SESSION 8

God of Our Relationships Summary and Goal In the six Commandments that focus on honoring God in our relationships, we will see that God calls us to honor Him by honoring our father and mother, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, and by cultivating a heart of contentment. One of the primary ways we show our love for God is by loving others who are made in His image.

Main Passage Exodus 20:12-17

Session Outline 1. We honor God by honoring our parents (Ex. 20:12). 2. We honor God by loving our neighbors (Ex. 20:13-16). 3. We honor God by cultivating a heart of contentment (Ex. 20:17).

Theological Theme God’s law reflects God’s intention for human flourishing in society.

Christ Connection As the sinless Savior, Jesus is the only One who has kept the law perfectly. He demonstrated His love for others by laying down His life in their place.

Missional Application Because we have experienced God’s great love toward us, we are called to love and seek the good of our neighbors.

Date of My Bible Study: ______________________ © 2015 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

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God of Our Relationships Session 8 Introduction Option Prior to the session, post around the room two large sheets of paper with the headings “Pros” and “Cons.” As group members arrive, ask them to imagine a society without leaders and rules and to record their thoughts about pros and cons of such a society. Then proceed with the Introduction.

Introduction Describe the idea behind the reality TV series Utopia and the reason for its failure—we need order. God’s Ten Commandments show us how we ought to live (leader p. 94; PSG p. 74). Imagine a society without leaders and rules. What would it be like? What would you like about it? What would be wrong with it?

Summarize this session on the last six Commandments—honoring God in our relationships (leader pp. 94-95; PSG p. 75).

1. W  e honor God by honoring our parents (Ex. 20:12).

For Further Discussion

Ask a volunteer to read Exodus 20:12. Connect our relationship with our parents to how we respond to other authorities in life, and even to God (leader p. 95; PSG p. 75).

Why do you think God chose to attach a promise to the Fifth Commandment?

How does your relationship with your parents impact how you view God?

Show how Jesus exemplified perfect obedience to this Commandment in submitting to His imperfect human parents and providing for the care of His mother as He died on the cross (leader pp. 95-96; PSG p. 76). If you are a parent, how can you intentionally model for your children what following Jesus looks like? How does the gospel apply to your regrets, either as a child or as a parent?

2. We honor God by loving our neighbors (Ex. 20:13-16). Summarize obedience to the rest of the Commandments as loving our neighbors as ourselves. Then read Exodus 20:13-16 (leader p. 96; PSG pp. 76-77). 92

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Comment about each Commandment and how Jesus addressed each in His Sermon on the Mount (leader pp. 97-99; PSG pp. 77-79): • Do Not Murder Why does Jesus connect murder to a hateful heart? What are some ways we express hatefulness with our tongues?

• Do Not Commit Adultery What are some elements of temptation that can lead a person into sexual immorality? In what ways can Christians guard against potentially compromising situations?

• Do Not Steal Can we consider improper stewardship of God’s gifts a form of “stealing”? Why or why not? What are some things we try to find satisfaction in apart from God?

• Do Not Give False Testimony Against Your Neighbor

Point 2 Option • Consider enlisting four volunteers prior to the group meeting, one for each of the Sixth through Ninth Commandments. Provide them with the expanded Leader content for each Commandment (leader pp. 97-99; available on the Leader Pack DVD) and ask them to research further and then speak briefly to the group about the meaning and implications of the Commandments. OR • Consider dividing up the group into four small groups, one for each Commandment. Have the groups examine the content in their PSG for their assigned Commandment and consider the associated questions (PSG pp. 77-79). Then have a spokesperson share the reflections of the group. You as the leader can fill in gaps as necessary from the expanded Leader content (leader pp. 97-99).

How can we cultivate truth-telling in our homes and churches?

3. We honor God by cultivating a heart of contentment (Ex. 20:17). Read Exodus 20:17. Define coveting in terms of self-worship, and show how the only cure for coveting is the gospel—learning contentment in Christ through the Holy Spirit (leader pp. 99-100; PSG p. 80). Give group members a few moments to reflect on the gospel-oriented questions in their PSG to help them see how we ought to combat the temptation to covet (leader p. 101; PSG p. 81). Allow group members a chance to share any of their responses if they wish to do so, but don’t force or press too hard for such sharing.

Conclusion Recap how obedience reflects Christ’s presence in our lives and gives us an opportunity to point others to Jesus (leader p. 101; PSG p. 81). Apply the truths of this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 82). Pass out cards from Pack Item 6: The Law of Love to help group members recall that the Ten Commandments are fulfilled by love for God and for others.

For Further Discussion How is our mission hindered by coveting?

Christ Connection: As the sinless Savior, Jesus is the only One who has kept the law perfectly. He demonstrated His love for others by laying down His life in their place. ........................................................ Missional Application: Because we have experienced God’s great love toward us, we are called to love and seek the good of our neighbors.

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Expanded Session Content

God of Our Relationships Session 8 Introduction In 2014, a reality TV series called Utopia premiered. The show’s premise was simple—put 15 diverse individuals in a rustic setting and watch them live together with, as the slogan said, “no leaders, no rules, no plumbing.” The show was a $50 million failure, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Civil society cannot exist without rules and laws. We are created by God to need structure. We crave order because order is a reflection of God’s character. His orderly nature is seen in everything from the order of creation to His prescriptions for order in worship. God’s orderly nature and how it applies to our lives are often misunderstood. Too many times, Christians see a contrast between the Old and New Testaments as if the Old is only law and the New is only grace. As we saw in the previous session, this is a false dichotomy. Exodus 19 shows that Israel was a delivered people living in covenant with God. God was not telling them to earn His favor through their obedience. He had already chosen and delivered them. In His Commandments, God was showing the people what it means to live in grace.

Voices from the Church “We are not called to the love of Torah but to the Torah of love.” 1 –Scot McKnight

Imagine a society without leaders and rules. What would it be like? What would you like about it? What would be wrong with it?

People have often noticed a distinct line of division among the Ten Commandments. The first four Commandments lay out a loving response to God for His deliverance and grace. The final six focus on our treatment of other people. God desires that His grace bring about not only a reconciled, intimate relationship with Him but also vibrant, healthy relationships with others.

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Session Summary In this session we examine the six Commandments that focus on honoring God in our relationships. We will see that God calls us to honor Him by honoring our father and mother, by loving our neighbors as ourselves, and by cultivating a heart of contentment. One of the primary ways we show our love for God is by loving others who are made in His image.

1. We honor God by honoring our parents (Ex. 20:12). God created the family as the center of human relationships. The Fifth Commandment focuses on these relationships and helps us understand why they are so important.  “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 12

How we relate to our parents provides a foundation for all our relationships, especially our interactions with those in authority. Authority brings order to society, and God’s command to honor our father and mother sets a model for how we are to respond to other authorities in life. God calls us to honor our parents in response to God’s redeeming love for us. The Hebrew word translated “honor” means to make weighty and carries a positive sense of giving respect in abundance. Because all human parents are sinful, they may be “worthy” of honor in varying degrees. But God does not call us to weigh our parents’ worthiness and then decide whether or not to honor them. He calls us to honor them as a way of honoring Him, of recognizing His authority in our lives. How does your relationship with your parents impact how you view God?

Ultimately, only God deserves to be the object of honor, but God wants us to give honor to others on His behalf. He displayed for us a perfect example of giving honor in His Son, Jesus Christ, when He, as an incarnate human being, obeyed His parents and submitted to their authority. When we are fulfilling the Fifth Commandment by honoring and obeying our parents, we are imitating Jesus. If Jesus could set aside His glory and make Himself subject to authority, who are we to refuse to do so? Obedience to parents displays Christlike humility and love.

Further Commentary “A stubborn and rebellious son who refused other discipline could be taken before the elders for judgment (Deut. 21:18-21; cp. Lev. 19:3). Eli’s sons showed contempt for their father and for the Lord, who brought them death as a result (1 Sam. 2:12-17,22-25,29-30). The respect and kindness that Ruth and Boaz showed for Naomi and that Joseph showed for Jacob provide positive examples (cp. Prov. 1:8;19:26; 20:20; 23:22; 28:24; 30:17). ‘Long life’ may refer to the tenure of the nation in the land. Failure to honor parents was one of the sins that Ezekiel listed in a description of the people of Jerusalem before the city was destroyed (Ezek. 22:7; cp. Mic. 7:6). Long life for individuals is also possible and is mentioned elsewhere as an outcome from the Lord for loyal obedience (Ex. 23:26).” 2 –Dorian G. Coover-Cox, HCSB Study Bible

Further Commentary Here are some verses that speak of a parent’s responsibility to treat children in a manner similar to how God has treated us: • Teach them the way of the Lord (Deut. 6:4-9) • Discipline them (Prov. 3:12-13; 13:24) • Provide for them (Matt. 7:9-11)

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Voices from Church History “While on the cross, [Jesus] commits his mother to the disciple, teaching us to show every care for our parents even to our last breath.” 4 –Chrysostom (circa 347-407)

Voices from Church History “Those who have love are children of God, and those who do not are children of the devil. Have anything else you like, but if you lack this one thing, then all the rest is of no use to you whatsoever. On the other hand, you may lack almost anything else, but if you have this one thing, you have fulfilled the law.” 5 –Bede (circa 673-735)

But Jesus not only gave us an example of honoring parents; He also fulfilled this Commandment and then died to pay for the sins of dishonor that we have shown over the years. Throughout His life, Jesus exalted His Heavenly Father as He displayed the power of God. And even as He died on the cross, He committed His mother to the care of one of His disciples (John 19:25-27). As Rey De Armas writes:  e may be imperfect parents, but because of our faith in God’s W perfect Son, we are accepted anyway. In John 19, we see how Jesus loved and respected His mother even as He died for her. Because of His perfect obedience, our failures as parents and our failures as children can be forgiven. The slate can be wiped clean. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can now honor our father and mother because of Christ, who honored His father and mother completely. 3 If you are a parent, how can you intentionally model for your children what following Jesus looks like? How does the gospel apply to your regrets, either as a child or as a parent?

2. We honor God by loving our neighbors (Ex. 20:13-16). Living in a way that honors God begins in the home, but it extends to other relationships as well. In fact, when Jesus was asked which commandment is the greatest, He summed up the law by calling people to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind and then to love their neighbors as themselves (Matt. 22:36-40). Paul later spoke of the prohibitions against adultery, murder, stealing, and coveting as summed up by the command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Rom. 13:9-10). But what does loving our neighbor look like? How do we relate to the people around us? In giving the law, God addressed particular ways that we are to respect and value His likeness reflected in every human being.  “You shall not murder.  “You shall not commit adultery. 15  “You shall not steal. 16  “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 13 14

Let’s take a look at each of these Commandments in turn.

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Do Not Murder This Commandment is clear and concise. Murder is condemned as a sin because of the motive that lies behind it and the way it disregards the inherent value of human life as created by God. We may wonder why God would even need to give us this command. Don’t we know instinctively that murder is terrible? Unfortunately, whether or not we know murder is wrong, our history of humanity is full of tragic instances where one human has struck down another. God prohibits murder because we are to love and value Him as the Creator of each life and then recognize the worth of each life as a reflection of His glory. When we judge a person’s worth by our own assessment of their intellect or lack of ability, we judge them by what they are worth to us instead of by their inherent dignity in reflecting the Creator. We make our own ascribing value superior to God’s. In laying down our hatred and seeking reconciliation with those whom we have disregarded, we acknowledge that only God deserves to place value, and we acknowledge our need for Christ’s transforming work in our hearts and in our relationships to love and value others like God does. Later, Jesus would address the heart condition that leads to murder: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt. 5:21-22). Jesus extended the prohibition of murder much deeper. He was even concerned with how we feel about others. When we harbor hatred in our hearts, we disavow the created worth of another person and write them off—just as if we have killed them. Why does Jesus connect murder to a hateful heart? What are some ways we express hatefulness with our tongues?

Do Not Commit Adultery The prohibition against adultery is rooted in God’s original design for sexual expression within the confines of marriage. From the beginning, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone, and He created woman. Adam and Eve together reflected the image of God in their relationship of trust and love. Adultery is the severing of the marriage bond through sexual immorality. It damages the family and destroys the sacred refuge God intends our homes to be.

Further Commentary “Though a generic term for killing is used here, the intent clearly is to speak of premeditated ‘murder.’ Manslaughter as accidental homicide has already been considered (4:42), and killing by government and other constituted authority was permitted as capital punishment (13:5,9; Ex. 21:12,14-17) and in times of war (Deut. 7:2; 20:13,17). Murder is heinous because human beings are created in the image of God and their murder, in effect, is a blow against God Himself (Gen. 9:5-6)…’Adultery’ is described in a number of ancient Near Eastern texts as ‘the great sin,’ suggesting that even pagans were aware of its seriousness. A common biblical image is marriage as a metaphor for God’s relationship to Israel (Ezek. 16:8,32; Hos. 2:14-16) and for Christ’s relationship to the church (Rev. 19:7; 21:2,9). In both cases, unfaithfulness on the part of God’s people is identical to adultery.… The Ninth Commandment is most at home in a legal setting where testimony is required of witnesses or other knowledgeable persons. Since a person accused of a crime could suffer serious penalties or death for his violation of the law, it was essential that the evidence be truthful (cp. 17:6; 19:15-21).” 6 –Dorian G. Coover-Cox, HCSB Study Bible

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99 Essential Christian Doctrines 5. Authority of Scripture Since the Bible is the inspired Word from God, containing God’s special revelation to humanity, the Bible is the ultimate standard of authority for the Christian. Because it is truthful in everything that it teaches, Scripture is humanity’s source for wisdom, instructing us on how to live life well to the glory of God. Submitting to the authority of Scripture means that we are to believe and obey God by believing and obeying His Word.

Just as He connected murder back to an angry heart, Jesus connected adultery back to a lustful heart: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:27-28). The marriage covenant is sacred and is an earthly picture of Jesus’ relationship to His church. Jesus is the faithful, loving Bridegroom who has entered into an intimate bond with the people He has redeemed. When we marry, we are showing the world a living object lesson of the love and faithfulness of Christ. God takes it seriously when we violate this most illustrative relationship. How seriously? Jesus’ declaration that it is better for us to mutilate ourselves to avoid adultery than to fall prey to it indicated just how serious (Matt. 5:29-30). In a society where infidelity is often glorified, healthy and faithful marriages stand out. Devoted Christian marriages are also the key to rearing children in an atmosphere of security and discipleship. God designed the home to be made by parents who love Jesus and love each other in order to give children the stability they need. What are some elements of temptation that can lead a person into sexual immorality? In what ways can Christians guard against potentially compromising situations?

Do Not Steal The Eighth Commandment forbids stealing—taking something that does not belong to us. This command covers a wide range of dishonest practices birthed in a heart gripped by possessions instead of the One from whom all good things come (Jas. 1:17). Anytime we deal dishonestly with others, cheat our employees or employers, or plagiarize, we are engaging in thievery. Why are we prone to steal? Because we do not trust the provision of God. At its core, theft is a form of self-worship. We steal because we prefer self-reliance rather than trusting in others. Jesus, however, put possessions in their proper place by reminding us what really matters: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).

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Can we consider improper stewardship of God’s gifts a form of “stealing”? Why or why not? What are some things we try to find satisfaction in apart from God?

Do Not Give False Testimony Against Your Neighbor The Ninth Commandment forbids us to bear false witness against our neighbors. Throughout the Old Testament, God expressed His hatred for lying lips and declared truthfulness to be a requirement for His people (Ps. 5:6; Prov. 6:16-19; cf. Ps. 15). Because He is a God who tells the truth, His people must also tell the truth, always. We ought to be the kind of people who put away any sort of falsehood. Lying is manipulation for the purpose of exalting, protecting, or getting things for ourselves that we are not entitled to have. Anything more than telling the simple truth looks more like the character of Satan than God. We use lies to exalt ourselves. Our lies fail to imitate the only true Covenant-Maker. Jesus addressed lying by stressing our need to keep our word: “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matt. 5:37). Only through the power of the gospel can we be remade to love the Truth more than we love ourselves. Because of Jesus Christ, who was falsely accused for our sake, we can be forgiven when we repent (tell the truth about ourselves) and believe the gospel (the truth about Jesus). As a truth-telling people, the church now bears witness to Christ.

Voices from Church History “If you want the truth to go round the world, you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go round the world it will fly; it is as light as a feather and a breath will carry it.” 7 –Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

How can we cultivate truth-telling in our homes and churches?

3. We honor God by cultivating a heart of contentment (Ex. 20:17). As a child at Christmas, did you ever have a toy that you really, really wanted? Every year, toy companies spend millions of dollars trying to convince children that they cannot live without the toys they are selling. Their goal is simple—to convince children that their lives will be better or more fun somehow if they only have a certain toy. Unfortunately, we all know the rest of the story. The toy never lives up to the commercials or it breaks or we become tired of it. The toy never brings the satisfaction that it promises.

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Further Commentary “[T]o covet is an internal emotional and mental process, a burning desire to obtain something for oneself. As such it becomes a most carefully chosen word with which to conclude the Decalogue. The Ten Commandments are introduced with the command, ‘You shall have no other gods before me,’ depicting the foundation of the covenant. It closes with ‘you shall not covet…,’ describing the foundation for the breakup of the covenant. Covetousness becomes the basic sin, opening the door to the violation of every other command… Covetousness appears last in the Decalogue as a uniquely comprehensive command; violating it may well bring about the violation of one or all of the others. What is implicit in the Ten Commandments Jesus made explicit in the Sermon on the Mount: Lust is the forerunner of adultery; anger the forerunner of murder. Sinful conduct has its roots in sinful desire.” 8 –R. Raymond Lloyd, Biblical Illustrator

The Tenth Commandment gets right to the heart of our chase for satisfaction. We pursue contentment in things that we cannot have because we are trying to be God. From the garden, we have seen the human trait of wanting what we cannot have and placing hope for ultimate satisfaction in people and things. If we are honest, we see it in our own lives too.  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” 17

Coveting is not just an obsessive desire to have something. It is being convinced that we can truly delight in someone or something more than God and be fulfilled. It is self-worship by believing that placating our desires will satisfy us. The only cure for coveting is the gospel. Paul learned the real secret to contentment:  ot that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in N whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:11-13) Paul learned that contentment has nothing to do with how much we have or any other circumstance. So, how did he find contentment?  ot that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press N on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12-14) Left to our own devices, we will always choose to fulfill our desires over trusting God to fulfill us. We need rebirth through Christ to stop the restlessness in our hearts and to give us peace and contentment. Paul said that we learn contentment. That means finding contentment takes work. We need an education in contentment! We have to work in the power of the Spirit to shut out distractions and focus our yearnings on Christ. Only through Christ can we put our selfishness to death. Only Christ fills our longing for rest and peace. Only Christ can make us content with God’s plan for our lives and His provision.

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Daily delving into Christ’s story of redemption is vital. Focusing on our life circumstances in terms of the gospel is too. Asking questions like these can help us keep our heart on Christ: How is Christ getting glory through how I am living in my circumstances?

How do my reactions show that I am content and trusting in Christ’s provision?

Whom has God put in my path for me to show and tell the gospel?

What disciplines (prayer, Bible study, etc.) do I need to fill my life with to help me see Christ more fully?

How is the community of believers I am part of contributing to my awareness of Christ and His gospel in my life?

Further Commentary “[An] important passage that reveals the uniqueness of the tenth commandment is Romans 7:9-10. Here the apostle Paul alludes to the perfection of the law and the imperfection in himself. Apart from the tenth commandment, all the other commandments can be obeyed ostensively, outwardly. But the tenth commandment applies to the heart, a matter of attitude. This commandment thoroughly convinced Paul that he was a sinner.” 9 –Mark F. Rooker

Voices from the Church “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” 10 –John Piper

How can the time I spend with people help me know Christ more?

Conclusion How we live with others and value others is a direct reflection of Christ’s presence in our lives. The Ten Commandments are not merely a list of don’ts. They are an expression of how Christ transforms us to live as citizens of His kingdom. Through all our relationships, we have an opportunity to live for the glory of God and to point people to Christ. CHRIST CONNECTION: As the sinless Savior, Jesus is the only One who has kept the law perfectly. He demonstrated His love for others by laying down His life in their place.

Voices from the Church “Contentment means wanting what God wants for us rather than what we want for us. The secret to enjoying this kind of contentment is to be so satisfied with God that we are able to accept whatever he has or has not provided.” 11 –Philip Graham Ryken

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Additional Resources

God of Our Relationships Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry.

References 1. Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed (Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2014) [eBook]. 2. Dorian G. Coover-Cox, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 134, n. 20:12. 3. Rey De Armas, “Honor Your Parents,” The Gospel Project for Adults (Summer 2014): 77, emphasis added. 4. Chrysostom, Homilies on St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, vol. 14, ed. Philip Schaff (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1889), 318. 5. Bede, On 1 John, quoted in James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude, ed. Gerald Bray, vol. XI in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2000), 201. 6. Dorian G. Coover-Cox, in HCSB Study Bible, 295, n. 5:17; n. 5:18; n. 5:20. 7. C. H. Spurgeon, “Joseph Attacked by the Archers,” The Spurgeon Archive [online], 1 April 1855 [cited 14 September 2013]. Available from the Internet: www.spurgeon.org. 8. R. Raymond Lloyd, “Covet: The Meaning,” Biblical Illustrator (Fall 1998): 14-15. 9. Mark F. Rooker, The Ten Commandments, vol. 7 in NAC Studies in Bible & Theology (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 171. 10. John Piper, Desiring God (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2011), 309. 11. Philip Graham Ryken, Written in Stone (Wheaton: Crossway, 2003), 212. 12. Adapted from Field Guide for Small Group Leaders, by Sam O’Neal (Downers Grove: IVP, 2012), 55-75.

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Study Material -- “The Sinai Experience”—Pages 73-82 from Telling God’s Story by Preben Vang and Terry C. Carter -- “Not That Bad?”—Article by Greg Laurie; find a link to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources -- Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “The Law: God’s Gift to His People,” can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project.

Sermon Podcast Erwin Lutzer: “To Tell the Truth” Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources

Tip of the Week Styles of Learning A learning style refers to how a learner perceives and processes information, generally falling along the lines of our senses. The learning styles are: • Visual: learning best through seeing. These learners like information organized into charts and diagrams, and they often enjoy expressing themselves artistically. Use props, visual aids, and multimedia. • Aural (or Auditory): learning best through hearing. These learners thrive in discussion-based environments. Read Scripture aloud and use discussion questions. • Reading/Writing: learning best through words on a page. These learners enjoy reading information and taking notes. Give learners opportunities to read and respond in their personal study guides. • Kinesthetic: learning best through experience and touch. These learners prefer a hands-on approach. Involve movement and an object to hold as a part of the lesson. Be mindful of the learning styles utilized in your group, and find a balance in your group meeting so each learning style is addressed. 12 Winter 2015-16

About the Writers Unit 1: Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in

The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV Volume 4, Number 2 Winter 2015-16 Eric Geiger

Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ed Stetzer

General Editor Trevin Wax

Managing Editor Daniel Davis

Content Editor Josh Hayes

Content and Production Editor Ken Braddy

Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies

Raleigh, North Carolina. He also serves as associate professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His books include Ordinary and the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary on the Book of Exodus, among others. He is happily married to Kimberly, and they have five adopted children. Unit 2: Rick Morton (sessions 7-8) is Vice President of Engagement

for Lifeline Children’s Services in Birmingham, Alabama, where he leads the ministry’s partnership efforts to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children around the world. He is married to Denise, and they have two middle school sons and a daughter in college.

Michael Kelley

Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV (ISSN 2330-9377; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2015 LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes, e-mail [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail [email protected], fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address.

Kendell Easley (sessions 9-12) is a professor of biblical studies at Union University and is the director of the Master of Christian Studies and Doctor of Ministry programs for Union in the Memphis area. He also serves as pastor of McLean Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Kendell is married to Nancy, and they have one married young adult son. Unit 3: D. A. Horton is currently serving in the Church Planting

Residency at Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. He and his wife, Elicia, and their three children are preparing to plant a church in Los Angles, California. He is working on his PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version— Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

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