The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

sent him” (John 13.16 [ESV]). A servant is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him . Jesus, the truly great and sovereign Master of all, endured the persecution and hatred of the ungodly and hardhearted, and his obvious word in our devotional text is that if the world hated him, they will hate us as well. No genuine disciple of Jesus can go through this world without scars, with no opposition, operating gloriously scot-free; we all must experience the rejection and opposition of God’s enemies. We have to fight, we will be opposed, even hated, for the sake of Christ. We need not marvel at this, however. Jesus himself, our Lord and Master, was rejected and hated and we, because of our union with him, will experience the same. God will grant to those who belong to Christ the same grace that he received, which enabled our Lord to endure such hateful treatment and abuse for the sake of the Father. Always remember, as you endure troubles and trials, tribulation, hatred, and hardship, that our Lord endured the same, and will help us to persevere till the end. After reciting and/or singing the Nicene Creed (located in the Appendix), pray the following prayer: Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. ~ Episcopal Church. The Book of Common Prayer and Administrations of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David. New York: The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1979. p. 218

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Nicene Creed and Prayer

Put away your notes, gather up your thoughts and reflections, and take the quiz for Lesson 1, The Messiah Announced .

Quiz

Scripture Memorization Review

Review with a partner, write out and/or recite the text for last class session’s assigned memory verse: John 1.14-18.

Turn in your summary of the reading assignment for last week, that is, your brief response and explanation of the main points that the authors were seeking to make in the assigned reading (Reading Completion Sheet).

Assignments Due