Confirmation 3 & 4 done

The BibleHow do I read it?

INTRODUCTION

STUDYING GOD’S WORD

Why will I read the Bible differently than any other book?

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually

because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you

accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at

work in you who believe.

GOD IS TALKING. We listen to our parents when we are children.

We listen when the president makes a statement. How much

more should we listen when God himself speaks to us? His Word is

worthy of our attention.

John 17:17; Numbers 23:19 Sanctify them by the truth; your

word is truth.

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak

and then not act?

Does he promise and not fulfill?

IT’S GOD’S WORD NOT MAN’S WORD. Newspapers, magazines and

novels are all filled with mistakes, false opinions and lies. And they all

have to do only with this life. The Bible is God’s true Word about eternal

things.

I will read it differently because in the Bible God himself is speaking to me; everything he says is true

and meaningful.

What value does reading the Bible have for unbelievers?

Romans 10:17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard

through the word of Christ.

GOD WORKS FAITH THROUGH THE WORD. Doctors use medicine and

surgical equipment to bring health to a hurting human heart. The Holy Spirit uses his Word to bring faith into an

unbelieving human heart. To receive the gift of faith unbelievers need to hear

the Word.

2 Timothy 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the

holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in

Christ Jesus.

GIVES THE WISDOM OF SALVATION. The only way you can learn the history of

the United States is by reading history books, listening to others tell you history, etc. The only way to learn of God’s love and mercy in Christ is through the Bible. It’s the history of his love and mercy in

Christ.

Reading the Bible is valuable for the unbeliever because through that Word of God the Holy Spirit can work faith in the heart of the

unbeliever.

DOING SO INCREASES OUR JOY. Do you have a favorite book? Do you like to read

the book over and over? It’s the same with the Bible. The message is so wonderful that

the more we hear it the more joy we will have.

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful

things in your law.

2 Peter 3:17-1817 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But

grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!

Amen.

THE WORD STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH. Why do football players work out in the weight room? To get stronger and play

better football. We “work out” with God’s Word so that we are strengthened in our faith and enabled more and more to do

those things God wants us to do and avoid doing those things God doesn’t want us to

do.

CHRISTIAN VOCABULARY

Faith: Trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior.

Reading God’s Word is valuable to the Christian because it strengthens our faith in Jesus Christ, increases our joy in God’s forgiveness and

motivates and empowers us to live better Christian lives.

GOD’S WORD IN MY LIFE

FAITH

UNBELIEF

Unbeliever

Believer B

Believer A Strong Faith

Weak Faith

No Faith

The point of this chart is to show that, although believer A and B are both

going to heaven, we would rather have the stronger faith of believer A so that we are as far away as possible from slipping into the predicament of the

unbeliever.

Evaluate: Someone says to you, ”It does not matter if we read the Bible at home or

not, as long we go to church once and awhile.”


When I sit down to read and study the Bible what should I do first?

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful

things in your law.

PRAY AND ASK FOR GOD’S BLESSING. We pray before meals, sporting events,

bedtime and all kinds of other things. We also need to pray before we study God’s

Word so that we get the greatest benefit we can out of that study.

2 Peter 3:16He writes the same way in all his letters,

speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as

they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

PRAY AND ASK FOR UNDERSTANDING. The basic

message of God’s Word is so clear that even a little child can understand it. But there are some things in the Bible that are hard to understand. We need to

pray for God’s help to understand those things because they are important too.

I should pray for God to help me understand and benefit from what I

am reading.

Dear Lord God, give me your grace that I may rightly understand your Word, and more than that, do it. O most blessed Lord Jesus Christ, see too it that my search after knowledge leads me to glorify you alone. If not, let me not know a single letter. Give only what I, a poor sinner, need to glorify you. Amen.

Evaluate the following prayer:

SOME MORE TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BIBLE READING

Nehemiah 8:7,8 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita,

Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the

people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and

giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

1. Use one translation written in clear, understandable English.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs

room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on

his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

BIBLE STUDY NEEDS TO BE A HABIT. Think of some things you do out of habit. (brushing your teeth,

taking a shower, eating supper at a certain time, etc.). A habit is something

you do regularly and automatically. Bible study needs to be the same. We

eat supper regularly to feed our bodies. We also need to feed our souls

regularly.

2. Set a regular time for prayer and study; get into a habit.

OBJECT LESSON: Popcorn and Ping Pong Ball

EXAMPLE: Matthew 19:16-2316 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about

what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man

inquired. Jesus replied, ”‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’

and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

EXAMPLE: Matthew 19:16-2320 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If

you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the

young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for

a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Was Jesus telling this man how to get into heaven? What was he telling him?

How do you know?

3. Always pay attention to the context.

4. Always pay attention to cross references

EXAMPLE: James 2:20 vs. Ephesians 2:8,9

James 2:20 - You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

Ephesians 2:8-9 - 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

5. Take a passage literally unless the Bible makes clear that it is figurative.

Matthew 13:24Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in

his field.

Is the kingdom of heaven really a man who sowed seed in his field? No, it’s like him. Look for words like like or as that indicate

a figurative meaning (simile).

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light

for my path.

Is your Bible really a lamp or light? No. But in what way is it like a lamp or light?

What does a lamp or light do for you when you are lost in the dark?

(metaphor)

Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go

through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

It’s impossible to get a camel through they eye of a needle! Jesus uses an

exaggeration (hyperbole) here to make a point. What point does he make?

Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made the

heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the

seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Is there anything here to indicate that this is figurative language? No. We must take it literally then. How long did it take

God to create the world?


Context: The thoughts, words and circumstances surrounding the passage you are studying.

Literal: Means just what it says. says = means

Figurative: Means something beyond what it says. Has a symbolic meaning.

says = means2

6. Meditate on what you read.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it

penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts

and attitudes of the heart.

Psalm 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of

sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a

tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

When you read the sports page do you sit down and think about the deep meaning that big trade has for your life? No. The

Bible isn’t like the newspaper. It does have meaning for your life. Focus on every

word. Pray. Ask questions about what you read.

A VARIATION OF LUTHER’S FOUR STRANDS

What is God saying to me here?

What makes me sad?

What makes me glad?

What should I do?

Evaluate: Your friend says to you, “You believe the world was created in six days; I believe it was created in six long periods of time, each lasting

millions of years. Neither of us is really wrong. It’s all just a matter of

interpretation.


ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT TIME

REVIEWING THE LESSON 1. Review your notes; be sure you understand them. Be prepared for a written or oral

quiz. Don’t forget about the vocabulary words! 2. Make a flashcard for and memorize Psalm 119:105. Be able to put the passage

into your own words. 3. Journal Writing: Write a page in your journal about something currently going on in

your life. 4. Complete Bible Worksheet #3. Tell which passages are law and which are gospel. PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LESSON Ask your parents to help you with the following activity: 2. Read Genesis 3:1-19 in your Bible. 3. Complete Bible History Worksheet #3. BOOKS OF THE BIBLE Memorize the books of the Old Testament: Genesis - Song of Songs

Key Christian Concepts:

SIN

4

INTRODUCTIONHave you ever broken or ruined something

valuable to another person? (stained, broken, lost) You wish you could go back

and change it. If you had a second chance it would not have happened. But there is

no second chance—it’s ruined.

What is Sin?

Literally sin means - “missing the mark”. Think of an archer that is aiming for the

bulls eye, but no matter how hard he tries, he always misses. That is just like us—we try to do and keep God’s commandments, but no matter how hard we try, we always

miss the mark of God’s perfection.


How did sin enter the world?

1 Peter 5:8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.

THE DEVIL, GOD’S ENEMY, SEEKS TO DESTROY PEOPLE AND TAKE THEM TO HELL - The devil won’t come up to people and say, “Hey look out for me, I

want to take you to hell!” No, instead, he makes all the things that go contrary to

God’s will seem like a lot of fun - while he entangles you all the more in the spider

web of hell with him.

John 8:44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a

liar and the father of lies.

THE DEVIL USES LIES TO DO HIS WORK - Along our many highways, there are billboards that advertise all

kinds of things to get people to leave the highway. “Last stop” to buy food,

gasoline, shopping or gambling. The devil’s billboard is filled with all kinds of

lies to get us to leave the highway of God’s truth.

Genesis 3:1-61 Now the serpent was more crafty than any

of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God

really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the

serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must

not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not

surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.

Genesis 3:1-64 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and

you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining

wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with

her, and he ate it.

BY A LIE THE DEVIL DECEIVED EVE AND LED HER AND ADAM INTO SIN - One little lie! That was all it took to lead Adam and Eve to give up the perfection

God gave them to enjoy. Before we blame them too much, think of how the

devil’s lies lead us to covet, hurt, become angry... The devil does the

same thing to us—we are fools just like Adam and Eve.

Sin entered the world by the devil, God’s enemy, who lied to Adam and Eve and deceived them into sinning

against God.

Who is guilty of sin?

Psalm 51:5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from

the time my mother conceived me.

SIN IS PASSED ON AT CONCEPTION - A tiger shark kills for food because it is its nature to do so. A newly spawned tiger

shark is a born killer, even though it has not killed yet. This is its nature to do so. A

child is a sinner at birth. A child does not need to be told how to lie, but does need to

be taught to tell the truth. A child is a natural born sinner, it’s his nature.

Genesis 6:5The LORD saw how great man’s

wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his

heart was only evil all the time.

ALL OUR THOUGHTS ARE EVIL ALL THE TIME - Imagine seeing an elderly person

needing some help when you are in a hurry. You go and help that person and they

thank you profusely, but the whole time you are thinking - “Would you hurry up granny, I’ve got more important things to do.” God knows our thoughts even when our actions

look good on the outside.

James 2:10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty

of breaking all of it.

GOD DOES NOT ALLOW EVEN A SINGLE SIN - What would you say if you got one wrong on a test and therefore failed the

test? “That’s not fair!” God is perfect and fair and he expects no less from us. We fail completely by sinning even once. With God it is all or nothing. What else can a perfect

God expect?

Sin is passed on to us at conception and we are guilty of sin in our thoughts and in

our actions.


1. Agree or disagree and why? God can’t hold me accountable for my sinful

nature because it wasn’t my fault Adam and Eve sinned.

2. Agree or disagree and why? God promised a Savior for the world rather

than destroying it and starting over again because he couldn’t stand to see Satan laugh if he himself destroyed what he

created.


Devil - (means liar) fallen angel that rebelled against God and was cast into hell - he can’t defeat God so his goal is to steal people from God into hell

Satan - (means enemy) - another name the Bible gives to the devil.

Hell - place that God created for the devil and all unbelievers. Hell is eternal separation from God and all that is good.

UNDERSTANDING OUR SIN

Original Sin - The sinfulness that goes back to the first sin of Adam and Eve that is passed down to us from parents to children. (Otherwise known as “inherited sin”)

Actual Sin - The sins in thought, word and action that we commit on our own.

Both types of sin bring upon us God’s anger and punishment.

HYMNOLOGY # 396 - In Adam We Have All Been One


What does sin do to us?

Ephesians 2:1-31 As for you, you were dead in your

transgressions and sins, 2 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. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying

the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

WE ARE BORN SPIRITUALLY DEAD IN OUR SINS - Have you ever seen a

corpse lying in a morgue sit up and give itself CPR, mouth-to-mouth or grab the

shock paddles and get its heart pumping again? Can’t happen. We are born

dead in our sins and everything we do ultimately leads to death.

Romans 5:12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way

death came to all men, because all sinned—

ALONG WITH SIN, DEATH CAME INTO THE WORLD - The next time you attend a funeral or lose a loved one, remember why every person faces death. If we remember that fact, then any jokes about sin and the devil won’t be funny anymore. The devil

and sins are nothing to laugh about.

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been

groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

ALONG WITH SIN, SUFFERING CAME INTO THE WORLD - When you stub a toe, sprain an ankle, are sick with the flu, break a bone or cry because of pain - then remember why suffering entered this world. Satan brought sin into the

world and continues to confuse people with his lies

2 Peter 2:4For if God did not spare angels when they

sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

WE DESERVE HELL FOR OUR SINS - Our sins make us like a fly caught in a spider web. The more that we try to get out on our own, the more tangled we become. We cannot escape God’s judgment and our sins sentence us to eternity in hell with the devil and his angels.

Sin makes us spiritually dead, subject to death and suffering and ultimately an eternity in

hell with the devil.


Which of these items is a reminder to you of the fact that the devil ruined God’s creation by leading Adam and Eve into

sin? Why or why not?

- Thunderstorms and tornadoes- The weeds that grow in lawns and gardens- Watching the sun set in the evening - A bad cold - Watching a hard fought football game -Watching a program on television

SIN DOESN’T ADD UP

If you wanted to diagram God’s perspective on things, you could do

it in the following way. What God demands in His law is that we live a

perfect life... a life with NO sin. However, what he sees is a life that is tainted by sin, and falls short of

the perfection he demands.

We thank God that he doesn’t leave us in this condition and we look forward to our next lesson on

God’s GRACE.

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT TIME

REVIEWING THE LESSON 1. Review your notes; be sure you understand them. Be prepared for a written or oral

quiz. Don’t forget about the vocabulary words! 2. Make a flashcard for and memorize 1 Peter 5:8 and Psalm 51:5 . Be able to put the

passage into your own words. 3. Journal Writing: Write a page in your journal commenting on the following:

Take some time to share some of the negative ways that sin has affected your life and the world around you.

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LESSON Ask your parents to help you with the following activity: 1. Read Genesis 4:1-16 2. Complete the Bible History Worksheet. BOOKS OF THE BIBLE Memorize the books of the Old Testament: Genesis - Jonah

Confirmation 3 & 4 done

Spiritual

Transcript of Confirmation 3 & 4 done