Adult Bible Study
Sunday, January 19, 2003
Nurturing the future church worker

Hymn 318 (LW) "Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling"
Prayer - page 130 (LW) "For the Increase of the Holy Ministry"

It began in the home

1) Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

The Christian home acknowledges, the Christian's God, the God of the Bible, the one and only true
God. This is the God we fear, love, and trust above all things. This is the God for whom the Christian
home grows young servants , recruits sons for full-time pastoral ministry and every person for the
deaconate ministry of the Church. This is the God who calls for our allegiance.

2) How is the true God described in the text? See v.4 (Hebrew: YAH WEH)

3) Review the First Commandment in Luther's Small Catechism ..pages 55-60

"That which has first place in our hearts and lives is truly our God". Discuss other deities that frequently
call for our allegiance: piety, money, popularity (young people are particularly led by the God of
popularity. This god's name is also macho. Young people want to 'fit in', be 'one of the crowd' or just
'be cool'. Not be labelled a nerd). Sports (we force kids into a game they may not even like, because
we want them to be another Gretzky). There are other gods like success, logic - (I don't know what the
Bible says, but I think ...).
All these deities boil down to one. . . self is the only false God.

The text in Deuteronomy is an important historical announcement. It is the Hebrew Creed, similar to
what we call our Apostle's Creed.

"Hear O Israel: The Lord Our God, The Lord is ONE."

This is known as the SHEMA (pronounced Sheh-mah) hear, listen and remember... not just in one ear
and out the other; let it stick, sink in, compute and become part of your very bones.

4) In what sense is our God unique? In what sense jealous?

5) Discuss the command given in verse 5. What does God require and deserve? (Compare Deut.
10:12; Joshua 22:5; Mark 12:30) Why do you think this is regarded as the greatest commandment?
Explain and discuss "heart", "soul", "strength."

We love Him because He is the God of our: creation-He provides and protects and redemption-In love
He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, in Whom alone we have forgiveness of sins and new life (2 Cor.
5:14, 15). Our respectable middle-class lifestyle does not save us. Calvin Kleins and Corvettes do not
deliver the good life. "Being cool" does not guarantee eternal fellowship with the One True God, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. He is also the God of our sanctification. By His Spirit through Word and
Sacrament He called us to faith and empowers us to live the Christian life (see Gal. 2:20).

6) How are we to receive these commandments? (Compare Ps. 119:1; Luke 2:51; Rom. 10:8; Col.
3:16)

7) How are these commandments to be communicated? vv 7-9, (Pr. 22:6; Eph. 6:4). Engage in
spiritual talk. (e.g. Emmaus disciples, Luke 24:19)

8) Christian education begins in the home. It is an ongoing process. When it is done faithfully, how
might it encourage and excite our sons and daughters to train for professional church work?

9) Read 2 Timothy 1:1-7 and discuss these questions:

a) What role did the home play in Timothy's spiritual journey?

b) "Fan into flame the gift of God." What does this say to you about recruiting church workers?

c) What confidence and assurance are Church workers given in v.7?

10) Read Mark 1:14-20
a) "the time has come." In what sense is there an urgency to "enlist" future church workers?

b) Who really calls (recruits) church workers?

c) "At once they left and followed Him." Notice the willingness on the part of those who followed. But
also notice, there was no objection to the "call of Jesus" on the part of father Zebedee. What objections
do parents, and even those who may be called have to full-time church work?

Closing hymn and prayer

Suggested Hymn #316 (LW)

In your prayer thank God for His Word on the importance of the Christian home and its vital role in
recruiting church workers. Pray that God might move, inspire, more homes (parents) to encourage their
sons and daughters to seriously consider serving the Lord and His church-full-time!