“The Chosen” – Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

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Digging for Gold – Bible Study Resources

Ps 19:9b The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

We have begun a Wednesday class in which we are learning to study the Bible inductively. In our first session we noted some tools that Christians have found helpful. Here are a few of them.

First Choose Your Equipment!

A Bible / text made for personal study. Options:

Durable, intended for serious use. Binding, paper.

Comfortable, with easy-to-read type size.

Attractive, with an eye-pleasing layout.

Single-column or double-column format.

Thick paper, wide margins, space for notes or …

Separate sheets, a notebook, or journal for notes.

Advantages to each note-taking approach. Combo.

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Text-only Bible: brief book intros, limited tools.

Reference Bible: columns, links to other verses.

Study Bible: outlines, commentary, interpretation.

Specialty: (Leadership, Archaeology, Apologetics).

Try several types. Which one attracts you most?

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Abbreviated aids in many Bibles: outlines, charts, timelines, atlas (maps), topical index, concordance (word list).

Concordance: Strong’s, Young’s, New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance

Atlas: Moody Bible Atlas or Baker Bible Atlas

All-in-one Bible: Thompson Chain-Reference

Bible software and apps:

Logos – can get a basic version for the cost of a nice Bible.

e-Sword – free, with many books and tool modules.

YouVersion – Bible versions and reading plans.

OliveTree – free phone / tablet app with split screen available. Can see both ESV and Greek or Hebrew text at once and scroll them in sync.

Websites:

Bible Hub – parallel translations, Greek and Hebrew interlinear.

https://biblehub.com/

Bible Gateway – read almost any translation, listen to it, copy and paste Bible text into your computer document for taking notes.

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Blue Letter Bible – multiple tools.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/

Dependable Discipleship – 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

If Paul wrote you a personal letter, what would he say? He would challenge you, as he did Timothy and Titus, to keep the faith, fight the good fight, and present yourself approved to God. He might entreat you, as he did Philemon, to receive back one who has wronged you but now seeks to return.

Dependable Discipleship: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

1 Timothy 1:1-20

1. Paul’s Charge Re: Doctrine

   A. Paul’s Past Charge to Timothy

False teachers! Myths! Speculation! … Use of law.

   B. Christ’s Past Charge to Paul

1:12-17 Gratitude for grace; foremost of sinners.

   C. First Charge: “Fight the Good Fight!”

Source: Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts (edited)

1 Timothy 2:1-3:16

2. Paul’s Charge Re: Worship

   A. Prayer in Public Worship

   B. Women in Public Worship

Male / female distinctions rooted in creation, Fall.

   C. Qualifications of Overseers

   D. Qualifications of Deacons

   E. 2nd Charge: “Conduct … the House of God!”

Confession: the Mystery of Godliness.

1 Timothy 4:1-16

3. Paul’s Charge Re: Teachers

   A. Description of False Teachers

   B. Instruction for True Teachers

4:6-16 The work of a minister

4:12 “Let none despise your youth. … example.”

   C. Third Charge: “Do Not Neglect Your Gift!”

1 Timothy 5:1-25

4. Paul’s Charge Re: Relationships

   A. How to Treat All People (as Family Members)

   B. How to Treat Widows (as Worthy of Support)

   C. How to Treat Elders (as Worthy of Honor)

5:19 “Do not receive an accusation … witnesses.”

   D. Fourth Charge: “Observe Without Prejudice!”

1 Timothy 6:1-21

5. Paul’s Charge Re: Motives

   A. Exhortation to Servants

   B. Exhortation to Godliness with Contentment

6:10 Love of money … root … wander … griefs.

   C. Exhortation to the Rich

6:17-18 Not hope in $$$. Good works, generosity.

   D. Fifth Charge: “Guard … Entrusted to You!”

2 Timothy 1: Paul’s Parental Appeal

1:1-7         Courage

You have a God-given heritage. Lois, Eunice.

1:8-12               Suffering

You have a God-given gospel. “I know whom …”

1:13-18     Loyalty

You have a God-given pattern. Onesiphorus.

2 Timothy 2: Paul’s Practical Appeal

2:1-2 Steward: entrust God’s message to others.

2:3-4 Soldier: endure hardship. (Cf. 8-13.)

2:5 Athlete: play by the rules and win the crown.

2:6-7 Farmer: work hard and enjoy the produce.

2:14-18 Workman: give God your best efforts.

2:19-23 Vessel: be used only for holy endeavors.

2:24-26 Servant: kindly correct and save others.

2 Timothy 3: Paul’s Prophetic Appeal

3:1-9                 Increasing Evil

Recognize sin and its growth in the last days.

3:10-13     Influential Example

Follow Paul’s model, even when persecuted.

3:14-17     Inspired Equipment

Stay with the Word of God. It has all you need.

“All / every Scripture is God-breathed.”

2 Timothy 4: Paul’s Personal Appeal

4:1-4         Preach the Word!

Realize that men will turn from truth to myths.

4:5-8         Fulfill Your Ministry!

Endure! “I have fought the good fight … crown.”

4:9-22       Visit Me Soon!

Uphold the lonely who are suffering for Christ.

“Others deserted me, but the Lord stood with me!”

Titus

Tit 1          Appoint Qualified Elders!

To exhort in sound doctrine and refute opponents.

Tit 2          Match the Message!

Apply the gospel to each specific life situation.

“Adorn the doctrine.” “For God’s grace instructs …”

Tit 3          Promote Godly Living!

Treat others as recovering, grace-saved sinners.

Philemon

1:1-7         Prayer: Paul’s Praise for Philemon

You have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

1:8-16               Petition: Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Receive him as more than a slave, as your brother.

1:17-25     Promise: Paul’s Pledge to Philemon

Whatever he owes you, charge it to my account.

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Here's another approach ...

Dependable Discipleship – 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

I’ve chosen two key words for each of the fourteen chapters in these four books. The two words may not be related to each other, and they may not cover everything in that respective chapter, but they seemed to me to represent two of the main ideas in each chapter.

As you read the Word for yourself, think of the two words that you would choose. Then look at the words I have chosen, and please email me any changes you propose. Even if I do not change my words to yours, I may still refer to your words as I present these studies and discuss them with our group.

Remember, please email your responses to CoryFB2020@outlook.com.

Here’s what I have so far:

1 Tim 1       Truth and Grace

1 Tim 2       Prayer and Roles

1 Tim 3       Overseers and Deacons

1 Tim 4       Apostasy and Diligence

1 Tim 5       Widows and Elders

1 Tim 6       Contentment and Riches

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2 Tim 1       Encouragement and Boldness

2 Tim 2       Endurance and Obedience

2 Tim 3       Hardship and Commitment

2 Tim 4       Preaching and Finishing

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Tit 1           Elders and Dangers

Tit 2           Responsibility and Anticipation

Tit 3           Grace and Transformation

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Phm 1        Refreshment and Reconciliation

So what are the key words that you would choose?

I look forward to hearing from you!