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Bible Study: December 8, 2013


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.

Bible Passages: Exodus 33:19-23; 34:5-9; 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Discussion Questions: What are the reasons so many people desire fame? How is living for the fame of Christ a tribute to His worth and character?

Food for Thought:

Fame. We live in a fame-obsessed culture. Then again, it has probably always been that way. Early in the history of humanity, everyone had disobeyed God’s explicit command to scatter and multiply across the land. Instead, they all clustered and hoarded at a city called Babel. Finally, in a bid to once again grasp at the place of divinity, they decided to embark on a ludicrous endeavor — to build a building so high, so grand, and so heavenly that it would make them invincibly famous. Those who settled in Babel wanted to be the superpower of the earth. In essence, they wanted to replace the Lord as the famous One.

We still suffer from this spiritual disease. The grasp for fame is a sickening sensation. When it is attained, we gain a sense of security for a short while. But fame is addictive, creating a desire to become popular again, again and again. In our culture we allow people to be famous without any concrete reason. Debutantes appear on a red carpet. The “beautiful people” have their photographs plastered across magazine covers. In general, we have degraded the idea of fame to simply showing up in a party dress at the right event.

Instead, fame should be recaptured as a tribute to worth and character. The settlers of Babel said they wanted to make a name for themselves. They had a grand accomplishment in mind, but it was more delusional than anything. Their heart’s desire was not really in the construction of a palatial tower but in the fame that came from it. They wanted what we commonly and biblically refer to as glory. The desire for self-aggrandizement will always seek to supersede the rightful place of God’s fame in our lives.

The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a Christ-centered curriculum that examines the grand narrative of Scripture and how the Gospel transforms the lives of those it touches. Through a three-year study plan, participants are immersed in the Gospel through stories, theological concepts and calls to missions from Genesis to Revelation. Separate study plans for kids and students/adults ensure proper focus and depth. The Gospel Project is designed to unify an entire church under a single Christ-centered curriculum. More information, free samples, and The Gospel Project blog can be found at gospelproject.com.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at www.LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
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  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources