Bible Studies

Day 1.  Who does God want you to be?

Before we can know what God wants us to with our art, we need to understand our identity as a Child of God and what he wants for our life.  Today we look at:

·        having a heart for God,

·        character,

·        discipline,

·        humility,

·        a desire to be led by the Spirit, and

·        a desire for God to use you in his service.

 

1. Being an artist, or a public figure, can have its own set of challenges.  What do you think some of these might be?  Discuss.

 

2.  Check out 1 Samuel 13:13 – 14.  Although God appointed Saul as King when the Israelites begged for one, he was rejected after a relatively short time.  Why didn’t Saul last as King? 

¹³"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command." 1 Samuel 13:13-14

 

3.  You don't necessarily need a Christ-like character to be a great artist.  How can Christian character traits help those who do become successful?  Check out Galatians 5: 22 – 23. 

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 22 - 23

 

4.  Artists spend long hours honing their artistic stills.  How could someone who is aiming to be a successful artist prepare their character for the challenges that of fame and success?  Check out James 3: 13 – 18 

¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  ¹⁴But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  ¹⁵Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  ¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:13-18

 

5.  1 Samuel 13:14 says that God “sought out a man after his own heart” to replace Saul as King.  What do you think this means?  Do you have to be perfect? 

 

6.  Have a read of 1 Samuel 15:6-7 and 12-13.  David was chosen by God, in place of Saul. In what ways was David “a man after God’s own heart”?  What was God looking for in a leader for His people?

⁶When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the LORD." ⁷But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  1 Samuel 16:6-7

¹²So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." ¹³So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. 1 Samuel 16:12-13

 

7. Jumping forward a few hundred years in history, we see another man who found himself in the limelight.  John the Baptist’s disciples were worried that Jesus was getting more airtime than John in John 3:27–30.  What was John’s response to their concerns?  What can we learn from John’s attitude?

²⁷To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' ²⁹The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰He must become greater; I must become less.  John 3:27-30

 

8. What can John’s attitude teach us about fame and what we should do with it if we happen to stumble upon it?

 

9.  In time, David became a successful, powerful and wealthy King.  But, like all of us, he wasn’t perfect, and fell.  Even though God forgave him, his sin still had long-term consequences on him and his family.  What can we do to help ourselves and others keep our eyes on God and not fall as often?  How do we respond to someone who is in the process of 'falling' or after they have fallen?

 

10. Do you struggle with your ego?  Do you find it hard to long to see God glorified and not yourself?  You are not alone in this struggle!  But we have a promise from God.  Check out 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.  How can we relate this bible verse back our struggle?

¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!  ¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13

 

11.  Share some of your struggles with the group.  Pray for each other. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2.  Using your art to affect your culture

Today we look at how we can use our art to point others towards Jesus. How can we use your art as a talking point and an evangelistic tool?

 

1. How has art affected culture in the past? (e.g. Greek, Renaissance, 70’s Flower Power/Free Love Movement, punk, reality TV)

 

2. Why does art have so much power to affect society?

 

3. Who are some Christian artists who have had a significant impact on the world?  Discuss.  How did they the affect their culture?  What was the long-term fruit of what they did?

 

4.  What sort of conflicts do you think Christian artists working in the secular world have?  What pressure is put on Christian artists simply because they are Christians?

 

5. Yesterday, we looked at how John the Baptist wanted to become less so that that Jesus may increase.  Check out 1 Peter 1:13-16 & 3:15.  Is your desire to lead people towards Christ? How can you do this?

¹³Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  ¹⁵But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16

¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…  1 Peter 3:15

 

6. Check out the effect that Paul and Silas had on those around them in Acts 16:23-32.  Even in prison, they used their creative gifts for God God’s glory and witnessed to the people in prison.  What was the effect of what they did on themselves?  What about those around them?

²³After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. ²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. ²⁷The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" ²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" ³¹They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. Acts 16:23-32

 

7. Check out they way Paul used the art of the day to make inroads into the Greek culture in Acts 16:16-17 & 22–26.  What process did Paul use here to achieve such effective results in his evangelism?

¹⁶While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.  ¹⁷So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there…  ²²Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  ²³For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.  ²⁴"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  ²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  Acts 16:16-17 & 22–26

 

8. How can we, as Christian artists, use our artistic gifts to point others to Jesus? 

 

9. How can you use your artistic gifts to bring about positive change in our world? 

 

10. What affect do you want your life to have on your world?  Pray about these with your group.

 

 

 

Day 3. Using your art in the church

Today we look at the arts in the context of our Christian Community, and in building up the Body of Christ.

1. What does your art mean to you?  What do you express through your art?

 

2. David is thought to have written most of the Psalms. What did David express in his art? How did he encourage, strengthen and build up the people of his day?   Check out Psalms 31:1-5; 43; 51:10-12; 23; 33:1-3; 19; 79; 65:9-13; 22 for some examples.

 

3. Read Ephesians 5:18-20, Colossians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 14:26, James 5:13.  What do these tell us about what we can do with our artistic gifts when we get together as Christians? 

¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20

¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:16-17

²⁶What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:26

¹³Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.  James 5:13

 

4. What does Ephesians 4:11-13 tell us about artistic giftings and spiritual giftings?  What happened to the gift of worship leading? Of singing in the team on Sunday?  Of playing guitar? 

¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Ephesians 4:11-13

 

5. Why have we been given artistic gifts?  Discuss some ways you can use your artistic gifts as an expression of your Spiritual giftings.

 

6. Read about David’s exuberant dancing in 2 Samuel 6:16. This caused him to be criticised for his behaviour (verses 20-22). "Exuberant worship can be a powerful experience for participants, but might lead to criticism by observers, especially those outside the faith" Is this a fair comment?  Should we remain self-controlled at all times, or is there a time & place for worship like David's?  

¹⁶As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart. 2 Samuel 6:16

²⁰When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!" ²¹David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel--I will celebrate before the LORD. ²²I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honour." 2 Samuel 6:20-22

 

8. Should we remain self-controlled at all times, is there a time and a place for us to let loose with our art?  How does 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 apply to this sort of situation?

²³So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?  ²⁴But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, ²⁵and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"  1 Corinthians 14:23-25

 

9. In your wildest dreams, what would you do to use your artistic gifts to bless the Body of Christ?  What’s stopping you from making it happen?  Pray about this together. 

 

 

Quiet Times

Saturday

Today we’re looking at the characteristics of Godly leadership. 

Have a read of what 1 Peter 2:9-12 says about who we are in Christ. 

⁹But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  ¹⁰Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  ¹²Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:9-12

In verse 9, what does Peter say is the purpose of us being chosen?

Do you live as one who has been chosen?

What affect could this passage have on who you are, what you do, think and say if you really let it take over your whole life?

 

Sunday

Think about how art (music, drama, dance, circus, visual art, dance etc) has influenced your life?  

Which artist would you say has most affected your life?  What influence have they had?  How have they had an impact? 

Have a read of 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 and think of what ways you could adopt yourself to let more people know about Jesus. 

²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.  ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.  ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.  1 Corinthians 9:20-23

What special giftings (i.e. spiritual and  natural) do you think God has given you? 

What are some of your weaknesses?  What do see as your strengths? 

Today we look at how we can use our art to bring more people to know Jesus.  Pray that God would show you how YOU can maximise all that you have been given and, as Paul said, “be all things to all men so that you may win some”.

 

Monday

How does your church use the arts?

Think of some times that you have been blessed spiritually by other peoples’ artistic talents.

Check out the party the Israelites had when they got the foundations for the temple finished in Ezra 3:10-13.  Does your church party like this? 

¹⁰When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel.  ¹¹With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.  ¹²But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.  ¹³No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.  Ezra 3:10-13

Today we look at how we can use our creative giftings to build up the Body of Christ.  Pray that God would reveal to you how you can use your giftings for His glory more effectively.