Spiritual Discipline

By: Charles D. Adkins

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction – What is Discipline.................................................................................................................................. 4

Discipline is the result of a Decision......................................................................................................................... 4

Definition of the word Discipline............................................................................................................................... 4

Scriptural Approach to Discipline............................................................................................................................. 5

Modified 12 Step Approach to discipline................................................................................................................. 5

Thought Questions:..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Faith -.................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Why do you believe.................................................................................................................................................... 7

What Faith is not........................................................................................................................................................ 10

What do you believe................................................................................................................................................. 17

This We Believe (From my web-site www.iwaynet.com\~cdadkins)............................................................. 17

A. Concerning our GOD:...................................................................................................................................... 17

B. Concerning SCRIPTURE, the Holy Bible:.......................................................................................................... 18

C. Concerning our Savior, JESUS CHRIST:....................................................................................................... 19

D. Concerning SALVATION............................................................................................................................... 19

E. Concerning THE CHURCH.............................................................................................................................. 20

F. Concerning FUTURE THINGS........................................................................................................................ 20

What do you believe about God in your daily life........................................................................................... 21

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 21

Study................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

Purpose of Bible Study.............................................................................................................................................. 22

Relationship with God........................................................................................................................................... 22

To Avoid Sin.......................................................................................................................................................... 22

God’s word can do many things for us.............................................................................................................. 23

Bible Study Tools....................................................................................................................................................... 23

Translations  (tools available)............................................................................................................................. 24

Study Bible............................................................................................................................................................. 26

Parallel translations / Translations/Interlinears................................................................................................ 26

Harmonies............................................................................................................................................................... 26

Concordance with Greek/Hebrew........................................................................................................................ 26

Commentaries......................................................................................................................................................... 27

“thru the Bible” outlines....................................................................................................................................... 27

Dictionaries/Encyclopedias................................................................................................................................. 27

Histories.................................................................................................................................................................. 27

Archaeological Materials..................................................................................................................................... 27

Study guides.......................................................................................................................................................... 27

Daily Devotionals.................................................................................................................................................. 27

Topical Studies...................................................................................................................................................... 27

Charts, maps, tables.............................................................................................................................................. 27

Memorization.......................................................................................................................................................... 27

tapes/cds other audio material............................................................................................................................. 27

DVDs....................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Electronic Bibles  PC Software............................................................................................................................. 28

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 30

Worship........................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Unacceptable Worship.............................................................................................................................................. 31

Vain Worship  - Commandments of Men........................................................................................................... 31

Idol Worship – Covetousness............................................................................................................................ 31

Only worship God:................................................................................................................................................. 32

Worship Him in Fear............................................................................................................................................. 32

Acceptable Worship.................................................................................................................................................. 32

Acts of Worship......................................................................................................................................................... 32

Sing.......................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Pray.......................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Teach/Preach.......................................................................................................................................................... 33

Give.......................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Communion............................................................................................................................................................. 34

Words translated worship in the bible.................................................................................................................... 34

1391 doxa doxa dox’-ah....................................................................................................................................... 34

1479 eyeloyrhskeia ethelothreskeia eth-el-oth-race-ki’-ah.............................................................................. 34

2151 eusebew eusebeo yoo-seb-eh’-o............................................................................................................... 34

3000 latreuw latreuo lat-ryoo’-o........................................................................................................................... 34

4352 proskunew proskuneo pros-koo-neh’-o................................................................................................... 34

4576 sebomai sebomai seb’-om-ahee.................................................................................................................. 34

Why should we worship God:.................................................................................................................................. 35

Glory is due Him:.................................................................................................................................................... 35

Because of his mercy:........................................................................................................................................... 35

Because he alone is holy:..................................................................................................................................... 35

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 35

Prayer................................................................................................................................................................................ 36

Our prayers can be hindered.................................................................................................................................... 36

Pray for one another.................................................................................................................................................. 36

Pray when you are afflicted...................................................................................................................................... 36

Where are we to pray................................................................................................................................................. 36

How often are we to pray.......................................................................................................................................... 36

Purpose of Prayer....................................................................................................................................................... 37

Don’t always know what we should pray for........................................................................................................ 37

Prayer can be taught.................................................................................................................................................. 37

God doesn’t observe our social status when we pray......................................................................................... 37

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 37

Meditation....................................................................................................................................................................... 38

What does it mean to meditate?............................................................................................................................... 38

01897 hgh hagah daw-gaw’................................................................................................................................. 38

07879 xys siyach see’-akh.................................................................................................................................... 38

3191 meletaw meletao mel-et-ah’-o..................................................................................................................... 38

How do I meditate?.................................................................................................................................................... 38

When are we to meditate?......................................................................................................................................... 38

What are we to meditate about?.............................................................................................................................. 39

Why do I meditate?.................................................................................................................................................... 39

What are my goals for Meditation?......................................................................................................................... 39

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 39

Fasting.............................................................................................................................................................................. 40

Examples of Fasting in Scriptures............................................................................................................................ 40

Explicit Reasons to Fast............................................................................................................................................ 40

Wrong Reasons to Fast............................................................................................................................................ 40

How to Fast................................................................................................................................................................. 41

Fasting by Other Religions....................................................................................................................................... 41

Scripture does provide some instructions relative to fasting:............................................................................. 42

Physical preparation for a Fast (from food)............................................................................................................ 42

spiritual preparation................................................................................................................................................... 43

When do we fast?...................................................................................................................................................... 43

Required Jewish Fasts............................................................................................................................................... 43

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 43

Patience/Temperance..................................................................................................................................................... 44

What is Patience......................................................................................................................................................... 44

What are the results of Patience/Impatience......................................................................................................... 44

Quotes relative to Patience....................................................................................................................................... 44

Patience and Islam...................................................................................................................................................... 44

What is Temperance.................................................................................................................................................. 44

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 45

Joy/Celebration............................................................................................................................................................... 46

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 47

Confession / Humility.................................................................................................................................................... 48

Confess........................................................................................................................................................................ 50

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 50

Submission...................................................................................................................................................................... 51

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 51

Brotherly kindness/ Charity/Service............................................................................................................................ 52

Thought Questions:................................................................................................................................................... 52

Bibliography.................................................................................................................................................................... 53


Introduction – What is Discipline

Topical studies are not my favorite.  Topical studies can be dangerous studies.  It is very easy for the teacher to -- quite innocently-- pull a scripture out of context;  and have it say something that it was never intended to say.  It is much more difficult to pull a scripture out of its context – and mis-use it -- when the bible study is exegetical in nature.  In the course of a topical Bible study, it is the duty of the study to be like the Bereans.  Ac 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Discipline is the result of a Decision

It is important to understand that the spiritual disciplines are decisions.  They are not something that you “fall into”, neither are they something that you either have -- or you don’t.  Each person decides just what spiritual disciplines that we will develop and which spiritual disciplines that will be ignored.  Any  discipline that one ceases to practice, is usually a discipline that they cease to have.

Definition of the word Discipline

Several different definitions of the world will be analyzed.

 

Discipline is any training intended to produce a specific character or pattern of behaviour, especially training that produces moral or mental development in a particular direction. It is a widely held belief that most people, even those disinclined to harm others or themselves, lack discipline. [citation needed]

Discipline, while often thought to be a coercive mechanism, can be a collaborative process of building consensus regarding accepted behavior within institutions and society.

 

1. training to act in accordance with rules; drill: military discipline.
2. activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training: A daily stint at the typewriter is excellent discipline for a writer.
3. punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
4. the rigor or training effect of experience, adversity, etc.: the harsh discipline of poverty.
5. behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control: good discipline in an army.
6. a set or system of rules and regulations.
7. Eccles.the system of government regulating the practice of a church as distinguished from its doctrine.
8. an instrument of punishment, esp. a whip or scourge, used in the practice of self-mortification or as an instrument of chastisement in certain religious communities.
9. a branch of instruction or learning: the disciplines of history and economics.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. (2)

 

1. to train by instruction and exercise; drill.
2. to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
3. to punish or penalize in order to train and control; correct; chastise.

 

It cannot be emphasized enough.  No one can cause YOU or ME to have discipline.  This is a decision that we must make for our self.   Anytime that we chose to do something to change our self we will run into a problem that is called inertia.  When I studied physics as an engineering student in college I learned that a fundamental theorem of physics is that a body at rest tends to stay at rest and that a body in motion tended to stay in motion.

 

A web search of discipline on the web indicates that the concept of discipline  is usually applied to one of the following:

This class refers to self-discipline.

Scriptural Approach to Discipline

Romans 12:1-2

                (1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Our bodies are to be a living sacrifice to God.  We are to live holy lives.  This is only our reasonable sacrifice to God.  Christ tells us in Lu 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.  Peter writes in 1Peter 4: 17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

 

The world will try to conform you to its image. Resist this by constantly renewing your mind. The renewal or transformation is not automatic.  We have to work it.   How will you renew your mind if you spend all of your time in earthly pursuits.  What kind of reading material interests you: How much television do you watch?  What kind of shows do you watch?  What is your favorite kind of music?   Music has a much larger influence on all of us than we realize – more than we would like to admit.  Don’t fill your head with ungodly music.

 

When we become a Christian, God doesn’t just automatically transform us into someone else. Paul tells the Philippians (Phil 2:12) to work out their own salvation in fear and trembling.

 

Day by day, we are to engage in activities that will help us to experience a transformation of character, such that we become less and less "conformed to this world."  Holiness requires effort on our part. God gives us a command in  I Peter 1:16, "Be holy, for I am holy"

 

What we want to look at in this class is something that will help us develop inner controls that last a lifetime.  AA initiated a 12 step program to help its members turn from alcohol.   A modified approach to their 12 step program may help us to improve ourselves in spiritual discipline.

Modified 12 Step Approach to discipline

 

1.        Admitted we are powerless.  Admit we are sinners

2.        Believe that God can help us.  He has sent His Son.

3.        Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.

4.        Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5.        Admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our effort.

6.        Be ready to have God remove all these defects of character. (Heb 12: 6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. )

7.        Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings.

8.        Make a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends.

9.        Make direct amends to people as possible.

10.     Continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong promptly admit it.

11.     Seek through prayer and meditation to improve our relationship with God,  by praying for knowledge of His will for us and the strength to carry that out.

12.     Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

 

We need to accept the challenge of Joshua as stated in Jos 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Thought Questions:

1.             What disciplines do I want to concentrate on developing in my life during the next year?

2.             What efforts/sacrifices am I prepared to make in order to develop these disciplines.

3.             Am I willing to examine myself, to get to know myself.

 

 

Faith -

“Faith is a decision”  Like any decision, faith can fail!

 

Luke 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

Christ prayed that Peter would not loose his faith because of what Peter was going to do.

Why do you believe

Did you ever take time to evaluate just what you believed on any given subject?   Did you ever analyze what you believed religiously?   What we believe -- and how much we believe -- religiously affects everything that we do and expect to do.  It affects what others expect of us.  No one would believe a headline that accused Mother Theresa of robbing the local convenience store.  Besides the fact that everyone knows that Mother Theresa has gone to her reward, robbing a local convenience store is simply something that she would not have done.

 

Most of the time we just float through life accepting what we believe without ever giving much thought as to why we believe the things that we do. 

 

Paul, who wrote that:

Ephesians 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

also wrote that

1 Thessalonians 1:3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

2 Thessalonians 1:11  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

From this we can see that Faith, itself,  is a work.   As we go through this lesson, think about which of these motivate me to believe.   If you have other reasons, than those we identify in this class, bring them up.

 

Why do you believe?

1.             Witnesses Attest to its truthfullness.

Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Ø      Jeremiah 29:23  Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

Ø      1 John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

 

2.             Physical Evidence

Psalms 19:1  The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psalms 50:6  And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Psalms 97:6  The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

 

They have no speech or language, so some read it, and yet their voice is heard. All people may hear these preachers speak in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. Let us give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we have by the lights of heaven, still looking above and beyond them to the Sun of righteousness.  Matthew Henry

 

3.             Things that I, myself, have:

1John 1:1 ¶ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)  3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

 

4.             Custom   or   Tradition

This item is very closely related to the first item in this list.  The Lord put significance on teaching our children.

Deut 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 

5.             Logical Relationships

 

 

6.             Desire to Believe

There is serious danger in allowing our self to believe what we want to believe.  Pr 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

Rod Steward “Reason to Believe”

.......

If I listened long enough to you
I’d find a way to believe that it’s all true
Knowing that you lied straight-faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
.......

 

7.             Attitude of Others

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

 I was listening to a radio minister talk about peer pressure some time ago.  He explained that a number of people were involved in a test as to the power and significance of “peer pressure” .  These were adults, not children.   Ten people were tested at a time.  The test was simple.  There were three lines on a sheet of paper.  They were to identify which line was longest.  It wasn’t a trick question.  The length of each line was clearly delineated.  Each person was aware of what the others selected.  What they didn’t know was that nine of the people in each group had been told to select the second longest line instead of the longest.  75% of the time, the individual being tested chose the second longest line with the crowd, knowing that it was not the longest line.

 

If you are a believer and most of your friends are unbelievers, you need to understand that their disbelief will erode your belief much as the waves and sand erode a rocky seacost – just a little bit at a time.

 

8.             Historical Evidences

Historical evidences can help define ones beliefs.  Caution should be used with these, however.  History is often “re-written” or “re-interpreted” to fit the historians personal beliefs or prejudices.  A history text book from the early 1900’s contains material present in a significantly different manner than a more “modern” textbook.   Because archeological data may be missing about a specific event in history, one should not jump to the conclusion that it did not happen.  Biblical archeology has illustrated this point more than once.   (At one time Bible critics said that the Hittite empire did not exist outside of the pages of the bible.  Significant information about the Hittites has now been unearthed.)  It has not been that long ago that the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics were not recognized as writing but were considered merely  ornamental.  Today there is a branch of “Biblical” archeology called “Bible Minimalists” who believe that the Bible is mainly mythology and has little basis in history.  Obviously any archeological find that supports Biblical teaching is “re-interpreted” by them to avoid any confirmation of Biblical historical statements.  Biblical Archeological Review is a magazine that will  bring current archeological discussion with high quality photographs into your home.

 

Church history is a fascinating study.  Writings of the early Christians have survived from the days of the post-apostolic age.  Much of their material has now been translated into English and has been made available on the internet by the Catholic church.  Collections of their writings are available in multiple places.

 

9.             Scientific or technical evidences

Scientific and technical evidences can help define ones beliefs, but as with historical evidences, caution should be used with these.  When I was in high school we were taught the “Steady State Universe”.   The current theory of the universe is the “Big Bang”.  Trying to force religious thought to match the current “scientific” theories can be dangerous.  It is important to understand the difference between scientific fact and scientific theory. 

 

Evolution is a scientific theory – regardless of how much its adherents say otherwise.  Belief in evolution is a matter of “faith” as much as belief in “God” is faith.  Even by the evolutionists own material, there were no humans around to witness the long periods of time described by the evolutionist.  They piece the fossil evidence together to form an explanation that they can believe.  A micro-biologist, on the other hand, has a great deal more trouble in accepting the theory of evolution. 

 

“Does God Exist?” is a monthly magazine produced by John Clayton relative to the study of how scientific issues may affect the way we interpret the Bible.

 

10.          Emotional Response

Emotional response is one of the most dangerous reasons to form a belief.  It is said that even Hitler would stop to kiss children as he passed by in various parades.   Emotional response is often unreliable; but, unfortunately, it is a very strong force in our belief system.

 

Remember, the atheist believes there is no God, because he does not want to be accountable to a higher power.

 

11.          What does the Bible say? 

Heb 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

This is one of the best reasons for forming a belief.  We need to be certain that WHAT we BELIEVE is what the Bible TEACHES on a subject.

 

12           Does it All Fit?

Step back and look at the issue from all these angles. 

 

 

What Faith is not

We have examined some things that would cause us to  believe.  Today we will look at some things that may sound good, but they are not of faith.

   

(Toxic Faith - by Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton, a Shaw book published by Waterbrook Press 1991,2001 ISBN 0-87788-825-6 (formerly 0-84079-115-1)

 

Several of these are made more deadly, because there is some truth in them.  Often Satan doesn’t feed  us pure lies or pure poison, but he dilutes truth with the poison of lies.  Remember any time that truth has been mixed with a lie, it becomes a lie.  Ask any baker,  unleavened dough when mixed with any amount of  leaven -  becomes leavened dough.  If you saw someone put poison in a cup of coffee, would you dilute the poison by adding more coffee; or would you discard the poisoned coffee and get fresh coffee?

 

Luke 12:1  In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  Hypocrisy can look awfully good.

 

1.             God’s love and favor depend on my behavior.

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

He didn’t die for us as we sat in our church pew all dressed up in our Sunday go to meeting clothes.  He died for us while we were yet sinners.  Sometimes we can be particularly vulnerable to this lie.   This is the message that Job’s friends had for him.  Sometimes we, as parents, impart this feeling to our children without intending to do so.  We talk about how much God loves good little children, thereby implying that he either does not love children who are not so good, or that he loves them less.  This feeling, then, can stay with us as adults and haunt us for the remainder of our lives.

 

2.             When tragedy strikes, true believers should have a real peace about it.

This may come from a mis-understanding.  It is good if a believer can have peace in the face of tragedy, but don’t expect it to be an automatic first response.  Job is called a righteous man twice in the book of Ezekiel.  Yet when his trial came upon him he did not have peace about it, but grieved.  The book of  Job (Job chapter 3)

2  And Job spake, and said,

3  Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.

4  Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

5  Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

6  As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.

7  Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.

8  Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.

9  Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:

10  Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

11 ¶  Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

12  Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

13  For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

14  With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

15  Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

16  Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

17  There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

18  There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

19  The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

20 ¶  Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

21  Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22  Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

23  Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

24  For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

25  For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

 

Jeremiah had similar words when he was facing his trials (Jer 20:14-18).  Don’t expect to accept trials unflinchingly.  Trials hurt.  We are human.  We grieve when we, or those we love, hurt, whether it be physical pain as job endured, or emotional or spiritual pain.

 

Remember Jesus, Himself, prayed in the garden that there be some other way than what He knew he was facing.  But He also prayed for God’s will to be done.

 

Hebrews 2:14   Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;  15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Do you have fears?  The passage in Hebrews says that we all fear death.  If we don’t fear our own death, we fear death, (illness and injury) for those we love.  Let’s face our fears, acknowledge them, and turn them over to God.  We can learn and grow into peace and acceptance. 

 

 

 

 

The hospice web page has an article on grief in which they use individual overlapping circles as shown above.  Depending on which model of grief that is used, there can be from four to twelve overlapping circles.  Elizabeth Kubler Ross defined 5 overlapping stages of grief as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.  These stages are not mutually exclusive – and they are not steps – because you can feel more than one at a time and you may feel each one more than once.  Knowledge can help deal with grief.  It is important to understand that others HAVE been down this road before me. 

 

Paul advised the Church in Thessalonica to not grieve over friends and family to have died as others who have no hope.  1Thes4:13 ¶  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  Whatever our grief is – we need to realize we do have hope of a better place and to meet our loved ones again.

 

Lets develop the patience to change the things that we can when we are faced with trials and leave the rest to God.   If we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves (to be immediate at peace when trials come upon us) we set our self up for failure – and failure can  become a vicious circle and rob us of any peace.

 

3.             If I have real faith, God will heal me or someone I am praying for

God did not heal the apostle Paul of his “thorn in the flesh”.  Many have guessed at what this thorn could have been – but what it might have been is not revealed to us.  It is revealed, that God did NOT heal the apostle Paul.  Would any dare assert that the Apostle Paul did not have “real “faith?  2 Cor 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

God permitted Joseph to be cast into jail, Jeremiah to be cast in the dungeon,  Stephen to be stoned, Paul was probably beheaded, and Peter could have been crucified upside down.  God looks at death differently than we do.  He has an eternal perspective.  Sometimes it is better for his servants to come home to be with Him.

 

Psalms 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

 

Sometimes God calls His saints home to avoid trails that are to come.  Isaiah 57: 1 ¶  The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.2  He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

 

4.                   All ministers are men and women of God and can be trusted.

Scripture gives us many examples that our faith is to be in God not in man.

·         Hophni and Phinehas, Elihu’s sons  were guilty of many sins.  They essentially stole what had been brought to be sacrificed.  In addition they were guilty of sexual sin by laying with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  Scripture states that they were the sons of Belial.  1Sa 2:12  Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.  A strong statement to say that a priest knew not the Lord.

My father used to say, “If you want a relationship to remain strong, be particularly careful in doing business with family, friends, and brethren in Christ”. 

 

5.             Material blessings are a sign of spiritual strength.

 

Several important Biblical men of faith are portrayed as being very wealthy men.  Abraham, Lot, and Solomon in the Old testament are examples of this.  Joseph of Arimathaea is said to be wealthy in the New Testament.  However, for the most part, Scripture teaches us that wealth is a hindrance, not a help to pleasing God.  Men put their trust in wealth instead of God. 

 

Put not your trust in riches is a common theme of the bible.

 

God has chosen the poor.

James 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?  6  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

 

God defends the man who earns a wage.

 

 

 

We are to care for one another

·         Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

·         One of the reasons that we are to work is so that we can give to others.  Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth

 

6.             The more money I give to God, the more money he will give to me.

This one has some basis in scripture.  God did promise to physically bless the Israelites if they would obey Him.   God has promised us that we will reap what we sow.   But, I believe, that some of our “reaping” is to be done in the next world.  I want to lay my treasure up there – not here. 

 

This one is a favorite of some of the TV evangelists when they are trying to entice you to send them money.

 

This may come as a surprise, God doesn’t need your money – or mine either.  The cattle on a thousand Hills are God’s Ps 50:10  For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  God merely gives a chance to sow and to reap.  We can take advantage of the opportunity and lay up treasures in heaven or we can avoid the opportunities and lay up treasures on earth.

 

God looks not at what we give, but at what we have left.

Mark 12:42  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44  For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her livingThe widow’s mite

 

7.             I can work my way to heaven

 

8.             Problems in my life result from some particular sin

We can see throughout scripture that problems in  life MAY result from sin. 

We live in a fallen world.  People can suffer innocently.

 

9.             I must not stop meeting other’s needs.

Cast not your pearls before swine.  Mt 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

There are some people that you cannot help.  They can take everything that you have and be in no better shape than they were when you started. 

 

10.           I must always submit to authority.

We are told to obey

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

 

BUT

Acts 4:19  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

 

11.          God uses only spiritual giants.

Moses and Gideon resisted the call.

Esther was just a frightened young girl.

  Esther 4:14 ….who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

        16  Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

God can use you and me!

 

12.          Having true faith means waiting for God to help me and doing nothing until he does.

John 9: 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

The father of my cousin’s wife told a man one time, “ you’ll be surprised just how quickly God will let a man starve to death”.

 

13.          If it is not in the Bible, it isn’t relevant.

 

God gives us principals to live by.  We can use those principals to make decisions.

Medical discovery.              (care for the sick)                                                 misuse drugs

How to fix my car.                (Go ye into all the world and teach)  drive recklessly

Computers.                            (Bible Study)                                                         porn

 

 

14.          God will find me a perfect mate… a perfect home …  a perfect job …

We are pilgrims – passing through a weary land.  We look for a city whose builder and maker is God.

 

15.          Everything that happens to me is good.

 

This idea probably comes from a misunderstanding of Rom 8: 28.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  ……….31 ¶  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

 

This passage does NOT say that everything that happens to us is good.   It DOES say that God can cause anything that happens to us to bring forth good.  But, remember,  God’s time table is not the same as ours.  The good that He brings may be eternal good.   It may not be seen in this world.  Stephen did not see the good that his death would bring.  It made an impression on a young man named Saul – who later became the Apostle Paul.

 

1 Peter 4:12 ¶  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

 

16.          A strong faith will protect me from problems and pain.

We will face fiery darts from Satan.  These darts can be shot by the devil, but he may use our family, friends, and even brethren in Christ to fire them.  Darts fired by our brothers and sisters in Christ can be very difficult to deal with.  Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

What about Stephen?   Acts 6:8 ¶  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

 

God gave us free will.  I can use my free will to hurt you either intentionally or accidentally.

 

17.          God hates sinners, is angry with me, and wants to punish me.

An old song seems to teach this doctrine.  “There is an all seeing eye watching you . . .” 

1 John 4:7 ¶  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

 

18.          Christ was merely a great teacher

 

19.          God is too big to care about me.

Mt 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered

 

20.          More than anything else, God wants me to be happy.

Not our definition of happy!

 

21.          I can become God.

From the internet I found these questions?

 

Ephesians 4: 1 ¶  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 ¶  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are 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. 

 

There is only one God. 

What do you believe

This We Believe (From my web-site www.iwaynet.com\~cdadkins)

 

A. Concerning our GOD:

1.             God is an eternal Spirit who created all things in the spiritual and physical worlds.

Genesis 1:11 ¶  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Song Amazing Grace – When we have been there 10,000 years, we’ve no less days …

 

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

2.             God is three equal, but distinct, persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - and these three are one God. They have the same nature

 

This is one of the major differences between Christianity and Islam.  Su 5:76  They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: For there is no god except One God. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.  Islam believes that considering Jesus as God’s son is blasphemy!!!

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5   Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might

 

Gen 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

In both of the verses, the word God is the Hebrew word 0430 Myhla ‘elohiym el-o-heem’ – which is in the plural form.  So the very first verse in the bible we know that God and His Spirit were involved in the creation. 

 

In Jn 1:1  Christ was involved in the creation.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  The same was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Without Jesus nothing was made.  He had a part of creation.  Christ, Himself, speaks of the Trinity in the great commission.

 

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

  

3.           God is unchanging

Everything around us may change; People may decide that certain rules no longer apply  – BUT GOD WILL NOT CHANGE. 

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; …

Psalm 19:9   The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether

 

4.           Kids may hide from parents but we can’t hide from God.

Psalms 139:1-8, 7 ¶  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

 

5.           God is Holy

I Peter 1:15-16, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 6  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

Colossians 1: 15-17, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 

 

6.           God is love

1 John 4:7 -8¶  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love

 

7.           Wisdom Belongs to God

 I Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  

 

 

B. Concerning SCRIPTURE, the Holy Bible:

1.             The words of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and are without error. Men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit to record precisely the words that God intended. The Bible, therefore, is the final authority in all matters about which it speaks. The Bible is to be interpreted in a normal and literal way. This means that history, grammar, and context are the guidelines for proper interpretation. God's revelation ceased with the completion of the sixty-six books of the Bible.

 

Question is the expression - I died laughing literal or figurative?

 

II Timothy 3:16-17 16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

II Peter 1:21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

 

C. Concerning our Savior, JESUS CHRIST:

1.             Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He is both fully God and fully man. He came into the world to manifest God to men, fulfill Old Testament prophecy, and become the Savior of a lost world. While He was fully human, He had a sinless human nature and lived a perfect life.

Matthew 1:18-25,

Luke 1:26-36,

John 1:1-14,

Heb 1: 1 ¶  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 2.            In infinite love He became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb to take away the sin of the world. By his death on the cross He bore the judgments which a holy God must impose. He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and intercedes for the saints before the Father.

John 10:10-18 11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

D. Concerning SALVATION

1.             Every person who has lived, with the exception of Jesus Christ, is in need of personal redemption because of his violation of God's will and inability to achieve God's perfect standards. (Romans 3:9-26, Ephesians 2:1-6) As Isaiah said in a time long ago , " We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;" (Isaiah 64:5)

2.             Christ died as a full and sufficient payment for the sins of the entire world, and as a substitute for all men. Christ's shed blood is the only provision by which an individual may be delivered from the wrath of God.
(Hebrews 10:1-18, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Romans 3:24, II Corinthians 5:17-21)

3.             One must have faith in God before he can be saved. (Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.) Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. (Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.) For this reason we must study God’s word in order to build our faith and become a workman that has no reason to be ashamed. (2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.)

4.             As we study God’s word, we become aware of our own sins. We must then repent (be sorry for our sins and turn away from our sins. We can not continue to live in sin and be pleasing to God. (Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.)

5.             After we have turned from sin, we must turn to Christ. This requires a formal declaration of our faith Him as the Son of God and our Savior. Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

6.             After we have faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and have turned from our sins; and have acknowledged that Jesus Christ is Lord, we are baptized. Baptism is a re-enactmen or a figure of the death, burial and ressurection of Christ. Rom 6:2-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Baptism is necessary for our salvation .1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Baptism should not be delayed because it washes away our sins. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

7.             God' wants his children to live their lives in a manner consistant with their belief. They should avoid sin in its many forms and remember to thank God for the good things that He has provided them. (Colossians 2:6-As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 2 Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. I John 3:2-3)

8.Every Christian will stand for evaluation at the judgment seat of Christ to determine eternal rewards based on faithfulness in obedience to God subsequent to salvation. II Corinthians 5:9-10) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10 AV)

 

E. Concerning THE CHURCH

1.             The Lord adds to the Church those who are saved. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:46-47 )

         

F. Concerning FUTURE THINGS

1.             Christ is coming again. – He is preparing a place for us.  John 14:1

2.             All Christians, living and dead, will meet the Lord in the air at his return and will forever be with Him. (I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

3.             All unbelievers and fallen angels will be judged and condemned to hell forever. All believers will enter into the presence of God in the eternal kingdom of the new heaven and the new earth. (Revelation 20:10 - 21:5)

4. No man is our Judge because Christ is our judge. I am not a Christian to become a judge Christ said that others would know his disciples by their love one for another.

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Romans14:3 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

James 4:11-12¶ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

5. We must work out our own salvation. Phillipians 2:12¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

What do you believe about God in your daily life.

I believe:

·         Jesus is with me.  Heb 13:5-6  …. for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Thought Questions:

1.        Have I made the decision to believe?

2.        Why do I believe?  Do any of the listed items affect my faith?  Are there others that weren’t listed that affect my faith?

3.        Do I entertain any of the “Toxic” faiths?  Which ones am I tempted to believe?

4.        What do I believe about my religion?

5.        What do I believe about my relationship with God?

Study

 

During this lesson, we will be looking at several methods of  Bible study.  Some of the methods may be more in-depth than others.  Some of these methods may not interest you at all.  It is important to remember during this class that God has granted us differing abilities and interests when it comes to bible study, just as he has given us differing abilities and interests in every other gift.  Our purpose, then, is to make the most of the ability that we have been given.  Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Luke 12:48 … For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.    1 Cor 12 teaches that the church is composed of individual members as a body is composed of individual members.  Each member has different abilities and each member performs a different function.  But some things are common to all members.  All members of a body require access to life giving blood.  Bible Study is like that life giving blood.  All of us need it in some form or another.   Some people enjoy in-depth study. 

 

Others profit from reading the scriptures.  1Ti 4:13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Others don’t even like to read – But in today’s world, audio bibles can be purchased for your CD.  MP3 versions of the bible are even available.  

Purpose of Bible Study

Relationship with God

Encouragement to trust God

sharing our life with Him,

living for Him, getting to know Him better,

recognizing the joy and challenge of being children of God.

Jesus must become alive for us today.

Sharing experiences, getting advice.

To Avoid Sin

Psalms 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

How does knowing God’s word keep us from sin?

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

From the above verse we can see that Bible study helps us:

·         to live in a manner that we can be approved unto God.

·         Helps prevent us from being ashamed.

·         Allows us to right divide the word of truth.

 

God’s word can do many things for us.

Bible Study Tools.

There are many tools available to help us with our Bible Study.  One of the first things that a person has to understand is that the Bible is composed of many different books.  These books are not arranged in chronological order.  Until this is understood, it can cause confusion for someone who is new to Bible Study.

 

The chart below  can provide some general guidance as to the chronology of the different books.  The books of the prophets are arranged according to the dates that they lived.  Daniel wrote about much of history from the time that he lived until the time of Christ.  Remember, these dates shown are approximate.

 

Translations  (tools available)

When you consider purchasing an English Bible, the first question you must consider is – which translation?  It is necessary to know that there are two or three primary ideas at the back of any translation.  These ideas have been called formal equivalence and dynamic equivalence.  A third method, paraphrase, does not, technically produce a translation. 

 

Formal equivalence attempts to translate the text in a word for word manner (when possible) and makes an effort to use the original word order as much as is possible.  Although this sounds like an ideal translation, there is a price to be paid for this kind of translation.  Hebrew/Greek styles can make formal equivalence translations more difficult to read.

 

The dynamic equivalence philosophy takes the position that the grammar and word order in the original do not have to be preserved in English.  The only necessity for the translation is that the meaning of the test is preserved.  This allows the translator much more freedom and will produce a more “readable” document.  Since it depends more on the understanding and beliefs of the translator, this method is more vulnerable to translator bias.

 

To paraphrase a text, means the translator has attempted to put the message into a very readable format. He has traded some elements of preciseness or accuracy in order to improve readability.  This process would be very applicable to the “translation” of a novel.  It would be inappropriate for a very technical legal treaty.   This method is extremely vulnerable to translator bias.

 

Dynamic equivalence represents  an emphases on readability while stopping short of paraphrase.  Formal equivalence represents a more literal faithfulness to the original text.  Unfortunately practice is not as sharply divided as the terminology.   Each translation  contains a  range of translation methods.

 

 Because literal translations align better with the original texts, they are better for doing serious Bible study, but either can be carried to extremes.  Literal translations can become extremely difficult to read and understand.  Clarence Jordan carried dynamic equivalence to an extreme when he  “translated” the Cotton-Patch Version in the 1960’s.  He replaced the ancient phraseology with modern phraseology (like most dynamic translations) but he also transferred the “culture” into to a more modern culture.  Palestine become modern southern United States.  Obviously Matthew, a tax collector, would be working for the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Literal translations include the King James Version (KJV), the New King James Version (NKJV), the New American Standard (NAS), and the Douay-Rheims Version.  The Revised Standard Version would be less literal.  Dynamic translations would include the NIV.  Toward the very dynamic end of the spectrum are translations such as the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), the New English Bible (NEB), the Revised English Bible (REB), the Contemporary English Version (CEV), and the "Good News Bible," whose translation is called Today's English Version (TEV).   The New Revised Standard  is a little difficult to place.  While most of  basic text of the NRSV is rendered literally,  it implements  a "gender inclusive” approach, which tries to translate the original text into a modern "gender neutral" cultural equivalent.

 

The English Standard Version is a relatively new translation based on the Revised Standard Version that has begun to receive increasing acceptance.

 

Numerous other versions abound, most of which are dynamic equivalence translations, including well-known ones, such as the Moffat, and Philips,

 

A selection of paraphrases are also available. Strictly speaking, paraphrases are not translations based on the original languages but are paraphrased versions of English translations. Most of these are on the extreme dynamic end of the spectrum. The best known paraphrase is the Living Bible (TLB), also known as "The Book."  The preface of the “Living Bible” (49th printing January 1978) contains the following:

 A word should be said here about paraphrases.  What are they?  To paraphrase is to say something in different words than the author used.  It is a restatement of an author’s thoughts, using different words than he did.  The book is a paraphrase of the Old and New Testaments.  Its purpose is to say as exactly as possible what the writers of the scriptures meant, and to say it simply, expanding where necessary for a clear understanding by the modern reader.   …… There are dangers in paraphrases, as well as values.  For whenever the author’s exact words are not translated from the original languages, there is a possibility that the translator, however honest, may be giving the English reader something that the original writer did not mean to say.  This is because a paraphrase is guided not only by the translator’s skill in simplifying but also by the clarity of his understanding of what the author meant and by his theology.  For when the Greek or Hebrew is not clear, then the theology of the translator is his guide, along with his sense of logic, unless perchance the translation is allowed to stand without any clear meaning at all.

When you are going to purchase a Bible, you need to determine what you intend to use it for.  If you are looking for a Bible that is easier to read, then you might be looking for the English Standard Version or the New International Version. These versions will allow you to read the text and to grasp the basic meaning quicker. 

 

Serious Bible study demands a literal translation to provide more of the detailed implications of the text.  There are fewer of the translators' views coloring the text, although no translation is entirely free from this problem.

 

The second item you need to determine before you purchase a Bible is do you want an old or a modern translation. Older versions often sound more familiar but also more dignified, authoritative, and inspiring. However, English has changed in the last 400 years, and the older translations DO require more effort to read and to understand.

 

Modern translations often do not use the traditional renderings of certain passages and phrases, and this can be annoying. But it is important to understand that the King James Version we read today is not the same as the King James Version issued in the 1600s. Numerous minor changes (for example, of spelling and grammar) have been made in the King James Version. One publisher has recently re-issued the 1611 King James Version Bible to point out these differences.

 

Personally, I use the King James Version because it is the version that I studied as a child.  It is the version that I used to memorize verses.  It is the version that I am the most familiar with.  It is a literal translation and Strong’s has been indexed to the King James Version.  Strong’s Concordance provides a method to look at the phrasing of the original text without taking the time to learn the original languages.  There may not be a need to select only one translation of the Bible to use. I recommend having several versions of the Bible, and being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each. A better sense of what is being said in a difficult passage can be obtained by comparing several different translations.

 

An anecdote about Billy Graham contains perhaps the best advice about Bible versions. According to the story (which may be apocryphal), Billy Graham was once asked which Bible version is the best. "The one you read," he replied.  I would modify that statement to say the best Bible version is the one you read …and understand!

 

KJV (King James Version)

Advantages:         Literal translation.  Electronic versions available for free.  Large amount of study material available for free. 

Disadvantages:    Outdated English.  Difficult wording.

 

NASB  (New American Standard Bible)

Advantages:         Literal translation.  Electronic versions(1909) available for free.

Disadvantages:    Outdated English and difficult wording – although less than the KJV.

 

NKJV (New King James Version)

Advantages:         Literal translation.  Preserves much of the style of the KJV.

Disadvantages:    Copyrighted.

 

NIV (New International Version)

Advantages:         Widespread use.  Easier read than a “literal” translation.  Study material becoming more  available.

Disadvantages:    Copyrighted.

 

ESV (English Standard Version)

Advantages:         Growing acceptance.  Literal.

Disadvantages:    Copyrighted.  Relatively new.

Misc.                      Developed from the RSV.

 

CEV (Contemporary English Version)

Advantages:         Electronic Versions available for free.

Disadvantages:    Liberal Translation.

Study Bible

Parallel translations / Translations/Interlinears

There are a few cases in which the different translations have taken a different position on the meaning of a passage.  When you compare translations,  these difference are readily spotted. 

Harmonies

                Harmonies of the gospels are common.  They provide a “guess” at the chronology of the life of Christ.

                Harmonies of the

Concordance with Greek/Hebrew

Commentaries

Usually commentaries have been written by people who have done extensive study.  It is important to remember that, although they may be learned men, their words are the words and opinions of men.  They do not carry the weight of the cannon itself.  They can provide cross references to other related passages and to historical data that may be difficult to find in another context.

 

A commentary is often used to help understand a difficult passage.   One should use a commentary in light of other scriptures and does it fit with what I know of other Bible passages.   Here are some examples of  commentaries.

“thru the Bible” outlines

These are outlines of the different books of the bible.  They can be used to help us understand individual books of the Bible.

Dictionaries/Encyclopedias

 

Histories

Archaeological Materials

Biblical Archeological Review

Study guides

For in-depth study.

 

Daily Devotionals

Provide a quick focus to start your day.

Topical Studies

As I said earlier, these can be dangerous, but they are available.

Charts, maps, tables

Chronology, laws, comparisons,

Memorization

We have already looked at :

Psalms 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

 

tapes/cds other audio material

Preaching, Christian music, training materials;

DVDs

Preaching, Christian music, training materials;

 

Electronic Bibles  PC Software

 

Translation

Comment

Online

ESword

AKJV

American King James Version Bible

Free

 

ALT

Analytical-Literal Translation

 

Free

AV1611

King James Bible, 1611 (w/Apocrypha)

 

Free

AV

1769 King James Authorized Version Bible (KJV)

Free

Free

AVRLE

1769 King James Authorized Version Bible (KJV) Red Letter Edition.

Free

Free

Apocrypha

The 1769 Apocrypha by Oxford Press

Free

Free

ASV

1901 American Standard Version

Free

Free

BB

Bishop’s Bible, 1568 (w/Apocrypha)

 

Free

BBE

Bible in Basic English

Free

Free

BAMHT

Ben Asher morphological Hebrew Text The Online Bible Hebrew containing the Biblia Hebraica Kittel/Stuttgartensia consonantal texts in morphologically separated (BHM) format.

Free

 

BAHT

Ben Asher Hebrew Text The Online Bible Hebrew containing the Biblia Hebraica Kittel/Stuttgartensia consonantal texts in normal (BHS) format.

Free

 

BGMT

Byzantine Greek Majority Text form 1991 Byzantine/Majority Text form Keyed to Strongs and Fully Parsed. Prepared by Maurice A. Robinson, Ph.D.

Free

Free

CB

Calvin Bible Partial Bible Translation and Comments.

Free

 

CEV

Contemporary English Versions

Free

 

DT

Darby A literal translation of the Old Testament (1890) and the New Testament (1884) by John Nelson Darby

Free

Free

DNT

Diaglot 1865 Diaglot NT

Free

 

DRAV

Douay 1899 Douay Rheims American Version

Free

Free

DAPC

Douay APC The 1899 Douey Rheims Apocrypha

Free

Free

EMTV

English Majority Text Version of the Holy Bible by Paul W. Esposito, Stauros Ministries.

Free

Free

ERV

1885 English Revised Version.

Free

Free

ESV

English Standard Version

 

Free

GB

Geneva Bible, 1587 (w/Apocrypha)

 

Free

GWV

GOD'S WORD Translation

Free

Free

GNT

Good News Translation

 

Free

ISV

International Standard Version

 

Free

IGNT

Interlinear Greek NT Keyed to Strongs 1894 Scrivener Textus Receptus

Free

 

Jash

Jasher The Book of Jasher referred to in Joshua and second Samuel.

Free

 

JMNT

James Murcdock New Testament

 

Free

JPS

1917 Jewish Publication Society Old Testament.

Free

Free

KJ21

21st Century King James Version

Free

 

LTHB

Literal Translation of the Holy Bible

 

Free

LOT

Leeser 1853 Leeser Old Testament.

Free

 

LO

Living Oracles Living Oracles Translation by George Campbell, James Macknight, and Philip Doddridge.

Free

 

LSG

1910 Louis Segond avec Strongs

Free

 

LXX

Greek Septuagint Version

Free

 

LXXAPC

Greek Septuagint Apocrypha 270 BC.

Free

 

LXXE

An English translation of The Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton, originally published in 1851.

Free

 

MKJV

Modern King James Version (Sovereign Grace Publishers)

 

Free

Noyes

1869 Noyes Translation (Job - Re)

Free

 

NTAPC

New Testament Apocrypha, William Hone 1820

Free

 

Peshitta

1905 Syriac Peshitta New Testament

Free

 

RAPC

Revised Apocrypha

Free

 

RW

Revised 1833 Webster Bible by Larry Pierce.

Free

 

Rotherham

The Emphasized Bible by J.B. Rotherham, originally published by Samuel Bagster and Sons in 1902.

Free

 

RV

1909 Spanish RV Bible.

Free

 

RVA89

1989 Reina-Valera Actulizada (Spanish Bible).

Free

 

SEV

Las 1569 Sagradas Escrituras Version Antigua. Revised in 1999

Free

 

Tischendorf

1872 Tischendorf Greek NT

Free

 

Textus Receptus

1550 Stephens Textus Receptus, 1894 Scrivener Textus Receptus

Free

 

Vulgate

Jerome's 405 A.D., Latin Vulgate

Free

 

Vulgate Apocrypha

Jerome's 405 A.D., Latin Vulgate Apocrypha

Free

 

Webster

Webster Bible. The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments, in the common Version. With amendments of the language by Noah Webster LL.D. 1833

Free

Free

Weymouth

Weymouth New Testament

Free

Free

Westcott-Hort

1881 Westcott-Hort Greek Text

Free

 

Williams

1936 Williams New Testament

Free

 

Young's

Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible by J.N. Young 1862.

Free

Free

 

1 Thessalonians 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

 

Thought Questions:

 

Worship

 

Wikipedia defines worship as:

Worship usually refers to specific acts of religious praise, honour, or devotion, typically directed to a supernatural being such as a god or goddess. It is the informal term in English for what sociologists of religion call cultus, the body of practices and traditions that correspond to theology.

Religious worship may be performed individually, in informally organized groups, or as part of an organized service with a designated leader (as in a church, synagogue, temple, or mosque). In its older sense in the English language of worthiness or respect (Anglo-Saxon worthscripe), worship may sometimes refer to actions directed at members of higher social classes (such as lords or monarchs) or to particularly esteemed persons

Unacceptable Worship

Vain Worship  - Commandments of Men

Sometimes churches split over real doctrinal issues.  The Anglican Church is currently close to a major split over the acceptance of homosexuality.  But churches have split over some fairly silly reasons.  Many times it is the “doctrines of men”   Sometimes our interpretation of scriptures become a “doctrine of men” .  When Paul was speaking to the Corinthians about division  in 1Cor 14:26  he said , “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”  Peter tells us in 2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

 

Idol Worship – Covetousness

Most of us believe that idol worship is not something that could be found anywhere in the United States. But God says that covetousness is idolatry.  What this means is anything that would keep us from doing what we know that God would want us to do, may be an idol to us. 

·         Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

 

Stereotypes  illustrate the things that become “idols” to us.  Our career – when we pay it more attention than we do to serving God;  Our home, when we stay home on Sunday to mow the grass;  Our guests, when we miss services to entertain them;  Our children’s extra-curricular activities, when it keeps them and us from serving God.    How many others can you name?

 

Glory and honor belong to the Lord. Re 19:1  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:  We show disrespect for God when we allow other things to come before Him. 

·         Isa 48:11  For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

 

If we offer God second best, we disgrace his name.  Mal 1:6 ¶  A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7  Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8  And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

 

David refused to offer something to God that didn’t cost him anything. 2Sa 24:24  And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Only worship God: 

Worship Him in Fear

Acceptable Worship

John 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship  the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must  worship  him  in spirit and  in truth.

Acts of Worship

The phrase “acts of worship” is not found in scripture.    Our Life should be lived in worship to God.  Paul says in Phil 1:20  that he wants to magnify Christ while in his body whether he lives or dies.  I don’t think that many of us have Christ at the center of lives to that extent.  In Phip 3:8-10 Paul continues to say:

 

When we think of worship, we are typically refering to five “acts of worship” that we have defined for the public assembly.

Sing

 

Pray

Reference the section on Prayer in this document.  It is important when we sing and pray that we do it with the right spirit and that we understand what we are doing.  Sometimes there are lyrics to the songs that we sing that I have to modify them and sing them softly to myself – because they violate what I believe scripture teaches.  There are some songs that I would just rather not sing.  I heard  J. Vernon McGee, who has passed on,  say on his radio program that he couldn’t sing “The Old Rugged Cross”.  To him, this was not symbolism – it was idolatry.  While I don’t concur with him on the song “The Old Rugged Cross” there are others that I cannot sing.  This highlights the fact, that our worship is a very personal thing. I must bring my offering of praise and adoration to the Father, and you must bring yours.  It is not to be expected that they will always be identical.

 

1 Corinthians 14:15  What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

 

Teach/Preach

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Phil 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  18  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

 

2Tim 4: ¶  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Give

2Cor 9:6 ¶  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

1Cor16:1 ¶  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

 

1Co 9:14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

 

                Time

                Self

                Money

                Possessions

 

Communion

 

Words translated worship in the bible

 

1391 doxa doxa dox’-ah

from the base of 1380; TDNT-2:233,178; n f

AV-glory 145, glorious 10, honour 6, praise 4, dignity 2, worship 1; 168

 

1479 eyeloyrhskeia ethelothreskeia eth-el-oth-race-ki’-ah

from 2309 and 2356; TDNT-3:155,337; n f

AV-will worship 1; 1

 

2151 eusebew eusebeo yoo-seb-eh’-o

from 2152; TDNT-7:175,1010; v

AV-worship 1, show piety 1; 2

 

3000 latreuw latreuo lat-ryoo’-o

from latris (a hired menial); TDNT-4:58,503; v

AV-serve 16, worship 3, do the service 1, worshipper 1; 21

 

4352 proskunew proskuneo pros-koo-neh’-o

from 4314 and a probable derivative of 2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); TDNT-6:758,948; v

AV-worship 60; 60

1) to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence

2) among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence

3) in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication

3a) used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank

 

4576 sebomai sebomai seb’-om-ahee

middle voice of an apparently primary verb; TDNT-7:169,1010; v

AV-worship 6, devout 3, religious 1; 10

1) to revere, to worship

 

...  the essence of worship is an internal attitude of valuing Christ more than all the world has to offer, and while every minute of every day is to be an expression of worship, our coming together for times of corporate worship honors God in itself and enables us to honor Him more fully throughout the rest of the week. We come together to express our satisfaction, our happiness in God, and to enable ourselves to be satisfied in Him at all times, so that we might bring great glory to His name. Thomas C. Pinckney

Why should we worship God:

Glory is due Him: 

Because of his mercy:

 

Because of His loving kindness and for His truth: 

Because he alone is holy: 

Thought Questions:

1.                    What interferes with my worship?

2.                    What commandments of men could affect MY worship.

3.                    Do I worship in spirit?

4.                    Do I worship in truth?

5.                    When do I worship?

 

Prayer

Our prayers can be hindered

Ø       Proverbs 15:29  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Ø       Proverbs 15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Ø       1 Peter 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Pray for one another

Pray when you are afflicted

James 5:13  Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Where are we to pray

Not for show:  Matthew 6:5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

But Pray Everywhere: 1 Timothy 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

How often are we to pray

Purpose of Prayer

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Don’t always know what we should pray for

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Prayer can be taught

Luke 11:1  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Matthew 6:9 ¶  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11  Give us this day our daily bread. 12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

God doesn’t observe our social status when we pray

Psalms 102:17  He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

Psalms 86:1  <<A Prayer of David.>> Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

 

Thought Questions:

  1. How do we pray without ceasing?
  2. When do I pray.

 

Meditation

What does it mean to meditate?

In some cultures, one meditates to empty the mind.  That is not what scriptural meditation is all about.

01897 hgh hagah daw-gaw’

a primitive root [compare 01901]; TWOT-467; v

AV-meditate 6, mourn 4, speak 4, imagine 2, study 2, mutter 2, utter 2, roaring 1, sore 1, talk 1; 25

1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to roar, growl, groan

1a2) to utter, speak

1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine

1b) (Poal) to utter

1c) (Hiphil) to mutter

07879 xys siyach see’-akh

from 07878; TWOT-2255a; n m

AV-complaint 9, meditation 1, prayer 1, talking 1, communication 1, babbling 1; 14

1) meditation, complaint, musing

1a) plaint, complaint

1b) following are dubious

1b1) musing

1b2) anxiety, trouble

1b3) talk

3191 meletaw meletao mel-et-ah’-o

from a presumed derivative of 3199; ; v

AV-premeditate 1, imagine 1, meditate 1; 3

1) to care for, attend to carefully, practise

2) to meditate i.e. to devise, contrive

2a) used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians

01902 Nwygh higgayown hig-gaw-yone’

intensive from 01897; TWOT-467c; n m

AV-Higgaion 1, meditation 1, solemn sound 1, device 1; 4

1) meditation, resounding music, musing

1a) resounding music

1b) meditation, plotting

 

How do I meditate?

 

When are we to meditate?

It is not possible for us to read/study God’s word all the time.  Jobs and responsibilities get in the way.  Jobs come from the Lord.  But, if we have studied His word, committed portions of it to memory,  often we can MEDITATE on His world when to read it and study it would not be possible.  Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate <01897> (8804) therein day and night , that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

What are we to meditate about?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).

 

Why do I meditate?

What are my goals for Meditation?

Thought Questions:

1.             When do I meditate?

Fasting

Some form of the word fast appears about 65 times in the bible

Examples of Fasting in Scriptures

Explicit Reasons to Fast

Wrong Reasons to Fast

As was shown above, the purpose of fasting is to minimize the influence of the world and to draw nigh to God.  People sometimes fast for wrong reasons such as those listed below.

 

God describes some fasts that did not please Him.

How to Fast

The scripture does not command the Christian to fast.  There are passages which assume that there will be times that the Christian WILL fast – but there is NO command to fast.  Therefore, the scripture does not give the details of how to fast.   I found a reference to the Mishna, Yoma 8:1, stating that on the Day of Atonement it is forbidden to eat, or drink, or bathe, or anoint oneself, or wear sandals, or to indulge in conjugal intercourse.  The prohibition against conjugal intercourse seems to be in agreement with   Paul’s advice to married Christians in 1Cor 7:5 where he instructs “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”

 

Scripture provides examples of fasting for many different reasons.

 

Scripture provides numerous examples of fasting: 

Fasting by Other Religions

Buddhism              Buddhists usually fast by abstaining from solid food, with some liquids permitted on full-moon days and other holidays.

Hinduism              Hindus commonly fast on New Mood days and during other festivals.  Fasting is based on the individual and ma;y involve 24 hours of complete abstinence from any food or drink but is more often elimination of solid foods.

Islam                      During Ramadan, Moslems abstain from food, drink, smoking, profane language, and sexual intercourse from before dawn until sunset for the entire month. 

Judaism                 Yom Kippur, The day of Atonement, is the only fast day in the scriptures.  No food or drink is consumed for a 25 hour period.  There are five other minor fasts on the Jewish Calendar in which one does not eat from sunrise to sunset.  (The Fast of Gedaliah, The Fast of Tevet, The Fast of Esther, The fast of the Firstborn, The Fast of Tammuz).

Mormons               The first Sunday of each month Mormons abstain from food/drink for two consecutive meals.

Scripture does provide some instructions relative to fasting:

 

You can fast from eating some foods – or not eating any food;  you can fast from watching TV, consumerism, or anything that could interfere with your concentration  on God and spiritual matters.  Since fasting is voluntary, there are many decisions that the individual must make prior to the start of a fast – since scripture does not provide the definitive answers. 

when to fast (just during the day, or both day and night).

Physical preparation for a Fast (from food)

A number of web sites suggest that a physician should be consulted – particularly before a first fast or a lengthy fast.  If one has chronic medical problems and is on prescription medication a doctor’s advice definitely should be obtained before the fast is started.  Fasting (from food) does produce a strain on the body.  These are some indications that a fast from food might not be appropriate at the current time. 

 

 

A doctor would also be able to explain what physical symptoms that you might experience as a result of your fast.  He may recommend more rest and less vigorous exercises during the fast.  He can advise how the fast may affect your daily activities, and can provide instructions on how to break your fast.

spiritual preparation

Fasting must first of all represent abstinence from sin.  Spiritual preparation for a fast would include:

When do we fast?

Not when it is time to celebrate and rejoice: When Christ was asked why his disciples did not fast, but John’s disciples DID fast, he told them that it wasn’t time.  They had the bridegroom (Christ) with them.  We should never fast when it is time to celebrate and rejoice.  Matthew 9:14  Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?  15  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

The Pharisee fasted twice a week.  Luke 18:12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

When it is time for concentrated prayer:

Required Jewish Fasts

Day of Atonement.   Leviticus 16:29  And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

Isaiah 58:5  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Thought Questions:

1.                    Have I ever fasted?

2.                    What would make me feel the need to fast?

3.                    With whom would I discuss my fasting.

4.                    What would be my reasons for fasting

5.                    What kind of fast would I undertake?

Patience/Temperance

 

Using an electronic version of the Bible, I did not find the word patience in the Old Testament in either the KJV or the ASV.  The word patient occurs three times in the Old Testament.

 

 

What is Patience

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 

 

What are the results of Patience/Impatience

 

 

Quotes relative to Patience

 

Patience and Islam

 

What is Temperance

 

 

1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Ga 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Tit 1:8  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Tit 2:2  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

 

What is the difference between Temperance and Patience

 

 

 

Lu 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

Ro 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Ro 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Ro 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Ro 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Ro 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

2Co 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

Col 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Jas 5:7  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Jas 5:10  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

Jas 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 

Thought Questions:

 

Joy/Celebration

 

 

Job 20:5  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Ps 5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Ps 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Ps 21:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

Ps 27:6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Ps 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Ps 32:11  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Ps 35:27  Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Ps 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

Ps 43:4  Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Ps 51:8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Ps 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Ps 65:13  The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Ps 67:4  O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Ps 105:43  And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

Ps 126:5  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Ps 132:9  Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

Pr 12:20  Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

Pr 14:10  The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

Pr 15:21  Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Pr 15:23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Pr 17:21  He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Pr 21:15  It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Pr 23:24  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

Ec 2:26  For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ec 9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Isa 12:3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isa 22:13  And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

Isa 24:8  The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.

Isa 24:11  There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.

Isa 29:19  The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 65:14  Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

Jer 15:16  Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Hab 3:18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Zep 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Mt 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

 

Thought Questions:

 

 

Confession / Humility

Serving with Humility              Seyieneizo Khazo

All Christians are called to serve with their God given talents. And so, as Christians, do we really have serving hearts or are there intentions to make a good impression on others so as to earn prestige? Jesus taught that self centered service is wrong but service that centers on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a mighty force. That service is most worth which humbly becomes the slave of all that soul of great worth in God’s sight who is least aware of his spiritual stature and who is least in his own sight.

            Being humble involves having the right perspective about ourselves too. The Bible humility does not mean undue self-deprecation because that would mean the denial of being a loved creation of God and also of being bought by Christ’s precious blood. Let us remind ourselves that God expects us to lay aside selfishness, consider other’s interests as more important than ours, to endure hardship, to treat everyone with respect and common courtesy, to have a hunger to bring glory to his name and serve in complete humility. This requires of our humble availability because He helps us do it and not we ourselves. The Bible has reference which emphasizes on the importance of humility – He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way(Psalm 25:9). Humble yourselves before God and He will lift you up (James 4:10). Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:4). A gentle and quite spirit is of great worth in God’s sight (I Peter 3:4).

            And yet we find that Jesus Christ Himself is the perfect embodiment of what humility really means. Jesus Christ the King and the Prince of Peace, the only begotten Son of God himself set the perfect example of being a humble servant. He stooped so low as to wash His disciples feet and wipe them with His towel (John 13:5). And in John 13:14, He commands, “if I then, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet”. Jesus Christ came to serve and not to be served and His entire life, He served with complete humility doing His Fathers will.

            With “Serving with Humility” as our theme Jesus Christ is our perfect role model. True service is never without a cause but may God help us, fill and empower us with the zeal to go forth as a mighty force with the ambition “ to serve” for the glory of His name “with humility”.

“They that know God will be humble, they that know themselves cannot be proud”.

http://www.angelfire.com/bc3/immanuelbkk/unison.htm

 

 

Ex 10:3  And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

De 8:2  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

De 8:16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2Ch 34:27  Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

Job 22:29  When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

Ps 9:12  When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

Ps 10:12  Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

Ps 10:17  LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Ps 34:2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Ps 69:32  The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

Pr 6:3  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

Pr 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Pr 29:23  A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Mt 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mt 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

2Co 12:21  And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

 

Pr 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Pr 18:12  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Pr 22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Ac 20:19  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Col 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Col 2:23  Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Confess

Ro 10:9  because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:

Ro 10:10  for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ro 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God.

Php 2:11  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

Jas 5:16  Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

1John 1:9-10  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

Thought Questions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submission

When you are tempted to say, “Woe is me!” say instead, “I will bear my cross as a soldier of the Lord.  He has assigned harder crosses to others so that I might bear this one!”

 

Submit to whom?

Thought Questions:

1.                    Do I submit to the laws of the land?

2.                     

Brotherly kindness/ Charity/Service

Thought Questions:

 

 

Bibliography

 

(Toxic Faith - by Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton, a Shaw book published by Waterbrook Press 1991,2001 ISBN 0-87788-825-6 (formerly 0-84079-115-1)

 

 

Websites:

www.iwaynet.com\~cdadkins

C:\cda\Fall2006Class\Faith\Song-ReasonToBelieve\Rod Stewart  Reason to Believe Lyrics.htm

C:\cda\Fall2006Class\Worship\worship_com  The Essence of Worship.htm

http://www.recovery.org/aa/misc/12steps.html

 

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060200.asp  footnote(1)

http://www.factmonster.com/ipd/A0409465.html footnote(2)

http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/biblever.htm  (Bible Translations)

 

 

http://www.hospicenet.org/html/knowledge.html  (information on grief and dying).