Week 3: September 18th - 24th
The supplies you will need each week: Your Bible, a pencil or pen with notebook, a candle with lighter, and comfortable place to relax and absorb God’s word. I will be providing the Welcome, Devotional Reading/Poem, the “REVEALED” Bible Study for the week, the words to any songs listed in program, and Closing Benediction weekly on Thursday afternoon.
The format is set up if you gather in a small group; change the format if you are doing it by yourself (see * areas).
WEEK THREE
*Welcome as we joyfully enter God’s presence as His name is “REVEALED”.
*Devotional Reading: Psalm 100
*The Lord’s Prayer
Reading of UMW Purpose (If you would like more information on United Methodist Women please email me.)
*Lighting of the Candle and Breath Prayer:
Spirit of God, Breathe on me.
Spirit of God, Pour out Your presence on me.
Spirit of God, Speak through Your word to me. AMEN.
*Reading the Bible Study “REVEALED” and looking items up in your Bible. If in a group setting allow 15 minutes for quiet reflective time and individual Prayer of Discernment before any discussion begins.
*Prayer of Discernment to God on what you read. Ask God for his guidance on what you just read. Write your questions down if something needs further clarity or more prayer.
Each week a New name will be “Revealed”
*A short reading on the Name of God Revealed.
*A few Bible verses that use the Name of God Revealed.
*Grab your Bible and look up the verses then ask God daily to reveal Himself as the name which you are studying and finally keep a small journal to record how God has revealed Himself in that way.
*Finally, share with someone how God has revealed Himself to you in the name you are studying.
Let Us Get Started:
WEEK THREE
Elohim Chayim (Living God): Elohim Chayim – is a glorious Hebrew name for God. Both words are the plural form.
Elohim is the only plural Hebrew name for God. Chayim is the plural form of the Hebrew word for Life. Although orthodox Jews do not acknowledge a Triune God that includes Yeshua as Messiah, The Name, Elohim Chayim, can rightly be understood as a truthful and accurate representation of the three LIVING persons of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Name itself implies that The LIFE of this One and only Living God – its’ fullness of love, power, and truth – can only be truly, completely found in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One or two out of three will not supply the full Life of The Living God. We must have a true, personal, living relationship with each and with all, in full communion with The One Holy God.
We must remember that Israel was surrounded by nations that worshiped false gods. Baal, and his female counterpart, Asherah, were prominent among the Canaanites. The Phoenicians worshiped Beel-Zebul and the Moabites worshiped Chemish. The Philistines had Dagon, the Arameans, Hadad, and the Babylonians, Marduk. The Ammonites bowed before Molech who required human sacrifices.
These gods, however, were man-made, constructed of wood and stone. Jeremiah likened them to a “scarecrow in a cucumber field.” They could not speak and had to be carried because they could not walk. The gods of the nations were powerless, but not the God of Israel.
The Lord is God and He is great. He is most worthy of our praise. He is to be honored, worshiped, and obeyed. He is the Creator God who made the heavens. He is the all-powerful God that created man. He is the living God who works in history. He is the personal God who sent His Son to pay the penalty of our sin so we could have an eternal relationship with Him.
We must understand that God is the true and living God! He is always there beside us. He is always positioning Himself to be where we need Him to be at any given moment. He positions us to be vessels used by Him to be a physical representation of Him. His light shines through us, but only if we respect and obey the calling on our lives. Your life affects your witness to people. My life is not perfect, but it is because of my imperfections and my scars that I am able to magnify God's works! I am proof that He is the living God! He changed my life around. He guides me and leads me on the path that I should go.
Read and Meditate on these Scriptures that Reveal God as Elohim Chayim:
Daniel 6:26, John 6:57, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Matthew 16:16, Psalm 42:1-2
*Read the words or sing along to the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”. This hymn is usually sung in churches at Easter. Take quiet time to reflect the meaning of these words. Does it reflect your heart’s desire for Jesus Christ our Savior? Write down your reaction to review for further clarity or more prayer.
Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
*Closing Benediction: “Make every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit has already created, with peace binding you together.” (Ephesians 4:3)
Through the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us through our belief in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, inspire our hearts to seek You in Your Word daily. Grow us both individually and together, as we seek the peace of Your presence. Help us to walk faithfully and fiercely after Christ, reflecting His love. May we always lift our progress up to You, who holds the honor and glory for who we are and what we do. Use our lives, Lord, to reach those who desperately need to know You love them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*CLOSE YOUE EYES for 5-10 minutes and feel the love of each of your sisters in Christ wrapping their loving arms around you virtually. You are beautiful and one of a kind -YOU ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECEļ.
* Think about two people that would benefit from this Bible study and invite them to join you.
*Blow your candle out to end your quiet journey with God and your Christian sisters. God bless you until we meet again next week!