Anglican Bible study – STUDY 50, DECEMBER 11, 2022 : Topic – Circumcision of the heart.
THEME: THE LORD GOD AND THE REIGN OF PEACE.
SUB-THEME: The eternal reign with God-1
STUDY 50
TOPIC: Circumcision of the heart.
TEXTS: Rom 2:26-29
AIMS:
i. to appraise the importance of the heart to the body,
ii. to teach the circumcision of the heart and
iii. to expound on the importance of heart circumcision to our godly livelihood.
INTRODUCTION
The heart is the central or innermost part of the body from where blood is pumped to all other parts of the body. As the heart is important to the physical body, so it is to our spiritual nature as Christians. Circumcision of the heart simply means the purging of our hearts from all sinful thoughts for the renewal of the thoughts of our hearts and minds through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Rom 12:1-2. This is very important and compulsory for any believer who will reign with God.
STUDY GUIDE
1. From the text today, expatiate on physical circumcision as a Jew and spiritual circumcision as Christians. Ref: Jer 4:3-4; Rom 12:1-2.
2. Is there anything like a dirty or clean heart? If yes, describe a dirty or clean heart. Mk 7:20-23; Acts 5:3-4; Phil 4:8.
3. How important is the circumcision of our hearts to reigning eternally with God? Psalm 24:3-5; Matt 5:8; Jam 4:8; Rev 21:27.
4. There is a common sentence during Lenten season: “Rend your heart, and not your garments.” Explain this in the context of Joel 2:12-13;
CONCLUSION
Every Christian who has the eternal kingdom of God as his/her goal, should endeavor to circumcise their hearts in other to reign eternally with God instead of seeking the physical circumcision which is a seal of covenant that is limited only to the Jews.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: What is the benefit of physical cleansing of circumcision without the circumcision of the heart?
MEMORY VERSE: Rom 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”.