The Six Elementary Teachings of Our Faith
Daily Bible Studies for November 24-29, 2008
Let's Get Back to Basics!
This Week’s Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3; Matthew 7:21-23; John 3:31-36; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Peter 2:4-10 NLT
1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. Hebrews 6:1-3
21“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
31“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.£ 32He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:31-36 NLT
10Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NLT
4For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. 6Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. 2 Peter 2:4-10 NLT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we turn to a week of studying “eternal judgment,” I pray You will give me wisdom to hear what Your word has to say, to apply it to my life and to show others its truth, that they may choose life in You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. Hebrews 6:1-3
How often do you think of “eternal judgment”? When you think of it, what comes to mind?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with Jesus first every day, so I may face the day I meet Him with joy!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may heed Jesus’ words to both proclaim His name AND do Your will. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
21“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
What does this Scripture teach about eternal judgment?
What is the implication of this teaching for your life right now?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with Jesus first, so my heart will be pure and my actions will reflect His lordship in my life!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me always love You, Your Son and the Holy Spirit that I may know the joy of eternal life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
31“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. 32He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! 33Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. 34For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. 36And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:31-36 NLT
What does Jesus say is required to attain eternal life?
What does being under “God’s angry judgment” mean to you?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the love of Jesus and so attain to eternal life!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live in such a way that I am “building” with gold, silver and jewels. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
10Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NLT
What does it mean to you to build with “gold, silver and jewels?
What does it mean that the builder will “suffer great loss” but will still enter heaven as one “barely escaping through a wall of flames”?
Today’s Challenge: I will “build” today using “gold, silver and jewels,” thus assuring that one day I enjoy eternal life with God!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, No one but You knows when the “day of judgment” will come. I pray simply that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live in such a way as to be ready when it DOES come for me. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
4For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. 6Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 2 Peter 2:4-6 NLT
What does it mean that God did not spare even the angels when they sinned?
How does Sodom and Gomorrah show us what will happen to ungodly people?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the power of the Holy Spirit that I may stand firm on the day of judgment!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You will use the example of today’s Scripture to move me to live always in the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may enjoy the blessings of eternal life, and not experience the unimaginable pain of Your judgment. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
7But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. 2 Peter 2:7-10 NLT
How do you think that Peter could call Lot a “righteous man” when he obviously compromised in many ways, and ultimately committed sexual sins with his own daughters?
What is the application of this passage for your life right now?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in righteousness by the Spirit’s power that God may be glorified in what I think, say and do today and always!