HOME FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY LESSON OUTLINE FROM GROWING DEEP IN GOD

INTRODUCTION - BROAD LESSON STRUCTURE 1. REFERENCE i. These lesson notes have been prepared based on the book Growing Deep In God by Edmund Chan. ii. As far as possible, these notes have been prepared chronologically in accordance to the chapters of the book. Where common themes run across certain chapters, these chapters in question have been integrated as a single lesson. The chapter reference will be included for each lesson, to facilitate referencing to the book. iii. Certain chapters of the book have been omitted from the lesson notes, for reason that these chapters are more personal and testimonial in nature to the author. KEY QUOTES i. This section contains salient quotations that are the embodiment of the chapter (s) concerned. KEY TRUTHS i. This section is intended to encourage participants to identify scriptural principles that can be gleaned from each weeks study materials. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS i. This section is the companion tool provided from the book for a deeper understanding into the principles gleaned from each chapter. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS TOWARDS GROWING DEEPER IN GOD AND PRAYER i. There will be various practical prayer applications introduced throughout this 13-week series that will encourage the participants to respond to the call of God towards a deeper life of prayer. Details of these will be released as the lesson progresses.

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LESSON 1 PART 3 (BOOK CHAPTER 4) THEOLOGY AND PRAYER PART 3

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KEY QUOTES FROM CHAPTER Page 74 Indeed right theology points us to Jesus. It is the blueprint for a Christ-centred Church. It is the basis for Christ-centred disciple making. It is the impetus for Christ-centered prayers.

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KEY TRUTHS (Adapted from Growing Deep In God) # 1 RIGHT THEOLOGY POINTS TO JESUS a. How can one possibly comprehend God? How can that which is finitely finite understand the One who is infinitely infinite? One of the most remarkable tenets of Christianity is divine revelation. God has spoken. We can meaningfully think about God, not just because He has revealed His truth to us but, because He has revealed Himself to us.

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As far as God is concerned, ultimate truth is not merely proposition-bound, but PERSONbound. This is captured in one of the grandest revelations of all, that God became man! This is so fundamental that we can say that the entire theology of the New Testament is centred upon the theology of the incarnation of God in Christ Jesus. John 1.14 reads, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1.18 reads, No man has seen God at any time, the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. In Christ, God is knowable. God is not just knowable He invites us to a personal relationship with Him through His Sons redemptive work on the cross. Everything in our relationship with God is centred in Christ, through whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.

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Prayer is contingent on theology. Theology is contingent on the Word of God which points pre-eminently to Jesus Christ. We need such a Christ-centred theology to produce Christcentred disciples who will pray Christ-centred prayers.

# 2 THE FULFILMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT THROUGH JESUS CHRIST a. In Old Testament theology, there are three great needs of man, which necessitated three great Old Testament offices.

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First, man needs revelation. If man is to understand his God meaningfully, there is a need for God to reveal Himself to man. If there is a message, there must be a prophet. Jesus the Messiah is the Ultimate Messenger from God to Man (Hebrews 1-2). The prophetic office of Jesus is better than that of the prophets and angels. While they were messengers, He is the Message. While they revealed the things of God, Christ is God revealed.

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Second, man needs restoration. If man is ever to walk in the revealed ways of God, he needs a Deliverer-King who would deliver him out of his bondage and help him walk with the Almighty. Jesus the Messiah is the Ultimate Deliverer of God for Man (Hebrews 3-4). The kingly office of Jesus is better than that of Moses the deliverer or Joshua the conqueror. Jesus Himself is the ultimate deliverer. While they delivered out of the bondage of man, Jesus delivers out of the bondage of sin!

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Third and most importantly, man needs reconciliation. He needs forgiveness of sin. If sinful man is to stand before a holy God, he needs someone to mediate between God and himself. He needs a priest. Jesus the Messiah is the Ultimate Mediator between God and Man (Hebrews 5-7). The priestly office of Jesus is better than that of the Aaronic priesthood. While the Old Testament priests died, Jesus is the perfect High Priest who abides forever and therefore holds His priesthood permanently.

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Also in the Old Testament theology, there are three basic concerns in mans relationship with God. i. The first is that which God has promised. This is expressed through the Old Testament covenants. Jesus is the Ultimate Covenant (Hebrews 8). Jesus is the mediator of the ultimate covenant. The new covenant of grace as opposed to the covenant of Law. The old covenant did not last not because of any intrinsic defects in the Law of God, but because it was nullified by mans inability to keep the Law.

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The second is that which God seeks. This is expressed through the Old Testament tabernacle. Jesus is the Ultimate Tabernacle (Hebrews 9). Surely, Jesus is the ultimate sanctuary that is better than the tabernacle. With the tabernacle, God seeks to be among His people. With Christ, we are in God and God in us. In the great redemptive purpose of God, a new level of intimacy is made possible.

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The third is that which God approves. This is expressed through the Old Testament sacrifices. Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice (Hebrews 10). Undoubtedly, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice that is better than all the Old Testament sacrifices. The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for the sins of man is the ultimate once and for all sacrifice, so that anyone who believes in Him will be saved. Faith is the key.

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To grow deep in God, we need a firm Christ-centred foundation that we might be in Him, praying prayers that are significantly different from the status quo prayers we are making now!

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS a. Read Colossians 1.15-20 on the supremacy of Christ. What do you understand by He is the image of the invisible God? How can your prayer life be enriched by such knowledge? The book of Hebrews discusses deep things about the life of man in the hands of God Revelation, Restoration and Reconciliation. Which aspect is especially relevant to you in your spiritual journey now? Based on John 17.3, what should your life goal be? Jesus holds the three-fold office of Messenger, Messiah and Mediator. How can the fact that Jesus is Mediator enhance and impact your prayer life?

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