Bible Study Notes 10/24/2023

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2023 Fall /Early Winter Series:

God Never Gives Up On You!

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tues., 24 Oct. 2023 Lesson 2, Part 1

Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up On You ©2023

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, God Never Gives Up, Pages 13-30

Short-Cuts Can Deceive – It’s possible many, or most,’ of us have taken “short-cuts.” God wanted us to follow a different path. We’ve done this, because to achieve what we wanted, would have taken longer. We take these shorter routes thinking we can arrive at the points in life we seek much sooner. Then, there are times we assume our way is more immediate. As such, we believe it is the better approach to take. It is this human proclivity, that becomes sin. The Scriptures say “all have fallen short” of God’s requirements, at some point in our lives. We’ve fallen short, because we’ve taken “short-cuts.” (Read, Romans 3:23, NIV). The reason given for these shortcuts, is sin. The Greek New Testament more often uses the term hamartia, for sin. The word is translated to mean, “to fall short of God’s instructions;” or “to move away from God’s teachings.” We note in Romans 3:23, that no one is left unindicted of this. This does not mean that we “willfully sin” all the time; but it means that in our human frailty, we’re all more prone to sin. Our short-cuts can deceive us, and cause us great harm (Proverbs 6:10, NLT). Because God does not give up on us, we should use our waking moments to engage in a life of meaning and purpose. In his very helpful book, God Never Gives Up On You, author Max Lucado says: “But can we agree that all of us at times have chosen the quick and easy route? That sin, at its root, is the unwillingness to wait? To trust? To follow God’s plans? We take matters into our own hands.” Even when we’re given a choice about the next steps we will take; we may neglect to seek discernment from God, before we make a decision. While a person may feel God has given them the ability to “think for themselves;” it is always wise to acknowledge God in all that we do. The Scripture instructs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (See, Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT). The relative of Abraham was given an opportunity to choose the land he desired. Lot, the nephew, instinctively chose what seemed to be the more appealing land; conveniently situated by a trade route, and several bustling towns. (Read, Genesis 13:8-9a; 11-13, NLT). Lot’s choice inevitably brought him much trouble; sorrow, and the death of his wife. Despite his failures, God didn’t give up on Lot and saved him from destruction. Abraham also provides us with an example of how we should never seek to enrich ourselves, through means other than what God blesses us with. Abraham turned down any special favors, that would compromise his ability to credit God for his victories (Read, Genesis 14:22-24, NLT). Short-cuts may ease and comfort; but only God’s way, gives us grace, meaning and purpose! It is never God failing us, but we often fail to trust Him.

Key Idea What We Believe!:

1. “God’s grace never quits.” – Max Lucado

Key Verses:

Romans 3:23, NIV “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Proverbs 6:10 NLT “A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.”

Proverbs 14:12, NLT “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Genesis 13:8-9a; 11-13, NLT Finally Abraham said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate…Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abraham. So Abraham settled in the land of Canaan. And Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.”

Genesis 14:22-24, NLT

Abram replied to the king of Sodom. “I solemnly swear to the Lord God, Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, “I am the one who made Abram rich.” I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten and I request that you give a fair share to my allies – Aner, Eschol, and Mamre.”