Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
—Psalm 119:9
Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. Use the following definitions to help with the understanding of this verse:
Wherewithal means “how”
Young man means “from the age of infancy to adolescence; a girl or boy”
Cleanse means “to be transparent; clear; pure; innocent; to cleanse oneself”
Taking heed means “to guard; generally to protect or attend (keep the mind on) to; to regard; to preserve”
From this verse one can understand that the only way to keep one’s life pure and innocent, pleasing God, is to keep one’s heart and mind on God’s Word, living according to what is written within.
Emphasis: We are to understand that Jesus is the One promised from the beginning of time, and His life is revealed in the Bible. Christians must recognize the importance of knowing about all of God’s Word for it teaches each Christian how to live.
Lesson Summary: This lesson will be a review over the whole New Testament. First remember the divisions we have learned. If you are teaching a class, instead of you, as the teacher, trying to teach the entire New Testament in one lesson, have your students tell you what they remember about the different divisions, and then about the different books. We must understand the importance of remembering just who Jesus is, and what He did for mankind. Also recognize the new Christians’ perseverance as they faithfully spread the Gospel message – even while suffering persecution. Remember the great leader Peter was as he helped establish the church among the Jews, and Paul as he dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel message to the Gentile nations on his missionary journeys. Even when Paul suffered great persecutions and imprisonments, he still took the time to not only continually tell people about Jesus, but he wrote many letters that now make up much of our New Testament. The most important thing we can and must recognize: all of Scripture is important for Christians to know in order to live that life God requires Christians to live. Without knowing the Scriptures, one can never fully please God with his life. Be encouraged to desire to not only read, but also to know God’s Word.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
—2 Timothy 3:16
Key Verse Thought: Read the Key Verse. After reading this verse, understand that this verse is the basis of the study for this lesson. We will begin to recognize the importance of God’s Word.
Emphasis: We are to allow God’s Word to teach us, become known to us, correct any wrong living, and instruct us in the right way to live a life pleasing to God. Next, we are to recognize the importance of becoming less like the world and more like Christ.
Lesson Summary: As we complete the third division of the New Testament (Nine Letters by Paul to the Gentile Church), we have learned much. One important thing is that the message of salvation never changed from the writings in the Old Testament to the New Testament (remember that Abraham looked forward to Jesus before the Law was even written, and people today look back to Jesus). Another important thing is that God has always expected His people to obey His Words (from Adam and Eve in the garden, to the Israelites in the wilderness, to Christians today).
In this lesson, we will begin to understand how organized God’s Word is in His instructions to Christians. First, we learned the foundational truths of Salvation by faith in Jesus (Romans). After which, the basic principles of Christian living are recorded, including correction for failures in living a Christ-like life. In addition, when false doctrine was being taught, letters of correction were written to stop the damaging effects before they could begin. When Christians began to live right lifestyles, deeper doctrinal truths were revealed to continue their growth in that Christian life. Each Christian is to understand the importance of continually growing stronger in their relationship with Jesus, becoming more Christ-like in order to be a better witness to others (a light to the world so others can be saved). Paul wrote that Christians are to never become weary in living a true, Christ-like life. Moreover, each Christian is to work until Jesus comes (for He could return at any moment!).
To help us understand all of these things, we will begin with 2 Timothy 3:16. This verse is almost an outline for the writings in the Third Division of the New Testament. In this verse, we can recognize God’s hand in not only the writings themselves, but also the order we find them in our Bible. Each book can be understood as progressive steps of growth for each Christian life.
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
—Acts 8:35
Key Verse Thought: Read today’s key verse. Understand the word preached means “to proclaim the good news; preach the gospel.” Keep in mind that the focus of the Gospel message is that Jesus died to pay the penalty for man’s sin – if they would only believe. Moreover, that Jesus is alive again. Can you think of a time that you told someone about Jesus? Do you think it is important for Christians to tell others about Jesus? In this lesson, we will learn that it is important to obey God when He tells us to share Jesus with someone else.
Emphasis: We are to understand the importance of obeying God’s command to tell others about Jesus – for if Philip had not obeyed, the Ethiopian Eunuch would not have understood he needed Jesus.
Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we learned of the first person who was killed because they believed in and preached Jesus. Stephen preached Jesus from the Old Testament to the religious leaders, but instead of receiving the truths he taught, they rejected those Words and killed Stephen. We were also introduced to another of the religious men who was present at Stephen’s death – a young man named Saul.
In this lesson, we will learn a little more about Saul, and the persecution of Believers that caused many to scatter from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria. This event was the beginning of the persecution against the church. It was also the beginnings of the spread of the gospel into the world.
We will look at what happened with Philip, another of the seven that had been called out to minister in the church to help the Apostles. Philip left Jerusalem and went to Samaria. While he preached Jesus to the people there, many believed – including a man called Simon who was a sorcerer. After many were saved, Peter and John came to Samaria.
The next event we will read today is a very familiar event many people may have heard before. An angel of the Lord told Philip to go to Gaza, the desert. Once he was there, the Spirit told Philip to go to the Ethiopian Eunuch who was riding in a chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. After helping this man understand Jesus was taught in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the eunuch believed in Jesus and was saved. It would be good to understand the importance of Philip obeying the Lord – just so that one individual could be saved.
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Galatians 3:22
Jesus was teaching the people. He wanted them to understand
the power He held. The people were having a hard time understanding, so he
explained. “When a strong man
armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace” (Luke 11:21). This “strong man” he is referring to
is the prince of this world, the devil. (See Ephesians 2:2: “Wherein in time past ye walked according to
the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”) We are to
understand something very important. However, in order to understand this, one
must know the difference between one who belongs to Jesus and one who does not.
One, who believes in Jesus by faith, belongs to Him. “Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Also,
understand it by the following verse. “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by
faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe”
(Galatians 3:22). We then declare
that a Believer (Christian) has Jesus in their heart.
A person who does not have Jesus in the heart (an unconverted
sinner) does not have Him in His rightful place. Instead, by default, Satan has
taken up residence (“a strong man keeps his palace”). In this condition, the
person sins willfully, which is a picture of Satan’s “goods.” This is the place
where Satan dwells, where he works. This becomes his stronghold, the place of
which he wants to keep away from Jesus. Satan then can continue to do his
wickedness. That is the condition of all without Jesus in their
heart. Moreover, all seems well in that life, until there is a challenge to
this status quo. When Jesus is presented, the battle begins.
As Jesus continued teaching them, He told them of a Stronger.
“But when a stronger than he shall
come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he
trusted, and divideth his spoils” (Luke 11:22). Jesus is the Stronger One. Notice what He did. Jesus
has invaded what Satan thought was his territory. Jesus has been (and still is)
destroying Satan’s armor and claiming his spoils. [“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) and “And having spoiled principalities and powers,
he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”
(Colossians 2:15.)] Understanding this, we can learn that one who has repented
of their sin, asking forgiveness from God, has been freed from the strong one
(Satan) and belongs to the Stronger One (Jesus). A decision has to be made by
each individual, for there is no neutral ground in this conflict. If one thinks
they can remain neutral and stay out of the conflict, this is what Jesus said,
“He that is not with me is against
me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth” (Luke 11:23). A side must be chosen.
When one believes in Jesus by faith, that heart is now clean.
The difference (of the decision) is whether the individual has accepted Jesus
into that heart, making His residence permanent. Remember the following must
happen: “Therefore if any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This decision has to be made. The danger of trying not to make a decision is
pictured in what Jesus told them immediately after explaining all of this.
See what happens when one does not become a “new creature” in Christ (believe in Jesus by faith). When one cleans up, lives good for a while without actually having a nature change that is required to live as a true Christian, read what happens. “24. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26). When one cleans up, lives religiously, or just in their own righteousness without the true righteousness that comes from Jesus’ finished work on the cross, the last state of the person is worse than the first. That person is left with no hope and will suffer the wrath of God that is yet to come.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Once sealed, always belonging to Jesus (the Stronger One).
Are you one who
has cleaned up your life on your own (still bound by the strong one),
or
Have you become a new creature in Christ (belong to the Stronger One)?
“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:17
After learning of Paul and his missionary journeys in the book of Acts,
we can read the letters he wrote to the Gentile churches – many of which he
started while on those missionary journeys recorded in the book of Acts. When we
study these letters, we begin to recognize a pattern that develops. This
pattern is revealed in an important verse found in Second Timothy. “All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2
Timothy 3:16). Look at this verse more in depth by using the
following definitions to help in the understanding of it:
Scripture means “every part
of the whole and all of it together; that which has been written once and for
all and constitutes the final authority of God’s revelation.”
Given by inspiration of God means “prompted by God; divinely inspired; appears only in 2 Timothy 3:16.”
Profitable means “to be
useful, profitable, or advantageous.”
Doctrine means “teaching or
instruction with the meaning of warning.”
Reproof means “to convict; in
the sense of refutation of adversaries; not merely the charge on the basis of
which one is convicted, but the manifestation of the truth of that charge and
the results to be reaped; the acknowledgement of its truth on the part of the
accused.”
Correction means “to set
right again; to correct or make straight.”
Instruction means “to
instruct; rectification; including discipline.”
Recognize that this verse cites the four benefits (profitableness)
of the Word of God: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction.
The different parts of this verse reveal that each of these components are
interdependent and are all necessary in the process of sanctification of a
Christian’s life. First, the Word of God is presented as doctrine or
instruction as in authoritative teaching. Then as truth, which is ethically
persuasive, convincing one of error. Next, it places that person in a correct
moral position, which allows one to be brought to the final place where that
one can be provided the discipline, chastisement, or training needed to bring
about righteousness. This verse summarizes the third division of the New
Testament: Romans – 2 Thessalonians. It
is with this insight that Paul spent much of his time writing to the new
churches, so that they would know how to become righteous.
Remember theses letters of Paul that are
important for each Christian to study:
Romans: the teaching of doctrine,
1 and 2 Corinthians: reproof for failure to live right,
Galatians: correction, rectifying wrong doctrine that had permeated the church,
Ephesians: the revealing of deeper doctrinal truths intended for growing Christians,
Philippians: reproof for wrong living, the rectifying of a potential problem,
Colossians: correction to rectify wrong doctrine,
1 and 2 Thessalonians: the teaching of doctrine and instructions.
Did you notice the pattern of how these books, or letters, can be used as doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction? As we read about the churches as they received these letters from Paul, some of them immediately put into practice what was taught therein. When that happened, we read that Paul received encouraging words about the growth of the churches. After reading theses letters (books), can you recognize the different stages of implementation each one was designed to teach? Remember, that these books (letters) are for Christians to use even today. Remember what the very next verse in Second Timothy says. “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:17). The words throughly furnished means “to equip fully; completely.” This is the purpose of God’s Word. To equip Christians completely to be able to do what God wants us to do.
Do you read understanding that all Scripture, when it is implemented into one’s life, will furnish you unto all good works?
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein …” Joshua 1:8
It is important to know that all of God’s Word is essential.
“All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:15). Not only is it important to know what
it says, but it is even more important to understand
what it says.
An easy way to begin understanding the Bible is to become
familiar with it. The history in the Old Testament is very important to further
one’s understanding of the Bible as a whole. In Joshua 1:8 we can read that not
only is the book of the law to not depart out of one’s mouth, but it is
important to meditate upon it day and night. Meditate means “to dwell
on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any
subject in the mind.” This is an important thing to understand as one learns to
read the Bible. Reading the Bible involves much more than just reading a few
verses or chapters and then continuing on with one’s day. Reading God’s Word
involves meditating on it – to dwell on it in one’s thoughts, contemplating
what it says. Although we can understand that this verse in Joshua is initially
referring to the first five books in the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the importance of knowing God’s Word does not end
there. Remember that all of God’s Word is important!
If one would just recognize that the Bible is very organized
it would make it much easier to understand. For instance, the Old Testament has
thirty-nine books easily broken into five groups. The first five books are
called the “Law” where we can find the first 2,500 years of history and witness
God actively involved in the lives of mankind. The second group consists of the
next twelve books, often called “History”, where we pick up the history of the Israelites
at the brink of the Promised Land, prepared to enter. The first nine books of
History record the years in which the Jewish people occupy the land
of Israel. This not only includes
the times of the judges (when the people forgot God), the times of the kings
(when the people rejected God as their king), but also the captivity of God’s
people. The last three books of History reveal the remnant of Israelites that
were allowed to return to the Promised Land, also known as Israel.
There are five books in the middle that can be considered
“Personal Books”, for they deal with individual’s experiences with God and are
very personal. These books deal with individuals’ heart issues as they seek to
know and better understand God. These are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
and Song of Solomon. The “Major Prophets” are the next five books, and the
“Minor Prophets” are the final twelve books. Understanding the timeframe these
Personal Books, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets take place are imperative in
the understanding of the Old Testament as a whole.
The New Testament is organized as well for the ease of
understanding.
Reading, learning,
and understanding the Bible is the most important thing a Christian can do.
Although many people are taught a lot of Bible “stories” as a child,
understanding that these were real people and that God worked in these
individuals’ lives will make these events invaluable! Remember some words with
which Paul encouraged Timothy. “14. But
continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15. And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Have you taken time to become familiar with God’s Word?
Do you meditate (dwell on in thought, contemplate, and study) upon a portion of the Bible every day?
