CrossWord Bible Ministries at Alabama
FOR THE STUDIOUS AMONG YOU
FOR THE STUDIOUS AMONG YOU








If you missed a previous class, or if you just want to see a little about what we've been studying, here is the webpage for you. On this page, you'll find copies of all the study notes from the previous weeks, so if you weren't there, you can catch up. Check out the most recent notes from Ron Adema's series on Spiritual Gifts, or his notes on Discipleship Training from last semester:


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Date: 2/21/08

Speaker: Ron Adema
Text: Gen.24:1-8

Lesson: ORIGIN OF MARRIAGE

This lesson is taken from a special phrase that is repeated in our lesson text – “take a wife.” (24:3, 4, 7).


The Hebrew word for wife is (ishah/ ). This word is found in Gen.2:21-24 and is translated either woman or wife. If the Hebrew word didn’t change, then what did change and why?


There is a difference in theology between how the woman became a woman and how the woman became a wife.


This lesson will study five aspects of the Origin of Marriage. It is important since the divine institution of marriage is under attack from inside as well as outside the Church of Jesus Christ.


  1. Marriage was originally designed by God to produce family that was to produce the messianic Savior of the world (Gen.3:15; 1 Tim.2:13; Luke 3:23-38). This is how marriage was known among believers of OT.



  1. After the historical coming of Christ to fulfil this messianic prophecy of Savior of world, marriage was designed by God to present Jesus Christ and His Church (Eph.5:32) (Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31; 2 Tim.1:10; 1 John 4:14-15). This is how marriage is known among the believers of NT.



God designed the human soul for two great intimate relationships in life (Gen.1:26-27).


(zakar/ masculine and neqebah/ feminine).


Jesus identified the spiritual problem that breaks-up both intimate relationships as “hardness of heart” (Matt.19:7-8; Heb.3:12-15/ Ps.95:7-11).


In designing the human soul for these two great intimate relationships, God underscored a primary need – “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Gen.2:18; Heb.13:5; Matt.28:20)


Bogus romance (Hollywood) flips and flops between rational, irrational, and insane but God’s love is constant (1 Cor.13:4-8, 13; 1 John 4:18-19; Gal.5:22-23).


The love of God flowing to and from the heart is what is needed in both intimate relationships (Eph.5:25; Titus 2:4).


5. The essential concept to learn about finding a mate for life is that you will find her/him in the Bible first. Then God will bring you together (Gen.2:22; Prov.18:22).


Homework: Jesus added a new principle to Gen.2:24 regarding marriage. After reading Matt.19:4-6, write it on the line______________________________________________________________________




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Date: 1/31/08

Ron Adema

Lesson: DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT



This lesson is intended to help you discover your spiritual gift. We have learned that there are no ungifted Christians (1 Cor.12). We have examined the three passages that list all the spiritual gifts (Rom.12 and 1 Cor.12 and Eph.4).

This lesson will examine 45 situations of the following 9 spiritual gifts spiritual gifts: pastor-teacher, evangelist, exhortation, mercy, giving, ministry, administration, leader, and helps.

Examine each of the 45 situations and write on the blank line yes or no. Write the first thing that comes to your mind. You can think about it later.

1. I always seem to see the need to delegate important responsibilities to get some ministry project done________________.
2. I seem to find it important to speak words of encouragement to Christians who are trouble or discouraged_____________.
3. I am attracted to supporting ministries for the Lord with money or materials or manpower______________.
4. I am attracted to special tasks that need help completing______________________.
5. I enjoy teaching Christians the Bible to help them in their spiritual growth________________.
6. I enjoy organizing ideas, plans, time, events, and people in Christian ministries_______________.
7. I feel compelled to share the gospel with people I meet__________________.
8. I enjoy talking to Christians in retirement homes or hospitals or shut-in in order to cheer them up in life ______________.
9. I really enjoy going on missionary trips in order to minister________________.
10. I feel the need to help assist in leadership when a need is present for it __________________.
11. I enjoy encouraging Christians in resolving personal problems in their lives_________________.
12. I feel compelled to give of myself and of my resources to fund the Lord’s work________________.
13. I enjoy helping in Christian ministries in ways that are behind the scene _____________________.
14. I enjoy studying the Bible in depth that benefits me and others I am able to share it with________________.
15. I enjoy working with logistical facts and figures in order to achieve a specific task with the church or ministry ________________.
16. I seem to seek out continually those who need to hear the gospel of grace salvation_____________.
17. I am attracted to Christians who are suffering in order to bring some hope in Jesus Christ to their lives__________________.
18. I find satisfaction in serving other ministries that can use my ministry ________________.
19. I feel obligated to take the lead in persuading others to join in accomplishing a ministry goal or objective ___________________.
20. I enjoy encouraging Christian regarding specific struggles in their spiritual lives ______________.
21. I feel deeply moved whenever I learn of an urgent financial need for the work of the Lord__________.
22. I enjoy doing routine jobs in the church that others might consider boring________________.
23. I really enjoy learning the meaning of theological concepts so that I can share them with other Christians who are interested in spiritual learning ________________.
24. I like planning and administering specific ministries that benefit the church body____________.
25. I seem to be led to those who are confused about the gospel and grace salvation_____________.
26. I feel compelled to extend mercy to Christian in suffering even when they don’t seem to see the need for it ____________________.
27. I am attracted to opportunities for involvement in ministry with other ministries_____________.
28. I like leading other Christians to accomplish special ministry tasks_________________.
29. I seem to spend a lot of time counseling Christians who are confused or perplexed regarding some issued in their Christian life____________________.
30. I am content to give money allotted to other things in order to help finance a specific ministry the Lord has laid upon my heart______________.
31. I feel very satisfied when I am able to assist in some menial task for the glory of God___________.
32. I seem to have insight into the Scriptures that others feel is important to their Christian life_________.
33. I enjoy helping ministries set goals and ways to reach their objective_______________.
34. I tend to see people either as believers or unbelievers in order to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them______________.
35. I like doing things that might comfort Christians during sickness or suffering in order to bring hope in the Lord______________.
36. Whenever opportunities to minister are presented I feel compelled to enlist______________.
37. I often feel led to assume responsibility of leadership when there is no official request____________.
38. Christians seem to be comfortable talking to me about their problems__________________.
39. When feel led to give freely to ministries, it usually results in attitudes of appreciation towards God______________.
40. I gladly respond when others express a need for help in some church or ministry functi____________.
41. I seem to be able to put bible lessons together to teach other Christians biblical truths____________.
42. I seem able to coordinate details of ministry projects to accomplish their goals________________.
43. I enjoy sharing the gospel in unfamiliar setting with strangers________________.
44. I still desire to extend mercy toward Christians suffering from self-induced misery or sin _________.
45. Whenever I hear a missionary talk about his/ her ministry I immediate wonder how I might serve someway in this ministry________________.

YOUR EVALUATION OF NINE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Write all the numbers where you wrote YES on the line________________________________________.

• Now circle these numbers below.
1. 1, 10, 19, 28, 37___________________
2. 2, 11, 20, 29, 38___________________
3. 3, 12, 21, 30, 39____________________
4. 4, 13, 22, 31, 40____________________
5. 5, 14, 23, 32, 41____________________
6. 6, 15, 24, 33, 42____________________
7. 7, 16, 25, 34, 43_____________________
8. 8, 17, 26, 35, 44_____________________
9. 9, 18, 27, 36, 45_____________________

On the blank line below, write the spiritual gifts you have discovered that seems to be of great interest to you at this time_______________________________________________________________________.

• Now circle the one spiritual gift that has the most circles.


“NOW CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS, BRETHREN, I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE UNAWARE.” (1 Cor.12:1)


“BUT ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT WORKS ALL THESE THINGS, DISTRIBUTING TO EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY JUST AS HE WILLS.” (1 Cor.12:11)


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Date: 1/24/08

Speaker: Ron Adema

Lesson: NINETEEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 

This is a brief description of each of the NINETEEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS.  It is intended to familiarize you with the basic function of each gift.  They will be divided into SPEAKING GIFTS and SERVING GIFTS based on 1 Pet.4:10-11 without regard to their temporary or permanent status.

SEVEN SPEAKING GIFTS

 

Apostle (apostolos) – This is not in reference to the 12 apostles of Jesus who possessed both the office and gift.  This is the only the gift.  It was the supernatural ability to establish the infant church amidst dispensation changes throughout the world and to write and preserve the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures (2 Cor.12:12; 1 Cor.4:9; Eph.4:11; Rom.16:7; Eph.2:19-22).  

Prophet (prophetes) – It was the supernatural ability to bring to light divine revelation by prophetic speech.  It was revelation outside the natural possibility of knowledge related to the plan of God prior to the canonization (Rom.12:6; 1 Cor.12:10, 28-30; 13:8-11; 14:3, 22-26, 30-31; Acts 11:27-30; 21:10-14). 

Discerning Spirit (diakrisis pneuma) – It was the supernatural ability to detect false prophecy prior to canonization.  It was always associated with the gift of prophecy within the church assembly

(1 Cor.12:10; 14:29-33; 1 Tim.4:1: 2 Thess.2:2-3; 1 John 4:1-6). 

Different kinds of tongues (heteros genos glossa) - It was the supernatural ability to speak the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in an unlearned Gentile language to Jews.  It was exercised to unbelievers.  It was 1 of 3 messianic signs to Israel of the Coming of Christ to Israel (Isa.7:14; Isa.52-53; Isa.28:9-13;

1 Cor.1:22; 13:8-10; 12:10, 28-30; 14:20-25).  Gift of tongues was a sign of the coming of divine judgement upon Israel for rejecting their Messiah (Romans 9-11). 

Interpretation of tongues (hermeneia glossa) – It was the supernatural ability to translate the Gentile language of the gift of tongues to believers without learning it.  It was associated with the gift of tongues to believers (1 Cor.12:10, 30; 13:8-10; 14:1-13, 22-31). 

 
 

“So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.”

(1 Cor.14:12) 

“Pursue LOVE, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Cor.14:1) 

[The spiritual gifts with the dot in front of them I personally consider to be permanent.]

TWELVE SERVICE GIFTS

 

Different faith (heteros pistis) – It was the supernatural ability to believe a revelation of God’s will apart from the Scriptures (1 Cor.12:9 not Rom.10:17).  It was associated with the gifts of miracles and healings (1 Cor.12:8-11, 28-30; 13:2; Acts 3:1-10). 

Workings of miracles (energema dunamis) – It was the supernatural ability to interrupt the laws of creation according to a revelation of God’s will (1 Cor.12:10, 28-30; Acts 8:9-13; 9:36-43).  It was designed to focus attention on the Christian message prior to the canonization of the word of God (Rom.15:18-19; 2 Cor.12:12; Acts 19:11-20). 

Gifts of healings (charisma iama) – It was the supernatural ability to cure any illness which was not demon induced (1 Cor.12:9, 28-30; Acts 9:32-35; 28:7-10; 2 Cor.12:7-10; 2 Tim.4:20; Phil.2:26-27). 

Word of wisdom (logos sophia) – It was the supernatural ability to know mystery doctrines of the church prior to the canonization of the scriptures (Rom.11:25; 16:25-27; 1 Cor.12:7-9; 13:1-2; 13:8-10; 14:6, 26).   

Word of knowledge (logos gnosis) – It was the supernatural ability to inquire into spiritual truths prior to the canonization of the Scriptures related to the plan of God (Rom.11:33-36; 1 Cor.12:8; 13:2, 8-10; 14:6, 26; James 1:25; Eph.1:17-19). Word of wisdom and word of knowledge is a set. 

 

1 Thess.3:1-7). 

 
 
 
 
 

1 Cor.12:8-11 is interesting because it establishes certain spiritual gifts in sets (word of knowledge, word of wisdom) and (prophesy, discerning spirit) and (tongues, interpretation of tongues) and

(different faith, gifts of healings, workings of miracles).  This is important because when a certain gift is abolished the set is abolished (1 Cor.13:8-12).



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Date: 1/17/08

Speaker: Ron Adema          Text: 1 Cor.12:1-11

Lesson: DISTRIBUTION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 

There are three primary NT passages that give us a list of 19 Spiritual Gifts: Romans 12; 1 Cor.12-14; and Ephesians 4 (hyphen is used in 4:11).

The following four special Greek words are used to describe the distribution and function of spiritual gifts. They are found in our lesson text.

 

This lesson will study five aspects of the Distribution of Spiritual Gifts to every church age believer at the moment of salvation.  This is one of the unique dynamics of Christianity. 

  1. A distinction must be made between the gift (doma/ Eph.4:8; Matt.3:11) of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.12/ pneumatikos charisma).
 

The third member of the Godhead indwells every church age believer at the moment of salvation forever (1 Cor.6:19-20; John 14:16; Gal.3:2-3, 14). 

Spiritual gifts are distributed by the indwelling Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation (1 Cor.12:4-7, 11-13, 18, 24, 28). 

  1. Both the gift and gifts of the Holy Spirit are based on the ascension of Jesus Christ.
 

The gift (doma) of the Holy Spirit is based on the ascension of Jesus Christ (John 7:39; Matt.3:11; Acts 1:5).

Spiritual gifts (pneumatikos charisma) are also based on the ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:1-7, 12, 32-36; 1 Cor.12:7, 11).  
  1. A second distinction must be made between spirituality and spiritual gifts.
 

Spirituality is the supernatural work of the indwelling Holy Spirit for divine production in CWL (Eph.5:18; Gal.5:16-17; 1 Cor.2:14/ natural man/ psuchikos; 3:1/ spiritual man/ pneumatikos; 3:3/ carnal or fleshly/ sarkikos). 

Spiritual gifts are supernatural ministries of the indwelling Holy Spirit for the edification of the body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor.12:12, 27; 14:12, 26; Eph.4:11-12).

  1. Distribution of spiritual gifts is 1 of 8 salvation ministries of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual gifts (1 Cor.12:11-13)                       Regeneration (John 3:1-8; Titus 3:4-7)

Baptism (1 Cor.12:13; Gal.3:27)                     Seal and earnest (Eph.1:13-14; 2 Cor.1:21-22)

Spiritual life (Eph.2:4-6; John 10:10)              Adoption into family of God (Rom.8:15-17; Gal.4:4-7)

Indwelling (1 Cor.6:19-20)                             Access to God as Father (Eph.2:18-22) 

  1. There is ONE body of church age believers with plurality of spiritual gifts or parts of spiritual ministries (1 Cor.12:4-6, 11).
 

Varieties (diairesis/ different) of gifts (charisma) and ministries (diakonia) and effects (energema) – 1Cor.12:4. 

But the same Spirit (to Pneuma) and Lord (ho Kurios) and God (ho Theos). 

“But one and the same Spirit works (energeo/ p.a.ind.3ps) all these things, distributing (diaireo/ p.a.ptc.nsn) to each one (hekastos) individually (idios) just as He wills (boulomai/ p.m.ind 3ps).”

(1 Cor.12:11) 

“The Holy Spirit, the sovereign Dispenser of gifts is the divine Executive of the Godhead, Who is putting together by regeneration and Spirit baptism the Body of Christ, as He adds in verse 12, 13.” (Renaissance of NT, vol.13, pg.57/ comments on 12:11)
 
 

THERE ARE NO UNGIFTED CHURCH AGE BELIEVERS!



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Date: 11/8/07

Speaker: Ron Adema Text: 1 Cor.15:37-39


Lesson: TRICHOTOMOUS MAN


After briefly discussing what happened with the trichotomous nature of Jesus at death, there was a request for a more detailed study on the trichotomous nature of man.


Last week we studied that at the death of Jesus, His body went to the grave (Luke 23:52-53), His spirit returned to the Father who gave it (Luke 23:46), and His soul went to Sheol to await the third day resurrection (1 Pet.3:18-20; Matt.16:21; Ps.16:8-11).


This lesson will study FIVE aspects of God design of trichotomous man.


  1. God designed the trichotomous formula for everything created on Day 5 and 6 (Gen.1:20-31).


When God breathed neshamah chayyim (breath of life) into four categories of creation on Day 5 and 6, there were four different results _________, __________, ___________, and_______________.


It has been compared to electricity. When electricity goes into light bulb, it produces light. When it goes through coils of heater, it produces heat and so on.


This is because of the genetic code for each of these four categories (fish, birds, land animals, man). This genetic code is called min ( ) and tselem demuth ( ) in Hebrew.


  1. The min genetic code is used with fish, birds, and animals but not with mankind (1 Cor.15:37-39).


The trichotomous formula for these three categories would be neshamah chayyim (breath of life) and spirit (ruach) into min (genetic code of species) body produces chayah nephesh (living soul) of that category.


Living creatures of Gen.1:20-21, 24(NAS) is chayah nepesh. “And all flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died.”

(Gen.7:21-22) (neshamah ruach chayyim)


“In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10; Matt.10:29; 6:26; Job 34:14-15)


  1. The tselem demuth code (image according to likeness of Godhead) is used with mankind and not the min code.


God designed the human soul and body are under the tselem demuth formula (Gen.1:26-27). The trichotomous formula is neshamah chayyim (breath of life) and spirit (ruach) into tselem demuth (genetic code for mankind) body produces chayah nepesh (living soul) (Gen.2:7).


“Then the dust (body) will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl.12:7)




  1. When God removes His breath (neshamah) and spirit (ruach), all four categories of Day 5 and 6 die.


All experience the same trichotomous separation (body to dust, spirit and breath to God, and soul to predetermined destiny). “For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over the beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust (body). Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downwards to the earth?”

(Eccl.3:19-21)


While this is true about life and death as an experience on earth. It is not discussing the uniqueness of the soul of mankind made tselem demuth (image according to the likeness of the Godhead).


  1. Teselem demuth is what gives redeeming worth to the soul of mankind as opposed to the animals of Day 5 and 6 (Matt.6:26; James 3:7, 9; Gen.9:6; 1 Cor.11:7).


“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)


Under Levitical Law, a body without the spirit and soul was considered dead and unclean (Numbers 5:1-2; 6:6; 9:6-10). It was called a carcass if animal and a corpse if human to show the uniqueness of tselem demuth of mankind.


Jesus taught that the soul of mankind has destiny and place of residence after physical death (Luke 16:19-31). Prior to the resurrection of Jesus from Sheol, everyone who died went to Sheol. If saved, they went to Abraham’s bosom or Paradise. But if unsaved, they went to torment.


After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the saved goes to the third heaven to be with Him (2 Cor.5:6-8; 12:1-4). The unsaved still go to the place of torment in Sheol until the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev.20:5-6, 13-15).






At our next bible study, we will discuss the uniqueness of the soul of mankind made in the image according to the likeness of Godhead (tselem demuth).


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Date: 11/1/07

Ron Adema Text: Acts 14:21-22

Lesson: MAKING DISCIPLES


During the month of November, we will be conducting Discipleship Training. It will be based on the principle of Matt.28:16-20, which we studied last week.


As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are commanded to “make disciples (matheteuo/ a.a.impv).”


Over the course of the next weeks, we will learn how to Make Disciples out of converts.


Paul shows us the mechanics of making disciples in Acts 14:21-22 (First Christian Church of Galatia). Today’s lesson will study the following three mechanics of making disciples by Paul.


  1. Convert - A person becomes a convert of Jesus Christ when he believes the gospel of grace salvation.

“After they had preached the gospel (euaggelizo/ p.m.ptc. nplm) to that city and had made many disciples.” (Acts 14:21).


Paul explained the gospel by three declarative conjunctions (hoti/ that) in 1 Cor.15:1-4.


“For I am not ashamed of the gospel (to euaggelion), for it is the power of God (omnipotence) for salvation to everyone who believes (to pisteuo/ p.a.ptc.dsm), to the Jews first and also to the Greek.” (Rom.1:16)


Saved by the omnipotence of God is explained by Paul in Eph.2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”


  1. Confirming – Once a person becomes a convert, he needs to be confirmed as a disciple and given training in discipleship by a spiritual advancing disciple - “Strengthening (episterizo/ p.m.ptc.nplm/ confirming) the souls of the disciples.” (Acts 14:22a)


Why? (Read the rest of Acts 14:22 for the answer) From where does faith come? (Rom.10:17; Col.2:6-7; 2 Cor.5:7; John 8:31-32 1 Pet.2:2).


  1. Conflict – Once a confirmed disciple becomes public with his faith, he will become engaged with the conflict of the world – “Encouraging (parakaleo/ p.a.ptc. nplm) them to continue (emmeno/ p.a.infin) in the faith (te pistis), and saying ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22b; John 16:33; 2 Pet.1:11)


(John 15:18-21; 17:13-17; Phil.1:27-30; 1 John 2:14-17; 4:4; 5:19-20)


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Date: 10/25/07

Speaker: Ron Adema Text: Matt.28:16-20

Lesson: DISCIPLESHIP


During the month of November, we will be involved in Discipleship Training. Today’s lesson text contains one of the most quoted Scriptures among ministry minded spiritual believer regarding discipleship.


Today’s lesson will introduce five factors regarding Christian discipleship.


“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the ages.” (Matt.28:19-20)


1. There are four verbs that explain the ministry of the disciple of Jesus Christ.


2. The Greek word for disciple is (mathetes). The root of this word is (math). It comes from the verb (manthano/ one who directs his mind towards certain knowledge). The suffix of mathetes (tes) refers to an agent of certain knowledge.


Mathetes or disciple was someone learning certain knowledge under an instructor to become an instructor of this knowledge to other disciples (1 Cor.1:11-13).


3. In Mark 2:18, three schools of disciples are listed_________, ____________, and_____________.


Pharisees considered themselves to be disciples of teaching of Moses (John 9:28). They questioned whether Jesus was qualified to recruit and train disciples since he didn’t have the normal formal training – “How can this man become learned, having never been educated?” Jesus answered them, and said, ‘My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.’” (John 7:15-17)


  1. A disciple of Jesus Christ is a saved person who becomes a student of His grace teachings (Acts 15:1, 10-11; 14:21).


After reading the following Scriptures, list the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ.


5. The disciples of Jesus could be placed under at least five categories. By which one would you like to be known? HOMEWORK





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