Revival for Bible Studying Series #3

Thought Provoking Bible Studies About the Bible and True Christian Commitment
(developed by Bill Stevenson)

Table of Contents:
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….…1
Sower of the seed parable……………………………………………………………………………3
Two wisdoms-- from 1 Corinthians 1-2……………………………………………………………...4
The Importance of the Bible………………………………………………………………………….7
Epistles Study by Subjects…………………………………………………………………………..12
Two Psalm 119 Study Tools………………………………………………………………………...15
Interesting Bible Items………………………………………………………………………………22
Lessons from Hebrews 3-4…………………………………………………………………………..23
1 Corinthians 10:1-15………………………………………………………………………………..26
Some of Those in the Bible Who Mostly Lived By Faith…………………………………………...27
Desire for God…………………………………………….…….……………..…………….…….…31
After an Individual Becomes a Christian ………………………………………..………….…….…40
How Important is Biblical Christian Baptism?…………………………………...…………..………44
Basics For Christian Living…………………………………………………………………….…….52
Christian Permission……………………………………………………….………...………………..57

Introduction:
One of my main concerns is that most Christian churches don’t have very much Bible teaching. So I
have tried to encourage many to study the Bible more and even begin home group Bible studies.
Recently, I have had opportunities to share about my logical indent method of formatting Scripture with
some leaders in a world-wide denomination and they thought it was good and could help the indicated
Bible study revival. In the last part of August 2007, I re-organized about 140 complete and partial Bible
studies for making some MS Word files of Bible studies which could be used as “springboards” for
personal or group Bible studies. Hope that you will enjoy all that follows.

Note: The following is about a way I have been logically formatting Scripture since September 1977.
Many of my Bible study courses have it because it causes reasoning which helps for better
retention. After reading the directions, try your favorite Bible chapter. The man I learned this
from even did his personal letters this way.

Proper Bible study is so important because it is the best way to discover

"the mind of Christ" (Philippians 2) or how Jesus Christ thinks.
That is the way to get to know Jesus Christ intimately
which the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3 is so important.
For your e-mail ministry, you can share any of my Bible studies (which are free for the asking)
or even uses parts of them in counseling or for your website.
But if you want to develop your own inductive Bible studies or Bible study tools,
below are some advice from me.

Studying and using Scripture suggestions:

First in responding to any Bible verse or Scripture passage you hear in a sermon,
skim the verse or passage and then check the verses before and after
to make sure that was is being said really relates to the verse quoted.
Sometimes after the sermon and I am at my computer,
I will download any meaningful verses' passages and at least do the indent formatting to them
to understand better the logic of them.

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 If you are just typing Scripture without using Bible software to copy/paste from,
be very careful and double and triple check what you have written.
One letter missing or one letter added can change the meaning of a verse.
For each verse, think:
“Does it just tell me something I believe already
or does it indicate something I should change in my life to be more Christ-like?”
If it is the latter, you should copy it onto a 3 x 5 card
in your own words in a commitment form.

Back in 1977-78, I learned to do a special logical formatting.

The above and the below are samples of it:
This method of Bible study
will help the formatter learn new understanding of God’s Word
and can be used
for inductive teaching for Bible study discussion groups and
for easier memorizing of Scripture.

This way of writing Scripture can be done using any translation of the Bible
but please show respect in and capitalize the first letter of
deity pronouns,
Earth (for God’s special planet),
Christian, and
other words that indicate uniqueness (like "Bible" and "Apostle").
This will almost look sort of like the outline format
with the verses or groups of verses that seem to be of equal importance
indented the same positions from the left of the page.
A definite paragraph should have a blank line above its first line.

For producing inductive study for a Bible chapter or passage:

Download the Bible chapter or passage into a MS Word document.
Type the reference title above the first verse.
Press the Enter key and that is where the first verse number goes.
If the verse number is one digit, put a space in front of it.
Then press the space bar 4 times.
Be in the frame of mind as Proverbs 3:5-6 in order to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit
Determine how much of the first verse should be on the first line.
Most likely there will be a comma or semi-colon at the end.
In most cases, you will want to get as much on each line as possible,
but any equal important phrases usually should be separate lines
indented the same positions from the left of the page.
Continue as this page indicates.
Phrases or verses which seem to be just a clarification of a word in a previous verse
most likely should be indented at least 7 spaces to the right compared to the previous line,
so that the next line can start as it is a continuation of the previous line.

Then sometimes
I will bold or/and underline important verses or phrase or/and
I will insert thought provoking questions.
For producing subject studies:
After I sense a need (from the Holy Spirit, a sermon, a TV program, a conversation, etc.),
I use a Bible software to download verses using a key word to search with.
I usually have to such several times using different tense forms of a key word
and synonyms of that key word.

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 The software I usually use is from the free e-Sword downloads (usually KJV red letter edition)
or from the Lockman Foundation downloads of the Amplified and NASB Bibles.
Two other good sources for subject study verse references are
the Naves Topical Bible and Thompson Chain Bible References.

Sower of the seed parable

Matthew 13
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting beside the sea.
2 But such great crowds gathered about Him
that He got into a boat and remained sitting there,
while all the throng stood on the shore.
3 And He told them many things in parables
(stories by way of illustration and comparison), saying,
“A sower went out to sow.
4 And as he sowed,
some seeds fell by the roadside,
and the birds came and ate them up.
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground,
where they had not much soil;
and at once they sprang up,
because they had no depth of soil.
6 But when the sun rose,
they were scorched, and because they had no root,
they dried up {and} withered away.
7 Other seeds fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew up and choked them out.
8 Other seeds fell on good soil,
and yielded grain--
some a hundred times as much as was sown,
some sixty times as much, and some thirty.
9 He who has ears [to hear], let him be listening
{and} let him consider {and} perceive {and} comprehend by hearing.”
18 Listen then to the [meaning of the] parable of the sower:
19 While anyone is hearing the Word of the Kingdom
and does not grasp {and} comprehend it,
the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
This is what was sown along the roadside.
20 As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil,
this is he who hears the Word
and at once welcomes {and} accepts it with joy;
21 Yet it has no real root in him,
but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while);
and when affliction {or} trouble {or} persecution comes
on account of the Word,
at once he is caused to stumble
[he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert
Him Whom he ought to trust and obey]
{and} he falls away.

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22 As for what was sown among thorns,
this is he who hears the Word,
but the cares of the world and the pleasure {and} delight
{and} glamour {and} deceitfulness of riches
choke {and} suffocate the Word,
and it yields no fruit.
23 As for what was sown on good soil,
this is he who hears the Word
and grasps {and} comprehends it;
he indeed bears fruit
and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown,
in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.”

What have been your experiences in being the different soils in your past life?
How can you keep being “good soil”?

Two wisdoms-- from 1 Corinthians 1-2

The following is from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible and logically formatted.
1 Corinthians 1
17 For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize
but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel),
and that not with verbal eloquence,
lest the cross of Christ should be
deprived of force {and}
emptied of its power {and}
rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect).
18 For the story {and} message of the cross is sheer absurdity
{and} folly to those who are perishing {and} on their way to perdition,
but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.
19 For it is written, “I will baffle {and} render useless {and} destroy
the learning of the learned {and}
the philosophy of the philosophers and
the cleverness of the clever {and}
the discernment of the discerning;
I will frustrate {and} nullify [them] {and} bring [them] to nothing.”
20 Where is the wise man (the philosopher)?
Where is the scribe (the scholar)?
Where is the investigator (the logician, the debater) of this present time {and} age?
Has not God shown up the nonsense {and} the folly of this world's wisdom?
21 For when the world with all its Earthly wisdom
failed to perceive {and} recognize {and} know God
by means of its own philosophy,
God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching
[Salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him],
to save those who believed
(who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him).
22 For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs {and} miracles
and Greeks pursue philosophy {and} wisdom,

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23 we preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified,
[preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal
{and} an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap],
and to the Gentiles it is absurd {and} utterly unphilosophical nonsense.
24 But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile),
Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.
25 [This is] because
the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and
the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.
26 For [simply] consider your own call, brethren;
not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates {and} standards,
not many influential {and} powerful, not many of high {and} noble birth.
27 For God selected (deliberately chose)
what in the world is foolish
to put the wise to shame, and
what the world calls weak
to put the strong to shame.
28 And God also selected (deliberately chose)
what in the world is lowborn {and} insignificant and branded
{and} treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing,
that He might depose {and} bring to nothing the things that are,
29 so that no mortal man
should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.
30 But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus,
Whom God made our Wisdom from God,
[revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of Salvation previously hidden,
manifesting itself as]
our Righteousness
[thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and
our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and
our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].
31 So then, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts {and} proudly rejoices
{and} glories, boast {and} proudly rejoice {and} glory in the Lord.’

1 Corinthians 2
1 As for myself, brethren, when I came to you,
I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony {and} evidence {or mystery and secret} of God
[concerning what He has done through Christ for the Salvation of men and women]
in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy {and} wisdom;
2 For I resolved to know nothing
(to be acquainted with nothing,
to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and
to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.
3 And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread)
and great trembling [after I had come] among you.
4 And my language and my message were not set forth
in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom,
but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power
[a proof by the Spirit and power of God,
operating on me and
stirring in the minds of my hearers
the most holy emotions and thus persuading them],
5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy),
but in the power of God.
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 6 Yet when we are among the full-grown
(spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding),
we do impart a [higher] wisdom
(the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden);
but it is indeed not a wisdom of
this present age {or} of this world nor of the leaders {and} rulers of this age,
who are being brought to nothing {and} are doomed to pass away.
7 But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God
once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God--
[that wisdom] which God devised {and} decreed before the ages
for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence].
8 None of the rulers of this age {or} world
perceived {and} recognized {and} understood this,
for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But, on the contrary,
as the Scripture says,
‘What eye has not seen and ear has not heard
and has not entered into the heart of man,
[all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready)
for those who love Him
[who hold Him in affectionate reverence,
promptly obeying Him and
gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed].
10 Yet to us God has unveiled {and} revealed them by {and} through His Spirit,
for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring {and} examining everything,
even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God
[the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny].
11 For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man's thoughts
except the man's own spirit within him?
Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God
except the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world,
but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God,
[given to us] that we might realize {and} comprehend {and} appreciate the gifts
[of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly]
bestowed on us by God.
13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom
but taught by the [Holy] Spirit,
combining {and} interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language
[to those who possess the Holy Spirit].
14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept {or} welcome {or} admit into his heart
the gifts {and} teachings {and} revelations of the Spirit of God,
for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him;
and he is incapable of knowing them
[of progressively recognizing, understanding,
and becoming better acquainted with them]
because they are spiritually discerned {and} estimated {and} appreciated.
15 But the spiritual man tries all things
[he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things],
yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one
[he can read the meaning of everything,
but no one can properly discern {or} appraise {or} get an insight into him].

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16 For who has known {or} understood the mind
(the counsels and purposes) of the Lord
so as to guide {and} instruct Him {and} give Him knowledge?
But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah)
{and} do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

What kinds of problems have you had in learning the two kinds of wisdom?
How have you been blessed when learning God’s wisdom?
How do you try to share God’s wisdom?

The Importance of the Bible

(special compilation of verses by Bill Stevenson)

Testimony:
I was raised in a beautiful-looking church, but the Bible was not emphasized or taught at all. I loved
doing a lot of free time book reading (my favorites were Science Fiction and Landmark History books),
but, except for a thorough study for writing a 55-page paper on the Gospel of John, I didn’t read or study
the Bible at all until starting in October 1974. And I was a top Sunday school student! -But only “God’s
Word does not come back void.” 1 Thessalonians 3:15-17 says: “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.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man (or woman) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto
all good works.” So I had to do some catch-work after I was unjustly fired from my first Christian school
teaching job in 1974. The Holy Spirit had me study straight through Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and the
Epistles of Paul, underlining and making 3 x 5 cards to make some Bible study tools later. I traded the
secular books reading time for time of Bible study and intercessory prayer. I did also read some Christian
books, but never became addicted to do such. Now I have 59 Bible study tools which I share with others.
On June 25, 2004, I shocked my German wife when I told her that I don’t read and study the Bible
everyday for my new ministry of Preparation for Heavenly Living Correspondence School. Later
during the sermon on Romans 5:1-5, eight ways of relating to the Bible came to my mind. So the ways
one should relate to the Bible are 1.) Read, 2.) Study, 3.) Meditate, 4.) Memorize, 5.) Discuss it, 6.)
Counsel with it, 7.) Prepare a Bible study tool or teach it. Frequently living it should be done everyday by
Christians, but at least one of the others should be done too, preferable several.
Reading and study of the Bible should never be done when an individual is not thinking as Proverbs
3:5-8 says. In other words, reading just to read or just because someone else says so will usually not have
lasting results. To me a key is thinking as Proverbs 3:5-8 commands, and then an individual can become
sensitive to the Holy Spirit, Who Jesus said in John 14-16 would be a believer’s convictor, comforter,
teacher, and guide. The following is my translation and logical formatting of those important verses:
Trust in the Lord
with all my heart,
and lean not on my own understanding
or past experiences.
In all my ways acknowledge
(be thankful for) Him,
and He (via the Holy Spirit) shall direct
my thinking and doing.
Do not be wise in my own eyes;
fear the Lord (have awesome respect for)
and depart from evil.
It will be health to my flesh,
and strength to my bones.
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 But along with the much misusing of Scripture in sermons and publications, there is a lot of false
teaching about how a Christian should relate the Bible:
 I disagree with those saying that Christians should study the Bible every day and should read all
of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. No where in the Bible is this commanded. The Holy
Spirit will guide each God’s truth seeker in a personal way. Most of my Bible study tools were
interrupted in the development for good reasons and preparation for the rest. So I did not read
and study the Bible every day even when I was focusing on thinking about them. But, every day
I try to do at least 3 of the first seven ways to relate to Scripture.
 Those who brag about reading the Bible one time or more times through who I have met, did not
manifest the fruit of the Spirit in compassion for others. Also, I am turned-off by those who are
proud of their memorizing of Scripture and try to get everyone else in church to do likewise.
None of them manifested the fruit of the Spirit in compassion for others either. I knew a pastor
who had a photographic memory but he never bragged about how much Scripture he knew; he
was a humble verse-by-verse Bible teacher.
I pray for the just indicated people because they are misleading others from truly personally relating
to the Bible. To me, living it means doing what it says to do in thinking and acting in relation with others
and also confessing and repenting of bad habits. I enjoy doing either of those. For over 30 years, the
Bible has been the most important (by far) book in my life. I am amazed how I learn new understandings
from even my favorite passages. I never had a dull minute with it. Below are more reasons why the
Bible is so important to me and definitely is Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth:

Bible Study Suggestions:

A. First in responding to any Bible verse or Scripture passage you are orally given or assigned, skim the
verse or passage and then check the verses before and after to make sure I have included all of the
context. I could be wrong and not have included important context verses.
B. For each verse, think: “Does it just tell me something I believe already or does it indicate something
I should change in my life to be more Christ-like?” If it is the latter, copy it onto a 3 x 5 card and
state it in your own words in a commitment form.
C. When copying Scripture, be very careful, and double and triple check what you have written.
Capitalize the first letter of (a) a deity pronoun, (b) any title of God the Father and of Jesus Christ,
(c) Earth and Heaven respectively meaning the planet we live on and where true Christians hope to
go for the time before the New Earth (d) the words Bible, Scripture, and Christian, (e) the word Law
when the context indicates either the Ten Commandments or God’s Law [not the ordinances,
religious rules, and procedures spoken/written by Moses for only the Israelites in the Old Testament
times], and (f) any other proper nouns.

Directions: The following Holy Scripture references, quotes, and paraphrases can be used as
“springboards” for good reasoning and important discussions. If you really believe most
of the quotes in this paper, please note which ones and indicate any questions or doubts
you might have about the ones you don’t. Otherwise, you could write an essay as if you
had the opportunity to try to persuade an individual to become a true Christian.

1. 2 Timothy 2:8-10-- “The Word of God is not bound”

and testifies to the only way of resurrection and Salvation.
2. Romans 10-- the righteousness of God is of faith in Jesus Christ,
“faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the Word of God.” (vs. 3, 6a, & 17)
3. John 6:63-- Jesus said to His disciples, “It is the spirit that gives life;
the flesh profits nothing.
The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life.”
4. Psalm 19:7-8- “The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
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 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
5. Psalm 33-- “For the Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice....
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the thoughts of His heart to all generations.” (vs. 4-5a & 11)
6. Matthew 24:35-- Jesus said, “Heaven and Earth shall pass away,
but My words shall not pass away.”
7. 1 John 5:4-15-- “He [or she] who believes on the Son of God
has the witness in himself [or herself].
He [or she] that believes not God has made Him a liar,
because he [or she] believes not the record that God gave of His Son.
And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son.” (vs. 10-11)
8. Hebrews 10:7-- a prophesy of David (Psalm 40) about the Messiah
which states that a volume of a book is about Him
9. John 17:8-- The words of God through Jesus should be proof enough that God sent Him.
10. John 20:30-31-- “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples,
which are not written in this book;
but these are written, that you might believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
and that believing you might have life through His name.”
11. Luke 24:25-48-- “And Jesus said unto His eleven disciples,
‘These are the words which I spoke unto you while I was yet with you,
that all things must be fulfilled, which were written
in the Law of Moses,
and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.’
Then opened He their understanding,
that they might understand the Scriptures”
before preaching repentance and remission of sins
among all nations. (vs. 44-48)
12. 1 Thessalonians 2:13-- “When you received the Word of God which you heard of us,
you received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.”
13. John 1:8-10-- “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.…
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar,
and His word is not in us.” (vs. 8 & 10)
14. Matthew 22:29-- Jesus said, “You do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
15. Romans 1:16-17-- “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ;
for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believes.
For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, the just shall live by faith.”
16. Hebrews 4:12-- “For the Word of God is
living, and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
17. Romans 16:25-27-- “Now to Him that is of power to establish you
according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery,
which was kept secret since the world began,
but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets,
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 according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
made known to all nations for the obedience of faith;
to God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.”
18. Ephesians 6:10-17-- Believers are supposed to be strong in the Lord
wearing the whole armor of God which includes
our “loins girded about with truth”,
our “feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel”
and holding “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God”.
Also from the Bible, we are instructed on
how we can recognize spiritual wickedness
against which we must wrestle (not just protect ourselves from)
and how we can maintain living in
increasing righteousness (the breastplate)
and faith (the shield).
Finally, the Bible makes us confident of our Salvation (the helmet).
19. 1 John 2:14b-- If the Word of God abides in a person,
he or she has strength to overcome the devil.
20. Matthew 4:1-11 or Luke 4:1-13-- Jesus used quotes from the Scriptures, not His own words,
to refute the devil’s temptations.
21. Acts 4:31-- being filled with the Holy Spirit allows us
to speak the Word of God with boldness.
22. 2 Timothy 1:7-10-- a) We should not fear or lack a sound mind
when we are afflicted due to our belief in the Gospel,
b) God is made manifest by Jesus Christ
Who has brought life and immortality to light
through the Gospel.
23. Romans 15:4-- “For whatever things were written in earlier times were written for our learning,
that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.”
24. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21-- The Bible is the way to understand
Christian rebirth and the righteousness of God.
“To wit, that God was in Christ
reconciling the world unto Himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them,
and has committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.” (vs. 17, 21b, & 19)
25. 2 Timothy 3:16-17-- “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, so that the man [or woman] of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
(See also Ephesians 2:10.)
26. Colossians 3:16-- “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly,
in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another,
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
27. 1 John 5:19-20-- The Bible should be our source of
a) understanding the human condition of wickedness and
b) knowing Jesus Christ
Whom we should be in because He is true.
28. 1 Corinthians 10:1-15-- Examples in the Bible were written for our admonition
so that we would not lust after evil things
or put Christ to the test.
“Wherefore, let him [or her] that think he [or she] stands take heed
lest he [or she] fall.” (vs. 11, 6, 9a, & 12)
29. Romans 2:7-10a-- warning against not obeying the truth.
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30. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12-- “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v. 8)
31. Psalm 119-- describes the beauty and excellence of the written Word of God
in a way found nowhere else in the Bible.
It especially states how Scriptures should work on one who seeks truth and purpose.
32. Hebrews 6:1-2-- We believers must progress from the principals of the doctrine of Christ
towards perfection in Him
by obeying the advice in the Scriptures.
33. James 1:18-27-- “Of His own will begot He us with the Word of truth,
that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.…
Therefore, put away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted Word,
which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the Word and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.” (vs. 18 & 21-22)
The Bible includes “the perfect law of liberty”
which guides one to do deeds that shall be blessed.
34. 1 Peter 1:22-25-- We can purify our souls by obeying the truth.
We were born again
“not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the Word of God,
which lives and abides forever.”
All things of the flesh will pass away,
“but the Word of God will endures forever.”
35. 1 Peter 2:1-3-- New born-again Christians must lay aside
all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and evil speakings
before they can really desire of and grow by the pure milk of the Word.
36. John 15:3-- cleaning power of the Word
37. Hebrews 13:22a-- Believers should bear with the word of exhortation.
38. Philippians 2:13-16-- Believers are to obey God,
become blameless and harmless children of God without rebuke,
and hold forth the Word of life.
39. Luke 11:28-- Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hear the Word of God
and keep it.”
40. 1 John 2:5-6-- “But whosoever keeps His word,
in him [or her] verily is the love of God perfected.
By this know we that we are in Him.
He [or she] that says he [or she] abides in Him
ought himself [or herself] also to walk, even as He walked.”
41. 2 Peter 3:9 & 13-18-- We should read the Bible to learn
and be reminded of all of God’s promises
for those who believe, especially about the things to come.
We also must remember that our Lord would like all to repent
and that he is coming back for those
who are at peace of him without a spot and blameless.
We should be steadfast in our Salvation
and in the things mentioned in Paul’s Epistles
constantly growing in grace
and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
42. 2 Timothy 1:13—The Apostle Paul said, “Hold fast the form of sound words,
which you have heard of me,
in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”

11
43. John 8-- “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him,
‘If you continue in my Word, then are you My disciples indeed;
and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” (vs. 31-32)
44. 2 Timothy 3:13-15-- We must continue in the things
which we have learned from or have been assured by the holy Scriptures,
so that we will not be deceived
as evil men and seducers become worse and worse.
45. Deuteronomy 30:10-20-- The Word of life is not hidden, “but the word is very near unto you,
in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.”
We must obey and cleave to God’s Word
or else be drawn away and end-up serving other gods.
(vs. 11-14, 20, & 17)
46. 2 Timothy 2:15-- “Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman
that needs not be ashamed,
rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
47. 1 Timothy 1:3-11-- The Bible helps us to determine sound doctrine or truth.
48. 2 Timothy 2:22-26-- The Bible should be used
a) to avoid foolish or unlearned faith-testing questions
which breed strifes and
b) to guide those who oppose God or the truth in anyway
towards seeking God’s repentance to the acknowledging of the truth
(so that they may recover or escape out of the snare of the devil).
49. Colossians 4:5-6-- The Bible helps us to learn
a) to walk in wisdom toward those who are without and
b) to keep our speech with grace
so that we may know how we ought to answer every man [or woman].
50. Titus 1:7-11, 13b-14-- Christian leaders must
purify themselves according to the Scriptures,
hold fast to the faithful Word
which will enable them by sound doctrine
to exhort and to convince the opposers,
and to rebuke those who turn or backslide from the Truth.

Epistles Study by Subjects

(by Bill Stevenson)

Directions: Put the appropriate Scripture references in the right subject category. Some of the Bible
references are left grouped together with commas and the “&” meaning “and” to help
make it a little easier for matching with the correct subject. Also, if there is no colon after
a number which is proceeded by a comma or an “&” not after a comma, the number
means the whole chapter needs to be reviewed. After you have finished the matching
exercise, write an essay about what you learned. I have an answer key if you need it.
Requests can be made to my account of for_sharing_truth@yahoo.com .

Subjects:

1. Law and Faith--

2. Works and Faith--

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 3. Need for Humbleness--

4. Rebirth and New Lifestyle--

5. Freedom from Sin--

6. Contentment--

7. Importance of the Bible--

8. Judging--

9. Unity--

10.Marriage--

11.Ministry Purpose--

12.Divine Promise--

13.Warnings--

14.Believers' Testing Attitudes--

15.Stability--

16.Prayer Attitude--

Epistles Subjects Scripture References

Romans 1:16-17, 2:7-10a, 15:4, & 16:25-27; Romans 2:1-16, 12, 14, & 16:17-20; Romans 2:7-10a, 3:21-
28, 5 & 6; Romans 2:7-10a, 3:19-28, 4:13-25, 5, & 6:22-23; Romans 2, 3, & 6; Romans 3:19-28 &
31, 4:13-25, 5:13 & 20, 6:14-23, & 7; Romans 4:20-21 & 5:1-5; Romans 5:1-5; Romans 5:1-11 &
6:11-18; Romans 5:1-5 & 6; Romans 6:14-23; Romans 6 & 8; Romans 7:2-3; Romans 12 & 15:1-7;
Romans 16:25-27
1 Corinthians 1:10, 3:3 & 9, 11:33, & 12; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, 2, 3:18-23, 8:1b-3, 9:16-27, 10, 11:27-
33, & 13:12; 1 Corinthians 3:5-17, 9:7-14, 10:31, & 15; 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 & 12-17, 10:13, & 15;
1 Corinthians 3:10-21, 10, 15:31-34; 1 Corinthians 3:10-21, 10, 15:31-34; 1 Corinthians 4:3-6,
11:31 & 34; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, 10:13, 12-14, 15:9-l0 & 56-58; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians
9:7-27; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, 10:12-13, & 15:58; 1 Corinthians l0:1-15; 1 Corinthians 15:32c-34;
1 Corinthians 15:58
2 Corinthians 1:3-12, 4:8-18, 11:30, 12:9-10, & 13: 4-9; 2 Corinthians 1:9 & 10, 3:4-5, 4:5-18, 10:7-18,
12:9-10, & 13:4-5; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 3-6, & 10, & 13:7-9; 2 Corinthians 3:17b-18 & 5:15-21;
2 Corinthians 5, 8, & 9; 2 Corinthians 5:10 & 17-21, & 9:6-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 2
Corinthians 7:10 & 11; 2 Corinthians 10:12b & 11:13-15; 2 Corinthians 13:11
Galatians 1:10-12 & 2:20-21; Galatians 2:17-21, 4:8-31, 5:13-26, & 6:7-10; Galatians 2:17-19; Galatians
2:20, 5:1 & 5, 6:7-10, 14, & 17; Galatians 2:20, 5:22-26, 6:7-10 & 14; Galatians 2:21, & 3-5;
Galatians 3:21-22 & 28-29, 4:4-7, 5:7-8 & 10b; Galatians 3:28, 5:13-15 & 26, 6:1-2 & 10;
Galatians 5:1 & 6:7-10; Galatians 5:10b & 26, & 6:1-2; Galatians 6; Galatians 6:14

13
Ephesians 1:3-14 & 17, & 23, 4:1-7; Ephesians 2:8-10 & 6:5-8; Ephesians 3:16-21, 4:17-32, 5, & 6:1-17;
Ephesians 3:19-21, 4:1-6, & 6:1-9; Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16, & 25-32; Ephesians 4:1-7 & 11-16, &
6:10-20; Ephesians 4:4-10 & 6:8; Ephesians 4:17-32, & 5:15-21; Ephesians 5:11-13; Ephesians
5:22-33 & 6:1-4; Ephesians 6:1-17; Ephesians 6:10-18; Ephesians 6:10-17

14
Philippians 1:9-11 & 14-18, 3:15-19, 4:4-8; Philippians 1:14-23, 2:2-4, 3:4a, 7-11, & 14, 4:4-8 & 11b-13;
Philippians 1:20-23, 2:2-4 & 13-16, 3:4a, 7-11, 14, & 20-21, 4:4-8 & 11b-13; Philippians 1:27-29,
2:2-4, 3:15-19, & 4:4-8; Philippians 2:2-16, 3:4a, 7-11, & 14-21, & 4:4-13; Philippians 2:3-4, 3:2-3
& 15-21; Philippians 2:13-16 & 4:13; Philippians 2:13-16 (twice); Philippians 3:4a & 7-11 & 14;
Philippians 3:4a, 7-11, 14, & 20-21, & 4:4-13; Philippians 3:4a & 7-21 (twice); Philippians 3:15-
21; 4:7 & 19; Philippians 4:4-6
Colossians 1:9b-23; Colossians 1:9b-23, 2:2-17, 3, & 4:1-6; Colossians 1:21-29, 2, 4:3-6; Colossians 2:1-
3 & 3:15-17; Colossians 2:6-10 & 13-15; Colossians 2:8-23; Colossians 2:8-23, 3; Colossians 2:8-
23 & 4:5-6; Colossians 2:9-10, 13-15, & 23-25; Colossians 3; Colossians 3:l-17; Colossians 3:12-
25 & 4:5-6; Colossians 3:16, 4:5 & 6; Colossians 3:18-21
1 Thessalonians 2:1-14 & 4:3-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-14 & 4:23-24; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 & 4:13-18; 1
Thessalonians 4:3-9 & 12-18, & 5:1-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:12-18, 5:1-13 & 16-24; 1 Thessalonians
4:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:6-9, & 5:11-24
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, 2, & 3:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, 2, & 3:3-5; 2
Thessalonians 2; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5; 2
Thessalonians 3:6-15
1 Timothy 1:3-11; 1 Timothy 1:3-11 & 6; 1 Timothy 1:3-11, 2:1-8, 3-6; 1 Timothy 1:4 & 6:3-5; 1
Timothy 1:5-11 (twice); 1 Timothy 1:12-17, 6:1-2 & 6-18; 1 Timothy 1:12-17 & 6:6-18; 1 Timothy
1:3-11; 1 Timothy 4:8-10 & 6:6-12; 1 Timothy 6:3-18; 1 Timothy 6:12
2 Timothy 1:6-14, 2:8-10 & 24-26, 4:1-8 & 16-18; 2 Timothy 1:7-10, 2:3-4 & 11-16, & 3:13-17; 2
Timothy 1:7-10, 2:8-10, 15, & 22-26, & 3:13-17; 2 Timothy 1:7-10, 2:15, & 3:16-17; 2 Timothy
2:15-16 & 19-26 (twice); 2 Timothy 2:15-16 & 19-26, 4:1-5 & 7-8; 2 Timothy 2:15 & 19, 3:11-17,
4:1-5, 7-8, & 16-18; 2 Timothy 2:24-26, 3
Titus 1:1-3 & 5-14, 2, 3:1-11; Titus 1:1-3, 9-11, & 13b-14, 2, & 3:1-8; Titus 1:9-11 & 13b-14; Titus 1:9-
11 & 13b-14, & 3:1-11; Titus 2:4-8; Titus 2 (twice); Titus 2 & 3:1-8 (twice); Titus 2, 3:1-8, 4:9, 12,
& 16; Titus 3:8-9
Philemon 4-7
Hebrews 1:1-12, 2:9-18, 3.6, 4:12, 7:23-28, 8:10-12, 9:11-15 & 28, 10:1-18 & 35-39, 11:6, 12:6-7, 9-11,
& 27-28, 13:4-5, 8, & 20-21; Hebrews 1:10-14, 2:1-4, 3:7-19, 4:11-13, 6, 10:26-39, 11:6, 12:5b-15
& 25-29, & 13; Hebrews 2:9-11, 3:12-13, 10:22-25, & 13:15-16; Hebrews 4:1-6 & 9-16, 10:19-39,
12:1-15 & 28, 1& 3:5-9; Hebrews 4:12, 6:1-2, 10:7, 13:22a; Hebrews 5, 10:23-25 & 13:17;
Hebrews 6:1-2 & 10:19-39; Hebrews 7:19 & 28, & 10:1-18; Hebrews 10:19-39, 12:1-2 & 11-15;
Hebrews 11, 12:28, 13:15-16 & 20-21; Hebrews 12:1-2 & 13:1-9; Hebrews 12:1-15 & 27-28, &
13:5-9; Hebrews 13:3, 15, & 20-21; Hebrews 13:4-5; Hebrews 13: 7-8 & 17
James 1:2-4 & 12-14; James 1:2-5, 12-15, 17-18, 21, & 25, 3:17-18, 4:6-8a, 10, & 12, 5:8, 11, & 15-16;
James 1:2-6b, 12, & 18-25, & 4:6-17; James 1.5-8, 4:3, & 5:13-18; James 1:6-9; James 1:6-10, 13-
16, & 19-27, 2, 3:1, 5-8, & 10-18, 4, 5:1-12; James 1:8-10 & 26, 2:1-13, 3:14-18, 4:11-12, 5:9, 16,
& 19; James 1:18-27; James 1:22-27, 2:14-26; James 1:26-27, 3:13, 4:10-11, & 5:1-4; James 2:1-
13, 3:14-18, 4:11-12, 5:9 & 13-20; James 4:6-10; James 5:7-11
1 Peter 1:2-25, 2:24, 3:12, & 5:6-7 & 10; 1 Peter 1:2-25, 3:14-18, & 4:1-19; 1 Peter 1:3-16, 2:1-4 & 11-
25, 3:14-17, 4:1-2 & 12-19, & 5:10-11; 1 Peter 1:7-25; 1 Peter 1:13-15 & 22-23, 2:1-4, & 3:8-12; 1
Peter 1:13-16, 2:5-25, 4:12, & 5:5-7; 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:11-12, & 5:10-11; 1 Peter 1:22-25 & 2:1-3;
1 Peter 1:22-25, 4:7-11, & 5:5; 1 Peter 2:6-25, 5:8; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 Peter 3:1-12
2 Peter 1:2-11 & 20-21, 2:9-22, & 3:7-18; 2 Peter 1:2-11 & 3:11-18 (twice); 2 Peter 2-3; 2 Peter 3:9 &
13-18; 2 Peter 3:13-18 (twice)
1 John 1:5-10 & 2:1-8; 1 John 1:7 & 9, 2:1-3, 5-6, 9-11, 15-17, & 24-25, 3:1-3 & 22-24, 4:12b-13 & 15-
18, 5:1-4, 6-12, & 18-20; 1 John 1:7, 2:9-11 & 19, 3:13-14 & 16-24, 4:7-13, & 5:1-3; 1 John 1:8-
10, 2:5-6 & 14b, 5:4-15 & 19-201 John 2:1-2, 3:22, & 5:14-15; 1 John 2:9-11 & 19, & 4; 1 John
2:9, 11, & 15-29, 3:4-24, 4, 5:19 & 21; 1 John 2:10 & 5:19-21; 1 John 2:15-17 & 5:4; 1 John 2:27-
29, 3:1-3, 5:4-15 & 19-20; 1 John 3:4-11 & 17-24, & 5:10; 1 John 3:16-24, 4:5-21, 5:1-3, 10-15, &
18-21; 1 John 4:7-13; 1 John 4.
2 John 1:8-11
3 John 11
Jude 14-15 & 24-25; Jude 17-25 (twice); Jude 20-25 (5 times); Jude
15
 Two Psalm 119 Study Tools
(by Bill Stevenson)

Introduction
I first read this 176 verse psalm in January '75 and ended-up underlining every word. While "flying"
through it when sharing it for a March '77 week of Christian day school teacher devotions, I decided to do
a detailed word study of Psalm 119 using the 1967 Scofield Reference Bible. The results are as follows
in this unusual paper. Any one of the topic areas could be used for discussion and easily linked with
many other Bible passages. I hope that you will be blessed as much as I have been with this word and
subject study tool.
Psalm 119 was titled by Scofleld “In Praise of God's Word”. It was ordered in relation to the
Hebrew alphabet as an acrostic with 22 sections. The eight verses in each section began with the same
letter in the proper sequence of the alphabet as was designated at the head of each section. Therefore, this
Psalm was not ordered by the subject areas of the verses. That is why I grouped the key words onto index
cards. As I was looking at the results, a special outline came to my mind for grouping the words into
subject areas instead of alphabetizing. To God be the glory. Also, the 1967 Scofield Reference Bible has
the following important notes: “This Psalm, born of love for the Law of God, extols the beauties and
excellences of the written Word of God in a way found nowhere else in the Bible. God's Word is treated
under these designations: (1) law, (2) word or words, (3) ordinances, (4) commandments, (5) precepts' (6)
testimonies, (7) statutes, and (8) judgments. 'judgments' and 'ordinances' are translations of the same
Hebrew word. Only verses 90, 121, 122, and 132 do not give a synonym for the Word of God. The
shades of meaning in the words employed are as follows: 'Law' is primarily instruction or teaching, then
all of God's revelation for life. 'Word' is speech or utterance, a general word for the disclosure of God's
Will. 'Ordinances' (also 'judgments') refer to legal pronouncements, rules of divine administration.
'Commandments' are authoritative orders used as religious principles. 'Precepts' relate to man's moral
obligations as enjoined by God. 'Testimonies' indicate God's own declarations concerning His nature and
purpose. 'Statutes' refer elsewhere to civil and religious appointment of the Mosaic law. The word 'way'
is used as a synonym for all of these terms.”
While reading Psalm 119 carefully, I was surprised by the concepts of faith and commitment. Even
though this psalm's writer was under the law of Moses and had less than one half of God's revelation of
His Word, I didn't find any verse that I could not relate to. Today, believers of Jesus Christ are under the
law of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the third part of the divine Trinity works in the yielded Christian
the very righteousness in action that God's Law requires and in thinking which Jesus expects (Matthew
5:17-36). As you study Psalm 119, may God give you more understanding of the commitment He desires
of you.

Directions: Determine why I grouped the verses as I did. You might write a report about how you
personally relate or have experienced Scripture in responding to the following Psalm 119
index and verse list.

I. God and Believers

A. God has...
1. established the Earth: 90
2. made me and fashioned me: 73
3. founded purpose: 152
4. delighted and counselled me: 24
5. directed my ways: 5
6. taught me: 102
7. made me wiser: 98

16
 B. ____________________________ of God or His Word
1. Wonder: 18, 27, 129
2. Greatness: 156, 162, 165
3. Goodness: 39, 68, 71, 122
4. Richness or Sweetness: 14, 72, 103, 127
5. Perfection and Purity: 96, 140
6. Truthfulness: 30, 43, 142, 151, 160
7. Righteousness and Justice: 7, 21, 40, 62, 75, 106, 121, 123, 128, 137, 138, 142, 144, 149,
160, 164, 172
C. Believers' _____________for God or His Word
1. respect or fear: 6, (13), 15, (18), (24), (27), 38, (40), (42), (47), (48), (50), (54), (55), (57-
62), 63, (64-66), (68-73), 74, (75-77), 79, (86), (90), 117, 120, 128, (151), (161)
[Notes: The numbers in parenthesis indicate the verses in which the study word or/and words are
implied. Scofield states that “'the fear of the LORD' is an Old Testament expression
meaning reverential trust, including the hatred of evil.”]
2. praise: 12, 48, 54, 65, 72, 89-93, 96, 103, 105, 137, 138, 142, 162-164, 171, 175
3. delight: 24, 77, 92, 143, 174
II. Believers' Commitments
A. Thy servant: 17, 25, 38, 49, 65, 76, 84, 94, 122, 124 125, 135, 140, 176
B. Body parts--
1. soul: 20, 25, 28, 81, 109, 129, 167, 175
2. heart: 2, 10, 34, 58, 145; 7, 11, 32, 36, 80, 111, 112, 161
3. feet: 59, 101, 105
4. hands: 48, 109
5. mouth: 43, 103, 108, 131
6. lips: 13, 171
7. tongue: 172
C. Body part verbs—
1. walk: 1, 3, (105), 45 (133)
2. run: 32
3. cried: 145-147, 169
4. taste: 103
5. talk: 27
6. speak: 46, 172
7. declared: 13, 26
D. Believers’ No’s and Not’s
1. might not sin: 11
2. not wander: 10, 101
3. not declined from Thy Law: 51, 157
4. not departed from Thy judgments: 102
5. not forget Thy Law: 16, 61, 83, 93, 109, 141, 153, 176
6. not beholding vanity: 37
7. not covetousness: 36
8. not lying: 29
9. not erred: 110
10. undefiled: 1
11. no iniquity: 3
12. not ashamed: 6, 31, 46, 80, 116
E. Promising verbs--
[Note: Some of the following verse numbers are arranged in order to indicate the verb tenses
(past, present, & future) divided by semi-colons.]
1. hoped and hope: 43, 74, 147, 166; 49, 81, 114
2. shall observe: 34
3. meditate: 23; (97); 15, 48, 78, 148
17
 4. consider: 95
5. learn: 71, 73
6. sought and seek: 10, 94; 2, 45
7. longed and longing: 40, 131, (139), 174; 20
8. take heed: 9
9. chosen: 30, 173
10. taken: 111
11. laid before: 30
12. thought and turned my feet: 59
13. run the way: 32
14. done: 166
15. perform: 106, 112
16. hate: 104, 113, 128, 163
17. trust: 42
18. believed and seen: 66, 96
19. loved and love: 47, 48; 97, 113, 119, 127, 140, 163, 165, 167; 132, 159
20. esteem: 128
21. delight: 35, 70; 16, 47
22. rejoiced, rejoicing, and rejoice: 14, 111, 162
23. praise: 7
24. kept and keep: 5, (11), 55, 56, 60, 67, 167, 168; 2, 63, 100, 101, 129; 4, 8, 17, 33, 34, 44, 57,
88, 106, 115, 134, 145, 146
25. refrained my feet: 101
26. clung or stuck: 31
27. not forgotten and not forget: 61; 83, 109, 141, 153, 176; 16, 93
F. Promising verses--
1. past: 13, 14, 23, 30, 51, 52, 54-56, 59-61, 87, 102, 110-112, 152, 158
2. past with future request: 10, 11, 22, 26, 31, 40, 43, 66, 74, 101, 121, 131, 147, 166-168, 173,
174
3. future: 6-8, 15, 16, 27, 32-34, 44, 46-48, 57, 62, 69, 78, 88, 93, 95, 106, 115, 117, 134, 145,
146, 148, 171, 172, 175
4. present with future request: 19, 35, 38, 42, 45, 77, 81, 94, 119, 132, 153, 159, 176
5. unconditional present: 20, 24, 63, 67, 70, 72, 97, 99, 100, 104, 105, 109, 113, 114, 120, 127-
129, 140, 141, 143, 157, 161-164
III. Believers' Earthly Stay
A. As a sojourner or stranger: 19, 54
B. Relationships with non-believers--
1. evildoers: 115, (118), (126), (136), (150), (158)
2. wicked: 53, 61, 95, 110, 119, 155
3. proud: 21-23, 46, 51, 69, 70, 78, 85, 122
4. enemies: (42), 98, (134), 139, 157
C. Having to endure affliction: 22, 23, 29, 37, 39, 50, 51, 53, 61, 67, 69, 71, 75, 83-88, 92, 107,
(133), (141), (143), 153, (161)
D. God's help--
1. protection: 22, 36, 37, 39, 114, 117
2. sufficiency: 57, 111, 114, 151
3. faithfulness: 86, 90, 91, 138, (151)
4. comfort: 49, 50, 52, 57, 76, 77, 82, 165
5. grace: 8, 17, 19. 22, 25, 27-29, 37, 38, 40, 41-43, 49, 50, 58, 64, 76, 77, 122, 123, 132-136,
149, 153-156, 159, 166, 169, 170, 173-176
E. Unity of believers-- 1-4, 63, 79
F. Confidence and understanding-- 7, 75, 79, 89, 90, 98-100, 104, 119, 125, 130, 142, 144, 152, 160

18
 G. Timing for seeking and obeying God--
1. Clock-wise: 97, 164, 147, 55, 148, 62
2. Consistency: 1-4, 9-18, 20, 22-24, 30, 31, 44, 51, 52, 55, 61, 80, 97, 109, 112, 117
3. Eternity: 20, 33, 44, 98, 111, 112
H. Relationship to God's Word
1. Principles: 1-4, 9, 21, 64, 90, 91, 96, 99, 100, 105, 119, 142, 144, 155, 160, 165
2. Way or ways: 1, 3, 5, 9, 14, 15, 26, 27, 32, 33, 37, 101, 104, 128, 168
3. According to Thy Word: 9, 25, 28, 41, 58, 65, 76, 91, 107, 116, (124), 154, 156, 169, 170
IV. Requests to God
A. Key words--
1. Consider...: 153, 159
2. Hear me: 145, 149
3. Seek me: 176
4. Look upon me: 132
5. Be merciful unto me: 132
6. ... that I may live: 17, 77, 116, 144
7. Revive me: 25, 37, 88, 107, 149, 154, 159
8. Give me life: 40, 50, 93
9. Deliver me...: 134, 153, 154, 170
10. Remove from me: 22, 29
11. Turn away: 37, 39
12. Deal with thy servant: 17, 124, (135)
13. Make me: 27, 35
14. Grant me thy law: 29
15. Order my steps: 133
16. Teach me: 12, 26, 33, 64, 66, 68, 108, 124, 135, (171)
17. Give me understanding or make me understand: 34, 73, 125, 144, 169, (18), 27
18. Establish Thy Word: 38
19. Remember the word unto thy servant: 49
20. Incline my heart: 36, 112
21. Enlarge my heart: 32
22. Strengthen me: 28
23. Uphold me: 116
24. Hold me up: 117
25. Help me: 86, 173, 175
26. Hide not: 19
27. Leave me not: 121
28. Forsake me not: 8
29. Let not: 122, 133
30. Let: 10, 41, 76-80, 169, 170, 173, 175
31. Be surety for Thy servant: 122
32. Plead my cause: 154
33. Accept: 108
B. Verses-- 5, 10, 12, 17-19, 22, 25-29, 31-41, 43, 49, 58, 64, 66, 68, 71, 73, 74, 76-80, 82, 84, 86,
88, 107, 108, 116, 117, 122, 124-126, 132-135, 144-146, 149, 153, 154, 156, 159, 169, 170, 173,
175, 176

***********************************************

My Changes In Relation to Psalm ll9

(by Bill Stevenson-- 8/24-26/94)

I decided to see how much I don't need of Psalm 119 because of the New Testament. In my first
reading of Psalm 119 in November or December of 1974, I underlined every verse, all 176, because I was
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still Old Testament in much of my thinking. I had personally studied only the Gospel of John, Job, and
Psalms 1-118 at that time. After my underlining experience, I did a thorough study of Psalm 119, of key
words and phrases, and developed a special index of it. Later I did a special formatting of the Psalm
showing relationships of the verses by indenting. I also put “Psalm 119” below my signature in many of
my personal letters to others because I loved it so much.
So I was surprised by how many verses I don't need because of New Testament Christianity. For
example, I don’t need to proclaim Psalm 119:6-8 anymore. Verse 6-- “Then shall I not be ashamed, when
I have respect unto all Thy commandments.” I don't need to think about or meditate on or respect the Old
Testament ordinances. Jesus Christ said to obey His commandments that He taught when on Earth which
are supported and amplified in the commandments in the Epistles. Also, there is no link of shame with
such respect and obedience in the New Testament. Verse 7-- “I will praise Thee with uprightness of
heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.” Because of the New Testament, I have
learned God's righteous judgments already and because of heeding to 1 John 1:9, I can praise God with
uprightness of heart at anytime, without thinking of His righteous judgments. Verse 8-- “I will keep Thy
statutes: O forsake me not utterly.” I will always try to keep the New Testament Christianity Biblical
statutes. I don't need to worry about God forsaking me because of His promise of never leaving me or
forsaking me. See Hebrews 13:5-6.
By the way, the word “precepts” means “commands or/and principles intended as general rules of
actions or conduct”. The word “testimonies” means “solemn declarations and evidence of truth”. The
word “statutes” means “laws”.

Verses that I still completely identify with-- 55% of the Psalm:

Psalm 119:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek Him with the whole heart.
Psalm 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways.
Psalm 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently.
Psalm 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!
Psalm 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.
Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may live, and keep Thy Word.
Psalm 119:20 My soul breaks for the longing that it has unto Thy judgments at all times.
Psalm 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Psalm 119:26 I have declared my ways and Thou heard me: teach me Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous
works.
Psalm 119:28 My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen Thou me according unto Thy Word.
Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me.
Psalm 119:31 I have stuck unto Thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Psalm 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way.
Psalm 119:41 Let Thy mercies come also unto me, 0 LORD, even Thy Salvation, according to Thy
Word.
Psalm 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him or her that reproaches me: for I trust in Thy
Word.
Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:47 And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.
Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope.
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy Word has quickened me.
Psalm 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from Thy Law.
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Psalm 119:57 Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep Thy words.
Psalm 119:58 I entreated Thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy
Word.
Psalm 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:63 I am a companion of all of them that fear Thee, and of them that keep Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:64 The Earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy:, teach me Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according unto Thy Word.
Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed Thy commandments.
Psalm 119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep Thy precepts with my whole
heart.
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn
Thy commandments.
Psalm 119:74 They that fear Thee will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Thy Word.
Psalm 119:76 Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy Word
unto Thy servant.
Psalm 119:77 Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for Thy law is my delight.
Psalm 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will
meditate in Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:80 Let my heart be sound in Thy statutes, that I be not ashamed.
Psalm 119:81 My soul faints for Thy Salvation: but I hope in Thy Word.
Psalm 119:85 The proud have dug pits for me, which are not after Thy Law.
Psalm 119:86 All Thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me.
Psalm 119:87 They had almost consumed me upon Earth; but I forsook not Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:88 Quicken me after Thy loving kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of Thy mouth.
Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in Heaven.
Psalm 119:90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the Earth, and it abides.
Psalm 119:92 Unless Thy Law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Psalm 119:93 I will never forget Thy precepts: for with them Thou hast quickened me.
Psalm 119:94 I am Thine, save me: for I have sought Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection, but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
Psalm 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy Word.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Thy Words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Jeremiah 15:16)
Psalm 119:104 Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my
heart.
Psalm 119:112 I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes always, even unto the end.
Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but Thy Law do I love.
Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy Word.
Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according unto Thy Word that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my
hope.
Psalm 119:117 Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto Thy statutes
continually.
Psalm 119:122 Be surety for Thy servant for good; let not the proud oppress me.
Psalm 119:123 Mine eyes fail for Thy Salvation, and for the Word of Thy righteousness.

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Psalm 119:124 Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:125 I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:126 It is time for Thee, LORD, to work- for they have made void Thy Law.
Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every
false way.
Psalm 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psalm 119:130 The entrance of Thy Words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.
Psalm 119:132 Look Thou upon me and be merciful unto me, as Thou uses to do unto those that love
Thy Name.
Psalm 119:133 Order my steps in Thy Word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Psalm 119:134 Deliver me from the oppression of mare so will I keep Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:137 Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments.
Psalm 119:138 Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Psalm 119:140 Thy Word is very pure: therefore Thy servant loves it.
Psalm 119:141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget Thy precepts.
Psalm 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy Law is the truth.
Psalm 119:143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet Thy commandments are my delights.
Psalm 119:144 The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall
live.
Psalm 119:145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:153 Consider mine affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Thy Law.
Psalm 119:154 Plead my cause and deliver me; quicken me according to Thy Word.
Psalm 119:156 Great are Thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to Thy judgments.
Psalm 119:159 Consider how I love Thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy loving
kindness.
Psalm 119:160 Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments
endures for ever.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that finds great spoil.
Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but Thy Law do I love.
Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love Thy Law: and nothing shall offend them.
Psalm 119:166 LORD, I have hoped for Thy Salvation, and done Thy commandments.
Psalm 119:167 My soul has kept Thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
Psalm 119:168 I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, for all my ways are before Thee.
Psalm 119:169 Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD; give me understanding according to Thy
Word.
Psalm 119:170 Let my supplication come before Thee: deliver me according to Thy Word.
Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall speak of Thy Word, for all Thy commandments are righteousness

Anagram that I have seen in several places:

Basic
Instruction
Before
Leaving
Earth
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 Interesting Bible “Coincidences” from the Thompson Chain KJV Bible Helps

the 3:16s--
 John 3:16-- Salvation
 Proverbs 3:16-- the preciousness of wisdom
 Malachi 3:16-- the Lord’s jewels
 Luke 3:16-- the two baptisms
 Acts 3:16-- the mighty name
 1 Corinthians 3:16-- the temple of the Holy Spirit
 Colossians 3:16-- the indwelling Word of God
 1 Timothy 3:16-- the mystery of Godliness

the 2:10s--
 Luke 2:10-- the Joy Bringer
 Ephesians 2:10-- the Character Builder
 Philippians 2:10-- the Adorable Name
 Colossians 2:10-- the Fulfiller of Life
 Hebrews 2:10-- the Captain of our Salvation
 Revelation 2:10-- the Crown Giver

the 413a-- the Gifts of Jesus

 John 4:13-14-- satisfaction
 Acts 4:13-- transformation
 Ephesians 4:13-- inspiration
 Philippians 4:13-- power
 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14-- consolation

Other examples:
1. The seventh chapter of Genesis contains references to the waters of death, while in the
seventh chapter of John, Jesus speaks of the water of life (see verse 37).
2. Three great warning chapters are easily associated together because they all contain the
number 3-- Jeremiah 23, Ezekiel 33, and Matthew 23.

Last Statements Recorded

1. of Jesus-- on power, Acts 1:8
2. of James-- on soul saving, James 5:20
3. of Peter-- on growth, 2 Peter 3:18
4. of Jude-- on divine support, Jude 24-25
5. of John-- on divine grace, Revelation 22:21

Memory Attitudes
1. on living-- 2 Thessalonians 5:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:31
2. on learning-- 2 Timothy 2:15
3. on thinking-- Philippians 2:2-5 and 4:8
4. on planning-- James 4:15, Matthew 6:25-34, and Ephesians 5:15-21

from another source:

Nine Attributes of God mentioned in the 145th Psalm.
1. Omnipresence-- verse 18, “The LORD is near unto all”, etc. (present everywhere)
2. Omniscience-- verse 15, “The eyes of all”, etc. (knowing all things)
3. Omnipotence-- verse 10, “All Your works shall praise You.” (having all power)

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 4. Eternity-- verse 13, “endures throughout all generations” (living always)
5. Benevolence-- verse 9, “The LORD is good to all” (goodness and kindness)
6. Holiness-- verse 17, “Holy in all His works” (perfect holiness)
7. Mercy-- verse 9, “Tender mercies are over all His works” (perfect mercy)
8. Justice-- verse 17, “Righteous in all His ways” (always just)
9. Truth-- verse 18, “Near to all who call upon Him in truth”

Note: I have more Bible studies and many good articles about the Bible. See the File section of
***http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christianity_Basics_Source_1/
A-- Jesus Christ, B-- God the Father, C-- Prayer, D-- The Holy Spirit, E-- Godhead, F-- Christian
Salvation, G-- in relation to the Bible {including my Bible studies and Bible study courses}
(If you just want to use the File section, then indicate the” only e-mail” option.

More About True Christian Commitment

Lessons from Hebrews 3-4

Note: Try to understand why I formatted the way I did using indenting and bolding. I had good
reasons for each. Also, think about the importance of Jesus Christ. At each blank line, pause
and think about what you have read.

Hebrews 3 (from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible)

1 So then, brethren [and sisteren],
consecrated {and} set apart for God,
who share in the Heavenly calling,
[thoughtfully and attentively] consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest
Whom we confessed [as ours when we embraced the Christian faith].
2 faithful He was to Him Who appointed Him [Apostle and High Priest],
as Moses was also faithful in the whole house [of God]. (See Numbers 14.)
3 Yet Jesus has been considered worthy of much greater honor {and} glory than Moses,
just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house [itself].
(See 2 Corinthians 3)
4 For [of course] every house is built {and} furnished by someone,
but the Builder of all things
{and} the Furnisher [of the entire equipment of all things] is God.
5 And Moses certainly was faithful in the administration of all God's house
[but it was only] as a ministering servant.
[In his entire ministry he was but] a testimony to the things
which were to be spoken [the revelations to be given afterward in Christ].
6 But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful
over His [own Father's] house as a Son [and Master of it].
And it is we who are [now members] of this house,
if we hold {fast and firm to the end} our joyful {and} exultant confidence
and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ].

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 do not harden your hearts,
as [happened] in the rebellion [of Israel] {and} their provocation
{and} embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers tried [My patience] {and} tested [My forbearance]
24
 and found I stood their test, and they saw My works for forty years.
10 And so I was provoked (displeased and sorely grieved) with that generation,
and said, ‘They always err {and} are led astray in their hearts,
and they have not perceived {or} recognized My ways
{and} become progressively better
{and} more experimentally {and} intimately acquainted with them.’
11 Accordingly, I swore in My wrath {and} indignation,
They shall not enter into My rest.” (Psalm 95:7-11)
12 [Therefore beware] brethren [and sisteren],
take care,
lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart
[which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him],
leading you to turn away {and} desert {or} stand aloof from the living God.
13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day,
as long as it is called Today,
that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion]
by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah)
{and} share in all He has for us,
if only we hold our first newborn confidence
{and} original assured expectation [in virtue of which we are believers]
firm {and} unshaken to the end.
15 Then while it is [still] said, “Today, if you would hear His voice
{and} when you hear it,
do not harden your hearts
as in the rebellion [in the desert,
when the people provoked and irritated and embittered
God against them].” (Psalm 95:7-8)
16 For who were they who heard
{and} yet were rebellious {and} provoked [Him]?
Was it not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?
17 And with whom was He irritated {and} provoked
{and} grieved for forty years?
Was it not with those who sinned,
whose dismembered bodies were strewn
{and} left in the desert?
18 And to whom did He swear that they should not enter His rest,
but to those who disobeyed
[who had not listened to His word
and who refused to be compliant or be persuaded]?
19 So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest],
because of their unwillingness
to adhere to {and} trust in {and} rely on God
[unbelief had shut them out]. (Numbers 14-15)

Hebrews 4 (from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible)

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still holds {and} is offered [today],
Let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he [or she] has come too late
{and} has come short of [reaching] it.
2 For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us
just as truly as they [the Israelites of old] did

25
 but the message they heard did not benefit them,
because it was not mixed with faith
(with the leaning of the entire personality on God
in absolute trust and confidence
in His power, wisdom, and goodness)
by those who heard it;
{neither were they united in faith
with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).}
3 For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God)
do enter that rest,
in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter
when He said, “As I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest” (Psalm 95:11);
and this He said although [His] works had been completed {and} prepared
[and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world.
4 For in a certain place He has said this about the seventh day:
“And God rested on the seventh day from all His works.”
5 And [they forfeited their part in it, for] in this [passage] He said,
“They shall not enter My rest.” (Psalm 95:11)
6 Seeing then that the promise remains over [from past times]
for some to enter that rest,
and that those who formerly were given the good news about it
{and} the opportunity, failed to appropriate it
{and} did not enter because of disobedience,
7 again He sets a definite day,
Today [and gives another opportunity of securing that rest]
saying through David after so long a time in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you would hear His voice {and} when you hear it,
do not harden your hearts.” (Psalm 95:7-8)
8 [This mention of a rest was not a reference to their entering into Canaan.]
For if Joshua had given them rest,
He [God] would not speak afterward about another day.
9 So then, there is still awaiting a full {and} complete Sabbath-rest
reserved for the [true] people of God;
10 For he [or she] who has once entered [God's] rest
also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors,
just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.
11 Let us therefore be zealous {and} exert ourselves {and} strive diligently
to enter that rest [of God,
to know and experience it for ourselves],
that no one may fall {or} perish
by the same kind of unbelief {and} disobedience
[into which those in the wilderness fell].
12 For the Word that God speaks is alive
and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective];
it is sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating to the dividing line
of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit,
and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature],
exposing {and} sifting {and} analyzing {and} judging
the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His [God’s] sight,
but all things are open {and} exposed, naked {and} defenseless
to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.

26
 14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest
Who has [already] ascended {and} passed through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].
15 For we do not have a High Priest
Who is unable to understand {and} sympathize
{and} have a shared feeling with
our weaknesses {and} infirmities
{and} liability to the assaults of temptation,
but One Who has been tempted in every respect
as we are,
yet without sinning.
16 Let us then fearlessly {and} confidently {and} boldly draw near to the throne of grace
(the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may
receive mercy [for our failures]
and find grace to help in good time for every need
[appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

What should be your priorities? What should you learn from the past?
What keeps you from doing what these two Scripture chapters say we should do?

1 Corinthians 10:1-15 (from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible)

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
that our forefathers were all under {and} protected by the cloud
[in which God's Presence went before them],
and every one of them passed safely through the [Red] Sea,
2 And each one of them [allowed himself or herself also]
to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea
[they were thus brought under obligation to the Law,
to Moses, and to the covenant, consecrated and set apart to the service of God];
3 And all [of them] ate the same spiritual (supernaturally given) food,
4 And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink.
For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them
[produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality],
and the Rock was Christ.
5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them,
for they were overthrown {and} strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness.
6 Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us
not to desire {or} crave {or} covet {or} lust after evil {and} carnal things as they did.
7 Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were,
as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink
[the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb]
and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).
8 We must not gratify evil desire {and} indulge in immorality as some of them did--
and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell {dead} in a single day!
9 We should not tempt the Lord
[try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him,
and exploit His goodness] as some of them did--
and were killed by poisonous serpents;
10 nor discontentedly complain as some of them did--
and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
27
11 Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us];
they were written to admonish
{and} fit us for right action by good instruction,
we in whose days the ages have reached their climax
(their consummation and concluding period).
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands
[who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm],
take heed lest he fall [into sin].
13 For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin),
[no matter how it comes or where it leads]
has overtaken you {and} laid hold on you that is not common to man
[that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance
and that is not adjusted and adapted
and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear].
But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], {and} assayed
and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted {and} tried
beyond your ability {and} strength of resistance {and} power to endure,
but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out
(the means of escape to a landing place),
that you may be capable {and} strong {and} powerful to bear up under it patiently.
14 Therefore, my dearly beloved,
shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be)
any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).
15 I am speaking as to intelligent (sensible) men.
Think over {and} make up your minds [for yourselves] about what I say.
[I appeal to your reason and your discernment in these matters.]

How does 1 Corinthians 10:1-15 compare with Hebrews 3-4?

Some of Those Who Mostly Lived By Faith

From the Lockman Foundation’s “Amplified Bible”

Hebrews 10
38 But the just shall live by faith;
and if he [or she] draws back {and} shrinks in fear,
my soul has no delight {or} pleasure in him [or her].
39 But our way is not that of those who
draw back to eternal misery (perdition)
and are utterly destroyed,
but we are of those who believe
[who cleave to and trust in and rely on God
through Jesus Christ, the Messiah]
{and} by faith preserve the soul.
Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation) of the things hoped for,
being the proof of things [we] do not see {and}
the conviction of their reality
[faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
2 For by [faith-- trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men [and women] of old
had divine testimony borne to them {and} obtained a good report.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed
(fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose)
by the Word of God,
so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.
28
4 [Prompted, actuated] by faith
Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain,
because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous
[that he was upright and in right standing with God],
and God bore witness by accepting {and} acknowledging his gifts.
And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.
5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up {and} transferred to Heaven,
so that he did not have a glimpse of death;
and he was not found, because God had translated him.
For even before he was taken to Heaven,
he received testimony [still on record]
that he had pleased {and} been satisfactory to God.
6 But without faith
it is impossible to please {and} be satisfactory to Him.
For whoever would come near to God
must [necessarily] believe
that God exists and
that He is the rewarder
of those who earnestly {and} diligently seek Him.
7 [Prompted] by faith Noah,
being forewarned by God
concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign,
took heed {and} diligently {and} reverently
constructed {and} prepared an ark
for the deliverance of his own family.
By this [his faith which relied on God] he
passed judgment {and} sentence on the world's unbelief and
became an heir {and} possessor of righteousness
(that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith).
8 [Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called,
obeyed and went forth to a place
which he was destined to receive as an inheritance;
and he went, although he did not know
{or} trouble his mind about where he was to go.
9 [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident
in the land which was designated in the promise [of God]
in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob,
fellow heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward
to the city which has fixed {and} firm foundations,
whose Architect {and} Builder is God.
11 Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child,
even when she was long past the age for it,
because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise
to be reliable {and} trustworthy {and} true to His word.
12 So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead,
there have sprung descendants whose number is
as the stars of heaven and
as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore.

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13 These people all died controlled {and} sustained by their faith,
but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God's] promises,
only having seen it {and}
greeted it from a great distance by faith,
and all the while acknowledging {and} confessing
that they were strangers {and} temporary residents
{and} exiles upon the Earth.
14 Now those people who talk as they did
show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country).
15 If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of
that country from which they were emigrants,
they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.
16 But the truth is that they were yearning for {and} aspiring to
a better {and} more desirable country, that is, a Heavenly [one].
For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God
[even to be surnamed their God-- the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob],
for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test
had already brought Isaac for an offering;
he who had gladly received {and} welcomed [God's] promises
was ready to sacrifice his only son,
18 Of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac shall your descendants be reckoned.”
19 For he reasoned that God was able to raise [him] up
even from among the dead.
Indeed in the sense that Isaac was figuratively dead
[potentially sacrificed],
he did [actually] receive him back from the dead.
20 [With eyes of] faith Isaac, looking far into the future,
invoked blessings upon Jacob and Esau.
21 [Prompted] by faith Jacob, when he was dying,
blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed in prayer over the top of his staff.
22 [Actuated] by faith Joseph, when nearing the end of his life,
referred to [the promise of God for] the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt
and gave instructions concerning the burial of his own bones.
23 [Prompted] by faith
Moses, after his birth, was kept concealed for three months by his parents,
because they saw how comely the child was, and
they were not overawed {and} terrified by the king's decree.
24 [Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity {and} become great,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships]
{and} bear the shame of the people of God
rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.
26 He considered the contempt {and} abuse {and} shame [borne for]
the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come)
to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt,
for he looked forward {and} away to the reward (recompense).
27 [Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him,
being unawed {and} undismayed by the wrath of the king;
for he never flinched
{but} held staunchly to his purpose {and} endured steadfastly
as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible.

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28 By faith (simple trust and confidence in God)
he instituted {and} carried out the Passover
and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts],
so that the destroyer of the firstborn (the angel) might not touch
those [of the children of Israel].
29 [Urged on] by faith the people crossed the Red Sea as [though] on dry land,
but when the Egyptians tried to do the same thing
they were swallowed up [by the sea].
30 Because of faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they had been encompassed for seven days [by the Israelites].
31 [Prompted] by faith Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed
along with those who refused to believe {and} obey,
because she had received the spies in peace [without enmity].
32 And what shall I say further?
For time would fail me to tell
of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by [the help of] faith
subdued kingdoms,
administered justice,
obtained promised blessings,
closed the mouths of lions,
34 extinguished the power of raging fire,
escaped the devourings of the sword,
out of frailty {and} weakness won strength {and}
became stalwart, even mighty {and} resistless in battle,
routing alien hosts.
35 [Some] women received again their dead by a resurrection.
Others were tortured to death with clubs,
refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith],
so that they might be resurrected to a better life.
[1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:25-37]
36 Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging
and even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned to death;
they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith];
they were sawn asunder;
they were slaughtered by the sword;
[Others] had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats,
utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated--
38 [Men and women] of whom the world was not worthy--
roaming over the desolate places and the mountains,
and [living] in caves {and} caverns and holes of the earth.
39 And all of these,
though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith,
did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,
40 because God had us in mind {and} had something better
{and} greater in view for us,
so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come
to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].

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Hebrews 12
1 Therefore then,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
[who have borne testimony to the Truth],
let us strip off {and} throw aside
every encumbrance (unnecessary weight)
and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly)
clings to {and} entangles us, and
let us run with patient endurance {and} steady {and} active persistence
the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2 looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus,
Who is the Leader {and} the Source of our faith
[giving the first incentive for our belief]
and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him,
endured the cross, despising {and} ignoring the shame,
and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners
such grievous opposition {and} bitter hostility against Himself
[reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials],
so that you may not grow weary {or} exhausted,
losing heart {and} relaxing {and} fainting in your minds.

How does the Bible help you live by faith like you have just read about?
How should you share and teach Scripture from the Bible?

Desire for God

Part 1

Note: Jonathan Edwards became famous when God used him to preach in the Great Awakening revival
of the young American colonies. He wrote the below commitment statement when he was a
young man trying to figure what he should use his life for. He had been raised in a good
Christian home, but he needed to decide what he believed about God for himself.

Directions: First, figure out why some of the words below are underlined in the Jonathan Edwards’
Consecration Statement. Then read the following Scriptures. Then write an essay about
how you personally relate or have experienced the concepts below and mention about
individuals in the Bible who had the indicated qualities.

Consecration of Jonathan Edwards

(Good Daily Challenge)

“I claim no right to myself-- no right to this understanding, this will, these affections that are in me.
Neither do I have any right to this body or its members-- no right to this tongue, to these hands, feet, ears,
or eyes. I have given myself clear away and not retained anything of my own. I have been to God this
morning and told Him that I have given myself wholly to Him. I have given every power, so that for the
future I claim no right to myself in any respect. I have expressively promised Him, for by His grace I will
not fail.

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 “I take Him as my whole portion and felicity [great happiness], the joys of Heaven, prosperity;
looking upon nothing else as any part of my happiness. His Law is the constant rule of my obedience. I
will fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil to the end of my life. I will adhere
[stick] to the faith of the Gospel, however hazardous [or dangerous] and difficult the profession and
practice of it may be. I receive the blessed Holy Spirit as my Teacher, Sanctifier, and the only Comforter,
and cherish all monitions [cautions or warnings] to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist me.
This I have done.

“I pray God, for the sake of others, to look upon me as a self dedication and receive me as His own.
Henceforth I am not to act in any respect as my own. I shall act as my own if I ever make use of any of
my powers to do anything that is not to the glory of God, or to fail to make the glorifying of Him my
whole and entire business. If I murmur in the least at afflictions, if I am in any way uncharitable, if I
revenge my own case, if I do anything purely to please myself or omit anything because it is a great
denial, if I trust to myself if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me, or if I am in any way
proud, I shall act as my own and not God's. Therefore, I purpose to be absolutely His.” [Emphases and
definitions purposely added.]

Romans 12:1-3
“I beseech you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world:
but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man [and woman] that is among you,
not to think of himself [or herself] more highly than he [or she] ought to think;
but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man [and woman] the measure of faith.”

Other appropriate Scriptures: Psalm 103, 1 Corinthians 15:22-31, and 2 Corinthians 4

Part 2

Psalm 63 from Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible with comments

Note: The following comments and questions were my reaction to a series of messages by Dr. Al
Sanders during the Biola Hour during October 1976. I shared the comments in this paper with
the Bethel Christian Academy teachers during the week of February 14, 1977. It was slightly
modified on March 10, 1999.

Directions: Answer the questions and write down whatever else comes to mind when you read the
comments and the related Psalm 93 verses.

A.) Current rainwater shortage-- the ground and plant life need water.
Is there also thirsting for God?
B.) Setting-- the wilderness of Judah when David was being hunted.
David experienced something new with the Lord in the bleakest of conditions.
Have you ever found yourself in the wilderness of life
when you didn’t know what was going to happen in the near future?
Did you mutter or sputter, fume or spurt, mumble, or grumble?
Or did you spend some time in prayer or song with God?
Or did you study hours in God’s Word?

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 We should find God closest when we are in a wilderness experience.
Also in teaching, we may feel like we are in a wilderness of problems.
When feeling school pressures, do we get mad, turn-off, or bury ourselves in paper
work.
Or do we at least pray and be thankful to God inside our hearts
and study the Bible for guidance as soon as possible.
When David was pressured, he apparently usually prayed and sang to God.
How many times has a song or a tune come to you when you felt pressured or alone?

1 O GOD, You are my God,

earnestly will I seek You;
my inner self thirsts for You,
my flesh longs {and} is faint for You,
in a dry and weary land where no water is.
C.) The first “God” is actually the Elohim meaning of God the Creator
and the second “God” is actually the Elohim meaning of God
the All-mighty, the All-powerful One.
We should also be impressed with the use of many personal pronouns in the Psalms.
Notice how many times David used the words “I”, “My “, “Thou”, and “Thee”.
There are no clichés, no pretensions;
it’s just a flat-out expression of a personal relationship with the Lord.
The word translated “early” here is from Hebrew word meaning “dawn”.
Mornings are usually our most alert times.
How do we wake-up?
Do we feel short on sleep?
Or do we thank God and commit the day to Him?
Do we spend at least 5 minutes in God’s Word for personal guidance?
Do we expect a blessing from each morning teachers’ devotion?
Going on, our morning class time is precious for inspiring students
to work hard in the basic fundamentals of our curriculum.
Are we enthusiastic examples in the morning so that our students may think
that we have just been with Jesus Christ as Acts 4:13 indicates of Peter and John?
In times of trouble, do we seek God’s guidance early
or do we wait until everything else has failed?
We should be good examples of relying on God for each day and each situation.
David didn’t say, “my soul thirsteth for water”
nor “my soul thirsteth for the blood of those who are after me”.
We might replace those phrases with other things of teachers common desires
like “classroom peace” or “student understanding”.
Our students may say they thirst after “fun or “high grades”, etc.
Instead, we as believers should have a constant craving
(which has been aroused by the Holy Spirit)
to seek after the truths of God.
We should not be ashamed to be seen reading
the Bible or other religious writings during lunch, study hall, or in public.
What are our priorities?
Do we really know what it means to hunger and thirst for the Lord?
Can we declare, “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God”. [Psalm 84:2]
Jesus also reminds us, “Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled”. [Matthew 5:6]
What a promise, especially for a Christian school!
If we don’t know about this true thirst and hunger,
then how can we inspire our students to seek God’s truth for their lives?
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 Is God’s will for us constantly first?

2 So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary

to see Your power and Your glory.
D). David was seeking to experience the power and glory of God in the wilderness
like he had felt in the Tabernacle.
God is everywhere, and in so many wonderful ways in the Bible.
In any wilderness or under any pressures,
we should go to the Word of God as soon as possible.
We can experience God’s power and glory
by reading the Bible with the right attitude.
The Word of God can be “dynamite” which can be used
either for building tunnels of understanding
or for exposure/destruction of buildings of false doctrine.
At least two leaders in the past tried to destroy all copies of the Bible and failed.
Many people have died for believing and standing for the Bible doctrine.
Currently, individuals are being arrested in some countries
for even having only one chapter of the Bible.
How should we use the great book while we still have freedom to do so?
The Bible is the only book in which new understandings of its contents
can happen every time it is read if the reader has the right attitude.
All other books are rarely reread even.
How much of the Bible is in your “heart” and lived frequently?

3 Because Your loving-kindness is better than life,

my lips shall praise You.
E.) This is a beautiful testimony. Psalm 138:2 has a similar declaration.
Now in reaction to this,
do you really believe that God’s loving-kindness is better to you than life itself?
Dr. Sanders had some warnings at this point:
“Remember now that life is man’s most valuable and precious commodity.
He clings to it so tenaciously.
Death is something that he continually abhors.
How much we value our lives.
Any surgery is shunned;
even amputation is looked upon with horror.
But is the time comes when these things are necessary,
our whole desire is, ‘Do whatever you have to do, but spare my life’.”
Also, there are Christians who say they do not want to die in certain ways.
But if we are chosen to suffer for our Christian beliefs,
God’s loving-kindness will always give us peace of heart.
David, in this verse, showed his abnormal openness of heart.
If we have an open heart to God’s loving-kindness,
non-believers will indeed think we are peculiar people.
Like David, we should allow our lips to praise God in prayer or song.
Some Christians may think that this verse and the next 5 verses
may just be for Holy Rollers, etc.
I don’t believe so.
How many “Amen’s” or “thank you Lord’s” have come through your lips
or have you heard lately?
Shouldn’t all believers let their lips be used as a means of bringing glory
to our wonderful Lord?
Do your think it’s possible to love someone (especially Jesus Christ)
without telling others about it?
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 Shouldn’t we grow into a very deep love with God’s Word
and express ourselves in a genuine fashion whenever we can in all subject areas?
4 So will I bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
F.) David emphasizes the present in this verse.
Many Christians say they will open up in these ways after the Second Coming.
It is human nature to want to be accepted by others
and control emotions to seem mature.
But aren’t there many Scriptural statements against people-pleasing?
Were all of the people of faith in the Bible unemotional?
Jesus Christ showed deep feeling many times in the recorded parts of His ministry.
We should be able to always think of something
to praise (at least internally) the Lord
even if it is just because of good health or Jesus is God!
David, while facing possible death made time to bless God by lifting his voice and hands.
We are not facing real dangers of death,
but how much of our time do we use to thank God
or bring blessing to the hearts of others by encouraging them
with some words of truth from Scripture?
Generally, the usual thing that happens is that we put off blessing the Lord
until we are in trouble, the situation is desperate, and there is some special need.
David is not saying that he lifted his arms all his life.
And I believe that we can lift our arms spiritually
because of the way we feel spiritually.
I believe the best way we can bless God is for each of us to constantly seek
to be used by God as sincere ministers of His Truth.
Everything we think or do should be for God’s glory,
and then our students should be encouraged.
5 My whole being shall be satisfied
as with marrow and fatness;
and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips
G.) David briefly states a good picture of contentment.
The following is how Dr. Sanders related to this verse:
“We all have goals set out as desired for ourselves as well as for our loved ones.
But frequently people make the mistake of thinking that the soul
is going to be contented with that which brings satisfaction for the body.
For instance, in the parable of rich fool that is recounted for us in Luke 12,
the rich man had this same concept.
He thought his body was his soul.
In the 29th verse we find the quotation from his foolish lips,
‘And I will say to my soul, soul,
thou hast much goods laid up for many years;
take thine ease. Eat, drink, and be merry.’
But here again you see, let me emphasize, the soul doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink,
and there is nothing from a physical standpoint
that could ever possible bring it contentment.
The only thing that satisfies the soul,
because it is made to be in a faith relationship directly with God,
is that personal encounter of a growing nature that comes through
salvation.”
Are we each content like Paul indicated in Philippians 4:11-12 & 4-7?
This chapter of the Bible has the ways to obtain this Christian contentment
which is the peace of God and can be reassuring
during times of increasing trials and pressures.
36
37
6 When I remember You upon my bed
and meditate on You in the night watches.
H.) The first part of this verse is not for insomnia.
I believe a true Christian should be easily able to go to sleep just
by reflecting on the goodness and mercy of God.
Concerns and anger should be left out of the bedroom.
Jesus Christ should be completely in our hearts as we go to sleep,
because He may come back while we are not awake.
For many years my mother lost sleep when she remembered
her worse childhood memory of her being angry
in response to her father beating her in checkers
and her not saying “good night” to him the night he died.
Philippians 4:8 also tells us what we should think about
especially just before we go to sleep.
If we have the peace of God in us,
we do not need “Sleep-eze” or any other thing to get the proper rest each night.
Our minds should be turned to God as much as possible, even while sleeping,
and then He can keep His promises to us.
He will watch over us at night
and prepare us for the challenges of the next day.

7 For You have been my help,

and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.
I.) This verse should inspire us to pause and consider
the reason why God had done so much for us.
In the 103rd Psalm, there is the exhortation,
“Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
During our busy lives of relating to people,
we do have a tendency to forget the blessed truth that
we have been kept “in the shadow of God’s wings”,
even before we were saved by His grace.
Consider what all He has kept us from!
Only God could so completely take care of us.
How can we not be thankful at all times?
In this verse David is saying, because of all the help God has been in the past,
there is ample reason to trust Him even now in this wilderness experience.
A true Christian shouldn’t cower, he or she shouldn’t shiver for fear, he or she shouldn’t quake,
but he or she should simply rejoice in all that God has done for him or her.
Can we rejoice more in front of our students and each other?

8 My whole being follows hard after You

{and} clings closely to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
J.) In this verse, the King James Version Bible phrase “hard after” really means “to be glued”.
A believer’s soul should feel as if it is glued to God forever
no matter what temptations.
The word “followeth” indicates action of commitment.
This is personal and must be based on the only relationship of redemption.
The Scriptures state that the true striving and commitment requires laborious exertion.
Many people just don’t want to take the time.
They can’t be bothered to get that close to the Lord,
too many other things to accomplish.

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Can we inspire our students to redeem the time in the right way if we really aren’t?
We should show sincere perseverance in seeking the Lord.
“The conditions may not be ideal.
The emotional feelings may not run toward this particular direction,
but the Lord desires that we should seek Him at every turn and experience in life.
We find the application of that when we look at David himself.
When he was smitten with his guilt because of the act of adultery and later murder,
he definitely followed hard after the Lord.
When temptation came, and surely it did,
even after the confession of the sins that he had committed,
he followed hard after the Lord.
Just as diligently as Saul had hounded his tracks,
just as diligently as did his later enemies
through Absalom and those who followed his wicked train,
so David pursued and became glued to the Lord.
It is so dangerous for us when we walk in our own way.
This is why the wisdom of the book of Proverbs declares,
‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding;
in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.’ [Proverbs 3:5-6]”
My commitment/prayer translation of the just mentioned,
and I remind myself of it almost every time I start something, is
“I want to trust You [God] completely
and I don’t want to rely on my past understanding, knowledge, or experiences.
I will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit whenever I start something
and will thank You [God] for every success I have.”
If I do the just mentioned,
I know that the Holy Spirit will direct my future decisions and doings.”
Back to Psalm 63, “an interesting translation of verse 8 simply lays it out,
‘my soul, fast to Thy skirts would I cling’.
It gives us the picture of a little child hanging onto the outer garment of his mother,
afraid to be lost in the crowded confusion of life.
You remember the account in Scripture of the woman
who had the issue of blood for more than 12 years.
She was gravely ill and the physicians had really given up on her,
except to take whatever funds she had for treatments.
Her claim was, ‘If only I could touch the hem of His garment’.
Do you see the relationship here?”
At this point, we should each reflect on our respective ministries of teaching
and ask ourselves if we are truly constantly seeking God’s help
for meeting the various needs of our students.
Only He knows the just mentioned; we can’t mind read.
Do our students realize that
we are indeed following the Lord via Holy Spirit and Bible guidance,
and that no person or problem can separate us
from His will for us in teaching others?
The Bible emphasizes the great responsibility for those who choose to teach.
See James 3:1, Matthew 18:5-6 & 5:19.
Professional teaching should be a considered a divine calling. Do you?
Dr. Al Sanders continued, “The last part of verse 8 confirms, ‘Thy right hand up-holdeth me.’
Now the right hand traditionally symbolizes in Scripture four things.
First of all, it means power.”
There are more right-handers than left-handers in the world.
The right side of the anatomy of these people generally has more strength
than the other side because it is regularly used.
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 “So there is power in the right hand,
showing a close union and a commitment of mutual desire.
This is what fellowship is all about.
Finally, the ‘right hand’ in Scripture symbolizes
protection, love, consideration, and concern.
There are some beautiful precious thoughts in this connection.
Just a few verses of Scripture
so familiar and yet applicable in this direct sense are
Deuteronomy 33:2, ‘From God’s right hand went a fiery law.’
This, you see, shows His power.
Psalm 16:11, ‘At God’s right hand are pleasures for evermore.’
Here we can see the importance of His fellowship.
In Mark 14:62, Jesus Christ stated that He would be
‘sitting on the right hand of power’.
This firmly indicates protection.
The Savior is there now
and we are His special consideration.
The fact of the matter is, we are upheld
not by a book , a creed, or a philosophy,
but we are upheld by God, Christ Himself.
What a blessed truth to encourage
even the most dejected heart.”
And now we know so much more than David did when he made this claim in the wilderness.
What more do we need to be more dedicated to the Lord’s will and Word?

9 But those who seek {and} demand my life to ruin {and} destroy it
shall [themselves be destroyed and] go into the lower parts of the Earth
[into the underworld of the dead].
K.) David indicates his concern for his enemy in this verse and the next one.
Dr. Sanders says: “The purpose of Absalom wasn’t only to take over the kingdom
but also, in his wicked imagination, he had devised a plan to kill his own father.”
David’s foe, Absalom, is hardly to be compared with our greatest enemy, namely Satan,
but Absalom was wanting to do what Satan wanted--
destroy one of God’s most respected children.
If by faith we have received Jesus Christ as Savior,
the devil knows he can’t rob us of our salvation,
but he can bring spiritual defeat into our daily experiences.
There are a lot of Christians
who are living mediocre, sub-normal lives of spiritual existence,
defeated so often because of the overcoming power of temptation.”
Human nature is weak and sinful;
faith is God
and His written word is the only defense and offense against Satan.
In this verse, David concisely indicates his confidence in God
in that he knows that those who seek to destroy his soul will be condemned.
We should have the same confidence
never forgetting that Satan and his helpers are defeated foes
as the book of Revelation states.
Reread Psalms 37 and 73.
Remembering this, we don’t have to wonder why
the righteous seem to usually have such a difficult time living on this planet
and unGodly seem to usually prosper so beautifully.
Vengeance was not in David’s mind and it never should be in ours;
God will finally judge and condemn those who seek to destroy souls.
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10 They shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a prey for foxes {and} jackals.
L.) This is just a further delineation concerning those
who seek to either destroy the child of God
or who seek a breaking continuity of believers’ fellowship.
As teachers, we should remind our students
about the Final Judgment of those who reject Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
There is no “plea-bargaining” or compromise of any sort.
They could become engulfed by their sins.
Going to the last phrase of this verse, Dr. Sanders makes the following points:
“Beasts were originally given to men for their food,
but here men are given the beasts as with a prey.
In the days of our Savior’s crucifixion,
the children of Israel flatly refused to believe ‘the Lamb of God
Who taketh away the sin of the world’.”
Instead, most of them chose to believe their religious leaders
in their doctrine that the Messiah was still to come.
So let us give out the above indicated warning whenever we feel led by the Holy Spirit;
it may be too late for that person or persons even one second later.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;

everyone who swears by Him [that is, who
binds himself (or herself) by God's authority,
acknowledging His supremacy, and
devoting himself (or herself) to His glory and service alone;
every such one] shall glory,
for the mouths of those who speak lies
shall be stopped.
M.) David ties up the whole Psalm with this verse
that has several completed Bible reminders for us.
We should never forget our position as kings and priests unto our God.
Being thankful for this position of faith,
do we really rejoice in God and are we really living victorious lives?
David, with great confidence in the wilderness while being hunted,
confidently affirms that everyone who really believes in God shall glory.
The glory belongs to God not us.
We just have to have faith
and simply obey the Holy Spirit has He guides us.
We should not try to guide ourselves or others
relying on our knowledge and past experience.
And we should be thankful and rejoice in anything good that happens.
We should have complete confidence in our Heavenly Father.
We should constantly remind our students
of this proper submission of true faith and love.
I was surprised how David ended this Psalm in a way
that James might have ended his section on the tongue
or as Paul might have after a passage on gossiping or rumoring.
It is very hard, and in some areas impossible,
to know who is lying or not speaking the truth,
but “everything, in the hour believers are waiting for,
will be made clearly evident as to the reality of God’s truth”.
[The book of Revelation with help from the book of Daniel.]

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 Realizing our responsibility as teachers,
we must constantly remind our students to speak the truth
so that their mouths can be used to bring glory to the Lord.
If we and our students do the things Psalm 63 recommends, we cannot lie.

In conclusion:
Let us seek to encourage each other to do as David did while being hunted in the wilderness.
Let us put God and His Word first in our teaching as much as humanly possible.
Let us strive to make Bethel Christian Academy truly Christian.

After an Individual Becomes a Christian

(special compilation of verses and a few other quotes by Bill Stevenson)

1.) “‘Come to Me, all of you who are tired from carrying your heavy loads,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke and put it on you,
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.’”
[Matthew 11:28-29]
2.) “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand,
so that He will lift you up in His own good time.
Throw all your worries on Him, for He cares for you.” [1 Peter 5:6-7]
3.) “For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved, through faith.
It is not your own doing, but God’s gift.” [Ephesians 2:8-9]
4.) “‘For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him
may not die but have eternal life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to be its Judge,
but to be its Savior.’” [John 3:16-17]
5.) “‘For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.’” [Luke 19:10]
6.) “All men have sinned and are far away from God’s saving presence.
But by the free gift of God’s grace,
they all can be put right with Him
through Christ Jesus, Who sets them free.
God offered Him
so that by His death He should become
the means by which men’s sins are forgiven,
through their faith in Him.
God offered Christ to show
how He puts men right with Himself.” [Romans 3:23-25b]
7.) What is faith?
“Flaming zeal is not faith.
Firm conviction is not faith.
Deep feeling is not faith.
Enduring patience is not faith.
Hope for the future is not faith.
Faith is that which is in Jesus Christ,
the truth.
This truth does not change according to season or place,
for it is not of man but of eternal God.” [Source unknown.]

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 8.) “Jesus answered Thomas:
‘I am the way,
I am the truth,
I am the life;
no one goes to the Father except by Me.’” [John 14:6]
9.) “When anyone is joined to Christ,
he (or she) is a new being:
the old is gone, the new has come.” [2 Corinthians 5:17]
10.) “‘The wind blows wherever it wishes;
you hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going.
It is the same way with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” [John 3:8]
11.) “‘Whoever believes in Me,
streams of living water will pour out from his (or her) heart.’” [John 7:38]
12.) “Do not conform outwardly to the standards of this world,
but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.
Then you will be able to know the will of God—
what is good, and is pleasing to Him, and is perfect.” [Romans 12:2]
13.) “‘I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in Me, and I in him (or her)
will bear much fruit;
for you can do nothing without Me.’” [John 15:5]
14.) “‘If you obey My teaching, you are really My disciples.
You will know the truth,
and the truth will make you free.’” [John 8:31b-32]
15.) “But the wisdom from above is pure,
first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly;
it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds;
it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.
And righteousness is the harvest that is produced
from the seeds the peacemakers planted in peace.” [James 3:17-18]
16.) “For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid;
instead, His Spirit fills us with the power and unselfish love
and self-control.” [2 Timothy 1:7]
17.) “But the Lord is faithful.
He will make you strong
and keep you safe from the Evil One.” [2 Thessalonians 3:3]
18.) “For God keeps His promise,
and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist.
But at the time you are tempted,
He will give you the strength to endure it
and if necessary provide you with a way out.” [1 Corinthians 10:13]
19.) “‘Do not be worried and upset’, Jesus told them (His disciples).
Believe in God, and believe also in Me.
There are many rooms in My Father’s house,
and I am going to prepare a place for you.
I would not tell you this if it were not so.
And after I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take You to Myself;
that you will be where I am,
you know how to get to the place where I am going.’” [John 14:1-3]

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20.) “‘And this small and temporary trouble we suffer
will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory,
much greater than the trouble.
For we fix our attention,
not on thinks that are seen,
but on things that are unseen.
What can be seen lasts only for a time;
but what cannot be seen lasts forever.’” [2 Corinthians 4:17-18]
21.) “He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him,
whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!” [Isaiah 26:3]
22.) “Let the Spirit direct your lives,
and you will not satisfy the desires of the fallen nature.
For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants,
and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what fallen nature wants:
the two are enemies,
and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their fallen nature,
with all its passions and desires.
The Spirit has given us life;
He must also control our lives.” [Galatians 5:16-17, 24-25]
23.) “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah is a child of God;
and whoever loves a father also loves his child.
This is how we know that we love God’s children:
it is by loving God and obeying His commands.
For this is what love for God means:
it means that we obey His commands.
And His commands are not too hard for us,
for every child of God is able to defeat the world.
This is how we win the victory over the world:
with our faith.
Who can defeat the world?
Only he (or she) who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God.” [1 John 5:1-5]
24.) “Do everything without complaining or arguing,
that you may be innocent and pure, God’s perfect children
who live in a world of crooked and mean people.
You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky.”
25.) “But if we live in the light-- just as He is in the light--
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, His Son,
makes us clean from all our sins.” [1 John 1:7]
26.) “Keep your lives free from the love of money,
and be satisfied with what you have.
For God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” [Hebrews 13:5]
27.) “‘Give to others, and God will give to you.
You will receive a full measure, a generous helping,
poured into your hands all that you can hold.
The measure you use for others is the one God will use for you.’” [Luke 6:38]

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28.) “This is why we have courage in God’s presence;
we are sure that He will hear us
if we ask Him for anything that is according to His will.
He hears us whenever we ask Him;
since we know this is true,
we know also that He gives us what we ask from Him.” [1 John 5:14-15]
29.) “Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Because of His great mercy,
He gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.
This fills us with a living hope,
and so we look forward to possess the rich blessings
that God keeps for His people.
He keeps them for you in Heaven,
where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away.
They are for you,
who through faith are kept safe by God’s power,
as you wait for the salvation
which is ready to be revealed at the end of time.
Be glad about this,
even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while
because of the many kinds of trials you suffer.
You love Him, although you have not seen Him;
you believe in Him, although you do not now see Him;
and so you rejoice with a great and glorious joy,
which words cannot express,
because you are receiving the purpose of your faith,
the salvation of your souls.” [1 Peter 1:3-6 & 8-9]
30.) “‘Blessed are those who know they are spiritually poor:
the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them!
Blessed are those who mourn:
God will comfort them!
Blessed are the meek:
they will receive what God has promised!
Blessed are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires:
God will satisfy them fully!
Blessed are those who show mercy to others:
God will show mercy to them!
Blessed are the pure in heart:
they will see God!
Blessed are those who work for peace among men:
God will call them His sons!
Blessed are those who suffer persecution because they do what God requires:
the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them!
Blessed are you when men insult you and mistreat you
and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are My followers.
Rejoice and be glad,
because a great reward is kept for you in Heaven.” [Matthew 5:3-12- 31]
31.) “For we know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him
and those whom He has called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28]

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32.) “Let us not become tired of doing goon;
for if we do not give up,
the time will come when we will reap the harvest.
So then, as often as we have the chance,
we should do good to everyone,
but especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.”
[Galatians 6:9-10]
33.) “And such trust have we through Christ toward God,
for there is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doings this work.
The capacity we have comes from God.” [2 Corinthians 3:4-5]
34.) “My life is to trust the will of God.
My walk is to obey His commandments.
I would rather be poor by the divine will, than rich by my own.” [Source unknown.]

What were your favorite quotes from this collection?

What did you learn?

How Important is Biblical Christian Baptism?

(by Bill Stevenson)

Directions: For each part of this study, the Bible verses are formatted in a logical way. Try to
determine the reasons for each line’s indention and relationship to the previous lines.
Then answer the questions. This is a serious topic and action, so do a lot of thinking as
just indicated. Write the answers to the questions after the Scripture passages.

Mark 1: 1-8
1 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in the Prophets:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.” [Malachi 3:1]
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’” [Isaiah 40:3]
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness
and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him
and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist,
and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 And he preached, saying,
“There comes One after me who is mightier than I,
Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8 I indeed baptized you with water,
but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

1.) The word “gospel” means “good news”. What does the first verse of Mark mean to you?
2.) What two actions was John the Baptist demanding before he baptized an individual? (One is two
words and one is one word beginning with the letter “r”.)
3.) What do each of those mean?
4.) Now personalize the last answer as if you are praying to the forgiving God?

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Matthew 3:7-10
7 But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism,
he said to them, “Brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
9 and do not think to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I say to you
that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

5.) Who were Pharisees and Sadducees?

6.) What were they prideful and boastful about?
7.) What did John the Baptist think they were like?
8.) What did he first command them to do in order to get baptized by him? (Write the 5 words and
then tell what it means.)
9.) What did he indicate would happen if they didn’t do as he commanded?

Matthew 3:11-12
11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance,
but He who is coming after me is mightier than I,
Whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will
thoroughly clean out His threshing floor,
and gather His wheat into the barn;
and He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 12:50-51
50 “But I have a baptism to be baptized with,
and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!
51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on Earth?
I tell you, not at all,
but rather division.”

10.) What was John’s water baptism a public profession of?

11.) What was the baptism to be done by Jesus Christ to involve? Does it involve water? Does it link
to His Salvation?
12.) Why does the spiritual baptism of Jesus Christ cause division?
13.) What do these Bible passages indicate the eventual purpose of the spiritual baptism given by Jesus
Christ to believers of the Gospel?

Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying,
“I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “
Permit it to be so now,
for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed Him.

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16 When He had been baptized,
Jesus came up immediately from the water;
and behold, the heavens were opened to Him,
and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and alighting upon Him.
And suddenly a voice came from Heaven, saying,
“This is My beloved Son,
in Whom I am well pleased.”

14.) Why does this passage indicate that baptism by immersion is important?
15.) What did He do after going completely into the Jordan River?
16.) What do you think witnesses of this special baptism thought?

Luke 3:1-6
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea,
Herod being tetrarch of Galilee,
his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis,
and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests,
the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,
4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
and the rough ways smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the Salvation of God.’”
[Isaiah 52:10]

17.) What was another importance of the ministry of John the Baptist?
18.) What does verse 6 mean? [It became true for some later in the ministry of John the Baptist as
described in the Scripture passage before the above.] Who represented “the salvation of God”?

Matthew 21:23-32
23 Now when He [Jesus Christ] came into the temple,
the chief priests and the elders of the people
confronted Him as He was teaching, and said,
“By what authority are You doing these things?
And who gave You this authority?”
24 But Jesus answered and said to them,
“I also will ask you one thing,
which if you tell Me,
I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:
25 The baptism of John--
where was it from?
from Heaven or from men?”
And they reasoned among themselves, saying,
“If we say, ‘From Heaven’, He will say to us,
‘Why then did you not believe him?’
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26 But if we say, ‘From men’,
we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus and said,
“We do not know.”
And He said to them,
“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
28 But what do you think?
A man had two sons,
and he came to the first and said,
‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’
29 He answered and said, ‘I will not’,
but afterward he regretted it and went.
30 When he came to the second and said likewise.
And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir’,
but he did not go.
31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said to Him, “The first.”
Jesus said to them,
“Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness,
and you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and harlots believed him;
and when you saw it,
you did not afterward relent and believe him.

19.) Explain the above passage in your own words. How does it indicate that Jesus Christ believed
about being baptized by immersion in water?

Matthew 20:17-28
17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them,
18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes;
19 and they will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.
And the third day He will rise again.”
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons,
kneeling down and asking something from Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit,
one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask.
Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink,
and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them,
“You will indeed drink My cup,
and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;
but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give,
but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it,
they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.

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25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you;
but whoever desires to become great among you,
let him be your servant.
27 And whoever desires to be first among you,
let him be your slave--
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

20.) What does Jesus say is a requirement of any Christian disciple?

1 Peter 3:18-22
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins,
the just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh
but made alive by the Spirit,
19 by Whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,
20 who formerly were disobedient,
when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah,
while the ark was being prepared,
in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--
baptism
not the removal of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 Who has gone into Heaven and is at the right hand of God,
angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

21.) What does this Scripture passages indicate is a requirement for true Christian baptism? Belief
and trust in ____________________________________________________________

Acts 18:24-28
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria,
an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit,
he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord,
though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
When Aquila and Priscilla heard him,
they took him aside
and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia,
the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him;
and when he arrived,
he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly,
showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

22.) What does verse 25 say to you? that there is more to becoming a true Christian than
_________________________________________________________________
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23.) What do you think Aquila and Priscilla told him?

Acts 19:1-5
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth,
that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus.
And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him,
“We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John's baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance,
saying to the people
that they should believe on Him who would come after him,
that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

24.) Acts was written after Jesus Christ died for the sins of humankind, was resurrected, and ascended
to Heaven. Why did those who were baptized by John have to be re-baptized?

Acts 8:26-40
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying,
“Arise and go toward the south along the road
which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is desert.)
27 So he arose and went.
And behold, a man of Ethiopia,
a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians,
who had charge of all her treasury,
and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
28 was returning.
And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
29 Then the Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran to him,
and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah,
and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”
And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
and who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the Earth.”
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said,
“I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this,
of himself or of some other man?”
35 Then Philip opened his mouth,
and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
36 Now as they went down the road,
they came to some water.
And the eunuch said, “See, here is water.
What hinders me from being baptized?”

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37 Then Philip said,
“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said,
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still.
And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water,
and he baptized him.
39 Now when they came up out of the water,
the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away,
so that the eunuch saw him no more;
and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus.
And passing through,
he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

25.) Write a modern day version of this historical happening.

26.) What does this Bible passage say is a requirement for Christian baptism?

Ephesians 4:4-13
4 There is one body and one Spirit,
just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith,
one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given
according to the measure of Christ's gift.
8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive,
and gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”-- what does it mean but that
He also first descended into the lower parts of the Earth?
10 He who descended
is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens,
that He might fill all things.)
11 And He Himself gave
some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping [repairing and preparing] of the saints
for the work of ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity
of the faith and
of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a perfect man,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

27.) How many types of “Christian” baptisms are there? What are they?

Romans 6:1-18
1 What shall we say then?
Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not!
How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

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3 Or do you not know that
as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him
through baptism into death,
that just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death,
certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this,
that our old man was crucified with Him,
that the body of sin might be done away with,
that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with Him,
9 knowing that
Christ, having been raised from the dead,
dies no more.
Death no longer has dominion over Him.
10 For the death that He died,
He died to sin once for all;
but the life that He lives,
He lives to God.
11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves
to be dead indeed to sin,
but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,
that you should obey it in its lusts.
13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin,
but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you,
for you are not under Law but under grace.
15 What then?
Shall we sin because we are not under Law but under grace?
Certainly not!
16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey,
you are that one's slaves whom you obey,
whether of sin leading to death,
or of obedience leading to righteousness?
17 But God be thanked
that though you were slaves of sin,
yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
to which you were delivered.
18 And having been set free from sin,
you became slaves of righteousness.

28.) Why did Jesus Christ have to die a horrible death on the Cross? To pay the death penalty of ____
against God’s commandments.
29.) Who did He die for? all _________________ (past and present)
30.) So what does being immersed in water during baptism mean now? Death to what? Being a slave
to _____.
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31.) What does it publicly profess repentance (life change to)? A desire to be ________________.
32.) So do you see how Jesus Christ changed water baptism and why the just mentioned is so important
in each true Christian’s life?
33.) Why will Christian baptism be very important to you?

Colossians 2:6-12
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in Him,
7 rooted and built up in Him and
established in the faith,
as you have been taught,
abounding in it
with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles of the world,
and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him,
Who is the head of all principality and power.
11 In Him you were also
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands,
by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh,
by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism,
in which you also were raised with Him through faith
in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

34.) What does this passage mean to you?

Basics For Christian Living-- Short Answer Version

(by Bill Stevenson)

Directions: First look up and read the referred to Scripture in the 2nd paragraph of the Introduction.
Then, in the main part of the course, use the indicated Bible passages to carefully answer
all of the questions and requests for personal responses.

Introduction

The Bible should be the textbook for every Christian. It should be the most read book by every
Christian. No book has lasted so long. Several attempts were made to destroy it. It will never be out-sold
by any other book. The Word of God will not return void. Properly studying and living it will always
produce good. If you haven’t memorized the order of the books in the Bible, make a copy of the Table of
Contents in your Bible. Then you can easily see which page each book starts for faster look-up of Bible
verses. The best guide for living properly is the Bible. God’s commandments in it are the best advice we
can have. Someone wrote: “My life is to trust the promises and will of God. My talk and walk is to obey
His commandments. I would rather be poor by the divine will, than rich by my own.”

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 First read and briefly tell me how you appreciate the following Bible verses--
Matthew 11:28-29; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 3:16-17; Luke 19:10; Romans 3:23-25b;
John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:8; Romans 12:2; John 7:38; John 15:5; John 8:31b-32;
James 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 1:7; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 10:13;
John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Isaiah 26:3; Galatians 5:16-7 & 24-25; 1 John 5:1-5;
Philippians 2:14-15; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 13:5; Luke 6:38; 1 John 5:14-15; 1 Peter 1:3-9;
Matthew 5:3-12; Romans 8:28; Galatians 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5.

The following Bible study was made from Jack Taylor’s “Who We Are In Christ” list of Scripture
references. I learned from it that I was not just “a sinner saved by grace”. The Holy Spirit gave me three
categories for the non-controversial Bible verses: “Divine Assurance”, “Divine Importance”, and “Divine
Help”. Try to determine why I put each Scripture reference in its category. Multi-letters in bold within
parenthesis indicate number of answers expected. Before beginning any part of this course, ask God for
understanding. Expect a lot of encouragement from God’s Word as you read the specially selected
Scripture and answer the questions. Then ask God to help you share with others.

Divine Assurance (Part 1)

1. a.) What does John 3:16 say our world received and why? (Don’t answer from other knowledge and
Bible verses.)
b.) Read Samuel 1, Exodus 1:8-2:10, and 1 John 4:9 & 10. If you had only one child and
could not have any more, how much love would you have to have for someone in order to
give him or her that special child to for even just 34-40 years (the approximate amount of
time Jesus Christ was in human form on Earth and away from God the Father’s Side)?
c.) What characteristics or qualifications would that foster parent have to have?
d.) Read Mark 15:6-20. What kinds of people were in the world when Jesus Christ was born
in a manger in Bethlehem, having to leave God the Father’s side in Heaven?
e.) What kind of a person was Barabbas?
f.) Would you let your only child die so such a person could remain living?
g.) What about for Pilate, the Jewish chief priests, and the crowd who yelled for Barabbas to
be freed?
h.) Would you want to die for such people?
i.) Read Matthew 26:24-28 & 36-54. What kind of love does Jesus have?
j.) Read Isaiah 53. What kind of love does this Scripture passage say that God the Father
has?
Reread the five different characteristics of divine love. This same love is given to all who believe
in Jesus Christ as the Savior from eternal condemnation for disobeying God’s laws. Read
Romans 5 & 6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:1 before going on.
2. Reread John 3:16.
a.) What else does God give to true Christians?
b.) What is a main horror of headline news besides politics and crime?
c.) Do you fear about the just indicated happening to you?
d.) How many different ways could it happen to you tomorrow?
e.) How many different ways could it happen to you within the next hour?
f.) What would you rather think about? Read Romans 6:23, John 10:22-29, 2 Corinthians 1:22 &
Ephesians 1:3-14, and 1 John 2:22-26.
g.) What does 1 John 5:11-15 mean to you? What kind of confidence or assurance can you have?
The divine gifts in the last two answers can eliminate worry and stress about death and bring
wonderful peace to a true Christian’s mind. Reread Romans 5:1-11.
h.) Read Philippians 4:4-8, which the Apostle Paul wrote just before he was beheaded for his
Christian beliefs and lifestyle. Can you do such in all, most, or few situations?
i.) List as many specific things you can think, say, and do which would satisfy Philippians 4:4-8
commands contrary to human nature. Examples: from-the-“heart” compliments to a “significant
other” in your life and compliments to an “enemy” or someone who irritates you a lot. Doing the
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 latter will make you feel better even if you never are able to speak them to the enemy or
antagonist. Read Matthew 5:7-16 & 38-48 to find out why.
3. Are you encouraged and revived yet? Proper courage for living the best you can requires being
assured by what you know of the 100% promise keeping loving God and what He desires you to think
and do. Review the first two groups of questions, answers, and Bible verses before going on. You
might even make a list of what God’s advice is for the best ways to think and to relate to others. For
the first one, don’t just say “believe in Jesus Christ”. Write all of the things the referred to Bible
verses state or imply about believing in and on Jesus Christ. You won’t regret this review time. You
will be encouraged spiritually as much as your review effort is. This really is one of the most
important parts of this course.

Why Did God Create You?

4. Read Ephesians 2:1-10, Matthew 22:36-39, Psalm 37, 1 John 4:7-5:3, and Romans 14:17-19.
a.) What does God want to show through true Christians?
b.) Read Galatians 5:13-6:10 and Romans 12. Who should we want to live for and not to live for?
Read Galatians 2:20 and Proverbs 3:5 & 6. When on Earth in human form, Jesus Christ lived the
last referred to Old Testament commandments. This can be said to be the faith of Jesus Christ.
See John 5:30-36.
c.) What goes into living Matthew 22:36-39?
d.) Read Romans 8. Write a list of specific compliments and actions for encouraging/helping others
that you would like the Holy Spirit to urge you to say or do. [Be warned, all apparently good
statements and actions are not Holy Spirit urged or God-pleasing. Compliments said for selfish
reasons can encourage recipients to become more prideful (which can even lead to divorce by
encouraging independence thinking by one spouse). So think before you say or do anything. Ask
yourself, why should you say or do it? Afterwards, could you say “to God be the glory”? Will
God be pleased and give you joy and peace feelings?
Read Colossians 1:9-11 and Romans 15:1-7.]

Divine Assurance (Part 2)

5. Reread Romans 8. One successful, well-known, week-long Christian living seminar speaker has
recommended many times to his audiences to memorize all of Romans 8. It is full of divine
assurances. Romans 8:28 is my favorite and has maintained hope in my mind many, many times. I
usually think of the assurance-- all situations eventually working out for the good for those who love
God. Every promise that God has made to believers in the Bible requires loving Him, humbleness (no
pride), or/and righteousness (heeding to the commandments we know).
a.) What do verses 1, 38 & 39 mean to you?
b.) Don’t we usually put more conditions on those individuals we make promises to?
c.) What are the most encouraging verses in Romans 8 for you? Please copy or paraphrase them.
d.) Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. What guarantee is stated?
e.) What fantastic assurances do Philippians 1:6, 1 John 3, and 1 John 1:28 indicate?
The main thought problem that pauses or stops this divine work in a Christian is coveting
(wanting what others’ have) or thinking things aren’t fair.
f.) Read Psalm 37, James 4, Hebrews 13, Romans 8:28-29, and Philippians 4:11-19. What verses
gave or/and give you assurance that you don’t need to covet or be jealous of wrong-doers? Please
copy or paraphrase them.
6. Read all of 1 Corinthians 15 carefully.
a.) What is the most important promise in the Christian Gospel?
b.) Read Philippians 3 and Hebrews 3:6 & 14. What does the Apostle Paul indicate Christians should
have as a top priority and why?
c.) Should a true Christian have fear of physical death? Read Hebrews 12:1-3 and 1 John 4:15-18.

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 Divine Help (Part 1)

7. Read Romans 5:1-3 & 12-17.

a.) What is unique about true Christians? What should they have with God?
b.) What does “grace” mean to you and how does it help you to be positive thinking?
c.) Reread Matthew 5:3-16 and Romans 8. What does “rejoice in hope of the glory of God... in
tribulations also” mean to you?
d.) What do Galatians 2:20 and Romans 8:1-21 mean to you in regards to what true salvation does for
each Christian? Increasing your knowledge of Jesus Christ is the best way to get help to live
righteously. Galatians 2:20 says that a Christians should be living “by the faith of the Son of
God”. That means there is divine help.
8. Another way we are helped is by being told the truth. Read Exodus 34:1-6, Deuteronomy 32:4,
Psalm 91:1-6, Psalm 100:5, Psalm 119:137-144, Matthew 5:17-19, John 18:38, John 14:6-7, John
8:28-32, John 16:7-14, Ephesians 5:9 & Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16, and Philippians
2:1-16.
a.) What are the two types of truth?
b.) What are the differences between knowledge and wisdom?
c.) What are the characteristics of and purposes for knowledge and wisdom promoted by non-
Christians?
d.) What are the characteristics of and purposes for knowledge and wisdom from God?
e.) Can you think of the Holy Spirit as being the best teacher you can ever have and the Bible being
the best book you can ever read? Why?
f.) How did you read the best novel you ever read?
g.) How did you read textbooks when studying for school exams?
h.) Do you read the Bible in those ways?
i.) What did you think about and do when you were with your best teacher?
j.) What did or do you think and do when you are in the same town or city as your best friend or/and
spouse?
k.) How much time do you spend communicating with God? (“a lot”, “as much as possible”,
“between five and thirty minutes a day”, “at least one church meeting a week”, “rarely”, “usually
just when I need special help”)
l.) How do you relate to God? Do you see Him as an image of a friendly, loving face of Jesus
Christ?
m.) What should be your frequent thinking and action or activity desires for discovering the truth and
wisdom that are the best helps for living an unselfish life of much peace-of-mind and joy?

Divine Importance

9. Read Ephesians 1:3-14.

What are the important facts about each true Christian?
Read also James 3:17, 1 John 5:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 & 15:1-28, Romans
14:17, Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 3:1-5, James 4:6-10, and 1 Peter 2:3-10.
10. Read Romans 8:30, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:5-6, Titus 2:11-14, John 15:13, and Ephesians 3:19.
What the always-existing God thought that each true Christian was important enough to do?
11. Did you ever wonder why most of the highly intellectuals, the great athletes, the very wealthy
business people, the movie/TV stars, or the beautiful/handsome models are not consecrated
Christians? Instead, God usually uses individuals with the following character qualities for important
ministries. Match them with each of the verses in the following Scripture passages. Each of the latter
may indicate more than one character quality. (a) converted (fully accepted the Gospel), (b) humble,
(c) appreciative of God, (d) pure in mind, (e) pure in body, (f) obedient to God, (g) committed to
others------ Read Exodus 33:11-34:8, Matthew 18:3-4, Romans 12, Hebrews 10:19-25, 1 John 1:9,
and 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

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12. Reread Romans 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 2 Timothy 1:7-9, and 1 Peter 2.
a.) A true Christian is to only glory in the Lord and not his or her own accomplishments, because he
or she is specially chosen by God for being a channel of Christ Jesus’ ______________________
What does this mean to you?
b.) Read 1 John 3:1-3, Romans 8:28-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, and Colossians 3:1-17. What very
important thing do true Christians have to look forward to?
c.) Read 1 Corinthians 6:2-3. What important position will each true Christian then be given by
God?
[Read Titus 2 for some more of the important things God-honored, pre-ordained Christians are
supposed to do while waiting for the Second Coming of Christ Jesus.]

Divine Help (Part 2)

13. Read Romans 8:32 and Matthew 6:25-33.

a.) What are God the Father’s desires and reason for aiding believers? What is required of the latter?
b.) Reread Romans 14:17 and James 1:2-12.
c.) What does God want to give to Christians?
d.) What are the requirements for these gifts?
e.) Read 2 Peter 1 and relate it to the James 1 passage. What are the highlights of 2 Peter 1?
f.) What are the toughest requirements/responsibilities for divine help?
14. Read Isaiah 40:29-31 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-11a.
a.) What do these verses mean to you?
b.) Read Romans 8:26, John 16:13-15, and 1 Corinthians 2:12.
c.) How does the Holy Spirit want to help disciples of Jesus Christ? In Philippians, the Apostle Paul
stated that the most important thing is to know the just mentioned. See also Colossians 1:5-28.
15. a.) Read Romans 8:35-39. What won’t God allow to happen to true Christians?
b.) Read 2 Thessalonians 3-5 and Hebrews 12:1-3. How does Jesus Christ help?
c.) Read Hebrews 12:4-14 and James 1:12-18. Why does God help us sometimes by letting bad
things happen to us as apparent punishment?
d.) Why should you not blame God for bad things that happen to you in situations where you are
quite sure you did not sin against Him or His commandments? What other reasons could there
be?
e.) According to 1 Thessalonians 5:21-24, what does God desire to do for every true Christian?
f.) Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 4:18, and Titus 2:11-12. How does God encourage a
Christian to make a commitment to holiness?
16. a.) Read Matthew 7:7-27, 1 John 3:22 & 5:14-15. What are the two requirements for God’s help?
b.) Read Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:19, and Jude 24-25. What kind of confidence can a humble
Christian have? Also, read Hebrews 4:16, 6:13-20, & 13:5-6, Romans 8, and 1 John 5:14-15.
17. a.) Read Romans 5:1, John 14:27, and Philippians 4:7. What does God want to give His children so
that they can endure living in this world full of unrest and turmoil? Read also 2 Timothy 1:7 and
Hebrews 13:5-6.
b.) According to 2 Corinthians 1:3-6, what does God have a lot of for especially Christians in
tribulation and sufferings? Read also 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 and Hebrews 4:14-16.
c.) Read John 14:15-17, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:7, Hebrews 1:14, and Mark 1:13. What do these
verses mean to you in relation to God helping?
d.) How do God’s commandments in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Philippians 4:8, and Ephesians 6:11-18
help Christians to say and do things properly in response to opposition?
e.) What does the last answer personally mean to you?
f.) Reread Philippians 4:13. What kind of success will God help Christians have? Read also Romans
8:28, 1 Corinthians 15:55-58, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 & 4:15-17.
g.) How do you think the Holy Spirit helps the indicated spiritual success in the last answer?

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 What About Understanding and Caring for Other People?

18. a.) What does Romans 14 tell you about God’s will for a Christian to understand others?
b.) How can you improve understanding others better?
c.) What different religious traditions and beliefs of relatives and friends should a Christian not
condemn? (Just mention general areas of possible concern.)
d.) What ideas and habits of others should a Christian tolerate?
e.) How do 1 Corinthians 13 and Philippians 4:8 relate to the last two questions/answers?

Christian Permission
(compiled by Bill Stevenson)

Note: In September 1977, the Holy Spirit had continually reminding me about the New Testament use of
the word "let". It usually means for a believer “to allow” and is found in admonitions for
commitment. This list includes many possible "springboards" for good thinking and for Bible
study discussions.

Part A-- Believing and Commitment

1. John 7:37-38-- spiritual thirst
2. Acts 2:36-- true knowing about Jesus after Pentecost 3
3. Revelation 22:16-17-- spiritual hearing 4
4. Mark 8:34-- true following after Jesus
5. 1 John 3:16 & 18-- Agapè (unselfish and forever) love
6. 1 John 2:24-25-- proper remembering
7. Hebrews 6:1-3-- striving for spiritual maturity
8. Mark 4:23-24-- responsibility
9. John 14:27-- the gift of true peace
10. John 14:1-- proper trust
11. James 1:5-6-- asking for wisdom
12. Hebrews 4:14-16-- confidence in Jesus Christ
13. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13-- God's key promise for times of testing
14. 1 Peter 4:16 & 19-- not being ashamed for suffering
15. James 1:2-4-- endurance
16. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3-- avoidance of prophecy deception
17. Philippians 4:4-7-- the peace of God
18. Colossians 3:15-17-- the importance of the Bible
19. 1 Timothy 6:6-8-- proper contentment
20. James 1:9-- position for rejoicing
21. Hebrews 13:5-- instead of money loving
22. Hebrews 12:28-- proper gratitude
23. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8-- proper giving
24. Hebrews 13:15-16-- New Testament sacrificing
25. John 12:26-- serving Jesus
26. 1 Corinthians 7:21-24-- proper reaction to calling
27. 1 Corinthians 3:10-13a-- two types of discipleship or ministry
28. 1 Peter 4:10-11-- using spiritual gifts
29. Mark 10:13-16-- proper humbleness
30. 1 Corinthians 3:18-21a-- God’s view of world's wisdom
31. Matthew 5:37-- honesty
32. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14-- action in Christian love
33. Philippians 1:27-- proper conduct & striving
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 34. Matthew 19:5-6-- true marriage
35. Ephesians 5:24-25 & 33-- proper husband and wife relating
36. 1 Peter 3:1-4-- advice to wives
37. Romans 13:1-- response to authority

Part B-- Relating to Sin

1. Mark 7:14-16-- proper blame direction
2. James 1:13-14-- temptation cause
3. John 3:7-8-- only two ways of living
4. Hebrews 2:1-- reason for careful learning
5. 1 Corinthians 11:26-32-- reason for proper self-examination
6. 1 Corinthians 5:8-- sincerity and truth for communion
7. Romans 6:11-12-- proper consideration and obedience
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-- self-control
9. Ephesians 5:6-- disobedient deceiving
10. 1 Corinthians 10:6-10-- reasons for warnings from Israel's history
11. Ephesians 5:3-- other things to avoid
12. Corinthians 6:16b-7:1-- purification striving
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-- ways to avoid improper imitating
14. Colossians 4:2 & 5-6-- proper alertness and responding
15. Romans 13:12b-14-- proper behavior
16. Proverbs 17:14-- description of strife
17. James 3:13-17-- remedy for strife
18. Timothy 2:14-16-19-- proper reminding and stable living
19. Ephesians 4:25-27, 29, 31-32-- proper relating to others
20. James 1:19-20-- avoiding anger
21. Galatians 5:25-26-- avoiding pride and jealousy
22. Philippians 3:16-- position responsibility
23. Hebrews 12:1-3-- faith living
24. 1 Peter 3:8-12-- striving for God's righteousness
25. 1 Corinthians 14:40-- commandment for order

Part C-- True Christian Unity Goals

1. Galatians 6:6 & 8-10-- responding to proper teaching
2. Hebrews 10:22-25-- devotion to God and inspiring each other
3. 1 Corinthians 10:2-- avoiding selfishness
4. Philippians 2:3-4-- caring for one another
5. 1 John 4:7-- love from knowing God
6. Hebrews 13:1-- continuance commandment
7. Romans 12:9-12--proper devotion
8. Romans 15:1-2-- helping the new individuals in faith
9. James 5:13-14-- helpful freedom & ministry
10. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31-- God's unexpected chosen people
11. Romans 14:1-3-- judging
12. Romans 14:16-17-- proper ignoring of criticism
13. 1 Timothy 4:12-- proper response to criticism
14. Romans 14:19-- proper effort of peace
15. Romans 14:13-- not being a stumbling block for others
16. 1 Corinthians 7:17 & 20-- permitting each other's calling to develop

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Note: The Holy Spirit gave me these two anagrams many years ago:
C -- Christ, confession
H -- Holy Spirit help
A -- attitudes and actions
N -- needs
G -- good works (Ephesians 2:10)
E -- everywhere for eternity

F -- fear not
A -- assurance from God's Word
I -- in God's love
T -- trust in God and the Bible
H -- holiness with Holy Spirit and Bible help

Note: I have more Bible studies and many good articles about the living by faith and the urgings of the
Holy Spirit. See the File sections of
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christianity_Basics_Source_1/
A-- Jesus Christ, B-- God the Father, C-- Prayer, D-- The Holy Spirit, E-- Godhead, F-- Christian
Salvation, G-- in relation to the Bible {including my Bible studies and Bible study courses}
(If you just want to use the File section, then indicate the” only e-mail” option.

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