Cultivating a Kingdom passion for the Lord and a Kingdom passion for the lost
“Kingdom” Defined:
- A realm or region in which someone or something is ___________________.
- An area or sphere in which one holds a preeminent ________________.
- The eternal __________________ of God.
- The realm in which God’s ________ is ____________.
Foundational Definitions
- The Hebrew word for “heart,” Leb, and its synonym Lebab appear _______ times in the Old Testament.
- The Greek word for “heart,” Kardia, appears ______ times in the New Testament.
- The word “heart” is translated ______ times in Scripture (almost one time per chapter).
Editors Unger and White, in Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament, offer the definition of the word “heart” in Scripture:
“The heart stands for the inner __________ of man, the man ______________. As such it is the ________________ of all he does. All his thoughts, desires, words and _____________ flow from deep within him.”
Foundational Scripture:
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. — Proverbs 4:20-23 (NIV)
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. — Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)
And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. — 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NLT)
But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (MSG)
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” — Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” — Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” — Mark 11:22-24 (NKJV)
Case Study: Seeds of Passion!
AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY
Ponder Points: Why do you think the Bible says so much about the human heart in reference to a person’s thoughts, desires and actions? What qualities do you see in King David that would cause the Lord to declare that he was a man after His own heart?
Prayer Points: Based on the teaching of this session, and a recognition that our hearts are like the fertile soil of a field, ask God to plant specific “seeds” of potential growth and maturity in your heart. As you pray, try to define, by name, the seeds you seek, that they will bear fruit as you grow in Christ.
