DAY 5

Scripture: The One True Source, Part 2

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Acts 18:24,28; Hebrews 5:12-14.
In the verses you’ll study today, you’ll find many different expressions for the Word of God, such as law, precepts, testimonies, statutes, commandments, and judgments. In the Bible the expression “Word of God” also has a broader meaning than the Bible alone. It means anything God says about Himself, whether through the voice of His prophet, through the majesty of His creation, or through the ordering of human history in His world. “Word of God” refers to the active expression of God’s very nature. As such, it certainly includes the Scriptures—writings that are the unique record of God’s activity.
The Bible claims to be an eternal source of wisdom and righteousness.
Carefully read each of the following verses: Psalm 19:7-11; 37:29-31; 119:89-91,98-101,130,160; Isaiah 40:6-8.
These verses focus on the great claims the Bible makes for itself: that it’s eternal or everlasting, a source of wisdom, and a source of righteousness. Beside each of the following key words, record the reference of each verse in which the Bible makes that claim for itself.
Eternal:
Wisdom:
Righteousness:
In addition to the verses you just read, your second Scripture-memory assignment for this week is a passage in which the Bible makes a claim for itself. Can you quote 2 Timothy 3:16 here?
Another verse you’ve learned explains why many people misunderstand the Bible. The Bible was inspired by the Spirit of God and can be rightly interpreted only by people who are indwelled by the Spirit of God.
Record 1 Corinthians 2:14 here.
Where does Psalm 37:31 say the authority of the Scriptures should be kept?
Isn’t it comforting to know that when you have God’s Word in your heart, your steps on the pathway of life won’t slip or falter? Four sources of authority, but only one of them is trustworthy. You know which one that is.
The apostle Paul also knew which source of authority is trustworthy. Read what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
Twice Paul mentioned the authority he was using for his summary of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Which source of authority was it?
You too can use the Scriptures as your source of authority when you share Christ with others. But this doesn’t come naturally to you even though you’re a Christian.
Read in Acts 18:24,28 a capsule biography of a Christian named Apollos.
How do you think Apollos became so skilled in his knowledge and use of Scripture?
Is it important for you to know the Scriptures as well as Apollos knew them? Is it important enough to rearrange your personal priorities in order to study the Scriptures? What areas of your life might have to be rearranged to provide the time you need for a lifelong habit of Bible study?
In all honesty are you ready and willing to rearrange your priorities at this time?
Yes No
Read again Acts 18:28.
What did Apollos have to do before he was capable of publicly demonstrating that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ?
Would you like to be able to share Christ openly?
Yes No
If so, what steps could you take now to prepare yourself as Apollos did?
Read Hebrews 5:12-14.
According to these verses, what was the tragic result when some Christians never bothered to develop personal Bible-study habits?
How tragic when Christians who should be mature enough to serve as teachers still need someone to teach them the basics of God’s Word! Such people are just the opposite of Apollos, aren’t they?
List the names of one or two people who remind you of Apollos and one or two who remind you of the Christians described in Hebrews 5:12-14.
If someone else were making the list, where would your name appear?
Although God has given you an intellect, He didn’t intend for it to become the final authority to determine right and wrong, good and bad. Your intellect is simply an instrument for you to use in seeking God’s guidance.
Although you’ll have significant experiences with God, these are never to be worshiped or exalted. They’re simply the by-products of your wonderful fellowship with Him. Experiences may fade away as time passes, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). You must never let a preoccupation with an experience replace your fellowship with Him.
Some traditions, like intellect and experiences, may be rooted in God’s will and purpose. However, when you do things from ritual and habit without understanding or believing in their value, you’re in the prison of tradition. Only the blood of Christ can set you free. He has come to give you reality, not mere formalism. A firsthand relationship with Christ is better than a tradition that has been handed down from your forefathers.
And so you come back to Scripture, your final and perfect authority.
Isn’t it great to know the Bible contains all you need to know about your faith and your life as a Christian?
Because this is true, no part of your life as a Christian should be more important than your study of the Scriptures.
Pastors proclaim the Scriptures and teachers explain the Scriptures because they believe the final and perfect authority of the Bible. You’ll profit from their preaching and teaching. Yet there’s an even more important relationship you can have with your Bible—a personal relationship.
Review the responses you made earlier in today’s work. What did you say you needed to do now to prepare yourself to share Christ effectively? What adjustments did you say you must make to cultivate a lifetime habit of Bible study? End your quiet time with a prayer in which you commit to follow up on those priorities.

Review This Week’s Study

Explain in your own words why each of these sources of authority is inadequate.
Experiences, feelings, emotions:
Tradition:
Intellect:
The daily commitments at the end of your quiet-time exercises this week encouraged you to make decisions and commitments that could be life-changing. Summarize the most significant decision or commitment you made and ways you expect it to affect your life as a Christian.