HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

by | Dec 4, 2016

The purpose of Bible study is the growth of your knowledge of God, and His ways; and a deepening of your worship of Him. An added benefit is that as you come to know Him, you’ll come to understand yourself, as well.

THE 3 QUESTION BIBLE STUDY METHOD

 

Pray for God to guide your study, to show you new things and give you new understanding as you read and study His Word.
Get a journal (any kind of notebook will do.) Dedicate it to writing what you learn from the Bible.
Pick out a short passage of scripture (5-6 verses a day) and read it. Example: Genesis 1:1-5 1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning–the first day.

Question 1: What is the passage about?

Write down a list of the facts of the content of the passage. For example who are the people, if any? What are they doing? Where does it take place? When? Etc.

Try to write a brief sentence summarizing the content of the passage. Example: v.1: beginning – God – created – heavens – earth v.2: earth formless – empty – darkness over surface of deep – Spirit of God hovering over waters v.3: God said – Let there be light – light v.4: God saw light good – separated light from darkness v.5: God called light day – darkness night – evening – morning -first day In the beginning God saw light as good when He created and spoke light onto the dark earth.

Question 2: What do you learn from this passage?

Ask yourself questions like the following: Is there a warning, a command, a promise? Is there an example to follow or an example not to follow? What is the main truth of this passage? Is there a lesson or principle that is a universal truth? Why is this passage in Scripture? Why did God put this passage in the Bible? What dos this passage reveal about the character of God (His attributes, ways of relating to people, emotions, His views about something, reasons to love Him more, etc.) Are there specific things for which to pray? Is there a new thought to me? An encouraging thought? etc.

Not all of the above things will be in every passage you study. You may have other questions that come to your mind as you read. These are only suggestions to get you started. Write down your conclusions. Concentrate on one or two (maybe three) things that are especially meaningful to you personally. Example: God creates things and is able to speak things into existence; God judges things as good or bad; before God spoke over the earth it was formless and empty; It was when God separated light from darkness that He created the first day.

Question 3: How can I apply what I learned to my life? Be specific and directive. Don’t be easy on yourself. Make the question “nail you.” Ask yourself a personal question that demands action, i.e.: NOT “will I spend more time in God’s Word?” BUT “How (or when) can I set aside time to study God’s Word?”

Then write the answer to your question i.e.: “By setting aside the time from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. daily to read one passage (chapter, section, etc.) of Scripture and to write out the facts, lessons and practical applications I discover there.”

Examples:

In what ways do I create good and bad things when I speak?

In what areas do I need to ask God to separate light and darkness in my life?

In what way can my life be compared to the story of creation where God brought light to the formless and dark earth, allowing Him to see it as good?
Summary:

Question1: What Does it say?
Question 2: What Does it mean?
Question 3: What Does it mean to me? Your study must be structured.

You cannot just jump into a passage without knowing what’s going on in the history and with the characters so study the bible in order.
Choose a book and study the entire book. Do not jump around. Ask God for where to begin.

I AM

by | Dec 3, 2016

I am…

 

This study will help you uncover more about who the Word of God says you are.  Knowing who God says you are in Messiah is the key to living a victorious life and walking in the authority and power that God has given to you as His child.

God is the Great I Am and we are made in His image.

Verbalize these statements about who the Word of God says you are.
Take the time to look into the Bible and read the corresponding passages of Scripture.
This will bring added blessings into your life.

If you’re not certain that your identity is in Messiah yet visit this page first.


I am…

A child of God (Romans 8:16)
An heir of eternal life (1 John 5:11-12)
An heir to the blessings of Abraham (Colossians 3:14)
An imitator of God (Ephesians 5:1)
An overcomer by the blood of the lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11)
Being transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2)
Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)
Doing all things through Messiah who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
Healed by His wounds (1 Peter 2:24)
Justified, an heir of God and co-heir with Christ (Romans 5:1; 8:17 )
Kept in safety wherever I go (Isaiah 46:4)
Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
Living by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
More than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
Redeemed from the curse of the law (Colossians 3:13)
Redeemed from the hand of the foe (Psalms 107:2)
Rescued from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13)
Saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8)
Strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10)
The light of the world (Matthew 5:14)

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Every tongue that rises against me I shall condemn. This is my inheritance as a child of God. (Isaiah 54:17)

I receive my inheritance today and walk in it. Place me inside the hedge of thorns, inside a ring of fire, protect me in all your ways O Lord. Place me in the cleft of the rock in the shadow of Your wings.


My Armor:

My helmet of salvation protects my mind. In fact, I have the mind of Messiah!

I take every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus and think on things that are noble, true, praiseworthy, full of virtue and goodness.

My helmet protects my ears from the lies of the enemy.

Yeshua said “my sheep know Me, and they hear My voice and they follow Me.” I hear you, Lord and I follow your leading.

My helmet keeps my eyes fixed straight ahead on Yeshua.

There is a voice behind me (which is the Holy Spirit) that tells me “This is the way, walk in it” whether I go to the right or the left.

I put on my breastplate of righteousness. You, O Lord Yeshua, are my Righteousness!

My goodness is nothing without You. My righteousness is as filthy rags without You.

My Righteousness goes before me and the glory of the Lord is my rear guard.

The angel of the Lord encamps about those who fear Him.

I have been given a robe of righteousness. I am clothed by Yeshua in clean, fine white linen.

I am clad with zeal as a cloak. I am clothed with power from on high I have been given the keys to the kingdom.

Lord I receive those keys right now and I use them!

You have given me power over all the power of the enemy. I trample on snakes and scorpions.

I am clad with garments of Praise and garments of vengeance.

You said “Be strong and of good courage, I shall never leave or forsake you.” You said “Fear not – Do not be dismayed. There are more of us than there are of them”.

Lord, show me the spiritual reality of your power and your angels.

Lord reveal to me your hidden treasures in the darkness, your secret riches in hidden places.

Lord, show me “great and mighty things that I do not know.”

Lord, You said “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” Lord, help me overcome the world today and be Your light.

I pickup the shield of faith which quenches every fiery dart the enemy sends and I use it. Lord, help my unbelief! Increase my faith!

Yeshua/Jesus, you have placed weapons in both my hands. Show me please how to use them!

I use the sword of the Spirit, which is the living, mighty Word of God.

Father help me speak Your Word with accuracy, authority, boldness, clarity, compassion, eagerness, integrity and reverence.

Luke 10:19

You have given me authority to trample on snakes and scorpions so that nothing should hurt me.

 Lord, I receive that kingdom authority right now, and I use it. And nothing shall harm me.

I am shown favor wherever I go.

Send warring angels with flaming swords to walk with me today.

Holy Spirit, prepare the way ahead of me. Don’t forget my belt of Truth! And Shoes of Peace! May I be called a peacemaker. May your peace rest always upon me! Lord you said the truth shall set you free. Right now I declare my freedom in Messiah Yeshua!

Cover me with your blood Yeshua, wherever I go today.

If God is for us who could be against us? If God is for us what can man do? I love you Lord!

For more on the Armor of God CLICK HERE. 

For more of God’s Promises CLICK HERE. 

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS QUICK GUIDE

by | Dec 2, 2016

Jehovah’s Witnesses— Quick Guide

 

WHAT THEY BELIEVE:

  • At Armageddon only Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive
  • The soul is not immortal
  • There is no everlasting hell
  • Hell is mankind’s “common grave,” not a place of torment.
  • All the condemned will be annihilated.
  • Jesus is the Son of God not deity
  • The 144,000 in Rev. are Jehovah Witnesses who rule in heaven, while the rest live on paradise earth
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses have found the narrow road spoken of in Matthew 7:14
  • Jesus is the key to salvation, but everlasting life is a reward for doing the will of God and carrying out
    one’s dedication — in other words, salvation is a reward for good works.
  • The Watchtower constantly refers to belonging to an organization as essential for a person’s salvation; the Watchtower Organization.
  • The Watchtower has claimed to be Jehovah’s Prophet.
  • JWs claim the Bible as their final authority, but Russell’s writings, especially Studies in the Scriptures, are considered “the light of the Scriptures.”
  • JWs have their own translation of the Scriptures (New World Translation, published in 1961), which reflects the binding interpretations of the group’s leaders.
  • The JWs’ New World Translation greatly perverts the Scriptures to avoid placing themselves under the judgment of God (cf. Jn. 1:1; 8:58; I Tim. 2:6; Ac. 10:36; Col. 1:16-17; 2:9-10; etc.). Hence, the leader’s interpretation of the Bible, not the Bible itself, is the final authority of JWs.
  • The Watchtower magazine is one of the JWs main sources of doctrine, and is considered authoritative by its members.
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses, also known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (with headquarters in Brooklyn, New York), was officially founded in 1884 [as the Zion’s Watch Tower and Tract Society (originally the Zion’s Watch Tower in 1879), officially adopting the name of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931], by Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916).

 

WITNESSING TIPS: Things to share with JWs:

 

  • Reading and Knowing the Scriptures: Jesus warned us that there would be great deception in the last
    days. For protection, all People need to know what the Scriptures actually say vs. what people say they
    mean. When the “plain sense” of a passage makes sense it is dangerous to seek “another sense.” We
    mustn’t rely on other people’s voices, opinions, precepts and presumptions about the Scriptures. We’ve
    all been taught “certain things mean certain things.” We must seek to know the Word of God for ourselves,
    without the influence of “other voices.” God’s Holy Spirit is our teacher and leads us into all truth.
  • Attacking the errors that JWs believe will shut them down and make them non responsive.
  • Your goal is to love them and provoke them to jealousy. Talk about your personal relationship with Jehovah’s Holy Spirit, and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
  • Talk to them about how Jehovah has answered your personal prayers; brought healing; taught you the Bible; etc..
  • Pray for them to hear Yeshua/Jesus’ voice and meet Him personally
  • If you want to study the Scriptures with them, here are some passages to address:Rev. 7:4 (the 144,000 are Israel);
    John 16:5-15 (Holy Spirit leads us into truth);
    Prov. 30:5-6 (do not add to God’s Word);
    John 10:30 ; Isaiah 9:6 (Jesus and the Father are One);
    Rev. 14:9-11, Matt. 25:41-46 (Hell is torment forever);
    Rev. 20:11-15; Luke 21:33 (heaven and earth disappear);
    Matthew 7 (the narrow gate);
    2 Cor. 11:3-15 (the importance of following the Apostles teachings alone in simplicity of devotion to the Word and to Christ.)

JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY

by | Dec 1, 2016

JEWISH ROOTS OF CHRISTIANITY
10 SESSION STUDY

CONTENTS

SESSION 1: A Look at the 1st Century Church
SESSION 2: The Removal of the Jewish Roots
SESSION 3: God’s Designs and Plans for the Church
SESSION 4: Understanding Shabbat – The Sabbath
SESSION 5: The Spring Feasts of the Lord
The Passover
Unleavened Bread
The Feast of First-fruits
The Feast of Weeks
SESSION 6: The Fall Feasts of the Lord
SESSION 7: Understanding Covenant
SESSION 8: The Roots of Anti-Semitism
Witnessing to Jewish people: keys & tools
SESSION 10: Jewish Evangelism & the Church

 

Please consider making a donation to Mission Discipleship’s Israel Mandate when downloading this study.
(No gift is too small – whatever you can do to help us would be a great blessing.)

KNOWING MESSIAH

by | Nov 30, 2016

KNOWING MESSIAH

Nothing else will bring your life greater joy and peace than knowing the One who knows you intimately.

Knowing the Messiah is the most important thing to living life abundantly. The word “know” indicates intimacy. The Bible actually says that eternal life is in knowing God and Messiah whom He sent. (John 17:3).

Nothing else will bring your life greater joy and peace than knowing God, the One who knows you intimately.

How do we know God? I encourage you to take the following steps and find out how. Great blessings will pour out into your life. That I can promise you!

Knowing Messiah

1. If I want to know Him I must study the Scriptures
2. I must be willing to spend time alone in prayer, meditation and worship of God – talking, listening to Him, allowing Him to speak
3. I must trust Him
4. I must obey Him – believe and do what He says
5. I must observe and record how God works in my life and in the lives of other people
6. I must be sensitive to what God is doing in the lives of others – why does He respond the way He responds – why did circumstances turn out the way they did – every person is a potential object lesson of knowing Messiah
7. I must turn away from self-centeredness
8. I must look for the evidence of Messiah in every circumstance in life
9. I must be willing to lay aside every single thing in life that competes with my love, loyalty and devotion for God

Here are some Scriptures to study to begin your journey:

As our Creator, God is King of all the universe. His Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom. He has a right to rule in our lives, but in our pride we exalt ourselves as King. This pride is one example of sin (imperfection) and sin separates us from God – who is perfect. By faith (trust, belief) God puts His Holy Spirit into our spirit and makes it come alive. (Romans 8:11) Having life in our spirit is what enables us to recognize and understand the truth about God’s Kingdom. It enables us to communicate with God and turn from our sin and live righteous and holy lives. The healing and cleansing that follows brings life and vitality to our lives.(Acts 3:19) This doesn’t happen automatically though.

God sent a manifestation of Himself/the Messiah to the earth. He and the Messiah were One. (John 10:25-30) This manifestation wasn’t the first time God had come to earth! See these scriptures for more examples: .(Genesis 11:4-7; Genesis 32:24-30) Messiah Yeshua/Jesus came to teach us about the Kingdom of God and to die on the cross so the sins of humanity could be forgiven (Matthew 1:21.)

To know Him is to know God (John 8:19; 14:7); to see Him is to see God (John 12:45; 14:9); to believe in Him is to believe in God (John 12:44); to receive Him is to receive God (Mark 9:37); to hate Him is to hate God (John 15:23); and to honor Him is to honor God (John 5:23).

Whatever you’re reading in the Scriptures remember to always pray before you read and ask God to teach you, by His Spirit what He wants you to learn about Himself, Messiah and His ways.