Avoid Foolishness; Live Truthfully

Thursday, September 17, 2015
2 Timothy 2:14-16,22-26 KJV

14 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ... 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After charging his spiritual son to commit his sayings to faithful men who were "able to teach others", what does the Apostle Paul tell Timothy to encourage those men to refrain from doing? Why? (v.14)
2) What else does Paul encourage Timothy to do and to refrain from doing? Why? (v.15,22-23)
3) What does the apostle write concerning those who serve (teach for) the Lord? Why? (v.24-26)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Are you prone to striving, with other believers, about the meaning (truth) of Scripture? If so, why?

LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord has given His word to all believers to read and to apply in our lives according to understanding.
6) Contentions about the Holy writ are futile and foolish.
7) Scripture must be compared with Scripture to establish the Truth that is in the word of God.
8) Scripture has been given to believers to enable us to live authentically as children of God and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Coworkers with the Truth

Sunday, May 3, 2015
3 John 1:1-14 KJV

1 The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth. 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth [them] out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 12 Demetrius hath good report of all [men], and of the truth itself: yea, and we [also] bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. 

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What was the Apostle Paul's desire for his traveling companion, Gaius? (v.1-2)
2) What was Paul's greatest joy in concerning Gaius and all of his spiritual children? (v.3-4)
3) What had Gaius faithfully done, that others were witness to? (v.5-6)
4) How did Gaius' actions inspire the aposte, as well as those who were witness to his actions? (v.7-8)
5) What did the Apostle Paul write to the church, as a result, and how was it received by Diotrephes? (v.9)
6) What else did the apostle say that he would do, as a result of Diotrephes actions, and warn others to do? (v.10-11)
7) What did Paul write about Demetrius? (v.12)
8) What else did the apostle want to write to the reader(s) and why didn't he do that? (v.13-14) 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Have you ever encountered individuals in your church, or home, who refused to receive the truth and follow it? If so, how did you respond and what happened to them?

LIFE LESSONS
10) The Lord would have His children to follow those who testify to, teach, and live the truth that is found in His word.

Knowledge of the Truth

Thursday, April 30, 2015
Hebrews 10:23-27 KJV

23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are Christians to "hold fast" to? Why? (v.23)
2) What else are we to do and when? (v.24-25)
3) What remains for those who sin willfully? (v.26-27

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you ever been willfully disobedient to the Lord? If so, why?

LIFE LESSONS
5) Those who know of the tremendous sacrifice that was made for our sins, by our Lord Jesus, cannot willingly or knowingly sin against Him.

The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You

Sunday, March 15, 2015
John 16:4-15 KJV 

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After telling His disciples of the world's hatred for them, what is our Lord's reason for telling His followers what He has and why did He tell them at that time? (v.4)
2) Where does Jesus say that He will be going and what does He ask His disciples? (v.5)
3) How do the disciples feel about what the Lord has told them? (v.6)
4) Why does Jesus say that He must leave His disciples? (v.7)
5) What three (3) things will the Comforter reprove the world of and why? (v.8-11)
6) What else does the Lord want to do for His disciples and why doesn't He do it? (v.12)
7) What else does the Lord tell His disciples about the Comforter and why He will do what He does? (v.13-15)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) What has the Holy Spirit (Comforter) revealed to your spirit recently and how did you respond? 

LIFE LESSONS
9) The Comforter (the Holy Spirit) reveals truth to our spirit concerning Scripture.

10) The Holy Spirit reveals the condition of our souls to save us and to glorify the Father.

Walking in Truth and Love

Friday, August 15, 2014
2 John 1:1-9

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 
3 Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Who was the Apostle John writing to in this epistle? (v.1)
2) What shall abide (dwell) in us forever? (v.2)
3) What attributes of God does the apostle greet his readers with? (v.3)
4) What has God commanded His children to do, according to the Apostle John? (v.4)
5) What "new commandment" did the apostle remind his readers about? (v.5)
6) How are we to manifest the love of God toward our brothers and sisters? (v.6)
7) Who does the Apostle John remind us is in this world? (v.7)
8) Why should we examine our hearts? (v.8)
9) Who has the Father and the Son? Who does not? (v.9)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
10) Is the love of God manifested through your life? Why, or why not?
11) Has there ever been a time when you have disobeyed God's will? If so, what happened?
12) What do you do to remain obedient to the Father's will, regardless the consequences?

PRINCIPLES
13) Who we belong to is evident through our actions.
14) It is easy to declare our love for God, but not so easy to demonstrate it in all we do.
15) The proof that we belong to God is our love for Him and for His people.

Enduring Trials and Calamities

Monday, August 11, 2014
Psalm 71:17-24

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. 
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come. 
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee! 
20 [Thou], which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. 
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, [even] thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. 
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. 
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. 

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What had God done for the psalmist and when? (v.17)
2) What does the psalmist ask of the Lord and why? (v.18)
3) What does the psalmist declare about the Lord? (v.19)
4) What difficulties has the psalmist endured from the Lord? (v.20)
5) What confidence does the psalmist have in God despite his difficulties? (v.21)
6) How will the psalmist worship the Lord in spite of his troubles? (v.22-24)
7) What does the psalmist believe will happen to his enemies as he worships God? (v.24b)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) How do you typically interact with the Lord when you're facing trouble?
9) How do you typically respond to those who trouble you (your enemies)? Please descibe one such instance.
10) Have you ever praised and/or worshipped the Lord when you were troubled? If so, what happened?

PRINCIPLES
11) The best response to trials is praise!
12) The Lord often allows hardships to test our hearts!
13) Our enemies are often defeated when we praise God in the midst of our calamities!