LESSON : It Still Matters (The Bible).

It Still Matters.

The relevance of God's Word.

Lesson by Tony Thomas

Jesus said:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." [Mat 5:17-20 KJV]

The connection between the Old and New Testaments.

The phrase “it is written” occurs 26 times in the gospels and a total of 63 times in the New Testament. The New Testament makes reference to “the scriptures” (meaning the Old Testament) 21 times, and there are many direct and indirect quotes throughout the New Testament.¹

Question: Does the Old Testament (Covenant) predict the New?²

Question: Does Jesus address the coming of a “New Testament”? ³

Question: How did other New Testament writers see the difference between the Testaments?⁴ Are they competing or complementary?

Question: Why is the New Testament necessary?⁵

The value and function of the Old Testament.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [2Ti 2:15-19 KJV]

Question: Should Christians study the Old Testament? Why or why not.⁶

Question: Who is the “author” of the Bible?

“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.” [2 Peter 1:20,21KJV]

Question: What is the function of the Old Testament, in New Testament times?⁷

The value and function of the New Testament.

Question: Did the New Testament writers recognize that scripture was being written in their time?

Case Study: Peter commenting on Paul

Even though Peter and Paul had distinct ministries that on at least one occasion brought them into conflict⁸, Peter regards Paul's writings to be “scripture”. He writes:

15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. - 2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV

Case Study: Paul's quotation of “scripture”.

In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul makes a quotation from “scripture” that borrows from both the writings of Moses and the Luke's Gospel.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn⁹. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.¹⁰ - 1 Timothy 5:18 KJV

Question: Did Jesus indicate that the Apostles would receive special Divine instruction after his departure?

26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - John 14:26 KJV

Question: How does one gain “greatness” in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Refer back to Matthew 5:19).

To continue to the next lesson, click HERE.

Endnotes:

1In the KJV. Specific wording in other versions may vary, but the idea is the same.

2 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-8.

3Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1Corinthians 11:25

42 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 9:15

5Hebrews 10:1

6John 5:39, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:15

7Romans 16:25,26; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

8Galatians 2:12-14

9Deuteronomy 25:4

10Luke 10:7

LESSON OUTLINE: "Fatherhood"

“Fatherhood”

Tony Thomas

Family Life Class

May 18, 2014

God is Awesome.

In fact God is so great and so awesome there is no way the human mind can fully comprehend his greatness. So, throughout scripture, God has chosen to reveal himself to us through titles and types that help us understand his Divine nature and interaction with us. As we read through the Bible we come to know God as Creator, Lawgiver, Judge, Provider, Healer, Shepherd, and Redeemer. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and exists everywhere at the same time. In fact, time itself is not a limitation for him because he is eternal.

As great and wonderful as all of this is, it is only through the atoning work of Jesus Christ that God chooses the greatest demonstration of his love for us. In the New Testament, God who once separated his presence from humanity with rituals, curtains and walls, reveals himself to those who will trust him, as "Father".

Foundational Truth: The Fatherhood of God

How do we come to know God as Father? Matthew 11:25-27

Is God the Father of all mankind? John 8:38-45

How do we become a "child of God"? John 1:12,13.

How is Jesus' relationship with the Father unique? John 3:16

In what way is our relationship with the Father and Jesus' relationship with the Father the same? Romans 8:15-17

To whom did Jesus instruct Christians to pray? Matthew 6:9

What is the privilege of this relationship? Matthew 6:8

How do the phrases "hallowed be your name" and "Your kingdom come, your will be done..." affect the believer?

Family Life Application

Do you think that a person's opinion of their earthly father affects their perception of God as Father?

How should this affect our role as earthly parents? Ephesians 6:4

In your opinion what are the five most important character traits of a good father?

1.                                                                                                                 

2.                                                                                                                 

3.                                                                                                                 

4.                                                                                                                 

5.                                                                                                                 

Do you see these traits in God?

For Further Reading: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Genesis chapters 6-9,

Genesis chapters 37-49,

2 Samuel chapter 13,

Mark 9:17-27

To view the next lesson, please click HERE (NEW BIRTH).

Just some guy named Joe...

    Joe was a good man and a generous man. He was well thought of by his church. Joe’s church was rapidly expanding and in serious need of funds. So he, like many others, sold his property and gave the money to the church.    

    Joe was wise. A young hot-headed preacher came to Joe’s town. This man had been giving the church a lot of trouble and had suddenly been converted. Many in the church weren’t convinced, but Joe brought him into fellowship with the believers.

    Joe was a man full of the Holy Ghost and faith. Joe’s church had some deep seated racial prejudices.  When evangelists began preaching to those the church had ignored, it was Joe who was sent to investigate. Joe was able to convince his church to cross the racial divide with the gospel.

    Joe was a man who would seek out young ministers and shepherd them through the early stages of their ministry.  He was a man others would trust with large offerings. He was a man of character and humility. He was calm and persuasive.

    Joe was preacher, yet his student did more preaching than he. Joe never wrote a book to bear his name, but those he mentored wrote many books.  Eventually the young men he helped eclipsed him in the mind of the church. 

    Joe is generally forgotten now, and when he is remembered, it is most often for the disagreement he had with one of his protégés who was outgrowing his mentor.

    Without Joe however, the church would have been seriously handicapped. Joe was in fact the Apostle Joe although he seldom makes anyone’s list of great apostles.

    The need for ministry like Joe’s is still very relevant, and yet, still very unappreciated. You see we don’t know Joe by his given name. The leaders of his church made up a name for him. They called him “Joe Encouragement”, or if you please Joses Barnabas. Barnabas, as he is called in the Bible, is the man who mentored both the Apostle Paul and John Mark.

    Great men do not become great men without encouragement along the way. On at least one occasion John Mark called it quits and went to the house.  Barnabas brought him back and made him profitable to the ministry once again. Paul suffered many things from within and without the church, yet he had Barnabas by his side.

    You may not be called to have your name in lights on the marquis. You may never preach to thousands. Your name may never be a household name like that of the Rev. Billy Graham. You may spend your life as the backdrop to great ministry. Don’t be discouraged! God needs people to carry the Barnabas load.
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1. God does not call us to be great. He calls us to be obedient.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

2. God is fair in his reward for faithfulness.

1Sa 30:24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part [is] that goeth down to the battle, so [shall] his part [be] that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

3. Twice God instructed Moses to encourage Joshua.

Deu 1:38 [But] Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Deu 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

4. King David needed encouragement, and had to encourage himself.
 1Sa 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

5. Hezekiah encouraged the Levites and the Priests.

 2Ch 31:4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

2Ch 35:2 And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

6. God is an encourager to Israel.

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.


We are not called to be great. We are called to be faithful, and we are called to infuse one another with courage. Dear God, let me be like Joe!