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ScriptureStream episodes
- Apologetics, Part 2Introduction to apologetics, continued:What do you hope to gain from this study of apologetics?
- Internal motivations
- Answer questions you have yourself – Mark 9:24
- Stronger personal faith – know why you believe – Luke 17:5; Colossians 2:6-7
- Defend your own faith against attacks – II Timothy 3:13-15
- External motivations
- Better able to answer questions of seekers (children, friends, coworkers) – Ephesians 4:11-14
- Persuade those in error – but to what end? Philippians 1:15-17
- “Win” an internet debate – Matthew 7:6
- Defeat opposition – to what end? Matthew 6:2, 5, 16
- Plant a seed – I Corinthians 3:6; Mark 4:31-32; Luke 8:11-15; 13:6-9
Purpose in apologetics- I Peter 3:15 – Ready to make a defense – but in what way?
- I Peter 3:8-9, 15 – our attitudes
- I Peter 3:11 – seek peace
- I Peter 3:12-14 – fearless
- I Peter 3:16 – our conduct
- I Peter 3:18 – Christ’s suffering led me to our sanctification.
- What must our willingness to suffer for Christ do for others?
Final thoughts- Luke 12:11-12
- Jesus told his disciples not to prepare beforehand what they would say, because the Holy Spirit would teach them in that very hour what they should say.
- That promise was not made to us, but we can learn from it.
- Luke 21:12-15
- Similar instructions, promise worded differently. He would give them wisdom and utterance no opponent could refute.
- Their persecution would lead to an opportunity for testimony.
Faith and scienceWhat is faith?- Personal conviction that something is true when the believer has no first-hand knowledge of it.
- Romans 8:24
- II Corinthians 5:7
- Hebrews 11:1
How do we develop faith?- Discuss
- Testimony
- Observation of evidence (as opposed to direct observation)
- Secondary, tertiary, etc.
- Reasoning
- Luke 24; John 20:25-31
What are some everyday things we believe or take for granted?What is science?- Testing of theory against evidence
How does science work?43 min - Attitudes Toward MoneyIntroduction
- Luke 8:7
You can’t chase contentment; you have to learn it.- Philippians 4:11-12
- I Timothy 6:6-9
- Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
- Ecclesiastes 5:10
Pay attention to lifestyle creep.- Deuteronomy 6:10 – If they were being warned when they were living in those conditions, what about us?
- Matthew 16:24-26
- Physical things are not bad on their own, but they must not distract us from spiritual matters.
Beware of social comparisons.- Luke 12:13-15, 21
- Exodus 20:17 – Don’t covet what others have.
- Ephesians 5:3
Use money as a tool for God’s work.- I Timothy 6:18
- I John 3:17
- Proverbs 19:17
- Deuteronomy 24:19
- I Peter 4:9
- Matthew 25:43
29 min - Bible 101: Context and HarmonyContext
- Psalm 14:1 – “there is no God”
- Do you believe the Bible?
- This verse is taken out of context!
- Studying the context means reading the surrounding verses to help you understand what a word or phrase means.
- Examples:
- Foxes – Matthew 8:20; Luke 13:31-32
- Love – II Samuel 13:1; Ephesians 5:25; Song of Solomon 1:2
How do you study the context?- Just read the verses before and after.
- The headings in your Bible may be helpful.
- Glance at an outline in a study Bible, commentary, or Bible dictionary.
- Pay attention to connecting words.
Harmony- Make sure to also consider how this passage harmonizes with the rest of the Bible.
- Matthew 4:5-7
- Hebrews 9:12
How do you study harmony?- General knowledge of the Bible
- Use cross references
- Use digital search features or paper concordance
- Use topical Bibles
- Examples:
- Psalm 2
- Psalm 2:1 has a cross reference to Acts 4:25-26, showing that part of the psalm was quoted there.
- Philippians 4:13
Homework- Do you believe the Bible is literal?
- Open your Bible to any page. Can you find a figure of speech?
46 min - Men, Lead Your KidsIntroduction
- Ephesians 6:1-4
- I Timothy 3:4-5
- You can’t expect your wife to do your job for you!
Be there.- Genesis 26:3
- Exodus 33:14-16
- Joshua 1:5 – God would be with him.
- Psalms 38
- Matthew 28:20
- Luke 13:25-29 – Hell is being away from God’s presence.
- Everything we read about what a family needs requires the father to be there.
- Philippians 3:17 – Follow good examples. How can our kids follow our example if we aren’t there?
- Surveys show that if the father is the first to become a Christian in a family, there is a 93% chance that others in the family will follow. If a child or the mother is the first, the probability is significantly lower.
Discipline them in a way that yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.- Hebrews 12:7-11
- Proverbs 13:24 – Sometimes tough discipline is necessary.
- Proverbs 19:18
- Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:15
Exhort and encourage and implore them to follow God’s path.- I John 3:16
- Matthew 18:21-35
- I Thessalonians 2:5-12
35 min - Apologetics, Part 1Four fundamental questions
- Does God exist?
- Is the God of the Bible the real God?
- Is the Bible from God?
- Is the Bible accurate in all it communicates?
Three personal questionsWhy do I believe?- Why do I believe God exists?
- Why do I believe the Bible tells about the true God?
- Why do I believe the Bible is from God?
- Why do I believe the Bible is accurate?
How do I know?- How do I know God exists?
- How do I know the Bible tells about the true God?
- How do I know the Bible is from God?
- How do I know the Bible is accurate?
How will you respond?- Believe them
- Doubt them but for no particular reason
- Disagree vehemently by using weak arguments
- Lovingly, firmly, and fearlessly reject what is false and demonstrate for them the truth
Apologetics- Acts 24:10; 25:8, 16; 26:1-2, 24; II Timothy 4:16
- Paul in court
- Acts 22:1
- Paul before the Jewish mob
- II Corinthians 9:3
- Paul, defending his right to receive wages as a preacher and his decision not to do so from the Corinthians
- Philippians 1:7, 16
- Paul’s defense and confirmation of the gospel
- I Peter 3:15
- Always ready to make a defense
Paul’s apologetics in I Corinthians 9Defense #1: Paul’s “right to eat and drink”- Argues from consistency - I Corinthians 9:5-6
- Argues from similarity - I Corinthians 9:7
- Argues from authoritative precedent - I Corinthians 9:9-10, 13
- Argues from lesser to greater (~a fortiori) - I Corinthians 9:11
- Argues from moral fairness - I Corinthians 9:12
- Argues with appeal to ultimate authority directly on the question at hand - I Corinthians 9:14
Defense #2: Just because Paul didn’t exercise his “right to eat and drink” did not make him less of an apostle- External motivation: To cause no hindrance - I Corinthians 9:12
- Purpose: Would not make his boast an empty one - I Corinthians 9:15
- Internal motivation: Preaching voluntarily brought a reward - I Corinthians 9:17
- Personal trustworthiness: A pattern of life to not exercise freedom, for the benefit of others - I Corinthians 9:19-22
- Higher objective: For the sake of the gospel - I Corinthians 9:23
- Charitable outlook: To share in the blessings with those he sacrificed for - I Corinthians 9:23
- Consistent with his foundation for life: Lived with purpose - I Corinthians 9:25-27
What specifically are we defending?- Could be anything
- The plan of salvation
- Work, worship, and organization of churches
- Biblical views of sexual morality
- For this class, foundational beliefs that all the rest depend on
- Does God exist?
- Is the God of the Bible the real God?
- Is the Bible from God?
- Is the Bible accurate in all it communicates?
Purpose in apologetics- I Peter 3:15 – Be ready to make a defense.
41 min - Acts 15: Figuring Out What God WantsIntroduction
- Acts 15:3-4 – Paul and Barnabas knew the answer to the question of circumcision of Gentiles already because of what God had revealed.
- Acts 15:5 – They were not deciding what the Gentiles should do. They were figuring out what God had already said.
Background- Acts 10
- Acts 10:10-16 – Vision of unclean animals; “kill and eat”
- Acts 10:19-20 – Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with these men.
- Acts 10:22 – Peter learns an angel had told Cornelius to send for him and hear his message.
- Acts 10:28 – Peter infers: “God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.”
- Acts 10:45 – “the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles”
- Acts 11
- Acts 11:1-4
Exhibit A: Peter – Cornelius (Acts 15:7-11)- No mention of the Law of Moses.
- Peter is pointing back to what God has already revealed.
Exhibit B: Paul and Barnabas – preaching trip (Acts 15:12)- Acts 13:45-47
Exhibit C: James – Amos’ prophecy (Acts 15:13-19)- Amos 9:11-12 – “… all the Gentiles who are called by my name …”
Conclusion- Acts 15:19
- God has included Gentiles without the requirements of the Old Covenant (such as circumcision).
- What happened:
- They gathered relevant information (commands, examples, inferences, and statements) and acknowledged God’s will.
- This is what we should do, too!
- What did NOT happen:
- Majority rule
- Opinion rule
- Expert rule
- Tradition rule
- Etc.
- I Corinthians 14:37-38
27 min - Bible 101: IntroductionIntroduction
- Nehemiah 8:1-8
What is the Bible?- A collection of 66 books. It wasn’t called the Bible until some time in the Middle Ages (Bible comes from a Latin word that simply means “books”).
- Written over 1500 years by 40 different authors.
- The Bible is inspired by God
- II Timothy 3:16
- II Peter 1:20-21
- Different styles and genres
- Two major parts:
- Old Testament, 39 books (Genesis – Malachi)
- New Testament 27 books (Matthew – Revelation)
How do I find my way around?- Acts 17:11
- Parts of a Bible reference
- Book, chapter, verse
- Chapters and verses were not added until the 1200s and 1500s. They were added by man, not by God.
- Five books have only one chapter: Obadiah, Philemon, II John, III John, and Jude
Which translation is best?- Old Testament: written in Hebrew with some Aramaic
- New Testament: written in Greek
- II John 1:12
- Different translations use different philosophies.
- Word-for-word vs. thought-for-thought
- Romans 13:4
- Recommended translations:
- New American Standard, 1995 (NASB95)
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- New King James Version (NKJV)
- King James Version (KJV)
What type of Bible should I use?- Arrangement of the text
- Verse-by-verse
- Paragraph
- Journaling / wide-margin
- Daily reading Bible
- Parallel Bible
- Extra material added
- Maps
- Concordance
- Reference Bible
- Devotional Bible
- Children’s Bible
- Features
- Red letter
- Large print
- Cover
- Paper
- Foreword / preface
- Italics
- Small caps
- Try a digital Bible
- YouVersion
- Olive Tree
- E-Sword
Homework- Try out two free Bible apps.
- Study Philippians 4:13. What does it mean?
47 min - Uncomfortable Conversations, Part 11How to know if you are in a healthy relationship
- Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-healthy-relationship-4774802
Top 10 aspects of a healthy relationship- Source: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/top-10-characteristics-of-healthy-relationships/
- Respect
- Intimacy
- Trust
- Effective communication
- Friendship
- Connection
- Commitment
- Healthy conflict
- Flexibility
- Enjoyment
12 elements of healthy relationships- Source: https://wellbeing.jhu.edu/blog/2020/09/15/12-elements-of-healthy-relationships/
- Communication
- Boundaries
- Consent
- Trust
- Honesty
- Independence
- Equality
- Support
- Responsibility
- Healthy conflict
- Safety
- Fun
The relationship spectrum- Source: https://www.loveisrespect.org/everyone-deserves-a-healthy-relationship/relationship-spectrum/
- Healthy
- Unhealthy
- Abusive
Healthy relationships wheel- Source: https://dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/adolescenthealth/HealthyRelationships
How healthy is my relationship?- Source: https://www.hannanhigh.org/uploaded/PDF_Documents/Guidance_Counseling/How_Healthy_Is_My_Relationship_Quiz.pdf
Dating- If the person you are dating is trying to force a change on your beliefs, that is by definition (even man’s definitions!) an unhealthy relationship.
40 min - Justified By FaithHow is a person saved?
- The Bible says a person is saved by:
- Jesus – I Timothy 1:15
- The Father – Titus 3:4-5
- The gospel and belief – Romans 1:16
- Confession and belief – Romans 10:9
- Baptism – I Peter 3:21
- Works – James 2:24
- Grace – Ephesians 2:8
- Blood of Christ – Romans 5:9
- Name of Christ – Acts 4:10, 12
- Etc. …
- Romans 5:1-2 – We are justified by faith.
We’re all guilty of sin.- Romans 3:23
- Romans 3:20
- Romans 3:28 – We are justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Abraham is our example.- Romans 4:1-2
- James 2:21
- Romans 4:3-5 – God doesn’t owe us a spot in Heaven because of all the good deeds we’ve done. No matter how many good deeds we do, we can’t erase a single sin.
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”- Scripture records this statement three times:
- Genesis 15:6
- Romans 4:22
- James 2:23
- Abraham believed God many times:
- Genesis 11:31; 12:1, 4, 7; 13:4, 6-12, 14-18; 14:18-20
This was written for our sake.- Romans 4:23-25
- Romans 5:1 – This points back to Romans 4.
- We need to have this pattern in our lives: “Yes, Lord.”
How do I develop this faith?- Do what Abraham did!
- Read the Bible – I Peter 2:2
- Then obey it – Galatians 5:16-17
- Hebrews 11:8
24 min - Numbers 34-36Numbers 34
- Numbers 34:1-15 – Boundaries of the land are described.
- Notice Numbers 34:2 – “When you enter.” It was guaranteed to happen by God!
- Numbers 34:16-29 – The leaders who would apportion the land out to the tribes are selected.
Numbers 35 – Cities for the Levites- Numbers 35:1-5 – The Levites were allocated various cities and the surrounding land scattered throughout Israel.
- Numbers 35:6-8 – Some cities were designated as cities of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone.
- Numbers 35:9-34 – Rules governing cities of refuge, murder, avenging murder, accidental death, and execution.
- Numbers 35:33 – Murder pollutes the land in God’s eyes. Only the blood of the one who shed it can atone. See Cain and Abel (God says Abel’s blood cries out to him from the ground) – Genesis 4:10.
Numbers 36- Numbers 36:1-12 – How to handle female land inheritance.
Conclusion- God wanted future generations to learn from the mistakes of this generation in Numbers.
- The very next generation – Deuteronomy 6:16
- Several generations later – Psalms 95; 78
- Psalms 78:32 – “In spite of all this, they still sinned.”
- Many generations later – Jude 1:5; I Corinthians 10; Hebrews 3-4
- Hebrews 3:6 – It is possible to fall away.
- Hebrews 3:7-9 – Quotations from Psalm 95.
- Hebrews 4:11 – Be diligent to enter the reward.
- Trust in the Lord, be diligent, and receive the promises of God instead of falling away!
43 min
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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…
and additional resources for Bible study.