Roots Week 3: Old Testament

For the word of God is alive and powerful. Hebrews 4:12

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalms 37: 4-5

The Pentateuch: The first 5 books of the Bible written by Moses
1. Genesis: Creation, flood, Abraham
2. Exodus: Out of Egypt, slavery, 10 commandments
3. Leviticus: instructional book for Levites
4. Numbers: Census of the children of Israel
5. Deuteronomy: Moses closing messages and reflection of wilderness experience

The Historical Books: The next 12 books tell the continuing story of the Children of Israel

1. Joshua: military battles and conquering Canaan
2. Judges: life in Canaan, the 12 judges leading between Joshua and Samuel
3. Ruth: David's grandma
4. 1 & 2 Samuel: Appointing first kings Saul and David
5. 1 & 2 Kings: Stories of various kings of united, divided, and later Judah kingdoms
6. 1 & 2 Chronicles: progress of God's kingdom through David
7. Ezra: records last events of Old Testament
8. Nehemiah: rebuilding of Jerusalem
9. Ester: Jewish girl who became a Persian queen and saved her people

The Poetic Books: These books focus on man's reflections of God and His response
1. Job: Suffering of the righteous
2. Psalms: songs of emotional responses of the Israelites to God's sufficiency
3. Proverbs: Common sense approach to faith and life
4. Ecclesiastes: the wealthy person's search for happiness
5. Song of Solomon: allegorical story of sexuality between man and woman

Things to Know about Appetites:
1. God created them
2. sin distorted them
3. Appetites are never fully and finally satisfied

4. You become singleminded.
5. There is a loss of focus.
6. We need to refocus.
7. Would you surrender?

 ²⁷ As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. ²⁸ Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 ²⁹ One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. ³⁰ Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)

 ³¹ “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.”

 ³² “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”

 ³³ But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.

 ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.
Genesis 25: 27-34

Roots Week 2: How Do I Study My Bible?

Jesus said, "People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God." Matt 4:4 (NLT)

"You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you still need someone to teach you. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food." Hebrews 5:12 (NLT)

God's Word Brings...

POWER. "For the word of God is alive and powerful. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
HEALING. "He sent forth his word and healed them..." Psalms 107:20 (NIV)
DIRECTION. "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
FREEDOM. "...He has send me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed." Luke 4:18

How do we study God's Word?

1. Accept the Bible as your authority. 
"We thank God continually because, when you received the word of God you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but actually as it is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe." 1 Thess. 2:13 (NIV)

2. Master the Text
Search the scriptures; for in them you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39 (KJV)

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that is not ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

"Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

3. BE MASTERED BY THE TEXT
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's word is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

Four Steps to the Devotional Method of Bible Study

Adapted from Rick Warren's book Bible Study Methods

1. Pray
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. Psalm 119:18

2. Meditate of Study
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of this. 2 Timothy 2:7

How to Meditate

• Picture it: Visualize the scene in your mind
• Pronounce it: Say the verse aloud. Emphasize different words
• Paraphrase: Rewrite it in your own words
• Personalize it: Put your name in the verse
• Probe: Ask questions... is there any.... SPACEPETS

• Sin to confess
• Promise to claim
• Attitude to change
• Command to obey
• Example to follow
• Prayer to pray
• Error to avoid
• Truth to believe
• Something to thank God for

• Pray it: Talk and listen to God

3. Apply
Once you know these things you'll be blessed if you DO them. John 3:17 (NIV)
Be doers of the word not hearers only. James 1:22
Remember that Christ taught and let His word enrich your lives and make you wise... Col. 3:16 (LB)
I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalms 119:11 (NIV)

Roots Week 1: The Bible--Is It True?

To hear the message, go here and scroll down to #78: Roots: The Bible Is It True

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus Answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. John 18:37-38a.

(The devil) 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. John 8:44b

Two lies that are present today:
Relativism
Subjectivism

Relativism: assumption there is no such thing as absolute truth
Subjectivism: I, the subject, have the right to determine what is right and wrong without submitting my judgement to any authority outside myself.

TRUTH IS NOT A WHAT BUT A WHO.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

1. The INTERNAL Test
We do not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and majesty of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16
2. The EXTERNAL Test
3. The BIBLIOGRAPHIC Test

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. Psalms 119:93