Lesson Two - The Word of God, Our Light in Darkness

Dear Lord Jesus, You so loved us that You took our place upon the cross and died for our sins. Give us true love for You, and grant that we daily read and study Your life-giving Word. Amen.

My Dear Children,

In every city, every town, and even in the countryside, you will find churches of all different names, denominations, and beliefs. On the TV and radio, preachers and song writers promote their beliefs and opinions about God. And, of course, there are always those who urge you to try fortune telling, witchcraft, etc. How do you know what is true and what is false? How do you determine which preachers and which religious beliefs are right and which are wrong?

In the days of Old Testament Israel, the people had similar problems. There were prophets who advocated idolatry and spiritualism, prophets who claimed to be sent from the LORD but whose message was mixed with lies and falsehood, and there were true prophets of the LORD God like Isaiah. Among God’s priests too, there were those who were faithful to God and many others who were not. So how could the people know the truth? How could they know what was right in God’s eyes? Isaiah provided the answer in chapter 8, verses 19 and 20: "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Isaiah directed the people to the Word of God. If preachers and religions (as well as others who advocate other forms of spiritualism) do not teach what the Word of God teaches, they are proclaiming lies and falsehood! Even if they teach much truth, where their teaching differs from God’s Word, they do not proclaim truth and light, but darkness and lies! This same principle applies to us today! We are to judge all teaching and opinion by the Word of God. When we do so, we will know what is true and what is a lie. And, if we hold to the truth, we can walk in light rather than darkness!

2 Timothy 3:15-17 says: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

1. According to St. Paul’s inspired letter to Timothy, what kind of wisdom can be gained from reading and studying the Holy Scriptures? What does this mean? Cf. John 20:31.

2. This passage of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17) tells us that all of the Bible is inspired by God. What are the uses for Scripture here listed?

3. Considering all of this passage of Scripture, why did God give us the Bible? To make us "wise unto...." And, that "the man of God may be...."

Look up and Read Jeremiah 23:28-32.

4. If one has God’s Word, how should he speak it? What does this mean?

5. What does God say about prophets who speak their own words and say that God says? How do people do this today?

In Acts 17:11, we read of the Bereans: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

6. How were the Jews in Berea different from the Jews in Thessalonica?

7. How did the Bereans receive the word which Paul and Silas preached to them about Jesus? How did they test the teaching of Paul and Silas to be sure it was God’s truth? What can we learn from their example?

Isaiah 8:20 says, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

8. What should we use to test the teaching of preachers and religious groups to see if it is true?

2 Peter 1:20-21 says, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

9. Are people free to interpret the Bible as they choose? What should always guide and determine the correct interpretation of Scripture?

In Psalm 119:97, we read: "O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day."

Psalm 119:11 says: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Jesus said, in John 8:31,32: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

10. How should we use God’s Word? Is it enough to just read our Bibles at church on Sunday and then forget about God’s Word the rest of the week?

11. How often do you read God’s Word? What can you do to change this? Will you promise to do it?

12. Read John 5:39. About whom do the Scriptures tell us?

The Bible

Since all of the Bible is God's true and unerring Word, we teach that the Bible is to be the source and judge of all Christian Doctrine. What is not in accord with God's Word is not to be taught as Christian Doctrine (Isaiah 8:20; Jeremiah 23:28-32; II Timothy 3:16-17; Acts 17:11). The Bible is also its own interpreter; thus, passage interpretations which are not in agreement with other clear passages of Holy Scripture are to be rejected (II Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 8:20). We teach that the Bible is to be diligently studied and heard; for it reveals to mankind the only way of salvation, which is through faith in Christ Jesus, and it guides the Christian in living according to God's Holy will (John 5:39; 20:31; II Timothy 3:14-17; Psalm 119:105).

Please Memorize: Psalm 119:97 & 105; John 8:31-32; Isaiah 8:20