New Testament Overview (Concurrent PIM Day Course)
New Testament Overview (NT412, 1 Credit, Concurrent)
21 March – 25 April 2022, Mondays, 1.00 pm-3.00 pm
A Partners-in-Ministry course for women who are wives: Designed to provide an overview of the New Testament so students develop a greater understanding of the life of Christ, the early Church, and the apostles’ teaching about Christian life and practice.
Course limited to women who are wives.
How do we love?
1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Last week, 1 John told us why we should love. Not for personal gain, or out of obligation, but because that is God’s command to us, to love others as Jesus loved us.
Today’s verse deals with what that love should look like. Agreeability with each other, sympathy and understanding, compassion and humility. Key traits in the love that we Christians should exhibit to everyone around us, no exceptions.
In the context of the verse, Peter says that this love should be shown to those who oppose us and are evil, and to repay evil with blessings. 1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
This is the kind of love and understanding we are to show to everyone, for it falls upon us to be blessings during times of evil.
Christ’s love as an example to us
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19, NIV
Note here, that the verse instructs us to love. Not “love specific people who have been good to you” or “love those who are convenient to love”. The verse says be loving, for He loves us.
Christ’s love is sacrificial and unconditional. Our love should be the same, but as loving as we can be, many of us don’t live up to these expectations most of the time. Our love is conditional, and not always sacrificial.
Keeping with this month’s theme of loving thy neighbour, look at those around you, your church, class, CG or MG. Is there someone you haven’t spoken to or caught up with for a while? Start by striking up a conversation with them, ask them how you can pray for them, and do so.
Be loving, because he first loved us.
Peace and security in the Lord
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Spoken during the Last Supper, this verse is Jesus comforting his disciples after telling them he will be betrayed and die. His disciples, understandably distraught, are asking him many questions about what to do after he leaves and what guidance they will have. Jesus assures them that he will not be leaving them unprepared, stating also in verse John 14:26 that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Obedience in God in Christ by the Holy Spirit, can bring us some control over our feelings. Humans are often shackled to their emotions but Jesus tells us that through the Holy Spirit, we can bring peace to ourselves, even in difficult times.
The Firstborn of All Creation
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” – Colossians 1:15-16, ESV
For everything, absolutely everything finds purpose in Him who is the beginning and the end.
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
