Lesson 08 — Kingdom Feet

“Kingdom” Defined:

1. A realm or region in which someone or something is ___________________.
2. An area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent ________________.
3. The eternal __________________ of God.
4. The realm in which God’s ________ is ____________.

Foundational Scripture:
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord bringing his people home to Jerusalem. Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will demonstrate his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. The ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. — Isaiah 52:7-10 (NLT)

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! — Nahum 1:15 (NIV)

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” — Romans 10:13-15 (NIV)

Ten Characteristics of Beautiful Feet

1. Characteristic One: Feet of _________________________

Scripture:
“Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 21:13 (NIV)

2. Characteristic Two: Feet of ______________________

Scripture:
Christ’s love compels us, because we are commanded that one died for all… — 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)

And when he [the Good Samaritan] saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him… — Luke 10:33-34 (KJV)

3. Characteristic Three: Feet of ___________________

Scripture:
…I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. — 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us. He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people’s prayers for our safety have been answered. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT)

4. Characteristic Four: Feet of __________________

Scripture:
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas… So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Acts 15:22, 25-26 (NIV)

5. Characteristic Five: Feet of _________________________

Scripture:
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. The message God delivered through Angels has always proved true… and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so. — Hebrews 2:1-2, 4 (NLT)

God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, so that even when handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and any evil spirits within them came out. — Acts 19:11-12 (NLT)

AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY

Ponder Points: Discuss (or ponder) what you feel is the most important characteristic of a follower of Jesus who wants to share the Good News with others. What characteristic do you most desire in your life and why?

Prayer Points: Based on your moments of discussion (or meditation) ask God to impart into your life specific characteristics described in this lesson. Be as specific as possible in prayerfully claiming any of these characteristics.

6. Characteristic Six: Feet of ______________________

Scripture:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:35, 37-39 (NIV)

7. Characteristic Seven: Feet of ____________________

Scripture:
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. — 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. — Romans 15:4 (MSG)

And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. — 1 Corinthians 1:8 (MSG)

8. Characteristic Eight: Feet of __________________________

Scripture:
And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God’s set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul). — Acts 20:32 (AMPC)

In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes so they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission. — John 17:18-19 (MSG)

And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God. — 1 Corinthians 6:11 (AMPC)

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. — Ephesians 1:4 (AMPC)

9. Characteristic Nine: Feet of ______________________

Scripture:
The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks. — Luke 6:45 (AMPC)

Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly and live a noble life, acting honorably and in complete honesty in all things. — Hebrews 13:18 (AMPC)

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them]. — 1 Peter 3:12 (AMPC)

Jesus went on to make these comments: If you’re honest in small things, you’ll be honest in big things; If you’re a crook in small things, you’ll be a crook in big things. — Luke 16:10 (MSG)

10. Characteristic Ten: Feet of ______________________

Scripture:
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. — Philippians 1:3-6 (NLT)

…you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. — 2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT)

A Promise of Bountiful Fruit
“My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. — Isaiah 55:8-11 (NLT)

AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY

Ponder Points: Discuss (or ponder) why the character of a follower of Jesus, especially those who desire to proclaim the Good News or serve as leaders, is so critical to effective service. In addition to the characteristics mentioned in this lesson, can you think of other desirable qualities that might be added to this list?

Prayer Points: Pray for ministry leaders “by name” that you know (including your pastor or other leaders). Claim specific qualities from this teaching that you believe will strengthen that person’s ministry. Claim these qualities for leaders who serve the ministry of Every Home for Christ.