Tag: Simplified English discussion prompts

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The Cross Before Him; Simplified English discussion prompts based on Mark 10:32-34

The meaning of the cross

window church crucifixion church window
The cross before him. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When you see a cross what do you think about?  What does it mean to you? Where do we see crosses?

At the time of Jesus, about 2,000 years ago, the cross was the worst form of execution, used for terrible criminals. When they saw a cross beside the road it caused feelings of fear, humiliation, horror, shame, and disgust.

It seems almost beyond explanation then that the cross became the symbol that Christians wear around their neck, tattoo on their arms, and display in their places of worship. But the cross was where Jesus died, and so because of our love for Him and what He did, we cling to the cross as a symbol of our faith, instead of rejecting it as something offensive.

The cross before him

Jesus told his disciples many times that he was going to be killed. His friend Mark wrote about it. He said:

Jesus… began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed…                                                                                                                         Mark 8:31(ESV)

“He was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him…”

                                                                                            Mark 9:31(ESV)

Jesus was walking ahead of them. Those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him…”                                                                                                                                                    Mark 10:32–34(ESV)

How did he know about the cross before him?

Jesus knew that he would die because of the hostility of the Jewish religious leaders toward him.

          – Mark says that from the very beginning of his ministry, the Pharisees went out and began to plot how they might kill Jesus. Mark 3:6.

          – Jesus knew that their increasing resentment toward him would end in his death.

Jesus also knew about his death because of what the Old Testament said. His death was a fulfillment of these prophecies.  The purpose of Jesus as the Messiah was to suffer and die for the sin of mankind.

          Jesus quoted Isaiah in Luke Ch. 22. He identified himself as the Messiah, the one “despised and rejected by men… pierced for our transgression and crushed for our iniquities…” He said, “this must be fulfilled in me!”

The cross before him was his purpose.

As the hour of his crucifixion drew near, he said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

                                                                                            John 12:27 (ESV)

Through the cross his purpose was fulfilled, and God was glorified.

That sounds strange, doesn’t it? That God is glorified through the cross? 

What did Jesus mean by that?

Jesus prayed before he was arrested. He lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do…. “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.                                                                                                                                                           John 17:1-6 (ESV)

By his death on the cross, Jesus showed God’s love to us.

The cross is where the Son of God gave his life so that we might have life.  By Jesus’ death on the cross, we are made holy and righteous. When we look at the cross, we see pain and suffering.  But Jesus wants us to see so much more.  He wants us to see God’s plan and purpose in bringing us redemption.  Jesus wants us to accept his forgiveness.  He wants us to see how much God loves us, and he wants us to glorify him by telling others.

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Phil 2:19-30 Friends Simplified English Discussion Prompts, by Jack Duckworth

Friends

Philippians 2:19-30 New International Version

Timothy and Epaphroditus


19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when T receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, o that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

WORD MEANINGS–Match the words with the correct definitions.
1.cheered __a person you work with 2.genuine __sick
3.welfare __nervous, worried, 4.proved __comfort & support 5.necessary __wellbeing 6.co-worker __demonstrate the truth 7.messenger __needed
8.ill __feeling deeply sad 9.sorrow __authentic and real 10.eager __one who brings news 11.anxiety __really wanting to do
CHRISTIAN IDEAS 1.Gospel __other Christians 2.brother (or sister) __what we do 3.co-worker __serving in our faith 4.fellowship __our community friends 5.in the Lord_ __The Good News 6.work of Christ_ __who we serve with
PAUL: An apostle and missionary
TIMOTHY: pastor at Ephesus trained by Paul
EPAPHRODITUS: co worker of Paul and Timothy

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Being a Star on God’s Stage: Simplified discussion prompts for Philippians 2:12-16

man performing on stage
Being a Star Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Do you follow movie stars? Or music stars? Sports stars? Who is your favorite? Would you like to be a star?

Did you know that God wants us to be stars? Paul wrote in his letter: … you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.                 Philippians 2:15-16 (NIV)

Being a Star

Paul tells us that if we want to live like stars on God’s stage, we must live a different lifestyle. He says: …my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV)

What Paul is telling the Philippians when he says, work out your salvation, is simply keep on living out your faith.  Don’t give up or become lazy. For Paul, faith in Christ means obedience to Christ.  Not just by following rules or commandments, but by becoming completely devoted to Him.

Being a star takes work

If you read the biography of any “star”, whether it’s a musician, an actor, or an athlete, you’ll see that their success didn’t come without hard work and effort.  They might have immense talent, but for most it takes years or even a lifetime to become all that they are.

Someone once said, “It’s easy to become a Christian, but being a Christian is hard work.” Would you agree?                                                                                                                      

Becoming a Christian is about believing in Jesus, but being a Christian is about following Jesus. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s easy to believe but a lot harder to follow.  It’s about not just knowing but doing God’s Word.  It means learning how to love God with mind, body, and soul, and learning to love others in the way that Christ loves.  That’s hard work!

Not grumbling or arguing

Paul says: …. Do everything without grumbling or arguing….    Philippians. 2:14 We all find something to complain about.  The weather, the government, your job, your spouse, your kids, your friends, your church…. Being grumpy and complaining is more common for many of us than being joyful, positive and up-lifting.

God sometimes uses difficult situations in life to develop our character and grow our faith.  So, when things don’t go as you’d like them, instead of complaining about it, maybe we should be asking God what He wants us to learn though it. As followers of Christ, we should be acting like members of God’s family, living with an attitude of hope and joy, treating each other with love and respect, instead of complaining and arguing. 

What do you grumble or argue about? How can you change your attitude? What can you do instead?

It was Paul’s hope that he would someday stand before God and hear Him say to the Christians at Philippi, “Well done my good and faithful servants.  You have represented me well.  You have been stars on my stage, reflecting my light and my glory to the world.  Now come and receive your reward!” 

May He say the same to us.

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Attitude Adjustments: Simplified English Discussion Prompts based on Philippians 2:1-11

smiling black family resting on couch
Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com Does your family need ‘attitude adjustments’?

Family

What’s your family like? Do your family members RESPECT one another? Or do they need an ‘attitude adjustment’? RESPECT is important in families, including God’s family, the church.

But respect is earned by behavior that is WORTHY of it. Good behavior is worthy of respect. Bad behavior is not.

Some Bible verses about behavior worthy of respect are:

  • let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ… Philippians 1:27
  • …walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… Ephesians 4:1
  •   …walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12                                                                                           

Attitude Adjustments

To live in a manner worthy of God, we need to have a good ATTITUDE. An attitude is how we feel inside. As Christians, we must follow the behavior and attitude of Jesus. Often, we forget to do that, and we need ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.                                                 Romans 12:2

Instead of having attitudes and behaviors like the world has, we need our minds renewed to live in God’s ways. We need to have a completely different attitude than the world.  We need the attitude of Christ.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.                                                                                                                                   Philippians 2:1–2

Paul wrote this while he was in prison. Remember, Paul is writing to people who are like family to him. And so he reminds them of what they share as family, saying if you really belong to the family of God; if you find your encouragement in knowing Christ; if you know God’s love and have God’s Spirit in you; if you have any real love for the church and for me; if these things are true–if you really are Christians, then you can please me and make me happy, by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Must we all be the same?

This doesn’t mean we all have to agree on everything and have the same opinion about things. It’s about having a good attitude and living in unity with respect for each other.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.                                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:1–6

What does this mean to you?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped…                                                                                                          Philippians 2:5–6(ESV)

Jesus is our example. He didn’t show off his power. He respected his father, God.

Love and Humility

be of the same mind, having the same love… Phil. 2:2

LOVE is what we need to hold us together as a family. Loving each other is an attitude that we must choose.

Finally, the change of attitude that Paul encourages is one of HUMILITY.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…                                                                                    Philippians 2:3–5

… being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.                                 Philippians 2:8

Therefore, Paul declares, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.        Philippians 2:9–11

Because Jesus humbled himself to even death on the cross, we must honor and respect him.

Let’s have attitude adjustments. Let our attitudes be adjusted to the attitude of Christ, an attitude of unity, love, and a humble spirit.

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