 "The Holy Scriptures... are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Tim. 3:15-17
The Bible is as a letter from our Creator and Saviour. He does not want us to go through life ignorantly. In the Scriptures we find principles covering all areas of life. The foundational message is adapted to a child’s understanding. Yet there are immense depths that even the most brilliant brains throughout history have not been able to out-study. The Bible has preserved the history of mankind, and brought it down to our day. In this collection of 66 books in total we find a huge spectre from history, culture, science, biography, poetry and song - to principles of business and society, profound theology and amazing prophecies. But the Bible is not only an undisputed collection of historic documents - it is the inspired Word of God! Millions can witness of its transforming power in their lives!
We invite you to join us in discovering the Bible, through this Bible-course offered by Living Water Ministry. Through 12 studies we will let the Bible give answers to relevant questions that affect our everyday life and future.
If you want to join the course, you can simply fill in the answers in the first study guide below. The Bible is our guide and blue-print, so you will find all the answers in the Bible references under each question. Please fill in your e-mail address and click send. As we receive your completed study-guide, it will be corrected and sent back to you with the next study.
:: Lesson 1
Peace and Security in a Troublesome World
“… And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus…” Philippians 4:7. Have you ever experienced an intense longing inside for this peace? Perhaps you have read about the martyrs who were persecuted for their belief. Read about their unwavering courage and steadfastness. “Some peace they had”, you may have longingly exclaimed, “if only I could have experienced such inner peace, the whole world falling apart would not have bothered me!”
… And here is, in fact, the key – one’s inner peace… It says that the peace of God shall keep our hearts and minds. Isn’t this exactly what we want? But this goal seems so elusive – the wall is too high to climb. The demands are so great, and we feel so unworthy, and weak, and miserable…
1. … And we really are. What does Romans 3:23 have to say about this?
Answer:
2. What is sin? I John 3:4
Answer:
3. In what does sin result? What do we deserve? Romans 6:23
Answer:
4. What plan of salvation did God introduce in practice? John 3:16
Answer:
Imagine the sacrifice! We humans had been insubordinate, and revolted against God. We were condemned to die. By snapping His fingers, God could have made an end of us and our planet in rebellion. We deserved it. However, God loved us so exceedingly much. He refused to wipe us out. He wanted to make a way of escape for us to return to Him, enabling us to share eternity with Him in the condition, wherein the universe was before man sinned – a universe in complete harmony and happiness. Jesus offered to die in our place. He desired to reopen the road to God.
Looking down on this dark orb must be unspeakably depressing for Him – beholding our apathy towards His matchless gift! Ought we not to make Him happy by returning His love? This should, in fact, be our chief motive for following Him.
5. How greatly did Jesus debase Himself?
Answer:
Jesus certainly gave up a lot when He left His supreme position in heaven, where He was honoured, loved, and worshiped by the angels. Although He still was God, He veiled His divinity in humanity, and refrained from using His own divine powers. Obviously, He came here as a human. He placed Himself on our level.
6. What do the following scriptures say regarding Jesus’ ability to understand and help us? Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:15-16
Answer:
It is comforting to know that Jesus went through the same temptations and struggles which we face! We can rest assured He understands us, and has power to give us for tackling difficult situations, just like He received such power Himself.
God has enough might! Shouldn’t we come to Him, and ask Him to give us of this power? Do you feel unworthy to do this?
7. What does Jesus say in Matthew 11:28-30?
Answer:
"But I have done an innumerable number of crazy things in my life – I have been stubborn and repeatedly sinned against God”, you may say. “And the Bible states that sin separates us from God.” (Isaiah 59:2.)
8. You are correct, but what is written in I John 1:9?
Answer:
When we have realised our deplorable state – being slaves to sin – we will long for freedom. And Jesus quickly responds to our desperate cry. Just consider how He cared for people who were hurting and in distress while here on earth:
9. Jesus paid great attention to people’s spiritual as well as physical needs. How did He demonstrate this on the following occasion? Matthew 9:1-8
Answer:
10. What was Jesus’ message to a woman weighted down by guilt? John 8:1-12
Answer:
Jesus still wants us to come to Him with our difficulties, have our burden of guilt removed, and to discover the rest and peace which He is longing to impart.
11. How do the following scriptures describe His expectation and willingness to set us free? Luke chapter 15; Revelation 3:20
Answer:
Jesus did say, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13.)
12. What will happen in the life of one converted? II Corinthians 5:17
Answer:
The word conversion – so often used to signify what occurs when you accept Jesus – has a lot to say about the change taking place. It indicates a state of contrasts. In other words, your life will be completely changed! The Bible even goes so far as stating that you become a new creation – everything is new!
13. Jeremiah was a young man, whom God called to be His prophet. What task did God give him? Jeremiah 1:10
Answer:
Does this sound harsh to you? His commission, however, was one of hope for the future! He was, you see, not only to break down and destroy, but also to build and plant! … And the things that were to be pulled down and destroyed meant no hope for a happy future. Their burden of sin was to be removed from the shoulders of the people – it was to be wiped out and removed. It is our sense of guilt which makes it impossible to have peace on the inside. The wise man Solomon once said, under God’s inspiration, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13.)
14. What source of power has God promised He will provide for our new lives? Acts of the Apostles 1:8; John 14:26-27
Answer:
15. God has given us a big set of marvellous promises. We wish to share some of them with you:
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Philippians 4:13
- I Corinthians 10:13
- John 1:12
- John 8:32-36
- John 14:27
Please write down their main theme in the answer frame below!
Answer:
These promises are excellent to cling to when feeling weak and when things appear hopeless. By the way, did you ever consider it is positive for us to realise our weakness? “For when I am weak, then am I strong”, Paul writes. He understood his own littleness, and need for strength from Jesus. Jesus will delight to answer our cry, too, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10.) As we acknowledge our weakness, we will more readily see our need for Jesus’ might. Then we won’t be self-sufficient or arrogant. We will meekly give ourselves to Him who has all power in heaven and on earth, saying, “Join Your strength to my weakness!” Jesus will grab your hand, saying, “Let us co-operate!”
In closing, we can have a positive view on the future! No matter our past, we may come to God just like we are. This we have already analysed. He says that He won’t turn away anyone coming to Him with a sincere wish to learn to know Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Paul calls himself the chief or the worst of sinners (I Timothy 1:15). Perhaps you feel this is a correct picture of yourself?! Paul, though, met Jesus, and this changed him entirely. He was able to forget about his past life, making a fresh start. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17), we just read. We are not obliged to believe that “this may happen to everyone else, but not to me”. Jesus’ might is sufficient for all! We are the rusty links in the chain. Only we can shut Jesus out from doing what He wants to!
“But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14.)
In His great love to us, God has given us a map, so that we may find the way to this destination. He has given us the Bible – His Word. We hope that through this course of study you will be better acquainted with this map, gaining some fixed points in your life, which will assist you on your way – towards heaven, and towards God…
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