ScriptureStream

By Mark WatsonSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Philosophy

ScriptureStream episodes

August 18, 2024Conquered: Lessons from the Fall of Israel
Introduction
II Kings 17:5
Genesis 12:7 – Promises to Abraham
II Kings 17 – God’s assessment of what went wrong with Israel.
Quit trying to be like the world.
II Kings 17:7-13 – Israel started living like the people of the land who God had punished for living that way!
II Kings 17:19 – Israel was then a bad influence on Judah.
Acts 2:38-40 – “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
Philippians 2:14-15
Judges 2:12
Israel started to blend in with the sinful world.
Romans 12:2 – We must become what God wants us to be.
James 4:4
I John 2:15
Get back to God’s word.
II Kings 17:12-13; Exodus 20:4 – God’s instructions on this were clear.
Jeremiah 7:1-10
We have a good amount of control over what influences us. It is our choice how much we read our Bible!
Luke 8:19-21
Proverbs 30:5
Psalms 119:101-104
God will definitely punish.
II Kings 17:18-23
Deuteronomy 4:25-27
Joshua 23:14-16 – God promised they would be punished.
II Peter 3:7-9, 17-18 – God doesn’t want anyone to be punished but He is just.
31 min
August 14, 2024Timothy
What do we know about him?
No biographical sketch in scripture.
Mentioned 24 times in scripture in most translations
Acts – 6
Romans – 1
I Corinthians – 2
II Corinthians – 2
Philippians – 2
Colossians – 1
I Thessalonians – 3
II Thessalonians – 1
I Timothy – 3
II Timothy – 1
Philemon – 1
Hebrews – 1
Sometimes referred to as Timotheus (Roman version of his name)
Translations often render this as simply Timothy.
Who was Timothy?
Lystra – Acts 14
Paul there in about AD 48
Healed a lame man
Stoned and left for dead
Returned in about AD 50
Encountered Timothy
Acts 16:1-2
Timothy – well spoken of
How did he get to be like that?
Had a faithful mother – II Timothy 1:5
The faithfulness of his grandmother and mother were instrumental in forming Timothy’s faith.
The foundation of his faith was the word of God. II Timothy 3:14-15
Still young, probably young in the faith
Had confessed Christ before many witnesses
I Timothy 6:12
Timothy’s enlistment
Acts 16:3-5
Paul adds Timothy to his team
First puts controversy behind them
Went about disseminating the Jerusalem decrees
Success!
Timothy grows
Paul’s trust for Timothy increases
Sent with another (Acts 19:22) to Macedonia from Ephesus
Sent to troubled congregation (I Corinthians 4:17)
Left behind to teach at Ephesus
Paul greatly attached to Ephesus (Acts 20)
I Timothy 1:3-4
Paul warns Timothy to oppose the arguments of the Gnostics
I Timothy 6:20
Paul had predicted such in Acts 20:28-30
Trusted emissary – I Thessalonians 3:2, 6
Paul sends Timothy to Thessalonica
Check on them
Strengthen and encourage them
He returns a good report
Following sound doctrine – I Timothy 4:6
Sincere faith – II Timothy 1:5
Constant encouragement by Paul to continue progress
Letters of 1st and 2nd Timothy
Required complete involvement
I Timothy 4:15-16
Timothy’s journeys and sojourns
Passed through “the cities” issuing the decree
Phrygia and Galatia – forbidden to preach in Asia
Down to Troas – Macedonian call
Across to Philippi – conversion of Lydia, Paul, and Silas in prison
On to Thessalonica and more trouble, then to Berea
Trouble in Berea
38 min
August 11, 2024 What You Need to Learn at School This Year
Introduction
Learn how to think.
Learn how to work, even when it’s hard and unfair.
Learn how to manage your time.
Learn how to encourage the kids in younger grades.
Learn how to avoid pride.
28 min
August 11, 2024Deuteronomy 4:1-5:33
Deuteronomy 4
Deuteronomy 4:1-14 – You need to obey!
Deuteronomy 4:15-31 – Idolatry
Deuteronomy 4:32-40 – God (end of first speech)
Deuteronomy 4:41-43 – Interlude (eastern cities of refuge)
Deuteronomy 4:44-49 – Introduction to Moses’ second speech.
Deuteronomy 5
Deuteronomy 5:1-5 – God made this covenant with us.
Deuteronomy 5:6-21 – Repeating the 10 commandments
Deuteronomy 5:22-33 – The people were afraid.
45 min
August 11, 2024How to Make Benchley Fail
Introduction
Revelation 2:1-7
Casually stray to a different authority
Give up hope and optimism
29 min
August 07, 2024Naaman
Introduction
We’ll be studying some things in the Bible that are not discussed as often.
We’ll look primarily at the Bible, also pulling in other sources for additional information as necessary.
Naaman
Text: II Kings 5:1-19
What do we know about Naaman?
His position? Head gui of Syrian army under the King of Aram (Syria)
Not a captain?
Translation could mean captain, general, ruler, prince, etc.
Context indicates a top military officer.
King considered him to be a great man
Highly respected
God chose to give Aram victory through Naaman (I Kings 22:29-40)
Valiant warrior
Leper
Laws of leprosy (Leviticus 13-14)
Lepers were unclean
Prophet’s purity?
What can we guess about Naaman?
Inspiring leader
He and his wife communicated with each other
Very good relationship with his king (Hadadezer – generous gifts to take and a letter)
Talent of silver: A weight of 75 pounds. Ten talents is work about $654,480 today.
Shekel of gold: A weight of about 0.4 ounces. Six thousand shekels would be worth about $5,759,520 today.
Believed that Israelite prophets were subject to their king in what they did as prophets.
John 11:48
His actions scared the king (Jehoram) into thinking he was trying to start a war.
Given to ceremony (arrived with chariots and horses, expected ceremony from Elisha)
Short temper (furious over Elisha’s failure to reciprocate ceremony and command to wash in the Jordan River)
Willing to listen (took correction from his servants)
Had loving concern from those who served him (servant girl, other servants)
Willing to humble himself (obeyed and dipped in the Jordan seven times)
Some things we can learn
God’s favor doesn’t imply faultlessness on our part.
Was faith a requirement for Naaman’s healing?
Kindness to your servants can pay off, even if you don’t deserve it.
Servants took a risk correcting the boss
Servant girl may just have remembered Proverbs 24:17; 25:21-22
Same principle at work between God and Elisha
II Kings 6:21-23 – God’s reward to her?
Servant girl was likely a faithful Israelite at a time of great unfaithfulness
Jehoram was king at the time.
He was an evil king who led Israel to sin.
Put away pillar of Baal (where his brother was murdered by his parents)
Continued all the rest of his parents’ sins
41 min
August 04, 2024My Effect on Others
Introduction
Proverbs 22:24-25
Like it or not, the way I behave is affecting people.
I may be having a bad influence.
Matthew 18:4-6
Romans 14:13
I Corinthians 5:6-8 – One sinner can have a tremendous effect on the entire congregation.
Even if I think I am hiding my sin, my influence on others is not as good as it should be.
I Corinthians 8:9
II Timothy 2:14 – Wrangling with words could ruin others.
But there is enormous potential for good influence!
Matthew 5:13-16
Philippians 4:8-9 – Can I tell other people to copy what they’ve seen me do?
Three areas to think about …
Joy
Acts 13:47-49
Often, we can do our best teaching when we are at the lowest point in our lives.
Humility
I Peter 5:5
Proverbs 11:2
Acts 26:1, 9, 15, 19 – Paul humbly admitted his previous mistakes.
I Peter 2:12, 15
Healthy relationships
I Timothy 3:4-5 – How did the man manage his family relationships?
Ephesians 6:1
Proverbs 17:17; 18:24
“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
26 min
August 04, 2024Deuteronomy 1:1-3:29
Introduction
The book of Deuteronomy contains speeches that Moses gave to the people of Israel before they crossed over to the promised land.
The three promises to Abram (Genesis 12)
“I will make you a great nation” – Fulfilled in Exodus 1:7
“To your descendants I will give this land” – Fulfilled in Joshua 21:43
“In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed” – Acts 3:26
Deuteronomy 1
Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Opening
It was only an eleven day journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea yet it took them forty years because of their disobedience.
Deuteronomy 1:6-8 – Moses begins his first speech
Deuteronomy 1:9-18 – Moses appointed leaders
Deuteronomy 1:10 – Moses needed help because of the enormous size of the group.
Deuteronomy 1:19-46 – Spies and rebellion
Moses retells the history of spying out the land and the rebellion.
Deuteronomy 1:32 – They did not trust God.
Deuteronomy 2
Deuteronomy 2:1-23 – Wandering in the wilderness
Israel tried to pass through Edom, but Edom refused.
Deuteronomy 2:7 – God provided for them – they didn’t lack anything.
Deuteronomy 2:14 – It took them thirty-eight years to cross the Zered River. All the previous generation had died off.
Deuteronomy 2:24-37 – Victory over Sihon, king of Heshbon
See Numbers 21.
Deuteronomy 3
Deuteronomy 3:1-11 – Victory over Og, King of Bashan
Deuteronomy 3:12-20 – Two and a half tribes
See Numbers 32.
Deuteronomy 3:21-29 – Moses pleads with God.
Deuteronomy 3:22 – God is the one fighting for you! Compare Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11:30. They still had to go and fight, even through God was giving them the victory. Similarly, just because salvation is a gift of God doesn’t mean we don’t have to do anything to receive it.
Deuteronomy 3:23-27 – Moses pleaded with God to go into the land but God said no, and God was just in His decision.
46 min
July 31, 2024Righteous Living: A Total Life Change
Introduction
Galatians 2:20
What is the difference between saying, “I go to church” and “Christ lives in me”?
Obeying God involves a complete change of life.
Matthew 22:37
Romans 6:4, 6
I John 1:6-8
Acts 2:42 – Obeying Christ involves changing habits and routines.
I Corinthians 15:33
James 4:4
Physical
II Corinthians 11:23-28 – What was Paul’s attitude toward his physical body?
I Timothy 2:9; 4:6
Our attitude toward our body should change completely.
Mental
Colossians 3:1
Luke 23:33 – Jesus had a different mindset! We are trying to be like this.
Emotional
Philippians 3:20
I Thessalonians 2:19 – Paul rejoiced because of other Christians
III John 1:4
Our joy is pinned on God.
Social
I Kings 22:8-9, 13-14 – The prophets did not have many friends! If we are speaking truth, we may not have many friends either.
I Peter 4:11
I must be willing to give up my social life if that’s what it takes to serve God.
Financial / vocation
Philippians 3:4-11
Can we serve God in our line of work?
Death / eternity
Philippians 1:21 – To die is gain!
41 min
July 28, 2024Benchley Bible Classes
Introduction
Jeremiah 35:5-10, 16 – God is having Jeremiah set up a lesson. The Rechabites carried out the legacy of their father. They still followed his commands some 300 years later. How can we leave a legacy like this?
Overview
Objective-based program
What should the children have learned by the time they leave the program?
Two-tiered curriculum structure
Up to fifth grade: study through the Bible every three years.
Sixth grade and up: focus on New Testament and Old Testament wisdom, with topical studies
Classes do not change age/grade range
Class overview
Class 1 (0-2 years)
Become comfortable being in Bible class
Hear Bible words, stories, and songs
Class 2 (2-3 years)
Learn basic Bible class conduct
Learn Bible words, short stories, big ideas
Class 3 (grades -1 to K)
Refine Bible class conduct
Learn Bible storie3s and basic lessons
Class 4 (grades 1-2)
Learn Bible story details and basic application
Class 5 (grades 3-4)
Longer term recall
Class 6 (grade 5-6)
Begin self-guiding to answers
Class 7 (grades 7-8)
Become independent Bible students
Build independent faith
Class 8 (high school and up)
Prepare for independent lives
Prepare for adult responsibilities
Curriculum update notes
Grades 7-8
Two-year cycle
Sundays: New Testament narrative
Five quarters in the gospels
Two quarters in Acts
One quarter TBD
Wednesdays: Bible study skills, daily living
High school
Four-year cycle
Sundays
Old Testament poetry and wisdom literature
Chapter a week: Acts – Revelation
Wednesdays: Four general topic areas, rotating quarters
Q1: The church
Q2: Daily living
Q3: Evidence
Q4: Split classes
Classes through sixth grade
Bible a wide, firm foundation of knowledge of the scriptures
What can I do as a teacher?
Younger grades
II Timothy 3:15 – Don’t shy away from memorization and recitation.
Middle grades
Luke 10:25-28 – Engage the students in the learning process.
Older grades
Luke 9:2 – Engage students in the teaching process.
Make the most of class time.
Ephesians 5:16 – Be deliberate
I Corinthians 14:26 – Do all things for edification
Adjust the curriculum as you feel appropriate for the age/group
Don’t teach the book. Teach THE BOOK.
Use workbooks as a topical guide.
What can I do as a parent?
Take responsibility for your child’s spiritual development
Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19
Have your children prepared for class.
Mark 2:27
Study and discuss other scriptures and topics instead of the lesson, if that is the need of the moment.
Give feedback to teachers, class deacon, elders
Be patient, think long term
Student, teachers, and topics change
Reminders and notes
Teach!
Only man teachers for boys once boys hit 13 years old.
Teachers may open the high school class to other students at their discretion.
Two-quarter special opportunity
Last two quarters of 2024/2025, topic is teacher’s choice.
What is a teacher’s goal?
Interest – Acts 13:15-18, 38-44
Comprehension – Matthew 13:13, 16
Application – Matthew 7:24
Retention – Numbers 15:40
Encourage – Philippians 1:6-10
Matthew 10:25
57 min

About ScriptureStream

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Just the gospel, plainly spoken. ScriptureStream compiles lessons presented at the Benchley church of Christ, located just north of Bryan, TX. Visit ScriptureStream.com for full notes on each lesson…

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