Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 1 (Student’s Guide)

This is the first of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first 3 parts will define the critical terms of burden, sharing, and love.

Read the Following Passages:

Numbers 11:14 – I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.

Nehemiah 5:15 – But the earlier governors — those preceding me — placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

Psalm 38:4 – My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

Matthew 20:12 – “These men who were hired last worked only one hour,” they said, “and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.”

Hebrews 13:17 – Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the first passage say about the nature of burdens?

2. How would you describe the nature of the burden placed upon the people referred to in the Nehemiah passage?

3. When David compared his guilt to burden what does he say about the nature of a burden?

4. Do you know why David carried the burden of guilt?

5. When the men complained about the work how did they see it and why?

6. What can make a superior’s work a burden?

7. According to these passages how could we define burden?

 

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 1 (Leader’s Guide)

This is the first of a six-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts will define the critical terms of burden, sharing, and love.

Read the Following Passages:

Numbers 11:14 – I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.

Nehemiah 5:15 – But the earlier governors — those preceding me — placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

Psalm 38:4 – My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

Matthew 20:12 – “These men who were hired last worked only one hour,” they said, “and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.”

Hebrews 13:17 – Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the first passage say about the nature of burdens?
Burdens tend to make a person feel overwhelmed and greatly challenged.

2. How would you describe the nature of the burden placed upon the people referred to in the Nehemiah passage?
Burdens often seem unfair and something people would not normally do or would be unreasonable to expect them to do.

3. When David compared his guilt to burden what does he say about the nature of a burden?
Burden is something that is not only physically trying but emotionally as well. A burden sticks with you. You become continually mindful of it.

4. Do you know why David carried the burden of guilt?
This is all a reference to David’s sin with Bathsheba. (see 2 Samuel 11 & 12)

5. When the men complained about the work how did they see it and why?
Burden was defined in comparative terms. Compared to the other workers they felt especially challenged.

6. What can make a superior’s work a burden?
Creating hardships that would detract from the supervisor’s primary work.

7. According to these passages how could we define burden?
A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for thinking we should be exempt from carrying and sharing burdens. Teach us to see burdens not only as intrusions upon our life but also opportunities in our life-long service to you and to others. We ask this in Jesus name, who carried the burden of our sin, Amen.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 2 (Student’s Guide)

This is Part 2 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first part looked at the Biblical concept of burden. Now we will consider the Biblical concept of sharing.

Read the Following Passages:

Exodus 12:4 – If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.

Exodus 18:22 – Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

Matthew 25:21 – His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Luke 3:11 – John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

Acts 4:32 – All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

2 Corinthians 8:4 – They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the previous lesson: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

1. What does Exodus 12:4 say about the use of the excess food from the first passover?

2. Is this use just simply a shifting of the leftovers or is it something more?

3. According to Exodus 18:22 what was the purpose of sharing?

4. What does it mean to share in the master’s happiness?

5. What attitude was John encouraging about possessions?

6. With what spirit did the believers share with others?

7. What word in 2 Corinthians 8:4 describes the Christian spirit of sharing?

8. How do these passages define sharing?

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 2 (Leader’s Guide)

This is Part 2 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first part looked at the Biblical concept of burden. Now we will consider the Biblical concept of sharing.

Read the Following Passages:

Exodus 12:4 – If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.

Exodus 18:22 – Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

Matthew 25:21 – His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Luke 3:11 – John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

Acts 4:32 – All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

2 Corinthians 8:4 – They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the previous lesson: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

1. What does Exodus 12:4 say about the use of the excess food from the first passover?
It was not to be wasted but shared with a close neighbor.

2. Is this use just simply a shifting of the leftovers or is it something more?
Sharing was to be much more thoughtful. It was to take into account the number of people and how much they would eat. The concern was to meet a need of the neighbor, not just to get rid of leftovers.

3. According to Exodus 18:22 what was the purpose of sharing?
To lighten the load for someone in the case to lighten the load of Moses.

4. What does it mean to share in the master’s happiness?
Sharing implies not only giving up something but also participating in it.

5. What attitude was John encouraging about possessions?
Believers should share of their plenty with those who need.

6. With what spirit did the believers share with others?
They did not view their possessions as something they owned but as something they could share.

7. What word in 2 Corinthians 8:4 describes the Christian spirit of sharing?
Privilege.

8. How do these passages define sharing?
The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for imitating the world in our selfishness. Teach us each to see our possessions as something to share with those who are in need. As we consider the burdens others must carry move us to share of what we have as you shared your Son with us to save us forever. In His name we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 3 (Student’s Guide)

This is Part 3 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first two parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden and sharing. Now we will consider the Biblical concept of love.

Read the Following Passages:

Matthew 24:12 – Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 Corinthians 13:3 – If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Philemon 7 – Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

1. What does Matthew say about the nature of love when wickedness abounds?

2. What is the greatest testimony of love?

3. How was this love best exemplified for us?

4. When displaying brotherly love what is our attitude about others?

5. What does the 1 Corinthians passage say about true love?

6. What three characteristics of love do we see in the Ephesians passage?

7. What does love do for others according to the Philemon and 1 Peter passages?

8. How do these passages define love?

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 3 (Leader’s Guide)

This is Part 3 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first two parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden and sharing. Now we will consider the Biblical concept of love.

Read the Following Passages:

Matthew 24:12 – Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 Corinthians 13:3 – If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Philemon 7 – Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

1. What does Matthew say about the nature of love when wickedness abounds?
Love grows cold as the world becomes more wicked.

2. What is the greatest testimony of love?
The greatest love is the willingness to sacrifice one’s own life for another.

3. How was this love best exemplified for us?
Christ gave his life for us that we might live forever.

4. When displaying brotherly love what is our attitude about others?
We are to love them above ourselves (see also Philippians 2:3-4).

5. What does the 1 Corinthians passage say about true love?
Love is not actions but a heart convicted in love for another which generates actions.

6. What three characteristics of love do we see in the Ephesians passage?
Humility, gentleness, and love.

7. What does love do for others according to the Philemon and 1 Peter passages?
It creates joy, encourages others, and covers over a multitude of sins.

8. How do these passages define love?
Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for lovelessness. Teach us to see in Christ’s acts of love for us the perfect example of love so that we might imitate it toward others. Teach us to see others as more worthy of our own love than we are worthy of ourselves. Help us to reflect your love in the way we love others. We ask this in Jesus’ name, who loved us to the point of death that we might be saved. Amen.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 4 (Student’s Guide)

This is Part 4 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden, sharing, and love. Now we will consider the Biblical directives to carry burdens.

Read the Following Passages:

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

1 Timothy 5:16 – If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Matthew 5:39-44 – But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'”

Romans 13:9 – The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Definition of Love from the third lesson of this series: Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

1. How are we to care for each other?

2. Discuss how you can honor others above yourself.

3. Who are those who cannot speak for themselves today?

4. What do you think you would warn to idle about?

5. In what matters would you encourage the timid?

6. How could you help the weak?

7. What makes it difficult to be patient with others?

8. Should the church be concerned about widows?

9. Who has the first obligation to care for widows?

10. How are we to view others?

11. Discuss: How well do you think you follow Philippians 2:3-4?

12. Why do you think it is good to show love to others?

13. From these passages, whose responsibility is it to carry burdens and how should we do it?

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 4 (Leader’s Guide)

This is Part 4 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden, sharing, and love. Now we will consider the Biblical directives to carry burdens.

Read the Following Passages:

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

1 Timothy 5:16 – If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Matthew 5:39-44 – But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'”

Romans 13:9 – The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Definition of Love from the third lesson of this series: Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

1. How are we to care for each other?
We are to be brothers who help and care for each other. Some brothers, admittedly, are not that close today. Generally speaking, however, in the time of Jesus brothers watched out for each other.

2. Discuss how you can honor others above yourself.
Encourage practical examples.

3. Who are those who cannot speak for themselves today?
This is a good group discussion question — make a list. Among those would be the incompetent and the unborn.

4. What do you think you would warn to idle about?
The idle should be warned that the time is short and the work of the Lord has a sense of urgency about it. Think of what we say in the mission, “don’t say there is nothing I can do.”

5. In what matters would you encourage the timid?
When we are timid we are not the kind of bold and faithful witnesses God wants us to be. Encourage the timid to stand for what is right and of God.

6. How could you help the weak?
Those who are weak often need physical help and emotional reinforcement. In both areas, we have the obligation to help them carry the affliction that has made them weak.

7. What makes it difficult to be patient with others?
Another good discussion question. Consider these questions: Does impatience on our part suggest that we are snobbish and consider ourselves superior? Do we get impatient because the cause is not being advanced or because we are being inconvenienced?

8. Should the church be concerned about widows?
Obviously — this point is well illustrated in the Timothy passage as well as in early in the book of Acts when the disciples talked about the church’s responsibility to care for the orphans and widows.

9. Who has the first obligation to care for widows?
The immediate family has that obligation. Elsewhere we are instructed to first care for those especially of our own family. I wouldn’t be alarmed that these words apply directly to women. Part of the reason may be the practicality of having women minister to women.

10. How are we to view others?
We are to be humble in our approach to all other people. We are to think of them not just as much as we think of ourselves but more highly.

11. Discuss: How well do you think you follow Philippians 2:3-4?
Good discussion question. Probe further with questions such as: Why do you think we do so poorly and how can we improve?

12. Why do you think it is good to show love to others?
It reflects our love for God and opens doors for our Christian witness.

13. From these passages, whose responsibility is it to carry burdens and how should we do it?
All believers are to reflect the love of Christ by carrying the burdens of others. To do so we must first ask some serious questions about why we fail to show the kind of love we should.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for thinking more of ourselves than of others. Forgive us for failing to carry the burdens of those who need our love. Guide us to more faithfully reflect your love which carried our burden of sin in Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 5 (Student’s Guide)

This is Part 5 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden, sharing, and love. Now we will consider the Biblical examples of carrying burdens.

Read the Following Passages:

Acts 9:36 – In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and helping the poor.

Genesis 13:5-11 – Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.

2 Samuel 4:4 – (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

2 Samuel 9:2-11 – Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “Your servant,” he replied. The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “Your servant,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Matthew 8:17 – This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

Acts 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Matthew 25:35-36 – For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Definition of Love from the third lesson of this series: Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

1. How did Tabitha carry burdens?

2. What does Abraham’s concern about the conflict between his and Lot’s men have to say about Abraham’s willingness to carry a burden?

3. What does Abraham’s willingness to let Lot choose the land say about burden carrying?

4. Recall the relationship between David & Saul and David & Jonathan. In what way did David carry a burden for the household of Saul?

5. According to the Hebrews passage, how does God feel about helping others?

6. What kind of burden did Jesus carry for us?

7. According to the Matthew passage, how are we supposed to respond to Christ’s love?

8. Discuss various ways we can carry the burdens of others — beyond what we are already doing.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 5 (Leader’s Guide)

This is Part 5 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden, sharing, and love. Now we will consider the Biblical examples of carrying burdens.

Read the Following Passages:

Acts 9:36 – In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and helping the poor.

Genesis 13:5-11 – Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.

2 Samuel 4:4 – (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

2 Samuel 9:2-11 – Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “Your servant,” he replied. The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “Your servant,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Matthew 8:17 – This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

Acts 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Matthew 25:35-36 – For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Definition of Love from the third lesson of this series: Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

1. How did Tabitha carry burdens?
By doing good things and specifically helping the poor.

2. What does Abraham’s concern about the conflict between his and Lot’s men have to say about Abraham’s willingness to carry a burden?
Part of burden carrying is the desire to take the initiative to resolve conflicts and settle disputes. It is a recognition that disputes are subordinate to the most important concern of living for God. It may involve carrying the burden of breaking the ice in a conflict but it is a noble and good burden to carry.

3. What does Abraham’s willingness to let Lot choose the land say about burden carrying?
Abraham recognized that the Lord takes care of his people. Burden carrying reflects itself in a willingness to look out for the betterment of others…even if it means depriving yourself of the best of all things.

4. Recall the relationship between David & Saul and David & Jonathan. In what way did David carry a burden for the household of Saul?
David always respected Saul, even though Saul resented David’s popularity for killing Goliath and wanted to kill him. David specifically developed a close friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan. David wanted to carry a burden to reflect his love for that family. He did so by providing for the care of Mephibosheth.

5. According to the Hebrews passage, how does God feel about helping others?
God is mindful of our concern and care for others.

6. What kind of burden did Jesus carry for us?
He took up our infirmities and diseases. In this context, this was a reference to the greatest malady of all — sin. Jesus carried our sins for us.

7. According to the Matthew 25 passage, how are we supposed to respond to Christ’s love?
When we carry the burdens of others we are reflecting our love for Christ. We are showing love to Jesus by the way we show love to others. While Christ carried our burdens to the extreme of love, so should we also show such concern.

8. Discuss various ways we can carry the burdens of others — beyond what we are already doing.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the many examples of showing love and carrying burdens in the Bible. Instill in all of us the desire to imitate that love while reflecting Christ’s love for us. In his name we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 6 (Student’s Guide)

This is Part 6 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden, sharing, and love. Now we will consider the perfect example who carried burdens.

Read the Following Passages:

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 – The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Nehemiah 9:17-31 – They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, “This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,” or when they committed awful blasphemies. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. You made their sons as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their fathers to enter and possess. Their sons went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you handed the Canaanites over to them, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness. But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Psalm 8:3-4 – When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Daniel 9:9 – The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

Matthew 18:11-14 – “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 7:14-25 – We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Philippians 2:5-11 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Definition of Love from the third lesson of this series: Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

1. What prompted God to care for the Israelites?

2. How does Nehemiah describe God?

3. From Nehemiah’s account how would you describe the love of God?

4. According to the Psalm, how does man naturally feel before God?

5. According to Daniel, what appears to be a distinguishing mark of God’s love?

6. Use the Matthew passage to answer the Psalm passage?

7. How sacrificial does John and Paul (in Romans) portray God?

8. As Paul describes the perfect example of burden-sharing in God, what does he tell us to do?

9. Discuss how we can reflect Christ’s love towards others.

 

Bible Study: Burden Sharing – Part 6 (Leader’s Guide)

This is Part 6 of a 6-part Bible Study on Burden Sharing. The first three parts looked at the Biblical concepts of burden, sharing, and love. Now we will consider the perfect example who carried burdens.

Read the Following Passages:

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 – The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Nehemiah 9:17-31 – They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, “This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,” or when they committed awful blasphemies. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. You made their sons as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their fathers to enter and possess. Their sons went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you handed the Canaanites over to them, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness. But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies. But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. You warned them to return to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Psalm 8:3-4 – When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Daniel 9:9 – The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

Matthew 18:11-14 – “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 7:14-25 – We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Philippians 2:5-11 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Discussion Questions:

Definition of Burden from the first lesson of this series: A burden is the perception one has that what he is doing or facing is more than should be reasonably expected in the normal course of life. This burden is often a distraction from other pursuits.

Definition of Sharing from the second lesson of this series: The humble privilege of the Christian to calculate the need of others and in an unselfish (sacrificial) fashion to meet those needs from one’s own blessings.

Definition of Love from the third lesson of this series: Love is the attitude of the heart that sees others as more important than oneself and manifests itself in activities of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

1. What prompted God to care for the Israelites?
God cared for them because he had “unearned” love for them. He loved them and pledged himself to keep his commitments made with them.

2. How does Nehemiah describe God?
God is forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love.

3. From Nehemiah’s account how would you describe the love of God?
With the one word, “patient.” God hears the continued cries of sorrow and continues to forgive even though those pangs for sin are short-lived.

4. According to the Psalm, how does man naturally feel before God?
Man is naturally awed by all of God’s creation and is often tempted to feel insignificant in the middle of it all.

5. According to Daniel, what appears to be a distinguishing mark of God’s love?
God is merciful and forgiving, even though we rebel against him.

6. Use the Matthew passage to answer the Psalm passage?
While tempted to feel insignificant God shows love for us as a shepherd who would leave 99 sheep to find the one straying.

7. How sacrificial does John and Paul (in Romans) portray God?
God is so loving that he willingly offered up his only Son to save us.

8. As Paul describes the perfect example of burden-sharing in God, what does he tell us to do?
God wants us to imitate Christ’s love as we live with one another.

9. Discuss how we can reflect Christ’s love towards others.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for not reflecting your perfect love. Keep your Word before us always so that we might have the continual reminder of your love that has saved us and that we now can imitate. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.