i. to understand the meaning of passion as it relates to our heavenly race
ii. to identify what could endanger godly passion in our lives and
iii. to discuss the reaction of Christians when persecuted for their gospel passion.
Passion has to do with strong enthusiastic feelings, desires or devotion to causes, which finally develop intoan action. Godly passion is a zeal that stirs a reasonable performance for soul winning into the kingdom of God. It is the passion of knowing and winning Christ according to our study text that propelled Paul toforsake all his worldly affluence and counted them as dung.
1. Define passion in the context of today’s study and how to manage it for God's purpose. Compare Num14:6-9 with Phil 3:6-8.
2. Differentiate between selfish and godly passion. Compare Exo 2:11-12 with Exo 32:11-14 and Judaswith Mary in John 12:3-7.
3. Point out from the following Scriptures certain traits and lifestyle that can kill or hinder passion in believers. 1King 19:9-10; 1Cor.15:33; Rev.3:15-16.
4. Is it possible to be persecuted for our godly passion as Christians? If yes, what should be our reactionunder such attack? Luke 6:22-23; John 15:18-19.
Every Christian should be passionate, fervent, and zealous for good works. However,such passion should always go with the knowledge of God's word and never endanger the purpose of God. However, being passionate comes with its own baggage of thrash from the world, which we ought to be prepared for as Christians.
With godly passion, you run the race with joyfulness.
Phil. 3:13: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before".