Bible Lists for the study of Jesus spirituality

To know the spirituality of Jesus Christ, you can study the Holy Scriptures.  These lists of Scriptures are provide to aid you in your individual exploration of Jesus Spirituality. Many of these Scriptures form a foundation for the movement known as the Great Emergence. 

 

Paradoxical Teachings of Jesus

Many of the key teachings of Jesus on spirituality are expressed as paradox. A paradox is a statement that on first glance is wrong,  but upon closer thought reveals a deeper spiritual truth. 

      "who then can be saved?  With humankind it is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

                                              Mark 10: 27                       

      " He who finds his life will lose it , and he who loses for my sake will find it"              

                                                                                        Matthew 10: 39

      "It is more blessed to give, than to receive."     Acts 20: 35

     "the first shall be last and the last first"              Mark 10: 31 and in other Scriptures

      "love those that hate you and pray for those that despitefully use you."    Matthew 18:13,14

     "take up your cross daily, and follow me."     Luke 9:23

     "count it all joy when men revile and persecute you, for so they persecuted the prophets that were before you."          Matthew 5:12      

    "And if a man strikes you on one check, turn to him the other check, also."                                                                                                            Luke 6: 29 and in Matthew

    " But it shall not be so among you: but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."                                                                                     Mark 10: 43 -44

     This list is not complete.  You will find other paradoxical sayings of Jesus and paradoxes in his parables (teaching stories.)

   

Jesus Spirituality and The Great Emergence

    The Great Emergence is certainly closely connected with Jesus Spirituality.  Scripture lists are not known to this writer, Bruce Williamson, as a common teaching tool in the Great Emergence.  Story, narrative, art, ritual and drama are more the style in the Great Emergence.  But since, you probably can not find a Great Emergence Scripture list, I am sharing this one on a collection of Great Emergence themes.   In your exploration of Jesus spirituality, please add to this list the

list of paradoxical teachings of Jesus that is above on this page.

Simple Spirituality

" What does God require of you, O man, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."                                                                                       Micah 6: 6-8           

 "God is spirit and  worship him in spirit and truth.                         John 4:24

  "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only."                             James 1:22

Inclusion

  "I have other sheep that are not of this fold."  John 10:16

   "Today I tell you salvation has come to this house.  For is not this man also a son of Abraham" Luke 19:9

Service

     "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only."                    James 1:22

     "  Pure religion and undefiled before the Father is to visit orphans and widows in their distress."  James1:27

Mercy, Compassion and Love

       "love covers a multitude of sins"  I Peter 4: 8

      " If I speak with the tongues of men and angels  . . .  I Corinthians 13: 1 - 13

      

Witness and service

   "You are the light of the world.  A city set upon a hill can not be hid."   Matthew 5:14                

   "You shall be my witnesses."    Acts 1:8 

                                                                                

The Roman Road - A List of Scriptures Explaining the Path to Salvation

       This list of Scriptures is called the Roman Road and I think it came out of the United States a few decades before or after 1900 A.D.  It was used in teaching the Christian faith and in evangelism.  It is generally considered somewhat out of date for both education and evangelism.  But it is still valued by many. 

 Romans 3:23  "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

Romans 6: 23  "The wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life."

Romans 5: 8   " but God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 10: 9 - 10  "because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved."

                  Sometimes Romans 10: 13 is added as a conclusion and an invitation to prayer.

Romans 10: 13  "For, 'everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.' "

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A Modern Variation of a Plan of Salvation list

     Many have created their own  variations of a Plan of Salvation list. Many of these lists are variations of the Roman Road.  Here is a modern variation based upon the old Roman Road list.

John 3: 16  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Romans 10: 13  " who ever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Luke 13: 3  "I tell you No, but unless you repent you will likewise perish"

Acts 16: 31  "and they said believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved."

Romans 10:9   "...if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

John 1: 12   "but to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God"

------Do these "Plan of Salvation" lists have continuing value?

    Yes, I think there is still value in these lists.  They certainly demonstrate that the Gospel or some part of it, can be summarized in few key words and concepts.  Since many followers of Jesus, use too many words and concepts in explaining the Gospel, it is helpful to see these short outlines.

    Of course, in some ways these lists are misleading.  They make logical connections, but perhaps do not show well the courage of taking a step in faith to move nearer to God and to embrace Jesus Christ as Lord.   They say almost nothing about following the teachings of Jesus day by day.  Our response to God in devotion, service, acts of mercy, justice, and love are also missing. 

   Many of Catholic, Orthodox, and Great Emergence traditions will notice that specific practices to nurture faith, such as, prayer, giving, service, silence, and meditation are missing, also.  Baptism, communion and worship are given no attention, either.  For these reasons, these plan of salvation lists appear as thin soup to many followers Christ. 

   Another contemporary outline can be found in the Jesus section of this website under the title "Jewels of Jesus Spirituality."  It is from a more emergent perspective.  The Great Emergence is a large shift in attitudes among many Christian believers today to a more basic form of Christian practice and faith. 

The Golden Rule of Jesus Christ

Matthew 7: 12                              Luke 6: 31

               ------------Scriptures On The Holy Spirit ----------

In the Old Testament:

               Genesis 1: 1 - 2  here the Spirit as wind is moving back and forth across the ocean deep.  God is about to do something.  So from the very beginning we connect the Spirit of God with the creative and new.

          Joel 2: 28   God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh.  At that time, people thought of the Spirit of God as being for special people only, elites of priests, prophets, and kings.  Please note that both men and women are included.

In the New Testament:

     Teachings of Jesus Christ:

        John 4: 24  Jesus points the Samaritan woman beyond human divisions into different ethnic and religious groups.  "God is Spirit," Jesus says, " and those that worship him must worship in Spirit and truth."

       John 14: 26  The Holy Spirit is described as advocate or counselor by Jesus Christ.

   

Luke describes St. Peter preaching on the Day of Pentecost:     Acts 2: 1 - 21

 

Teachings of St. Paul:

     Romans 8: 26 the Spirit helps us in our weakness

     2 Corinthians 3: 6 the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

     I Corinthians 12: 4  varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

        The whole section I Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14 are about the Holy Spirit in the church, pride and spiritual gifts and the best way which is love/compassion and mercy toward others.

    Ephesians 5: 18   be filled with the Spirit.

     I Thessalonians. 5: 19  Do not quench the Spirit.

    

Special Note:  the Bible verses are provided so that you can find the Scriptures yourself and read them within context.  The method of  'proof texting' is not the best.  Please read, think and pray things through for yourself.  The Spirit will guide you.

       Also note the two prayers on the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the poem section of this website.   The prayers are named "Our Souls are like Flat Tires," and "Praying for the Spirit's Fire."  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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