Welcome to “Learning and Living the God-centered life”

Carmel Baptist Church

October 19, 2008www.learningandlivingtheword.com

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Dr. Ware currently serves as the Professor of Christian Theology at The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Prior to his current occupation, Bruce has held teaching positions at Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota; Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon; and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

Top five thing that catalyzes spiritual growth

1. Reading and reflecting on the the Bible is the most powerful catalyst for personal spiritual growth.

2. Developing core Christian beliefs is crucial for those in the early stages of spiritual growth.

* People must understand the doctrine of the Trinity early on.

3. Personal spiritual practice are the building blocks for a Christ-centered life

4. Serving is the most catalytic experience offered by churches

5. Spiritual community is vital and migrates from organized to organic

What people want from church

1. Help me understand the bible in greater depth 87%

* survey results show that churches across the country are not doing this well.

2. Help me develop a personal relationship with Christ 86%

3. Provide strong programs for children 85%

4. Challenge me to grow and take my next steps 83%

5. Provide compelling worship services 80%

Bible Survey - Principles that give an overview of the Bible

Review from October 5

Principle #1 - The Bible is one Book that is comprised of 66 books.

Old Testament - 39 books

New Testament - 27 books

Written over 1500 years

40 authors and unique walks of life

3 languages, 3 continents, 10 different genres

Written in various moods, and locations

There is unity among tremendous diversity

Principle #2 - The Bible has a unique structure in that the Old Testament and New Testament have a similar layout

Old TestamentHistory - 17 books(what God did)_________________

Experience - 5 booksProphecy - 17 books(what God says)

New TestamentHistory - 5 books(what God did)__________________

Experience - 21 booksProphecy - 1 book(what God says)

Principle #3 - The Bible is the AUTHORITATIVE word of God The Bible is INSPIRED (God-breathed) The Bible is INFALLIBLE (can't fail) The Bible is INERRANT (without error)

Cardinal Rule of proper Bible study

There is only one correct meaning for any one Scripture, therefore the correct meaning is equal to the author’s intended meaning.

There can be only one meaning for any one Scripture but there can be multiple applications.

Defining the terms

Exegesis - this means to unfold, declare or pull out truth from the Scripture. It is the process used to interpret the Scriptures.

Observation

Author’s Background

Theme

Plan of the Book

Interpretation

Context

Words

Grammar

Unity of Scripture

Interpretation - this is what resides with the reader. Can you imagine the attitudes, beliefs, values, feelings and life experiences we all bring with us when we read the Bible?

If there are 8 people in a Bible study then how many possible interpretations can we have?

Meaning - this is what resides with the author. And it is basically what the author intends us to understand by what he wrote. This is called the plain meaning of Scripture.

The goal of good Bible study is to have our interpretation line up with the author’s intended meaning.

Therefore there is only one correct interpretation of any one Scripture and that is equal to the author’s meaning.

The doctrine of clarity or perspicuity

This means the central message of the Bible is clear and understandable, and that the Bible itself can be properly interpreted in a normal, literal sense) has been a cornerstone of evangelical belief ever since the Reformation.

The Word of God was revealed in an understandable way, that its central message is clear, and that (because it is clear) all men are fully accountable to its message.

The TRUTHFULNESS of the BiblePsalm 119:160The sum of your word is truth,and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Proverbs 30:5Every word of God proves true;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Hebrews 6:18So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

The PURITY of the Bible

Psalm 12:6The words of the Lord are pure words,like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,purified seven times.

The POWER of the BibleHebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and a discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Peter 1:23Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

The REVERENCE for the Bible

Deuteronomy 28:58“If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God,

Psalm 119:74Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,because I have hoped in your word.

Isaiah 66:2All these things my hand has made,and so all these things came to be,declares the Lord.But this is the one to whom I will look:he who is humble and contrite in spiritand trembles at my word.

The LOVE and JOY of the Bible

Psalm 119:97Oh how I love your law!It is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:103How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Jeremiah 15:16Your words were found, and I ate them,and your words became to me a joyand the delight of my heart,for I am called by your name,O Lord, God of hosts.

The DAILY NOURISHMENT of the Bible

Deuteronomy 32:46

He said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.

Matthew 4:4But he answered, “It is written,“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Psalm 19:7-11 (NLT)7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

A DEVOTION time in the Bible

The REALITY of God’s word:1. It's perfect2. It's trustworthy3. It's right4. It's clear5. It's true

The RESULTS of God's word:1. Revives the soul2 Gives wisdom3. Brings joy to the heart4. Enlightens the eyes (NASB)5. It's fair

The RESPONSE to God’s word:1. It is more desirable than gold, even the finest gold2. It is sweeter than honey, even the sweetest of all honey

The RAMIFICATIONS of God’s word:1. It is a warning2. It is a reward