God's Art Gallery: biblical images of who we are
Leader's introduction:
Studies:
I. Trees
II. Sheep
III. Clay
IV. Living stones
V. Branches in the true vine
Focus: We all know the expression "a picture says a thousand words." The reason that this
is true is because God designed us this way. We can understand many things with our
minds, but pictures often speak to our hearts in a deeper way. Our imaginations are a gift
from God so that we may be able to better receive His truth. In Jesus' teaching we see this
use of pictures to communicate truth. We also see these kinds of "truth-capturing" images
in many parts of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, Jeremiah and the Psalms. These
images are designed to stir our hearts rather than our heads. To meditate on these images
together will lead us into the truth of what it means to be His people.
Suggestions: Make a copy of each study for everyone in the group. Encourage them to
write down their responses and keep them in a notebook for further meditation. (If you
invest in a 3-hole-punch you can hand them out notebook-ready.) Take time before each
meeting to go through the study yourself; considering especially your personal application.
Have a different person read each verse (Today's New International Version) was the one
used in preparing these studies and the one used at church.) Encourage people to look
deeper than the "right answer," making it personal whenever possible. "What does this mean
to you?"
Prayer ministry ideas: After the discussion take time to be silent and listen for what the
Lord has to say. Remind them that the Lord speaks in words, pictures, or impressions.
Having this listening time centered around the image from the study will make it easier for
people who are new to hearing from the Lord. After a few minutes ask them to share what
they have heard and respond encouragingly. Ask if what has been shared especially touches
anyone. Then pray for each other either all together or in smaller groupings.
Follow-up assignment: Challenge them to spend more time considering what God is
saying to them through this image. What does He want to do in you?
God’s Art Gallery: biblical images of who we are
Image #1: a tree
What does the image of a tree bring to mind?
What qualities does a tree have that you would like to have?
I. Examining four tree pictures
A. Ps.1: 1-4
Blessed are those
who do not walk in step with the wicked,
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but who delight in the law of the Lord
and meditate on his law day and night.
They are like a tree planted by streams of water
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither –
whatever they do prospers
Not so the wicked!
they are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Consider this image and what it is communicating. Why is this such a good picture to use?
Compare trees and chaff. Why are the wicked chaff? How can we be like the tree?
B. Jer.17:7-8
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
What does this add to the image of us as a tree? What are we called to do? What results are we promised in
our live
C. Ps.92:12-15
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him”.
What are the verbs used in reference to the righteous? What differentiates these trees from others? How does
what they will be proclaiming come out of where they are planted?
D. Ps.52:8-9
But I am an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.
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Note that this is in the first person. Where does David see himself living? What are the four things that
David says that he is doing? How does each one lead to the next?
II. Picturing yourself as a tree
Draw a picture of yourself as a tree, making it reflect where you
feel like you are right now. Consider your location, fruit, roots,
general health, and what this communicates to those around you.
Share your pictures, explaining why you drew them as you did.
What could you do to bring yourself to a place where you could
have the confidence that David did in Psalm 5
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God’s Art Gallery: biblical images of who we are
Image #2: sheep
Any personal experience with sheep? What are they like?
I. Why do sheep need good shepherds?
A. What characterizes sheep?
1. Mt. 9:36
2. Mt.12:11-12
3. Isa.53:6
4. Jer.50:6-7
B. What characterizes good shepherds?
1. Ezek.34:11-16
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2. Lk.15:3-7
3. Jn.10:2-5
II. What will characterize your life if you stay close to Jesus, your Shepherd?
Read Psalm 23: Make a list of seven things that you are promised as sheep with a good
shepherd.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What might you do to stay closer to your Good Shepherd?
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God’s Art Gallery: biblical images of who we are
Image #3: clay
What words do the image of clay and a potter bring to mind? Biblical instances of God using
clay: Gen.2:7, Jn.9:6-15
I. The role of a potter
A. Isa.41:25
“He treads on rulers as if they were mortar,
as if he were a potter treading the clay.”
What does the potter have to do to the clay to get it ready?
B. Isa.64:8
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.”
Why is the potter and the clay a good picture of who we are
in relation to the Lord?
II. Relationship between the pot and the potter
A. Isa.29:15-16
“Woe to those who go to great depths
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to hide their plans from the Lord,
who do their work in darkness and think,
‘Who sees us? Who will know?’
You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
‘You did not make me’?
Can the pot say to the potter,
‘You know nothing’?”
How are the clay and the potter different?
What two things can the clay not say to the potter? Why not?
How are the people in the opening lines turning things upside down?
B. Isa.45:9
“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
those who are nothing but potsherds
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
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‘The potter has no hands’?”
What two things do those who quarrel with their Maker say?
What's the difference between a Maker and a potsherd on the ground?
III. Qualities of a clay pot
A. Isa.30:14
“…this sin will become for you,
like a high wall, cracked and bulging,
that collapses suddenly, in an instant.
It will break in pieces like pottery,
shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
for taking coals from a hearth,
or scooping water out of a cistern.’”
What characterizes pottery according to this verse?
What happens to pottery once it is broken?
B. II Tim.2:20
“In a large house there are articles, not only of gold and silver, but
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also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes, and some for
for disposal of refuse. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter
will be instruments for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the
Master and prepared to do any good work.”
What four things result from us cleansing ourselves?
IV. What are these verses calling us to?
A. What things should we expect and welcome as clay?
B. What attitudes should we repent of?
C. How can we cleanse ourselves?
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God’s Art Gallery: biblical images of who we are
Image #4: living stones
What words come to mind when you think of stones?
I. The Living Stone: Jesus (I Pet.2:4,6,7-8)
A. What does v.4 tell us about the Living Stone?
1.
2.
B. What does God tell us about the Living Stone in v.6?
1. Who laid the Stone?
2. What was its purpose?
3. What two things does Isa.28:16 add to this description?
C. What are the two reactions to the Living Stone according to v.6-7?
1. Believers:
2. Non-believers:
II. Like Living Stones: us (I Pet.2:4-5, 9-10)
A. How do we become like living stones according to v.4?
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B. What is God’s plan for us according to v.5?
1. To be built into:
2. To be:
3. To offer:
C. What four things describe our new identity in 2:9?
1.
2.
3.
4.
D. What is our new calling according to 2:9?
III. What do we need to remember according to v.10?
A. Who we used to be:
B. Who we are:
How can we walk in the truth of these verses
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God’s Art Gallery: biblical images of who we are
Image #5: branches in the true vine
What do vines and branches make you think of? Here's some background information:
In Jn14:31 Jesus ends His farewell discourse in the upper room. In Jn15:1 Jesus and the
disciples begin a long walk to the Garden of Gethsemane, with Jesus teaching on the way.
During Passover the Temple gates were left open all night so beggars could beg alms. Jesus
and the disciples probably entered the Temple grounds and saw the Temple façade,
decorated with a spectacular golden vine, representing Israel.
I. Jesus: the true vine (Jer2:21,Jn.15:1)
A. How is Israel described in Jer2:21?
B. How does Jesus describe himself in Jn.15:1?
II. The Father: the gardener (Grk-geogros: farmer) (Jn15:1-2)
What two things does the Father do to the branches?
A.
B
III. Jesus’ disciples: the branches (Grk-klyma: shoot of a vine, tendril) (Jn15:1-8)
A. What is true of the branches according to v.3?
B. According to v.4 what do the branches need to do to bear fruit?
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C. What will keep them from bearing fruit according to v.4?
IV. The goal: fruitfulness (Jn15:5-6)
A. What is the contrast in v.5?
B. What two options are there for branches that don't remain in the vine?
V. The final outcome: the Father’s glory (Jn15: 7-8)
A. What are the two conditions in v.7?
B. What is the promise based on those conditions?
C. What is the ultimate purpose of bearing fruit?
VI. How can we remain in the vine?
Remain (Grk-meno): to stay in a place, or with someone; to continue to exist for
a specific time; to live; or metaphorically to hold fast, or remain steadfast
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