Bible Reading1 John 5:16-18 “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
[34:38]Numbers 13:25-33 “When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, they proceeded to come to Moses and to Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Thus they told him, and said, ‘We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.’”
[39:29]Numbers 21:4-6 “Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. The people spoke against God and Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.’ The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.”
[47:56]Acts 5:1-10 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’ And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?’ And she said, ‘Yes, that was the price.’ Then Peter said to her, ‘Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.’ And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”
[56:35]1 Corinthians 11:27-30 “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.”
[01:04:07]Observation questions- In 1 John 5:16-18, what response does John call believers to have when they see a brother or sister committing sin that is not leading to death? [49:07]
- What did the spies agree was good about the Promised Land, and what details caused ten of them to focus on fear instead of God’s promise? [42:11]
- In Numbers 21, what contradiction appears in Israel’s complaint about food, and what does it reveal about their attitude toward God’s provision? [53:38]
- According to Acts 5, what was the real problem with Ananias and Sapphira’s gift: keeping part of the money, or lying about what they gave? [01:02:48]
Interpretation questions- Israel saw the giants and fortified cities accurately, but they failed to trust the God who promised to go before them. How can a real problem become bigger in a believer’s mind than God’s presence and promise? [42:24]
- Why is it important to see that Ananias and Sapphira were free to keep their property or part of the proceeds, but were judged for spiritual deception and pride? What does this show about God’s concern for honesty in His people? [01:03:19]
- Paul connects an unworthy approach to the Lord’s Supper with failing to honor Christ’s body and blood. What does it mean for a church to treat the Lord’s Supper as a high and holy moment rather than something casual or ordinary? [01:06:28]
- The examples of Israel, Ananias and Sapphira, and Corinth involve different sins but similar serious consequences. What common marks appear in these events, especially regarding dishonoring God and harming God’s people? [01:08:33]
Application questions- Is there an area where the Spirit has already brought conviction, but repentance has been delayed, minimized, or negotiated? What would it look like to turn in a new direction and keep short accounts with God this week? [46:51]
- What “giants” or difficult circumstances currently take up most of your attention? How can you honestly acknowledge the problem without allowing it to blind you to who is with you? [42:44]
- When life feels delayed, painful, or unfair, what forms does grumbling tend to take in your thoughts, words, or relationships? What specific evidence of God’s provision can help replace complaint with gratitude? [50:04]
- Adversity can grow faith or bitterness. Can you identify a disappointment or hardship that has begun to affect other areas of your life? What would trusting God in the middle of that situation look like in practical terms? [52:28]
- Ananias and Sapphira wanted to appear more generous and spiritual than they really were. Are there places where the desire to look good before others makes it tempting to hide the truth? How can honesty before God and trusted believers grow in that area? [01:03:27]
- Before participating in the Lord’s Supper, what kinds of self-examination are needed so that Christ’s broken body and shed blood are received with gratitude, reverence, and seriousness? [01:04:28]
- When another believer is caught in a sinful pattern, is your first response more likely to be gossip, criticism, avoidance, or prayer? What would faithful, humble intercession for that person sound like this week? [01:20:00]
