Deeper Bible Study: A Conversation with PMKM

Special Guests Include:

Pastor C. Allen Stewart – Divine Faith Missionary Baptist Church (Birmingham)

Pastor Sedaric Dinkens – Jarvis Christian College (Hawkins)

Pastor Brian Johnson – Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church #1 (Mobile)

Minister Fernando Washington – Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (Orlando)

Pastor D. J. Harris – Greater Harvest Church (Texas City)

Knowing God by Name: JEHOVAH NISSI

Discussion Guide for Sunday, April 12, 2020

JEHOVAH NISSI:

THE LORD IS OUR BANNER

Series: Knowing God by Name: The Power of God’s Names

Big Idea

Our Scripture text for this week introduces us to an age old family feud. Esau and Jacob were twin brothers who just couldn’t seem to get along. The bad blood between these brothers festered for generations, and in Exodus 17:8-16, the descendants of Esau – the Amalekites, launch an attack on the descendants of Jacob – the Israelites. The Amalekites represents anything in your life that blocks you from doing what God wants you to do, and their battle against the Israelites represents the spiritual warfare that the people of God regularly face. The lesson this battle teaches us is that as believers, we fight their battles in both the natural and the spiritual realm. While Joshua went down into the valley to fight the physical army, Moses took the rod of God and went up into the mountains to fight the spiritual enemy.

When the battle was over, Moses built an altar and named it “Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is our Banner.” In ancient days, a banner was nothing more than a bar staff, like Moses’ rod, with a metal ornament that glistened in the sun. The rod in this story is an Old Testament picture of Jesus Christ. It shows us that Jesus struggled for our victory. Jesus endured excruciating pain to secure our salvation. That is why it is called His passion, or in the Latin His agony. However it is through that struggle that Jesus secured our victory. Through His death on the cross, Jesus once and for all defeated the works of the devil, and it is through His finished work that we continue to overcome the devil’s snares. Right now, Jesus is standing in the gap for our victory. He is seated at His Father’s right hand praying for us right now. As we trust Him, He gives us the strength we need to conquer the skirmishes we face day to day.

Discussion Questions

  • Are there any strains in your family relationships that need to be resolved? How can you begin to get things right?
  • When Moses’ arms grew heavy, he had Aaron and Hur as a support system. Who makes up your support system? How do you return the favor?

Prayer Focus

Lord, I thank you for raising Your standard over me. As I face spiritual battles of many kinds, help me to be confident in your protection, to fight with your power, to prevail in your strength. Dear Lord, may your victory be total and complete, destroying whatever stands in the way of your plans and purposes for my life.

Next Steps

As believers, we fight our battles in the natural and the spiritual. Joshua fought a physical army in the valley while Moses fought a spiritual battle on the mountain. You must learn to do both. Spend some time this week praying over a strained relationship. Ask God to break down any walls that could keep you from reconciliation, and plan some practical ways you can work towards restoration. Maybe you can make a phone call or schedule a lunch, but whatever you do, don’t leave it at just prayer. Pray and take action.

7 Last Saying of Jesus on the Cross

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34

Pastor Adrian J. Chester, Greater Beallwood Baptist Church (Columbus)

“Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

Pastor Corey J. Neal, Greater Peace Baptist Church (Columbus)

“Woman, behold thy Son.” — John 19:26

Dr. Maurice K. Mickles, Greater Beulah Baptist Church (Columbus)

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” — Mark 15:34

Pastor Vinton K. Copeland, Powell Baptist Church (Talbotton)

“I thirst.” — John 19:28

Pastor Michael W. Sherman, Wynnton Hill Baptist Church (Columbus)

“It is finished.” — John 19:30

Pastor Jimmie C. Fryer, Pine Hill Baptist Church (Phenix City)

“Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” — Luke 23:46

Dr. Maurice K. Mickles, Greater Beulah Baptist Church (Columbus)

Also appearing:

Dr. Curtis Crocker, Metropolitan Baptist Church (Columbus)

Guest Musicians:

Pastor Roderick Green, Brother Josh King, Minister Marlon Thompson

Knowing God by Name: JEHOVAH RAPHA

Discussion Guide for Sunday, April 5, 2020

JEHOVAH RAPHA: THE LORD IS OUR HEALER

Series: Knowing God by Name: The Power of God’s Names

Big Idea

The past several weeks, we have learned about the names of God through the experiences of Abraham, but this week, Pastor Mickles introduced us to Abraham’s descendants – The Children of Israel. God raised up Moses to lead them out of Egyptian slavery into their long-awaited Promised Land. Exodus 14 close with this summary of events: “Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord…” God had delivered His people and destroyed His enemies. However, Exodus 15:22 tells us that “Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.” They did not know it, but God was setting the stage to introduce Israel to a new name.

After three days in the wilderness with no water, “they came to Marah” (Exodus 15:23), a small water basin about 8 feet in diameter and only 2 feet in depth. The waters were so mineral-rich, it went from just being salty to being bitter. The people’s initial response was to complain. Their frustration showed up in mumbling their bitterness and resentment for God under their breath. This was a demonstration of their lack of trust in God. Moses, on the other hand, cried out to God, and God responded with a cure. God’s cure was two-fold: He would heal them emotional by giving His commandments, and their obedience to His commandments would lead to their physical healing (Exodus 15:26). To demonstrate this, God had Moses to throw a tree into the waters, and “the waters became sweet” (Exodus 15:25). God announces a new name for Himself – I, the Lord, am your Healer (Jehovah Rapha).

Discussion Questions

  • Have you ever found yourself in a frustrating situation? Did you complain? Why?
  • Recall the last time you cried out to God for direction. Did He give you direction? Instruction? A promise? How did things work out?

Prayer Focus

I bow before you today, O Lord, to acknowledge that You are the Lord who heals me. Heal me today – body, soul, and spirit. Make whatever is bitter in my life sweet by the finished work of Calvary’s tree. Transform my life to the end that you will be glorified in me.

Next Steps

We can find a reason to complain about anything. Take this challenge – every time you’re tempted to complain, turn your complaint into a prayer request. 1 Peter 5:7 says that you should be “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” If it’s enough to complain about, it’s enough to cry out to God about.

Want to Get Ahead?

Read and meditate on Exodus 17:8-16 in your devotional time this week.

Golden Agers’ Bible Study: JUSTICE FOR ALL

Discussion Guide for Wednesday, April 1, 2020

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Unit Theme: God Requires Justice
Print Text: Malachi 2:1-9; 3:5, 6
Key Verse: Micah 2:2

Big Idea

Just as Nehemiah is the last of the historic writers, Malachi is the last of the prophetic writers. He is the last messenger of God until the coming of the Messiah. It is the connecting link between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment. The book can be seen as a miniature summary of the entire Old Testament, covering the five key truths: 1) the selection of Israel by God, 2) the transgression of Israel against God, 3) the manifestation of the Messiah, 4) the tribulation upon the nations, and 5) the purification of Israel at last.

This section of Malachi discusses the priesthood and its sin. They were taking the high calling God had given to them for granted and consequently carried out their temple service with contempt. Malachi 2:8 summarizes: “you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble…you have corrupted the covenant of Levi”. The prophet calls for their repentance and warns them of a curse on their blessings. Another way of saying this is that God rewards our obedience with blessings, but there are consequences for our disobedience. These consequences are designed to correct our behavior. Malachi lists four distinguishing marks of those who are true to their calling: 1) a proper relationship with God (reverence), 2) a personal commitment to the truth of God’s Word, 3) a pursuit of godly character, and 4) the preservation of knowledge (Malachi 2:5-7).

The good news of the lesson is that an opportunity to correct their course was available to these erring priests. This is a day of grace and mercy, and God has allowed us an opportunity to repent and return to Him. God does not change because He cannot change, and His faithfulness to His Word is why His people have not been destroyed.

Discussion Questions

  • Has ministry every seemed like a burden to you? What led to this feeling? How did you deal with it?

Prayer Focus

Father, keep us from handling sacred duties in such a way that we lose sight of You. Empower our church to remember our covenant with You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Next Steps

Malachi 3:6 introduces the doctrine of the immutability of God. This doctrine reminds us that God cannot change, for better or for worse. His attributes always remain consistent. This week, consider the attributes of God and how they have been made known to you. Take some to time to thank God for His consistency. Name each attribute (love, mercy, grace, faithfulness, etc.), and recall specific occurrences.

Want to Get Ahead?

Read and meditate on Isaiah 42:1-9 in your devotional time this week.