Finishing Well Bible Study – Week 2
“Starting and Finishing”
Hello to all the “Finishing Well” Bible study participants. I hope that you’re all doing very well this week. Here is our memory verse for Week #2
Zechariah 4:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (Week’s Memory Verse)
1) It’s not how we Start…..but how we Finish.
This week’s memory verse underscores that we are not to “depise” small beginnings. Instead we are admonished to move forward – to begin the work because the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. God is all about the beginning, the start (even if it’s considered a small or broken start)
What did you think about today as we covered some of the lives of Ruth, Peter and the Samaritan Woman. What about their “starts”. Did you get a new perspective of anything – did you see parallels that encouraged you? How did each of these finish well despite their “small” or less than desirable “starts”?
Ruth
Peter
Samaritan Woman
Write down your thoughts, new perspective, parallels or anything that you might have heard in a new way in today’s teaching.
Are you willing to go ahead and start today with the purpose of finishing well? Are you willing to step out in faith despite your seemingly “small” start? Does it help you to know that God rejoices to see a work BEGIN ! ? You can please the heard of God today by starting now. God wants to rejoicing in seeing His work begin anew and afresh in you today !
In our journey to finish well (especially when we didn’t have a great “start”) it can be helpful to see:
2) Jesus as our Advocate
Luke 22:31-33
New Living Translation (NLT)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But, I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Would it be helpful for you today in the middle of your “start” to see Jesus as your advocate? Write down some of your tasks today or this week. Are you having a tough time at work? Do you have an employer that overlooks you? Do you have church members that seem to “nit pick” you? Do you children and family life seem to be too much to handle much less finish well?
If that’s the case (or something similar). Write down the situation. Then see Jesus as your advocate. See Him as pleading for you in prayer to be strong to be vigilant to “Finish Well”.
Next to each situation that you record – write down what He might be praying for you before the Father. He desires that we all Finish well. He has appointed us to dominion and power in Himself. In this race of life learn to see Him as your advocate. This will help you in any start and give you the power to finish well.
How does seeing Jesus as your advocate help you? Is this different than you might have imagined? How so?
As you start or start again make if your daily practice to:
3) Get to know Him
Serving Christ is not about a to do list or a list of regulations. We can get so “task oriented” – even about “Finishing Well” that everything becomes about “doing” and succeeding. In the middle of all of that we can just get to know Him. It is in this relationship that we receive the living water that will fill us with power, strength and free us from the bondage of sin.
John 4:10 NLT
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Why do you think the main concerns on the Samaritan woman’s mind were on the day she met Jesus at the well? What are some of your concerns as you go through the daily “to do’s”? Isn’t it easy sometimes to forget about the one who can give us living water when we’re concerned about getting some water to drink?
Can any of us really Finish Well apart from a relationship in Christ? How can you recognize Him more readily in your life? How can you “Get to know Him” in a richer way today?
How did the Samaritan Woman’s life change when she recognized Jesus as not just “another man at the well? How did her life change when she got to know Him? How could your life be different if you knew Him better?
Are you at the place that you have really left your past behind? Do you have the power through Jesus to face people, things places from your past and boldly speak about Him?
Write down some thoughts today on how your life would improve if you knew Jesus better?
Now let’s pray this prayer together.
Dear Jesus,
I ask that you would open my eyes that I can see you more fully for who you are. Jesus help me to see you rejoicing in my small start. Father give me the grace not to despise my small start but instead that I by faith can see you rejoicing to see your work begin in me. I ask you Father also to help me see your Son Jesus as my Advocate. Father let me see by faith how you gave Your only Son for me and how He is at your right hand right now praying for me. Father by your Holy Spirit give me the desire and hunger to know you more. You have said that those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. I want to be filled with your Spirit afresh and anew today. Amen
This week work on memorizing your bible verse:
Zechariah 4:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (Week’s Memory Verse)
Also, pray this prayer and meditate on how God rejoicing in your start. As you see the Father rejoice – as you see Jesus as your advocate you will long to know Him better. This relationship with Jesus will fill your life with goodness and will give you power and strength to Finish Well in all things.
Start Today – By Faith see God rejoicing at your Start
See Jesus as your Advocate – By Faith see Jesus at the right hand of the Father calling your name in prayer
Get to Know Him Better – pray for spiritual hunger
How determined are you to start today? Let me know.
Shalom,
Monica
