Intercession

Home Study

A Spiritual Growth Course

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Community Bible Institute

CB

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Intercession

Visit CBI atwww.cfccbi.vpweb.com

What is CBI?

Community Bible Institute is a Christian studies school designed “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)

To learn more about How CBI works, get a copy of the CBI Handbook at the CBI desk in the church lobby, at the CBI desk in the Tara Center lobby, or by requesting one by email at stvrust@insightbb.com.

Home Study courses for CBI may be obtained in a hard copy format or may be requested by and delivered as an email attachment.

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Community Bible Institute is a ministry of Community Family

Church.859-356-8851

1The Master's Final PrayerJohn 17:1–26

Purpose: To reveal the concerns of Jesus' heart as he faced the cross and to see how those concerns should be our concerns as his followers.

The approach of death has a way of bringing our priorities into focus. People who know death is imminent also know what is really important in life and who they really care about. In Jesus' final prayer with his disciples, he prays for himself, for them and for you! Every believer is on Jesus' mind as he faces the greatest trial of his life—the cross.

1. What specific people would you want around you in a crisis, and why?

2. Read John 17:1–5. Jesus makes only one request for himself—that the Father would glorify him, so that he might glorify the Father. In what way would each one glorify the other?

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Intercession

Why do you think that was so important to Jesus?

3. To what extent is God's glory foremost in your mind on a daily basis? Explain.

4. How is Jesus' definition of eternal life (v. 3) different from merely living forever?

In what ways do you actively seek to know the Father and the Son better?

5. Read John 17:6–19. According to these verses, what specific ministries did Jesus have toward his disciples?

6. Twice Jesus asked the Father to protect his disciples from the evil one (vv. 11, 15). Why would that protection have been so important in Jesus' mind as he faced the cross?

7. Jesus also asked the Father to sanctify his disciples through his word (v. 17). How can we allow God's Word to have that kind of effect on our lives?

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8. Read John 17:20–26. Jesus prayed that those who believe in him would be one, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (vv. 21, 23)? Why is our unity a powerful argument for the reality of Jesus?

9. In what practical ways can we demonstrate our oneness with other believers?

10. Jesus obviously prayed this prayer out loud to bring comfort and assurance to his disciples. In what particular ways do Jesus' words encourage or assure you?

11. How do the concerns that were on Jesus' heart as he faced death match up with the concerns that would be on your heart if you were facing death?

How would you account for the difference?

2“I Keep Asking”Ephesians 1:15–23

Purpose: To view the model of prayer Paul offers us as he intercedes for the church.

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Sometimes prayer can be like pushing a full wheelbarrow—with no wheel. At other times it's like rushing down the rapids of a mountain river. What makes the difference? In this study we'll see why Paul's prayers overflow with praise and thanksgiving.

1. When you pray for fellow Christians, how do you usually pray for them? Give some specific examples.

2. Read Ephesians 1:15–23. In verses 15–16 Paul says, “For this reason … I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Why is Paul so thankful in his prayers for the Ephesians?

Why do you suppose these things were so important to him?

3. How do Paul's prayers for his readers cover the past, the present and the future?

4. Why do you think Paul's prayers focus on wisdom, revelation and knowledge?

5. Compare and contrast Paul's prayers with those you mentioned in answering the first question in this study.

6. How does Paul emphasize the tremendous power available “for us who believe” (1:19)?

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7. How has this power been active in your life?

8. How does 1:20–23 expand on Paul's discussion of Christ's headship begun in 1:9–10?

9. How is the church, the body of believers, so central to God's plans for the universe?

10. What role does the church play in your life?

11. How is Ephesians 1 itself an answer to the prayers Paul has been praying for his readers?

12. What kind of prayer dominates 1:3–14?

13. What kind of prayer dominates 1:15–23?

14. How does intercession naturally flow out of praise?

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15. Spend several minutes praising God and then praying for Christ's church, or individuals in it, following Paul's example.

3Paul's Prayer for the PhilippiansPhilippians 1:1–11

Purpose: To help people strengthen their Christian relationships through affirmation, godly affection and prayer.

Have any of your good friends ever told you what they appreciate about you? Have you ever listened while others prayed for you? If so, you know what a warm feeling it is to be assured that others care. In Philippians 1:1–11 Paul prays and thanks God for his friends in Philippi. As you read the passage, try to imagine yourself sitting with Lydia, the jailer and their families as this letter is read for the first time.

1. Do you think our love and concern for others can be measured by how much we pray for them? Explain.

2. Read Philippians 1:1–11. In verse 1 Paul describes himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. How was Paul's service to Christ and the Philippians evident in the previous study?

3. What are Paul's feelings toward the Philippians (vv. 3–8)?

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Why does he feel this way about them?

4. The previous study demonstrated how God “began a good work” in the Philippians (v. 6). Why would this give Paul confidence that God would also “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”?

5. What do verses 3–8 reveal about healthy Christian relationships?

6. How can your present relationships be strengthened to become more like this?

7. What are Paul's prayer requests for the Philippians (vv. 9–11)?

8. Why would each of these qualities be essential to spiritual maturity?

9. What does Paul's prayer teach about how we should pray for others?

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10. Using Paul's prayer as a model, spend a few minutes thanking God and praying for someone you love in Christ.

4Starting the RaceHebrews 1:1–14

Purpose: To gain a firm grasp of who Jesus Christ really is.

When the ancient church father Chrysostom was summoned before the Roman emperor and charged with being a Christian, the emperor threatened him with banishment if he did not renounce Jesus Christ. Chrysostom responded, “You cannot banish me, for the whole world is my Father's kingdom.”

“Then I will take away your life,” said the emperor.“You cannot,” answered Chrysostom, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.”“I will take away your treasure,” roared the emperor.“You can't,” replied Chrysostom, “for my treasure is in heaven, where my heart is.”“Then I will drive you away from all your friends,” the emperor said.“You cannot, for I have one friend from whom you can never separate me. I defy you,”

said Chrysostom, “because you can do me no harm.”Such conviction grows out of a firm grasp of who Jesus Christ really is. Hebrews 1 will

get you started on the race with a look at the majesty, power and glory of Jesus Christ.

1. “Christ, Buddha, Muhammad, they're all alike,” someone tells you. What do you say?

2. Read Hebrews 1:1–14. How do verses 1–3 reveal the essential truth of Christ's supremacy and sufficiency?

3. What difference does it make that God “has spoken to us by his Son” (v. 2)?

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4. Based on what we learn in verses 2–3, how would you answer the question “Who is Jesus Christ”?

5. Christ's work of purification of sins (v. 3) will emerge as a major emphasis of the writer in chapters 9–10. Because there are so many aspects to who Christ is, we may find ourselves responding to him in different ways at different times. Compare and contrast your response to Christ as Creator and Sustainer to Christ as the one who provided the only remedy for our sins.

6. What assurance about Christ's work of purification of our sins do we receive from the fact that he now sits at the Father's right hand?

7. To drive his point home, the author uses seven Old Testament citations. What characteristics or attributes of Jesus does the writer find in the Old Testament to prove his claim that Jesus is superior to angels (vv. 4–14)?

8. Who is the source of all of these astounding statements (vv. 5–8, 10, 13)?

9. What does this tell us about the authority of our Old Testament?

10. Based on what you have observed in verses 5–14, how would you expand your answer to the question “Who is Christ?”

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11. What needs in your life do these qualities of Jesus address?

12. What kind of life should you have because all this is true of Jesus?

5Overcoming WeaknessHebrews 4:14–5:10

Purpose: To find hope in Christ's high priesthood in the face of temptation.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning book City of Joy tells about the intense suffering of a Polish priest in a Calcutta slum. His superiors offered him a comfortable lodging, but he chose to live just like the slum-dwellers. By his suffering he learned what it was like to be a slum-dweller. He could not have learned that any other way. Likewise, the Hebrews needed to be reminded of their God-appointed, suffering high priest, Jesus Christ, so they would hold firmly to him. But the writer says they had to grow up from spiritual infancy.

1. What experiences have you had that have helped you to better understand another person?

2. Read Hebrews 4:14–5:10. What commands are given in 4:14 and 16?

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3. What is there about the character of Jesus that encourages us to obey these commands?

4. When you are tempted, what difference does it make to know that Jesus was likewise tempted and therefore sympathizes with your weakness?

5. Jesus, as our merciful and faithful high priest, made atonement for our sins. The writer reminds the Hebrews of their earthly high priest in Judaism. What was the high priest like (5:1–4)?

6. What main fact does the author establish about the high priesthood of Jesus (5:5)?

What difference does it make?

7. How would you compare Jesus' high appointment with the life he lived (5:7–8)?

8. How does your life reflect your high appointment as the adopted son or daughter of God?

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9. What was the result of Christ's suffering (5:8–10)?

10. How does this help you to take a positive attitude toward suffering?

6Eternal CompanionHebrews 7:1–28

Purpose: To develop new levels of confidence in Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, religion and priests go hand-in-hand. Moses had carefully laid out all the rules for the Levites, the priestly clan of Israel. But the Hebrew Christians had departed from their old religion that was centered on priestly functions. Yet some of them hankered to return to their old ways. “Don't turn back,” the writer appeals. “You have something far better in Christ.” In chapters 7–10, the author tells of Christ's superior priestly origin, his better covenant and his sufficient-for-all-time sacrifice of himself. Regardless of whether we have had to move away from old traditions to find Christ, we all need confidence builders like chapter 7, so that as we run our faith-race, we will stick with Jesus, no matter what.

1. “He always makes me feel so strong,” a church member said of his pastor after a sermon. What relationships strengthen your knowledge of Christ and build you up?

2. Read Hebrews 7. Jesus is our high priest, not of the ancient Jewish line of Aaron, but of the line of the pre-Aaronic Melchizedek. “Just think how great he [Melchizedek] was,” commands the writer (v. 4). What was there about Melchizedek that made him so great (vv. 1–3)?

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3. Great as his name and position were, there was one incident that proved Melchizedek's superiority to the Hebrews: Their patriarch Abraham tithed (gave one-tenth of his income) to him (v. 4). According to verses 5–10, why does this prove that Jesus' high priesthood is superior to that of Levi (Aaron's son)?

4. Jesus inaugurated a new era and set aside the old because he was not of the priestly tribe (vv. 11–14). On what does his priestly authority rest (vv. 15–17)?

5. How can his everlastingness affect your day-to-day ups and downs?

6. In what sense were the ancient rules of the Jews “weak and useless” (vv. 18–19)?

7. Why is our hope in Christ a “better hope” (v. 19)?

8. God's oath set aside Jesus as a distinctive high priest (vv. 20–21). How does Jesus guarantee our faith-agreement (covenant) with him (v. 22)?

9. What does the permanence of Christ's priesthood make possible for us (vv. 23–25)?

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10. How does Jesus' non-stop prayer for you help you to hold firmly to your faith and persevere in the race (v. 25)?

11. What about Christ's character and sacrifice sets him far above other earthly priests (vv. 26–28)?

12. Twice the writer tells us to come to God through Christ's high priesthood (vv. 19, 25). Why do we need to do this?

How can you practice it in your faith-race?

7God's “New Deal”Hebrews 8:1–13

Purpose: To gain new appreciation of God's love and mercy in his new covenant.

Back in 1932, President Franklin Roosevelt sought to rescue the country from the pit of the Great Depression by launching the New Deal. The concept caught the imagination of the people. The time was ripe for a radically new economic and social program. In this

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chapter, the writer of Hebrews announces God's “new deal”—a covenant, or agreement, between God and humanity. It offers far superior promises to those of the “old deal” (Old Testament laws and regulations).

1. Why do you think the concept of “new, improved, better” is so effective in advertising?

2. Read Hebrews 8:1–13. “We do have such a high priest” (v. 1) refers to the description of Jesus in 7:23–28. What additional facts do you learn about him (vv. 1–2)?

3. What is Christ's heavenly ministry (vv. 3–6)?

4. Verse 6 looks back to prove Christ's superior ministry and forward to prove that we have a superior covenant with God. The key is “better promises.” What was the problem with the first covenant (vv. 7–12)?

5. What are the main benefits for us of God's “new deal”?

6. Do you function better under external restraint (the law) or inner constraint (God's Spirit) (v. 10)? Why?

7. What is one purpose of God's new plan (v. 10)?

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8. The distinctive mark of God's children is that they know him (v. 11). How does such knowledge transform your life?

9. What guarantees God's “new deal” (v. 12)? (See also vv. 1–3; 9:14.)

10. How is the covenant promise of forgiveness better than the old covenant?

11. What happens to you when you say to God, “Thank you for forgiving and forgetting my sin”?

12. A magazine ad for dishwashers offers more power, more pizzazz and more performance. How could your understanding and application of God's “new deal” offer all of that to you in your walk with him?

8Making Others WholeJames 5:12–20

Purpose: To grow in prayer and in helping others.Don't be deceived. This is not a short study. Even though it covers only nine verses, you will

need to gauge your time carefully. Several potentially controversial topics lurk in this passage—faith healing, and the church's role in it, is most notable among them. The place of prayer in one's life also deserves time so the group members can get the concrete help needed in weak areas.

This pastoral section of James deserves a pastoral tone, which you can set. James concerns himself with the needs (physical and spiritual) of those in the body. You should too.

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Broken homes, shattered relationships, damaged emotions—we live in a fragmented and hurting society. As we see all the wounded people around us, we long to help, to offer a healing touch. James gives us very practical suggestions for helping people to become whole.

1. Why do you think our society is so fragmented?

2. Read James 5:12–20. How does verse 12 reinforce the themes the tongue (3:1–12) and of patience (4:9–11)?

3. Do you pray more when you are in trouble or when things are going well?

What balance does James suggest in verse 13?

4. In verses 14–16 James discusses physical and spiritual healing. What are the steps in this process?

5. How is physical healing connected with forgiveness of sins?

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6. Would you call elders for anointing, prayer and confession? Why or why not?

7. How can we provide other opportunities for mutual confession and prayer (v. 16)?

8. How does Elijah illustrate the effectiveness of prayer (vv. 17–18)?

9. What different types of prayer are mentioned in verses 13–18?

10. What steps could you take to make one of these types of prayer more a part of your life?

11. According to verses 19–20, how, if at all, are we our brother's keeper?

12. Summarize what verses 13–20 teach us about how we can help people to become whole physically, emotionally or spiritually.

13. Ask God for grace in this ministry.

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9Sodom and GomorrahGod's Judgment on SocietyGenesis 18–19

Purpose: To consider what we can do to avert the judgment of God on ourselves, our families and those in society.

Contemporary Christianity has been described as “privately engaging but socially irrelevant.” Many of us concern ourselves only with family and church to the neglect of the broader arenas of work and community—the economic, social and political fabric of our society.

So far we have seen Abraham wrapped up in his personal and family concerns. But in this passage he broadens his perspective. He becomes involved in the problems of a neighboring city whose lifestyle is the antithesis of everything he stands for. Abraham's reaction to the news of impending judgment can instruct us today concerning responsible Christian action in our own society.

1. Read Genesis 18. In verses 1–8 what elements of hospitality does Abraham show even to visiting strangers?

2. Why do you think Sarah reacts as she does to the Lord's renewed promise of a son (vv. 9–12)?

How might the Lord's response to Sarah's laughter be both a rebuke and an encouragement (vv. 13–15)?

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3. Why does the Lord decide to tell Abraham about his decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah (vv. 16–19)?

4. In the long conversation that follows (vv. 20–33), what do you learn about Abraham's attitude toward the wicked cities and toward the Lord?

How would you describe the Lord's attitude toward the cities and his relationship with Abraham?

5. In what areas could we intercede with God for our city, state or country because of its sins?

How might this kind of prayer affect our attitudes and actions toward those around us?

6. Read Genesis 19. In this chapter we get a close look at the people in Sodom. How do their actions help us understand why they were under God's judgment?

7. In what ways is our society similar to Sodom?

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8. What kind of person does Lot appear to be at this time (vv. 1–14)?

What effects does life in Sodom seem to have had on him and the members of his family?

9. How is the Lord's mercy evident in his treatment of Lot and his family (vv. 10–22)?

10. Describe how God's judgment works out in Sodom and in Lot's family (vv. 23–38).

11. What can we do to avert the judgment of God on ourselves and those around us?

10Getting Back to Your RootsNehemiah 9

Purpose: To understand that our renewal with God has a lot to do with the family in which he has put us. We are not in our family by chance. We don't move forward with God while ignoring our family and failing to realize that our character is greatly formed by our extended families.

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For many of us it is difficult to think about corporately confessing our sins in the sight and hearing of many people. Yet that is what Israel is doing, confessing their corporate sins in a public place and repenting. Revival and renewal are always preceded by contrition and remorse for our sins. Israel is at the end of itself, and the Lord is the only one who can deliver them, so they are returning to him. We too must be humbled, broken and serious to be recipients of God's renewal.

1. How freely in your Christian life can you move between repentance for your sins and experiencing the celebration of God's forgiveness?

2. Read Nehemiah 9. Note that the time frame is about three weeks after the first reading of the Law. Why do you think they were wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads?

3. A quarter of a day is probably two to three hours. Does it seem feasible to you that they could confess sins for that long? Explain.

4. Why do you think they spent so much time confessing the sins of their ancestors?

5. It may be surprising that they could go back so far and remember so many sins. Do you have any sense of history regarding your family sins or shortcomings? Explain your answer.

6. Think about your family (parents, siblings and grandparents) and what it would be like to confess their sins to the Lord along with your own. How hard would it be to intercede for your family members by praying for them and confessing their sins and asking God to forgive them?

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Why do you think that would be an important thing to do?

7. Now picture a time of corporate confession for your church or fellowship group. What kinds of sins should you be repenting of as a group?

8. What are the evidences from this passage that Ezra did not lose hope, even though the sins of Israel were many?

9. How do you bring yourself out of some of the hopeless messes that you get yourself in with the Lord? (Do the Scriptures and history play any part in that?)

10. What kind of covenant agreement might you make to obey God in a new way?

Find a Christian group to make this covenant with.

11Praying Our IntimidationPsalm 2

Purpose: To prepare to pray by setting the world around us before the lordship of God.

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Commonly we are intimidated by the world because it seems intractable to the life of faith. So we reduce our prayers to private exercises in personal virtue. We need to prepare for the practice of prayer as a world power.

We wake up each day in a world noisy with boasting, violent with guns, arrogant with money. How can we avoid being intimidated? What use can prayer have in the face of governments and armies and millionaires? None, if God is not at work; all, if God is. Psalm 2, like Psalm 1, is pre-prayer—an act of orientation that prepares us to pray. The orientation this time is not personal but political. Psalm 2 prepares us to pray in political as well as personal dimensions. God is as much at work in the public sphere as he is in the personal, and our prayers are as needful there as in our personal lives.

1. Do you feel as responsible to pray for the nation, society and culture as you do for self, friends and church? Explain.

2. Read Psalm 2. Compare the opening nouns and verbs in Psalm 1:1–3 with those in Psalm 2:1–3. What differences in orientation do they suggest between these two psalms?

3. Compare the first verse of Psalm 1 to the last in Psalm 2. What do we learn from these two blesseds?

4. Meditates in Psalm 1:2 and plot in Psalm 2:1 are the same word in Hebrew. How is the word used differently in the two passages?

5. How does the Lord view the vaunted power of nations (vv. 4–6)?

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Do you maintain this perspective of light humor when you watch the evening news on television? Explain.

6. “Anointed One” in verse 2 is Messiah in Hebrew, Christ in Greek. What in this psalm reminds you of Jesus?

7. It has been traditional for Christians to pray this psalm on Easter Day. What in the psalm especially suits it for this occasion?

8. The psalm begins and ends with references to kings and rulers (vv. 2–3, 10–12). How do they relate to the King enthroned by the Lord (v. 6)?

What impact does this have on the way we pray?

9. It is always easier to pray for personal needs than political situations. But Psalm 2 is entirely political. Knowing this, what responsibility do we have as American citizens living in Christ's kingdom?

10. Name three rulers (presidents, kings, prime ministers or dictators). Pray for them faithfully this week.

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