Central Thought: Jesus Christ is out true mentor and role model.
Hymn: All to Jesus I surrender
Text: Matthew 14:22-32, Hebrews 12:1-2
In the first part of the study, we examined four important qualities of Jesus Christ our Lord in His sojourn on earth. These qualities were Love, Humility, Sinlessness, and Discipline. These qualities were part of the manifestation of His loyalty and faithfulness to God. There are other qualities of interest which Christ had as a lifestyle, and which we need to possess as His followers. These are the qualities of Meekness, Compassion, being prayerful and given to service.
In following the footsteps of Christ, we need to under study every character of His life as a complete package and thereafter think of how we can faithfully emulate them. Our faith is intended to permeate every aspect of our conduct and relationships in a wholesome and not selective manner. The qualities of Meekness, Compassion, being prayerful and service oriented are deep personal attributes usually developed under the compelling influence of the Holy Spirit. It is the goal of this second part of the study to carefully x-ray how Christ exhibited these qualities and how best we can develop them in us.
Lesson Objectives:
- The objective of this study are as follows:
- To explain the meaning of meekness, compassion, being prayerful and being service-oriented.
- Discuss how Christ demonstrated these qualities; and
- Discuss how we can follow the footsteps of Christ in demonstrating these qualities.
Question 1.A.) Explain the term meekness and discuss how Jesus demonstrated meekness in His earthly ministry.
Matthew 11:29
Generally speaking meekness is the attribute which endows one with the ability to endure injury and disadvantage from others with patience and without resentment. It is the attribute of non-violence that partners a gentle spirit.
Jesus demonstrated meekness when He made a persuasive invitation to weary souls (Matthew 11:28-29), and by His God-ordained non-violent disposition (Matthew 12:20). Furthermore He was not an advocate of resentment for others or resort to self-help (Matthew 26:51-53). Also, He accorded value and decency to children in His ministry (Mark 10:13-16) and was not disposed to outright condemnation of a woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11).
Question 1.B.) Discuss how we can follow the steps of Christ in the area of meekness.
2 Timothy 2:24-25, Galatians 6:1
To be like Christ, the child of God must not strive or be engaged in physical combat with the opposition. His power lies in the word of God and not in force of arm. He is to be gentle and coordinated, and not bound to respond to every provocation.
In relating with those who fall short of grace we must not imply superiority but put on a gently attitude of compassion and empathy.
Today, many believers are snared by the downfall of a fellow believer when they join to suspect, condemn, and happily broadcast the error of the other. Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Question 2.A) Explain the term “Compassion”, and discuss some instances of the demonstration of compassion by Jesus.
Compassion is the attitude of having a sympathetic consciousness of the distress of another, with a desire to contribute towards the alleviation of such distress. It is a display of the spirit of merciful grace.
There are so many scriptural instances where Jesus was moved with compassion over the situation of someone to the extent that He did something. Compassion is never complete until we do something.
Jesus was moved with compassion on the multitude that came to hear Him and had no provision for three days. This resulted in the miracle of feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes (Matthew 15:32). Jesus also had compassion on those that were afflicted with infirmities of blindness (Matthew 20:34), leprosy (Mark 1:40-41), and others. He also showed compassion towards those that were possessed or oppressed by evil spirits (Mark 9:20-25), casting out the evil spirits. He had compassion on the ignorant crowd who throng to Him daily to see miracles. He taught them many things or healed the sick among them (Matthew 14:14). Jesus never hardened His bowels of compassion towards anyone who genuinely sought for it.
Question 2.B.) Discuss how believers of today can demonstrate this quality of compassion.
Matthew 5:7
There is pronounced blessing of God in showing compassion to others. It is important that believers show concern towards the predicament of one another and be ready to do something towards alleviating the situation.
Our resources, talents and endowments are to be used in the demonstration of compassion. Intercessory prayers are made for others not as a matter of routine but as a result of our compassion for them. Visitation, phone calls to encourage, financial assistance, counseling, and all other efforts geared towards improving on the state of another person should be undertaken compassionately, knowing that as a seed; we reap the fruit of compassion here on earth.
Question 3.A.) What are the teachings of Christ about prayer, and how did he pray?
Matthew 6:5-6, Matthew 14:23
Christ took out valuable time to teach His disciples the principles of prayer. During that era, prayer was reduced to a mere routine and a religious observance, instead of being a forum to present petitions to God. Christ taught His disciples to be simple and plain in their language of prayer, to pray in faith and to use environment that permits total concentration. He also admonished believers to watch (be on guard against subtle temptations) and pray, and that fasting with prayer could produce better and quicker results.
Christ not only taught about prayer, He gave it a clear practical application. He prayed regularly, rising early before daybreak (Mark 1:35). He prayed before major appointments in His ministry (Luke 6:12-16); He prayed at critical moments of His mission (Luke 22:44), and He prayed for the sustenance of His disciples and for their continuity in the faith (John 17:9, 15,20).
Question 3.B) Why is the church of today not praying as she ought to?
Believers of today may not be praying as it ought to be for many reasons. The so called jet age where everyone is always on the move (Busy) has affected prayer lives. Civilization and better opportunities for advancement have made many believers to relegate prayers, Ignorance of the potency of prayers, impatience, spiritual emptiness, fear, materialism, laziness, anxiety, distractions, satanic indulgences, and lack of faith are some of the reasons the prayer- meter of the present day believer is rating low. But the Lord Jesus said “men ought always to pray and not to faint” Luke 18:1.
Question 3.C.) Discuss how we can follow the steps of Christ in our attitude to prayers.
To follow the prayer steps of Christ, there must be genuine repentance and conversion from sin. Right knowledge and an adequate dose of the word of God is necessary to sustain a prayerful life. Also, if we give God His rightful place in our lives we will see the need to pray and depend more on Him.
When we neglect the Holy Spirit, our prayer life will be mechanical or at best an academic exercise of high sounding phrases. The Holy Spirit is the sure partner of the believer in our daily walk with God.
Question 4.) Discuss the work-attitude of Jesus to his mission and the lessons we can derive from such.
John 9:4, 4:34, 5:30
Jesus was clear and focused about His mission as defined by God. He didn’t come for material investment or profit. He came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He applied every sense of urgency in service. He was available to every class of persons who desired to know God. He made good use of “His day” and recognized that the night must surely come when work will be impossible. There was no room for procrastination or idle moment. He was better motivated to serve by what awaits Him in glory and not by the perishable crown of this world.
Like Jesus, believers must recognize that each person has a time frame to do reasonable service to God, and completing ones assignment is very important. Excessive involvement of the church in profit making ventures and non-evangelic investments may be a distraction in disguise.
Daily Living Application
Jesus Christ should be the point of focus for every believer. The virtues of meekness and compassion cannot be wished away. We are the sheep of His pasture and not wolves. We must let His gentle Spirit rule over us, and must show compassion to all classes of people so that our testimony may bring glory to God. Prayer is the means of relating with Heaven and pure service with heavenly expectation is our calling.
Memory Verse:
John 13:15
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you”.