EQUIP - WEEK 2 - HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

WEEK #2

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

A key to reading and studying the Bible is preparing your heart. 

Using Jesus as our example, what can we derive from watching and understanding how He lived His Life?

It's all CONNECTED!

This means; Your life can not be separated into compartments. In regards to your relationship with God, your Work life, your social life (personal, sexual, relational) and your Spiritual life (prayer, worship, discipleship ) all are reflected in your behavior "in the world" and in the church. All of these combine as factors effecting your ability to accurately see (spiritually) and understand (comprehend with your mind)  Gods Word (Holy Scriptures and Prophecy)

*note - Prophecy- prophēteia is defined as 1) prophecy

a) a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events

b) Used in the NT of the utterance of OT prophets

1) of the prediction of events relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions pertaining to it, the spirit of prophecy, the divine mind, to which the prophetic faculty is due

2) of the endowment and speech of the Christian teachers called prophets

3) the gifts and utterances of these prophets, esp. of the predictions of the works of which, set apart to teach the gospel, will accomplish for the kingdom of Christ

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4394&t=KJV

Holy-קֹדֶשׁ - 1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness

a) apartness, sacredness, holiness

1) of God

2) of places

3) of things

b) set-apartness, separateness

You will SEE God Word and the world based on your attitude [flesh] (worlds view) and your Faith [spiritual] (Gods View)

Why this is so important...

MATT 5:8 

Blessed are the pure in heart, 

    for they will see God.

The condition of your heart will determine your ability to see God clearly!

Bible Scriptures in regard to Prayer!

Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven

Matthew 7:7  ”Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Mark 9:29  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Where you start

Matt 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]

    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

Below is an extremely condensed version of Dr. Larry Lea's book, "Could you not tarry one hour"

This is a link to a more expanded version - http://www.dougandmarsha.com/essays-cws/ch19_larry_lea_prayer.pdf

Understanding this is important, so you understand that Scripture has a reason and a purpose, It's not random or pointless. By reading and studying scripture you will become closer with God and understand His call on your life.

Gospels;

Matthew -  Jewish, Written to the Jewish believers

Mark - Most likely the first Gospel written - Written to the Romans - Gentiles

Luke - According to Luke, - A physician, written to the Jewish believers

John - The "Believe Gospel" Written to all, Heavy support of Jesus the Man the SON of the Living God.

Start in John or Mark then move into Luke and Matthew followed by Acts.

Types or Studies you can do:

Word Study - Dig in and cut into the definition, origin, root and application of a word. Good for personal study

Topic Study - Great for personal and group study, broaden your understanding of core principles of your faith.

Book Study - Probably the best way to get a bigger picture of the purposes of the writings of Scripture.

Now your digging with a big shovel. Get plenty of support resources to help keep you focused and manage your study.

A Person Study - Also called Character Study, Learning about a person in the Bible, (ex. Paul the Apostle)

Here are a few other study options, it is endless.

HW: Find a new study tool and tell us why its great, what it does/ how it helps you study.

Resources to help you study:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

http://concordances.org/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/

http://www.a.youversion.com/free-bible-apps

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strongs-concordance-lite/id460871979?mt=8

EQUIP NOTES WEEK ONE

EQUIP

Audio Link - Copy this link into your browser window 
to download Audio from Equip
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7huf84oroxvi09l/EQUIP%20Week%20One%20Audio

Course outline:

4 one hours teaching sessions

Today: Introduction to Equip, course discription, expectations, requirements

•What you should know

•What you dont know or what you dont see and hear in the Bible

•THE BIG ONE- (we will touch on this in week two)

WEEK 2: HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

WEEK 3: LEADERSHIP / DISCIPLESHIP

WEEK 4: WORSHIP - (hint, it's more than music)

Purpose of each session is to give you the tools to grow spiritually in maturity and Christian discipleship

WHY

Matthew 28: 

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

**NOTES WILL BE POSTED ONLINE**

Some church history - C3 the beginnings

Phil and Christine Pringle arrived in Sydney from New Zealand in 1980 to begin a church on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. Growing to 400 within four years, the church began expanding and planting in other cities. The vision of 10 churches in 10 major cities was developed and the movement of Christian City Church began.

In 1987, Christian City Church expanded across the sea with its first overseas church planted in Auckland, New Zealand  

Planting the first Christian City Church in the United States were Mark and Bernie Kelsey in 1989. Their church, in Long Island, New York, planted the stake for C3i as an international movement. 

The second church in America was planted in 1996 by Dean and Jill Sweetman who oversee the Americas region with over 30 churches in Canada, the United States and Brazil.

Pat and Amanda Antcliff started a church in the Philippines in 1993. This opened doors to the Asia and Africa region which now has over 80 churches in the African continent and over 40 in the Asia region.

2002, Phil Pringle revealed the 2020 Vision, the goal being 1000 churches with an average attendance of 500 people achieved by the year 2020.

In 2008, Christian City Church announced the name change to "C3 Church".

In 2006 Steve & Merri-Beth moved with our 4 children from C3 Long Island to Raleigh, NC. 

In 2010 C3Raleigh was planted.

To date, C3 Church has over 300 churches holding services worldwide.

Some stuff every Christian should know.

(and what we believe)

There is one God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit;

In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God; 

in His virgin birth, 

in His sinless life,

in His miracles, 

in His vicarious and atoning death, 

in His bodily resurrection, 

in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, 

His constant intercession and in His imminent return;

In the person and work of the Holy Spirit with His fruit and gifts available in the Church;

The Bible is the living word of God - infallible, authoritative and everlasting, and the foundation of all Christian doctrine;

In the existence of an evil spiritual being-the devil;

In the spiritually lost condition of all people and the essential need for the new birth by faith in Jesus Christ;

In the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a gift available to believers, with the normal evidence of speaking in other tongues;

In the sacraments of the Lord's Supper and baptism by full immersion in water for all believers;

In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one (saved) to everlasting life and the other (lost) to everlasting separation from God;

In the church being the body of Christ, and each member being an active part of a local church, fulfilling the Great Commission.

More stuff you should know!

66 books in bible

The Bible is divided into two parts- Old Testament and New Testament.

The Old Testament is written in Hebrew and Aramaic

The Septuagint was a Greek translation of the Jewish scriptures. 

The Septuagint included books and additions not found in the Hebrew Bible.

27 NT, 39 OT

The Pentateuch consists of the first five books of the

      OT: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

      B. The term "Pentateuch" comes from the Greek term

      pent teuchos meaning "five-volumed (book) after the

      Jewish designation, "the five-fifths of the law"1

      C. The Jews called it "Torah" (instruction) which is often

      rendered in English by "Law" (Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17;

      Acts 7:53; 1 Cor 9:8)

      D. Although each book is a unit, together they form a

      larger unit and unity.

The Bible does not have Chapters and verses as we know them today…..but..

See link reference below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible

JESUS:

The life of a King

A key to reading the Bible is preparing your heart. 

Using Jesus as our example,

 what can we derive from watching and understanding how He lived His Life?

Bible Scriptures in regard to Prayer!

Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven

Matthew 7:7  ”Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Mark 9:29  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-awesome-bible-verses-about-the-power-of-prayer/#ixzz1wxfgkpag    

YOUR HOMEWORK:

Write about an instance where Scripture leaves a question about what Jesus was doing at a certain point in His life, work, ministry, day, night…….

Example: We know that Jesus was teaching in a city near His friend Lazarus when Lazarus's sisters send word and call on Jesus to return to their brother and heal him. Jesus remained for 2 more days. We know in John 11 that Lazarus was likely dead already by the time the new arrived of with worsening condition. In John 11:17 it says " On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days."

What was going on in that time?

Resources to help you study:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

http://concordances.org/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/

http://www.a.youversion.com/free-bible-apps

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strongs-concordance-lite/id460871979?mt=8

Closing thoughts:

Focus on the MAJOR MESSAGE of JESUS;

God loves People

God hates SIN

Sin separates People from God

Jesus Died for ALL people, so no one would be separated from God

God wants everyone to Know Him and Accept Him as their Savior!!

God has a great plan for you, keep seeking Him and you will find Him and His perfect plan.

                       

Building the House of God

Rise & Build Sunday

Why Build the Church??


Haggai 1
New International Version (NIV)

*Some have a heart for themselves, to build THEIR kingdumb.

It is all about the builders glory (Selfish, self promoting)


it is no better then the sticks and straw it is made of. One day it will fall and it will be as if it never existed


it is build on sinking sand

*Some have been given the desire to build THE Kingdom of God.

It is not about the builders glory but to Glorify the King!

Matthew 6:¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy,and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


It is eternal


It is bright


Its is powerful


Healing, Teaching, Salvation, Life Anointing are all found in this House!


It is the House of The Most High God!


Matthew 7:The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

*Building a house on Long Island (Story)

1987 Hurricane Gloria visited Long Island



When you are building the House of the King, every brick has to be the best.
Only the best will do, honor God in Building His house!

Ephesians 6: 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

I was listening  to the radio a day ago and John Tesh, a popular radio personality was talking about saving money next time you go shopping. He said that you should find the shortest line to check out. not to worry about how many things are in someones cart, because the swipe machines all work the same speed but the cashiers are trained to chat with people as they check out and offer other sales opportunities. 

So, up until the point you are being checked out in line, you are still in shopping mode. Your focus is not on checking out yet but you are looking around for other items to purchase. Candy bars, magazines, chap stick, gift cards are all strategically placed so you will see them at just the last minute and make a snap discussion to buy them.

Everyday, every minute of the day, you are being assaulted with opportunities from the Devil. Designed to distract you and draw you off course and away from God and the plans He has for you. The closer you get to God the more desperate the enemy becomes to steal you away.

Every person is like a piece of a puzzle in the plans of God. So no matter how large or small a part you play in the puzzle, you are designed to connect to other people. If you're not in play then connections are being missed. Gods plan for your life involved a lot more then you. His plans are wrapped around other people and you are part of their plans as well.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to pray continually about every aspect of our lives and to FOCUS on the God centered things. Don't get distracted waiting inline to check out, stay focused on God and the plans He has for you!

Have a great week,

Ps. Steve