Childrens' Ministry Job Descriptions - Samples
These Children's Ministry job descriptions are offered for any Children's Minister or Pastor who wishes to use them in their church. Each page will have a downloadable word doc which you can download and use as a template/sample for your ministry.
Related Topics: Administrative and Organization, Children, Children - Nuts & Bolts
Resources for Parents
Dr. Jerry Lawrence, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, 2009
For parents of children:
Bell, Steve, and Valerie Bell. Faith-Shaped Kids: Helping Your Child Grow Spiritually. Chicago: Moody Press, 2001.
A delightful book that shares principles the authors discovered while raising their own children. They believe faith formation is not something we teach our kids but something that is learned together as a family. Family Resource Articles at the end of the book provide helpful and practical ways to include God in our everyday family lives (i.e. "Getting to Know You": A Family Game).
Fuller, Cheri. Opening Your Child's Spiritual Windows: Ideas to Nuture Your Child's Relationship with God. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2001.
One of my favorite books! Cheri Fuller explains that as children grow, there are windows of opportunity when they are most open to learning about God. If we make the most of these times, we can help raise children who enjoy, love, follow and serve God. Each chapter is filled with practical ideas for making the most of each window of opportunity.
Trent, John T., Rick Osborne, and Kurt D. Bruner. Parent's Guide to the Spiritual Growth of Children. Focus on the Family. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000.
This book is FILLED with practical information and helpful resources for parents on “How to Pass on Your Spiritual Legacy” including a blueprint for designing “Your Family Portrait,” a step by step plan unique to their family. This plan may include family nights and family devotions, but also encourages mealtime, drive time, teachable moments, and holidays to impart spiritual truths to children in fun and exciting ways.
For Parents of Teens:
Hastings, Wayne. Trusting Enough to Parent: Replacing Fear with Active Trust as You Raise Your Children. Colorado Springs, CO: Faith Parenting Cook Communications, 2000.
Wayne Hastings writes to encourage parents in the midst of the fray to respond with trust instead of fear as they raise their kids. As we trust the Lord to help us, He meets us where we are and directs us with His wisdom. As we love and listen to our children and take the time to know and understand them, we can help prepare them for adulthood that lies before them.
Rice, Wayne, and David Veerman. Understanding Your Teenager. Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1999.
Growth spurts, hormones rage, and insecurities simmer and suddenly their precious child becomes a stranger they hardly recognize. It doesn't have to be this way. Rice and Veerman affirm that parents remain the most important people in the lives of teenagers throughout adolescence. Part I paints a picture of our teens’ world and their developing values and beliefs. Part II gives principles to continue to build a close relationship with our kids and prepare them for the road ahead.
White, Joe, and Jim Weidmann. Parent's Guide to the Spiritual Mentoring of Teens. Focus on the Family. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
This book builds upon the Spiritual Growth of Children (see above) that helps parents prepare for spiritually leading children during their teen years. Focus is given to walking alongside teens, building strong parent-teen relationships, succeeding in conflict-causing issues, discipling for lasting spiritual impact, and building a passion in teens to be wholehearted disciples.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
Dr. Jerry Lawrence, Fellowship Bible Church Dallas, 2009
For Family Times:
Guthrie, Nancy. One Year of Dinner Table Devotions & Discussion Starters. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
MacGregor, Jerry, and Patti MacGregor. Family Times. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1999.
Simpson, Amy, ed. (Alexander, Donna L., et. al.) Growing Little Helpers: Service Projects Preschoolers Can Do. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 1998.
Smithouser, Bob, ed. Movie Nights: 25 Movies to Spark Spiritual Discussions with Your Teen. Focus on the Family/Heritage Builders. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2002.
Widemann, Jim, and Kurt Bruner. Family Night Tool Chest Series. Focus on the Family/Heritage Builders. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor/Cook Communications, 1997.
TOP PICK! Solid, biblical resources by Heritage Builders and Jim Wideman, the “Family Nights Guy.” These books provide lessons, activities, and tips as a guide for parents in teaching their children in fun, creative, and simple ways.
For children:
Allen, Joey. Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: A Four Book Series. Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 2005.
The Gospel
The Mission
The Scriptures
The Trinity
Excellent series of story books that teach theological concepts to children ages 4-7 in age-appropriate language. (Available on Amazon.com)
Anderson, Debby. Are Tigers Ticklish? Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 1991.
Anderson, Debby. God Knows My Name. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003.
Anderson, Debby. I Can Talk With God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003.
Anderson, Debby. I Love My Bible! Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005.
Anderson, Debby. Jesus is Coming Back! Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005.
Anderson, Debby. Let's Talk About Heaven. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 1991.
Lawson, Michael S. Grandpa Mike Talks About God. Scotland, UK: Christian Focus Publications, 2007.
Omartian, Stormie. What Happens When I Talk to God? Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2007.
Osborne, Rick, and Marnie Wooding. God’s Great News for Children: Leading Your Child to Christ. Focus on the Family/Heritage Builders, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 2002.
Tangvald, Christine Harder. Someone I Love Died. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor, 1988.
Websites:
Related Topics: Library and Resources, Christian Education, Parenting, Children, Parent Resources
Habakkuk
Apakah anda pernah menonton berita sore yang diakhiri dengan semua kejahatan dan ketidakadilan di dunia dan dalam keputusasaan bertanya, “Mengapa Tuhan tidak melakukan sesuatu? Mengapa orang jahat dan tidak jujur makmur. Mengapa mereka terpilih untuk duduk di Gedung Putih? Sebenarnya itu bukan perasaan yang baru. Seorang nabi yang bernama Habakuk merasakan hal itu sekitar tahun 620 B.C. dan menulis tentang hal itu.
Kata Habakuk artinya adalah “memeluk” atau “bergumul.” Seperti biasanya, nama seorang nabi berkaitan dengan pesan yang dia sampaikan. Karena isi dari kitab ini menceritakan pergumulan berat Habakuk tentang masalah yang sulit untuk dipecahkan. Apabila Tuhan itu baik mengapa ada kejahatan di dalam dunia? Dan apabila memang ada orang jahat mengapa mereka harus makmur? Apa yang sedang Tuhan kerjakan? Topik yang sama dapat kita jumpai dalam Kitab Zefanya 1:12. Mereka berpikir bahwa Tuhan itu tidak melakukan apa yang baik maupun yang jahat. Karena beranggapan bahwa Tuhan tidak terlibat maka mereka terus hidup di dalam dosa. Habakuk adalah seorang nabi yang baik, dia takut akan Tuhan dan melakukan apa yang baik, tetapi dia menghadapi suatu fakta yang tidak adil.
Warren Wiersbe memberi judul bukunya tentang Habakuk: From Worry to Worship (Dari kekuatiran kepada Pujian). Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones memberi judul bukunya, “From Fear to Faith.” (dari ketakutan kepada iman). Habakuk mengawali kitabnya dengan kekuatiran akan dunia di sekitar dia dan Tuhan sepertinya tidak peduli, tetapi dia mengakhirinya dengan memuji Tuhan.1 Ketika dia mendengar siapa yang datang, di ayat 3:16 dikatakan bahwa dia gemetar, tetapi akhirnya dia mengekspresikan imannya di akhir dari kitab ini. Apa yang mereka ingin sampaikan melalui judul buku mereka adalah sebuah perkembangan yang dibuat Habakuk dari mempertanyakan Tuhan sampai mempercayai Dia. Mari kita lihat bagaimana perkembangan iman itu bias terjadi.
Pertanyaan Habakuk (1:2-4)
Habakuk mengekspresikan yang dimiliki oleh kebanyakan orang saleh. Dia marah atas kejahatan dan ketidak adilan yang ada dalam masyarakat. Dia mendaftarkan setidaknya enam masalah yang berbeda yang menekankan betapa buruk situasi yang sedang terjadi. Ada penindasan, kelaliman, aniaya, kekerasan, perbantahan dan pertikaian yang berkembang di dalam masyarakat.
Di ayat 4 dia berkata, "hukum kehilangan kekuatannya" Firman Tuhan tidak lagi menjadi standar kehidupan. Habakuk mengungkapkan pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang bagus. Mengapa orang jahat tidak mengalami penghukuman? Mengepa orang fasik makmur? Mengapa Tuhan tidak melakukan sesuatu?
Di ayat 2, Habakuk berseru, “Berapa lama lagi TUHAN, aku berteriak, tetapi tidak Kaudengar, aku berseru kepada-Mu: "Penindasan!" tetapi tidak Kautolong?” Dia seakan-akan menuduh Tuhan tidak peduli dan tidak aktif.
Bebrapa orang berpikir bahwa seorang yang beriman tidak akan pernah mempertanyakan Tuhan. Mereka hanya duduk dan menunggu dengan setia dan sabar. Akan tetapi satu hal yang kita pelajari dari Habakuk adalah bahwa itu adalah pemahaman yang salah. Orang yang percaya kepada Tuhan bias mem[pertanyakan Tuhan.
Jawaban Tuhan (1:5-11)
Tuhan menjawab Habakuk. Dia membangkitkan bangsa asing, Babel untuk menyerang dan menghancurkan Yehuda. Tuhan berkata, “jadilah heran dan tercengang-cengang,” (ay 5).2 Mengapa? Karena mereka sangat jahat. Mereka lebih buruk dari orang Yahudi.3 Ayat 6-11 menjelaskan kejatan-kejatahan mereka. Alasan dari penjelasan ini adalah untuk menunjukkan bahwa mereka sangat kuat, tidak ada yang dapat menghentikan mereka. Mereka sudah pasti akan menghancurkan Yehuda.
Sebagian besar dari kita telah berdoa karena kejahatan di masyarakat dan berharap terjadinya kebangunan. Bagaimana jika Tuhan mengirimkan Uni Soviet atau Sadam Hussein untuk menyerang Amerika, untuk mendirikan komunisme atau pemerintahan yang dictator, memenjarakan semua orang Kristen, dsb. Bagaimana menurut anda jawaban yang seperti itu? Apakah anda akan berkata bahwa Tuhan tidak menjawab doa anda?
Hal ini menunjukkan kepada kita prinsip yang lain yang bias kita pelajari dari Habakuk. Tuhan tidak selalu menjawab kita seperti yang kita harapkan. Biasanya kiya telah memikirkan jawaban seperti apa yang kita inginkan. Ketika Ia menjawabnya secara berbeda, bagaimana respon anda?
Bagaimana respon Habakuk terhadap jawaban Tuhan?
Respon Habakuk (1:12-2:1)
Apabila kita membaca ayat 12-13a, tampaknya Habakuk menerima jawaban dan puas. Akan tetapi ayat 13b menunjukkan bahwa walaupun dia menerima jawaban Tuhan, dia tidak menyukai jawaban tersebut.
Dia memulai di ayat 12 dengan ungkapan bahwa Allah adalah kekal. Menurut saya ide tentang immutabilitas. Bahwa Allah tidak berubah, termasuk disini. Fakta bahwa Allah tidak berubah adalah penting karena itu artinya Tuhan akan menggenapi janjiNya kepada Israel. Habakuk tahu bahwa Tuhan tidak akan secara total menghancurkan karena janjiNya. Itulah sebabnya dia berkata, “Kita tidak akan mati.”
Ekspresi dari ratapan Habakuk ini menunjukkan bahwa dia sebagai nabi percaya sepenuhnya kepada Allah tetapi tidak bisa sepenuhnya memahami jawaban yang Allah berikan. Dalam ayat 13 Habakuk heran mengapa Tuhan yang membenci dosa justru akan memakai bangsa yang penuh dengan kejahatan untuk menghukum Yehuda. Lagi pula sekalipun Yehuda memiliki masalah, namun setidaknya dalam pandangan umum mereka masih lebih baik dari pada bangsa Babilon. (Setidaknya hal itu benear menurut perpektif manusia. Namun apabila kita ingat Amos, yang membandingkan Israel dengan bangsa-bangsa lainnya, kasus yang sama terjadi disini bagi Yehuda. Dalam perspektif Allah mereka tidak jauh lebih baik bahkan lebih buruk dari bangsa-bangsa yang tidak mengenal Allah. Mereka telah diberi Hukum Allah sementara bangsa-bangsa lain tidak. Hal sama diterapkan disini. Mereka tidak lebih baik di mata Tuhan.) dan jawaban Tuhan mengindikasikan bahwa segala sesuatu akan bertambah buruk, bukannya baik.
Ayat 16 ketika dia berkata bahwa mereka mempersembahkan korban uuk pukatnya, kata “pukat” disini adalah mesin perang atau kekuatan Babilon. Bangsa Babilonia berpikir bahwa karena kekuatan mereka sendirilah, mereka berhasil (bd. 1:11). Mereka sama sekali tidak memberikan penghargaan kepada Tuhan. Habakuk heran bagaimana Tuhan bias mengijinkan mereka untuk terus seperti itu. Dan dia mempertanyakan hal ini di ayat 17.
Apa yang bisa kita pelajari dari bagian ini?
Ketika anda berbicara dengan seseorang yang baru saja mengalami tragedi, jangan memberitahu mereka, “Tuhan itu baik. Dia mengasihi kamu dan Dia akan memberikan yang terbaik lalu mengutip Roma 8:28-29.” Menurut saya, tidak apaapa, barangkali jika diperlukan menangis dengan mereka, terluka dengan mereka, mempertanyakan dengan mereka. Bantu mereka untuk dapat melewati rasa sakit, jangan mengabaikannya. Tentu saja anda tidak mau berada disana, akan tetapi itu adalah bagian dari proses. Seringkali, orang-orang Kristen berpikir bahwa bagian mempertanyakan dari sebuah proses adalah salah. Faktanya, Martin Lloyd-Jones membuat pernyataan itu dalam tafsirannya terhadap Kitab Habakuk. Dia berkata, “Seharusnya tidak ada keraguan, pertanyaan, ketidakpastian tentang kebaikan dan kekudusan serta kuasa Tuhan.”4 Saya tidak setuju. Itu adalah peryataan yang tidak mungkin. Manusia memiliki perasaan dan pertanyaan-pertanyaan. Anda bisa menekan atau mengekspresikannya.
Ada sebuah keseimbangan antara mengasihani diri, pasrah dalam keputusasaan, atau tetap marah kepada Tuhan. Biasanya, respon yang tepat adalah yang ditengah-tengah. Howard Hendricks saya dengar pernah berkata “Manusia kadangkala mencapai keseimbangan ketika mereka berayun dari ekstrim yang satu ke ekstrim yang lainnya.”
Habakuk telah menerima satu jawaban dan dia memiliki lebih banyak pertanyaan. Dalam pasal 2:1 dikatakan bahwa dia akan menunggu jawaban berikutnya dari Tuhan. Dia mencari pemahaman.
Jawaban Tuhan (2:2-20)
Inti jawaban dari Tuhan adalah: jangan kuatir dengan Babilon, mereka juga akan mendapatkan bagiannya sendiri.
Dia memberitahu Habakuk untuk menuliskannya.5 Apa yang akan terjadi sudah pasti terjadi, dia harus maju dan menuliskannya. Memang tampak membingungkan (vs 3) tetapi akan terjadi.
Dalam pasal 2:4 dikatakan bahwa “Orang benar akan hidup oleh percayanya.” Bebrapa terjemahan menggunakan kata “kesetiaan.” Kedua ide tersebut termasuk di dalamnya. Anda tidak bisa benar-benar memisahkan kedua kata itu. Iman adalah apa yang anda percayai. Kesetiaan adalah bertindak sesuai dengan apa yang anda percayai. Yakobus membahas hal ini dalam Yakobus 2.
Barangkali anda berkata bahwa iman dan kesetiaan tidak benar seperti ilustrasi tentang seseorang yang “tahu” bahwa merokok itu buruk tetapi tidak berhenti. Apabila anda bias benar-benar mengetahui hati mereka, anda akan mengetahui bahwa mereka tidak berpikir tentang apa yang akan menimpa mereka. Sindrom yang sama seperti orang yang berpikir bahwa kecelakaan hanya akan terjadi pada orang lain.
Apakah iman? Iman adalah percaya kepada Tuhan atas seluruh hidup kita. Kita melihat hal ini dijelaskan dalam Hosea.
Apakah kesetiaan itu? Itu adalah kesetiaan kepada Firman Tuhan. Mengikuti standart moral dari 10 perintah Allah yang kita simpulkan sebagai “mengasihi Tuhan” dan “mengasihi sesame”. Masih ada orang benar di Yehuda. Selalu ada orang-orang sisa dan Tuhan selalu menjaga mereka di tengah-tengah penghakiman. Kita melihat hal ini diulangi beberapa kali dalam kitab nabi-nabi. Ayat ini memberitahu mereka dan Habakuk apa yang harus mereka lakukan.
2:5. Konteks asli dari ayat ini menggambarkan Babilon sebagai pemabuk yang rakus yang tidak pernah bisa dipuaskan dengan anggur. Sejak jaman kuno bangsa Babilon dikenal dengan konsumsi anggurnya yang sangat banyak (Dan 5). Mereka dikenal karena kemabukan mereka. Dan karena pesta kemabukan itulah pada akhirnya bangsa Persia dan bisa menyelinap dan mengalahkan mereka.6 Babilonia tidak pernah puas dengan ukuran dari kerajaan mereka dan selalu berusaha memperluas dengan menyerang bangsa lain. Hanya relasi dengan Tuhan yang dapat memuaskan.
Menurut saya ada sebuah konsep yang penting untuk dipikirkan tentang ayat 4-5. Orang yang congkak mementingkan diri sendiri dan menganiaya orang lain. Kontras dengan orang benar yang rendah hati dan memperlakukan orang lain lebih penting dari dirinya sendiri serta melakukan kebaikan bagi mereka.
Selanjutnya Habakuk memberukan seri pidoato “celaka lah” untuk mendeskripsikan bangsa Babilonia sekalipun Babilonia tidak disebutkan secara spesifik.
- Cekalalah7 orang yang sombong 2:4-5
- Cekalalah orang yang rakus 2:6-8
- Cekalalah orang yang tidak jujur 2:9-11
- Cekalalah orang yang melakukan kejahatan 2:12-14
- Cekalalah orang yang immoral 2:15-17
- Cekalalah orang yang menyembah berhala 2:18-20
Orang congkat berpikir bahwa mereka layak mendapatkan yang lebih baik. Mereka ingin lebih. Mereka akan melakukan apa pun untuk mendapatkannya. Orang yang sensual selalu mencari pemuasan melalui pengalaman-pengalaman- biasanya secara seksual. Para penyembah berhala mencari hal-hal yang lain selalin Tuhan untuk membuat hidup mereka berhasil. Karakteristik ini sangat cocok untuk abad ke 20.
2:16-17 menunjukkan bahwa waktu penghakiman mereka juga akan segera tiba.
Doa Pujian Habakuk (3:1-19)
Dalam pasal pertama, Habakuk sangat lemah. Dia putus asa karena kejahatan yang ada di sekitarnya. Dalam pasal dua, dia pergi ke atas menara untuk menanti jawaban kedua. Sekarang di pasal tiga, kita melihat dia memuji Tuhan dan frase terakhir dari kitab ini adalah “Ia membiarkan aku berjejak di bukit-bukitku.” Buku ini menceritakan tentang pertumbuhan spiritual Habakuk ke arah Tuhan.
Habakuk sekarang mengerti dan menaikkan pujian karena Tuhan memegang kendali.
- Dia memohon belas kasih di tengah-tengah penghukuman (1-2). Dia takut akan apa yang akan terjadi. Dia tahu bahwa itu akan buruk. Tidak diragukan lagi bahwa dia akan menderita juga. Mungkin tidak secara pribadi, akan tetapi setidaknya melalui pengalaman menyaksikan kematian dan kehancuran orang-orang di sekitar dia.
- Dia memuji kemuliaan dan kuasa Tuhan (3-15).
- Dia berjanji untuk menantikan Tuhan (16-19). Apa yang akan terjadi sangat menakutkan, tetapi dia berkomitmen untuk menanti dan percaya kepada Tuhan.
Di awal saya telah menyinggung bahwa nama Habakuk berarti “memeluk” atau “bergumul.” Kita melihat dia bergumul dengan pertanyaan-pertanyaan sulit, akan tetapi apa yang menjadi respon finalnya? Memeluk Tuhan dan percaya kepada Dia.
PRINSIP-PRINSIP:
(1) Tuhan kadangkala seperti tidak aktif, tetapi Dia terlibat. 1:12 menunjukkan bahwa Babilonia berada di bawah kendali Allah, dan Dia menggunakan mereka untuk mencapai tujuanNya.
(2) Tuhan adalah Kudus. Dalam 1:13 Habakuk berkata bahwa Tuhan tidak dapat setuju dengan kejahatan. Ini seharusnya menjadi pemikiran yang hebat ketika kita bergumul dengan pencobaan, dosa dan kebiasan-kebiasaan buruk (yang merupakan eufimisme bagi dosa), dsb.
(3) Tuhan mendengar dan menjawab doa
(4) Tuhan kadangkala memberikan jawaban yang tidak kita sangka-sangka. Ketika kita berdoa, biasanya kita memikirkan cara yang kita inginkan agar Tuhan menjawab kita. Ketika Dia menjawab dengan cara yang berbeda, kita berpikir bahwa Dia sama sekali tidak menjawab kita.
(5) Tuhan itu adil dan baik. Dia menghakimi orang yang jahat dan mempedulikan orang benar.
(6) Orang benar hidup karena iman dan kesetiaan. Ini artinya kita benar-benar percaya bahwa Tuhan itu baik dan adil. Dan kita hidup sesuai dengan itu. Siatuasi-siatuasi seperti apakah yang mengharuskan anda melakukan hal itu?
- Di gereja anda? Dari pada pindah gereja ketika segala sesuatu tidak sesuai dengan cara anda atau ketika ada masalah, barangkali anda perlu setia kepada gereja itu dan berusaha melayani mereka. Mungkin itu bukan pilihan yang terbaik, tetapi perlu untuk dipikirkan.
- Dalam pernikahan anda? Apabila seseorang memiliki masalah dalam pernikahan, cara termudah adalah cerai. Akan tetapi cara yang benar dan tepat adalah menghadapi masalah dan tetap setia kepada pasangan serta berusaha menyelesaikannya. Bahkan sekalipun masalah itu tidak akan pernah selesai, anda tetap harus setia kepada pasangan. (Mis. Hosea.)
Sebagai kesimpulan, menurut saya pesan dari kitab Habakuk ini sangat menghibur bagi kita, karena kita hidup dalam masyarakat yang jahat. Kita bisa membaca kembali apa yang dituliskan oleh Habakuk. Lihat bahwa itu terbukti benar, bahwa Tuhan benar-benar mengendalikan, bahwa Tuhan melindungi orang benar sekalipun mereka dibuang ke Babilonia (mis. Daniel, Sadrakh, Mesakh dan Abednego) dan pada akhirnya Dia membawa mereka kembali ke tanah perjanjian. Oleh sebab itu, iman saya bisa diteguhkan melalui nubuatan para nabi dan kejadian sejarah yang membuktikan bahwa Firman Tuhan adalah benar.
Seperti yang saya katakan sebelumnya, nubuat bukan sekedar informasi ringan untuk memberitahu kita tentang apa yang akan terjadi di masa depan. Hal ini saya yakini kebenarannya karena itu menolong saya untuk melihat bahwa Tuhan yang memegang kendali dan Tuhan akan melindungi umatNya. Itu merupakan penghiburan bagi masa sekarang dan pengharapan bagi masa yang akan datang.
1 Wiersbe, From Worry to Worship, p. 8.
2 Beberapa orang beranggapan bahwa Babilonia bukan merupakan kekuatan yang besar pada jaman itu, oleh sebab itu Habakuk sebenarnya ditulis lebih awal, pada masa kekuasaan Asyur. Akan tetapi frase “jadilah heran dan tercengang-cengang,” kemungkinan menunjuk kepada fakta yang mengherankan bahwa Tuhan menggunakan bangsa yang begitu jahat seperti Babilonia. Oleh karena itu, sekalipun penanggalan kitab ini tidak diberikan secara langsung, kita bisa mengasumsikan bahwa kitab ini ditulis kira-kira sebelum Kasdim (1:6) menyerang Yerusalem pada tahun 605 BC, dan sesaat setelah bangsa Kasdim menjadi terkenal sebagai kekuatan dunia. Jadi kemungkinan kitab ini ditulis antara tahun 605 dan 625 BC.
3 Hal ini merupakan kebenaran yang dipercaya manusia. Pesan dari Amos 1-3 menunjukkan bahwa Tuhan beranggapan bangsa Israel jauh lebih buruk dari pada bangsa-bangsa di sekitar mereka karena Israel telah memiliki pewahyuan khusus dan seharusnya tahu lebih baik. Akan tetapi dosa mereka, tidak kelihatan lebih buruk daripada bangsa-bangsa di sekitar mereka.
4 Lloyd-Jones, From Fear to Faith, p. 50.
5 Tidak ada seorang pun yang yakin akan arti dari kalimat ini, “supaya orang sambil lalu dapat membacanya”. Itu bisa berarti, tuliskan besar-besar “dalam sebuah tanda” supaya orang yang terburu-buru bisa membacanya. Juga bisa berarti- tuliskan dengan sederhana supaya orang bisa membaca dengan cepat dan mengerti. Bisa juga- tuliskanlah supaya yang membaca bisa berlari untuk memberi tahu orang lain. Atau—tuliskanlah supaya yang membacanya bisa melarikan diri dari Babilonia. Akan tetapi kita tahu dari Yeremiah bahwa mereka tidak seharusnya lari dari Babilonia. Mereka yang melarikan diri mati. Mereka yang tetap tinggal dan menerima hukuman, tetap hidup. Salah satu kemungkinan lainnya adalah,-- tuliskanlah, supaya ketika waktunya tiba, kamu akan tahu bahwa penghukuman datangnya dari Tuhan, bukan nasip.
6 F.C. Cook, editor, The Holy Bible with Commentary, VI, 665. Cited from “An Exposition of Habakkuk,” Gordon Rasmussen, DTS Thesis, 1956. p. 47.
7 Bukan secara teknis ‘celaka’. Kata hinneh artinya “lihat” bukan hoy yang artinya “aduh.”
November 2010 Newsletter
You can view the November Newsletter here
How can our church learn to speak in tongues?
According to the clear teaching of the New Testament, speaking in tongues is the ability to speak in a language previously unknown by the one speaking it. Tongues are not ecstatic utterances which many people today are seeking. The main passages of the New Testament that deal with tongues are Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 13-14. We have several articles our web site that cover this issue in the “Theology / Pneumatology” section. Before you seek this experience, let me encourage you to read these articles.
The New Testament does not encourage us to seek the gift of tongues and gives very specific guidelines for their use (1 Cor. 13-14). It also plainly states that not all speak in tongues (see 1 Cor. 12:28-30). Note that the questions Paul asks in 1 Cor. 12:28-30 like, “All do not speak with tongues, do they?” demand the answer NO in the Greek text as well as in the English translation. Further, tongues are listed last signifying they are least in importance of all the gifts. Rather, we are strongly challenged to seek the better gifts, those that edify (1 Cor. 12:31). Furthermore, we are never told to seek this gift—one used especially for the Jewish nation which had been dispersed among the nations of the world where they had to learn a different language (see 1 Cor. 14:20-22). Instead, we are to seek to edify others through those gifts that minister God’s truth in such a way that everyone can understand (see 1 Cor. 14:1f).
Interestingly, the only detailed instruction we have on the use of tongues—their purpose and significance—is found for us in 1 Corinthians, a church that Paul called carnal. This should make us suspect of any group that might seek or promote this gift for a personal experience (a self-centered purpose contrary to the design and use of gifts) or as a sign of spirituality. In all of the rest of the epistles like Romans and Ephesians and 1 Peter, etc., epistles that deal with true spirituality and our walk with God, tongues are not once mentioned.
In addition, the same kind of ecstatic phenomenon occurs among the unsaved all over the world. The suggestion of 1 Cor. 12:1-3 (Paul’s introduction to the gifts issue) strongly warns the Corinthians that they were trying to use the legitimate gift of tongues (at least for the early church) in the same way they had experienced ecstatic phenomenon before they were saved and caught up in paganism. That in itself should serve as a warning about seeking such an experience.
I would encourage you to give this careful and prayerful consideration and allow God’s Word to become your authority to guide you and not manipulation or pressure from people because I am convinced, on the basis of the Bible, that the focus normally seen today on tongues is not according to God’s Word and therefore not from Him.
Related Topics: Ecclesiology (The Church), Tongues
Ecclesiology and Eschatology - Course Description
Get Started NOW... If you are ready to get started with the Introduction to Theology course, click here to go to classroom now... (coming soon)
Course Description
What is the Church? Why is the Church here? What is the Church supposed to be doing? And how it the Church supposed to do it? These are questions of Ecclesiology. What does the future hold? What are the events that we should expect to happen when God brings about the end of His current plan? Why are there so many conflicting interpretations about the millennium, the tribulation, and the rapture? These are questions of Eschatology. This course is a study of both the nature and purpose of the Church and a study of the end times. The purpose of this course is to orient people to the program of God throughout the ages, understanding how the Church fits in to His program. The vital relationship between one's view of the Church and one's view of the end times will be emphasized. We will come to the understanding that while orthodox Christianity has always believed that Christ is coming back, there are many differences concerning the details of His coming.
Course Objectives
- The student will learn the various views of the nature of the Church.
- The student will understand the difference between the universal body of Christ and the local church.
- The student will learn the different ways that people have understood the relationship of Israel to the Church.
- The student will gain a greater understanding of the purpose of the Church by asking the question, Why is the Church here?
- The student will gain an understanding of what the essential ministries of the local church are.
- The student will learn the various theories concerning the end times.
- The student will study the glories of Heaven and the fears of Hell.
Course Textbooks
Required:
- Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.
- Olson, Roger. Mosaic of Christian Belief. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002.
- Bible (Preferably NET or NAS)
Assignment Description (guidelines for self study students)
1. Reading: There will be various reading assignments during the ten-week period. Each student will be expected to read and be prepared to discuss on the forum the material according to the schedule found in the syllabus.
2. Scripture memorization: Each student will memorize the passages provided on the Scripture memorization sheet. Once completed, the student will recite the memorized Scripture to a partner who will affirm the completion by signing the Scripture memorization sheet (included in The Student Notebook). The Scriptures should be memorized in one of the following translations:
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New American Standard
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New English Translation - NET Bible
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English Standard Version
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New International Version (though not preferred)
3. Case Studies: There will be two case studies that must be completed. These will be handed out by the teacher. Online/DVD students are to post their case studies online on the bible.org TTP forums.
4. Vocabulary Quizzes: There are two closed book theological vocabulary quizzes (in course downloads). Once the student looks at the quiz, he or she must take the quiz. In other words, you cannot look at the quiz and then study the terms.
Note: Online/DVD students only: All online students are required to spend one hour a week on the bible.org TTP forums, discussing issues relevant to the course. Each course will have a separate section on the forum.
Click here to go to classroom now... (coming soon)
Was Jesus God?
The answer of the Bible is an unqualified “Yes!” The Bible teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are one, and yet they are three. Note these statements from Scripture:
Isaiah 7:14 /Matthew 1:23 = Messiah/Jesus is to be named “Imanuel,” which means, God with us.
Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Mark 2:1-12 “No one can forgive sins but God alone”
Mark 10:18 (also Luke 18:19) “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone?”
Our Lord existed in eternity past. He was the Creator (John 1:1-3; Col 1:15-19). He existed before Abraham (John 8:58). See Micah 5:2. John 10:30-33, 36-28
Jesus claimed to be “one” with the Father. They accused Jesus of blasphemy for making Himself equal with God (see also John 5). Jesus did not deny these charges. It is what He claimed, and what they thought He claimed. Thomas, on seeing the resurrected Christ, proclaimed, “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28).
John 1:51—Angels ascend and descend on the Son of Man (Jesus), which is an image that is found in Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:12. John 14:9 “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
While men and angels refuse worship, since they are not God, Jesus accepts worship as God: See John 9:38; Acts 10:25-26; Matthew 28:9; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 2:11; Revelation 19:9-10; 1:9-20.
Other texts refer to our Lord as both Jesus and God: John 11:4; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20
Other texts which apply to this issue are: Hebrews 1:1-4; Philippians 2:5ff.; Colossians 2:9; Revelation 1:9-20
As to the possibility that Jesus is somehow a diminished version or representation of God, I would particularly consider: Hebrews 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-19 (note especially v. 19); Colossians 2:19.
Related Topics: Christology
An Advanced Scripture Memory Program
Related MediaIntroduction
Earlier in the year the BSF website posted a Scripture memory program to help people get the word of God into their lives. It was well received and for that reason we have chosen to expand it and include more verses on a broad range of topics. There are approximately 200 verses covering broad areas of theology and ministry. We hope you learn a ton and enjoy the material!
Let me reiterate a few comments I made about Scripture memory in the last program we offered. These are important and worth repeating:
First, memorizing the Bible is one of the best ways to "get the Bible into your life" on a daily basis. The moments spent in memorization and meditation pay off rich dividends in your relationship with God, with others in the body, and indeed in explaining the gospel to those who have not yet heard. I have personally seen the lives of countless people, including myself, enriched as a result of Scripture memorization and meditation. Second, some people want to memorize, but often fail as the result of lack of a plan. The following is an attempt to provide a plan/structure for Scripture memory. Third, seek God in prayer for the strength and the discipline to memorize his word. Find a friend and the two of you encourage each other to memorize verses. Fourth, when memorizing a verse, diligently read the context before and after in order to correctly understand what the verse means. I like to write out in a sentence or so, how a verse relates to its context (i.e., the paragraph or book as a whole). Fifth, repeating the verse aloud several times immediately after memorizing will help you retain it. Sixth, prayerfully reviewing a few of your verses daily will help you to remember them for present and future use. Seventh, meditate on the word of God as you memorize it, asking God what he means by the verse in its context and also what he wants to communicate to you through the verse. Prayerful meditation will lead to personal application which in turn, if done in a personal and honest way, leads to a deeper spiritual life and increased love for people. This is the goal of Scripture memory.
The outline below is composed of ten sections: I) The Bible; II) God; III) Jesus Christ IV) The Holy Spirit; V) Angels VI) Man and Sin VII) Salvation VIII) The Church IX) End Times; X) The Gospel. These categories are generally recognized as providing an organized structure for the main areas of scriptural revelation. Within each one of these sections we have a further breakdown, though more could be added. There is, nonetheless, enough material here to keep a person going for a long, long time. A few of the verses have been repeated a couple of times in the outline. If you come across a verse that you had previously memorized under a different category, try to understand what it is in the verse that allows it to stand under this new category as well. Many verses contain a lot of information that cannot be exhausted under a single category heading.
People often ask the pace at which a person ought to memorize verses. The best idea is to go at a rate that is manageable for you, but also challenges you to keep learning. For most people, the best plan is perhaps one or two a week. Generally speaking, I have placed two verses under each of the following sub-categories, though obviously the Bible has many verses that could be listed. By memorizing two and understanding their contexts you can complete one topic per week and begin the exciting process of comparing Scripture with Scripture. (The scripture text below is from the NET Bible. There are enough verses here, at the rate of two per week, to memorize for about two years!! So have fun!)
I. The Bible
A. Its Authority
1. Matthew 4:4
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. The Need To Study and Meditate on the Bible
B. The Need to Study and Meditate on the Bible
1. Psalm 1:2
Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD's commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.
2. 2 Timothy 2:15
Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately..
C. Scriptural Examples of People Studying and Obeying God’s Word
1. Ezra 7:10
Now Ezra had dedicated himself to the study of the law of the LORD, to its observance, and to teaching its statutes and judgments in Israel.
2. Acts 17:11
These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.
II. God
A. He is Creator
1. Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2. Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created!"
B. He is a Trinity
1. Ephesians 1:3 (The Father is God)
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.
2. Hebrews 1:8 (The Son is God)
but of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
3. Acts 5:3-4 (The Spirit is God. See below under IV. A. 1)
4. Deuteronomy 6:4 (His Essential Unity; there is only one God)
Listen, Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
C. His Power
1. Jeremiah 32:17
'Oh, Lord GOD, you did indeed make heaven and earth by your mighty power and great strength. Nothing is too hard for you!
2. Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse
D. His Knowledge and Wisdom
1. Jeremiah 10:12
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
2. Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!
E. His Presence
1. Jeremiah 23:24 (God is omnipresent)
"Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?" the LORD asks. "Do you not know that I am everywhere?" the LORD asks.
F. His Sovereignty
1. Ezekiel 12:28
Therefore say to them, 'This is what the sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer! The word I speak will come to pass, declares the sovereign LORD.' "
2. Ephesians 1:11
In Christ we too have been claimed as God's own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will
G. His Love
1. Psalm 33:18
Look, the LORD takes notice of his loyal followers, those who wait for him to demonstrate his faithfulness
2. 1 John 4:10
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
H. His Holiness
1. Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you? — majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders?
2. Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name, because you alone are holy?
All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed."
I. His Faithfulness
1. Lamentations 3:22-23
22 The LORD's loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end. 23 They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant!
2. 1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord..
J. His Immutability (God does not change)
1. Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!.
2. James 1:17
All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change..
III. Jesus Christ
A. His Deity
1. Hebrews 1:8
but of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom
2. John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.
B. His Humanity
1. Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.
2. John 1:14
Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory — the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.
C. His Crucifixion
1. Mark 15:24
Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, throwing dice for them, to decide what each would take.
2. John 19:18
There they crucified him along with two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle.
D. His Resurrection
1. Acts 2:24
But God raised him up, having released him from the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:20
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
E. His Exaltation
1. Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ."
2. Ephesians 1:18-21
18 — since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened — so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. 20 This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms 21 far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come
IV. The Holy Spirit
A. His Deity
1. Acts 5:3-4
3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? 4 Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!"
B. His Personality
1. 1 Cor 2:11 (He Thinks)
For who among men knows the things of a man except the man's spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
2. Ephesians 4:30 (He Feels)
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption..
3. 1 Cor 12:11 (He Acts cf.; we will learn this verse under the work of the Spirit in gifting believers, but go ahead and memorize it now if you like).
It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.
C. His Work
1. In Revelation and Inspiration
a. 2 Samuel 23:2
The LORD's spirit spoke through me; his word was on my tongue..
b. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (cf. also Acts 1:16; 1 Cor 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16)
20 Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet's own imagination, 21 for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2. In Creation
a. Genesis 1:2
Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.
b. Psalm 104:30
When you send your life-giving breath, they are created, and you replenish the surface of the ground.
3. In the Life and Death of Christ
a. Luke 1:35 (His Virgin Birth)
The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.
b. Acts 10:37-38; Matthew 12:28 (Empowerment for Ministry and Miracles)
37 you know what happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 with respect to Jesus from Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.
c. Hebrews 9:14 (His death)
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
4. In the Church
a. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (His Baptizing)
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit.
b. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13 (His Sealing)
21 But it is God who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anointed us, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.
c. 1 Corinthians 3:16 (His Indwelling)
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
d. Ephesians 5:18 (His Filling)
And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,
e. 1 Corinthians 12:11 (His Gifting)
It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.
f. His Sanctifying Work (cf. Romans 15:16; Galatians 5:16; but see under Salvation below)
V. Holy and Fallen Angels
A. Holy Angels
1. Daniel 12:1 (cf. Job 38:6-7)
"At that time Michael, the great prince who watches over your people, will arise.
There will be a time of distress unlike any other from the nation's beginning up to that time. But at that time your own people, all those whose names are found written in the book, will escape.
2. Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?
3. 1 Timothy 5:21
Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.
B. Fallen Angels
1. Demons
a. Ephesians 6:12 (Led by and carry out the Devil’s wishes)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
b. 1 Timothy 4:1 (They teach false doctrines)
Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,
c. 1 Samuel 16:14 (God uses demons for his own purposes)
Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
2. Satan
a. Ezekiel 28:14, 17 (His nature and fall)
14 I placed you there with an anointed guardian cherub; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked about amidst fiery stones. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom on account of your splendor.
I threw you down to the ground; I placed you before kings, that they might see you.
b. Job 1:12 (God controls him)
So the LORD said to Satan, "All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!" So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
c. John 8:44 (He is a murderer)
You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
d. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (The god of this world)
among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God
e. James 4:8 (He can be and must be resisted by Christians)
Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded..
f. 1 Peter 5:8 (He is our enemy)
Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.
g. 1 John 5:19 (The whole world is under his influence)
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
h. Revelation 12:3 (He is compared to a dragon in terms of his fury)
Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon that had seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadem crowns.
VI. Man and Sin
A. Created by God
1. Genesis 1:26-27
26 Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth." 27 God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.
2. Psalm 139:13-14
13 Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother's womb. 14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. You knew me thoroughly;
B. Fallen and Sinful
1. Romans 3:23 (All have fallen)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2. Ephesians 2:1-2
1 And although you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you formerly lived according to this world's present path, according to the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the ruler of the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience,
3. James 3:9
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God's image.
(Since James says that men after the fall are still made in the likeness of God, it follows that sin has not totally effaced God’s likeness or image in man.)
VII. Salvation (Grace underlies all that God does in our salvation)
A. Election
1. Acts 13:48
When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed for eternal life believed.
2. Ephesians 1:3-4
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. 4 For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love.
B. Calling
1. Romans 1:6
You also are among them, called to belong to Jesus Christ.
2. 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
C. Conversion
1. Repentance
a. Acts 17:30
Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent
b. Acts 20:21
testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
c. 2 Corinthians 7:10
For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.
2. Believing Apart from Good Works
a. John 1:12
But to all who have received him — those who believe in his name — he has given the right to become God's children
b. John 5:24
"I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.
c. Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
d. Titus 3:5
he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
e. Romans 4:5 (read entire chapter and 5:1ff)
But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness..
D. Justification
1. Romans 5:1 (cf. Romans 3:21-26)
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. Galatians 3:24
Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith.
E. Redemption
1. Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
2. 1 Peter 1:18-19
18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed — not by perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.
F. Propitiation
1. Romans 3:25
God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed.
2. 1 John 2:2
and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.
G. Reconciliation
1. Romans 5:10
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life?
2. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20
19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people's trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!"
H. Security
1. John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.
2. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
21 But it is God who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anointed us,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.
3. Romans 8:30
And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
I. The Spiritual Life
1. The Holy Spirit
a. Two Positive Commands
i. Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,
ii. Galatians 5:16
But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.
b. Two Negative Commands
i. Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
ii. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Do not extinguish the Spirit.
2. Faith
a. Romans 4:20-21
20 He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do.
b. Hebrews 11:6
Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
3. Love
a. John 13:34-35
34 "I give you a new commandment — to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples — if you have love for one another."
b. 1 Peter 1:22-23
22 You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
4. Daily Forgiveness
a. 1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.
b. Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.
5. Humility
a. Philippians 2:3-4
3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.
b. James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
6. Good Works
a. Galatians 6:9-10
9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
b. 1 Peter 2:12
and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.
7. Dependence on God
a. 2 Corinthians 1:9
Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.
b. 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
c. 1 Peter 5:7
by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.
J. Ministry
1. Obedience
a. John 14:21
The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him."
b. Philippians 2:12-13
12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, 13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort — for the sake of his good pleasure — is God.
2. Preaching the Gospel
a. Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth."
b. Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
3. The Great Commission
a. Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
b. Colossians 1:28-29
28 We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. 29 Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me.
4. Using One’s Gifts to Serve the Body
a. Romans 12:7-8
7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 8 if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.
b. 1 Peter 4:10
Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
VIII. Church
A. Universal and Local
1. Colossians 1:18 (The universal body of Christ)
He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.
2. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (A local expression of the universal church)
to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
B. Leadership
1. Acts 20:28
Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.
2. Acts 14:23
When they had appointed elders for them in the various churches, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the protection of the Lord in whom they had believed.
3. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 (Know the context well and choose a verse or two that helps you understand and remember the passage as a whole.)
1 This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work." 2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.
4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. 5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God? 6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact. 7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil's trap. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain, 9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. 11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
4. 1 Timothy 5:17
Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.
5. Titus 1:7-9
7 For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God's work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.
8 Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled. 9 He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching and correct those who speak against it.
D. Ordinances
1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (The Lord’s Supper—cf. also Luke 22:15-20)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, 24 and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
25 In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me."
26 For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
2. Matthew 28:19 (cf. Baptism—cf. also The Great Commission above under VI.J.2.a)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
IX. End Times
A. Three Foundational Covenants in the Old Testament
1. Genesis 12:1-3 (Abrahamic Covenant)
1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go out from your country, your relatives, and your father's household to the land that I will show you. 2 Then I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, so that you will exemplify divine blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name."
2. 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (Davidic Covenant)
12 When the time comes for you to die, I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a house for my name, and I will make his dynasty permanent. 14 I will become his father and he will become my son. When he sins, I will correct him with the rod of men and with wounds inflicted by human beings. 15 But my loyal love will not be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will stand before me permanently; your dynasty will be permanent.' "
3. Jeremiah 31:31-33 (New Covenant)
31 "Indeed, a time is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I delivered them from Egypt. For they violated that covenant, even though I was like a faithful husband to them," says the LORD.
33 "But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land," says the LORD. "I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people.
B. Inaugural Fulfillment of the Covenants through Christ and in the Church
1. Luke 24:44 (Christ’s Coming, Death and Resurrection is integral to the fulfillment of his plan)
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled."
2. Acts 13:32-33 (“What God promised the fathers,” i.e., the Jewish people, he has fulfilled—but not entirely yet)
32 And we proclaim to you the good news about the promise to our ancestors,33 that this promise God has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son; today I have fathered you.'
3. Acts 1:6-7 (The implication that in this verse is that there is still more fulfillment to come in regards to the nation of Israel; cf. Romans 11:25-32)
6 So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, "Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He told them, "You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
4. Acts 3: 19-21 (There is still more to come concerning Christ’s reign on the earth)
19 Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the Messiah appointed for you — that is, Jesus. 21 This one heaven must receive until the time all things are restored, which God declared from times long ago through his holy prophets.
5. Colossians 1:13-14 (The kingdom is present, but not consummated)
13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
C. Complete Fulfillment of the Covenants in the Millennial Kingdom
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (The Rapture of the Church)
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
2. Matthew 24:21 (Great Tribulation)
For then there will be great suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen.
3. Romans 11:26-27 (The Regathering of Israel)
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins."
4. Revelation 20:4 (The Millennial Reign of Christ and His Saints—Church and Israel. Pay careful attention to Revelation 20:1-10. See also Revelation 5:10)
Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
D. Future Resurrection and Judgments
1. John 5:28-29 (All men will be resurrected and judged)
28 "Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and will come out — the ones who have done what is good to the resurrection resulting in life, and the ones who have done what is evil to the resurrection resulting in condemnation
2. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (Choose a verse that captures the sense of the whole passage).
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each builder's work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done.
14 If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If someone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.
4. Revelation 20:11-15 (Choose a verse that captures the sense of the whole passage for you)
11 Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened — the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death — the lake of fire. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.
E. The Eternal State
1. Revelation 21:3-4
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: "Look! The residence of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more — or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist."
X. The Gospel (Summary Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
A. All Men Are Sinners
1. Isaiah 53:6
All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the LORD caused the sin of all of us to attack him.
2. Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
B. Death and Judgment Is The Penalty For Sin
1. Romans 6:23
For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. Hebrews 9:27
And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,
C. Christ Died To Pay The Penalty For Sin
1. Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2. 1 Peter 3:18
Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.
D. Good Works Will Not Save (If you have followed the course above you probably already know these verses)
1. Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
2. Titus 3:5
he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
E. People Repent from their Sins
1. Acts 17:30
Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent
2. Acts 20:21
testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
3. 2 Corinthians 7:10
For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.
F. Must Believe In Him For Salvation
1. John 3:18
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth.
2. John 5:24
"I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.
G. Assurance of Salvation
1. Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God's children.
2. 1 John 5:11-13
5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Related Topics: Bibliology (The Written Word), Basics for Christians, Bible Study Methods
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Infertility: Myths and Facts
Related MediaFrom "The Infertility Companion" By Sandra L. Glahn, ThM and William R. Cutrer, MD
Myth: Infertility is the same thing as sterility, and it’s rather rare.
Fact: Sterility is the complete inability to reproduce; infertility is “subfertility,” or impaired fertility. A sterile person cannot reproduce; about 65 percent of those who seek treatment for infertility will eventually go on to have a baby. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that infertility affects more than 80 million people worldwide. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) estimates that infertility affects 6.1 million American women and their partners, which adds up to about 12.9 percent of married couples of reproductive age.
Myth: Women are having babies well into their forties, so it’s probably safe to delay childbearing.
Fact: Fertility rates are definitely age related. Studies suggest that, on average, female fertility declines slightly starting at age 27, but drops off in a clinically meaningful amount around age 35 and then dramatically at age 40. Thanks to vigorous exercise, a woman who is 35 may have the cardiovascular system of a woman in her twenties, yet her ovarian function is still that of a 35-year-old.
Myth: Infertility is mostly a woman’s problem.
Fact: A survey conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) found that more than two-thirds of people interviewed thought infertility was associated with a woman’s fallopian tubes. A similar number of the 1,300 men and women interviewed did not realize that half of all infertility cases are caused by male problems. Abnormal sperm function is the major cause in one-third to one-half of all cases of male infertility, and the underlying problems are correctable about half the time. Male infertility is often easier to detect but more difficult to correct than female infertility.
Myth: At least infertile couples are “having fun trying.”
Fact: In a study of more than 2,000 Christian women, “lengthy infertility treatment” was listed as one of the four key causes of sexual aversion. (The other three were childhood sex abuse, rape, and painful labor and delivery.) Most couples report a decrease in the frequency of sexual relations after a diagnosis of infertility. What was once a source of emotional intimacy often becomes “love by the calendar,” and infertile couples say they feel a loss of privacy, sometimes even envisioning a doctor in the room during sexual intimacy. Both male and female infertility patients report a decrease in their level of sexual satisfaction, with the women also reporting that they feel less comfortable with their sexuality. More than one infertility counselor has told us, “I’ve never seen a couple going through fertility treatments who felt they had a great sex life.”
Myth: Infertility is caused by the need to relax. (“Just relax.”)
Fact: Looking at the above statistics about the causes of infertility, we can see that about 80 to 85 percent of the time, doctors find a diagnosable medical cause, for which no amount of relaxation will help. And in cases of unexplained infertility, often the problem is due to subtle or rare problems that are impossible to discover through a routine workup. Chronic stress and fatigue do alter hormones, but most fertility drugs can compensate in cases where hormones fall outside of normal ranges.
Myth: A woman must have an orgasm to conceive.
Fact: Approximately one in ten married women has never experienced an orgasm, and millions of these women have conceived. Additionally, many people believe that when a woman achieves climax—especially after the man does—fertility may be slightly increased due to enhanced sperm movement created by a small suction effect that’s thought to pull sperm into the women’s uterus. There’s a certain logic behind this theory. Yet while studies have shown that such a “vacuum effect” exists, whether it actually brings about a higher pregnancy rate is as of yet unproven.
Myth: Adoption cures infertility. (“Just adopt and you’ll get pregnant.”)
Fact: Of those adoptive families who have experienced infertility, approximately half have endured medical treatment for an average of three years prior to adopting. It has been estimated that between five and 14 percent of couples who quit treatment and pursue adoption eventually go on to conceive. That’s about the same percentage as for couples who quit treatment, choose not to adopt, and subsequently conceive. The “just adopt” advice is a variation on the “just relax” theme. The flawed idea behind it is that if couples stop thinking about getting pregnant, it will happen.
Myth: You can always adopt. (“If you adopt, the pain will go away.”)
Fact: Adoption is a wonderful solution for many couples, but it does not erase all the pain of infertility. For some infertile couples, the greatest loss is the inability to participate in the wonder of creating a child together—a key loss not solved by adoption. The suggestion that all the pain of infertility can be magically wiped away by adoption is clearly a simplistic answer to a complicated scenario.
Myth: Most infertile couples seek high-tech medical treatment.
Fact: Only about ten percent of infertile couples seek assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). In fact, fewer than half of infertile American women even seek treatment, let alone high-tech treatment. The number of Christian couples pursuing high-tech treatment is probably much lower, because many Christians hesitate to seek even the simplest forms of infertility diagnosis and treatment out of concern that doing so might demonstrate a lack of faith.
Myth: Doctors take huge risks with embryos in high-tech programs, making these options unethical.
Fact: When looking at ART cycles, we find that the statistics do little to help us to assess the actual risk taken with human life. So the above statement may be partially true, depending on whether the patients take a proactive role in managing their treatment. Patients can take a proactive role in managing their treatment by insisting that all attempts are made to minimize the risk to the embryo. It is possible to use ARTs without compromising a high view of life. For example, couples can limit the number of potential embryos (that is, the number of eggs exposed to sperm) to the number they are willing to carry to term in that cycle, thus avoiding the ethical minefield of pregnancy reduction.
Related Topics: Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Parenting, Women's Articles