we should not be afraid to be honest in a self-evaluation

We should not be afraid to be honest in a We should not be afraid to be honest in a self-evaluation.self-evaluation.

All of us are to go through the process of All of us are to go through the process of growing out of spiritual infancy.growing out of spiritual infancy.


All of us are to go through the process of All of us are to go through the process of growing out of spiritual infancy.growing out of spiritual infancy.

A key measure of growth will be how we A key measure of growth will be how we are able to truly search the scriptures. are able to truly search the scriptures. (Heb 5:12-14)(Heb 5:12-14)


Hebrews 5:12-14Hebrews 5:12-14 - For though by - For though by this timethis time you you ought to be teachersought to be teachers, you need , you need someone someone to teach youto teach you again the first principles of the again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to oracles of God; and you have come to need need milk and not solid foodmilk and not solid food. 13 For everyone . 13 For everyone who partakes who partakes only only of milk of milk is is unskilled in unskilled in the word of righteousnessthe word of righteousness, for , for he is a babehe is a babe. .


14 But 14 But solid foodsolid food belongs to those who are belongs to those who are of of full agefull age, , that is, that is, those who by those who by reason of reason of useuse have their senses exercised to have their senses exercised to discern discern both good and evilboth good and evil..


What does a child do when he has a What does a child do when he has a question? What does an adult do?question? What does an adult do?


What does a child do when he has a What does a child do when he has a question? What does an adult do?question? What does an adult do?

As a Christian you will be faced with As a Christian you will be faced with significant spiritual decisions. It is crucial significant spiritual decisions. It is crucial that you become equipped to make the right that you become equipped to make the right decisions!decisions!


If you do not develop a discipline, If you do not develop a discipline, consistent stand upon God’s word then your consistent stand upon God’s word then your life will be determined by others. life will be determined by others. (Eph 4:11-15)(Eph 4:11-15)


Ephesians 4:11-15Ephesians 4:11-15 - And He Himself gave - And He Himself gave some some to be to be apostles, some prophets, some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to 13 till we all come to the unity of the faiththe unity of the faith and and of of the knowledge of the Son of Godthe knowledge of the Son of God, to , to a a perfect manperfect man, to the , to the measure of the stature of measure of the stature of the fullness of Christthe fullness of Christ; ;


14 that we should 14 that we should no longer be childrenno longer be children, , tossed to and fro and carried about with tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrineevery wind of doctrine, by the , by the trickery of trickery of menmen, in the , in the cunning craftiness of deceitful cunning craftiness of deceitful plottingplotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, , 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may may grow upgrow up in all things into Him who is in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ –the head -- Christ –


If you cannot study for yourself then you If you cannot study for yourself then you will depend on others! What happens will depend on others! What happens if you blindly follow another? if you blindly follow another? (Mt 15:13-14; 1 Cor 15:33)(Mt 15:13-14; 1 Cor 15:33)


Matthew 15:13-14Matthew 15:13-14 - But He answered and - But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of "Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditchboth will fall into a ditch.”.”


1 Corinthians 15:331 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be deceived: - Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits.""Evil company corrupts good habits."


What will a Christian do if he is asked to What will a Christian do if he is asked to study with another to resolve a difference study with another to resolve a difference with another Christian but he actually does with another Christian but he actually does not know how to effectively study the not know how to effectively study the Bible?Bible? (1 Pt 3:15) (1 Pt 3:15)


1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always your hearts, and always be be ready to ready to give give a a defensedefense to everyone who asks you a reason to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;and fear;

Where am I in my Bible study ability?Where am I in my Bible study ability?

Honestly answer these questions for Honestly answer these questions for yourself:yourself:



1. How often do you study the Bible apart 1. How often do you study the Bible apart from assigned tasks? In other words, do from assigned tasks? In other words, do

you often read and study the Bible you often read and study the Bible on your own?on your own?



1. How often do you study the Bible apart 1. How often do you study the Bible apart from assigned tasks? In other words, do from assigned tasks? In other words, do

you often read and study the Bible you often read and study the Bible on your own?on your own?

2. Do you have a planned and regular Bible 2. Do you have a planned and regular Bible reading program?reading program?


Honestly answer these questions for yourself:Honestly answer these questions for yourself: 1. How often do you study the Bible apart from 1. How often do you study the Bible apart from

assigned tasks? In other words, do assigned tasks? In other words, do you you often read and study the Bible on your own?often read and study the Bible on your own?

2. Do you have a planned and regular Bible 2. Do you have a planned and regular Bible reading program?reading program?

3. Have you ever read the entire Bible?3. Have you ever read the entire Bible?


4. What do you do when you run across a 4. What do you do when you run across a verse or a Bible word that you do not verse or a Bible word that you do not understand?understand?


4. What do you do when you run across a 4. What do you do when you run across a verse or a Bible word that you do not verse or a Bible word that you do not understand?understand?

5. Do you believe that you are able to take a 5. Do you believe that you are able to take a Bible subject and research what the Bible Bible subject and research what the Bible teaches on that subject?teaches on that subject?


4. What do you do when you run across a verse 4. What do you do when you run across a verse or a Bible word that you do not understand?or a Bible word that you do not understand?

5. Do you believe that you are able to take a 5. Do you believe that you are able to take a Bible subject and research what the Bible Bible subject and research what the Bible teaches on that subject?teaches on that subject?

6. Do you feel able to study with another about 6. Do you feel able to study with another about a difference in interpretation of the a difference in interpretation of the scriptures?scriptures?


7. What is your greatest hindrance to 7. What is your greatest hindrance to effective Bible study?effective Bible study?


7. What is your greatest hindrance to 7. What is your greatest hindrance to effective Bible study?effective Bible study?

8. What are some areas you would like this 8. What are some areas you would like this class to address?class to address?


B. Answer these questions about Bible B. Answer these questions about Bible study tools:study tools:



1. How many Bible translations do you 1. How many Bible translations do you own?own?



1. How many Bible translations do you 1. How many Bible translations do you own?own?

2. What is your primary translation that you 2. What is your primary translation that you use? Why?use? Why?


B. Answer these questions about Bible study B. Answer these questions about Bible study tools:tools:

1. How many Bible translations do you own?1. How many Bible translations do you own? 2. What is your primary translation that you 2. What is your primary translation that you

use? Why?use? Why? 3. Do you own a Bible dictionary? A book 3. Do you own a Bible dictionary? A book

defining Bible words like Vine’s dictionary?defining Bible words like Vine’s dictionary?


4. Do you know how to look up the Greek 4. Do you know how to look up the Greek or Hebrew meaning of a Bible word?or Hebrew meaning of a Bible word?



5. Do you own a Bible software program 5. Do you own a Bible software program for your computer?for your computer?



5. Do you own a Bible software program 5. Do you own a Bible software program for your computer?for your computer?

6. Do you use Bible websites that have 6. Do you use Bible websites that have translations, dictionaries, lexicons and translations, dictionaries, lexicons and other tools?other tools?


4. Do you know how to look up the Greek or 4. Do you know how to look up the Greek or Hebrew meaning of a Bible word?Hebrew meaning of a Bible word?

5. Do you own a Bible software program for 5. Do you own a Bible software program for your computer?your computer?

6. Do you use Bible websites that have 6. Do you use Bible websites that have translations, dictionaries, lexicons and translations, dictionaries, lexicons and other tools?other tools?

7. Do you own any Bible commentaries?7. Do you own any Bible commentaries?

Some general rules of Bible studySome general rules of Bible study

Always reason from the Always reason from the contextcontext..


Always reason from the Always reason from the contextcontext.. Did you hear about the man who opened his Did you hear about the man who opened his

Bible and read whatever passage his finger Bible and read whatever passage his finger came down on? He first read “Judas went came down on? He first read “Judas went out and hanged himself” and then randomly out and hanged himself” and then randomly quickly turned to another verse which read: quickly turned to another verse which read: “Go thou and do likewise!”“Go thou and do likewise!”


You need to know the place that the book You need to know the place that the book has in the overall theme of the Bible! What has in the overall theme of the Bible! What is the difference in reading from a passage is the difference in reading from a passage in Genesis from Matthew or of the book of in Genesis from Matthew or of the book of Jude?Jude?


You must understand the proper divisions You must understand the proper divisions of God’s word such as Old Testament and of God’s word such as Old Testament and New Testament. What are some other New Testament. What are some other important considerations when reading important considerations when reading from a specific Bible book?from a specific Bible book?


You need to understand the purpose of the You need to understand the purpose of the writing of a given book.writing of a given book.


You need to understand the purpose of the You need to understand the purpose of the writing of a given book.writing of a given book.

Who wrote the book and when was it Who wrote the book and when was it written?written?


What was the purpose of the book being What was the purpose of the book being written?written?


What was the purpose of the book being What was the purpose of the book being written?written?

Who was the book written to?Who was the book written to?


Understand the Understand the setting and subjectsetting and subject of the of the verse. Ask these three questions:verse. Ask these three questions:



1. Who is 1. Who is speakingspeaking??



1. Who is 1. Who is speakingspeaking?? 2. Who is being 2. Who is being spoken tospoken to??



1. Who is 1. Who is speakingspeaking?? 2. Who is being 2. Who is being spoken tospoken to?? 3. What is the 3. What is the subjectsubject??


Consider Consider everything God has to sayeverything God has to say on a on a subject. subject. (Matt 4:4)(Matt 4:4)


Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:4 - But He answered and said, - But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.‘”the mouth of God.‘”


Consider the possible conclusions we might Consider the possible conclusions we might draw if we only considered these verses in draw if we only considered these verses in our study. our study. (Rom 10:9; Gen 6:14; Matt (Rom 10:9; Gen 6:14; Matt 10:19-20)10:19-20)


Romans 10:9Romans 10:9 - that if you confess with - that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.dead, you will be saved.


Genesis 6:14Genesis 6:14 - "Make yourself an ark of - "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.cover it inside and outside with pitch.


Matthew 10:19Matthew 10:19 - "But when they deliver - "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 you in that hour what you should speak; 20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.of your Father who speaks in you.


How does one find all of the appropriate How does one find all of the appropriate verses on a given subject?verses on a given subject?


Always interpret the hard to understand Always interpret the hard to understand verses in light of the easy to understand verses in light of the easy to understand verses. verses. (2 Peter 3:16)(2 Peter 3:16)


2 Peter 3:162 Peter 3:16 - as also in all his epistles, - as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable untaught and unstable people people twist to their twist to their own destruction, as own destruction, as they do they do also the rest of also the rest of the Scriptures.the Scriptures.


Consider interpretations some make on Consider interpretations some make on these verses and then look at other verses these verses and then look at other verses on the same subject.on the same subject.


Consider interpretations some make on Consider interpretations some make on these verses and then look at other verses these verses and then look at other verses on the same subject.on the same subject.

Baptism for the dead. Baptism for the dead. (1 Cor 15:29; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27)(1 Cor 15:29; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 9:27)


1 Corinthians 15:291 Corinthians 15:29 - Otherwise, what will - Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?baptized for the dead?


2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things that each one may receive the things done done in the body, according to what he has done, in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.whether good or bad.


Hebrews 9:27Hebrews 9:27 - And as it is appointed for - And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,men to die once, but after this the judgment,


Universal Salvation of the Jews. Universal Salvation of the Jews. (Rom 11:26; Luke 13:3; Acts 10:34-35)(Rom 11:26; Luke 13:3; Acts 10:34-35)


Romans 11:26Romans 11:26 - And so all Israel will be - And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;ungodliness from Jacob;


Luke 13:3Luke 13:3 - "I tell you, no; but unless you - "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.repent you will all likewise perish.


Acts 10:34Acts 10:34 - Then Peter opened - Then Peter opened his his mouth mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 "But in every nation shows no partiality. 35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.is accepted by Him.


Faith only salvation – Faith only salvation – (Jn 3:16; Jn 3:36 ASV; Jas 2:22-26)(Jn 3:16; Jn 3:36 ASV; Jas 2:22-26)


John 3:16John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.but have everlasting life.


John 3:36John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son - He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.abideth on him.


James 2:22-26James 2:22-26 - - Do you see that faith was Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. by works, and not by faith only.


25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the justified by works when she received the messengers and sent messengers and sent them them out another way? out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.dead, so faith without works is dead also.


What kind of effort is necessary to properly What kind of effort is necessary to properly understand the Bible?understand the Bible?

Applying what we have learnedApplying what we have learned

Consider one key verse in the New Consider one key verse in the New Testament Testament Jude 3Jude 3. Here is the NKJV:. Here is the NKJV:


““Beloved, while I was very diligent to write Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”was once for all delivered to the saints.”


1. Define these words: exhorting, contend, 1. Define these words: exhorting, contend, earnestly and the faith.earnestly and the faith.



2. Who wrote the book of Jude and what 2. Who wrote the book of Jude and what was the occasion?was the occasion?



2. Who wrote the book of Jude and what 2. Who wrote the book of Jude and what was the occasion?was the occasion?

3. What tools would you likely use in these 3. What tools would you likely use in these tasks and why?tasks and why?

we should not be afraid to be honest in a self-evaluation

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