Christmas: Receiving and Giving Love | ©Precept Ministries

Transcription

™
with Kay Arthur
INSIDE:
INDUCTIVE STUDY FOR CHRISTMAS WITH STUDY QUESTIONS
OBSERVATION WORKSHEETS | PUZZLES | AND MORE
Christmas:
Receiving & Giving
LOVE
Five weeks until another
Christmas beloved!
Can you sense it in the air—cold weather, blistering winds, glistening
snow, warm fireplaces, Handel’s Messiah and the Carpenter’s Christmas
albums, pine needles and scented candles, the exciting “rush” of preparation:
invitations, gifts to buy and wrap, special dinners to make?
Maybe Christmas won’t be like this for you. Have you lost loved-ones to
death or some other separation in this life—another Christmas and “They
won’t be coming!”? Perhaps you’re facing your own health problems. Or
maybe you’re healthy but not fortunate enough to have that warm fireplace,
dinner, and friends to share it all with.
All this because of Jesus—“the ‘Christ’ in ‘Christmas’!” Because these things
are so, because pain is diminished by eternal hope and because it’s dispensed
with altogether by eternity, we’ve written this 5-week family study of God’s
Word to prepare your hearts for this Christmas. We’re convinced the power
of this eternal Gospel (Revelation 14:6) will lift your spirits out of any pain
and misery you’re experiencing. And if you’re not hurting personally, you can
share these truths with a friend or stranger who is.
This Christmas, start a new tradition—prepare your family by soaking in
God’s Word together. We’ve even included some scripture-based puzzles you
can do with your children or friends.
We sincerely hope and pray that you will enjoy these studies intended to
draw you to the Father of Christmas and to His Son, the Lord Jesus, born
on this day to be the Savior of the World . . . your Savior! May He create new
faith in your heart this glorious season originally heralded by angels.
™
While this Study is based on Kay’s Precepts For Life Program “Receiving and
Giving Love” that was originally done in five consecutive days, we suggest
you do one per week. Kay’s CDs and DVD are currently available on our
EStore.
with Kay Arthur
There’s hope beloved! A time is coming when “there will be no more pain or
death or curse”; and there is a Gospel that tells us that not only is this true
but also that no suffering in this life can outweigh it by comparison
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
inside
1Program Lessons
27 Answers to Puzzles
28Discover Truth
32How Do I Start Studying
the Bible?
34About Precept
Visit precept.org/resource for more Free Bible Study Resources!
Study Companion
This Bible study material was designed for use with the TV and Radio teaching program, Precepts
for Life™ with renowned Bible study teacher Kay Arthur, a production of Precept Ministries
International. This inductive 30-minute daily Bible study program airs on many satellite, cable, and
broadcast stations, and on the internet at www.preceptsforlife.com.
As with all Inductive Bible studies, the best way to use the material is to complete the assignments
in each lesson before listening or watching the PFL program for that day. These programs are also
available on DVD and CD at www.preceptsforlife.com or by phone (1.800.763.1990 for television
viewers or 1.800.734.7707 for radio listeners). For more information about the Precept Inductive
Bible Study Method and Precept Ministries International, visit www.preceptsforlife.com.
These materials are also useful for Bible study apart from the Precepts for Life™ programs. We hope
you’ll find them valuable for studying God’s Word and that your walk will be strengthened by the
life-changing Truth you’ll encounter each day.
Christmas: Receiving & Giving Love STUDY COMPANION
Published by Precept Ministries of Reach Out, Inc.
P. O. Box 182218
Chattanooga, TN 37422
ISBN–13: 978-1-62119-377-7
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®(NASB)
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the. Used by permission.
(www.lockman.org)
Copyright © 2014 Precept Ministries International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or
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Bob design, Precept Upon Precept, In & Out, Sweeter than Chocolate!, Cookies on the Lower Shelf, Precepts For Life,
Precepts From God’s Word and Transform Student Ministries are trademarks of Precept Ministries International.
Christmas: Receiving & Giving Love Study Companion
Receiving and Giving the
Gift of Christmas Love
PROGRAM 1
TODAY’S TEXTS
Ephesians 3:14-19; 1:3-5
INTRODUCTION
h the magic of Christmas—the smells, the sounds, the decorations,
the parties, the food and yet, you know what? For many it is the
hardest and loneliest time of the year, a time of bitter memories and disappointments. We want to change this. We want you to understand the gift
of Christmas love, beloved. We’re going to open God’s Word to find out the
real meaning of Christmas so you’ll experience the Magic of Truth, the true
magic!!
John 3:16
QUESTIONS
1. Read Ephesians 3:14-19 (See Today’s Texts in the back) marking Father
including pronouns with a purple triangle shaded yellow, family and
all the saints with a green box and love with a red heart.
Mark 10:29-30
O
Galatians 4:4-5
Matthew 20:28a
John 1:1-3, 14
Romans 8:28-32
CROSS-REFERENCES
Matthew 12:50
Romans 12:5
Ephesians 1:4, 5-20
Galatians 3:13
Romans 8:35, 38-39
a. Where do families exist according to the text?
John 3:16
b. Who are they named after? Are we related to Jesus? (See Matthew
12:50; Mark 10:29-30; Romans 12:5)
DID YOU KNOW?
c. On what basis will God “grant” Paul what he prays for?
προορiζω (pro-orizo): to
predestine (Romans 8:29)
from pro (before) and orizo
(to determine, bound, mark
out). We get our English
“horizon” from orizo.
Your distant horizon is to
become more like Jesus.
d. List things Paul prays that God will grant “us” . . .
1)16: to be ______________________________________________
2)17: so that_____________________________________________
3)18: and that____________________________________________
4)19: and to know_________________________________________
2. Read Ephesians 1:3-5 underlining chose in red, boxing in Christ and
in Him in red, and marking love with a red heart.
a. When did God choose “us”?
b. Who did He choose us “in”? (See Ephesians 1:5-20 and Galatians 3:13)
1
© Precept Ministries International
PROGRAM 1
Those who Love God
c. Why did He choose us? Did we earn His choice somehow?
d. For what purpose did He choose us?
e. Are you “in” Jesus Christ? Have you received His gift of eternal life?
The Called according to
His Purpose
He Foreknew_____
3. Read John 3:16 and mark God and pronouns with a purple triangle
shaded yellow.
a. What did God give, who does He give it to, and what else do they get?
b. Why did God give this gift?
4.Observe Galatians 4:4-5 marking God and pronouns as above.
a. When did God send His Son forth?
b. Under what conditions?
He Predestined_____
c. What was His purpose? That we might receive____________________
5.Read Matthew 20:28a. Also read John 1:1-3, 14 marking Word and its
pronouns with a purple cross and underline shaded yellow.
a. Jesus came not to________________ but to____________________
He Called_____
b. Who was the Word?
c. What did He become?
6. Observe Romans 8:28-32. Again mark God and pronouns as above.
He Justified_____
a. Who are “the called”? What did God predestine them to?
b. According to the text everyone God foreknew is:____________ and ______________ and________________ and__________________
(Write “me” in after these actions in the right column)
He Glorified_____
c. What will God give us if He did not spare His Son? Is the future “in
our hands”? Do we “own it”? (See 8:32-39.)
7. How can these precious gifts help us face loneliness and disappointment
during Christmas and other holidays? (Discuss)
2
Puzzle
Use the study questions and Today’s Texts to answer the puzzle questions. (Answers on page 25.)
ACROSS
DOWN
3. The “man” God’s Spirit strengthens
1. Every ______ will bow
5. Predestined to be conformed to the _________ of Christ
2. The Word _________ among us
7. “Give” (another word for) according to His glory
4. Jesus’ mother
8. Every _______ is named after God
5. Chosen ___ Christ
12. Santa’s laugh (3 of these).
6. By ________ we are saved through faith
13. All things work together for good to those who _______ God
7. The riches of His ________
14 __________ and grounded in love
9. ____ so loved the world
10. We’re adopted as _______
11. The _______ was made flesh
12. Christ dwells in my _______
3
Prayer
Father, thank you for loving me so much that You sent Your only Son to die for my sins. I confess that I’m a sinner
and need this gift of eternal life. Please send Jesus into my heart as my Savior and Lord. I want to be part of His
growing family, lead others to Him, and serve Him forever. In His name I pray, Amen!
Today's Texts
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through
His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. that you may be filled up to all the fullness
of God.
Ephesians 1:3-5
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless
before Him. In love
5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.
John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall
not perish, but have eternal life.”
Galatians 4:4-5
4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the
Law,
5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
4
Matthew 20:28
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John 1:1-3, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come
into being.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten
from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Romans 8:28-32
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who
are called according to His purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so He
would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these
whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him
freely give us all things?
5
PROGRAM 2
TODAY’S TEXTS
John 15:13
Matthew 1:18-21
1 John 4:7-12
Matthew 1:21-23
Galatians 3:13-14
Matthew 27:26-29
CROSS-REFERENCES
Receiving the Gift of
God's Love
INTRODUCTION
n the Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof” the main character turns
to his wife and asks her, “Do you love me?” She responds, “I clean your
clothes. I clean your house. I cook your food. Do I love you? I guess I do!”
We need to hear, don’t we, that we are loved, not just the actions but also
the words. And this is what Christmas is all about. It is all about God saying to the world, “I love you. Listen to My Christmas story.”
I
John 3:16, 17; 13:1-4
Hebrews 10:7
Romans 5:5
Galatians 3:29; 4:4, 5
1 John 2:2
2 Corinthians 5:21
QUESTIONS
1. Read John 15:13 and mark greater love with a red heart.
a. From all the way back to John 13:1-4, where is Jesus when He says
this and where is He heading?
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 20:28
John 10:10
b. How does He define the greatest love and what does this have to do
with where He’s going . . . and Christmas . . . and you?
2. Now read Matthew 1:18-21. Mark Holy Spirit with a purple half
triangle, half cloud shaded yellow and underline for.
a. Was Jesus born the way we are?
b. How was His birth different?
c. What “disgrace” (shame) did Joseph want to save Mary from?
d. Did he think Mary did something wrong? If so, did anyone correct
Him?
e. What does the name “Jesus” mean and how does it relate to what
Jesus did? What key term in verse 21 connects His name to His
work?
6
3. Carefully observe 1 John 4:7-12 marking believers’ love for each other
with a red heart and God’s love with a red heart shaded yellow.
PROGRAM 2
a. Why should believers love one another according to verse 7?
DID YOU KNOW?
b. What’s the connection between believers’ love for each other, the new
birth, and knowing God? (See Romans 5:5.)
;Ihsou#v (Iesous): “Jesus,”
a Greek translation of the
Hebrew name u^ v % w y) h y=
(Yehoshua) which means
the “Lord saves” (see
question 2e).
c. While God does love-acts, what more do we learn about Him from v. 8?
d. Does God prove His love to us by answering all our prayers, giving us
everything we want? How did He primarily reveal His love according
to the text?
e. According to verse 9, why did God reveal His Son?
f. What does “propitiation” mean? (v. 10; see also 1 John 2:2 and
2 Corinthians 5:21.)
g. What two truths do believers loving one another prove according to verse 12?
4. Review Matthew 1:21-23 and mark Immanuel with a purple cross and
underline shaded yellow.
a. What does this name mean and what “prophet” prophesied that the
Messiah would be called this?
b. Can you find the Old Testament reference?
i[lasmo;v (ilasmos):
expiation, appeasement,
satisfaction (1 John
2:2). In the Greek Old
Testament (LXX), the noun
translates Hebrew terms
for atonement (Lev. 25:9;
Num. 5:8) expiation (Ps.
129:4), and the sin offering
(Ez. 44:27). When Jesus
offered Himself to God, He
satisfied God’s law two
ways: He paid the penalty
for sin and He obeyed
perfectly.
Emmanouhl: Immanuel a
Greek transliteration of the
Hebrew laWnM*o; (reading
right to left: immanu [“with
us”] el [“God”]). Luke
says God “visited and
accomplished redemption
for His people” (1:68).
This is what Christmas is
all about—God coming
to earth, visiting and
redeeming His people in the
person of Jesus!!
5. Read Galatians 3:13-14, marking curse with a black tombstone.
a. How was Jesus made a curse for us? (See also 2 Corinthians 5:21.)
b. What do believers receive as the result of this curse (v. 14; see also
Galatians 3:29.)
6. Observe Matthew 27:26-29. How badly was Jesus treated by the
Romans?
7
Puzzles
WORD SCRAMBLE
Rearrange the groups of blocks to reveal an important truth from God’s Word. (Answers on page 25.)
1
2
M E
L L
C A
H I S
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J E S
S H
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S I N
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P E O
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H
U S
Y O U
I R
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S A V
P L E
F O R
H E
F R
A L L
WORD SEARCH FOR GOD’S MESSAGE
S
G
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I Y
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A A
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W H
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U Z
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Q M
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T V
Q H
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M W G
M B J
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L T B
Prayer
Father in heaven, I am so amazed by Jesus’ sacrificial love for the world. It’s difficult to understand the height,
breadth, and depth of what He did but I believe what Your Word says about redemption, reconciliation, and propitiation. I understand how He became a curse and sin for my sake so that I could begin to live in Him. Lord, help me
love as Jesus loved, with my whole heart. Strengthen me this Christmas season to lay down my life for others day
by day to reveal Your love to them and to the world. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen!
Today's Texts
John 15:13
13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph,
before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her
away secretly.
20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived
in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
1 John 4:7-12
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and
knows God.
8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world
so that we might live through Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for
our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
9
Matthew 1:21-23
21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel” which translated means, “God with us.”
Galatians 3:13-14
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written,
“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would
receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Matthew 27:26-29
26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be
crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman
cohort around Him.
28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand;
and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
10
Giving the Gift of Love
PROGRAM 3
INTRODUCTION
ou’ve got your shopping list. You know who needs what and you’re
ready to go and buy, because Christmas to many people is about
giving, the giving of gifts. I want to ask you a question: have you thought
about what you’re going to give God this year? You see, there would be no
Christmas apart from God. There would not be a Christmas if God had not
sent His Son in the fullness of time to die for you. So what are you going to
give Him in return? We’ll talk about it today.
TODAY’S TEXTS
QUESTIONS
1. Read John 14:1-3.
Matthew 25:32-46
Y
John 14:1-3; 14:19-24
1 John 3:11-16
John 15:9-12; 14:31
CROSS-REFERENCES
John 3:16, 17
a. Where is Jesus going?
b. What is He going to do there?
c. What will He do for us, His family, when He returns?
2. Now observe John 14:19-24, marking all the in phrases, our love with a
red heart, and God’s or Jesus’ love with a red heart shaded yellow.
a. Who is “in” whom and what does “in” mean in terms of family?
b. How do believers “see” Jesus when the rest of the world does not? Is
this the physical sight the world demands for proof? How does truth
relate to this “sight”?
c. How does Jesus characterize those who love Him (v. 21)? Is obedience
something they should do, something they actually do, or both?
d. If we love Jesus, we will be (v. 21): ________________________, and
Jesus will ______________ and will _______________ Himself to us.
e. If we love Jesus (v. 23, we will __________________________ and
His Father will _____ us, and the Father and Son together will make
their ____________ in us.
11
PROGRAM 3
f. What does “abode” mean and how does it relate to the idea of family?
How does “make our abode” differ from “visit”?
DID YOU KNOW?
monai; (monai): “dwelling
places” (John 14:2)
from me;nw (meno), I
abide. Why does the
KJV translate this word
mansions? How can the
Father’s “house” contain
“mansions”? Aren’t
mansions bigger than
houses?
The KJV is actually quite
accurate. The Latin term
mansio means remain,
stay, stopping place,
trip, ride, journey. In King
James’ days it hadn’t
acquired its current
English connotation of
a giant house on a large
property.
The Father’s house,
then, contains “dwelling
places” and Jesus further
defines this as a “place”
(topos from which we get
topography) He’ll go to
prepare for us.
The picture is a large
spatial area for “living”
(cf. the same noun monh;n
in v. 23).
g. How do these wonderful things prove that we’re part of the Father’s
family?
h. How does Jesus characterize the one who does not love Him (v. 24)?
i. Did Jesus originate “the word” He shared? If not, who did?
3. Now carefully observe 1 John 3:11-16, again marking our love with a
red heart and God’s or Jesus’ love with a red heart shaded yellow.
a. What is the message Jesus’ followers hear “from the beginning”?
b. According to v. 12, why do some people murder others?
c. What does love for “the brethren” prove? Does this correlate with
assurance of salvation? How can we be assured we’re saved?
d. What does hatred of a brother prove? Do “haters” have eternal life?
e. How does eternal life “abide” in someone? (See 1 John 5:11.)
f. According to v. 16, how did Jesus show what kind of love He had?
What are we to do with this kind of love?
4. Now let’s wrap up by observing John 15:9-12 and 14:31 again marking
our two loves.
a. How can we “abide” in Jesus’ love? What do we have to do?
b. What is Jesus’ commandment?
c. According to 14:31, why does Jesus obey His Father? What does this do?
12
Puzzles
CROSSWORD
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
7
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Jesus will ____ again some day
5. If we keep His commands we _____ in His love
6. He who does not love abides in ____
8. The world will no longer _____ Me but you do
11. Cain killed Abel because his (Cain’s) deeds were ______
12. We should ______ _____ (2 words) our lives for others
14. Because He lives we will _______
16. Jesus ______ exactly what His Father tells Him to do
13
2.The one who hates his brother is a ____
3. _____ so loved the world that He gave us His son
4.If we love Jesus the world will ____us
7.Jesus and His Father will make their _________ in us
9.If we love Jesus He will __________ himself to us
10.Jesus prepares a _______ in His Father’s house for us
13.Rudolph had a very shiny (but runny) _______
15.Jesus spoke so His _____ would be in us and made full
WORD SCRAMBLE
M A K
E
D E N
N D
O
H
H
O M E
W I
L
W E
W I
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A B O
T O
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Prayer
Father, I see now that Christmas is about love, all about love. I know now why You love and how You love us, why
your Son Jesus loves, and why I’m called to love and actually do love His brothers. Help me abide in Your love and
show this love to others so they’ll believe Your Word and be saved. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Today's Texts
John 14:1-3; 19-24
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there
you may be also.”
19 “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
20 “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be
loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself
to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him,
and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the
Father’s who sent Me.”
14
1 John 3:11-16
11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because
his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.
13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not
love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding
in him.
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren.
John 15:9-12
9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s
commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
John 14:31
31 but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get
up, let us go from here.
15
PROGRAM 4
TODAY’S TEXTS
John 15:9-19; 13:33-34
CROSS-REFERENCES
John 3:16
1 John 4:9, 19-21
Romans 5:5
John 13:19, 34
Giving And Expressing
God's Love
INTRODUCTION
hristmas: retailers absolutely love Christmas. Why? Because it’s the
best-selling season of the year. And let’s admit it, we like getting gifts,
that is, if the gift is what we want, if it meets our expectations or goes
beyond them. Other times we wonder, “How am I going to hide my disappointment at this gift?” I want to talk to you about a gift that nobody will
be disappointed with this year, if you’ll give it in love
C
John 16:33
Matthew 26:26-28
James 2:15, 16
John 13:1, 2, 26-27
John 14:21-23
Leviticus 19:18
John 15:13
QUESTIONS
1. Read John 15:9-19 marking God and Jesus’ love with a red heart
shaded yellow, our love with just a red heart, hate with a red heart and
a slanted black line through it, and abide with an underline.
a. How does Jesus love us?
Galatians 2:20
Romans 5:5
b. According to John 3:16 what action is connected with love?
c. How do we abide in Jesus’ love? Is obedience a form of love?
d. What single commandment does Jesus isolate in v. 12 and repeat in v.
17? Who is He speaking to and who is He commanding them to love?
e. Why is obedience a form of love according to this commandment?
What specific obedience is in mind in v. 12?
f. Can love be commanded? If so, does love have anything to do with
feelings? What if we don’t feel like loving someone, especially an
offensive person?
g. What does Jesus call those who love and obey Him according to vv. 1415? What does He call those who do not? In what ways do they differ?
16
h. According to v. 15, what major gift do Jesus’ friends receive from
Him that outsiders do not?
PROGRAM 4
i. What else has Jesus done and what else does He do for His friends
per v. 16?
j. What do we know because the world hates us (v. 18)?
k. What does “of the world” mean (v. 19)? What would be true if we
were “of the world”? What is true because we’re not?
l. How does the world’s hatred for Jesus’ followers “flesh out”
according to vv. 20-21? What can we expect from the world?
2. Now read John 13:33-34 and cross-references Leviticus 19:18, John
15:13, Galatians 2:20, and Romans 5:5. Mark love with a red heart.
a. What is Jesus’ “new commandment”?
b. In what two senses is this command “new” if Leviticus 19:18
already taught that believers should love their neighbors?
1) We’re to love _________________ meaning who?
________________.
2) We’re to love “even as” _______________________________.
c. According to John 15:13, what is the greatest love?
d. According to Galatians 2:20, our entire life should be characterized
by what?
e. According to Romans 5:5, do we generate love by ourselves? Who or
what helps us?
f. What does all this have to do with Christmas? How can Christmas
become new to you?
17
Puzzles
CROSSWORD
1
Across
2
2 Love each other
3
5 You love Me if yo
4
7 You will bear frui
5
6
8 Greatest love is w
12 You must love yo
7
8
14 The love of God
9
10
11
16 The love of God
12
17 If you were of the
18 I appointed you t
13
14
20 I live by _______
15
21 _____ one anoth
16
Down
1 The world first __
17
18
3 What I heard from
4 The Holy Spirit w
19
20
6 _________ in My
9 No longer I who l
21
10 God's love is pou
11 You are no longe
ACROSS
DOWN
13 I _________ you
5 You love Me if you do what I ___________ you
15 I ____________
1 The world first _______ Me, so it will do the same to you
19you
I spoke to you so
3 What I heard from the Father I made _________ to
7 You will bear fruit and it will _____________
4 The Holy Spirit was _________ to us
8 Greatest love is when a man lays down his _______
6 _________ in My love
2 Love each other ___________ (3 words) have loved you
12 You must love your _____________ as yourself
9 No longer I who live, but ___________ lives in me
14 The love of God was poured
into our ____________
L O
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17 If you were of the world,Pthe world
would
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16 The love of God was _________ out through the Spirit
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10DGod’s loveSis pouredBout through the _______________
E E N
(2 words)
18 I appointed you to bear __________ that remains
11OYou are noVlonger
slaves but ____________ T
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13 I _________ you out of the world
20 I live by ________ in the Son of God
15 I ____________ you to go and bear fruit
21 _____ one another, as I have ______d you
19 I spoke to you so that your joy will be made _______
The love of God has been poured out within our hearts
18
H
E
O
E
A
WORD SCRAMBLE
L O
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T S
O
H A
G O D
S
B
V E
E E N
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E A R
U R E
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H
Prayer
Father, I want to imitate Christ. I want Christmas to be “new” to me this year; I want a new spirit of sacrificial
love within me to dominate my gift giving and receiving. This is the gift I seek from You this season. I’m so grateful that Jesus is my “friend”—that He has told me all about You and about Your gift of eternal life. Because the
world does not and cannot know these things, I pray for those You have given me—that this Christmas You will
take them into Your eternal family. So many of them are lonely and isolated this time of year, devastated and
oppressed. Please make me an effective witness and save them so we can rejoice together. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Today's Texts
John 15:9-19
9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you.
15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called
you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that
your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
17 “This I command you, that you love one another.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I
chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
19
John 13:33-34
33 “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I
also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also
love one another.”
Leviticus 19:18
18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love
your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.”
John 15:13
13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
Galatians 2:20
20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Romans 5:5
5 . . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
20
Dealing with Difficult
Relationships
PROGRAM 5
TODAY’S TEXTS
Ephesians 4:1-2; 5:1-2
INTRODUCTION
hen it comes to relationships, Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year because it’s supposed to be a time of family.
It’s supposed to be a time of love. And yet, maybe your daughter, your son,
or the grandchildren refuse to come. And once again the wound is open and
made even worse. It’s supposed to be a time of love, a time of giving, and
a time of sharing. What can you do, Beloved, to make Christmas what it
ought to be? We’ll talk about it today.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
QUESTIONS
1. Read Ephesians 4:1-2 and 5:1-2 shading in purple every quality the Lord
calls us to have.
a. List the first four qualities “worthy of the [Lord’s] calling” Paul mentions: _______, ____________________, _____________________,
and ____________________.
Define each one as best you can. See if you can find scriptural
definitions.
Ephesians 4:1-2
W
Ephesians 4:31-32
CROSS-REFERENCES
Matthew 27:41-43
Luke 23:34
Romans 5:8
John 15:10, 12
Galatians 2:20
Romans 5:5
b. How can these help us “react” to people who provoke us? Do we need
these qualities before we’re provoked? Why or why not?
c. How did Jesus react to the worst provocation He endured according
to Luke 23:34?
d. Who should we imitate, why, and in what manner? Specifically, what
kind of love should we give to others?
2. Now read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 shading in purple every quality of love.
a. Verses 1-2: what can a person have and yet not have love? Can a person
have “all faith” and no love? What does Paul say such a person is?
b. Verse 3: does self-sacrifice necessarily infer love? What other reason
besides “love” would a person sacrifice possessions and even life?
21
PROGRAM 5
DID YOU KNOW?
pa;nta (panta) “all things.”
Paul uses this word often
in 1 Corinthians 13: 3
times in v. 2 and 4 in v. 7.
Let’s look at one use that
provokes a question: Does
“believes all things” (v.
7) mean “love” requires
us to believe everything
everybody says all the time?
Absolutely not! A lie is
objectively nothing (nonreality) so it isn’t a ‘thing”
(fact) we have to believe.
A lie is a claim to be a
“thing” but the claim is
false. Only truths are objects
(“things”) of faith so “all
things” are “all truths.”
Scripture usually limits “all.”
For example “all knowledge”
and “all mysteries” (v. 2)
don’t mean omniscience. But
when we love God we believe
“all things” (truths) He has
revealed (John 4:25; 15:5).
Man is not so truthful—
sometimes he lies, other
times he makes mistakes
and guesses wrong.
c. Verse 4: define the first three passive qualities to seek and then the
next two active ones to avoid. How does each one help us relate to
“difficult” people and other people, both difficult and nice, to relate to
us? Think of examples.
d. Verse 5: what does “unbecoming” mean? Does the Word define “becoming” and “unbecoming” or does culture, or do both? See what you
can find in the Bible.
e. Verse 6: what does love rejoice in and not rejoice in?
f. Verse 7: What is the scope of “all things” in v. 7? See Did You Know?
to the right. Are the “all things” endured and the “all things” believed
the same?
g. Verse 8: What fails and what doesn’t fail? Is love conditioned or
unconditioned? Is unfailing (unconditioned) love part of our call to
“imitate God”? (See 1d. above.)
h. Are any of these qualities easy to manufacture or are they gifts of
power from the Holy Spirit? How can we get and “increase” these
qualities (2 Peter 1:8)? Who do we go to?
We’re told not to love
the world or the “things”
in it (1 John 2:15, cf.
2 Chronicles 19:2).
3. Now read Ephesians 4:31-32 shading qualities we should “put away” in
red and “put on” in purple.
a. What are we to “put away” (v. 31)? ________________,
_________, _________, __________ and ___________ . . . with all
______________.
b. What opposite qualities should we “put on”?
22
Prayer
Father, the love qualities you call us to are impossible; I can’t make or increase them. I need Your Holy Spirit to
powerfully gift me with these things. I can see now how every one of them is necessary for me to relate to difficult
people and for difficult and even nice people to relate to me. Grant me the power to imitate You in all these respects
this Christmas and beyond. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Today's Texts
Ephesians 4:1-2
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which
you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to
God as a fragrant aroma.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a
clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to
remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not
have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a
wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will
cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
23
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all
malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Puzzles
WORD SCRAMBLE
Unscramble the following words then place them in the boxes below to discover an important word from God. (Answers on the page 29.)
U
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WORD COMPLETE
Complete the words below that describe what love is and what it is not. (Answers on page ??)
is F
is
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is not
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is not
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does not S
never
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24
G
K
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N (3 words)
Answers to Puzzles
Program 1
Program 2
CROSSWORD
WORD SCRAMBLE
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Program 3
CROSSWORD
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14
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Program 4
CROSSWORD
WORD SCRAMBLE
H
2
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3
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4
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5
6
COMMA ND
I
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7
R E M A I N 8L I F E
9
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14
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19
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21
L O V E
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1
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Across
L O
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2 Love each other ___________ (3 words) have loved you
5 You love MeP
if you
Odo what
U IR___________
E D you
O
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7 You will bear fruit and it will _____________
8 Greatest love is when a man lays down his _______
12 You must love your _____________ as yourself
14 The love of God was poured into our ____________
H
O
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S
16
P
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T
10
11
F
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16 The love of God was _________ out throught the Spirit
17 If you were of the world, the world would love its _____
18 I appointed you to bear __________ that remains
20 I live by ________ in the Son of God
21 _____ one another, as I have ______d you
Down
1 The world first _______ Me, so it will do the same to you
3 What I heard from the Father I made _________ to you
4 The Holy Spirit was _________ to us
H
6 _________ in My love
9 No longer I who live, but ___________ lives in me
10 God's love is poured out through the _______________ (2 words)
11 You are no longer slaves but ____________
13 I _________ you out of the world
15 I ____________ you to go and bear fruit
19 I spoke to you so that your joy will be made _______
Program 5
WORD SCRAMBLE
L
O
P
O
W
W A L K
T H E
H
A
G
I
T
D
O
I N
D
S
O
V
A
H A V E
M A N N E R
C A L L I N G
The love of God has been poured out within our hearts
B E E N
B
E
W I T H
E
E
N
T
H
E
E
O
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O
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A
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U
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W O R T H Y
W H I C H
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WORD COMPLETE
T
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is F O R G I V I N G
is not J E A L O U S
is P A T I E N T
is not A R R O G E N T
is K I N D
is not P R O V O K E D
does not S E E K I T S O W N
never F A I L S
25
Our passion is for you to discover Truth for yourself
through Inductive Bible Study—a unique Bible study method you’ll
discover in the following pages and use throughout this study, as we engage this important
topic together verse by verse.
You can’t do a better thing than sit at Jesus’ feet, listening to His every word. God’s Word,
the Bible, has answers for every situation you’ll face in life. Listen to what God is saying to
you, face-to-face, with truth to transform your life!
Inductive Bible Study Method
To study and understand God’s Word, we use the Inductive Bible Study Method at Precept
Ministries International. The Bible is our main source of truth. Before looking for insights
from people and commentaries about the Bible, we get into the Word of God, beginning
with observing the text.
1
Observation
This is a very interactive process, well worth the time because the truths you discover for
yourself will be accurate and profound. It begins by asking the five W and H questions.
Who is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the main characters? And to whom is
the speaker speaking?
What subjects and/or events are covered in the chapter? What do you learn about
the people, the events, and the teachings from the text? What instructions are given?
When did or will the events recorded occur?
Where did or will this happen? Where was it said?
Why is something said? Why will an event occur? Why this time, person, and/or place?
How will it happen? How will it be done? How is it illustrated?
Careful observation leads to interpretation—discovering what the text means.
26
2
Interpretation
The more you observe, the greater you’ll understand God’s Word. Since Scripture is the
best interpreter of Scripture, you and I will be looking at contexts and cross-references to
enhance our understanding of the meaning of God’s message.
Where should observation and interpretation lead? Application.
3
Application
After we’ve observed the text and discovered what it means, we need to think and live
accordingly. The result is a transformed life—the more you and I are in the Word of God
and adjusting our thinking and behavior to its precepts for life, the more we are changed
into the likeness of Jesus Christ! He is the living Word of God who became flesh, the Savior
of the world, our coming King of kings!
So Where Do You Begin?
The Bible is God’s book, His Word, so when you study it you need to seek the Author’s help.
Begin with prayer, asking God to lead you into all truth, then open the Study Companion.
(We suggest you work one program ahead of the broadcast to get the most out of the study.)
Look at the general layout of each day’s program and you will find the following:
• Introduction—usually with a challenging question
• Questions that contain pointers on using the Inductive Bible Study Method
• Where’s That Verse? section containing the Primary Study Passage and several
cross-references related to the topic
• Concluding Prayer
What’s Next?
• In some programs, I’ll point out key words to mark. You’ll find many of them on the
back cover of this Study Companion with suggested colors and symbols to spot them
quickly in the text. Color coding key words helps you identify and recall. We have
included a cutout bookmark so you can remember to mark each key word the same way
throughout the text.
You can mark these key words before or after the program, whichever is easier. You can also get
the CD or DVD of the program and mark the key words later while studying.
27
Feel free to mark them your own way—there’s nothing sacred about the particular symbols and colors I use!
• The cross-references I mention in these programs are under Where’s That Verse? After
you read them, you can jot them in the margins of the Observation Worksheets or write
them in the wide margins of your Bible. I suggest you first pencil them in, then write
them in ink later.
• For book studies, you’ll find an At A Glance chart in the back. After we complete a
chapter, record a summary theme there and in the space provided in your Observation
Worksheets. Themes help you remember main ideas of chapters At A Glance after you
finish the study. You’ll also find these charts after each book in the New Inductive Study
Bible.
Missed A Program?
• Go to our website at www.PreceptsForLife.com. TV viewers can call 1.800.763.1990 and
radio listeners 1.888.734.7707 to learn how to find programs online.
Getting the Most from This Study
• Try to stay one program ahead of me so you’ll learn directly from the Word of God and
our time together will be like a “discussion group,” as we reason together through the
Scriptures. You’ll get much more out of our time together if you’ve done this preparation.
• Try to memorize a key verse for every program covered. God will bring these to your
remembrance when you need them!
• Pray about what you learn each day. Ask God to remind you of these truths and give you
another person to share them with. These two exercises will do amazing things in your
life.
• Get the CD or DVD set of this series and listen when you get ready for work in the
morning, do chores around the house, or have family devotions. Or listen with an open
Bible and discuss the teaching and its application to your life. Get together with a friend,
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• Request Precept’s mailings to stay abreast of what God is doing around the world and to pray
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God is using to establish people in His Word. Here are some items you can request:
28
F
F
F
F
F
The Plumbline—Precept Ministry’s monthly e-newsletter that keeps you up to date
on Bible study topics, products and events that help you in your walk with Christ.
A prayer list so you can partner with us in prayer for our ministries in nearly 150
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“Inside information” each month when you join our “E-Team” of regular prayer and
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we teach various books of the Bible right where the action occurred!
• We use one of the most accurate translations of the Bible, the New American Standard
(Updated). If the topic is a book study, our Observation Worksheets will contain the
complete text. Since you’ll be instructed to mark words and phrases and make notes in the
text, you’ll want to have colored pencils or pens available. As you grow in inductive study
skills, you may want to use your Bible instead. We believe the best Bible to use is the New
Inductive Study Bible. See our back pages to find out more about this ultimate study Bible.
Now get started!
• Finally, stay in touch with me personally. I’d so love to hear from you by email or letter
so I can be sensitive to where you are and what you’re experiencing—problems you’re
wrestling with, questions you have, etc. This will help me teach more effectively and personally. Just email us at [email protected]. (Don’t worry, Beloved, I won’t mention you by
name; but as you listen, you’ll know I’ve heard you!)
I’m committed to you . . . because of Him. The purpose of the “Precepts For Life”
TV & Radio programs is to help you realize your full potential in God, so you
can become the exemplary believer God intends you to be…studying the Bible
inductively, viewing the world biblically, making disciples intentionally, and serving
the Church faithfully in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
That’s my vision for us as believers! Won’t you help us spread it to others?
Looking for people…looking for truth!
29
How Do I Start Studying The Bible?
Do you wonder,
God, how can I obey You and study your Word? Where do I begin? How can I discover truth for myself?
DISCOVER TRUTH FOR YOURSELF
There are some study tools we would recommend for you to begin with, as each will teach you
the inductive method of study. By inductive we mean that you can go straight to the Word of
God and discover truth for yourself, so you can say … “for You, Yourself have taught me” (Psalm
119:102).
Let’s Get Started! For a jump start on inductive study, we recommend the following:
• Lord, Teach Me To Study The Bible in 28 Days. In this hands-on introduction to
the basics of inductive study, you’ll see why you need to study God’s Word and how to
dig into the truths of a book of the Bible. The instructions will walk you through the
books of Jonah and Jude, and you’ll be awed at what you see on your own! Discussion
questions are included.
• God, Are You There? Do You Care? Do You Know About Me? This 13-week, selfcontained inductive study on the Gospel of John is powerful and life-changing.
Study the book of John, as you learn and put into practice inductive study skills. The
Gospel of John was written that you might believe that Jesus is the Son of God and
that believing, might have life in His name. You will know you are loved! Discussion
questions are included.
• How to Study Old Testament History and Prophecy Workshop. Discover truths about
who God is and how He works as you learn to study inductively, step by step, and be
challenged to apply these truths to your life. This workshop will give you the tools to
study and understand Old Testament history and prophecy. Go to www.precept.org or
call 800-763-8280 to find out about workshops in your area, or online training.
• How to Study a New Testament Letter Workshop. Grow in the knowledge of the Lord
Jesus Christ and His plan for your life. This inductive study workshop will equip you to
study the New Testament letters and apply their truths to your life. Go to www.precept.
org or call 800-763-8280 to find out about workshops in your area, or online training.
Now that you’ve begun . . . continue studying inductively using one of these:
• 40 Minute Bible Studies. These 6-week topical studies are a good for personal study
and a great way to start discipling others one-on-one or in a group setting—teaching
them who God is, introducing them to Jesus Christ, and helping them learn God’s
precepts for life. These studies enable you to discover what God says about different
issues of life. No homework is necessary for the students prior to group time.
• The New Inductive Study Series, now complete covering every book of the Bible, was
created to help you discover truth for yourself and go deeper into God’s precepts, promises
and purposes. This powerful series is ideal for personal study, small groups, Sunday school
classes, family devotions, and discipling others. Containing 13-week long studies, the New
Inductive Study Series also provides easy planning for church curriculum! You can now
survey the entire Bible
30
• Lord Series. These life-changing devotional studies cover in greater depth major issues
of our relationship with God and with others, teaching us how to practically live out
our faith. Ideal for small groups, these contain discussion guides and teaching DVDs are
available for some.
• Discover 4 Yourself is a dynamic series of inductive studies for children. Children who
can read learn how to discover truth for themselves through the life-impacting skills
of observation, interpretation, and application. You’ll be amazed at the change that
comes when children know for themselves what the Word of God says! Teach them now
so they can stand firm in a first-hand knowledge of truth as they hit their teen years.
This award-winning series is popular in Christian schools and among homeschoolers.
Teacher’s guides are available online.
• The New Inductive Study Bible (NISB) is a unique and exciting! Most study Bibles
give you someone else’s interpretation of the text. The NISB doesn’t tell you what to
believe, rather it helps you discover truth for yourself by showing you how to study
inductively and providing instructions, study helps, and application questions for
each book of the Bible, as well as wide margins for your notes. It’s filled with many
wonderful features that will guide you toward the joy of discovering the truths of God’s
Word for yourself. This Bible is your legacy.
go DEEPER with others…
in small group Bible studies
Join others in the study of God’s Word, sharing insights from the Scripture and discussing
application to your life. Each of the studies described above are appropriate for groups as
well as for individual study.
Discussion questions are included, so that you can dialogue about what you’re learning with
a group. These studies will teach you what it means to live by God’s Word—and how it is
applied to life. Learn about and discuss with others the truth that sets you free! To find out
about inductive Bible study groups in your area, go to www.precept.org or call 800-7638280.
DISCIPLE
How can you help others study God’s Word inductively? Use the studies described above
to share with others—one-on-one or in a small group. Lead others in discovering truth for
themselves and experience the joy of seeing God change lives!
If you want training in how to lead these and other Precept Upon Precept studies go to www.
precept.org or call us at 800-763-8280.
Precept Ministries International | P.O. Box 182218 | Chattanooga, TN 37422
800.763.8280 | www.precept.org
31
About Precept
Precept Ministries International was raised up by God for the sole purpose of establishing people in God’s Word to produce
reverence for Him. It serves as an arm of the church without respect to denomination. God has enabled Precept to reach
across denominational lines without compromising the truths of His inerrant Word. We believe every word of the Bible was
inspired and given to man as all that is necessary for him to become mature and thoroughly equipped for every good work
of life. This ministry does not seek to impose its doctrines on others, but rather to direct people to the Master Himself,
who leads and guides by His Spirit into all truth through a systematic study of His Word. The ministry produces a variety of
Bible studies and holds conferences and intensive Training Workshops designed to establish attendees in the Word through
Inductive Bible Study.
Jack Arthur and his wife, Kay, founded Precept Ministries in 1970. Kay and the ministry staff of writers produce Precept Upon
Precept studies, In & Out studies, Lord series studies, the New Inductive Study Series studies, 40-Minute studies, and
Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids. From years of diligent study and teaching experience, Kay and the staff
have developed these unique, inductive courses that are now used in nearly 180 countries and 70 languages
Precept Network
Precept Network is an interconnected, committed group of volunteers passionately using their
gifts and abilities to accomplish the mission of establishing people in God’s Word!
In support of this mission, Precept Network Area Teams launched in the summer of 2012! The
goal of these teams is to connect and equip Bible Study Leaders in their local communities to
impact others with the life-transforming study of God’s Word through the Inductive Bible Study Method. The Area Teams will
provide support in states across the country. Please be in prayer for the teams as they branch out in faith to reach more and
more people. If you would like to see if there is an Area Team near you, visit www.precept.org/areateams for a list of the current
teams and their locations. If you do not find an Area Team close to you, you can find Bible Study Leader Enrichment Groups
in our Precept Online Community. For more information, go to www.precept.org/poc.
Now that you’ve studied and prayerfully considered the scriptures, is there something new for
you to believe or do, or did it move you to make a change in your life? It’s one of the many
amazing and supernatural results of being in His life-changing Word—God speaks to us.
At Precept Ministries International, we believe that we have heard God speak about our part in
the Great Commission. He has told us in His Word to make disciples by teaching people how
to study His Word. We plan to reach 10 million people with Inductive Bible Study.
If you share our passion for establishing people in God’s Word, we invite you to join us! Will you prayerfully consider joining
our E-Team and giving monthly to the ministry? If you give an online recurring gift as an E-Team member, fewer dollars go
into administrative costs and more go toward ministry. You can join the E-Team at www.precept.org/eteam. You can also make a
one-time gift to reach more people with Inductive Bible Study at www.precept.org/ATC. Please pray about how the Lord might
lead you to answer the call.
PURCHASE
WITH
PURPOSE
•
•
•
•
•
When you buy books, studies, videos and audios, please purchase from Precept Ministries
through our online store (http://store.precept.org/). We realize you may find some of these
materials at a lower price through for-profit retailers, but when you buy through us, the
proceeds support the work that we do to:
Develop new Inductive Bible studies
Translate more studies into other languages
Support efforts in nearly 185 countries
Reach millions daily through radio and television
Train pastors and Bible Study Leaders around the
world
• Develop inductive studies for children to start their
journey with God
• Equip people of all ages with Bible Study skills that
transform lives
When you buy from Precept, you help to establish people in God’s Word!
32
Concerned you might
miss a program?
Don’t be! You can get a CD or DVD of this
program and mark the Observation Worksheets
as you study at your own pace. It will be like
going to God’s Bible school and having the Holy
Spirit as your professor. He will take the things of
God and reveal them to you.
TV viewers, call 1.800.763.1990, radio
listeners, call 1.888.734.7707! We’ll be happy to
place an order for you!
You can also listen to or watch the programs
online whenever you want on our website
www.PreceptsForLife.com.
Get the Big Picture
Have you heard Jesus’ call to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow
Him? Do you know what it means to answer that call? Luke’s chronological
history tells all—who Jesus was and how He lived. Learn what it means to
follow His example.
13-week Study. Six days of guided lessons, 20 to 30 minutes long, help and
teach you how to discover God’s precepts, purposes and promises on your
own. Questions for group discussion or individual study are provided on Day
Seven along with closing commentary.
Do you long to immerse yourself in God’s Word but need a guide to match
your busy lifestyle? This powerful series is ideal for personal study, small
groups, Sunday school classes, family devotions, and discipling others.
NEW INDUCTIVE STUDY SERIES
The Call To Follow Jesus
(LUKE)
www.preceptsforlife.com
ONLINE
1.800.763.1990
TELEVISION
33
1.888.734.7707
RADIO
Select from NASB or ESV
Want more?
PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT
Luke Part 1
Who Is This Man Who Forgives Sins? (Ch. 1–16)
Hear what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and how you, today,
can be prepared for the difficult times ahead and to stand before the
Son of Man. Learn from His words, His walk, and His relationships with
common people what it really means “to follow Him.”
Luke Part 2
The Savior of Sinners (Ch. 17– 24)
What happens when Jesus, knowing crucifixion awaits Him,
prepares to enter Jerusalem? How does He spend those final days?
And just what happens when Jesus dies and rises from the dead?
These are important facts we need to know for ourselves, to fulfill
His calling on our lives.
ONLINE
1.800.763.1990
TELEVISION
1.888.734.7707
RADIO
Select from NASB or ESV
New Inductive
Study Bible
The Ultimate Study Bible!
It’s the best way to study God’s
Word inductively.
24 pages of full-color charts, maps, timelines and illustrations.
Comprehensive history of Israel.
Complete instructions for studying the Bible inductively,
including help with marking symbols and making lists.
Individualized instructions for studying every book of the Bible.
PLUS a choice of reading plans and study plans—
all in an easy-to-carry 6 x 9 format.
ONLINE
1.800.763.1990
TELEVISION
34
1.888.734.7707
RADIO
Suggested Markings for Key Words
in Christmas: Receiving & Giving Love
!
Precepts for Life™
O
ur 30-minute TV and Radio program, Precepts for Life™ hosted by Kay Arthur,
is available online and is broadcast to over 94 million homes around the world,
teaching people to discover Truth for themselves. Study online with us anytime or
through these networks and a host of local affiliates. Visit www.preceptsforlife.com
to download or stream the program or to find a station near you.
family
all the saints
love God’s love
About Precept Ministries International
hate
P
recept Ministries International was raised up by
God for the sole purpose of establishing people
in God’s Word to produce reverence for Him. It
serves as an arm of the church without respect to
denomination. God has enabled Precept to reach
across denominational lines without compromising
the truths of His inerrant Word. We believe every
word of the Bible was inspired and given to man as
all that is necessary for him to become mature and thoroughly equipped for every
good work of life. This ministry does not seek to impose its doctrines on others, but
rather to direct people to the Master Himself, who leads and guides by His Spirit into
all truth through a systematic study of His Word. The ministry produces a variety of
Bible studies and holds conferences and intensive Training Workshops designed to
establish attendees in the Word through Inductive Bible Study.
in Christ
in Him
chose
God
Father
Jack Arthur and his wife, Kay, founded Precept Ministries in
1970. Kay and the ministry staff of writers produce Precept
Upon Precept studies, In & Out studies, Lord series studies,
the New Inductive Study Series studies, 40-Minute studies,
and Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids. From
years of diligent study and teaching experience, Kay and the staff
have developed these unique, inductive courses that are now used in nearly 185
countries and 70 languages.
Word
Immanuel
Precept.org
Holy Spirit
curse
GET
abide
CONNECTED
qualities to put on
qualities to put away
!
Learn how you can be involved in
“Establishing People in God’s Word” at precept.org/connect
Precept.org/connect
Precept Online Community provides support,
www.precept.org
P.O. Box 182218
Chattanooga, TN 37422
800.763.8280
Use your smartphone to get
connected to Precept’s ministry
initiatives! Precept.org/connect
CHRISTMAS: RECEIVING & GIVING LOVE
STUDY COMPANION
training opportunities and exclusive resources to help Bible study leaders
and students.
Precept.org/POC
Use your smartphone to connect to Precept
Online Community! Precept.org/POC

Christmas: Receiving and Giving Love | ©Precept Ministries

Transcription

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