Living in the Image of God M04S21

Christ teaching leads to understanding that the purpose of the word of God is to guide people through living and interacting with others in accordance with God’s purpose revealed through his word. That is, to guide people through Living in the Image of God. People that receive Christ teaching and apply the message in their living are followers of Christ (i.e., Christians). The others either fail to receive his teaching or receive but fail to apply the message in their living. Those are not followers of Christ, even if they invoke his name frequently. Thus, a Christian is a person that has received Christ teaching (the word of God) and applies the message in his or her living.

This bible study discusses Christ teaching to understand the contrast between followers of Christ (i.e., Christians) and non-followers, based on a person receiving Christ teaching and applying the message in their living. His teaching defines a binary categorization of people. One category consists of those that receive his message and practice what he says: “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like” [Luke 6:47]. The other category consists of people that either fail to receive Christ message or receive but fail to practice what he says [Luke 6:46]: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” The second category are not followers of Christ, even if they invoke his name frequently.

This study marks the end of our 2023 program year. We thank you for sharing with us this year and look forward to beginning our 2024 program during the second week of February.