May 2023
Serious Godliness
INTO THE WORD
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From the very start, the Lord has called people to a serious commitment to godliness. In Eden, He obligated Adam and Eve to keep His commandments (Gen. 2:15–17). God told Abraham to walk blamelessly (Gen. 17:1–2). Our Creator enjoined the Israelites to love Him wholeheartedly and to teach His law (Deut. 6:4–9). Hosea 6:3 exhorted God’s people to press on diligently in knowing Him.
The Lord expects serious godliness from His people, and our study of Luke 9–10 features texts that help us understand what serious godliness looks like. Among the things that we will be reminded of is our need to take up our cross in following Christ and how greatness in God’s kingdom comes through making ourselves the least among others. We will also consider Jesus’ transfiguration and the way that His glory led to His ministering to those in great need. Furthermore, we will examine our need to love our neighbors and one key model of discipleship.
We encourage growth in serious godliness by engaging in several practices that God has given for maturing us spiritually. Dr. R.C. Sproul’s teaching series Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow will help us better understand these practices.
These verses parallel the themes of the studies each week. We encourage you to hide them in your heart so that you may not sin against the Lord:
abiding in the word
- Proverbs 28:14
- James 4:17
- Luke 10:41–42
- John 4:24