PRINCIPLES OF KINGDOM LIVING
LESSON 1
THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD
(1) What is the Bible?
The Bible is the Word of God. The source of the Bible is God, and all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Inspiration means that the Word was “God breathed”, or divinely created. God purposed that it be beneficial to us as a governing or guiding factor in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) says that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
(2) Who wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by holy men of God. Prophets and certain priests were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the books of the Old Testament, and the same Holy Spirit moved upon evangelists and apostles to write the books of the New Testament. “…..Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21).
(3) What is God’s purpose for giving us the Bible?
God gave us the Bible to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, and to train us in holy living.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 110:105).
(4) God’s Word is a source of power.
A. Dividing power as a “sword”, (Hebrews 4:12).
B. Reflecting power as a “mirror”, (James 1:22-25).
C. Cleansing power as “detergent”, (Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3).
D. Reproductive power as a “seed”, (1 Peter 1:23).
E. Nourishing power as “food”, (Milk of the Word) (1 Peter 2:2).
F. Guiding power as a “lamp”, (Psalms 119:105); (II Peter 1:19).
G. Power of God unto “salvation” (Romans 1:16).
(5) What should we do with the Bible?
We should search the scriptures diligently and reverently. We should listen while they are being read, for God has magnified them above His great Name. We should believe them and make them our guide to daily living. We must know them, for in the scriptures God is speaking to man. “…..For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name.” (Psalms 138:2).
A. The scriptures tell us about Jesus: “Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39).
B. We are blessed when we obey the Bible: “Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28).
“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.” (Jeremiah 15:16).
C. When we obey the Bible, we prove our love for Jesus: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my Word, then are ye My disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32).
“…..If a man loves Me, he will keep My words: and My father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23).
D. We will not sin against God if we obey the Bible:
“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (Psalms 119:11).
(6) The Law and the Gospel are the two great doctrines of the Bible. What is the Law?
A. The law is a guideline that teaches us morality and how to live in harmony with God and others. It is the basis of all government.
“…..Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2). “Observe thou that which I command thee this day….” (Exodus 34:11).
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall 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.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
B. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the good news of our salvation in Jesus Christ. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” (I John 4:9). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” ((John 3:16). “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).
(7) The difference between the law and the Gospel. A. The Law teaches us what we are to do and not to do. The Gospel teaches what God has done, and still does, for our salvation. B. The Law shows us our sin and the wrath of God; the Gospel shows us our Savior and the Grace of God. “For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” (Romans 8:3).
(8) The Books of the Bible:
The Bible is not simply one book but rather a library of 66 books bound together. The Bible was written by 44 writers through 2,000 years, and has produced, by the control of the Holy Spirit, a perfect harmony of doctrines.
OLD TESTAMENT
THE LAW (5) MAJOR PROPHETS (5)
Genesis Isaiah
Exodus Jeremiah
Leviticus Lamentations
Numbers Ezekiel
Deuteronomy Daniel
HISTORY (12) MINOR PROPHETS (12)
Joshua Hosea
Judges Joel
Ruth Amos
1 Samuel Obadiah
2 Samuel POETRY (5) Jonah
I Kings Micah
2 Kings Job Nahum
1 Chronicles Psalms Habakkuk
2 Chronicles Proverbs Zephaniah
Ezra Ecclesiastes Haggai
Nehemiah Song of Solomon Zechariah
Esther Malachi
NEW TESTAMENT
THE GOSPELS (4) GENERAL EPISTLES (7)
Matthew James
Mark I Peter
Luke 2 Peter
John 1 John
2 John
HISTORY (1) 3 John
Jude
The Acts
PAULINE EPISTLES (14) PROPHECY (1)
Romans 1 Thessalonians The Revelation
1 Corinthians 2 Thessalonians
2 Corinthians 1 Timothy
Galatians 2 Timothy
Ephesians Titus
Philippians Philemon
Colossians Hebrews
(9) What will the study of the Bible do for me?
A. Uncovers sin and mistakes. “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Read also (II Timothy 3:16) and (James 1:23-24). B. Cleanses us from the pollutions of sin.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word?” (Psalms 119:9) Read also (John 15:3); (John 17:17); (Ephesians 5:24-26).
C. Imparts strength. “But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Read also (Deuteronomy 8:3); (Psalms 19:10); (Psalms 119:103); (Job 23:12); (Jeremiah 15:16) and (Ezekiel 2:8) and (3:3). D. Gives direction to our lives.
“Therefore whosoever heareth those sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27) Read also: (James 1:22).
E . Makes our lives fruitful and prosperous.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3) Read also Joshua 1:8-9) and (III John 2).
F. Provides us a sword for victory over sin. “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (Psalms 119:11) Read also: (Ephesians 6:17).
G. Gives us power to pray. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) Read also: (II Timothy 3:14-17).
(10) It is important to understand the doctrines of the Bible.
The word “doctrine” means: “Teaching, instruction or to teach the substance“. (Ephesians 4:14-15), “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
The Scriptures speak of:
A. The Doctrine of God. (Deuteronomy 32:2);(Proverbs 4:2); and (Titus 2:10).
B. The Doctrine of Christ. (John 7:16-17);(II John 9:10); (Hebrews 6:1,2)
C. The Doctrine of Devil. (I Timothy 4:1);(Revelation 2:14-15,24).
D. The Doctrine of Men. (Mark 7:7); (Ephesians 4:14); (Matthew 16:12).
E. The Doctrine of Apostles. (Acts 2:42).
It does matter what we study and believe. (I Timothy 6:1-3); (Titus 2:7-10); (I Timothy 4:6,13,16).”If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou has attained. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee”.
All religions, true and false, are founded on various teachings and doctrines. These doctrines believed, received and practiced determine:
a. Character – what we are
b. Action – what we do
c. Destiny – where we go
Hence the necessity of being established in the doctrines of God. (Titus 2:10); (Job 11:4); (II Timothy 3:14-17); (Titus 1:9) “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
THE WORD OF GOD is the standard by which something can be judged as right or wrong. (Isaiah 8:19,20). It was written for our learning (Romans 15:4), and for our admonition; training us by both instruction and warning (I Corinthians 10:11). It is imperative that the Word of God be obeyed! Our obedience is proof of our love for Christ and it assures us of God’s love toward us (John 14:21). It is our responsibility to be a doer, and not only a hearer of God’s Word. (James 1:23-25).
(11) Books to use with Bible:
A. A good Bible dictionary;
B. A standard dictionary;
C. A good concordance.
(12) What to do after reading the Bible:
A. You should meditate on what you have read, then dedicate yourself to the obedience of that Word of God.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14).
“I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.” (Psalms 119:15).
“My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.” (Psalms 119:48).
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate 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.” (Joshua 1:8) See also (Psalms 1:1-2).
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STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. Who wrote the Bible?
2. What is the Bible?
3. What use should we make of the Bible?
4. What are the two great doctrines of the Bible?
5. What is God’s purpose in giving us the Bible?
6. What does it mean “by inspiration of God”?
PRINCIPLES OF KINGDOM LIVING
LESSON 1
THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD–Study Sheet
Please fill in the blanks and bring this sheet to next class.
1. The Bible is the _____________________ of God.
2. Inspiration means that the Word was “________________________” or _____________________ created.
3. II Timothy 3:16-17 ” ______________ scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
4. II Peter 1:21 “Holy men of God spake as they were _______________ by the Holy Ghost.” (Please read II Peter 1:20-21)
5. II Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto ______________ through faith which is in Jesus Christ.”
6. John 5:39 “Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which ________________ of me.”
7. Luke 11:28 “Blessed are they that _____________ the Word of God, and ________________ it.”
8. When we _____________ the Bible, we _____________ our love for Jesus.
9. Psalms 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not _____________ against Thee.”
10. Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the _______________ there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Look up this scripture)
11. Galatians 3:24 “Wherefore the law was our ________________ to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Look up this scripture)
12. The law is a __________ that teaches us morality and how to live in harmony with God and others. It is the basis all ____________.
13. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the _____________ of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
14. The Bible is not simply one book but rather a library of _____________books bound together. The Bible was written by __________ writers through 2,000 years, and has produced, by the __________ of the Holy Spirit, a perfect harmony of doctrines.
15. Name three things that the study of the Bible will do for you:
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
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