Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
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A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Your written word makes it clear that You love us more than we love ourselves. I praise You for Your amazing grace toward us. As I read Your words from 2 Timothy 3:15-17 again today, I pray that You will open additional truth to me. Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may receive the power You promise to share Your Good News near and far. I pray that my life will be a blessing to others today, and that as hear and obey Your voice in my life, that it may draw others to Your advancing Kingdom. This I pray in Jesus’ name. 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
When did your formal training in the Scriptures begin—as a child, young person or adult?
Who was the first person to introduce you to the Bible?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What do we learn about Timothy from today’s Scripture? (3:15)
What are the specific benefits of reading the Bible according to today’s Scripture (3:15-17)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
What do you learn about God’s intent for your life through today’s Scripture reading?
What are some of the “good things God wants us to do,” that reading the Scriptures equips us to do?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is the most important application of today’s Scripture for you right now?
Thoughts
When you think of Timothy being taught the Scriptures from his childhood, and that being the basis for the wisdom that allowed him to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Jesus, does it bring back any memories from your childhood? Did you start to read the Bible at an early age? Did someone read the Bible to you, or did you have a “picture Bible” that allowed you to start gaining an understanding of God’s word even before you could read? Did you attend some kind of organized Bible training in your childhood years, such as Sunday School, or a mid-week ministry, or summer vacation Bible school? I have fond memories of most of these types of activities as I was growing up. While Gipsy Christian Church, were I worshiped and gained my foundation as a follower of Jesus until I was 18, did not have a mid-week Bible program of any kind, it was a summer vacation Bible School, and Sunday school class, along with reading the Bible each day from the time I could read, that helped me to gain the wisdom that allowed me to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Jesus when I was thirteen. If you had such a foundation as part of your upbringing, then we are among the truly blessed, as Paul makes it clear. If you did not have that early training in God’s word, then thank God that You picked it up somewhere along the way, or are picking it up NOW! God’s word is always effective, and it will let us know what is true and point out what is wrong in our lives throughout our lives, so the sooner we get started in studying and learning God’s word in Scripture, the better! If you have children who are growing through the “formative” years, then by all means offer them the opportunity Timothy’s mother and grandmother gave him. There is no heritage available in life, greater than a heritage of an early love Jesus and respect for and knowledge of His word! As we move forward into 2004, let’s make sure that we put God’s word in its proper place of authority in our lives. As we do that God’s wisdom will move us to a deeper and deeper experience of the salvation Jesus offers!