What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 25 - 10/03/23

This week we look at how to study the bible - is there a right or wrong way?

Universal Responsibility: The study of the Bible is meant for everyone, not just a select few. All believers are called to understand and apply God's word in their lives, reflecting a personal responsibility in engaging with scripture.

Historical Challenges and Access: Historically, access to the Bible was limited, with translations in Latin and restricted to the clergy. Figures like William Tyndale made significant sacrifices to translate the Bible into common languages, allowing broader access.

Jesus and Scripture: Jesus emphasized the importance of knowing and believing the scriptures. He opened the understanding of his disciples, showing that all scripture points to Him and that understanding the Bible is essential to avoid error.

Practical Engagement: Believers are encouraged to internalize and discuss scripture in everyday life, similar to how Jesus conducted a Bible study with his disciples on the road. This continual engagement strengthens faith and understanding.

Old Testament Relevance: The Old Testament remains relevant and foundational, as Jesus and the New Testament writers frequently referenced it. Some modern believers dismiss it, but Jesus affirmed its importance, and it is critical for a complete understanding of the faith.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOV1foQi7TmQ-bELrNe1hPqPdzooBRNx/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 24 - 24/02/23

This week we look at the topic of Holiness from the text of scripture. Who is holy? Can we be holy?

The discussion centres around the concept of holiness in the Bible, specifically exploring its first mention in Genesis 2:1-4, where God sanctifies the seventh day, setting it apart as holy because He rested from creation.

Holiness is defined as being "set apart" for God's purposes. The group reflects on how the seventh day is distinct, not just because of God's rest, but as a day intended to focus on God rather than work or routine.

The conversation touches on the idea of rest, both physical and spiritual. The group discusses how rest was originally meant to be a time of satisfaction and reflection, contrasting this with the toil and restlessness that entered the world after the Fall.

They also examine the idea of Sabbath rest, not just as a physical need but as a spiritual practice. The conversation includes thoughts on how Jesus reinterpreted the Sabbath, focusing on its purpose rather than rigid rules.

Finally, the group reflects on the ongoing relevance of Sabbath rest in modern life, discussing its benefits for productivity, well-being, and spiritual connection, and comparing it to a future rest in the new heavens and new earth.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OA-5Nz4iEZsodYTqu0xpslcWhqRRJzc0/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 23 - 10/02/23

This week we look at what the bible says about the Kingdom of God. What is it? When is it? How do we get there?

Kingdom Concept: The Bible teaches that God's kingdom is a spiritual realm where He reigns as the supreme King. It is not of this world, yet it is present and accessible to believers through faith and spiritual connection.

Dual Nature of the Kingdom: The kingdom of God is both present within believers ("the kingdom of God is in the midst of you") and yet to come in its fullness. It transcends earthly kingdoms and operates on spiritual principles that differ from worldly governance.

Jesus' Teaching: Jesus emphasized the nearness and accessibility of God's kingdom, urging people to repent because "the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Despite being physically absent after His ascension, Jesus' kingdom remains active in the spiritual lives of His followers.

Spiritual Reality for Believers: Believers are described as being seated in "Heavenly places" with Christ, indicating a current spiritual participation in God's kingdom even while they live on Earth. This reflects a deeper spiritual reality that transcends physical existence.

Faith and Revelation: Understanding and accessing God's kingdom requires faith and spiritual revelation. While logic and human understanding can grasp aspects of the kingdom, its full reality is only comprehensible through faith in Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sB9er8EfoBlf097N-XqN7tmoR0byHs8z/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 22 - 27/01/23

This week we look at what the bible says about prayer and paying.

Prayer as a Deep Commitment: The study emphasizes that prayer should transform believers into men and women of prayer, not just a topic of discussion. It highlights the importance of moving beyond academic understanding to practical application.

Jesus as the Example of Prayer: The disciples noticed something unique about Jesus’ prayer life, which prompted them to ask Him to teach them how to pray. This indicates that Jesus' approach to prayer was different from the traditional practices of the time, making prayer a personal and sincere communication with God.

The Lord’s Prayer as a Model: The study discusses the Lord’s Prayer as a model rather than a set formula. It is a declaration of a relationship with God, a recognition of His sovereignty, and an expression of dependence on Him for daily needs, forgiveness, and guidance.

Heart Attitude in Prayer: Genuine prayer requires sincerity and humility, focusing on God rather than self. The Pharisee's prayer, which was self-centred, contrasts with the humility of the tax collector, who recognized his unworthiness before God. True prayer must be honest and reflect a humble attitude.

Public vs. Private Prayer: While Jesus emphasized praying in secret to avoid hypocrisy, the study acknowledges that prayer can also be public, as long as it is genuine. The key is sincerity in both private and public prayer, with the heart focused on God rather than outward appearances.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TsO_GlAZq-9ltnTRAGRucUzk5CndiumO/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 21 - 13/01/23

This week we look at bible verses about the worship of The Lord.

Definition of Worship: Worship is the outflow of a grateful heart towards God for who He is and what He has done. Historically, worship has been associated with church gatherings, rituals, and sacrifices, especially within the context of the Old Covenant, where it took place in the temple or tabernacle.

Types of Worship in Scripture: The Old Testament uses various Greek words to describe worship, such as "proskuneo" (to prostrate oneself), "leitourgia" (priestly service in the temple), "latreuo" (service by non-priests in the temple), and "thusia" (sacrifice). Worship involved both physical actions and offerings as part of religious duties.

Worship and Service: Worship in the Bible often involves a choice between serving God or other gods, emphasizing that everyone worships something, whether it be God or worldly things. True worship requires obedience, sincerity, and service to God alone.

Fear of the Lord: A key aspect of worship is the "fear of the Lord," which involves a reverential awe of God's holiness. This fear leads to sincere and heartfelt worship, distinguishing it from insincere or self-centred practices.

Modern Application: Contemporary worship can sometimes lack the reverence and fear of God seen in biblical worship. The discussion highlights the importance of approaching worship with a cleansed heart, avoiding idolatry, and recognizing the shift in modern attitudes where self-entitlement and a lack of responsibility may diminish the true spirit of worship.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fm8UDKVmyTq5Ftl65H7aSodlBqtE81pY/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 20 - 16/12/22

This week we look at what the bible says about the Heaven.

The study of heaven focuses on understanding the biblical concept of a "new Heaven and new Earth," with insights from 2 Peter and Revelation, exploring how these changes relate to the end times and the final state of believers.

The discussion includes interpretations of "Heaven" as a multi-layered concept, with distinctions made between the physical heavens (sky and space) and the spiritual realm where God resides.

The idea of a "new Heaven and new Earth" likely refers to the renewal of the universe, eliminating decay and chaos, and creating a perfect, God-centred existence for believers.

There is an exploration of the resurrection and the continuation of physical bodies in the afterlife, where believers will enjoy a perfected, physical existence in a new, divinely created world.

The conversation touches on the eventual destruction and renewal of the current world and the banishment of evil, leading to a harmonious and perfect universe where God dwells directly with humanity.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_RjsukA5PCIyvXPZqeAUClz7ynNuFGAi/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 19 - 02/12/22

This week we look at what the bible says about the last days. The last in a three part series.

The discussion centres on understanding the Bible's teachings about the end times, focusing on the importance of not being deceived by false teachings and staying spiritually vigilant.

Jesus emphasizes that His return will be unexpected, likened to a thief in the night, and that believers should be prepared and watchful, knowing that this event will be both glorious for believers and terrifying for non-believers.

The conversation highlights the importance of evangelism, encouraging Christians to spread their faith and bring others to salvation, especially in light of the challenging times that are prophesied to come.

A significant point made is the necessity for believers to grow in their faith, remain steadfast, and not be led astray by false prophets or the pressures of a world increasingly hostile to Christian values.

The group examines scriptural references from Matthew 24, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation, discussing how these passages provide insight into the sequence of events leading to Jesus’ return and the nature of the last days.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HM_e3KcIu1GZXREH3D0-Xk28H4LQ2jB8/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 18 - 18/11/22

This week we look at what the bible says about the last days. This is the second part in a three part series.

The discussion revolves around understanding key Greek words related to eschatology (the study of the end times) as described in the Bible, particularly focusing on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

"Parousia" (Coming): This word refers to the physical arrival or coming of a significant figure, often with royal connotations. It highlights the idea of Jesus' anticipated return as a significant and grand event, where His physical presence will be established on Earth.

"Epiphania" (Appearing): This term emphasizes the visible manifestation of Jesus’ glory and majesty during the end times. The discussion contrasts the responses of believers, who will love His appearing, and non-believers, who will mourn and be fearful.

Contrasting Reactions: The text suggests a stark contrast in reactions to Jesus’ appearing. Believers will find it to be a joyous event, while non-believers will experience fear and mourning, highlighting the differing outcomes based on one’s relationship with Christ.

Eschatological Preparation: There's an emphasis on the importance of being spiritually prepared for these events, drawing parallels with royal preparations, suggesting that the church must be ready for Jesus' return. The discussion hints at the need for personal and communal readiness, involving both belief and conduct aligned with Christian teachings.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1abULhSJiXqS4sWn1I0_-E2KHTcnea0bT/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 17 - 04/11/22

This week we look at what the bible says about the last days. This will be the first in a three part series.

The topic of discussion is about "final things" or eschatology, focusing on events that are prophesied in the Bible to happen in the future.

The speaker explains different perspectives on biblical prophecy: futurists believe these events will occur in the future, preterists think they have already happened in the past, historicists see them as occurring throughout history, and others view them as purely allegorical.

The speaker mentions how prophecies can be complex and are sometimes fulfilled in multiple ways, such as the example of Jesus’ return from Egypt being seen as both a past event for Israel and a future event.

The idea is that as time progresses, prophecy becomes clearer, similar to how things become more visible as one approaches them, meaning our understanding of prophecy might evolve as events unfold.

The speaker cautions against rigid interpretations of prophecy and stresses that full understanding may only come closer to the time of fulfilment, highlighting the dynamic and multi-layered nature of biblical prophecies.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15tn7s6X5TXhHgD1Bgiv3hg-7Vo8sZZ8V/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 16 - 14/10/22

This week we investigate bible verses that teach about the covenants. What are they and why do they matter?

Covenants in the Bible: The discussion explores the concept of covenants in the Bible, focusing on the various covenants God made with humanity, starting with Noah and moving through others like Abraham. A covenant is generally understood as a solemn promise or agreement between God and humans, often accompanied by a sign or symbol.

Noahic Covenant: The first covenant discussed is with Noah, where God promises never to destroy the Earth with a flood again. This covenant is unconditional, meaning it doesn't depend on any action from Noah or humanity. The rainbow serves as the sign of this covenant.

Abrahamic Covenant: The covenant with Abraham is examined, which promises to make Abraham's descendants into a great nation and bless all the peoples of the Earth through them. This covenant appears to have conditional and unconditional elements, requiring Abraham to leave his homeland as an act of faith to fulfil the promise.

Nature of Covenants: The discussion touches on the different types of covenants (conditional and unconditional) and their significance. Unconditional covenants rely solely on God's promise, while conditional covenants require a response or action from humans to be fulfilled.

Faith and Righteousness: The conversation delves into the idea that faith and righteousness play crucial roles in the establishment of covenants. Despite humanity's inherent flaws, God's covenants demonstrate His commitment to His people, often requiring a single faithful individual to act as a catalyst for divine action.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aV6lBTiCqral_F24uleWNH5DeXXmvhJL/view?usp=drive_link