Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Authority Bible Study Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving the Bible, Your written word, as the final authority for daily living! I praise You that truth is so vital to You that You have preserved it and passed it on to us down through the millennia. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may understand Your word, and that I may also live it in my daily life. As I gather on this Lord’s day with other brothers and sisters through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, I pray that You will make us all aware of the importance of Your written word, and of the power it has to convict us of our sin, and teach us how to do what is right. All these things I pray in the powerful name of Jesus, the living Word! Amen.
Bible Verses
2 Timothy 3:15-17
15You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
Reflecting on God's Word
What does it mean to you that all scripture is inspired by God?
Other than the Bible, what is the most important book you have ever read? Why?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
According to the Apostle Paul, what was the result of Timothy’s having been taught the Scriptures from childhood? (3:15)
What uses does Scripture have in our daily lives? (3:16-17)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
Based on today’s Scripture reading what authority does Scripture have for us?
How does that authority impact us according to the Scripture itself?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is the most important application of today’s Scripture in your daily life right now?
Thoughts
The Apostle Paul made it clear that there is a direct correlation between Timothy’s having been taught the Scriptures from childhood and his gaining the wisdom to receive salvation. Of course no one becomes a believer solely on the basis of reading God’s word—salvation is a gift offered directly to each of us by Jesus Himself. Yet, we can never underestimate the power of God’s written word to make us aware of and to draw us to the living Word, Jesus! As we go about our daily lives, particularly as we seek to live as fully devoted followers of Jesus, the Bible IS our only sure guide for faith and life. Paul told Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God. Therefore, it has the authority of the “ultimate authority” behind it! Since it is God’s word to us Paul tells us that it teaches us what is true, and shows us what is wrong in our lives. That alone is a wonderful blessing. As we go about this day we don’t have to wonder what the truth is or where we need God to transform us—His word shows us. So, let’s READ it today!