Category: Living in the Image of God

Living in the Image of God

Ministering by Deed Examples from the Bible

Living in the Image of God M05S15

The study discusses examples from the bible to illustrate ministering by deed, when your living radiates Godliness to others “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” People were drawn to Jesus because he healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed other miracles—not because he could, but because he cared. Many did not know that he was God but were drawn to him because they believed he was of God—his interactions convey the Image of God. We discuss an example from his healing a man with leprosy. Further, to illustrate ministering by deed among ordinary people, we discuss Paul-Silas interactions with a jailer in Philippi whereby their act of compassion motivated the jailer to seek Jesus through them. Also, we discuss the reputation of Joseph as a slave in Potiphar’s house and David as a shepherd boy. Joseph was associated with being sensitive to needs of others and effective in attending to the needs. People perceived the presence of God in him. Similar to people being drawn to David several generations later.

Ministering by Deed Examples from the Bible 21:55

This bible study discusses examples from the bible to illustrate ministering by deed, which occurs when your interactions radiate Godliness to others “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Christ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount includes calling every person to let your Godliness motivate others to thank God for you and seek closer relationship with God. Godliness means the quality of Living in the Image of God.

People were drawn to Jesus because of his compassion, performing miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, and explaining the word of God clearly. Many did not know that he was God but were drawn to him because they believed he was of God—his interactions convey the Image of God. For example, his interactions with healing recipients convey a message that he healed them because he cared—not because he could. We discuss an example from his healing a man with leprosy.

To illustrate ministering by deed among ordinary people, we discuss an example from Paul-and-Silas interactions with the jailer in Philippi. In the example, compassion by Paul and Silas motivated the jailer to make a commitment to Jesus on behalf of himself and his household.

Further, we discuss the reputation of Joseph while living as a slave in Potiphar’s house and of David during his time as a shepherd boy. People were drawn to Joseph because of his reputation for caring—being attentive to the needs of others and effective in attending to the needs. His master Potiphar elevated him to the position of greatest responsibility in the household. People perceived the presence of God in him. Similar to people being drawn to David several generations later.

Continue reading “Ministering by Deed Examples from the Bible” →
Individual Responsibility, Living in the Image of God

Household Interactions and Relationships—Child and Househelp

Living in the Image of God M05S14

To conclude the bible study series on individual responsibilities in household interactions and relationships, we discuss interactions regarding child and househelp; to understand the responsibilities of parent to child, child to parent, househelp to master, and master to househelp; anchored on Paul’s letter to Ephesians. The key responsibilities of parent to child are to provide for the child’s basic needs and train the child to perform his or her responsibilities to others. A child’s responsibilities to parent are anchored on positive fear, which motivates the child to perform other responsibilities. We define househelp to represent a household member that is neither parent nor child and master as the head of household. The responsibilities of househelp to master and master to househelp are guided by the reciprocity of Living in the image of God.

Household Interactions and Relationships—Child and Househelp 21:18

This study concludes a series on individual responsibilities in household interactions and relationships. The series started with a discussion of the responsibilities of the head of household for spiritual commitments and prayer on behalf of the household; and continued with husband-wife interactions, based on understanding that household interactions and relationships constitute the core of the human interactions network that God establishes around every person. The series concludes with the current study, where we discuss household interactions and relationships regarding child and househelp.

The discussion is anchored on Paul’s letter to Ephesians, where he describes specific responsibilities of parent to child, child to parent, househelp to master, and master to househelp. In the study, we define househelp (referred to as slave in Paul’s letter) to represent a household member that is neither parent nor child; whereas master represents the head of household, usually the husband but at times delegated to his wife.

The responsibilities of parent to child consist of providing basic needs (food and drink, clothing, shelter, protection, and community values training) to bring up the child physically and training the child to perform his or her responsibilities to others. The responsibilities of a child in parent-child interactions are anchored on positive fear of parent, which motivates in the child respect, appreciation, obedience, love, and wholehearted service.

The responsibilities of househelp to master and master to househelp are guided by the individual responsibilities in positive human interactions (i.e., Living in the image of God). Similar to the principle for child, househelp responsibilities to master are anchored on positive fear, which motivates respect, appreciation, obedience, love, and wholehearted service. The responsibilities of master to househelp are based on caring for the househelp as God expects a person to care for another: that is, in the Image of God.

Continue reading “Household Interactions and Relationships—Child and Househelp” →
Individual Responsibility, Living in the Image of God

Household Interactions and Relationships—Husband and Wife

Living in the Image of God M05S13

This study continues a series on individual responsibilities in household interactions and relationships, anchored on the understanding that God creates every person to represent him in human interactions with others. He calls every person to represent him as the channel for his human presence and interactions with others in a dynamic human interactions network. Household interactions and relationships form the core of a person’s human interactions network. Thus, every member of a household owes responsibility as God’s representative in human interactions with other members. The current study discusses husband-wife interactions, to understand that the responsibilities of husband to wife anchor on love, because love conditions the husband to perform all other responsibilities. Similarly, the responsibilities of wife to husband anchor on submission, because submission conditions the wife to perform all other responsibilities.

Household Interactions and Relationships—Husband and Wife 18:01

This study continues the series on individual responsibilities in household interactions and relationships, which started in a previous study with a discussion of the responsibilities of the head of household for spiritual commitments and prayer on behalf of the household. The series is anchored on the understanding that God creates every person to represent him in human interactions with others: to be for the others what God would be for them if he lived as human among them. The current study begins with understanding that household interactions and relationships form the core of the human interactions network that God establishes for every person. The study also discusses husband and wife interactions as the nucleus of household interactions and relationships. The series will conclude in a subsequent bible study with a discussion of interactions regarding child and househelp.

The study uses an example from Christ teaching, regarding the Parable of Faithful and Wise Servant (Matthew 24:45–51), to understand the aspect of human relationship with God whereby he establishes a dynamic human interactions network for every person. He calls each person to serve others in the network as God’s representative in human interactions with them. Because household interactions and relationships form the core of a person’s human interactions network, human interactions in the network begin with human interactions at home. That is, God calls every member of a household to serve other members as his representative in human interactions with them.

Based on Paul’s letter to Ephesians regarding individual responsibilities in household interactions and relationships, we discuss husband and wife interactions (Ephesians 5:21–33) in this study and interactions regarding child and househelp (Ephesians 6:1–9) in a subsequent study.

Continue reading “Household Interactions and Relationships—Husband and Wife” →
Living in the Image of God

Head of Household Responsibility for Spiritual Commitment and Prayer

Living in the Image of God M05S12

Several examples from the bible convey an understanding that God assigns to the head of household the responsibility for spiritual commitment and prayer on behalf of the household and grants the prayers for members that believe. We discuss examples from Paul-Silas evangelism in Philippi, with a cloth seller Lydia and with the Philippi jailer. Additionally, we recall that Abraham accepted the covenant on behalf of himself and household, descendants, and all people on earth through the Messiah promise; Jacob accepted the renewed covenant at Bethel on behalf of himself, descendants, and all people on earth through his offspring; and Joshua led representatives of Israel to renew the covenant at Shechem, where he emphasized the responsibility of the head of household through his famous declaration: “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Prayer by head of household is exemplified by Abraham’s prayer for his servant that travelled hundreds of miles to get a wife for Isaac. The servant believed in, and anchored his prayers on, Abraham’s prayer. God granted his prayers exactly on two occasions.

Head of Household Responsibility for Spiritual Commitment and Prayer 24:01

This study begins a three-part series on household interactions and relationships. We discuss examples from the bible to understand that God assigns to the head of household the responsibility for spiritual commitment and prayer on behalf of the household and grants head-of-household prayers for members that believe the prayers. Subsequent studies in the series discuss the individual responsibilities in household interactions and relationships, anchored on Paul’s letter to Ephesians. The current study focusses on spiritual responsibilities of the head of household, beginning with examples from the evangelism of Paul and Silas in Philippi: their interactions with Lydia, a cloth seller that accepted the Gospel message from them on behalf of herself and her household; and with the Philippi jailer that was moved by Paul’s compassion to commit to Jesus on behalf of himself and his household.

Next, we discuss the covenant with Abraham as establishing the responsibility of the head of household to make spiritual commitments on behalf of the household. For the covenant, God demanded commitment from Abraham on behalf of himself, his household, and descendants. Further, we discuss renewal of the covenant with Jacob at Bethel and Joshua at Shechem, both of which underscore the responsibility of the head of household. Jacob accepted the renewed covenant on behalf of himself, his descendants, and all people on earth through his offspring. Joshua led representatives of Israel to renew the covenant, where he emphasized the responsibility of the head of household in his famous declaration of promise to serve God: “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Prayer by head of household is exemplified by Abraham’s prayer on behalf of his servant that travelled hundreds of miles to get a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac. The servant believed in Abraham’s prayer and anchored his prayers on Abraham’s prayer. God granted his prayers exactly on two occasions. The events convey a clear message that God grants head-of-household prayers for members that believe in the prayers.

The study begins with a review of our previous discussion of the family leadership structure (M04S12, Individual Responsibility to Honor-Support Family Leadership: Shunammite Couple) to recall that the husband is the overall leader, that is, head of household. His wife is the spiritual gateway and occasional leader in specific matters, when delegated explicitly by her husband or implicitly by circumstances such as husband being unavailable. The role of a wife in family leadership is based on examples such as the Shunammite woman (previous study) and Lydia of Philippi (current study).

Continue reading “Head of Household Responsibility for Spiritual Commitment and Prayer” →
Living in the Image of God

Managing Disagreement in an Alliance

Living in the Image of God M05S11

The breakup of the Gospel alliance of Paul and Barnabas provides insights based on understanding options for satisfying competing interests in a disagreement within an alliance. If the options are compatible, the disagreement could be resolved by implementing measures to satisfy the competing interests simultaneously. If the options are incompatible, then a path to resolution could be to seek an amicable breakup that would satisfy the competing interests. In any case, the parties need to understand how their interests would be satisfied through the available options.

Managing Disagreement in an Alliance 18:36

This bible study discusses the breakup of the Gospel alliance of Paul and Barnabas to provide insights for managing disagreements within an alliance. The alliance could be for a Christian mission directly or for other aspects of living. The alliance of Paul and Barnabas began with their collaboration in growing the church at Antioch and blossomed through the First Missionary Journey, when they established several churches in southern Europe and laid foundation for the growth of Christianity worldwide.

The alliance broke up as they discussed plans for the second missionary journey, because of a disagreement regarding their relationships with a younger apostle named John Mark, now better known as the author of the Gospel according to Mark. At that time, Barnabas wanted to work with John Mark to mentor him and proposed taking him along. In contrast, Paul was concerned that John Mark would not serve the mission well, because of a previous experience with him. He had abandoned them early in the First Missionary Journey and had not worked with them thereafter [Acts 15:37–38]: “Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.”

Paul and Barnabas broke up and did not proceed together to the second missionary journey [Acts 15:39–40]: “They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.” Their breakup, however, led to two separate and successful Gospel ministries.

Additionally, the breakup provides insights for managing disagreements in an alliance, based on understanding the options for satisfying competing interests. If the options are compatible, the disagreement could be resolved by implementing measures to satisfy the competing interests simultaneously. If the options are incompatible, such as in the Paul-Barnabas example, then a path to resolution could be to seek an amicable breakup that would satisfy the competing interests. In any case, to find an amicable path to resolution, the parties need to understand how their interests would be satisfied through the available options.

Continue reading “Managing Disagreement in an Alliance” →
Living in the Image of God

Seeking Power by Killing the Truth

Living in the Image of God M05S10

A powerful elite during the early periods of the Gospel sought to preserve their power over society by suppressing the message. They had no real argument against the Gospel but feared the Gospel message of human relationship with God could undermine their authority as religious experts and leadership. They sought to suppress the Gospel by inciting division in society, instigating hostility against the apostles, and banishing or killing the apostles; because they feared the Gospel promise of independent relationship with God was a potential source of power and authority available to ordinary people. Similar to modern-day experience where holders of political power fear a population increasingly diverse and away from their views of society, doubt their capability to continue to win power by voluntary persuasion, and seek to retain power by suppressing and subverting democracy. They seek to preserve their power the same way the early religious leadership sought to cling to power: by killing the truth.

Seeking Power by Killing the Truth 20:12

This bible study discusses the behavior of Jewish religious leadership in their interactions with Paul and Barnabas during the first missionary journey and their earlier response to Peter and John for healing a lame man. The discussion seeks to understand their strategy for seeking to cling to the power of religious authority despite growing popular acceptance of the Gospel as a source of power and authority available to every person. They feared the Gospel message could undermine their authority over society and sought to cling to power despite growing popularity and understanding of the Gospel.

We will see that their strategy included actions directed against the message, the messenger, and the people. They tried to contradict the Gospel message or discredit the messenger but had no real argument against either the message or the apostles. Therefore, they adopted a strategy of suppressing the Gospel by inciting division in society, instigating hostility against the apostles, and banishing or killing the apostles.

The real objective of their strategy was to hold on to the power of religious authority over society, despite growing acceptance of the Gospel message of personal relationship with God available to every person and independent of earthly powers or authority. They sought to retain power despite growing understanding and decreasing dependence on their religious authority.

Their strategy of seeking to retain power by subverting legitimate evolution of society appears to have been adopted by modern-day political organizations that face waning capability to win power by voluntary persuasion. They find the population growing increasingly diverse and away from their views of society. As a result, they doubt their capability to win political power by free and fair elections. Instead, they seek to retain power via new laws and trickery that suppress and subvert democracy. They seek to preserve their power the same way the early religious leadership sought to cling to power: by killing the truth.

Continue reading “Seeking Power by Killing the Truth” →
Living in the Image of God

Leader-Follower Relationships Based On Call of Four Disciples

Living in the Image of God M05S09

Christ interactions with two boats and their crew, during the call of four disciples on Sea of Galilee, lead to understanding leader-follower relationships and responsibilities. The interactions show that God sees every person at the same time and knows every quality of each person to determine who to choose for what. Although he calls some as leaders and others as followers, he values leaders and followers alike. He calls every person to perform their responsibility as leader or follower and rewards them according to the same criterion. In the study example, he rewarded the chosen boat and the other boat with a catch of fish to the full capacity of each boat. Also, he rewarded the crew of both boats with equal opportunity to become disciples of Jesus.

Leader-Follower Relationships Based On Call of Four Disciples 16:58

This is the second of a two-part bible study on leadership, focused on understanding the relationships between leaders and followers when two or more people organize to execute a mission or project. In Part 1 of the study, we discussed leadership in the partnership of Paul and Barnabas. The current study, Part 2, discusses leader-follower relationships based on Christ interactions with two boats and their crew during the call of four disciples on the Sea of Galilee.

The interactions lead to understanding that God sees every person at the same time and knows every quality of each person to determine who to choose for what. He calls people to mission and assigns them responsibilities as leaders or followers. He values leaders and followers alike and rewards them according to the same criterion.

In the study event, Jesus saw two boats and chose one as platform for his teaching. However, the crew of both the chosen boat and the other boat stayed to listen and wait for further instructions from him. After his teaching, he rewarded the crew of both boats with a catch of fish that exceeded their expectation and was measured according to the capacity of each boat. The reward criterion for the crew of the chosen boat was the same as the criterion for the crew of the other boat. Further, he rewarded the crew of both boats with an opportunity to become disciples of Jesus. Thus, the interactions lead to understanding that when God calls people to a mission, he assigns them specific responsibilities as leaders or followers and rewards them alike for performing the responsibilities.

Continue reading “Leader-Follower Relationships Based On Call of Four Disciples” →
Living in the Image of God

Leader-Follower Relationships Paul-Barnabas Example

Living in the Image of God M05S08

First of a two-part study of relationships among leaders and followers, when two or more organize to execute a mission or project. The study is based in part on the partnership of Paul and Barnabas and in part on the call of four disciples on Lake Galilee. God called Paul and Barnabas to a Gospel mission, chose Paul as leader, and did not explain the choice. He can call people to a mission by choosing a leader and providing others opportunity to join as followers. Also, he can assign a mission to a group of people and guide them to choose a leader. In the case of Paul and Barnabas, he called them to the mission and guided them to choose Paul as leader. The choice became evident through their interactions with Elymas in Paphos and at a synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. When God calls people to a mission, he assigns them responsibilities as leaders or followers, choosing leadership based on intrinsic qualities that are understood better as they perform the responsibilities. Also, as we see in Part 2 of the study, he values leaders and followers alike.

Leader-Follower Relationships: Paul-Barnabas Example 17:37

This is the first of a two-part bible study on understanding relationships among leaders and followers, when two or more organize to execute a mission, for the advancement of worship directly or indirectly through other aspects of living. The first part of the study is based on the partnership of Paul and Barnabas. The second part is based on Christ teaching through interactions during his call of four disciples on Lake Galilee.

The partnership of Paul and Barnabas began with Barnabas re-introducing Paul (then known as Saul) to the disciples in Jerusalem. The partnership continued in Antioch when Barnabas brought Paul to collaborate with him in planting a church. Later, the church they planted in Antioch commissioned them to a mission of international evangelism, to propagate the Gospel among Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews). The bible does not discuss their choosing a leader, but shows Paul providing leadership early in the mission, through interactions with Elymas in Paphos and at a synagogue in Pisidian Antioch.

The two-part study leads to understanding that the choice of a leader often is based on intrinsic qualities that may not be clear at the beginning but are understood better as the leaders and followers perform their individual responsibilities to the mission or project. When God calls people to a mission, he assigns them responsibilities as leaders or followers, choosing leadership based on his assessment of the people and mission requirements. Also, as will be discussed in Part 2 of the study, he values leaders and followers alike and rewards each mission participant based on their capacity, irrespective of serving as leader or follower.

Continue reading “Leader-Follower Relationships Paul-Barnabas Example” →
Living in the Image of God

Human Effort Plus Miracle to Accomplish Goal

Living in the Image of God M05S07

Peter’s escape from Herod’s prison conveys understanding that God provides miracles to combine with human effort to accomplish his goals. He freed Peter from prison but left him to complete his escape from King Herod by human effort. Also, through his interactions with disciples during two storms on Sea of Galilee, Christ conveys understanding of human relationship with God regarding faith, human effort, and miracles. In the first storm, the disciples panicked and shifted focus from work to seeking Jesus. He released a miracle to end the storm, then scolded the disciples for lack of faith. In the second storm, the disciples focused on work but were distracted by the glory of Jesus walking on water. He encouraged them to keep working and released a miracle to end the storm. The examples convey understanding that God sees your human effort, encourages you to keep working, and will intervene with miracle when and how he chooses. Therefore, focus on doing what you can humanly do in every endeavor.

Human Effort Plus Miracle to Accomplish Goal 18:53

In this bible study, we discuss examples from the bible to understand that God provides miracles to combine with human effort to accomplish his goals.

First, we discuss Peter’s escape from Herod’s prison. An angel freed Peter from prison, but left him at a short distance from the prison, where Herod’s people could easily recapture him if he stayed there. Therefore, Peter still needed human effort to complete his escape from Herod. That is, a combination of miracle plus human effort occurred to accomplish the goal of “Peter’s escape from Herod.”

Second, we discuss Christ interactions with disciples during two storms on Lake Galilee. In the first storm, the disciples panicked as they feared that Jesus was not aware of their struggle with the storm. They shifted focus from human effort to seeking Jesus to intervene. He released a miracle to end the storm and scolded the disciples for lack of faith. In the second storm, the disciples focused on human effort but were distracted when they saw Jesus walking on water. He encouraged them to keep working. Then he entered the boat and released a miracle to end the storm.

The accounts help us understand that God has given us capabilities to accomplish every goal that he has established for us, calls every person to apply their capabilities in every situation, and will determine when and how to intervene with miracles as needed. Therefore, focus on doing what you can humanly do. God sees your effort and will choose when and how to provide a miracle.

Continue reading “Human Effort Plus Miracle to Accomplish Goal” →
Living in the Image of God

Mission Accountability Example from Peter

Living in the Image of God M05S06

We discuss Peter’s interactions with Jewish believers in Jerusalem, regarding his meeting with Gentiles in Caesarea: to understand that every participant in a mission is accountable to the mission objectives and other mission participants. “Accountable” implies an obligation to obtain necessary permission and seek other participants’ understanding regarding actions that can affect performance of the mission objectives. In the example from Peter, Jewish believers in Jerusalem questioned his interactions with Gentiles and Peter responded to them in detail, respectful of their right to demand explanation. They were satisfied with his response. Further, they accepted his message that every person is entitled to receive the Gospel and their mission included spreading the Gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike.

Mission Accountability Example from Peter 21:43

This bible study focuses on understanding mission accountability. To begin, we recall that every mission belongs to God, if the mission objectives and methods and procedures are consistent with Living in the Image of God. Whether the mission is by a single person or group of persons, every member is accountable to the mission objectives and to other mission participants.

We discuss an example from Apostle Peter, based on his address to Jewish believers in Jerusalem, regarding his meeting in Caesarea with Cornelius and other Gentiles (i.e., non-Jews). The Jewish believers had questioned Peter’s interactions with the Gentiles: “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them’” [Acts 11:2–3]. He responded to them in detail and through his response showed he respected and honored their right to demand explanation.

The Jerusalem believers were satisfied with Peter’s response. Further, they accepted his message that every person is entitled to receive the Gospel and their mission included spreading the Gospel to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike: “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life’” [Acts 11:18].

Peter’s response to the Jewish believers illustrates mission accountability: that every participant in a mission is accountable to the mission objectives and other mission participants.

Continue reading “Mission Accountability Example from Peter” →