BUILDING TO LAST (BIBLE STUDY) GUIDELINES
THEME: UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES AND SEASONS
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE IN THE END-TIME HARVEST (Part 1)
SUB-TOPIC: DON’T BE IGNORANT OF THE TIMES AND SEASON
BIBLE TEXT: EPHESIANS 5:15 – 16
INTRODUCTION:
An account was given about the children of Issachar in (1 Chron. 12:32,) as men who had an understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do. As children of God, we need not be ignorant of the happenings around us signalling the closer we are to the end of the world and we need to know the things that are expected of us to make the most of the times and seasons we live in. We shall be examining the book of Ephesians chapter 5 in three different versions; KJV, Amplified, and the Message Bible.
Ephesians 5:15 – 17 (KJV) “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:15 – 17 (AMP) “Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honour, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:11 – 17 (MSG) “Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.”
Action Plans
- Don’t be carried away by false doctrines and the cunningly devised fables of men. (Ephesians 4:14, Hebrew 13:9, 2 Peter 3:17-18, Titus 1:10-11, Romans 16:17-18)
- Avoid seductions and distractions. (1 Timothy 1:3-4, Galatians 1:8-9, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Corinthians 11:13)
- Break out of the status quo. (2 Timothy 4:2)
