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Introduction and Background

For centuries, the descendants of Abraham had anticipated possessing the land God had promised to the Patriarch in the Abrahamic Covenant, and then reiterated to Isaac and Jacob. Joshua is the compelling history of the fulfillment of that promise. It is the story of God’s faithfulness and how, by faith in God’s promises, God’s people can overcome and experience His life-changing deliverance. The message of Joshua can encourage and have a wonderful impact on one’s life. For that to occur, however, we need to be serious in our study of Scripture. For those who want the message of Joshua to positively influence their lives for God, the following four words are offered as food for thought:

(1) Thirst: The psalmist wrote, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2, NIV). Sadly, men too often seek to fill the void in their souls with things that never truly satisfy. We were all created with a void that only God Himself can satisfy. The psalmist recognized this and after the analogy of the deer thirsting for water, spoke of the thirst in his soul that only God could fill. But then there was the question, “When can I go and meet with God?” One time and place where we can do just that is in our Bible study. The most effective Bible study occurs when we study out of a thirst to know God. May it be so as we study the book of Joshua.

(2) Toil: In our fast foods, mall-oriented society where we expect everything to be quick and easy, we too often approach our Bible study in the same way. Effective Bible study is hard work and requires diligence as in anything worthwhile if we want to accomplish much. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

(3) Time: We can heat a cup of water in a microwave in a minute and quickly mix a tablespoon of our favorite instant coffee and have something hot to drink, but the greatest blessing usually comes from meditating, reading, and spending time in God’s precious book.

(4) Teachableness: Again, in a world so full of man’s ideas, theologies, ideologies, and philosophies, we will get the most when we come to the Scripture with a teachable spirit asking God to teach us His truth, for it is His truth and only His truth that sanctifies and sets us free (John 17:17; 8:32).

As you read this study, hopefully with your Bible in hand, may these four ‘Ts’ be in your mind and heart.

Overview

The book of Joshua describes the conquest and possession of the land of Canaan and may be divided into three simple divisions: (1) invasion or entrance, (2) conquest, and (3) possession or division of the land. This is the land God had promised Israel through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Here God fulfilled that promise, though not exhaustively since there still remains a rest for the people of God (Heb. 4). Joshua describes the military triumph of God’s people through faith and obedience. However, unlike most military histories, in the book of Joshua the focus is on the commander’s Commander, the Captain of the Lord’s host (5:15). Repeatedly, as Joshua’s name illustrates (Yahweh saves), the book demonstrates that Israel’s victories were due to God’s power and intervention.

Key Historical Perspective

In Genesis, Israel was born as a nation in the call and promises of God to Abraham (Election of the nation).

In Exodus, the nation was delivered out of bondage in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and was given God’s Holy Law (Redemption of the nation).

In Leviticus, the nation was taught how to worship in view of God’s holiness (Sanctification of the nation).

In Numbers, they were tested and numbered as a nation (Direction and Wandering of the nation).

In Deuteronomy, the law was reviewed and reiterated and closed with the assurance that Israel would possess the land (Instruction of the nation).

In Joshua, the nation crossed over Jordan and took possession of the land (Possession by the nation). If Moses is the symbol of deliverance, then Joshua is the symbol of victory. Joshua teaches us that faith “is the victory that overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4).

Key Verse

Joshua 1:3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses”

Joshua 1:3 compares to Ephesians 1:3 in the New Testament, “… blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Literally, “in the heavenlies”; i.e., in the realm of heavenly possessions and experiences into which the Christian is brought because of his association with the risen Christ.1

Key Concept

The key concept of the book of Joshua is possession through conflict by the power of Yahweh, the Captain of the Lord’s host. In this regard, it is also like Ephesians, for though we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, we must realistically face the fact of our enemies (Eph. 6:12) and strengthen ourselves by putting on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-11, 13-18). It is important to realize that Israel’s ownership of the land was unconditional under the Abrahamic covenant, but possession of the land was conditional upon faith and obedience. And so today, conflict and conquest by faith go with laying hold of that which we have positionally in Christ; the experience of our blessings in Christ comes through faith in the midst of conflict.

The Theme and Purpose of the Book

As mentioned, Joshua is the history of Israel’s conquest of the land of Canaan in fulfillment of God’s promises for the people of Israel. After 400 years of slavery in Egypt and 40 years in the desert, the Israelites finally are able to enter the Promised Land. Abraham, a sojourner and alien all his life, never really possessed the country to which he was sent. The only piece of ground he owned he purchased himself as a burial plot for Sarah and his family, the cave and field of Machpelah (Gen. 23). However, Abraham did leave both his physical and spiritual descendants the legacy of God’s covenant promises that would make them the eventual heirs of all of Canaan and the spiritual blessings we have in Christ including a heavenly city (see Gen. 15:13,16,18; 17:8; Rom. 4:12-14; Heb. 11:11; 4:1-11). In the book of Joshua that long anticipated promise became a reality.

Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of the book of Joshua is to show God’s faithfulness to His promises; that He had done for Israel exactly what He had promised (cf. Gen. 15:18 with Josh. 1:2-6 and 21:43-45). The events recorded in Joshua are selective to set forth God’s special intervention on behalf of His people against all kinds of tremendous odds. The fulfillment of God’s promises, as is so evident in the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah and in possessing the land with its fortified cities, is the work of God and that which man cannot do no matter how hard he tries (see Rom. 4).

Secondary Purpose

The secondary purpose is to show that just as God had taken them out of Egypt by faith in the power of God, so He would take them in to possess the land through faith in the power of God. It emphatically declares the truth that though justified by faith, as was Abraham, or delivered out of bondage, as was Israel from Egypt, victory over those enemies of life that stand opposed to our walk with God must come through faith in the power of God as well (Josh 1:5-7; 3:7, also cf. Heb. 4:1-3). Joshua, then, stands in contrast to Numbers where we see Israel’s failure through unbelief and wandering in the wilderness even though they were the redeemed people of God.

The Name and Author of the Book

Unlike the first five books of the Old Testament, this book takes its name from the chief human personality of the book, Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ servant. While Joshua is not explicitly identified as the author, the general substance of the book indicates that the author was an eyewitness of most of the events, which are described with great vividness and minuteness of detail, and occasionally in the first person (‘we’ and ‘us’; e.g., 5:1, 6). Other factors support Joshua as the author: (1) Jewish tradition as the Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b) names Joshua as the author of the Book; (2) it seems evident the book was written shortly after the events happened (cf. 6:25); (3) the unity of style also suggests one author wrote the bulk of the work though some portions obviously had to have been written by others like Eleazar the priest or Phinehas, his son (note the first person “he” referring to Joshua in 15:13-17 and see also 24:29-31); (4) finally, it is specifically stated in 8:32 and 24:26 that Joshua did some writing. The evidence, then, supports Joshua as the author of the book.

But unlike the first five books of Moses, why does this book take its name from the author? First, because as the successor of the great law giver and leader, Moses, Joshua might be easily forgotten and the Lord does not want us to forget this man and his ministry as a faithful leader and servant of the Lord. In addition, Joshua also stands as a special type of Christ. This is seen in his name 2 and in the work he accomplished in bringing the people into the land, a picture of our ‘Sabbath rest’ in Christ (Heb. 4). This is the man who challenged the people at the end of the book with,

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

A second reason for calling this book Joshua, is found in the meaning of Joshua’s name. Joshua’s original name was Hoshea (Num. 13:8; Deut. 32:44) which means literally “salvation.” But during the wilderness wanderings Moses changed his name to Yehoshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “save, Yahweh” (Num. 13:16). Joshua is a contracted form of Yehoshua. This amounted to a prophetic anticipation and reminder to Joshua, to the spies, and the people that victory over the enemies and possession of the land would be by the power of Yahweh rather than by human skill or wisdom or power. This book is given the name Joshua because, though Joshua was one of the world’s greatest military strategist of history, his wisdom and military achievements came from Yahweh who alone is our salvation. It was Yahweh Himself who brought about victory for Israel and vanquished Israel’s enemies giving them possession of the land.

Significantly, the Greek form of this name is ‘Jesus,’ the name Mary was instructed to give to her son because it was He who would save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).

The Place of Canaan in the Message of Joshua

(1) Canaan was Israel’s place of rest: Instead of their toil in Egypt and their wandering in the wilderness, Israel was to be able to settle down and find a home in Canaan where they were to function as the people of God and as a light to the nations. Possessing and subjugating the land filled with enemies was to lead to that rest and fellowship with the Lord (cf. Deut. 6:10-11 and Lev. 26:6-8).

(2) Canaan was the place of bounty: Here was a land flowing “with milk and honey,” a “good and spacious land” (Ex. 3:8, 17; 13:5; 33:3; Lev. 20:24; Num. 13:27, etc.). Some 16 times it is called “a land of milk and honey.” It was a land of extraordinary fruit (Num. 13:26,27), a land of corn and wine, kissed with the dew of heaven (Deut. 33:28; Lev. 26:5; Deut. 11:10-12).

(3) Canaan was a place of triumph: In Canaan were enemies and forces much mightier than Israel, yet these enemies were a defeated foe even before Israel ever struck a blow. Why? Because the victory of Israel lay not in its own skill or power, but in the power and might of Yahweh their God (Deut 7:2; 9:3; Josh. 1:2f). The battle is always the Lord’s (1 Sam. 17:47).

The Pictures and Typology in Joshua

As you can see by the forgoing, Joshua is a book rich in pictures for the believer today. It is rich in analogies and this is supported by Hebrews 3:7-4:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11. The book of Joshua portrays the faith-rest life of the believer today who experiences the blessings of his salvation through a faith that overcomes the various trials, temptations, and difficulties of life that he or she faces from our three enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Note some of these analogies:

(1) Though we are to appropriate our salvation and put it to work (discipline ourselves unto godliness), in Christ we do not work for our salvation or for our spirituality, but are to rest by faith in what God has done for us. Being in Christ is our place of rest, forms the basis for rest over our enemies in this life, and looks forward to a millennial and eternal rest.

(2) In Christ we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. This is our bounty (Eph. 1:3).

(3) In the world we face enemies and struggles, but in Christ we are promised victory through faith and endurance.

(4) Joshua, the leader of the people of Israel, is a type of Christ, the “Captain of our salvation” (cf. Heb. 2:10-11; Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 1:10; 2:14).

(5) The crossing of the Jordan is a picture of a Christian reckoning on his death and resurrection with Christ and moving into the place of growth and victory.

(6) The conquests of Canaan portray the Christian’s conflicts with the enemies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. (a) Taking Jericho pictures victory over the satanic world system that stands walled up against our spiritual progress. (b) The defeat and then victory at Ai illustrates our struggle with and deliverance over the sinful nature or our propensity to sin or to seek to live the Christian life in our own strength. (c) The deception of and experience with the Gibeonites surely illustrates our battle with Satan and his demonic deceptions.

Over and over again God’s Word faces us with our need of the deliverance which comes only from God. Here we are faced with the absolute necessity of the saving life of Christ. Christ is the life and the only life which saves. Without His death, giving us a justified standing with God, and without Him and His life within, all we have is man working from the source of his own weakness or temperament attempting to be Mr. Nice Guy, attempting to conform himself to some cultural or religious standard. Such is not authentic Christianity. It is a counterfeit, a distortion, and a deception. It is a trick of Satan designed to move people away from God’s solution in and through Christ in the light of His authoritative Word, the Bible.

Satan wants to blind us to the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (1 Cor. 4:4). And what is the gospel of the glory of Christ? It is the saving life of Christ, the fact that man is saved and delivered from himself by the glorious life and work of Jesus Christ who is the very image of God.

We are never to be the source of our Christianity. Its source is Christ. We are never to control our Christianity, but Christianity and all that is ours through Christ is to control us. We are not to try to reproduce the image of God in us. Instead, Christianity is God reproducing Himself in us through His Son, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Spirit.

In this study we will present basic spiritual truths or principles from the text of Joshua, but we will also seek to illustrate a number of parallels or analogies to the Christian life. The justification for doing this is found in passages like Luke 24:27, “And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” and 1 Corinthians 10:4, 6, 11.

Verse 4. “And all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.” The rock spoke of the presence and work of Christ.

Verse 6. “Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved.”

Verse 11. “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

These verses teach us that these Old Testament events were historical events that manifested the saving work of God in the life of ancient Israel. But they also provide principles, pictures, and illustrations that form warnings and teach us truth practical to the believer’s life in Christ today. They form fascinating and instructive parallels and analogies to the believer’s life in Christ as he faces a hostile and contrary world.

(1) Egypt portrays the world with all its human ideas, idolatries, mysticism, and antagonism to the salvation, deliverance, and purposes of God for His people.

(2) Being in Egypt portrays a lost condition, a slave to Satan, the world, and the flesh.

(3) Coming out of Egypt through the Passover lamb and the Red Sea portrays deliverance by the death of Jesus Christ and the mighty power of God alone. It speaks of redemption through the saving life of Christ.

(4) A believer going down into Egypt like Abraham did in Genesis 12:10f pictures a believer turning to the world and its substitutes and solutions rather than turning to the Lord for deliverance.

(5) Israel in the Wilderness is a type or picture of the believer in carnality. He or she is redeemed and blessed with marvelous privileges yet fails to go on in his or her life with God and is living outside of the place of maximum blessing, out of the will of God and in constant defeat, wandering about because of failure to trust the Lord and the deliverance He has promised.

(6) Crossing the Jordan and moving into Canaan is a type or picture of the believer possessing his or her possessions by faith in the power and provision of God. It portrays the believer in fellowship, faced with conflict and enemies, yet able to be delivered when dependent upon the Lord and walking by faith in the principles and promises of the Word.

(7) The Canaanites in the Land portray the believer’s enemies who stand to oppose us in the Christian way of life, but who are at the same time a defeated foe though we must appropriate our God-provided victory, the saving life of Christ. Some believe Jericho may illustrate the world, Achan and Ai the flesh or the sinful nature, and the Gibeonites may illustrate the deceptions of Satan and the world system.

In preparation for this study, may I suggest the following:

  • Let’s carefully note where Israel was successful and where she failed. Let’s humble our hearts and examine our own lives in the light of our findings in these passages.
  • Let’s ask questions like: Am I making the same mistakes as Israel? Am I applying the same principles as Joshua? Am I listening to God’s call and challenges to my life?
  • Let us rejoice in and profit by the victories of Israel for her victories can also be ours.
  • Let us pray that the study of Joshua will explain some of our personal failures, encourage us in our own spiritual warfare, and challenge us to substitute the saving life of Christ for the self-life in whatever form it may exist in our lives.

1 Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition, Moody, p. 1877.

2 Joshua is called by the name Jesus in Acts 7:45.

Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines, Character Study

The Epistle to the Galatians

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The Epistle to the Galatians is a powerful Christian treatise designed to declare the truth of salvation by grace alone and the goal of such a salvation; namely, a life of joyous freedom from sin’s tyranny, on the one hand, and increasing enslavement to Christ on the other.1 It is surely, as one author has called it, “The Charter of Christian Liberty.”2 Its importance for understanding Paul and the core of his doctrine of justification by faith alone can hardly be overstated, with the result that it has received a long and extensive treatment by the church. It had a tremendous impact on the Reformers, including Luther, who said, “The epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. To it I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Catherine.”3 Boice, commenting on its impact since the Protestant Reformation, says, “not many books have made such a lasting impression on men's minds as the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, nor have many done so much to shape the history of the Western world.”4

Authorship

Apart from a few radical Dutch critics, the Pauline authorship of Galatians (as a whole or certain parts) has never been seriously questioned.5 Indeed, the letter has often been used as a benchmark from which to test the authenticity of the other Pauline letters. As Richard Longenecker points out:

The most uncontroverted matter in the study of Galatians is that the letter was written by Paul, the Christian apostle whose ministry is portrayed in the Acts of the Apostles. The letter begins by naming him as its author (1:1). Furthermore, the nature of its theological argument, its distinctive use of Scripture in support of that argument, the character of its impassioned appeals, and the style of writing all point to Paul as its author. If Galatians is not by Paul, no NT letter is by him, for none has any better claim.6

However, the date and destination of the letter, to which we now turn, has not fared so well.

Destination

With respect to the first of the problems, that is, the destination of the letter, the text of Galatians 1:2 clearly says “to the churches of Galatia” (tai'" ejkklhsivai" th'" Galativa"). But, the interpretive question is: “Where is the 'Galatia' to which Paul refers?” Some say the term refers to Galatia in a geographical sense (i.e., the North theory and churches in Ancyra, Pessinus and Tavium) while others say it refers to Galatia as the Roman provincial title7 (i.e., the South theory and churches in Antioch [Pisidia], Iconium [Phrygia], Lystra, Derbe).8 F. F. Bruce summarizes the heart of the issue with respect to the destination of the epistle,

The question before us is: Where were these churches and who were the Galatians? Should we locate them in the territory of the former kingdom of Galatia or somewhere else in the more extensive Roman province of Galatia, which included the former kingdom and much additional territory? Were the recipients of the letter Galatians in the ethnic sense, or only in the political sense, as inhabitants of the Roman province of that name?9

Closely connected to the destination of the epistle is its date. In fact, Guthrie says that the “date of the epistle depends on the decision regarding its destination.”10 Generally speaking those who hold to a North Galatia theory, date the book on or about the time of Paul’s Ephesian ministry, ca. 56 A.D.11 On the other hand, those who hold to the South Galatia theory generally date the book either before or after the Jerusalem council of Acts 15.12 This view is generally expressed as a date around 48, 49 or 56 A. D., the latter date corresponding generally to that proposed under the North Galatia theory.13

And finally, there is the problematic question of the relation of the details in Galatians 2:1-10, wherein is a description of one of Paul's visits to Jerusalem, to Luke's record in Acts. To which visit in Acts,14 if any,15 does the visit in Galatians 2 relate? Indeed, this question must be answered before one can posit a date for the book. But, as with many aspects of this study, this too is a thorny issue, yielding itself only to a very tentative solution at best. As Stanley Toussaint has observed, “without a doubt, the outstanding problem in reconciling Paul's Epistle to the Galatians with the book of Acts is the relating of Galatians 2:1-10 with Luke's record.”16

Let’s begin with a cursory look at the arguments for the destination of the letter. Those who argue for the North theory generally advance the following points: (1) the term “Galatia” was commonly used in the first century to refer to the ethnic region in the North. Thus it is most likely that Luke (Acts 16:6; 18:23) and Paul (Gal 1:2) used the term in this way. But this argument is seriously weakened when it is realized that the term was not used exclusively in this way; (2) Luke uses terms like Mysia, Phrygia and Pisidia as geographical place-names and so it is thought that “Galatia” in Acts 16:6 and 18:23 would be similarly used, supporting the ethnic or North theory; (3) In Acts 16:6 to what does the phrase “the region of Phrygia and Galatia” (thVn Frugivan kaiV GalatikhVn cwvran) refer? Those who hold to the north Galatia theory generally insist that ‘Phrygia’ and ‘Galatia’ refer to two distinct regions17 and since Phrygia is unquestionably a geographical title, then so it must be with ‘Galatia’; (4) the expression “the region of Galatia and Phrygia” (thVn GalatikhVn cwvran kaiV Frugivan) in Acts 18:23 is understood by proponents of the North theory to be virtually identical to the expression in 16:6; (5) J. B. Lightfoot thought that the generally ‘fickle’ character of the Gauls in the north (as gleaned from extra-biblical sources which highlight their relationship with the Romans)18 fit well with the fickle character described in the letter to the Galatians; (6) If the participle “having been prevented” (kwluqevnte") in Acts 16:6 be taken as a participle of antecedent time19 to the main verb “they went through” (dih’lqon),20 it would indicate that the missionary band most likely moved north from Lycaonia and then preached in Phrygia and Galatia. In other words, they were in Lycaonia when they received the prohibition not to preach in Asia so they continued north into the geographical district of Galatia.21 In summary fashion these are the arguments generally raised in favor of a North destination for the letter to the Galatians.

Now let’s take a brief look at arguments in favor of the South theory and raise objections to the North at the same time: (1) as was pointed out above, the term Galatia may have been commonly used around the first century to refer to the region in the North, but this was not uniformly the case. Thus we cannot necessarily appeal to that, except as corroborating evidence; (2) the book of Acts records no churches in the north, but it does record the spread of the Pauline gospel in the South; (3) As Boice22 points out, Paul seems to prefer provincial titles when referring to churches (cf. “Macedonia” in 2 Cor. 8:1; “Asia” in 1 Cor. 16:19; “Achaia” in 2 Cor 1:1). The apostle also speaks of Judea, Syria and Cilicia23 (cf. Gal. 1:21), but never of Lycaonia, Pisidia, Mysia and Lydia. It appears logical and consistent then to say that the term ‘Galatia’ in Galatians 1:2 and 3:1 is probably a provincial designation in which case the letter could have been sent to the churches of the south; (4) the term “Galatia” can refer to both those in the north and those in the south; it was not limited to those in the north; (5) any argument based on the use of the participle in Acts 16:6 can at best only be a corroborating argument since it can just as easily be read as indicating subsequent time (favoring the south Galatia view). Indeed, it appears that this argument is more crucial to the North Galatia view; (6) Paul and Barnabas were together on the first missionary journey (cf. Acts 13, 14) and therefore Barnabas would have been known to the churches of south Galatia. Those who hold to the South Galatia position often point out that Paul’s argument in Galatians 2, wherein Barnabas is mentioned three times (vs. 1, 9, 13), is severely weakened if the Galatians were of the North and did not know Barnabas personally24; (7) the letter to the Galatians is a polemic against certain Judaizers. With this in mind, it has been argued that these agitators would have followed Paul into south Galatia, but most likely not into the more difficult region of north Galatia.

In summary, there are several good arguments for both sides of this issue. The strongest argument in favor of the north Galatia theory is perhaps the conventional use of the term ‘Galatia’ and Luke’s use of geographical titles when referring to places-names. But, there are some major problems with this line of reasoning. Luke is only a secondary source, it is Paul to whom we must principally turn. When we do this we find that it is Paul’s custom to generally refer to places by Roman provincial titles. And since we know that Paul did indeed establish churches in the South (Acts 13, 14), the south Galatia theory seems to better accommodate the facts.

Relation to Acts

Many scholars have argued that the events described in Galatians 2:1-10 reflect Paul’s visit to Jerusalem outlined in Acts 15. This association is based in part on similarities in people (e.g., Paul, Barnabas, James and Peter) and issues (i.e., the gospel). But this view has some internal inconsistencies in it. First, Paul mentions a private meeting in Galatians, but the meeting in Acts 15 is definitely public. Second, Acts does not mention Titus, but Galatians does. And further, in Galatians Paul says he went in response to a revelation, but Acts does not indicate this. These latter two objections, however, are of no material consequence and can easily be accounted for.

There are, however, two serious objections to identifying Galatians 2:1-10 with Acts 15. First, it is very difficult to conceive Paul not mentioning the favorable decree of the council in his letter to the Galatian churches if he indeed knew it. The second objection raised against equating Acts 15 with Galatians 2:1-10 concerns the reading of Galatians 1:18-2:10. If this theory stands, Paul has omitted one of his visits to Jerusalem, namely, the famine visit, since 1:18-20 undoubtedly refers to his conversion experience (Acts 9:26-30). The normal reading of “again” (pavlin; 2:1) would indicate that the visit in 2:1-10 is the next visit after the conversion visit (Acts 9), i.e., the famine visit. And it has been suggested by many commentators that a failure on Paul’s behalf to mention the famine visit may leave his integrity open to question—something his opponents would have made much of.

There is better evidence to suggest that Acts 11:27-30 is the visit related in Galatians 2:1-10. First, it is difficult to imagine that the decree preceded the events of Peter’s separation from the Gentiles and Paul’s rebuking him. Surely Peter, even though he possessed a vacillating spirit, would not have done such a thing after the Jerusalem church, that is, those who caused it the first time (Gal. 2:12), had settled the issue. Second, it is further difficult to imagine that the Judaizers could have accomplished so much damage, as the letter to the Galatians indicates, if Galatians 2:1-10 refers to the Council. Third, Paul appears to be listing his visits to Jerusalem, in succession25 since his conversion. This would mean that Galatians 2:1-10 would be equivalent to Acts 11. Fourth, in Galatians 1:21 Paul says that he visited Syria and Cilicia. This occurred after his first visit (1:18) and before his second visit to Jerusalem (2:1). This most likely refers to the fact that Paul concentrated his missionary work in Tarsus and Antioch (after Barnabas ‘retrieved’ him from Tarsus) without going to any other centers. If this is true then, he did not evangelize in Galatia until after his second visit to Jerusalem and therefore, Galatians 2:1-10 must refer to the famine visit with evangelization of Galatia (Acts 13, 14) sometime later.

An important objection concerns the chronological problem inherent in saying that Galatians 2 is equivalent to the famine visit. Most are in agreement that the famine visit took place around A.D. 46.26 If one adds up the years Paul mentions in Galatians 1:18 and 2:1, one has 17 years. This places Paul’s conversion around A.D. 30, which obviously does not even allow enough time for the growth of the church mentioned in Acts 2-8. This has been solved in at least three27 ways by various writers: 1) both the three years and the fourteen years refer to the date of Paul’s conversion; 2) Paul is using a method of counting years that counts parts of years as full years and 3) to push back the crucifixion to 30 A.D. from 33 A.D. and then to date Paul’s conversion about 32 A.D. With these solutions in mind, or a combination of them, the chronological problem need to not be insurmountable. For example, if the three years and fourteen years refer to Paul’s conversion then, there is no real problem.28

The second objection involves the ‘former’ visit referred to by Paul in Galatians 4:13. Those who hold to the North Galatia theory cite this as a reference to Acts 16:6 and 18:23. But this implies that the phrase toV provteron carries the idea of “former” only. It may also mean “initially” or “originally.”29 But if the term does mean two visits then it is possible to see them as occurring on his return from the first missionary journey as Luke records him passing back through the cities in which he established churches (cf. Acts 14:21). This would fit well with dating the letter before the Jerusalem Council.30

Date

The destination of the letter appears to have been in the region of the South, including most likely the churches of Antioch (Pisidia), Iconium (Phrygia), Lystra, Derbe and vicinity. This interpretation of the destination opened the door for the possibility that the letter preceded the Jerusalem Council. Indeed, there is an identity between Galatians 2 and Acts 11. The general parameters of the letter’s date then, would be sometime after the first missionary journey (Acts 13, 14) and before the Council. Working within these parameters, Bruce says the most probable place to put the letter seems to be on the eve of the Jerusalem meeting described in Acts 15:6.31 Thus, the date would be approximately, A.D. 49.

Theme, Structure and Tone

The theme of an exposition, defense and application of “the gospel of God’s grace” runs throughout the letter from beginning to end. The polemic is immediately set forth in 1:6-9: “….if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.” In chapters 1-2 Paul defends his apostleship which his opponents had obviously attempted to undercut. The point is, if the agitators could undermine the credibility of the messenger (i.e., Paul), they could undermine the credibility of his message (i.e., a gospel without need for Jewish ceremonialism, etc.). In chapters 3 and 4 Paul lays out an experiential and theological argument for the purity and accuracy of his gospel. And then, in chapters 5-6, he sets forth the practical implications of his gospel, properly understood. His gospel does not lead to libertinism; this results only from unintentional misunderstanding (the Galatians) or intentional mischaracterization (his opponents). Thus the letter hangs together as a unified argument for the Pauline gospel and the freedom from sin to which it leads.

The Identity of Paul's Opponents and Their Teaching

That the letter to the Galatians is largely polemic is clear enough, but one might ask the question, “Who were the opponents Paul was resisting?” Some scholars have argued that the agitators (5:10) were Gentile Judaizers, but virtually every important clue in the letter suggests otherwise, namely, that they were Jewish. For example, it is not likely that Gentile Christians or Jewish proselytes would so vehemently stress circumcision (5:2) or that they would boast over those whom they had led to circumcision (6:12). Further, the discussion of “the Jerusalem above” in 4:25-26 seems to indicate that the troublemakers were Jews headquartered in Jerusalem.

Other scholars have suggested that Paul’s opponents were Jewish zealots who sought, not so much to oppose Paul, as they did to complete his gospel message with circumcision (and other Jewish cultic elements) and so bring the Galatian churches to maturity and into their full rights as “sons” and heirs of Abrahamic promise. There is much to commend this view, but from Paul’s description in 1:6-9 and 6:11-13, combined with his need to defend his apostleship, we get the distinct impression that his opponents were Jewish Christian legalists, who regarded Paul as inferior (and an opponent) and his message to be in error on certain crucial points. Therefore, they sought to correct his preaching, arguing that in order for the Gentiles to become “full” sons and daughters and heirs of the covenant, they needed faith in Christ plus adherence to the Mosaic code (including circumcision and observance of certain religious feasts).

Teaching Outline

    IA. Introduction (1:1-10)

      1B. Salutation (1:1-5)

        1C. The Senders (1:1-2)

        2C. The Recipients (1:3)

        3C. The Salutation Proper (1:4-5)

      2B. Denunciation: The Reason for the Letter (1:6-10)

        1C. The Perversion of the Gospel (1:6-9)

        2C. Paul’s Motivations (1:10)

    IIA. Historical: Defense of Paul and Gospel (1:11-2:21)

      1B. The Revelatory Source of Paul’s Gospel: Thesis Statement (1:11-12)

      2B. The Revelatory Source of Paul’s Gospel: A Defense (1:13-2:21)

        1C. Proof #1: My Former Life In Judaism (1:13-14)

          1D. I Persecuted the Church (1:13)

          2D. I Was Zealous for My Ancestral Traditions (1:14)

        2C. Proof #2: When Paul Was Called and Commissioned…(1:15-17)

          1D. He Was Called and Commissioned by God (1:15-16a)

            1E. God Set Him Apart From Birth (1:15a)

            2E. God Called Him by Grace (1:15b)

            3E. God Was Pleased To Reveal His Son in Paul: To Preach (1:16a)

          2D. He Did Not Consult with “Flesh and Blood” (1:16b)

          3D. He Did Not Go Up to Jerusalem To See Other Apostles (1:17a)

          4D. He Went Away: Arabia and Damascus (1:17b)

        3C. Proof #3: When He Did Go to Jerusalem…(1:18-20)

          1D. It Was Three Years Later (1:18a)

          2D. He Saw Peter for Fifteen Days (1:18b)

          3D. He Did Not See Any Other Apostles, Except James (1:19)

          4D. In Regards to His Testimony…He is Not Lying (1:20)

        4C. Proof #4: Paul Then Went to the Regions of Syria and Cilicia (1:21-24)

        5C. Proof #5: The Report of the Churches in Judea (1:22-24)

          1D. The Churches in Judea Did Not Know Paul Directly (1:22-23)

          2D. The Churches in Judea Praised God Because of Paul (1:24)

        6C. Proof #6: Paul’s Relationship with the Jerusalem Church (2:1-10)

          1D. Paul Went to Jerusalem Church Fourteen Years Later (2:1)

            1E. He Took Barnabas

            2E. He Took Titus

          2D. He Went in Response to a Revelation (2:2a)

          3D. He Had a Private Meeting with Leaders (2:2b-10)

            1E. The Problem of the “False Brothers” (2:2b-5)

            2E. The Blessing of the “Pillars” (2:6-10)

        1F. The “Pillars” Contributed Nothing to Paul (2:6)

        2F. They Gave Paul/Barnabas Right Hand of Fellowship (2:7-10)

        1G. They Recognized God’s Grace in Paul’s Ministry (2:7-9)

        2G. They Asked Paul To Remember the Poor (2:10)

        7C. Proof #7: Paul Had to Rebuke Peter Concerning the Gospel (2:10-21)

          1D. The Circumstances Leading to the Rebuke (2:10-14)

            1E. Paul Opposed Peter to His Face (2:11)

            2E. Peter Was Standing Aloof from Gentiles (2:12)

            3E. Others, Including Barnabas Were Led Astray (2:13)

            4E. Paul’s Indicting Question (2:14)

          2D. The Theological Reason for the Rebuke (2:15-21)

            1E. Jews and Gentiles Alike Are Justified by Faith (2:15-16)

            2E. Do Not Nullify Grace through the Law (2:17-21)

    IIIA. Theological: A Defense of Paul’s Gospel (3:1-4:31)

      1B. Through the Experience of the Galatians: Four Questions (3:1-5)

        1C. The Fact: The Galatians Knew Jesus Christ Was Crucified (3:1)

        2C. The Questions (3:2-5)

          1D. Receiving the Spirit: By Law or by Faith? (3:2)

          2D. Sanctification: By Law or by the Spirit? (3:3)

          3D. Suffering: In Vain or Not? (3:4)

          4D. The Gift of the Spirit and Miracles: By Law or by Faith? (3:5)

      2B. Through The Lesson from Abraham (3:6-9)

        1C. The Example: Abraham’s Justification Was by Faith (3:6)

        2C. The Application: Those of Faith Are Blessed with Abraham (3:7-9)

          1D. The Statement: Those of Faith Are Sons of Abraham (3:7)

          2D. The Scriptural Support: “All Nations Will Be Blessed in You” (3:8)

          3D. The Application Proper: Those of Faith Are Blessed with Abraham (3:9)

      3B. Through the Curse of the Law (3:10-14)

        1C. Curse Is Not Overcome by Works of the Law (3:10-12)

          1D. Cursed Is the Person Who Does Not Obey the Whole Law (3:10)

          2D. Habakkuk 2:4 Teaches Justification by Faith Not Law-works (3:11)

          3D. The Law and Faith Are Mutually Exclusive (3:12)

        2C. Christ Redeems from Curse of the Law (3:13-14)

          1D. The Statement: Christ Redeemed Us from Curse of the Law (3:13)

          2D. The Reason: That Gentiles Might Receive Abrahamic Blessing (3:14)

            1E. Through Christ Jesus

            2E. The Promise of the Spirit by Faith

      4B. Through the Abrahamic Covenant (3:15-18)

        1C. The Unchanging Nature of the Abrahamic Covenant (3:15)

        2C. The Object of the Abrahamic Covenant: Christ/Not Nation (3:16)

        3C. The Permanence of the Abrahamic Covenant (3:17-18)

          1D. The Statement: The Law Does Not Set Aside Covenant/Promise (3:17)

          2D. The Reason: Inheritance Is according to Grace Not Law (3:18)

      5B. Through the Nature and Purpose of the Law (3:19-22)

        1C. The Law Was Temporary (3:19a)

        2C. The Law Was Inferior to the Promise (3:19b-20)

        3C. The Law Could Not Impart Life (3:21)

        4C. The Law Reveals Sin (3:22)

      6B. Through the Temporary Nature of the Law (3:23-29)

        1C. The Law Was To Lead Us to Christ (3:23-24)

        2C. As Sons of God Now, We Are No Longer under the Law (3:25-27)

        3C. The Law Was Limited to Israel, But Salvation Is for All (3:28-29)

      7B. Through an Understanding of Becoming an Heir (4:1-7)

        1C. The “Slave” Condition of a Child (4:1-3)

        2C. The “Full Rights” Condition of a Son (4:4-7)

          1D. Through Christ’s Redemption (4:4-5)

          2D. Includes the Gift of the Spirit (4:6)

        3C. Conclusion (4:7)

      8B. Through an Appeal to the Galatians (4:8-31)

        1C. To Not Return to Weak and Miserable Principles (4:8-11)

          1D. Because You Know God Now (4:8-9a)

          2D. Because They Enslave (4:9b-10)

          3D. Transition: Paul’s Concern (4:11)

        2C. To Remember Their Relationship with Paul (4:12-20)

          1D. To Become Like Him (4:12)

          2D. To Remember Their Love for Him during His Illness (4:13-16)

          3D. To Be Aware of the Judaizers’ Motives (4:17-20)

            1E. The Judaizers Want To Alienate Paul from the Galatians (4:17-18)

            2E. Transition: Paul’s Concern (4:19-20)

        3C. To Recall the Story of Hagar and Sarah (4:21-31)

          1D. Introduction: Abraham’s Two Sons by Hagar and Sarah (4:21-23)

          2D. The Allegory: Two Women and Two Covenants (4:24-27)

            1E. General Statement (4:24a)

            2E. Hagar: Bondage and the Sinai Covenant (4:24b-25)

            3E. (Sarah): Freedom and Jerusalem That Is Above (4:26-27)

          3D. The Application: For the Galatians and the Judaizers (4:28-30)

            1E. The Natural Son Persecutes Son Born of Promise/Spirit (4:28-29)

            2E. The Natural Son Will Not Share in Inheritance (4:30)

          4 D. Conclusion: Christians Are of the Free Woman (4:31)

    IVA. Practical: The Application of the Gospel to Life (5:1-6:17)

      1B. By Standing Firm In Freedom and Resisting Legalism (5:1-15)

        1C. Maintain Your Freedom: The Command Proper (5:1)

        2C. Recognize Your Freedom: Do Not Give in to Legalism (5:2-6)

        3C. Protect Your Freedom: Be Careful of The Circumcision Group (5:7-12)

        4C. Use and Do Not Abuse Your Freedom: Serve Others in Love (5:13-15)

      2B. By Walking By the Spirit (5:16-26)

        1C. The Hortatory Context: The General Command (5:16)

        2C. The Experiential Context (5:17-18)

          1D. The Conflict of the Spirit and the Flesh (5:17)

          2D. If Led by the Spirit, Not under the Law (5:18)

        3C. The Ethical Context: Visible Evidence (5:19-23)

          1D. The Acts of the Flesh Are Evident (5:19-21)

            1E. The Various ‘Acts” (5:19-21a)

            2E. The Warning: Concerning the Kingdom of God (5:19b-22)

          2D. The Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23)

            1E. The Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23a)

            2E. The Place of the Law (5:23b)

        4C. The Theological Context (5:24-26)

          1E. Co-Crucifixion with Christ (5:24)

          2E. Life By the Spirit: A Command (5:25)

        5C. The Relational Context (5:26)

      3B. By Sowing To Please the Spirit (6:1-10)

        1C. Through Carrying Others’ Burdens (6:1-2)

        2C. Through Humility and Responsibility (6:3-5)

        3C. Through Sharing with Teachers (6:6)

        4C. The General Principle of Sowing and Reaping (6:7-10)

          1D. The Foundation of the Principle: God Will Not Be Mocked (6:7)

          2D. The Principle Proper: The Spirit and the Flesh (6:8)

            1E. Sowing to the Flesh: Destruction (6:8a)

            2E. Sowing to the Spirit: Eternal Life and Righteousness (6:8b)

          3D. The Application: Persistence in Doing Good to All People (6:9-10)

            1E. Do Not Become Weary: A Harvest Awaits (6:9)

            2E. Do Good to All, Especially Believers (6:10)

      4B. By Exposing the Legalists (6:11-17)

        1C. They Are Men-Pleasers Only 6:11)

        2C. They Are Fearful (6:12)

        3C. They Are Disobedient to Their Own Standards (6:13a)

        4C. They Are Arrogant (6:13b)

        5C. They Do Not Value the Cross of Christ (6:14)

      5B. By Affirming What Really Matters (6:15-16)

        1C. Not Circumcision, But The New Creation (6:15)

        2C. Where God Displays His Peace and Mercy (6:16)

      6B. By Recognizing Jesus’ Vindicated Servant (6:17)

    VA. Final Greeting (6:18)


1 For an excellent summary treatment of the meaning and significance of the message of Galatians, see William Hendricksen, “Galatians and Ephesians” in the New Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1968), 3, 4.

2 Merrill C. Tenney, Galatians: The Charter of Christian Liberty (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1950).

3 Luther, Commentary on Galatians, cited in Hendricksen, op. cit., 3.

4 James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” in The Expositors Bible Commentary, vol. 10, Gen. ed. Frank E. Gaebelein (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 409.

5 Ernest De Witt Burton says, “From the end of the second century quotations from our epistle are frequent, and no question of its Pauline authorship was raised until the nineteenth century.” Eernest De Witt Burton, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1921), 69. According to Burton, Bruno Bauer is credited with the first person to doubt Pauline authorship, but many commentators point to the “Dutch School of critics” as those who attempted to popularize the notion—without success. See Donald Guthrie, “Galatians” in the New Century Bible Commentary, ed. Ronald E. Clements and Matthew Black, (Grand Rapids: W, B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1973), 1. cf. also, Boice, op. cit.,420.

6 Richard N. Longenecker, Galatians in Word Biblical Commentary, ed. David A. Hubbard Glenn W. Barker, vol. 41 (Dallas: Word, 1990), in loc. electronic version.

7 Pliny, Natural History, 5:146, 7. “This district is occupied by Gallic settlers. Along the North and East of Galatia is Cappadocia. . .the towns are Ancyra. . .Tavium and Pissinus. Galatia also touches on Cabalia in Pamphylia. . . and the district of Orando in Pisidia, and Obizene which is part of Lycaonia.” From the recording of Pliny (23-79 a.d.) we can tell the region occupied as the Roman province of Galatia at the time of the writing of the book of Galatians.

8 There does not seem to be, historically, any other widely advocated and supported option. It is either north Galatia or south; cf. Burton, op. cit., 30. But, Longenecker, op. cit., (p. 67) makes reference to the work of J. Schmidt (whom most people think was the first scholar to really break with the totally North Galatia view) and J. P. Mynster as two scholars who held to a 'Pan-Galatian' view. Their view had serious problems and was never really embraced as viable. James Moffatt, An Introduction to the Literature of the New Testament, 3rd ed. (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1920), 92, says that “this modification attempts to do justice to the plain sense of Acts 16:6, but it fails to bring out the evident homogeneity of the churches addressed in Galatians and involves more difficulties than it solves.” But, cf. also Henry C. Thiessen, Introduction to the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955), 216, as a contemporary expression of this position. He says that “we hold, then, that the Epistle to the Galatians is primarily addressed to the churches in South Galatia,” but allows for it also to be sent to the disciples in the north (cf. Acts 18:23).

9 F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 2 North or South Galatians?” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 52 (1969, 70): 243.

10 Gutherie, New Testament Introduction, 472. See also F.F.Bruce, “The Epistle to the Galatians: A Commentary on the Greek Text” in The New International Greek Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982), 43—”The dating of the letter in the context of Acts will depend partly on whether the addressees are regarded as 'South Galatians' or 'North Galatians.'“

11 F.F.Bruce, “Galatian Problems. 4. The Date of the Epistle,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 54 (Spring 1972): 251.

12 This, of course, requires the explanation of the relationship of Galatians 2:1-10 to Paul's visits to Jerusalem as recorded in the book of Acts. This will be addressed later.

13 see Donald Gutherie, “Galatians” in The New Century Bible Commentary, 27-37.

14 Luke records five visits of the apostle Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-30; 11:27-30; 12:25; 15:1-30; 18:22; 21:15-23:35).

15 Apparently Manson believes that Galatians 2:1-10 describes a visit to Jerusalem just before the first missionary journey. This view is attractive, on the one hand, in that it does not need to be 'fitted' directly with particular statements in the text of Acts, but may, on the other, simply be an attempt to put to rest the tension between Luke and Paul on this point by giving up on a harmony of the known data. T.W. Manson, “St. Paul in Ephesus: The Problem of the Epistle to the Galatians,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library, 24 (April 1940): 59-80; cited by Stanley D. Toussaint, “The Chronological Problem of Galatians 2:1-10,” 334, footnote 3.

16 Stanley D. Toussaint, “The Chronological Problem of Galatians 2:1-10,” Bibliotheca Sacra 120 (1963): 334. cf. also Robert G. Hoerber, “Galatians 2:1-10 and the Acts of the Apostles,” Concordia Theological Monthly 31 (1960): 482; F. F. Bruce, “Galatian Problems, 4, The Date of the Epistle,” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 54 (Spring 1972):250; Charles Talbert, “Again: Paul's Visits to Jerusalem,” Novum Testamentum 9 (Jan. 1967): 26, 27.

17 Moffatt, Introduction, 93, holding to the North Galatia theory, says, “The phrase is not an equivalent for Phrygia-Galatica, or for the borderland between eastern Phrygia and Western Galatia: it denotes not one district but two.” Contra Lightfoot, (p. 22) who while also holding to the North Galatia theory, says, “the form of the Greek expression implies that Phrygia and Galatia here are not to be regarded as separate districts. The country now evangelized might be called indifferently Phrygia or Galatia. By this Lightfoot meant the region in the north; i.e. the Phrygian area before it was settled by the Gauls. F. F. Bruce “Galatians” in The New International Greek Testament Commentary, 11 says this antiquarianism is uncharacteristic of Luke.

18 Bell Gall. 4: 5; cited in Lightfoot, Galatians, 15. cf. also Hendricksen, New Testament Commentary, 8.

19 Or perhaps the participle is more specifically causal with the idea that “since they were restricted from entrance into Asia, they went into Phrygia and Galatia. cf. Eugene Van Ness Goetchius, The Language of the New Testament, (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1965), 188, 89. Cf. also Acts 25:13 for an aorist participle of subsequent time, though according to Goetchius (p. 189) this use is rare.

20 There is textual variant here, wherein a Byzantine reading, dielqovnte" was taken to be original instead of dih`lqon by commentators such as Lightfoot and Ramsay (cf. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller, 195; “But the strange form of construction by a succession of participles suits so perfectly the strange and unique character, the hurry, and the deep lying emotion of the passage that, as Lightfoot's judgment, Bibl. Essays, p. 237, perceived, the inferior MSS. must here be followed.” But as Bruce (North or South Galatians, 257) points out, this was not necessary for the prohibition could have been given in enough time for the missionaries to change their plans. One might also add, that Ramsay et al. need to deal with external data more thoroughly than to just refer to the MSS. as inferior. The indicative reading is supported by MSS. such as p74 a A B C2 D E.

21 cf. Gutherie, New Testament Introduction, 467.

22 Boice, op. cit., 414. This argument will be more fully developed under the southern theory. cf. also Bruce, Galatian Problems, 2: 49.

23 Gutherie, New Testament Introduction, (p. 469) says Moffatt takes 'Syria and Cilicia' together indicating a Roman province. Gutherie makes the distinction that Paul is referring to his own travels, not the location of churches.

24 Cf. Ramsay, The Church in the Roman Empire, 97. He discounts this argument as not helpful in any regard. Cf. also Bruce, Galatian Problems, 2:252, who agrees with his evaluation.

25 This seems to be the force of the pavlin in Galatians 2:1.

26 Ibid., 339

27 Longenecker, op. cit., 83.

28 Fourteen years back from 46 A.D. would be around 32 or 33. If Christ were crucified in A.D. 30 then there is no real problem in the chronology. Obviously this is not the place to debate the date of the crucifixion, but a date of A. D. 30 is apparently not uncommon among scholars.

29 Walter Bauer, et al. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, trans. by William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich, 2nd ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1979), 722. They say that “from a lexical point of view it is not possible to establish the thesis that Paul wished to differentiate between a later and earlier one [visit].”

30 F. F. Bruce, Galatian Problems, 4: 252.

31 F.F. Bruce, Galatian Problems, 4: 266.

Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines

What Does It Take To Grow?

I. What Does It Take To Grow? The Bible!

We’re beginning a new series this morning, “What Does It Take To Grow?” This poinsettia is part of an experiment (pull it out of pot, shake dirt from roots, leave it on table, in sight of audience). I want to see if plants really need water and soil to grow, or if it’s just a widely believed urban legend.

    A. The Purpose of this series:

The purpose is the same goal that Epaphras had for the Colossian Christians. He prayed for them,

“That you may become mature Christians and that you may fulfill God’s will for you.” Col 4:12 (Phillips)

That’s what God wants for us. He wants us to grow up. You can circle the word “mature” and “God’s will”. They are both in the same sentence. It is God’s will that you grow up.

Listen to this verse from the Apostle Paul:

Ephesians 4:14-15 “We are not meant to remain as children but to grow up in every way into Christ.” (Phillips)

Did you realize that God wants you to grow up? I have a friend who works at the Medical Lake facility for those with developmental disabilities. I went out there one day with him and saw men and women with mature bodies, but immature minds. It was tragic. One young man looked to be in his late 20’s, in a wheelchair. The aide would place a plastic ball in his lap, and he’d try and try to knock it off with his hands. Sometimes it would take him a full minute. Sometimes it would take him 3 or 4 minutes.

If we look at arrested development mentally, physically, and think, “How tragic,” what must God the father think when he looks at arrested development spiritually? Here’s a question for you…

    B. What is Spiritual Maturity? Being like Christ

Eph 4:13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.(NLT)

According to this verse, you can define spiritual maturity in one phrase. That phrase is this: Spiritual maturity is being like Christ.

Most of us want to grow. Most of us want to mature. Most of us want to be like Christ. Many times, we don’t know how to get started.

    C. Overview: Seven Habits of Maturing Christians

We will focus on the Seven Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow to spiritual maturity. My goal is to…

    Equip you with the skills you need to begin these habits

    Explain the tools you need to continue these habits.

    1. In order to grow we need to eat—The Bible

    2. In order to grow we need to breathe—Prayer

    3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygiene—Confession of sin

    4. In order to grow we need a caring family—Fellowship

    5. In order to grow we need regular exercise—Service

    6. In order to grow we need protection—Temptation

    7. In order to grow we need to give—Stewardship

    D. Facts about spiritual maturity

      1. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen automatically

Did you know that you can be a Christian and you can never grow up spiritually.

Hebrews 5:12-13 “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. 13And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right.” (NLT)

Arrested spiritual development. They should be mature. They’ve had enough time. But tragically, they’re not! Spiritual maturity is not automatic. It takes time, effort.

      2. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen quickly

The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:18, “Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our savior, Jesus Christ.” (GN) That indicates a process. It takes time. It’s not instantaneous.

9th grade algebra. The formula for distance. Anybody remember?

r x t = d

Rate x Time = Distance

That formula means that if I’m going 5 miles per hour, it will take me 1000 hours to cover 5000 miles.

That formula means that if I’m going 50 miles per hour, it will take me 100 hours to cover 5000 miles.

That formula means that if I’m going 500 miles per hour, it will take me 10 hours to cover 5000 miles.

There are some Christians that have known Christ for 50 years. By now they should be mature. But they are poking along at 1 mile per hour. Or some of them have stalled out. Not going anywhere. Just sitting there, causing a traffic jam behind them.

Theme Verse: 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

There is no shortcut to spiritual growth. There’s no instant pill I could give you that today you could take and tomorrow you’re going to be spiritually mature. It takes time. It takes an intentional pursuit. It won’t come automatically or quickly.

People try a lot of shortcuts. Some people look for an emotional experience — “If I just get this `certain experience’, then all my problems will be solved and I will be a mature Christian.” Other people say, “If I just go to this seminar…. If I just read this book… If I just listen to this tape…” Other people say, “If I just keep a certain set of rules, then I could be all God wants me to be.”

But the Bible says, no. It’s a continual process. You have to learn to be mature. But there are some skills that you can learn that will help you grow.

      3. Spiritual maturity won’t happen without discipline

1 Timothy 4:7 “Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.” (Phillips) Is physical fitness automatic? No. Neither is spiritual fitness. It takes time and trouble. Just like to be physically fit you’ve got to exercise, develop some basic habits. That’s true in the Christian life. The Bible says, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” That’s the NASV of the same verse. It takes discipline.

When you talk about discipline you need to talk about discipleship because the two go together. There are six key truths I want you to understand as an overview to where we’re going.

      1. The Bible teaches that mature believers are called disciples. That’s the term that the Bible uses for a mature believer — a disciple.
      2. The Bible teaches that I cannot be a disciple without being disciplined. In fact the two words go together — disciple and discipline.
      3. The Bible also teaches that the more disciplined I become the more God can use me.
      4. The mark of a disciple is cross bearing.

Luke 14:27, Jesus said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” God wants us to bear our cross. We’re going to explain what that is.

      5. How often am I to do this? The Bible says daily.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (NIV)

That’s what we’re going to talk about. What does it mean in a practical sense to bear our cross.

      6. What is involved in cross bearing? Stated up front: Whatever it takes to give Christ first place in my life.

    E. The Goal: That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

II. Reasons Why You Need Your Bible

    A. The Bible is like an instruction manual for a car owner. Without it life is hard at best, impossible at worst.

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 straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

If you have a new car, one of the first things you do is read the instruction manual. Find out how often the tires need to be checked, rotated. Find out how often the oil needs to be changed. Find out how often it needs to be serviced. Find out how fast you should drive it for the first 500 miles. If you fail to do this, you can ruin the engine and wreck the car.

Someone has said the Bible stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

God cares enough about us that he didn’t just plunk us down here on the earth and say, “Do the best you can! Hope you figure it all out! Good luck!”

He gave us an owner’s manual. It tells us everything we need to know about Him, about us, and about life. But it doesn’t do us a bit of good unless we read it! Read God’s instruction manual!

    B. The Bible is like a flashlight for a camper. Without it you’ll stumble and get hurt, or wander and get lost.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

You’re in a new campground. It’s the middle of the night. You feel the call of nature. You step out the back door of the camper without a flashlight, and bang into the picnic table. Trip over tree roots, fall into the stream. Without a light, you stumble and get hurt or wander and get lost.

Life can be like that. You feel like you’re stumbling, you’re wandering. You’re hurt, you’re disoriented. God didn’t intend for life to be like that. He gave us a flashlight. But it doesn’t do us a bit of good unless we use it! Turn on God’s light!

    C. The Bible is like a weapon for a soldier. Without it you’ll be captured or killed.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

I’ve taught a number of Bible classes over the years. Sometimes you get students who are eager to learn, excited, motivated. Other times you get students who are bored, disinterested, detached, unconcerned.

I’ve often thought, “They don’t realize that they’re in a battle. They don’t realize that this book is their only weapon. They don’t realize that unless they learn it, and learn how to use it, they’re history. They’re dead. We’ll read about them on tomorrow’s casualty list.”

We’re in a spiritual battle. If you’re a Christian, you’re a target. And unless you know how to use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, you’re dead! God never intended for you to be a casualty. God wants you to be a conquering soldier, not a casualty. God gave you a sword, but it doesn’t do a bit of good unless you use it! Master the use of God’s sword!

    D. The Bible is like a mirror for an actor. Without it you’ll never know what you’re like or change how you act.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it— he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

What’s a mirror do? Show you what you look like. This morning I spent some time in front of a mirror. Some of you are thinking, “Not enough time!”

In this passage James specifies that it is the man who looks and walks away and forgets what he looks like. A woman would never do that. She’d do whatever it takes to restore her face to the original glory God intended!

The function of a mirror is to show us accurately what we look like, so that we can make any necessary changes. The function of the Bible is to show us accurately what we look like so that we can make, with God’s help and enablement, any necessary changes.

It’s tragic when everyone else knows that Bob gossips, but Bob doesn’t know it. It’s tragic when everyone else knows that Betty has a tongue like a razor, but Betty doesn’t know it. It’s tragic when everyone else knows that Burt’s spending far more money than he should, but Burt doesn’t know it.

The Bible is like a mirror. It shows us what we’re like. It shows us where we need to change. It not only points out the need, it helps us change! But a mirror does you no earthly good unless you use it! Look in God’s mirror!

    E. The Bible is like nutrients and water for a plant. Without it you’ll be stunted and starved.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Let’s go back and take a look at my poinsettia here. Doesn’t look too worse for the wear. But if I left it here till next week, just like this, without water, without access to nutrients, you know what? It would be dead and ready for the garbage.

Here’s the tragedy. There are some of you who are trying to live like this. Each Sunday you’re trying to get all the spiritual food and water you need for the entire week. You can’t do it. It’s not possible. It would be like this plant, only putting it in the pot, only giving it water and nutrients for one hour a week.

What would that do to the life of this plant? What does that do to your spiritual life? Here’s the tragedy. Many of you today are more concerned about this plant than you are about your own spiritual life. You’re thinking to yourself, “I hope that poor plant survives.”

If you’re concerned about this plant, how much more should you be concerned about your soul. Your soul needs the water of the Word. Your soul needs the nourishment that only this Book can provide. And you’re trying to survive on starvation rations! You only eat once a week, and then wonder why the spiritual life is so difficult! Wonder why you continue to fall into sin. Wonder why you can’t make much progress. I’ll tell you why—you’re soul is starving to death! I could have a table set with the most nutritious food imaginable, but it does you no earthly good if you don’t eat it! Eat God’s food!

    Matt 4:2-4

2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (NIV)

Eat God’s food!

III. Conclusion

I’d like to challenge you to take the next step, ratchet up your commitment to the study of God’s Word. Here’s a list of possibilities. Would you be willing to check at least one of these things, and then do it this year?

    A. Suggestions for individual growth

      1. Beginner

      __I will pick-up a Daily Bread booklet and read it and my Bible __ days a week

      __I will read my Bible __ minutes a day, __ days a week this year

      __I will listen to the Bible on cassette tape __ minutes per week this year

      __I will memorize __ verses of Scripture each week this year

      __I will buy a different translation of the Bible and use it this year

      __I will begin attending a Adult Elective class on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays

      __I will join a Small Group and ask them to help me achieve my Bible study goals this year

      2. Intermediate

      __I will plan to attend the “Open Book” Bible Study seminar on March 3, 9:00 to noon, and practice some new methods of Bible study this year (register by calling 924 4525)

      __I will read a book this year on how to study the Bible

      __I will eliminate some non-essential activities from my schedule and spend __ hours per week in Bible study this year.

      __I will study and practice the art of Scripture meditation ___ minutes a week this year

      __I will register for a Bible study course at Moody Northwest

      __I will write out my Bible Study objective on a 3x5 card, give it to a friend, and have him/her ask me regularly how I’m doing (for example, “My goal: 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week”)

      3. Advanced

      __I will record my insights from the Bible in a journal __ days per week this year

      __I will purchase and use a Bible study book/tool this year (Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Bible Commentary, Bible Concordance, etc.)

      __I will attend a Bible study group (Precept, Bible Study Fellowship, Women’s/Men’s Bible study) and participate this year

      __I will buy a Bible Study program for my computer and use it this year

    B. Suggestions for family growth

      __We will do the Family Time Bible study this week

      __We will begin a family Bible Library

      __We will memorize a passage together each week this year

      __We will read through a book of the Bible this year

      __We will ask each other once-a-week, “What have you learned from the Bible this week?

      __We will attend a family Bible camp or conference this year

Related Topics: Bibliology (The Written Word), Basics for Christians

What Does It Take To Grow? Outline

I. What Does It Take To Grow? The Bible!

    A. The __________ of this series:

“That you may become mature Christians and that you may fulfill God’s will for you.” Col 4:12

Ephesians 4:14-15 “We are not meant to remain as children but to grow up in every way into Christ.” (Phillips)

    B. What is ____________ ____________? Being like Christ!

Eph 4:13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.(NLT)

    C. Overview: Seven Basic __________ of Maturing Christians

      1. In order to grow we need to eat—The ________
      2. In order to grow we need to breathe—_________
      3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygiene—______________ of sin
      4. In order to grow we need a caring family—_____________
      5. In order to grow we need regular exercise—__________
      6. In order to grow we need protection—_____________
      7. In order to grow we need to give—______________

    D. Facts about spiritual maturity

      1. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen ________________

Hebrews 5:12-13 “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. 13And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right.” (NLT)

      2. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen __________

2 Peter 3:18, “Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our savior, Jesus Christ.” (GN)

      3. Spiritual maturity won’t happen without ______________

1 Timothy 4:7 “Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.” (Phillips)

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (NASB)

      1. The Bible teaches that mature believers are called ____________.
      2. The Bible teaches that I cannot be a disciple without being ______________.
      3. The Bible teaches that the more disciplined I become the more God can use me.
      4. The mark of a disciple is _______-__________.

Jesus said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27

      5. How often am I to do this? ________.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (NIV)

      6. What is involved in cross bearing? Whatever it takes to give Christ_______ _______ in my life.

    E. The Goal: That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

II. Reasons Why You Need Your Bible

    A. The Bible is like an instruction manual for a car owner. Without it life is _______ at best, _____________ at worst.

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 straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Read God’s instruction manual!

    B. The Bible is like a _____________ for a camper. Without it you’ll stumble and get hurt, or wander and get lost.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

Turn on God’s light!

    C. The Bible is like a _________ for a soldier. Without it you’ll be captured or killed.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

Master the use of God’s sword!

    D. The Bible is like a _________ for an actor. Without it you’ll never know what you’re like or change how you act.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Look in God’s mirror!

    E. The Bible is like ____________ and ________ for a plant. Without it you’ll be stunted and starved.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Eat God’s food!

III. Conclusion

    A. Suggestions for individual growth

      __I will read my Bible __ minutes a day, __ days a week this year

      __I will listen to the Bible on cassette tape __ minutes per week this year

      __I will pick-up a Daily Bread booklet and read it and my Bible __ days a week

      __I will record my insights from the Bible in a journal __ days per week this year

      __I will purchase and use a Bible study book/tool this year (Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Bible Commentary, Bible Concordance, etc.)

      __I will plan to attend the “Open Book” Bible Study seminar on March 3, 9:00 to noon, and practice some new methods of Bible study this year (register by calling 924 4525)

      __I will read a book this year on how to study the Bible

      __I will eliminate some non-essential activities from my schedule and spend __ hours per week in Bible study this year.

      __I will memorize __ verses of Scripture each week this year

      __I will study and practice the art of Scripture meditation ___ minutes a week this year

      __I will attend a Bible study group (Precept, Bible Study Fellowship, Women’s/Men’s Bible study) and participate this year

      __I will buy a different translation of the Bible and use it this year

      __I will buy a Bible Study program for my computer and use it this year

      __I will register for a Bible study course at Moody Northwest

      __I will begin attending a Adult Elective class on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays

      __I will write out my Bible Study objective on a 3x5 card, give it to a friend, and have him/her ask me regularly how I’m doing (for example, “My goal: 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week”)

      __I will join a Small Group and ask them to help me achieve my Bible study goals this year

    B. Suggestions for family growth

      __We will do the Family Time Bible study this week

      __We will begin a family Bible Library

      __We will memorize a passage together each week this year

      __We will read through a book of the Bible this year

      __We will ask each other once-a-week, “What have you learned from the Bible this week?

      __We will attend a family Bible camp or conference this year

Related Topics: Bibliology (The Written Word), Basics for Christians, Teaching the Bible

What Does It Take to Grow - Outline (filled)

I. What Does It Take To Grow? The Bible!

    A. The Purpose of this series:

"That you may become mature Christians and that you may fulfill God's will for you." Col 4:12

Ephesians 4:14-15 "We are not meant to remain as children but to grow up in every way into Christ." (Phillips)

    B. What is Spiritual Maturity?

Eph 4:13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.(NLT)

    C. Overview: Seven Basic Habits of Maturing Christians

      1. In order to grow we need to eat—The Bible
      2. In order to grow we need to breathe—Prayer
      3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygiene—Confession of sin
      4. In order to grow we need a caring family—Fellowship
      5. In order to grow we need regular exercise—Service
      6. In order to grow we need protection—Temptation
      7. In order to grow we need to give—Stewardship

    D. Facts about spiritual maturity

      1. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen automatically

Hebrews 5:12-13 "You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. 13And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right." (NLT)

      2. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen quickly

2 Peter 3:18, "Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our savior, Jesus Christ." (GN)

      3. Spiritual maturity won’t happen without discipline

1 Timothy 4:7 "Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit." (Phillips)

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." (NASB)

      1. The Bible teaches that mature believers are called disciples.
      2. The Bible teaches that I cannot be a disciple without being disciplined.
      3. The Bible teaches that the more disciplined I become the more God can use me.
      4. The mark of a disciple is cross bearing.

Jesus said, "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27

      5. How often am I to do this? Daily.

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (NIV)

      6. What is involved in cross bearing? Whatever it takes to give Christ first place in my life.

    E. The Goal: That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

II. Reasons Why You Need Your Bible

    A. The Bible is like an instruction manual for a car owner. Without it life is hard at best, impossible at worst.

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 straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Read God’s instruction manual!

    B. The Bible is like a flashlight for a camper. Without it you’ll stumble and get hurt, or wander and get lost.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

Turn on God’s light!

    C. The Bible is like a weapon for a soldier. Without it you’ll be captured or killed.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

Master the use of God’s sword!

    D. The Bible is like a mirror for an actor. Without it you’ll never know what you’re like or change how you act.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Look in God’s mirror!

    E. The Bible is like nutrients and water for a plant. Without it you’ll be stunted and starved.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Eat God’s food!

III. Conclusion

    A. Suggestions for individual growth

      __I will read my Bible __ minutes a day, __ days a week this year

      __I will listen to the Bible on cassette tape __ minutes per week this year

      __I will pick-up a Daily Bread booklet and read it and my Bible __ days a week

      __I will record my insights from the Bible in a journal __ days per week this year

      __I will purchase and use a Bible study book/tool this year (Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Bible Commentary, Bible Concordance, etc.)

      __I will plan to attend the “Open Book” Bible Study seminar on March 3, 9:00 to noon, and practice some new methods of Bible study this year (register by calling 924 4525)

      __I will read a book this year on how to study the Bible

      __I will eliminate some non-essential activities from my schedule and spend __ hours per week in Bible study this year.

      __I will memorize __ verses of Scripture each week this year

      __I will study and practice the art of Scripture meditation ___ minutes a week this year

      __I will attend a Bible study group (Precept, Bible Study Fellowship, Women's/Men's Bible study) and participate this year

      __I will buy a different translation of the Bible and use it this year

      __I will buy a Bible Study program for my computer and use it this year

      __I will register for a Bible study course at Moody Northwest

      __I will begin attending a Adult Elective class on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays

      __I will write out my Bible Study objective on a 3x5 card, give it to a friend, and have him/her ask me regularly how I’m doing (for example, “My goal: 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week”)

      __I will join a Small Group and ask them to help me achieve my Bible study goals this year

    B. Suggestions for family growth

      __We will do the Family Time Bible study this week

      __We will begin a family Bible Library

      __We will memorize a passage together each week this year

      __We will read through a book of the Bible this year

      __We will ask each other once-a-week, “What have you learned from the Bible this week?

      __We will attend a family Bible camp or conference this year

Related Topics: Basics for Christians, Teaching the Bible

Small Group Leader’s Guide

Introductory Questions

    1. If you were to be brutally honest and rate your Bible knowledge from 1 to 10, 1 being abysmal, 10 being divine, where would you say you are?

    2. If you were to be brutally honest and rate your Bible study habits from 1 to 10, 1 being abysmal, 10 being divine, where would you say you are?

    3. What impediments have you found in your life or the lives of others that keep us from the Bible? We have good intentions but lousy follow through—why is that?

    4. There was a list of suggestions in Sunday’s bulletin, how we might increase our commitment to Bible study this year. What suggestions did you check?

    5. Would you feel comfortable having the group ask you each week how you’re doing in fulfilling your commitment to greater Bible study this year?

    6. George Barna recently did a survey among born again Christians and found that the biggest impediment standing in the way of their spiritual growth was lack of time, not lack of desire. Would you agree or disagree with this? Why?

    7. What ways can you find the time necessary for spiritual growth? Are there things in your life the Holy Spirit has been convicting you are non-essential or even detrimental, things that you should give up? Would you allow the group to pray for you about this?

Suggestions for individual growth

      __I will read my Bible __ minutes a day, __ days a week this year

      __I will listen to the Bible on cassette tape __ minutes per week this year

      __I will pick-up a Daily Bread booklet and read it and my Bible __ days a week

      __I will record my insights from the Bible in a journal __ days per week this year

      __I will purchase and use a Bible study book/tool this year (Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Bible Commentary, Bible Concordance, etc.)

      __I will plan to attend the “Open Book” Bible Study seminar on March 3, 9:00 to noon, and practice some new methods of Bible study this year (register by calling 924 4525)

      __I will read a book this year on how to study the Bible

      __I will eliminate some non-essential activities from my schedule and spend __ hours per week in Bible study this year.

      __I will memorize __ verses of Scripture each week this year

      __I will study and practice the art of Scripture meditation ___ minutes a week this year

      __I will attend a Bible study group (Precept, Bible Study Fellowship, Women's/Men's Bible study) and participate this year

      __I will buy a different translation of the Bible and use it this year

      __I will buy a Bible Study program for my computer and use it this year

      __I will register for a Bible study course at Moody Northwest

      __I will begin attending a Adult Elective class on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays

      __I will write out my Bible Study objective on a 3x5 card, give it to a friend, and have him/her ask me regularly how I’m doing (for example, “My goal: 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week”)

      __I will join a Small Group and ask them to help me achieve my Bible study goals this year

Suggestions for family growth

      __We will do the Family Time Bible study this week

      __We will begin a family Bible Library

      __We will memorize a passage together each week this year

      __We will read through a book of the Bible this year

      __We will ask each other once-a-week, “What have you learned from the Bible this week?

      __We will attend a family Bible camp or conference this year

Related Topics: Basics for Christians, Teaching the Bible

Spiritual Growth Study Guide: Prayer

Related Media

I. New Series: What Does It Take To Grow? Prayer!

We started a new series last week, “What Does It Take To Grow?” Last week we saw that the knowing and obeying the Bible is a non-negotiable essential if you want to grow to maturity as a Christian.

I hope that you looked over the list of suggestions to ratchet up your commitment in the area of Bible study. I hope you checked one of the blanks, and are making an effort to increase your intake of the Word of God this week, month.

    A. The Goal: That you will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

Theme Verse: 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Did you realize that God wants you to grow up? God isn’t content that you have put your trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, he now wants you to follow and obey Him as Lord of your life. The One who you obey.

    B. How long does spiritual maturity take?

Does the scripture give us any indication of how long it should take until we can be called “mature”? It does. Paul wrote the letter of I Corinthians 4-5 years after he had ministered in the city of Corinth. He probably arrived sometime in A.D. 51 and stayed there until A.D. 53. He wrote the letter of I Corinthians about A.D. 56-57. He expected that 4-5 years would be sufficient time for the Corinthians to have reached a level of maturity.

Here’s what he says in I Corinthians 3:

1Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. 2I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn’t handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord.

If you have been a Christian for less than five years, don’t be impatient with yourself. Don’t demand instant maturity of yourself; it isn’t possible. Do however, push yourself towards consistent growth.

5 years! Does that make you uncomfortable? Perhaps you have been a Christian for more than 5 years. You know you should be farther along than you now are, but you pacify your conscience by saying, “Well, I’m headed the right direction. Someday I’ll be mature, but who knows when.” Maturity is not a nebulous, far off, unattainable goal that you achieve the month before you die. According to Paul maturity is a concrete goal that can be attained in a relatively short span of time. How are you doing?

    C. Overview: Seven Habits of Maturing Christians

We are focusing on the Seven Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow to spiritual maturity. We will …

  • Equip you with the skills you need to begin these habits
  • Explain the tools you need to continue these habits.
      1. In order to grow we need to eat—The Bible
      2. In order to grow we need to breathe—Prayer
      3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygiene—Confession of sin
      4. In order to grow we need a caring family—Fellowship
      5. In order to grow we need regular exercise—Service
      6. In order to grow we need protection—Temptation
      7. In order to grow we need to give—Stewardship

The Habit of Prayer

“Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come, endure them patiently; steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.” Romans 12:12 (Phillips)

II. Where are you on the Prayer Growth Chart?

    A. Casual Praying

Mealtime. Bedtime. When you have to. When it’s expected of you. Nothing wrong with that. But your praying tends to be rather routine and quick.

    B. Committed Praying

This kind of praying is focused. It is purposeful. You’re getting serious about prayer because there is a burden on your heart that is driving you to your knees. This is the sort of praying you do when your teenager gets his driver’s license.

    C. Combat Praying

Here’s what Paul had to say about a fellow-worker,

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the sill of God, mature and fully assured.

Epaphras wrestled in prayer for the Colossian Christians. This is serious. This is exertion, hard work. This kind of praying is what a father does when he hears his daughter is away from God, living with a boyfriend. This is the kind of praying a mother does when she hears her son is attending the Mormon church, thinking about marrying a nice Mormon gal.

Where are you on the Prayer Growth Chart? At what level is your prayer life?

    Video—Prayer Group Therapy (WillowCreek Video)

Transition: How can we overcome some of the perils that prayer group fell into?

III. Learn and use the six crucial elements to effective prayer

This is out of Matthew 6:9-15, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer, Jesus said, “This is how you should pray” not what you should pray. He’s giving us an illustration of things we should use in prayer, not this specific prayer to pray.

There are Six Crucial Elements to Effective Prayer

    A. The first crucial element to effective prayer is Praise. Begin by expressing your love to God.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. (v. 9)

When you come to prayer you want to begin by expressing your love to God. Start by saying to Him, “Lord, I want to focus on You.” If I come to prayer focusing on myself and my needs first, I just leave prayer more depressed and frustrated than when I began. But if I come to prayer with my focus on God, what I can see of Him, what I can learn of Him, what it is that He can show me then instead of going away thinking how big my problems are, I’ll go away thinking how big my God is!

How do you praise God?

      1. First, you can praise Him for Who He is—His character.

The first crucial element to prayer is God’s character. God’s character is the basis for answered prayer. God answers the prayers that acknowledge who He is.

This past week I lost my Palm Pilot. That’s equivalent to losing my mind! I searched all through the house. I accused my wife. Nothing! I couldn’t find it anywhere. I went down to the office, turned it upside down and still couldn’t find it. So I stood by my desk and prayed, “God, you know where it, I obviously don’t. Could you help me find it, please?” I reached down and closed my Bible, and there was the Palm Pilot, under my open Bible!

      2. Secondly, you can praise Him for what He does—His works.

Whole psalms are devoted to this—praising God for His incredible deeds for His people. Are you keeping a record of this in your life? In your family’s life? The deliverances of God? The answers to prayer?

This past Friday I asked God to help me with two specific things. My tape player broke. That doesn’t sound like a big deal, and it isn’t, but every morning when I’m shaving and showering, I listen to the Book of Proverbs on cassette tape. I wanted to find another one, cheap. One other prayer. For the past 20 years or so, I’ve had a pair of good hiking boots. This winter, I noticed that the soles were coming off. I took them into a shoe repair shop and was told it would be $65.00 to fix them. So I asked God to help me find a good, cheap pair of hiking boots, and a good, cheap tape recorder. By 10:00 Friday morning, I’d found a tape player for $6.99, and a wonderful pair of boots that fits me fine for $12.99. And today, I’m praising God for being concerned enough about minor things in my life to answer!

Psalm 100:4 says “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

  • Commitment: I will praise God for who He is and what He does.

    B. The second crucial element to effective prayer is Purpose: Commit yourself to God’s purpose and will for your life.

The next part of the Lord’s prayer says,

10May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.

This is an acknowledgment that God is God and I am not. This part of the prayer forces me to examine whether or not I really want God’s purposes fulfilled in my life, in my family, at my job, in my school, in this country.

Have you ever thought through what this might entail, saying to God, “You do whatever you want in any aspect of my life. I want what you want more than what I want.”

You want a new car. God has been saying, “The old one is fine. It still gets you from point A to point B, the heater works, and the insurance is low. Keep it! And use the money you’d have spent on it to help fulfill my work in India through Gospel for Asia.”

That’s what praying “Your will be done” means.

You love chocolate eclairs. God has been saying, “Lay off on the chocolate eclairs. One a day is too much. Cut back to one a week. Save the money you don’t spend, and put it in the deacon’s fund.”

That’s what praying “Your will be done” means.

You and your girlfriend have been sexually intimate. You’ve crossed the line, but you don’t want to quit. God has been saying, “Break off the relationship. You know this is hurting both of you. Break it off now.”

That’s what praying “Your will be done” means.

You’ve been uneasy about coming home and spending as much time as you do with ESPN. God’s been saying, “Your family needs you. Turn the TV off, limit your viewing to 3 hours a week.”

That’s what praying “Your will be done” means.

Romans 12:2 urges us to “Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.”

  • Commitment: I will obey God no matter what He asks of me.

    C. The third crucial element to effective prayer is Provision: Ask God to provide for your needs.

11Give us our food for today

What needs do I pray about? Absolutely every one of them. There is nothing too great for God’s power to take care of and there’s nothing too insignificant for His concern. So all my needs I’m to pray about.

Here’s a rule of thumb: it it’s big enough for you to worry about, it’s big enough for you to pray about. I’d recommend that you keep track of the things you worry about through the course of a day, write them all down, and make that your daily prayer list. Your worries are a good clue to the things you should be praying about.

Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:19 says “God will supply all of my needs from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.”

Prayer is my personal declaration of dependence on God. When I come to Him I’m saying, “I’m totally dependent upon You, God. Not because of what I can work for or what I can earn by my smarts or by my industry, but I am totally dependent on You for my needs.”

  • Commitment: I will depend on God’s provision for all of my needs.

    D. The fourth crucial element to effective prayer is Pardon: Ask God’s forgiveness for your sins.

12and forgive us our sins,

This part of the Lord’s prayer says, “Forgive us just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”

There are four steps to forgiveness:

      a. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal every sin.

Psalm 139 says. “Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any evil in me.”

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the sin.

      b. Confess each sin specifically.

Sometimes we like to get away with confession of sin by just saying, “Forgive me all my sins.” You committed those sins individually, you better ask for forgiveness individually. None of this blanket coverage stuff.

Proverbs 28:13 “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up. Then God will show mercy to you.”

      c. Make restitution to others when necessary.

Matthew 5:23-24 “When you remember your brother has something against you, go at once to make peace with him, then come back and offer your gift to God.”

So when God reveals something that you’ve done to someone else make restitution and get it off your conscious.

      d. By faith accept God’s forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

When we talk about forgiveness you need to accept the fact that you don’t have to live with guilt. It can be forgiven and wiped clean.

  • Commitment: I will confess my sins as God reveals them and accept His forgiveness.

    E. The fifth crucial element to effective prayer is Purity: Let go of your grudges and bitterness

The Lord’s prayer says, “ just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”

Christ’s assumption is that we will be forgiving because we have been forgiven. God will not respond to your prayers as long as you are harboring grudges, bitterness, venom in your heart. Listen to what the Bible says,

1 John 3:21 Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him.

Psalm 66:18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. 19But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.

  • Commitment: I will release those who have sinned against me because God has forgiven me.

    F. The sixth crucial element to effective prayer is Protection: Ask for divine protection.

13And don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

We, as believers, face a spiritual battle every day and Satan wants to defeat us through temptation and fear. If I start the day without praying for God’s strength, I’m going into battle with my own resources—and that ain’t much!

If you pray this prayer, you need to search your own heart and life, find out where you tend to fall. You need to know yourself, because Satan, the enemy of your soul, is a master at knowing our weaknesses, and using them to bring about our downfall.

1 Cor 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

  • Commitment: I will learn my areas of weakness and depend on God’s protection.

    G. Relationship

This prayer begins in the context of relationship—our Father. If I lose sight of the fact that I have a relationship with a father in heaven, my prayers will deteriorate.

The foundation for effective prayer is a relationship with a loving Heavenly Father. Relationships thrive on communication, and wither without it. God’s listening, are you talking?

IV. Conclusion

For the next 15 minutes the praise team is going to lead us, and we’re going to practice what I’ve just been preaching. It may be that you simply wish to sit in your seat and sing and pray silently. That’s great.

It may be that you want to kneel there at your seat and pray. That’s great!

It may be that you want to come up front and pray with an elder/elder’s wife. They will be here to pray for you. They are ready to anoint you with oil and pray for you, if you’d like.

Our small group leaders and deacons are here, and will be leading some small groups in praying. If you’d prefer to join a small group and pray with a few others, please join one of them. You don’t have to pray out loud. You are free to silently enter in as others pray.

Let’s practice the pattern that the Lord Jesus Christ gave us. Let’s pray!

Related Topics: Prayer, Teaching the Bible

Spiritual Growth Study Guide: Confession

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Confession Sermon

This is part of a complete study guide, including outlines (blank and filled) and a leaders guide.

I. Review

This spring we’re asking the question “What Does It Take To Grow?” There are seven non-negotiable, essential habits you must develop if you want to grow to maturity as a Christian.

    A. Seven Habits of Maturing Christians
      1. In order to grow we need to eat—The Bible
      2. In order to grow we need to breathe—Prayer
      3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygiene—Confession of sin
      4. In order to grow we need a caring family—Fellowship
      5. In order to grow we need regular exercise—Service
      6. In order to grow we need protection—Temptation
      7. In order to grow we need to give—Stewardship
    B. Theme Verse: memorize it!

2 Pet 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

    C. Why don’t we mature?

I hope that you looked over the list of suggestions (from last week) to ratchet up your commitment in the area of prayer. If you’re like me, you may well have all sorts of good intentions, “I’m going to pray more this year, I’m going to spend time with God.” But your follow-through is probably lousy. Know what? You’re not alone!

George Barna, in his recent book, “Growing True Disciples, said this, “most believers say that their faith matters, but few are investing much energy in the pursuit of spiritual growth. We seem to possess an abundance of desire, but a dearth of commitment.”

His survey found that

18% of all believers surveyed said that their effort to grow spiritually is the single, most intense commitment in their life.

52% said that they work consistently to grow spiritually but with limited success.

Another 20% said that they work occasionally to grow spiritually but are not consistent.

The remaining 10% admitted that they are neither involved nor interested in growing spiritually.

What were their reasons Christians gave for not pursuing spiritual growth more passionately?

66% said they are just too busy to give the process the time it requires.

25% cited a general lack of interest or motivation to grow.

Here’s what Barna concluded. Christianity in America suffers from “a lack of passion to be godly.” “We’re all busy, and Jesus comes along and asks us to get serious about spiritual growth. What’s our response? We give intellectual assent to the idea, but when push comes to shove, our schedules are already bloated with other, more important tasks, opportunities and responsibilities. We have passion, but it is not a passion for the matters of God.”

    D. The Goal: That you will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.

If you’re here this morning and agreeing with Barna’s survey, I have one suggestion for you—get involved with a small group. Join a group of men, women, a Small Group and tell them where you need to work. Write out on a 3x5 card where your spiritual life needs an overhaul. Ask them to pray for you, walk with you, lovingly hold you accountable for growth and progress.

What Does It Take To Grow? Confession!

II. Introduction

I used to backpack regularly in the Salmo Wilderness area of Northern Washington. After hiking hard for 2 hours, there was nothing better than slipping out of your heavy pack next to a clear mountain stream and getting a drink of water. Once, while we were enjoying the delicious refreshment of the mountain stream, a friend was placing large boulders in the bottoms of our packs. 15 to 20 extra pounds! We came back after 10 minutes, slipped our packs back on, and commented on how heavy they always felt after a break. Our friend agreed! We hiked another 2 to 3 hours to our destination, and only after setting up camp did we realize that we’d been carrying unnecessary weight!

My fear is that many of you here this morning are also carrying unnecessary weight! Burdens on the inside that are slowing you down, weighing you down, bringing you down! Turn to page 670 in your pew Bible, Psalm 32. God has some answers for us…

III. God wants you to experience the incredible joy of being completely forgiven of every sin (1-2)

    A. God’s forgiveness includes every kind of sin imaginable

As I read verses 1 and 2, I want you to circle three words…

1 Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

David uses three distinct words for sin in verses 1-2:

  • “rebellion” or breaking away from God,
  • “transgressions” or missing the mark, and
  • “iniquity,” that which is crooked, morally distorted.

He isn’t saying that God forgives these three distinct kinds of sins as much as He is saying God forgives all kinds of sins…

      1. Sins against God or against people
      2. Large sins or small sins
      3. Intentional sins or unintentional
      4. Sins of commission (doing what you shouldn’t) or omission (not doing what you should have)
    B. God’s forgiveness clears the guilty completely

David uses three distinct terms to describe God’s forgiveness in verses 1-2. I want you to put a box around the words for forgiveness:

1 Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

      1. God carries away your burden of guilt—removes it, forgets it
      2. God covers your shame—its defilement is no longer reason for shame, implies that He will never bring it up again
      3. God cancels your debt—nothing left for you to pay
      C. God’s forgiveness results in boundless joy!

1 Oh, what joy…

Do you want that? Maybe you’re here this morning with no joy. Weighed down with the guilt of your sins. Guilty, ashamed, a prisoner of your troubled conscience. Doesn’t have to go on that way! You can go free! You can know joy again!

D. Objections

You’re thinking, “If that were only true. It may be true for others, but it isn’t true for me. My sin is different. God’s forgiveness be extended to others, but not to me.”

The background of this Psalm is probably David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba, and then his murder of her husband Uriah. Adultery. Murder. David says that God has forgiven him of these things. If God can forgive David of these, why don’t you think he can forgive you of your sins? You may be thinking

    1. God can’t forgive me

What I've done is so horrible, it is inconceivable that He could ever forgive." I have a word from God for you.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I Jn 1:9 (NIV)

Now if you are here today saying "God can't forgive me" that just makes one more thing God can and will forgive you for. God is not a liar. When He says He will forgive, he means it.

    2. God can’t forgive me again

I have done this sin so many times, that God by now is sick and tired of me coming to him over and over. God can't possibly forgive me again."

We think of God like someone on the other end of a phone. We have called him and called him about the same sin. Over and over and over again. And we are sure that if we call once more, He's going to yell into the phone, "YOU AGAIN!!!" and then slam down the receiver.

But notice again what the verse says, "If we confess our sins...He will forgive us our sins up to 10 times, up to 100 times, up to 1000 times." No. Is says that if we confess, He will forgive. Period.

    3. God can’t forgive me now

Maybe he'll be able to forgive me once I've proved to him how sorry I really am, how sincere I am this time to go straight. Once I have had opportunity to prove to God I mean business, then maybe he will forgive me."

So to demonstrate your sincerity you:

  • Tell God that you will go to church for 10 straight Sundays, even if it is snowing, even if you have a head cold.
  • Promise that if He will forgive you just once more, you will volunteer to work with the Youth Group this year as punishment.

But notice again what the verse says, "If we confess our sins..." It doesn't say "If we confess and give $100 a month; If we confess and pray an hour a day; If we confess and read 5 chapters a day for a year; If we confess and ..."

Sometimes we wait to come and confess our sins until we think we have a better case. I don’t know if that was in David’s heart, but he waited a year after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. An entire year went by until he finally came and acknowledged to God his wrong.

No. God doesn’t say we need to prove our sincerity. God says that all we need to do is confess. What He will invariably do is to forgive. But what if we don’t confess? Look again at Psalm 32…

IV. Living with unconfessed sin results in sickness of body and soul (3-4)

I refused to confess my sin…” Is it hard to admit you’ve been wrong? Absolutely! So sometimes we stubbornly refuse to admit we are in the wrong. Pretend as though if enough time goes by, God will forget about it. Pretend as though it wasn’t that big of sin. Excuse, rationalize, justify. There are predictable consequences for refusing to confess your sins…

    A. You’ll lose your strength and peace

3 When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable…(lit. my bones wasted away.)

    B. You’ll lose your joy

3 When I refused to confess my sin…I groaned all day long.

    C. You’ll find no relief

4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

    D. You’ll be thwarted and frustrated, lasting success will always elude you

People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Sometimes, because the consequences of not confessing are so hard, we opt for a counterfeit confession. Let me run a few of them by you, and see if you’ve ever tried getting God off your back with any of these…

    E. Confession Counterfeits
      1. The Martyr’s confession—“OK, I sinned, so shoot me”

“God, I don’t really believe that what I did was that bad, but if you’re going to be so unreasonable and make me confess, well, just go ahead and strike me dead right here, right now!”

      2. The Politician’s confession, part 1—“Errors were made”

The passive voice negates the need for accepting any responsibility. This is like the captain of the Titanic getting on the P.A. system and announcing, “Icebergs were hit.” No one is responsible. And that isn’t confession!

      3. The Politician’s confession, part 2—“I’m sorry you took offense”

This pseudo-confession throws the blame on the offended party. “God, I can’t believe you were offended at my “French.” But if that bothered you, I’m sorry for the offense.” Not sorry that I did anything wrong, because I don’t believe I did!

      4. The Burglar’s confession—“I’m sorry I got caught”

Sometimes what sounds like a confession of wrongdoing is really just regret for getting caught. “God, I’m sorry” really means, “God, I’m sure sorry I got caught.”

      5. The POW confession—“I’ll mouth the words, but I won’t mean them”

This Is like the prisoners of war confessions that were coerced. They might have been saying the words with their mouths, but their hearts certainly weren’t in it. To get God off my back, I’ll say the words, but my heart isn’t in it, and I really don’t mean it at all.

      6. The Negotiator’s confession—“I’ll say I was wrong if you’ll cut me a deal”

“OK, God, I’ll give up my speeding and admit it was wrong if you’ll let me skip church twice a month. Deal?” That’s not confession. That’s just plea bargaining with the Almighty!

    F. Have you had enough yet?

Some of you here this morning have been trying to run from God, trying to run from your sin. Some of you here this morning have a temper that flares, and you strike out in anger at those you love—your spouse, your kids. And because you’ve refused to confess it for the sin it is, you’ve been wandering in the wilderness. It’s dry. It’s desolate. There’s a cancer eating at your soul. Have you had enough yet?

Some of you here this morning have been trying to run from God, trying to run from your sin. Some of you here this morning have been convicted by God about your adultery, but you don’t want to acknowledge it and confess it as sin. The doctor says he’s not sure why you can’t sleep at night, but you know. The doctor says your stomach problems are real puzzling, but you know. You’ve been wandering in the wilderness. It’s dry. It’s desolate. Have you had enough yet?

Transition: Refusing to confess leaves us miserable—sick in body and sick in soul. Counterfeit confessions are even worse. So what’s the answer?

V. The only way you can find the joy of forgiveness is through the humility of confession (5)

      A. Confession means I acknowledge ownership of my sins

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.

Did you catch whose sins they were? David’s sins. One essential part of confession is ownership—these are my sins. In verse 5, three times David acknowledges that these sins are his sins. Circle the phrases “my sins” “my rebellion” and “my guilt.”

  • Today I claim ownership of my sins
      B. Confession means I don’t disguise my sins

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.

There are all sorts of ways we try to hide our sins. We call them by all sorts of other names, “My Irish blood,” “The neighborhood I grew up in,” “If you had a boss like mine.” Confession means I quit rationalizing, explaining, justifying my sins. I rip the disguises off and call them what they are—sins!

  • It’s not flirting, it’s emotional adultery.
  • It’s not an intense discussion, with your teenage son, it’s verbal abuse.
  • It’s not one of the perks of the job, it’s stealing.
  • It’s not catching a few more winks, it’s laziness.
  • It’s not studying with friends, it’s cheating.
  • It’s not saving money on music, it’s stealing.
  • It’s not a platonic relationship, it’s adultery
  • Today I call my sins what they are—wrong.
      C. Confession means I come back to God on His terms.

5 I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Who is it in verse 5 that David confesses his sins to? To the Lord. God is mentioned twice. The One David had been running from ignoring, is the One David finally comes back to. Confession always involves a return to reality about myself, about my sin, and about my God. Are you ready to do that? To come back?

  • Today I will come back to God on His terms.

VI. Those who confess their sin gain God’s help

      A. Those who confess their sins gain God’s complete forgiveness

5 I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

      B. Those who confess their sin gain God’s secure protection

6 Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble
.
You surround me with songs of victory.

  • Today I choose God’s protection rather than His judgment
      C. Those who confess their sin gain God’s wise guidance

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

  • Today I choose God’s loving guidance rather than His harsh discipline
      D. Those who confess their sin gain God’s unfailing love

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

  • Today I choose God’s unfailing love rather than sin’s unending sorrow
      E. Those who confess their sin gain God’s triumphant joy

11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

  • Today I choose God’s joyful victory rather than sin’s sad defeat

VII. Conclusion—The Seven A’s of Confession

Would you be willing to work your way through the steps of confession before this service is over? You may have come here this morning with unnecessary weight, unnecessary guilt, but you don’t have to leave the same way. The choice is yours…

    1. Address everyone involved

That may be just God. That may be others as well. You need to confess your wrong to everyone affected by your sin.

    2. Avoid ifs, buts, maybes

“God, I cheated on the test, but if You hadn’t let her paper be so visible, I don’t think I would have.” “God, I yelled at my mom, but she yelled right back at me too!” Dr. Tony Evans says, “If it contains an excuse, it isn’t a confession.”

    3. Admit specifically what you did wrong

It’s easy to hide behind vague generalities. Don’t do it. Identify your sinful attitudes (pride, selfishness, envy, greed, bitterness, ingratitude, stubbornness, etc.) and sinful actions.

    4. Acknowledge the hurt you’ve caused

Let God know you realize your sinful behavior has caused him pain.

    5. Accept the consequences

Tell God that you’re willing to bear the consequences of your sin. God may graciously let you off the hook. That’s his call, not yours.

    6. Alter your behavior

Proverbs 28:13 says we should confess and forsake our sin. Make a commitment that with God’s help, you won’t walk down this path again.

    7. Accept God’s forgiveness

If after confessing your sin, you find your conscience still plagued with guilt, that’s not from God. He says that if you confess, He will forgive. Receive it, believe it, accept it!

Related Topics: Teaching the Bible, Confession

The Disciplines of Prayer and Fasting

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Seminary Mission Statement

The mission of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is to equip leaders to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandments through the local church and its ministries.

Course Description

This course is designed to provide a biblical, theological, and historical study of prayer and fasting with a particular emphasis on assisting students in their personal prayer lives, personal fasting, and their preparation for leadership of the prayer and fasting experiences in local churches.

Student Outcomes

The student will have an enhanced understanding of the biblical, theological, and historical backgrounds of prayer and fasting

The student will have enhanced personal perspectives, attitudes, and commitments toward prayer and fasting.

The student will have enhanced skills in personal devotional practices related to prayer and fasting.

The student will have enhanced skills in leading ministries of prayer and fasting in the local church.

Key Competencies Addressed

This course addresses the spiritual and character formation competency as well as the disciplemaking and, biblical exposition, and Christian theological heritage competencies.

Textbooks

The Prayer-Shaped Disciple by Dan R. Crawford, Hendrickson Publishers

Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Towns, Regal Books

Course Requirements

    1. The student will read the textbooks and provide reflection briefs on chapters assigned by the professor.

    2. The student will maintain a 5 day-per-week prayer journal.

    3. The student will read and report on one book from the bibliography.

    4. The student will complete the midterm and final exams.

Course Evaluation

Reading/Reflection Briefs

20%

Prayer Journal

20%

Book Report

20%

Midterm Exam

20%

Final Exam

20%

Course Outline

Assignments/Introduction

Bibliography

Anderson, Leith. Praying to the God You Can Trust. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1998.

Beasley-Topliffe, Keith. Surrendering to God: Living the Covenant Prayer. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2001.

Bright, Bill. The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer. Orlando: New Life Publications, 1997.

Cedar, Paul and Charles R. Swindoll, Eds. A Life of Prayer. Nashville: Word Books, 1998.

Celebrate Jesus 2000 Prayer Committee. Praying Your Friends to Christ. Alpharetta, GA: North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1998.

Chafer, Lewis Sperry. True Evangelism: Winning Souls Through Prayer. Grand Rapids. Kregel Publications, 1993.

Christenson, Evelyn. Unleashing God’s Power: What God Does When Women Pray. Nashville: Word Books, 2000.

Cornwall, Judson. Praying the Scriptures. Orlando: Creation House. 1998.

Crawford, Dan R. and Calvin Miller. Prayer Walking: A Journey of Faith. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2002.

Cymbala, Jim. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.

Dietz, Eddie. What Does Prayer Enable God to Do? Cherokee, NC: Mountain Gospel Publishing, 1998.

Dobson, Shirley. Certain Peace in Uncertain Times: Embracing Prayer in an Anxious Age. Portland: Multnomah, 2002.

Elmore, Tim, John D. Hull, John C. Maxwell. Pivotal Praying: Connecting With God in Times of Great Need. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2002.

Floyd, Ronnie W. How to Pray. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1999.

Franklin, John, Compiler. A House of Prayer. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999.

Graf, Jonathan. The Power of Personal Prayer. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002.

Helms, Elaine. If My People…Pray: Steps to Effective Church Prayer Ministry. Marietta, GA: Church Prayer Ministries, 2000.

Hemphill, Ken. The Prayer of Jesus. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2001.

Howard, Evan B. Praying the Scriptures. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Hunt, T.W. and Claude V. King. In God’s Presence. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 1994.

Jennings, Ben. The Arena of Prayer. Orlando: New Life Publications, 1999.

Johnstone, Patrick. Operation World: 21st Century Edition. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2001.

Kamstra, Douglas A. The Praying Church Idea Book. Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2001.

Lucado, Max, Ed. A Thirst for God: Studies on the Lord’s Prayer. Nashville: Word, Publishing, 1999.

Lucas, Daryl J., Ed. 107 Questions Children Ask About Prayer. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1998.

McHenry, Janet Holm. Prayerwalk: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Strength and Discipline. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 2001.

McIntosh, Doug. God Up Close: How to Meditate on God’s Word. Chicago: Moody Press, 1998.

Mehl, Ron. A Prayer That Moves Heaven. Portland: Multnomah Press, 2002.

Moore, Beth. Praying God’s Word. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Murphey, Cecil. Invading the Privacy of God. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 1997.

Omartian, Stormie. The Power of a Praying Husband. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, Inc., 2001.

_______________. The Power of a Praying Parent. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers Inc., 1995.

_______________. The Power of a Praying Wife. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, Inc., 1997.

Otis, George, Jr. Informed Intercession. Ventura: Renew Books, 1999.

Parkhurst, Louis Gifford, Jr., Ed. Principles of Prayer. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2001.

Patterson, Ben. Deepening Your Conversation With God. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999.

Pier, Mac and Katie Sweeting. The Power of a City at Prayer: What Happens When Churches Unite for Renewal. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Ramon, Brother. The Prayer Mountain. Norwich: Cantebury Press, 1998.

Richards, Larry. Every Prayer and Petition in the Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998.

Sheets, Dutch. Watchman Prayer. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2000.

Sherrer, Quin and Ruthanne Garlock. How to Pray for Your Children. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1998.

Sherrer, Quin. Praying Prodigals Home. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2000.

Spear, Wayne R. Talking to God. Pittsburg: Crown & Covenant Publications, 2002.

Spurgeon, Charles H. Twelve Sermons on Prayer. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996.

Teykl, Terry. How to Pray After You’ve Kicked the Dog. Muncie, IN: Prayer Point Press, 1999.

Vander Griend, Alvin J. Developing a Prayer-Care-Share Lifestyle. Grand Rapids: Hope Ministries, 1999.

Wagner, C. Peter. Churches That Pray: How Prayer Can Help Revitalize Your Congregation and Break Down the Walls Between Your Church and Your Community. Ventura: Regal Books, 1997.

_______________. Praying With Power: How To Pray Effectively and Hear Clearly from God. Ventura: Regal Books, 1997.

Washington, James Melvin, Ed. Conversations With God: Two Centuries of Prayers by African Americans. New York: Harper Collins Books, 1994.

Wright, C. Thomas. Pray Timer: Real Time for Real Prayer. Alpharetta, GA: North American Mission Board, 2001.

Related Topics: Prayer, Fasting

Prayer in Scripture and in the Christian Life

Related Media

 

Syllabus

Catalog Description of the Course

A study of the progressive biblical revelation on prayer and evaluation of prayer practices and teaching in the light of Scripture. 2 hours.

Purposes of the Course

This course should enable you to know what the Bible teaches about prayer, to feel a greater love and appreciation for God, and to adopt a more biblical lifestyle of prayer.

Instructional Objectives

You should be able to do the following things at the end of this course.

    1. Explain what prayer is and what it is not.

    2. Describe and differentiate eight kinds of prayer.

    3. Explain how prayer relates to 18 religious practices that people properly or improperly link with prayer.

    4. Identify the significant new revelations concerning prayer in the Bible.

    5. Appreciate the direct relationship between a person’s perspective of God and his or her prayers.

    6. Differentiate the bases upon which people approached God in prayer in various periods of history.

    7. Explain the significance of the methods and forms people use in praying.

    8. List the characteristics of prayer in various periods of history.

    9. Identify the major concerns about which people have prayed in various periods of history.

    10. Offer scriptural explanations for the apparent contradictions to other biblical teachings that prayer raises.

    11. Explain why God does not answer some prayers.

    12. Enumerate the conditions for having one’s prayers answered.

    13. Evaluate selected extrabiblical literature on prayer in view of the scriptural teaching.

    14. Appreciate the consistency of biblical teaching on prayer.

    15. Feel relief over the resolution of apparent theological and practical problems connected with prayer.

    16. Communicate with God in prayer more effectively.

    17. Enjoy a more intimate personal relationship with God.

    18. Think creatively about prayer.

    19. Appreciate more fully how God is answering your prayers.

    20. Gain more insight into the condition of your own heart.

    21. Clarify your attitudes and feelings about prayers.

    22. Appreciate more fully the relationship between prayer and spiritual power.

    23. Gain deeper insight into prayer from the writings of others.

    24. Synthesize various aspects of the study of prayer.

Course Requirements

    Class Attendance

Attend as many meetings of the class as possible and participate in class discussions. Your first three absences from class are excused. Each absence beyond three will result in a reduction in your final grade for the course. Three tardies equal one absence. If you miss more than 10 minutes of a class, you should count yourself absent. Record the completion of this assignment on the course schedule below. Report the fulfillment of this requirement on the “Assignments Report” sheet (the last page of this syllabus) at the end of the course.

    Textbook Reading

You will need to read a copy of Talking to God: What the Bible Teaches about Prayer by Thomas L. Constable. This book is currently out of print, but you will receive a copy as a handout in class.

Please read the section of the book dealing with the subject(s) assigned for the next class period before coming to that class so you can participate in the discussion of that subject. You may give yourself half credit for each reading assignment you completed by the end of the course if you did not complete it before the class period when it was due. Keep a record of the textbook reading assignments you complete on the course schedule below. Mark “1” beside each assignment you completed on time or “1/2” beside each one you did not complete on time but which you completed by the end of the course. You will need to report the total number on the “Assignments Report” sheet at the end of the course.

    Praying

Spend at least 1/2 hour per day, at least 6 days per week, in concentrated, private prayer during this semester. This is to be praying that you do while concentrating on nothing else. Praying done in prayer meetings can count toward the fulfillment of this requirement but not praying while you are driving or doing anything else that divides your attention. Record the completion of this assignment each week on the course schedule below. If you did not complete the total assignment for the week, you should give yourself no credit for this assignment for that week. You need complete only one hour, instead of three, the first week of the course. This is the most important assignment in the course. Each prayer assignment that you do on time will receive double credit. Report the fulfillment of this requirement on the “Assignments Report” sheet at the end of the course.

    Other Assignments

You may select which and how many of these assignments you want to do for this course. These are due at class time on the due date. A list of these assignments and the specified due dates of some of them follows below. It is a good idea to copy each assignment before you turn it in just in case it gets lost. Please put the name of the assignment on it before you turn it in. This will save the grader time recording your grades, and it will help him or her record your grades accurately. You may turn in assignments early, but I recommend that you do not. The grader will probably hold early papers and grade all of them when they are due. The assignment might get set aside and lost if you turn it in early.

Keep a record of the assignments you turn in, when you turn them in, and the grade you earned for each one on the course schedule below. This will help you make sure you get proper credit if the grader should make an error recording your grades.

Include in these assignments all information needed to fulfill them including biblical data and advocates of viewpoints where appropriate. Present all sides of an issue when this is appropriate to the assignment. Organize your thoughts carefully before you begin writing. Present your data clearly, concisely, completely, and correctly in any form appropriate to the assignment (essay, chart, diagram, etc.). You may write your papers by hand if you cannot type, but they must be legible and double spaced. “Course papers must conform as nearly as possible to thesis style as presented in the latest edition of A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian and to any additional instructions authorized by the faculty” (Student Handbook, p. 23). Additional instructions authorized by the faculty include the Supplement to Turabian available in the Book Center.

Be careful not to plagiarize the work of someone else. Plagiarism is the act of taking and passing off as one’s own the ideas and writing of another. Plagiarism is a sin because it is a form of stealing and lying.

Depending on the grade you want to earn in this course, you may do any combination of the following assignments, those with specified dates due and those with unspecified due dates.

Assignments with Specified Due Dates

A short paper on imprecatory prayers. Research in the Bible and in other reference books and answer the questions that follow. Use 4 to 6 pages of paper. DUE Sept. 24.

a. What is an imprecatory prayer?

b. Cite several examples of imprecatory prayers in the Bible with Scripture references.

c. Why has the presence of imprecatory prayers in the Bible been a source of discomfort to Christians?

d. Give your solution(s) to the problem(s) of imprecatory prayers just mentioned in answer to question c above.

A short paper on vows and signs. Research in the Bible and in other reference books and answer the questions below. Use 4 to 6 pages of paper. DUE Oct. 8.

a. What is a vow as the Bible uses the term?

b. Why should a Christian make vows to God or why should a Christian not make vows to God?

c. Should a Christian request signs from God? Why or why not?

A summarizing chart. Make a chart on two sheets of paper (any size) condensing the most important data in chapters 4 and 5 of the textbook from your viewpoint. DUE Oct. 31.

A short paper on God changing His mind. Research in the Bible and elsewhere and explain the references in Scripture to God changing His mind in response to prayer. Use 4 to 6 pages of paper. DUE Dec. 5.

A short paper on prayer requests. Research from the Bible and explain what God has commanded and encouraged Christians to pray for with Scriptural references. Use 4 to 6 pages of paper. DUE Dec. 10.

A creative writing project. Research and write an article suitable for submission to Kindred Spirit in 900-1100 words entitled “The Main Reason Prayers Go Unanswered” or “How to Get Your Prayers Answered.” DUE Dec. 12.

A prayer diary. Compose a prayer diary or journal in which you record your prayer requests and God’s answers as well as your thoughts about prayer as this course progresses. Try to make regular entries during the weeks of this course. Write the diary in any form that you can turn in for reading and evaluation. For some values of this exercise and “how tos” see “Keeping a Personal Development Journal” by Janet Carter in Christian Single (January 1984), pp. 30-31. DUE Dec. 12.

Assignments with Unspecified Due Dates

You may turn in these assignments any class period. The last possible time to turn them in is by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 20, but they will be graded down for lateness if you turn them in after the last class period on December 12.

A book report. Read one or more books on prayer, and write a 3 to 4 page report on each book. These may be books in the course bibliography or other books. I recommend especially the books in the Select Annotated Bibliography in the textbook.

You may want to discuss with me a book that you are considering reading before you begin reading it. I may be able to warn you away from some that might be unprofitable for you to read. The annotations in the course bibliography may provide similar help.

A minimum of 100 pages of reading is required for one assignment. Your written report(s) will be the basis for your grade. A good book report should include interaction with the significant ideas and emphases that the writer presented. It should also include perceptive evaluation of the content of the book and the author’s presentation from a biblical perspective plus an explanation of the help you received from reading it. You may do as many of these book reports as you desire. Each 100 pages read counts as one assignment.

A research paper. Write one or more research papers (1250-2500 words each) in which you present the results of your independent study of some aspect of prayer that is of special interest to you. I must approve your subject before you begin your research. One reason for this is so you do not attempt too much. Include a bibliography of all sources used in your research. You may do as many of these research papers as you desire. Each one counts as one assignment.

A creative project. You may propose a project to me that you may do by yourself or with one or more other students in this course. This could be an audio and or visual production suitable for use with a particular audience. It must communicate some aspect of the biblical teaching concerning prayer. Some creative projects may be appropriate for class presentation.

A seminar. You may attend a seminar on prayer that I approve and write an evaluative report of it. Your evaluation should include the same things mentioned in the book report assignment above.

Written prayers. You may write out at least 10 original prayers of praise based on at least 10 attributes of God, one prayer per attribute. These prayers should each be about 250 words long. These 10 or more prayers will constitute one assignment.

Course Grading

You will decide what grade you want to earn in this course and do the assignments required for that grade. This is the contract method of grading with modifications explained below.

Here is an explanation of the quantity and quality of written assignments and creative projects required to receive a final letter grade.

To earn an A turn in 7 assignment credits that together average “excellent.”

To earn a B turn in 6 assignment credits that together average “excellent” or 7 assignment credits that together average “very good.”

To earn a C turn in 5 assignment credits that together average “excellent” or 6 assignment credits that together average “very good” or 7 assignment credits that together average “good.”

To earn a D turn in 4 assignment credits that together average “excellent” or 5 assignment credits that together average “very good” or 6 assignment credits that together average “good.”

If you did 6 assignments and got “excellent” on 3 and “very good” on 3, your average would be “excellent.” Tie goes to the student.

To compute your average grade for all the assignments you turned in, assign a number to each assignment grade as follows: E = 3, VG = 2, G = 1. Add these numbers and divide by your total number of acceptable assignments. 3 to 2.5 = E, 2.49 to 1.50 = VG, 1.49 to 1 = G. Do not calculate your final grade by assigning a numerical value to each assignment grade and totaling these numbers because you need to earn the specified number of assignment credits to qualify for your final grade.

Your written assignments and creative projects will be graded on the basis of the thoroughness of your research and your presentation of the material. Each of these will receive one of the following grades.

Excellent means you did the assignment extremely well and there is little that could improve it.

Very good means that you have dealt with all the elements you should have dealt with effectively. It is a solid example of good work.

Good means it was adequate to fulfill the assignment. It may not be as complete, full, well thought out, well organized, well produced, or neat as it could have been, but it is an adequate treatment.

Unacceptable means it is below master’s level quality for any number of reasons. These reasons include incompleteness, missing the point of the assignment, superficiality, or sloppiness.

I want to encourage you to work together with another student in preparing your written assignments and creative projects. Our tendency is to become increasingly individualistic in seminary whereas in ministry it is essential that we work effectively with other people. Therefore I will give you 1 and 1/2 credits for an assignment that you do in pairs rather than 1 credit, which you will receive if you do the assignment acceptably by yourself. Your partner may be anyone enrolled in this course including an auditor. However, your partner may not be your spouse unless he or she is officially enrolled in this course too. If you do an assignment with a partner, you must identify each person who contributed to it by name on the assignment. You must also explain the process that you went through in producing the assignment together. If you have differing views on the subject dealt with in the assignment, you must explain and defend each person’s position. You must not divide the assignment, each do a part, and then combine the parts to form one paper. You must each do the whole assignment, then get together and compare your work and conclusions, and finally produce the final product.

Your grade for an assignment may be lowered for any of the following reasons. You may have failed to demonstrate that you have done inductive and or deductive research in assignments that require this. That you have done such research should be evident in the body of the assignment and in the bibliography at the end, where you must identify the sources you used in preparing the assignment. You may have failed to include needed information including biblical data where appropriate. You may have failed to present all sides of an issue where appropriate to the assignment. You may have failed to organize your thoughts and to present your information orderly and concisely. You may have failed to explain something clearly. The grader will write on the assignment any reason for a grade reduction so you will be able to do better in future assignments.

Contact the grader if you have a question about a grade or a comment that he or she has written on one of your assignments when you get it back. If you still have a question after talking with him or her, see me.

I will accept written assignments with specified due dates up to two class periods late, except those due the final week of classes. However if you submit one late, the assignment grade will be one category lower for lateness (e.g., from E to VG). If you want to turn in one of these assignments after it is due (after class time), turn it in the following class period. You will not gain any advantage by bringing it to my office.

In our grading system at DTS we give pluses and minuses as well as straight letter grades. Your fulfilling the course assignments to attend class, read the textbook, and pray will affect your final grade. This will determine whether you get a straight letter grade, a plus, or a minus. The final grade may suffer in cases of extreme negligence to these requirements. To earn a + on your final letter grade, you must complete a total of at least 77 class attendances, textbook reading assignments, and prayer assignments as required. The complete requirements follow below.

The total number of class attendances, textbook reading assignments, and prayer assignments you complete on time appear at the left below, and the grade adjustment appears to its right. Each prayer assignment is worth twice as much as each textbook reading assignment and each class attendance assignment.

        80-77

        + added to the final letter grade

        76-71

        straight letter grade

        70-65

        - added to the final letter grade

        64-59

        final grade lowered one letter

        58-53

        final grade lowered two letters

        52-47

        final grade lowered three letters

        46-0

        final grade lowered four letters

You must receive an extension from the Credits Committee of the faculty through the Registrar’s office before the end of the course if you need time beyond December 20 to complete the course requirements. See the Student Handbook for course extension policies.

Course Schedule

Mark a check for each class period you attend, and write a “1” or “1/2” beside each textbook reading assignment you complete on the course schedule below. Check in the prayer column only if you have completed 3 hours of private praying the week preceding that class period (1 hour the first week). You will receive double credit for each prayer assignment you complete on time. I also suggest that you write in the other assignments that you do as you complete them. The blank spaces in the last column are for this purpose. This will help you keep track of all the assignments you have completed so you can report this at the end of the course on the “Assignments Report” sheet and receive proper credit. Please do not turn in this class schedule. It is only for your convenience in keeping track of how many and which assignments you have completed satisfactorily.

Date

Class

Period

Class

Attend.

Class Content

Text

Prayer

Other

Assigns.

8-27

1

_____

Introduction to course

     

8-29

2

_____

Why Christians

don’t pray more

_____

_____

_____

9-3

3

_____

The subject and

definition of prayer

_____

 

_____

9-5

4

_____

The varieties of prayer

_____

_____

_____

9-10

5

_____

The varieties of prayer

_____

 

_____

9-12

6

_____

The varieties of prayer

_____

_____

_____

9-17

7

_____

The varieties of prayer

_____

 

_____

9-19

8

_____

The varieties of prayer

_____

_____

_____

9-24

9

_____

The varieties of prayer

_____

 

_____

9-26

10

_____

Prayer and

spiritual power

_____

_____

_____

10-1

11

_____

Practices associated

with prayer

_____

 

_____

10-3

12

_____

Practices associated

with prayer

_____

_____

_____

10-8

13

_____

Practices associated

with prayer

_____

 

_____

10-10

14

_____

Prayer in the

Old Testament

_____

_____

_____

10-15

15

_____

Prayer in the

Old Testament

_____

 

_____

10-17

16

_____

Prayer in the

Old Testament

_____

_____

_____

10-22

17

_____

Prayer in the

New Testament

_____

 

_____

10-24

18

_____

Prayer in the

New Testament

_____

_____

_____

10-29

19

_____

Prayer in the

New Testament

_____

 

_____

10-31

20

_____

Prayer in the

New Testament

_____

_____

_____

11-5

21

_____

Class period devoted to prayer

_____

 

_____

11-7

22

_____

Prayer in the

pastoral ministry

_____

_____

_____

11-12

23

_____

Theological problems

involving prayer

_____

 

_____

11-14

24

_____

Theological problems

involving prayer

_____

_____

_____

11-19 &21

   

No Classes

Reading Week

     

11-26 &28

   

No Classes

Thanksgiving Recess

     

12-3

25

_____

Theological problems

involving prayer

_____

 

_____

12-5

26

_____

Theological problems

involving prayer

_____

_____

_____

12-10

27

_____

Practical problems

involving prayer

_____

 

_____

12-12

28

_____

Conditions for

answered prayer

_____

_____

_____

Bibliography

I have prepared a lengthy annotated bibliography of books on prayer that is much too long to include in this syllabus. You will receive it as a handout in class.

Assignments Report

Instructions. You must turn in this sheet and all work for this course no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 20. You must fill this sheet out completely and turn it in to receive a final grade and credit for this course. Total the checks you have made on the class attendance, text, and prayer columns on the course schedule to provide the following information. The prayer assignments will receive double credit, but record here only the number of prayer assignments you completed by class time each week. You do not need to report the other assignments that you did since I already have a record of that.

After checking my class attendance record in column 3 of the course schedule above, I can report that I was present for the following number of class periods: _____.

After totaling all the 1s and 1/2s in column 5 of the course schedule above, I can report that I completed the following total number of textbook reading assignments: _____. (Do not write “all” or any other word but the exact number.)

After totaling all the checks in column 6 of the course schedule above, I can report that I completed the following total number of private prayer assignments on time this semester: _____.

I affirm that the information above is true and complete.

Name (please print) ________________________________________ Box _________

Each time I teach a course I try to improve it. What did you like about this course and what did you dislike? How could I make it more enjoyable and profitable in your opinion?

Please attach a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you would like me to mail your final grade and any not yet returned written assignments to you. Otherwise these will come back to you through your Student Information Center box.

Related Topics: Prayer, Basics for Christians

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