"? (John 14:6)
• Why did Thomas say "We do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" (John 14:5)
• How does Jesus' promise to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3) encourage you in times of uncertainty?

Look Up

• Tell the story in your own words.
• Read the story together: John 14:1–14
• Ask the SWORD questions (see below)

John 14:1–14 (ESV)

1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."

Promises What has God promised? Find the promises in this passage and what God has done in the past.

1 Jesus promises to prepare a place for us in the Father's house (John 14:2)

2 Jesus promises to come again and take us to be with Him (John 14:3)

3 Whoever believes in Jesus will do the works that Jesus does, and greater works (John 14:12)

4 Whatever we ask in Jesus' name, He will do it (John 14:14)

Sin to Avoid Look for any sins in this passage that we should avoid.

1 Letting our hearts be troubled and afraid (John 14:1)

2 Not believing in Jesus despite being with Him so long (John 14:9-10)

Example to Follow Look for an example to follow in this passage.

1 Jesus reassures troubled hearts by pointing us to faith in God and in Himself (John 14:1)

2 Jesus invites us to ask in His name, promising that the Father will be glorified (John 14:13)

Command to Obey Look for any commands that God gives that we should obey.

1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me" (John 14:1)

2 "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me" (John 14:11)

Scripture to Memorize Find a verse or passage to memorize from this reading.

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Look Forward

• What is troubling your heart today? Choose to believe in God and in Jesus.
• How can you ask in Jesus' name for God's glory to be seen in your life this week?