The first three beatitudes.

Opening Prayer                                                                                                      Pg.1
God of our salvation, Just as we come into your presence in great humility, we also come in the joy of being in your service, of spending time in Your word, learning in fellowship among like followers of Your Son Jesus. We are thankful for your word in our study of the beatitudes as given to us by Jesus. We pray that our fellowship today will bless each one here and give each of us  joy and purpose that we may be useful vessels in your service.  Be with those of our group who cannot be here today, we pray you will share our blessing with them. Be with those of us who are suffering illness and those who care for them. Restore their health and bring them back into our midst. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen  
The Study
This is the continuation of our study of the beatitudes as given to us by Jesus in his sermon on the mount. The three beatitudes we are studying here are certainly qualities that we desire to have as Christians, and a higher goal cannot be desired than to be equal to the descriptions given in these qualities.

Poor in spirit, mourning our spiritual condition, and having a meekness of spirit, are requisite qualities necessary to obtain any of the other qualities listed by Jesus in the beatitudes. It is likely that these three were mentioned first in order to give us some insight as to how one must approach life in order to become blest by God in any case. Consider the opposite view to these qualities. One may have a high and mighty spirit, and mourn nothing of our spiritual condition, and be forceful and demanding, in our relationships. Doing thus in order to become successful and well respected in our business or profession, or among our social peers. But it might surprise one to find that only the opposite of these qualities will bring about the possibility of the promised blessings of Gods eternity.

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1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Poor in Spirit’ is a difficult phrase to understand. The word for ‘poor’ in Greek is ‘Ptochos’ which literally means having nothing, reduced to begging, like a beggar, totally broke.
While monetary poverty can also be inferred from these verses, what Jesus seems to be referring to  was spiritual poverty. One can be financially poor and yet be arrogant and prideful in spirit, or one can be financially rich and yet be poor in the spirit. ‘Spiritual poor/poverty’ is exactly what is implied. It is a state where one realizes that they have nothing of their own and need constant help from God.  "Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty, humble, and open to the Word of God.  Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God. It is pride, the opposite of humility, that brings misery. We have to be careful not to compare outward modesty with these characteristics. Being “poor in Spirit” is to have a humble and broken/contrite heart that constantly seeks help and forgiveness from God for their very existence. This image is in stark contrast to the self-contained, self-sufficient spirit which the world longs for and thrives in. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, It is Jesus, our Savior who humbles himself and is able to accept our frail nature, to repent, and to allow the grace of God to lead us. The “Kingdom of Heaven” is God’s gracious gift to “The poor in Spirit”

Q.1 How would one describe “poor in spirit” to a new follower of Jesus ?                                               Q.2 Poor in spirit and spiritual poverty are descriptive of what condition?                                                        
Q.3 Poor in spirit, and poverty stricken, can you explain the difference in meaning?                                                                                                                                                        
Q.4 How does one become ”poverty stricken”?
Q.5 How does one become “spiritually poverty striken”?                                  
Q.6 Can you describe the means by which you can provide for your own salvation?
Q.7 Can you describe the means by which you can receive salvation?
Q.8 What is meant by, “theirs is the  Kingdom of Heaven” referenced in this beatitude

The Kingdom of God (Heaven) is twofold:
It is Already Here: Luke 17:20-21: “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
It is Yet to Come: The Kingdom of Heaven will be fully realized and established when Christ comes back as the King and Ruler overall the earth. (Daniel 7: 13,14,27)
What a blessed hope and promise, Jesus offers to those who are poor in spirit! “The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who humbly recognize their need for God, for they will enter into his kingdom."                                          
                                                                                                                                               







                                                                                                                                 Pg.3

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
How can one be happy, when they are mourning or sad?!  The loss of a loved one or a job or any other kind of personal loss or failure, personal sin, mistakes or failures can cause mourning.
People react differently during their time of mourning or suffering. They try to distract their mourning with worldly pleasures in order to ease their pain. And there are those, who turn to God to find rest and restoration in their time of suffering and pain. (Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”)The Bible talks about two kinds of sorrow. 2 Cor 7:10: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” We can understand these different types of sorrow from two famous events during the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Peter: When Peter denied Jesus three times, he “wept bitterly”. (Matthew 26:69-75). He was grieving for his failures, but this led him to repentance and towards Jesus.
Judas: The very next passage talks about Judas. His remorse may have been of a worldly nature therefore resulting in his death. His Mourning was a self centered personal failure and he felt sorry for himself, so he ended his misery with suicide.
There is a Godly Mourning to which this beatitude is speaking. Mourning in this context is called a blessing, because mourning our fallen nature creates in us a desire to improve ourselves and to do what is right! Those who mourn, speaks of those who express deep sorrow over their own sin, or those who are repentant for their sins. The freedom found in the forgiveness of sins and the joy of eternal salvation is the "comfort" of those who repent. When one contemplates that we were made in the image and likeness of God and lived in Paradise, the Garden of Eden, and compare that to our present state after the Fall, one can only mourn our present condition. But the sentence continues that they shall be comforted, by the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and hopefully one day in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Q.1 Does the fact that we cannot stop our sinful ways cause us grief, and so we mourn?
Q.2 How can one expect comfort when mourning ones sins and disobedience?
Q.3 From what condition did we descend so as now to be subject to being mournful?                                            
Q.4 Do we mourn because we sin against God or because we have failed ourselves?
Q.5 Do we mourn for Jesus in his death on the cross for us, or for our own desertion of Jesus?
Q.6 Consider what Judas did after betraying Jesus, was that the type of mourning we speak of ?
Q.7 In what sense does one who mourns attain blessedness?                                                                                                                                                
Q.8 How does mourning bring one to the state of being comforted?

It is in our suffering that we seek God earnestly. James 4:8 – “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” He comforts us and comes to our rescue. This Beatitude (blessedness) portrays a very different picture. God is calling us near, He is always ready to comfort us and all we need to do is to respond to Him. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who mourn and repent of their sins, for they shall receive life eternal." If we are humble and appreciate that all of our gifts and blessings come from God, we grow in love and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior. This  produces mourning and regret over our own sins and the sins of this world, for we have hurt the one who has been so forgiving of us.
                                                                                                                   

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3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are the meek; A person with humble and gentle heart, is referred to as meek It describes a person who is kind and considerate to others, even to those who oppose him, who is easily approachable, not prideful or resentful, not temperamental or harsh. It is an outward expression of inward humility, strength and spiritual poise. While others may act aggressively, the Meek walk in godly peace, others may claim their rights, the Meek focus on their duties, while others may seek revenge, the Meek give way for the judgment of God. It does not imply a weak, sad, subdued person or false modesty. But it portrays a man of great strength of character and self control who willfully and joyfully considers his own life worth nothing, when compared to the greatness of God.  It is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22 – ‘gentleness’) It is the character, Jesus himself associated with. Matthew 11:29 – “For I am gentle and humble in heart…”It is the mark of a disciple of Jesus. Eph 4:2  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  And Christian leaders are to be meek. 2Ti 2:24  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
St. Gregory of Nyssa taught that the Beatitudes build one upon another. A ladder of goodness, A humble person becomes meek, or becomes gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit, even in the face of adversity and hardship. A person that is meek is one that exhibits self-control. St. Augustine advises us to be meek in the face of the Lord, and not resist but be obedient to him.

Q.1 What are the qualities that the world recognizes as meekness?                                                                                                             Q.2 Are they the same qualities of meekness that Jesus is describing?
Q.3 What is the difference as to how Jesus sees meekness, compared with how society sees it?                                               Q.4 What is it about Christian meekness that  brings one peace in this world?
Q.5 Would you like to be known as a meek and lowly individual?                                                                                                          
Q.6 It would seem that meekness toward God is what Jesus is referring to, do you agree?
Q.7 What would you describe as meekness toward God?                                            
Q.8 What is the meaning of “for they will inherit the earth”?

Obedience and submission to the will of God are certainly not in vogue these days, but they will bring one peace in this world and in the next. Similar to "the poor," "the meek" are those who submit to God's authority, making him Lord. Revelation 21:7 says God's children will "inherit all things."
What an amazing promise and reward, God gives to those who are meek! – “They will inherit the earth.”Inheritance comes as a blessing for the meek, a gracious gift of God The meek will be the heirs and partakers of the Kingdom of God


Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who submit to God as Lord, for they will be heirs to everything God possesses."

           



                                                                 
Meditation:                                                                                                                  Pg.5
The Beatitudes:
The meaning of The first Beatitude, “Poor in Spirit” is slightly confusing to us because the words do not convey any thought to any of the desired necessities in life that make us blessed as we perceive blessed to be. The words give us a mental picture that we would normally associate with the word “loser”. That would be someone without any hope or reasonable expectation of success in any field of endeavor, and even spiritually we associate the same characterization. Thus it is confusing to learn that “Poor in Spirit” is one of the qualities we must have to achieve blessedness. It simply means that we are neither proud nor haughty about our spiritual life , and contrariwise, we are somewhat disheartened because we cannot live up to the spiritual standards to which one should aspire, Thus we are “Poor in Spirit” And as such we do not see it as a desirable condition.
To be among “Those Who Mourn” is also one of the negative aspects of The beatitudes that we associate with a sad and mournful countenance. It conveys to us the image of failure in some fashion, as the world sees it, or even death.  It then is confusing to read that if we are mournful, we will be blest. Those to whom the blessing is offered, are those who realize that their aspirations to have a Holy and Christian spiritual life are failing that which God would find pleasing to him. Thus we are mournful of our shortcomings at failing to please God with our life as we are living it.
The characterization of the “Meek” inheriting the earth is also somewhat confusing since those we know who are meek simply have no chance at success in this harsh and cruel world out there.
It is not conceivable to us to find that the “meek” will inherit anything, because there is always someone there to seize the day so to speak, and that person would certainly be anything but meek.
What we fail to see in this characterization is someone who is at peace with God and with this cruel world as well. Humble, not proud and haughty, and overcome with self interest. Actually someone who if there were a choice, God would prefer to choose the meek person over the aggressive soul. Just a Jesus reprimanded peter for his barbarous act of cutting the ear off a soldier. Violence breeds violence, the meek shall inherit the earth, We know that is true. Do we not?


Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, God of our salvation. There is so much about becoming a Christian and being a Christian that we do not know. We pray that through our study of Your word and through our interactions with our Christian Brothers and Sisters that we can become more Like Your Son Jesus in our Christian walk. We know that our wayward condition needs your constant attention so that we may Grow in our Christian faith.  We ask you blessings now on each of us, and our loved ones and those among us who are sick or disabled, that your Holy Spirit will be with us in all that we do  and give comfort to us in our times of distress.  Help us in our daily walk with thee. In the Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN

Jesus Chooses(Names) his Disciples

                                   
                                         Jesus chooses his disciples                                       Pg.1
Luke 6:12  And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:13  When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
Luke 6:14  Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Luke 6:15  Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,
Luke 6:16  Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Luke 6:17  He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon,
Luke 6:18  who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured,
Luke 6:19  and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.


Jesus Prays
Luke 6:12  And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

He went into a mountain for privacy. He continued all night in prayer. We are never less alone than when we are alone in prayer to God. We think one half hour a great deal to spend in the duties of our prayer time; but Christ continued a whole night in meditation and secret prayer. We have a great deal of business at the throne of grace, and we should take a great delight in communion with God, and by both these we may be kept sometimes long at prayer. Prayer in which we must keep up our communion with God daily, and without which it is impossible that the soul should prosper.

Q.1 Can we theorize about that which Jesus prayed for so long?                                                      
Q.2 Are we willing to spend that amount of time in prayer?                                                    
 Q.3 Are there things in our world today to compare to that which Jesus might pray about?
Q.4 How does being alone when praying to God help?                                                                  
Q.5 Evaluate your own prayer life. Do we offer God our prayers on a regular enough basis that he will know who we are when we call?
Q.6 Is there much that can go on in prayer, that one might misspeak a request?
Q.7 So should we be precise in our conversation with God
Read the meditation for a list of the prayers Jesus made in the new testament





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Jesus Calls
Luk 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

He did not stop or take a nap or get anything to eat, they were not at a “get together” this was the business of spreading his message throughout the world.
It is now that Jesus names the twelve, his immediate attendants, that should be the constant auditors of his doctrine and eye-witnesses of his miracles, in order that they might be sent forth as apostles, his messengers to the world, to preach his gospel to it, and plant his church in it.  After he had continued all night in prayer, one would have thought that, when it was day, he should have reposed himself, and got some sleep. No, as soon as anybody was stirring, he called unto him his disciples. In serving God, our great care should be, not to lose time, but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another.

Q.1 Was the naming of the disciples an important event for the future of Christianity?              
Q.2 Did Jesus know that his decision would affect the world’s population for all time?        
Q.3 From “disciple” to “apostle” are we curious to know the difference?                              
Q.4 Why did Jesus first choose 12 disciples, why not more?                                                        
Q.5 Do we think that Jesus is still seeking disciples? Explain.                                                               Q.6 Do we think that Jesus still wants Apostles?  Explain.

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Rev 21:13  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Apocalypse, signifies literally, a revelation, or discovery of what was concealed or hidden. It is here said that this revelation, or discovery of hidden things, was given by God to Jesus Christ; that Christ gave it to his angel; that this angel showed it to John; and that John sent it to the Churches. Thus we find it came from God to Christ, from Christ to the angel, from the angel to John, and from John to the Church. It is properly, therefore, the Revelation of God, sent by these various agents to his servants at large; and this is the proper title of the book. And the Apostles are already named In Gods Hidden revelation, for posterity, forevermore from the beginning. Jesus knew who they were and even now knows who they are today



                                                                                                                                 
Jesus Names The  Twelve                                                                                                Pg.3

Luk 6:14  Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luk 6:15  Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luk 6:16  And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

These are the disciples Jesus called to be Apostles,
A disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or any other wise person. Someone who accepts and helps in spreading the teachings of another.
To be an apostle one is a messenger and ambassador. Someone who champions a critical reform movement, belief or cause. In the Christian context, It simply means one becomes a chief messenger of the gospel.

Luke 9:1  When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
Luke 9:2  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Luke 9:3  He told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.
Luke 9:4  Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.
Luke 9:5  If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them."

He later calls  seventy two more disciples and pronounces to them the difficulties they will face and how they are to deal with those difficulties.  (This will be a later study)
Q.1 Do you think that you could have been a disciple of Jesus?                                            
Q.2 Do you think that there was any dissention in the group of disciples?                                                       Q.3 Who would have impressed you of the 12 as being the most effective disciple?                                       Q.4 Did the disciples exhibit many regular human traits?
Q.5 How is it that a disciple differs from other followers of Jesus?
Q.6 How is it that an apostle differs from other followers of Jesus?

When Jesus chose his disciples, it is no surprise that he chose even the most common of individuals, and one of them, even a traitor. Jesus has prior knowledge of each of us, and knows our intention even before we are aware of it. And yet, even in betraying Jesus, Judas did accomplish his set purpose. That of being the deceitful disciple that set in motion the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ's Death on the cross. The life given so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Did God direct Judas' act? Did God direct Eve’s act?
Did God create Satan just for the Garden of Eden? Are there other questions similar to these?
Q.7 Why did Jesus call Judas Iscariot if he knew already what he would do?
Q.8 Was this plan of God’s already set, and was Judas already chosen to be the betrayer?
Q.9 God is omniscient he created all things and knows all things, Do we have choices?
Q.10 If God already knows all about each of us, and our life’s decisions, why are we here?


                                                                                                                                     
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God knows what choices are made or will be made, and has no intention of changing what has been, or what will be. The choices are ours. God just happens to have the ability to know what they will be. Take the case of the great flood that eliminated everything except that which Noah and his family saved.  Had God been a controlling God , would he have let civilization deteriorate to the point of absolute worthlessness. I think not. And so, knowing that his free will people are and always were, and always will be, uncontrolled, sinful, and undisciplined, he chose to destroy them and start over. At that point, still allowing that he will not change the gift of free will to us, and having this foreknowledge of his own creation, that free will is a desired existence, and not wanting more disastrous results, he reasoned at the time of creation, that man would continue in his fallen ways, God turned to the plan of salvation that he had formed at that same time. And  in Jesus we find our destiny is secured and there is no further question. God also did know and does know that we will make mistakes and bad decisions and sin as before, But God figured a way to save us all.  And still he knows all will not accept Jesus as their savior, and who they are. So there is still the prospect of eternity without God, and residing in eternal torment in hell.

Jesus heals all
Luk 6:17  And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
Luk 6:18  And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
Luk 6:19  And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

They came also from the sea-coast of Tyre and Sidon. Though they who lived there were generally men of business, and though they bordered upon Canaanites, yet there were some attracted to Christ; They came to hear him and he preached to them. It is worth while to go a great way to hear the word of Christ, and to go out of the way of other business for it. 2. They came to be cured by him, and he healed them. Some were troubled in body, and some in mind; some had diseases, some had devils; but all were healed, for he has power over diseases and devils (Luk_6:17, Luk_6:18), over the effects and over the causes. The whole multitude sought to touch him, those that were in health as well as those that were sick, and they were all, one way or another, the better for he healed them all; And who is there that doth not need, upon some account or other, to be healed? There is a fullness of grace in Christ, and healing virtue in him, and ready to go out from him, that is enough for all, enough for each.

Q.1 The 12 Disciples had now become apostles, what is now different about them?
Q.2 If Jesus was such a dynamic personality, why do some in the world still reject him?
Q.3 If Jesus is the Son of God why doesn’t he affect all people as he does Christians?
Q.4 Do we suppose that Jesus depends on his apostles and disciples to spread his message
Q.5 What do you think would have been your opinion of Jesus in that day and time?                                     Q.6 What was it about Jesus that made so many so determined to be with him?                                             Q.7 What effect would Jesus have made on you and your family in that day?
                   
                                                       

Meditation                                                                                                                  Pg.5
In addition to The Lord's Prayer the gospel writers - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - have recorded in the bible other prayers that Jesus said. Looking at these prayers, we can learn much to enhance our own prayer life..
Prayer of praise that everyone can know God.
"At that time Jesus said. 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." Matthew 11:25-26, Luke 10:21.
In this prayer of Jesus the Lord gives thanks that all people, not just the elite, can know God and become part of the Christian family. All people can share Jesus' close relationship with his Father, because God likes it that way - it is God's initiative.
Jesus prays before raising Lazarus.
"So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, 'Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.'"John 11:41-42.
Jesus prays that the gathered crowd, on seeing Lazarus return from the grave, will have faith in him and know that he is from God.
Jesus prays that God's name will be glorified.
"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say, 'Father save me from this hour'? No it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."John 12:27-28.
Here, as in the prayers of Jesus in Gethsemane recorded in the other gospels, Jesus reveals his anguish about what is to happen - his death. He could pray to be saved or he could pray for God's will to be accomplished. Jesus chooses the second option, and makes his prayer that God will be glorified by the success of his mission.
A chapter of prayer by Jesus.
Chapter 17 of John's gospel is the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in any of the gospels. In truth, this chapter is likely to be an amalgamation of many prayers and saying of Jesus gathered together into one place by the gospel writer. In this chapter Jesus consecrates himself to the task that lies ahead, not for his sake, but for ours. This prayer of Jesus brings us to a closer understanding of the mind of Jesus, his relationship with God, and his selfless love of those, like us, in his care
Jesus' prayers in Gethsemane.
"He said, 'Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want."Matthew 26:36-44, Mark 14:32-39, Luke 22:46.
After Jesus had shared his last supper with his disciples, the teacher and his closest followers retire to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prays whilst his companions sleep. In this prayer of Jesus' we have a glimpse of the intimacy and trust Jesus shares with God, his Father
. Jesus, in great distress knowing what he is to suffer the following day, pleads with God that there might be some other way. And yet, Jesus' determination to do God's will is not broken as Jesus resigns himself, in complete obedience, to follow his father's plans.
Jesus prays on the cross
"At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:34,46.
Jesus, at the most poignant moment in Christian history, recognises the significance of his imminent death with a cry of utter desolation. Jesus, the Christ, the son of God, is abandoned (if only for a short time) and in this one act the whole of humanity is offered a fesh start - a new relationship with God.







Opening Prayer                                                                                                                                
Father God we assemble here this evening to learn more about your Son Our Savior Jesus Christ.
We have no capacity to learn of how he lived except we study the Bible, Your Sacred Word.
We ask that you would impart to us that knowledge that you would have us know from this study.
We know that throughout Jesus’ Ministry here on earth, he called on many persons for their help in his quest to spread the word of Salvation to all who would hear it. Make us worthy in your sight Oh God that we too might be called Disciple, and live up to that calling. In Jesus name we pray Amen


The Study.
The choosing of Jesus’ Disciples is one of, the most important legacies that he left on this earth. It is for Disciples to be the ultimate communicators of the Word Of God to all of mankind. Jesus then  leaves them with a solemn duty. They are the people Jesus chose to be the linchpins of the Way, to pass the Word Of Salvation throughout the world. This is the opening scene of the epic task. And it concludes with Jesus again healing all who call upon him.
                                                                                                                                                     Pg.6

Closing Prayer.                                                                                                      
Father God, we thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus who made our salvation sure. We thank you for the first Disciples, those who dedicated their lives to following “The Way” that Jesus consecrated them to perform. We thank you for the successful way in which that plan has been executed throughout the world today. We pray your blessings upon those, even today who have dedicated their lives to the Cause Of Christ. We pray for those of our number who are working as the “Advent Mission Team” going to Honduras, that their work will be fruitful and that they will return to us safely. We pray for our sick and disabled, and ask that you grant peace and healing to them and to all our lives. We pray these things in the Name of Jesus,  Amen


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