Tag Archives: God’s way

True or False: Worry is Part of my Personality

true, but what else are you saying? If this is another way of saying “this is just the way I am and I cannot change”, then it is false. If this is another way of saying “I am, by nature, sinful”, then it is true.

Regardless of whether a sin is part of your genes or not, the Bible is clear: we are all sinful and naturally alienated from God.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. – Ephesians 2:1-3

But praise be to God who does not leave us there:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2: 4-10

28. List five specific steps of biblical action a person suffering from fear and worry should take.

  1. Forgive others.

    Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32

  2. Bask in God’s truth.

    Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

  3. Rejoice in the Lord, pray always with thanksgiving.

    Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7

  4. Think purely.

    Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9

  5. Avoid situations which bring worry and fear if possible. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3

True or False: Depression is a Real Condition

true

27. What are five key areas for discussion with someone suffering from depression?

  1. The symptoms which comprise what is labeled “depression” may need to be treated medically, and may often be precipitated by sin (living to please self rather than God). Me slamming my thumb with a hammer may also need to be treated medically, and I would need to understand that just as the cause of the medical treatment was the condition of my thumb, so also the cause of my jacked-up thumb was me slamming it. While depression may require medical intervention, it may often be necessary to examine the actions leading to the symptoms/feelings.
    How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!– Psalm 32

  2. There are actions which may need to betaken in order to deal fully with depression.Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. – 1 Peter 3:10-12
  3. There is great hope in that Jesus has overcome, and he is able to work all things out for our good (though it may not make sense at the time).“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

     …we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. – Romans 8:28-29

  4. Whether symptoms of depression are experienced or not, we all must recognize the need to put off disobedience to God’s ways, and put on His truth.“Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” – Genesis 4:7

    Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires…Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? – Romans 6:12, 16

  5. Do it. Once you have examined the pieces of your depression (medical and/or sin), researched God’s view, recognized your hope, conceded your need for change, it’s time to practice actively (includes speaking truth, singing, thanksgiving, confession, prayer, working as unto the Lord, etc.)!Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:15-20

True or False: Discipline Should Be Minimal

depends how you define “discipline”; it should be consistent in whatever loving form it takes

What is the purpose of discipline? When is it necessary to discipline a child?

  • Poverty and shame, in one form or another, is the result of a lack of discipline.

    • Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored. – Proverbs 13:18

  • Righteousness and peace result from biblical discipline.

    • Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:7-11

  • Discipline is applied when disobedience occurs

    • Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death. – Proverbs 23:13-14

      Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. – Proverbs 13:24

      When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. – Ecclesiastes 8:11

      Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. – Proverbs 22:15

      Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. – Ephesians 6:1

      …the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. – Proverbs 3:12

      …we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. – 1 Corinthians 11:32

True or False: Love is Dead in my Marriage

false

24. Write a short outline, with Scripture references, of biblical truths to guide your discussion with someone who tells you that love is dead in his marriage.

  • Fights and quarrels come from within ourselves

    • What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? – James 4:1

  • Biblical love is not a feeling; it is an action

    • Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives – 1 Peter 3:1

  •  Biblical love is based solely on God’s past action demonstrated toward us

    • This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:10-11

  • Biblical love is a choice

    • Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
      Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
      Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

      “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
      Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:9-21

True or False: Christian and non-Christian Marriages Experience the Same Rate of Divorce

false (by definition, a “Christian marriage” will not be broken by divorce; see below)

23. What are at least five major elements in a biblical marriage?

1. God has ordained marriage.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

“It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” – Mark 10:4-12

2. God has established the character of marriage.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. – I John 4:7-12

3.Marriage partners are equal in value.

Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. – I Corinthians 7:11-12

4. God has made the marriage relationship basic to society.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.  – Ephesians 4:21-33

5. God has designed some to receive the blessing of remaining single.

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-40

True or False: Biblical Communication is Hyper-Spiritual, Bless the Lord

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yes, but not in the way you might think…

22. Name at least five characteristics of biblical communication.

1. The recipient of communication should be wise.

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. – Proverbs 9:7-9

2. Communication should occur after facts have been gathered.

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame…The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out…In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,until someone comes forward and cross-examines. – Proverbs 18:13,15,17

3. Communication is always done in love.

…we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. – Ephesians 4:14-15

4. Communication avoids evil and remains thankful.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. – Ephesians 5:4

5. Communication is designed to build people up.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:25-32

True or False: I Have a Right To Be Angry

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not necessarily…

18. List five ways in which you can know if your anger is a violation of Scripture. List verse references.

  1. Outbursts of anger are of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)
  2. Lack of mercy (Eph. 4:32)
  3. Non-edifying words (Eph. 4:29)
  4. Harboring anger (Matthew 5:21-22)
  5. Failing to rejoice/pray/give thanks (1 Thes 5:16-18)

True or False: I Need to Love Myself More

false

16. What is the primary problem with a believer emphasizing the “need” to have a “good self-esteem” or “positive self-image?” List at least five reasons (with supporting Scriptures) why a focus on self in any dimension is contrary to God’s Word.

These bits of worldy wisdom are under the heading of “self trust.” Psalm 49 says that the fate of people who trust in themselves will be subject to death feeding on them. Isaiah 25, however, promises that God will swallow up death for those who trust in Him. Nothing good is in us according to Romans 7, so trusting in ourselves is worthless! Romans 6:16-18 says that we are a slave to sin on our own. John 15:5 says that we can do nothing apart from Jesus. Proverbs 14:12 says that we might plan our ways but God directs our steps.

True or False: My Problems are Too Much To Handle

false

6. How does the Holy Spirit help you face and deal with your problems? List at least three scriptural references to support your explanation.

There are two choices when facing problems in life. The first employs our own thoughts, feelings, and desires–which lead to more problems. The second option, however, is to live by the Spirit, which gives us new passions and desires which are in line with God’s pure goodness rather than our perception of what we think is good. The outcome of the Spirit’s influence on a person’s life– love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control – is entirely different than the natural passions that people pursue in life– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things remind you of everything I said. John 14:26

 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:1-17

 

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. The sinful nature desires what is contrary, in the spirit was country later. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you were led by the Spirit, you Are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, actions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I want you as it did before, that those who live like This will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Galatians 5:16-25

 

True or False: The Bible is Not Enough

 

false

4. List three scripture references that tell of the total sufficiency of Scripture.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-7

 

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; and keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11

 

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition in the basic principles of this world rather than Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given forms in Christ, is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:8-10

 

True or False: Eternal Life is Earned by Being a Good Person

false

2. Explain how a person can receive the gift of eternal life, citing at least three scripture references to support your explanation.

A person receives the gift of eternal life when they turn from their own ways and follow Christ.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming pages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:1-10

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because she has not received in the name of God one and only son. This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:16-21

 

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel. Colossians 1:21-23