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Today, Tomorrow, And Forever

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There have been many thoughts and observations concerning these three words. For example, “Live one day at a time. You can plan for tomorrow and hope for the future, but don’t live in it and tomorrow’s strength will come tomorrow.”1 Concerning today, John Dryden pointed out,

Happy the man, and happy he alone
He who can call today his own;
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have liv’d today.2

Sarah Bolton remarked that such happiness can be achieved with a heart at peace despite disturbing circumstances;

Forget the past and live the present hour;
Now is the time to work, the time to fill
The soul with noblest thoughts, the time to will
Heroic deeds, to use whatever dower
Heaven has bestowed, to test our utmost power.

…….

Be glad today, tomorrow may bring tears;
Be brave today, the darkest night will pass.
And golden rays will usher in the dawn;
Who conquers now shall rule the coming years.3

For the Christian this means that they are to live each day in full trust in God, while living in accordance with his will and standards as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

Indeed, the Bible has good advice for proper daily Christian living. Thus Isaiah warns his readers concerning false teachers who maintain that the goal of living today is in accordance with a personal pleasure that is at variance with God’s standards:

Each one says,
“Come on, I’ll get some wine!
Let’s guzzle some beer!
Tomorrow will be just like today!
We’ll have everything we want! (Isa. 56:12)4

Here Isaiah is speaking of rulers who have and advocate an unrighteous way of life. One ruler tells the others that such a way of life knows no limits or bounds. Nevertheless, the Scriptures encourage believers to be receptive to godly teaching. Thus the Psalmist pleads with his readers by citing the Lord’s warnings:

Today, if only you would obey him!
He says, “Do not be stubborn
like they were at Meribah,
like they were at Massah in the wilderness,
where your ancestors challenged my authority,
and tried my patience,
even though they had seen my work.”(Ps 95:7-9)

In citing Psalm 95, the author of Hebrews points out that no one, especially a believer, should excuse himself by referring to the fact that God’s people in Old Testament times did not always conform to holy standards (cf. 3:7, 15, 17; 4:7). As Hughes points out, Psalm 95 “forms the basis a solemn admonitory passage intended to warn them against repeating the folly of the Israelites of old, whose disobedience was met by the judgment of God.”5 Futato observes further that,

As God’s children there are times when we too, doubt his care to some degree. In those times we must be on our guard so that our hearts do not become calloused resulting in our turning away from the Lord. The reality of this danger for Christians today is confirmed by the use of Psalm 95 in Hebrews 3-4. … The reality of the danger and the severity of the warning are not intended, however, to instill doubt but to produce faith.6

Nor should it be should it seem strange for believers to be told to be faithful to live out God’s standards. Indeed, in so doing they will find God’s strength and guidance. As Lina Sandell wrote:

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each what He deems best—
Lovingly, it’s part of pain and pleasure,7
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Our great example is, of course, Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He lived in great faithfulness to God the Father and God’s Word—the Holy Scriptures. One day, “as was his custom, he went into the synagogue in Nazareth, there, “He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him” (Luke 4:16-17). Having read Isaiah 61:1-2 concerning the Spirit of the Lord’s anointing someone to help a needy mankind and an appointment to “proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,” and having returned the scroll to the attendant, he said to the waiting people, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read” (Luke 4:21). Christ’s “today” was one of scriptural fulfillment. Moreover, as Marshall, observes, “The ‘today’ of Jesus is still addressed to all readers of the Gospel and assures them that the era of salvation is present.” 8 Although we may not experience a scriptural fulfillment of prophecy in the sense in which Jesus did, we can and should do our best to experience God’s grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit apply, live out, and share the teaching of God’s Word each “today.”

A classic example of Christ’s “”today” is displayed at the time of his crucifixion. As Jesus hung on the cross, crucified between two criminals, one of them turned and pled with him, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom” Luke 23: 42).9 Jesus immediately turned to him and said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43). It is of interest to note further that the author of Hebrews declares that although Jesus was God’s son, “He learned obedience through the things he suffered. And being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb 5:8-9). As Michaels remarks with regard to those who obediently follow the plan on salvation, “Through the perfecting of Jesus (see also 7:28), they, too, come to God and access to heaven (see 7:19; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23).”10

Moreover, as united to the risen Christ we have full access to the throne of grace not only for salvation, but for daily help to live godly lives. Indeed, we should,

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you through every day o’er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.11

As Whittle adds, “Moment by moment I’m kept in His love, moment by moment I’ve life from above.” 12 May we believers therefore live each ‘today” in full dependence on the Lord and his leading rather than by following selfish desires.

Today and Tomorrow

Many relations between today and tomorrow have been suggested. Among those that are most familiar are those that say something like; “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today”13 and “Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.”14A bit of compromise can be felt in Smith’s observation: “We know nothing/..g of tomorrow; our business is to be good and happy today.”15 Along the same lines, but with a more spiritual tone is Carpenter’s observation that yesterday is past and,

Tomorrow sits shrouded near God’s throne,
And her veil none can tear away;
But today is the golden day for men—
For God’s work may be done today.16

Likewise Cowper declared:

In holy contemplation
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
and find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
Let the unknown tomorrow
Bring with it what it may.17

The Scriptures also record various things about tomorrow. For example, in prophesying concerning God’s coming judgment of his people in Jerusalem, due to their lack of faith and trust in the Lord, as well as the people’s philosophic bent toward self-satisfaction, Isaiah chides them, reminding them that the Lord had called for their “weeping and mourning” (Isa. 22:12):

But look, there is outright celebration!
You say, “Kill the ox and slaughter the sheep,
eat meat and drink wine,
Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (Isa. 22:13).

As Oswalt observes, “Instead of a deep grief over a long series of offenses against a holy God…, Jerusalem responds with an outburst of hilarity and self indulgence.” 18 As Oswalt goes on to point out, although there might be some rationale for such a style of life in the face of a certain and final death, nevertheless, “If there is life after death, it behooves us to do everything possible to discover the nature and conditions of that life and to be sure that we have met those conditions).”19 Elsewhere Isaiah records God’s condemnation of Israel’s selfishness by saying that,

Each one says,
“Come on, I’ll get some wine!
Let’s guzzle some beer!
Tomorrow will be just like today!
We’ll have everything we want!” (Isa. 56:12)

As Smith adds, “It was bad enough for Israel’s selfish leaders and people to assume that life’s pleasures would not end soon but, “This deluded optimism is present in the exaggeration that ‘Tomorrow will be great beyond measure.’”20

Unfortunately, such a hedonistic view is too often characteristic of mankind and is certainly present, if not prevalent, in today’s world. The old proverb remains true today that, “Righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34). As was the case for Israel in Isaiah’ time, how tragic is a nation’s condition where there is corrupt, selfish, and incompetent leadership! How greatly it’s people suffer under such conditions! May the Lord soon come and bring his righteous oversight and care for all people.

It is fitting that the author of Proverbs observes,

“Do not boast about tomorrow
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” (Prov. 27:1)

Similarly James delivers a warning to those who live for self and expect that everything in their future will be one of personal gain and contentment:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit” You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

Osborne remarks for worldly minded businessmen such as these is that,

A business career is as much a calling as being a pastor or a missionary. The goal must be to follow God’s leading and glorify him in the business world, then use the profits not just to buy more and more “things” but to enhance kingdom values in the church and among the downtrodden…. No one knows what will happen tomorrow, so the only possible reaction must be to allow God’s providential care to be in charge of all decisions.21

Although James’ warning is certainly presented a good warning for those in business (and is yet appropriate for today’s businessmen) the principles here are applicable to all manner of living. One should not live in a way that is merely self-pleasing and devoid of God’s will and leading, or is wrong-headed and arrogant (cf. v. 16). Moreover, people should desire to live with concern for others and do their best to help them (v. 17).

The Lord Jesus is the supreme example of one who lived for God the Father and with a sincere concern for mankind. As well, Jesus reminded his hearers that people ought not to be overly anxious about the future. Rather,

Above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. (Matt. 6:33-34)

France points out that in context Jesus is emphasizing to his disciples that,

God’s care and provision are assured, but that does not mean that the disciple’s life is to be one long picnic. Each day will still have its “troubles”; the preceding verses simply provide the assurance that by the grace of God they can be survived.22

In his classic commentary on the gospel of Matthew, Broadus remarks that here is good advice for all believers in any age:

It is concerning the future that we are most likely to be anxious and tomorrow is the nearest future; and yet there is special reason for avoiding this, since tomorrow will have its own anxieties and if we anticipate them, we uselessly add to the burden of today. Whether tomorrow’s anxieties will be proper or improper, is not here the question; they will be felt be felt then, and so should not be borrowed today. 23

How easy and quite normal for us to be overly anxious for what lies ahead. How will our plans work out? Will we have what we need? (cf. Matt 6:25-32). Our trust must be in the Lord, his guidance, and provision for what is best for us. As the hymn writer expresses it:

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said;
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what lies ahead.
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.24

As the old children’s chorus proclaims, “My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow.”

Jesus employs the imagery of today and tomorrow in speaking of his own ministry. When some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod Antipas intended to kill him (Luke 13:31), Jesus replies,

Go and tell that fox, “Look, I am casting out demons and performing healings, today and tomorrow and on the third day I will complete my work. Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it is impossible that a prophet should be killed outside Jerusalem.” (Luke 13:32-33)

Jesus’ ministry was perfectly plain to him so that he knew that he would be killed in Jerusalem. Indeed, it was inevitably cast before him that he should die there (v. 34). Meanwhile his ministry must continue not only on the day when he spoke to the Pharisees, but throughout the coming “tomorrows,” which will reach their climax and earthly end on “the third day.” As Trite observes, “The mention of the “third day” here is a strong pointer to Jesus’ resurrection.”25

Indeed, the “third day” is a familiar and oft used motif in the Scriptures.26 Thus, on his final journey to Jerusalem declared to his disciples,

Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles. The will mock him, spit on him, flog him severely, and kill him. Yet after three days, he will rise again. (Mark 13:33-34)

Jesus’ “third day” was the capstone of his earthly ministry and stands as a ray of hope for all true believers. Thus the apostle Paul emphasized the strategic and crucial significance of that “tomorrow,” pointing out that without Christ’s resurrection there would be no hope for mankind. Moreover Paul declares that without the surety of the resurrection his ministry would have been wasted, saying “If from a human point of view I fought with the wild beasts at Ephesus, what did it benefit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Cor. 15:32) As Paul explains throughout 1 Corinthians 15, Christ’s resurrection is a proven fact. Therefore, those who trust in the living Christ can look forward to life after death (cf. vv. 20-22, 51-58). As the familiar hymn expresses it,

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!27

Meanwhile, as did Christ, let us live each day with the full knowledge of our blessed hope—the great “tomorrow.”

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Savior heaven is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset, when day is done.28

In addition, with such an assured hope for “tomorrow,” let us labor tirelessly, serving as Jesus’ ambassadors (cf. 2 Cor. 5:14-20) so as to reach others in order that they also may have a share in the great “tomorrow.” As Paul told Timothy, “I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10).

Today, Tomorrow, and Forever

The Scriptures make it clear the God who existed before the world began (cf. Gen. 1:1; John 1: 1-5) truly lives and reigns forever (cf. Exod. 15:18; Pss. 9:7; 10:18). He exists from eternity past to eternity in the future. Accordingly, a psalmist can exclaim: “May the glory of the LORD endure forever” (Ps.104:31; HCSB). Indeed, he is the One who is unsurpassed in faithful love and kindness:

I will sing about the LORD’s faithful love forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
For I will declare,
“Faithful love is built up forever;
You establish your faithfulness in the heavens.” (Ps. 89:1-2; HCSB)

So great is his loving-kindness that David can praise him not only as the “Shepherd” of his life but as such David can expect that:

Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
as long as I live. (Ps. 23:6; NET)

Although the psalmist is speaking about his life-long expectation of living with God, many have suggested that there is a hint here of life forever with God (cf. ESV; KJV; NKJV; NASB). The concept of life after death is indeed present elsewhere in the OLD Testament (cf. Job 14: 14-15; 19:26-27; Pss. 49:14-15; 73: 23-24; Dan. 12:2). Thus Kidner remarks,

Since the logic of God’s covenant allows no ending to His commitment to a man, as our Lord pointed out (Mt. 22:32), the Christian understanding of these words does no violence to them. “Neither death, nor life, … will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 29

In many versions of the Bible Jesus’ “model prayer” contains these closing words: “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” (Matt. 6:13; HCSB). It is a full acknowledgement of God’s eternal kingdom. Thus the position and authority of God presented in the Old Testament is here repeated in some manuscripts of Matthew. Whatever the status of its authenticity, as Osborne correctly observes, although it may not be authentic, “It (and other endings) is based on 1 Chr 29:11-13 and is meaningful, so it is not wrong to utter the ending as a personal prayer.”30 In any case, it is certain that believers can well join in with Paul in saying,

Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how fathomless his ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has first given to God
that God needs to repay him?

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.

(Romans 11:33-36)

As Harrison remarks, “Paul asserts that God is the source, the means, and the goal of all things.”31 Hodge observes further that,

It is the radical principle of the Bible, and consequently of all true religion, that God is all and in all; that of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. It is the tendency of truth to exalt God, and to humble the creature; and it is characteristic of true piety to feel that all good comes from God, and to desire that all glory should be given to God.32

Today’s believers may likewise affirm with Paul that all glory belongs to the eternal, omniscient (and omnipotent, and omnipresent) God with this added truth: “To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever!” (Rom. 16: 27). For the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, abides and will with the Father reign forever. As the writer to Hebrews declares,

Of the Son he says,
Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.
So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions
with the oil of rejoicing. (Heb. 1:8-9)

Here the author draws upon Psalm 45, a Davidic psalm (Ps 45: 6-7 [MT, 7-8]). Although the original setting of the psalm centered on God’s anointed earthly king as well as a member of the Davidic line to come, it is especially relevant to “The greater descendant, Christ himself (Luke 1:68-69 and Acts 13:32-37).” 33 As Bruce observes in his commentary on Hebrews, “This Messiah can be addressed not merely as God’s Son (verse 5) but actually as God, for He is both the Messiah of David’s line and also the effulgence of God’s glory and the very image of His substance.”34

Believers are especially blessed, for as united to Christ, the living bread and source of the believer’s nourishment and strength (John 6:47-51), they have the assurance not only of salvation in this present life, but life forever with the Lord (John 6:47-51). And not only this, but they have full access to God. As Paul declares to the Roman believers,

For I am convinced that neither death not life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, not height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)

Thus the hymn writer exclaims with great praise,

To God be the glory—great things he hath done!
So loved He the world that that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

…….

O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory—great things He hath done.35

In John’s first Epistle John warns his readers not to “Love the world or the things in the world,” because “The world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever” (1 John 2:15, 17). In contrast to the world as we presently know it, the future holds the terrors of coming judgment. Therefore, to be passionately attached to worldly desires is both meaningless and dangerous. Indeed, John denounces three common worldly desires: fleshly desires, the lusty desires of the eyes, and the pride of possessions (v. 16). Moreover, “In contrast to the three passing lusts of the world, the doer of God’s will has three abiding goods, ‘riches, honour, and life’ (Prov. xxii: 4).” 36 This has its reward in a life that lasts forever. As Marshall remarks, “ It is foolish to desire the world because the world and its desires are passing away…. Permanence belongs to the person who does the will of God. He will remain standing amid the storms of judgment (Mt. 7:21, 24-27).”37 What is important, then, is God’s will and leading in one’s life. Moreover, we should be faithfully committed to God and desirous of his presence. As Lyte says,

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day,
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.38

A wise believer, then, rather than being carried away with thoughts of life’s possessions, will find his riches in the will of God and strive to live in accordance with the word of God. In so doing, believers will not only live righteous lives, but will have a genuine love and concern for others (cf. 1 Pet. 1:22). This they can do, for true believers,

Have been born anew, not from perishable but imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For

all flesh is like grass
and its glory like the flower of the grass,
the grass withers and the flower falls off,
but the word of the Lord endures forever

And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

As English observes, This word is “The Word which has been preached to us, the Word that we should be preaching to others, the Word by which we have been born again to new life, incorruptible and which liveth and abideth forever, the Word which causes us to love the brethren with fervent hearts.”39 Charles comments further, “The link between community and new birth is not to be lost on the readers. Mutual love cannot exist in unadulterated, unfeigned fashion without the element of purification that only comes by way of a new (i.e., spiritual) life.”40

So it is that by God’s love and grace believers are not only blessed forever, but while they remain on the earth they are to be so concerned for others that they freely give to help them:

Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way and at all times, you will overflow in in every good work. Just as it is written, he has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever. (2 Cor. 9:7-9; cf. Ps. 112:9).

Here the “forever” of which Paul speaks is a state of natural affairs. If a believer is truly righteous, he shall always be able and willing to come up with something or some way to be of help to others, whether monetarily or in some practical way. Helping others or doing good, however, should not be done simply with the thought of gaining greater favor with God. Rather, that which is eagerly done with an unselfish desire to be service to others is a testimony to personal righteousness in Christ and will thus earn God’s blessing (cf. Matt. 6:1-4). As Hughes observes, “Once again we see that it is the heart of the giver that matters, as distinct from the quantity or the outwardness of the giving.”41 Although Paul’s “forever” here speaks of a consistent holy walk here and now, it blends in with and leads to that eternal “forever” to which we look forward with eager anticipation.

As we look forward to an eternal “forever” in the presence of the Lord, let us consistently conduct ourselves in righteous living with a concern for the testimony of God and the needs of others. Doing so will reassure us of the Lord’s guidance, presence, and provision.

Application

We have noted that each “today” should be spent in full dependence on the Lord for his guidance and provision. Moreover, we should be concerned to follow his will and to find instruction in his holy Word, the Bible. We noted as well that today soon leads to “tomorrow.” And as Jesus taught we must not be overly consumed with our plans and desires for “tomorrow” (cf. Matt. 6:33-34; James 4:13-15). Surely we know that it is the Lord who holds the key to all our “tomorrows.” We should therefore place our full confidence and trust in him, for he knows what we really need and what is best for us. Assuredly, then, it is his plans, which we must desire. We noted as well that in accordance with our bright hope for “tomorrow” we should have a burning desire to help others and communicate our hope to others so that they become fellow members of God’s family and experience his provision for them.

We also saw that our “tomorrow” leads to an eternal “forever” when we shall enjoy the visible presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and join with the heavenly throng in living praise, worship, and adoration of him. This surely reinforces our need to live in full dependence of the Lord and live in eager anticipation of that glorious future.

Just think! As earthly believers we lived yesterday in hopeful expectation of today. Yet our “today” blends into our “tomorrow” and that in turn to the blessed “forever,” in a new regenerated, refreshed, holy, and everlasting “forever.”

And there will be no more be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him, and they will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:4-5)

Meanwhile, therefore, let us quiet our fears :

Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. 42

Yes indeed, for believers all of this is certain, because God’s Son and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is he who “is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb. 13:8)

Ah, fellow believers, whatever today’s trials and how great they may seem, by committing them into God’s care we may eagerly anticipate tomorrow and look forward to that grand, glorious, and awe inspiring forever in the presence of the Lord.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of his dear face all sorrow will erase
So gladly run the race till we see Christ.43

As the Apostle Peter tells us, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever” (1 Pet. 5:10-11). As Osborne points out, “It is likely that these future tense verbs present inaugurated eschatology—that is, the strength that is available now begins a process that will continue until consummation at the return of Christ.”44 Truly we may agree with Jude that all praise, today tomorrow and forever belongs to our Lord:

Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling, and to cause you to stand, rejoicing without blemish before his glorious presence, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. (Jude 1:24-25)


1 Charles W. Shedd, as cited in Lloyd Corey, Quotable Quotations (Wheaton, IL: Scripture Press, 1989), 403.

2 John Dryden, Imitation of Horace, Book III, ode 29 [1685] line 65 as cited in John Bartlett, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, ed. Justin Kaplan (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1992), 274-75.  

3 Sarah Knowles Bolton, as cited in James Dolton Morrison, ed., Masterpieces of Religious Verse (New York: Harper, 1948), 302.

4 Unless otherwise noted, all scriptural citations are taken from the NET.

5 Philip Edgecombe Hughes, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), 140-41.

6 Mark D. Futato, “The Book of Psalms,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip W. Comfort, 18 vols. (Carol Stream, Il: Tyndale House, 2009) 7:307-08.

7Lina Sandell, trans. by A. L. Skoong, “Day By Day and With Each Passing Moment.” 

8   I. Howard Marshall, The Gospel of Luke, in The New International Greek Commentary (Grand Rapids:  I. Howard Marshall, The Gospel of Luke, in The New International Greek Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), 185.

9 David Brown, “Luke” in A Commentary Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the O)ld And New Testaments, 6 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1948) 5; 339) emphasizes the significance of Christ’s words to the dying criminal for today’s believers as being an assurance of their immediate entrance into paradise at the time of death, where they taste “the bliss of heaven in substance.”  

10 J. Ramsey Michaels, “Hebrews,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip W. Comfort, 18 vols. (Carol Stream, Il; Tyndale House, 1009) 17: 369. 

11 Civilla D. Martin, “God Will Take Care of You”

12 D. W. Whittle, “Moment By Moment.”

13 Philip Donner Stanhope Chesterfield, “Letters,” as cited in Bartlett, Familiar Quotations, op. cit., 503.

14 William Bright Rands, Lilliput Levee,” ibid.

15 Sydney Smith, Lady Holland’s Memoir, 1 :2: 12, as cited in Bartlett, op. cit., 380.

16 W. Boyd Carpenter, “ Three Days,” as cited in Morrison, Masterpieces of Religious Verse, op. cit., 359.

17 William Cowper, In Him Confiding,”  ibid., 96.

18 John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, in The New International Commentary on the Old Testament 2 vols.(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986) 1:414.

19 Oswalt, ibid.

20 Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 40-66, in The New American Commentary, ed. E. Ray Clendenen (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2009), 445.

21 Grant R. Osborne, “James,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip W, Comfort,18 vols. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2011) 18: 96-97.  

22 R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, in The New International Commentary on The New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007), 272.

23  John A. Broadus, Matthew (Philadelphia: The American Baptist Publication Society, 1886), 151-52.

24 Ire F. Stanmphill, “I Know Who Holds My Hand.”

25 Allison A. Trite, “The Gospel of Luke” I Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip W. Comfort, 18 vols. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2006)12: 208. 

26 See Richard D. Patterson and Michael E. Travers, “The Third Day Motif,” Biblical Studies Press, 2009.

27 Thomas O. Chisholm, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

28 Virgil P. Brock, “Beyond the Sunset.”

29 Derek Kidner, Psalms 1-72, in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, ed. D. J. Wiseman (Downers Grove: IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 112-13.

30 Grant R. Osborne, Matthew, in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 231.

31 Everett E. Harrison “Romans,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, eds. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, 13 vols. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008) 11: 181.

32 Charles Hodge, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1953), 381.

33 Richard D. Patterson, “A Multiplex Approach to Psalm 45,” Grace Theological Journal, 6 (1945), 40-41.

34 F.F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 20.

35 Fanny J. Crosby, “To God Be the Glory.”

36 A.R. Fausset, “1 John,” in A Commentary Critical, Experimental and Practical on the Old and New Testaments, eds. Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, 6 vols. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1948) 6:634.

37 I. Howard Marshall, The Epistles of John, in The New International Commentary on The New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), 144.

38 Henry F. Lyte, “Abide With Me.”

39 E. Schuyler English, The Life and Letters of Peter (New York: Publication office “Our Hope,” 1941), 171.

40 J. Daryl Charles, “1, 2 Peter, Jude,“ in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, eds. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, 13 vols. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 13:171.

41 Philip Edgecombe Hughes, Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1962), 334.

42 Katherine von Schlegel, Tr. Jan L. Borthwick, “Be Still My Soul.”

43 Esther Kerr Rusthoi, “When We See Christ.”

44 Grant R. Osborne, “1-2 Peter,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip W. Comfort, 18 vols. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2011) 18: 263.

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Is It Okay to Complain Against God?

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Have you ever been angry and disappointed with God, or questioned His goodness in the midst of deep and dark struggles? Have you ever been so disappointed with God’s response to your prayers that you wanted to give Him a piece of your mind? After all, He knows our weaknesses and is big enough to take it, right? But, does God understanding us give us the right to complain against Him? Moreover, can it ever be proper to complain against our Creator? Let’s see…

He Hears Our Cries

God is good. “His work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). And in the end, “He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity” (Psalm 98:9). And from His love and care for His children, He calls us to cast all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). To Him we may cry in our troubles: “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1). “I pour out my complaint before Him; I tell my trouble before Him” (Psalm 142:2). God welcomes our cries for help and understanding. He responds with great compassion to our needs and weaknesses:

Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11)

Asking the Right Question

Our question, then, does not concern our freedom to cast our cares upon God or to bring to Him our cries and complaints, for Christ purchased for us that marvelous privilege. Our question concerns the right to complain against God, or to question His wisdom, goodness, or righteousness in His governing the affairs of the world and our personal circumstances. Put another way, can we as created, sustained, and dependent on God for all things complain against a God of perfect power and goodness, who always acts in perfect righteousness, who always desires the best for His people? Or, can finite and fallen people sit in judgment over the source and standard of all righteousness?

Have You Considered Job?

To answer our question, we turn to Job. After all, if anyone had the right to complain against God it was Job. Used by God as an example to His adversary the Devil, Job suffered because He was righteous. And suffer he did, with great personal loss and intense, prolonged physical suffering.

Early in his agony, Job did well in accepting God’s rule and righteousness: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times” (Job 9:2-3). But, time and pain wore on. And as we all know how our physical suffering challenges our spiritual demeanor, so Job eventually resorted to criticizing God for causing and ignoring his plight. He sought an audience with God to argue his case against Him. 

Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the designs of the wicked? Have you eyes of flesh? Do you see as man sees? Are your days as the days of man, or your years as a man's years, that you seek out my iniquity and search for my sin, although you know that I am not guilty, and there is none to deliver out of your hand? Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether (Job 10:3-8).

Job’s complaints not only increased as his suffering lingered, he turned to questioning the righteousness, knowledge, and goodness of God. He even went so far as to imply that God favored the wicked! But was Job right in this? And even if he was not, would God not grant Job the right to his accusations given the depth of Job’s agony and his ignorance of the cause of his suffering?

Job Goes to School

At long last, however, God answered Job, but not in a manner he or we might have expected. “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:1-4). After two more chapters of God schooling Job on the proper attitude toward one’s Creator, God gets to the heart of the matter.

‘Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.’  Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.’ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?’ (Job 40:2-8).

Ouch. Couldn’t God have gone easy on poor Job? After all, Job’s suffering was extreme and he suffered because he was righteous. Perhaps no one, before or after Job, had better cause to complain against God. Satan had insulted Job and God by attributing Job’s righteousness to mere pragmatic selfishness. Job loved God for what he could get and nothing more, went Satan’s argument. Thus, to prove Satan wrong, Job suffered. But Job was oblivious to this. Wouldn’t that justify Job’s complaint against God just a little bit? Apparently not.

God’s Greater Purpose

God was educating angels and every soul who would read of Job’s experience (Job 1:6-2:7). Job knew nothing of his role as God’s spiritual object lesson, but as created by a God of perfect righteousness who had greater purposes than he understood, Job had no right to question the goodness or righteousness of God. Nor do we. In the end, Job learned his lesson. 

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1-6).

God proceeded to bless Job more in the end than prior to his suffering. What’s more, Job now has all of eternity to bask in the infinite blessings of God, while saints yet to arrive in glory learn eternal lessons from his relatively short life and suffering. God answered Job and we reap the benefits. 

Job’s Lesson for Us

God, however, does not always confront our complaints as He did with Job. Sometimes He puts up with our foolishness for a time or until we learn our lesson the hard way. But, God’s patience toward our tantrums is not approval. God bears with a great many things in His beloved children, just as He is slow to reveal His wrath toward a blaspheming world. He is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7). Yet, anger or complaints against God are never justified, however patient God may be with us. What legitimate charge can created and fallen people bring against a God of perfect righteousness? We do best to trust His perfect character, even as we cry out to Him in our troubles. Our good and loving God will always do what is right. —Adapted from Craig Biehl, God the Reason: How Infinite Excellence Gives Unbreakable Faith, Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2015.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Introduction: What Is Perseverance?

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We live in a world where according to Jesus we will surely have trouble (John 16:33). Some trials and tribulations simply come from living in this fallen world and are those which are common to man. Some trouble is the unique variety that afflicts a child of God living in an unbelieving world. Some of our trials are internal—the “Romans 7” type—as we yearn to grow in grace, but find sin still firmly rooted within us. Whatever the brand of struggles we face, we need a secure hope in order to “hang in there” over a lifetime of growing in grace.

In Hebrews 6:19 hope is called an “anchor for the soul.” That is a tremendous image, the picture of an anchor giving security and stability to a ship in a midst of a storm. That is what hope does for us, and more. (Romans 5:2-5) We can remain steadfast, trusting God through present difficulties and pains, because we know the outcome…Only with a secure hope rooted in the faithfulness of God will we be able to weather the storms of life…It is our total confidence that Christ will complete the work He began in us that enables us to persevere over a lifetime. Without hope, people give up. The Christian life must not only be empowered by faith; it must also be sustained by hope. (Adapted from Growing in Grace, Bob George, pp. 131-132, 141, 144)

Day One Study

1. Using a dictionary, define perseverance and endurance.

·         Perseverance—

·         Endurance—

Let’s now define perseverance and endurance biblically. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. This is our key passage for the whole study. Notice that the imagery used here suggests an athletic contest in a great amphitheater with many witnesses. Just who are these witnesses?!

2. Read Hebrews 11. Choose 5 of the witnesses to list below by name or description. Pay particular notice to any challenging life circumstances given about them.

3. The job of a witness is to testify. According to Hebrews 12:1-3, their lives testified that perseverance is possible. The question then is “How?” To help you derive an answer, first reread Heb. 11:1, 6 then look for one phrase that is consistently used in the Hebrews 11 chapter. What does this tell you about how the witnesses persevered through all those challenging (or ordinary) life circumstances?

From the Greek: The Greek word translated “endurance” (NET) or “perseverance” (NIV) literally means “an abiding under; to abide.” In other New Testament verses, it is translated “patience.” Patience may be passive, that is, endurance under the general trials of life, Christian service or discipline. Patience may also be active (perseverance) which involves persistence in well-doing, fruit-bearing and running the appointed race despite trials and distractions of life. (Vines Complete Expository Dictionary, page 462-463)

4. Although the words endurance and perseverance may be used interchangeably, perseverance carries the connotation of whole life experience and is active. It is staying power. It gives us a long-term perspective. Back to Hebrews 12:1-3, who is to be our focus as we run this race with perseverance?

5. Read John 15:5; 14:6; 8:31-32. What does it mean to fix your eyes on Jesus, and why should you?

Scriptural Insight: One truth providing a track for our journey is our life of dependent faith in the living Christ. When Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), He meant exactly what He said. . . . The same Word which tells us “Apart from Me you can do nothing” also says “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). The key words are through Him. That is diametrically opposed to a life of self-improvement, self-development, or self-control...It is imperative that we are not concentrating on “living by faith in Christ” but on “living by faith in Christ.” We can make ourselves nervous wrecks worrying about how much faith we have and trying to conjure up more, while totally missing Him who is the object of our faith. We “grow in grace” by focusing on Him “who is full of grace and truth.” We are called first and foremost to a Person... There is a striking parallel between the baby’s dependent relationship with its mother and our life of dependency on Christ. Because of its dependent life, a baby in the womb could say, “For me, to live is Mom.” In the same way, we can say, “For me, to live is Christ.” (Bob George, Growing in Grace, p. 22-26, 78)

Day Two Study

6. The Christian life is pictured as a long-distance race rather than a short sprint. Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 2:14-16. How are we to run? Explain in your own words.

7. Your Lifes Journey: Hebrews 12:1-2 refers to distractions that interfere with our running our “race of life” successfully. Think about things in your own life that are encumbrances or entanglements to you. No doubt they will be very similar to those distracting the people we will be studying through these lessons. Describe them through words or drawings in the space below.

8. Perseverance involves a choice. What are the benefits of choosing to persevere all the way to the finish? Read the following verses to derive your answer: James 1:2-4, 12; Romans 5:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

9. Your Lifes Journey: Based on your answers to the previous question, how might choosing to persevere in your life give you real hope (a confident, eager expectation of a coming certainty) for today and for the future?

10. Read Isaiah 43:1-3; Romans 8:28, 38-39; Phil. 1:6. What does God promise to us as we run the race?

Our study will look at some of those witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 11—in particular, 4 Old Testament heroes whose lives were full of ups and downs. We will look at the circumstances challenging them year after year, what they believed about God and how that faith sustained them. Perseverance. We will also see choices they had to make to remain faithful to God or not, and how each was affected by the choices. Perseverance. Through their lives, we will glean truths about running with perseverance throughout our entire lives as believers. May God bless you as you study His Word.

Think About It: Living by faith is a life of total dependency, objectivity (Christ is trustworthy as the object of our faith) and availability. We live in total dependency upon the Person of the crucified and risen Christ, and we step out by faith in the objective truth of His written Word, trusting Him for the ability to do what He wills, and entrusting Him with the results of our actions. (Bob George, Growing in Grace, p. 86)

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7. Elijah: God's Humble Prophet 1: The God of the Impossible Situation

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1 Kings 16:29-17:24

Background

Under Saul, David and Solomon, the loosely associated 12 tribes of Israel formed one nation (1050-930 B.C.). For centuries before that, though, friction had existed between the northern and southern tribes. So after Solomon died (930 B.C.), the 10 tribes dwelling primarily north of Jerusalem broke off and formed a new nation referred to as the northern kingdom, or Israel, with the hilltop city of Samaria as its capital. The 2 remaining tribes—Judah and Benjamin—became known as Judah (Judah was the larger of the two) and is sometimes referred to as the southern kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital. For the most part, Israel’s kings were idolatrous and rebellious against God. Some of Judah’s kings were likewise.

Our study of Elijah begins during the reign of Ahab in Israel who became king in 874 BC, ~66 years after the death of Solomon. Those six decades were characterized by murder, deception and hatred proceeding from the very throne of Israel. Then the throne was turned over to Ahab who married Jezebel. The mention of the marriage is significant for two reasons: 1) Jezebel was the dominant member of the marriage who controlled Ahab’s reign and 2) she initiated Baal worship in Israel (to be discussed in more detail in Lesson 2). Her hometown (Sidon in the land of Phoenicia—see map at the end of lesson one) was the birthplace of this idolatry. It had not found its way into Israel until this marriage.

Both nations, Israel and Judah, were falling deep into idol-worship, so God chose special men and women to be prophets, His mouthpieces. Some, like Elijah, were called into a lifetime of service to God, while God asked others to perform one simple, yet important job. Yet, all responded to God’s call to give God’s messages to both kings and ordinary people.

Reading Elijah’s Life In Context (Optional):

Read 1 Kings 16-21; 2 Kings 1-2 to get the “Big Picture” for the 3-lesson study of Elijah. To follow Elijah’s travels, see the map at the end of this lesson.

Day One Study

Setting The Stage…

Use a Bible handbook, Bible text notes, or other sources to find out more information about the time period in which Elijah lived. Suggested topics to research:

·         What ravens eat—

·         The uses and value of cooking oil—

·         The plight of widows—

·         The life of prophets—

·         God’s promise concerning giving or withholding rain—

·         What was this Baal worship that so provoked the Lord to anger?

The mention of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1 is abrupt. Unlike David or Joseph, we know nothing of his age, family or youth. His name combines 2 names for God: El (from Elohim which is translated God) plus jah (from Yahweh which is the personal name God told the Hebrews to call Him). So, his name means My God is Yahweh. This was his choice and his message. His place of birth was across the Jordan River in a land of solitude and outdoor life. The people were rugged, muscular, uneducated and unpolished. Elijah’s style was likewise bold with no frills. His clothes—a rough, hairy garment probably woven from goat’s hair (called sackcloth) and large leather belt—were part of the dress of prophets at that time (2 Kings 1:8). Our study will reveal why Elijah was indeed a man like us.

1. Read 1 Kings 16:29-17:6; James

·         What kinds of problems does a drought normally bring?

·         So, what did Elijah trust God to do?

2. Read 1 Kings 17:7-24. Concentrating on verses 7-16, discuss the following:

·         the life circumstances of Elijah—

·         the life circumstances of the widow (her impossible situation)—

·         the choices Elijah made—

·         the choices the widow made—

·         God’s faithfulness to both—

Historical Insight: A room on the roof was a sign of once having prosperity, since only a wealthy man could afford to add another addition to his home. Oil was used not only for cooking but also for lighting the house at night as well as medicine for wounds and bathing or deodorizing the skin when there was little water.

3. Concentrating on verses 17-24, what further challenge did the widow face?

4. How did Elijah’s knowledge of and faith in God benefit this family?

Scriptural Insight: Commentators disagree about the woman’s faith initially. Her oath in the name of the Lord was either an accommodation to Elijah whom she recognized as an Israelite or a genuine expression of previous knowledge of and commitment to the God of Israel. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that she responded in obedience to the word of the Lord, which demonstrates faith. The Lord honored her faith by fulfilling His promise miraculously. They could get this provision nowhere else. Something only God could provide. Only the true God could provide flour and oil in a drought! Only the true God can give life!

5. Read 2 Kings 4:1-7, a similar account of another woman in an impossible situation during the ministry of Elisha who was Elijah’s successor. [The ministry of Elisha is found in 2 Kings 2-9.] What Elijah learned in his time with the widow of Zarephath, he must have certainly shared with Elisha who didn’t hesitate to help another woman. Her husband had been in the ministry as a prophet at one of the three schools where men were trained in the word of God similar to modern seminaries. Discuss the following:

·         their life circumstances—

·         the choices she and her children made—

·         God’s faithfulness to them—

6. List those circumstances or situations in our lives today that would parallel anything in either of these passages, I Kings 17:1-24 or 2 Kings 4:1-7? Example: being a single mom.

Day Two Study

We will focus on 3 applications to this lesson, all centered on what to do with an impossible situation.

Step #1 Identify It.

7. Your Lifes Journey: The woman of Zarephath (and the prophet’s widow) grew in knowledge of God in their “kitchens” through an impossible situation. What are you (or someone close to you) facing today that is bleak and/or impossible?

Step #2 Think Rightly About It.

When the boy died, the woman immediately entertained error in her thinking, “God is punishing me for my sin by killing my son. It’s all my fault.” This is a common reaction among many people who do not know God or His ways when personal tragedy enters their lives. But, it is wrong thinking. Although some hardship comes as the consequence of a person’s wrong choices (as in David’s later life), most does not as we have seen in our study so far. Based on our study of Joseph, was he put into slavery, jailed, etc. as a consequence of his behavior? No! Was David on the run from Saul for 13 years because of his own fault? No! And, God was with both of them.

8. Your Lifes Journey: Are you blaming yourself (or someone else), thinking that God is punishing you with this impossible situation? Read the following verses to see what God says regarding this error in our thinking: John 9:1-3; Matthew 5:45; 7:24-27 (what happened to both houses?); Romans 8:1. Make any comments below.

Step #3 Bring It To God. Trust That God Loves You, He Knows What Is Going On, And He Can Do Something About It.

9. How does Elijah deal with the difficult situation of the boy’s death, a situation outside of Elijah’s control? [Hint: Where does he go? How does he react?]

10. Read the following verses: Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 30:18; Luke 1:37; Matthew 19:25-26. What do these verses promise to you about an impossible situation, and how does this encourage you?

11. Think through what you do when tragedy strikes or when a test comes.

·         What’s your usual response?

·         Based upon what we have learned so far in this study, is this the correct (Biblical) response?

12. What have you learned from today’s lesson that will help you deal with what appears to be an impossible situation you may be currently facing? Describe anything you have learned about going to God when tragedy strikes. Place on your “bed” that critical situation—that burden that is burning your energy, weighing on your mind. God is still the God of IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS.

Think About It: Reflect on one man’s choice of how to think in a difficult time: First, God brought me here. It is by His will that I am in this straight place. In that fact, I will rest. Next, God will keep me here in His love, and He will give me grace to behave as His child. Then, God will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn and working in me the grace He means to bestow. Last, in God’s good time, He can bring me out again—how and when, He knows. Let me say, I am here: 1) by God’s appointment, 2) in His keeping, 3) under His training, 4) for His time. Amen. (In Quietness and Confidence, Dr. Raymond Edmund, former professor at Wheaton College)

Map Of Elijah’s Travels

Bible Knowledge Commentary OT, page 523

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8. Elijah: God's Humble Prophet 2: The God Who Wants Our Hearts to be Completely His

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1 Kings 18

Background

Baal was the Canaanites’ chief fertility god as well as the storm god in charge of clouds, wind, and rain—all necessary for crops to grow. Ancient statues show him gripping a lightning bolt in his left hand, ready to hurl it as a spear toward earth. The three-and-one-half year drought had been a great embarrassment to worshipers of Baal. So, Elijah’s test to Baal’s followers seemed like a good opportunity to vindicate their god and they readily agreed to it.

This chapter (I Kings 18) is one of the most significant chapters of the Bible. It could be titled “Winner Takes All” or “The Fight of the Century.” It is the showdown between the living God of heaven and the idols of men on earth. After three years of drought, God tells Elijah to come out of hiding and go back to show himself to Ahab. He was a wanted man; Ahab thought of him as a snake, a viper. No doubt, the stench of death was all around. The famine was severe by now…

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Kings 18:1-15. (See the map after the previous lesson to follow Elijah’s travels.) Besides Elijah, who else was learning about faith in God at this time? How?

2. What is Elijah commanded to do and how does he respond?

Read I Kings 18:16-40. There are 3 main groups represented at this showdown: the No Comment Fence-Sitter Israelites, Ahab + Jezebels Baalites, and Elijah plus God. Let’s look at them one at a time to glean our lessons.

The “No Comment Fence-Sitters” Of Israel

3. Why was this showdown necessary for them? What did Elijah do in v. 31-32, 36 to remind them of their identity?

4. Divided allegiance is as wrong as open idolatry. It is likely that hundreds, if not thousands, congregated on Mount Carmel in answer to Elijah’s directive for Ahab to summon them (v. 19). The people were lukewarm toward God, “straddling the fence,” perhaps trying to combine both religions. The easiest thing to do in the hour of decision is to remain uncommitted. But, with God, it’s either/or, not both. Read Revelation 3:15-16; James 4:4-5. What does the Bible say about people who try to “straddle the fence?”

5. Your Lifes Journey: Follow the steps below to overcome being a “no comment fence-sitter” in your life.

·         Step 1: Choose to become committed to God and His ways. One of God’s purposes was to turn the hearts of the people back to Himself. This involves a choice. Read John 8:12. If you haven’t made this choice for your life already, why not do it today?

·         Step 2: Choose to stay committed. Read the following questions and answer any that apply to your life. Have you felt that tension between your Christian faith (often snubbed as “traditional”) and the pull of your modern culture? In what ways is the tension most challenging to you and why? Have you sometimes been tempted to desert some of God’s ways to fit in better by taking the “embrace the best of both worlds” approach? Or, have you stood firm for God and His ways in spite of opposition? What have been the results of any of these choices?             

Ahab + Jezebel’s Baalites

6. In today’s passage in 1 Kings 18, contrast the religious practices of the Baal worshipers with Elijah as a worshiper of the true God.

7. What does God honor? Read also Romans 10:8-13; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Hebrews 11:1,6. How do these scriptures encourage you as a Christian?

Think About It: When we stray away from Christ as our life, we have no alternative but to return to self-generated, self-centered, and self-disciplined religious experience and the “counsel of the ungodly.” (Bob George, Growing in Grace, p. 36)

Elijah Plus God

8. Review from last week: What had Elijah come to know and understand about God over the previous 3 years that prepared him for this very public challenge?

9. Discuss Elijah’s prayer and God’s answer.

10. How did the people respond?

Day Two Study

11. In 1 Kings 18:15, Elijah refers to God as “The Lord Almighty (NIV)” / “The Lord of Hosts (NAS).” This is a very meaningful title for God. Read any or all of the following verses where this title for God is also used: 1 Samuel 17:45; Isaiah 5:16, 6:3; Jeremiah 11:20, 31:35, 50:34; Zechariah 7:9-10. List what is told about Him as the Lord of Hosts.

12. Your Lifes Journey: In what ways does your life reflect the reality of God’s being Lord of Hosts? For instance, do you find reassurance in His power or have you experienced His help? Are there some fearful situations that you have given over to Him?

13. Your Lifes Journey: Allow God to grow you; you can become the Elijah in your sphere of influence. As Elijah did, you can make the choice to be committed to God and the specific job He has given you to do. Elijah points out the truth and doesn’t back down. John Knox, Scottish evangelist of the 1600s, once said, “God and one are a majority.” Never underestimate the influence of one unique, totally dedicated life.

·         What is your sphere of influence right now in your stage of life?

·         Where do you need to be totally committed to Him?

·         Make a list right now of 5 people in your sphere of influence who need to know the one true God and commit to pray for God to reveal Himself to them in an unmistakable manner. In confidence, wait for and watch Him work.

14. Read 1 Kings 18:41-46. How did God, through Elijah, finish up His Mount Carmel demonstration?

15. What does it teach us about God?

Thoughts To Ponder

Our day is characterized by mediocrity. Christians blend into the scenery of the times. God looks for special people at such difficult times, and His methods are often surprising. We expect flash; He uses ordinary, everyday lives. He uses women who are engaged in constant ministry to their families in their homes. It may be to only 1, 2, or 3 people. We shouldn’t look down on that. What we must remember is that first and foremost, we stand before God. He looks for men and women whose hearts are completely His, who won’t blend into the scenery of their culture, bowing the knee to idols. God found a man who was completely His. Would God find you to be completely His today?

Related Topics: Curriculum, Faith

9. Criteria for Church Leaders, “Deacons”

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1 Timothy 3:8-13

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Like overseers/elders, which we studied last lesson, Paul states that deacons must also possess leadership qualifications. In the space below, list the qualifications Paul discusses in verses 8-10 & 12. (We’ll address vs. 11 separately.)

Scriptural Insight: The Greek word translated “women” or “wives” in vs. 11 refers to any woman—whether married, single, or widowed. It is a term of respect. The same Greek word for “deacon,” diakonos, is used of Phoebe in Romans 16:1, translated as servant (NET, KJV, NASB, NIV) or “deaconess” (JB, RSV). This could be referring to female deacons, not a separate office of deaconess. It is unlikely to be the wives of deacons since the wives of elders, a more influential office, are not addressed, either in Timothy or Titus. Early Church writings have numerous allusions to women serving the church, some teaching other women due to the strict separation of the sexes or others as widows alluded to later in 1 Timothy 5.

2. Verse 11 lists several character qualities that Paul says these women should possess. List them and determine why they are important.

Character Quality

Importance

3. Using any references available to you, define the term “deacon”.

4. What is the role of a deacon? How is it different from the role of an overseer? (See Acts 6:1-6 for the prototype of what later became the “office” of deacon in the church.)

5. Referring to the chart about “elders” from the previous lesson, are there any differences between the leadership qualifications for elders and for deacons? If so, what are they?

6. Concerning both elders (vs. 4-5) and deacons (vs. 12), managing one’s family well is listed as a qualification for leadership for both offices. Why is this so important?

7.              Adorning Yourself:

·         If you are married: How can your marriage and family life most help and strengthen you or your husband to lead in the church?

·         If you are single: How can your management of your own household help to prepare you for leadership in your church?

Think About It: The family is a training class and proving ground for leaders in the church. We can determine much about an individual’s fitness to lead in church by finding out how he or she behaves at home. How we behave at home tells others much about our character and conduct. Our spouse, children, and relatives can provide feedback and encouragement to improve our character and conduct. Home is a proving ground because we must demonstrate the skills for leading the church by effectively leading our own families. Because the church is God’s family, those who set their hearts on leadership should start at home. Those who are heavily involved in the church should never neglect their family responsibilities. (Life Application Study Bible)

8. Describe the reward for serving well as a deacon (v. 13).

Historical Insight: In Greek society the deacon was one who gave lowly service, an act that was not considered dignified in a culture that valued ruling instead. But Jesus reversed this evaluation. “For who is greater,” he asked, “the one who is at the table or the one who serves” (Luke 22:27). And “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). It was from this teaching and example of Jesus that the general calling of all his followers to humble service derived. (John Stott, Fighting the Good Fight)

Day Two Study

9. Read 1 Timothy 3:14-15. How did Paul describe the church?

10. What does each word picture convey about it? How has this contributed to your understanding of the body of Christ?

11. In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul described Christ with a series of affirmations. What do they teach about Him, and how do these statements build on one another?

12. Adorning Yourself: Compare Paul’s qualification lists with your church’s qualifications for leaders. Do they match? If not, how can you encourage the leadership to consider making changes?

13. Adorning Yourself: In what ways are you a leader at church right now? How would you like to be leading in five or ten years? Are there areas in your life that need attention in order to help you realize your goal?

Related Topics: Curriculum

12. Rendering Respect in Our Relationships

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1 Timothy 5:3-8

In Irving L. Jensen’s 1&2 Timothy and Titus, A Self-study Guide, Jensen begins his study of 1 Timothy chapter 5 with the following comments, “ One of the values of Scripture is that it has an answer to every human problem, of whatever kind, era, dimension or significance. It is true that not all church problems of A.D. 62 are the identical problems of the church two thousand years later. But even in such instances timeless principles can be derived from the Bible account and applied to any succeeding generation.”

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Timothy 5:1-2. Here we find more instruction to Timothy (and us). This time the topic is how to deal with those around us (of all ages) when the need for correction arises. How is Timothy told to respond to the following?

·         An older man—

·         Younger men—

·         Older women—

·         Younger women—

2. How do these instructions differ from one another, and why do you think they are different?

3. Adorning Yourself: Think of the different people that you interact with (or have interacted with in the past) from each of these age groups, then write down one or two of the things you most appreciate about people in each of these stages of life. Share some of these with your group.

The next passage takes on a subject that is given more verses than any other topic thus far in the letter. To get the whole context of Paul’s instruction on widows, read 1 Timothy 5:3-16. We will deal with only vs. 1-8 in this lesson and study the rest in the next lesson.

4.              Referring to verses 1 Timothy 5:3-4, what does Paul say about a widow who has children or grandchildren?

5. Do you think our present culture agrees with this reasoning? Why or why not?

6. Adorning Yourself: Have you personally ever had to deal with this issue in your own family? If not, have you given this area of responsibility much thought before? Explain.

7. Compare the widow described in 1 Timothy 5:5 with the widow described in 5:6.

8. In verse 5, when Paul talks about the widow who “puts her hope in God”, what does that mean? How do you put your hope in God?

Day Two Study

9. God’s special concern for widows has been apparent throughout Scripture. Look up the following verses to get a bit of a picture of this: Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 10:18; 24:19-21, Zechariah 7:10, Luke 7:11-15, and James 1:27. What do these verses tell us about God’s view of widows and their needs?

10. According to 1 Timothy 5:7, what is the reason Paul gives for following these guidelines for caring for widows?

11. What does Paul say about a Christian who “does not provide for his own”?

12. In what sense might a believer be considered “worse than an unbeliever?” Also read Matthew 5:46-47 to help you answer this.

13. Why do you think doing “good deeds” or “good works” appears to be held in high regard by Paul (verse 10)? See also 1 Timothy 6:18-19 and Titus 2:11-14.

14. Adorning Yourself: What good deeds do you especially appreciate being done for you? What good deeds do you find yourself most often doing, especially those which might benefit the people in your church?

15. Are there any new areas that you might like to give your time to serving or helping sometime? Read Galatians 6:9-10.

16. Adorning Yourself: Today’s believer has many worthwhile activities in which to get involved, yet doing them all can take away from “providing for your family” (1 Timothy 5:8). How do you discern between those activities in which you will participate and the ones to which you say “no” or “later?”

Related Topics: Curriculum

13. Widows in Ministry, Widows in Misery

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1 Timothy 5:9-16

Historical Insight: As early as Acts 6, the church had established a charitable outreach to widows. Now 30 years later the ministry to widows, of whom there were no doubt many, showed signs of being a major burden to the congregation. Paul was therefore eager in this passage to identify those who did not truly need help in order to leave enough for those who did.

Scripture has much to say about widows and honors them in a way that most cultures do not. Too often a married woman is defined only in relation to her husband. Then if he dies, she loses not only her spouse but her social significance as well. In Scripture, however, widows, orphans and aliens (people without husband, parents or home) are valued for who they are in themselves, and are said to deserve special honor, protection and care. Throughout the Bible justice and love are demanded for them. God is described as “a father to the fatherless” and a “defender of widows” (Psalm 68:5); and it is written of him that “he defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow” (Deuteronomy 10:18). Because this is the kind of God he is, his people are to be the same. (Adapted from The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, pg. 742 and Fighting the Good Fight by John Stott)

Day One Study

1. Read 1 Timothy 5:3-16. From verses 5 and 9-10, list the qualifications for a widow to be put “on the list” to qualify for assistance from the church. [For further commentary on this “list,” see the information box on the next page.] Use the following categories (some qualifications may be listed in more than one area.)

Personal

Home

Church

Community

 

 

 

 

2. What is important about each of these qualifications?

Scriptural Insight: The pledge Paul referred to (1 Timothy 5:12) was probably a formal commitment, taken on joining the list of widows, wherein the woman vowed to serve Christ entirely without thought of marriage. In this way she would devote herself without distraction to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:34-35). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, pg. 743)

3. Read Luke 2:36-38 for an example of a godly widow in scripture. How old was she? What does this passage say she was continuing to do regularly?

4. Read Isaiah 46:4. What does this verse tell us about God and our relationship to Him as we continue to grow older?

5. Adorning Yourself: What do you picture yourself doing at age 60, 70, 80 or more? If you haven’t given this area much thought, do so, and share with your group.

6. Referring back to 1 Timothy 5:11-13, discuss the reasons Paul gives for not putting younger widows on the list.

7. How does this list compare with the list from question 1?

8. Do you think that either “opportunities for ministry” or “opportunities for misery” are limited to any certain age group? Or, marital status? Or, even to any certain gender? Explain your answer.

Day Two Study

9. What are the temptations faced by a married woman when she no longer has a husband, either through death or divorce? How can she best respond?

10. Adorning Yourself: How do you deal with a friend, coworker, neighbor (or your own self) who tends to direct conversation toward gossip or “things not proper to mention” (verse 13)?

11. How do you determine what is proper to talk about and what isn’t? Share any scripture which helps you in this area, or look up Proverbs 20:19 or James 3:5-10 for some help.

12. Read 1 Timothy 5:14-16. Paul has just gotten through listing some of the danger zones young widows face, now on the side of worthy investments of time, what does Paul say he wants younger widows to do, according to 1 Timothy 5:14?

13. What evidence do we have that Paul wasn’t just sounding a false alarm or even being overly critical of younger widows? (Refer back to 1 Timothy 5:15 if needed.)

14. These options for women were the common experience for a younger woman of Paul’s culture. What other good options might be available to a young widow in today’s culture?

15. Verse 16 serves as a summary. Rewrite this verse using your own words.

16. Adorning Yourself: What general principles do the verses here teach you about offering care and help to people in need (especially to widows, or our own families, and in our own churches)?

Related Topics: Curriculum

19. Living in Response to God’s Grace

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Titus 2:11-3:15

Day One Study

Read Titus 2:11-3:15.

God’s grace redeems us!

Much of this section of Titus has been covered in other lessons. This lesson will only cover new material. Paul repeatedly affirms the importance of God’s grace. In Titus 2:11-14, he discusses the three ministries of grace. We will look at each of these in depth in the following questions.

1. This is what grace has done for us in the past. (Titus 2:11 & 14a) What is the definition of redeem/redemption? Use a dictionary or Bible dictionary to help.

·         Redeem—

·         Redemption—

2. Read the following passages to see what the Bible says about redemption:

·         Romans 3:24—

·         Ephesians 1:7—

·         Colossians 1:13-14—

3. What is our condition (Titus 3:3) apart from God?

4. According to Ephesians 2:1-9, what does God do for us?

Scriptural Insight: In Ephesians 2, Paul gave a condensed but comprehensive account of salvation. Verses 4-7 are a single long sentence, which he may have taken from an early Christian creed. The whole sentence hinges on the main verb “he saved us” (verse 5). It is perhaps the fullest statement of salvation in the New Testament. (John Stott)

Day Two Study

Read Titus 2:11-3:15.

God’s grace reforms us!

5. This is what grace does for us in the present. How does God’s grace reform us according to Titus 2:12 & 14b?

6. Titus 3:1-2 illustrates behaviors generally exhibited by one who understands God’s grace. What seven qualities does Paul describe?

7. Read Ephesians 4:23 and Galatians 5:22-23; 25. According to these verses, what role does the Holy Spirit play in renewing and equipping believers?

8. Read the following verses to see in what other ways we can live in response to God’s grace working in us.

·         Ephesians 2:10—

·         Ephesians 4:1-3; 5:1-2—

·         Colossians 3:1-4—

9. In Titus 3:14 Paul says that we are to be a people who learn to engage in good works. Look up the definition of engage and write out what it means.

10. Read Titus 2:14; 3:1, 8, 14. We have been reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, says Paul (Titus 3:5). Why should this status motivate us to “devote ourselves to doing what is good” (3:8)?

Focus on the Meaning: “Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation whereby He gives a new life and nature to the believing sinner at the moment of salvation. The new birth (John 3:1-16) is the beginning of this new nature that becomes a part of the believing sinner the instant he or she receives Christ.” (Charles Swindoll)

11. Read Matthew 5:43-48 and 6:1-4. What did Jesus say about doing good?

12. Adorning Yourself: So if salvation is based on our faith and God’s grace and mercy, why would Paul exhort us to be devoted to or engage in good deeds?”

13. Adorning Yourself: Think of one person you know who is living a life reformed by God’s grace. What evidence of God’s reforming power working through His Spirit do you see in that person’s life?

Day Three Study

Read Titus 2:11-3:15.

God’s grace rewards us!

14. What is “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) from which all aims and priorities should flow? (Review 1 Timothy 1:1, and see also 1 John 3:1-3.)

16. What does it mean to you in Titus 3:7 when Paul says that we are heirs? Does this give you hope? Why?

17. Adorning Yourself: What does your life look like when you are truly living a life in response to God’s grace? What can you do to live your life even more richly in this way?

Think About It: In the human setting, heirs don’t inherit until the owner of the estate dies (though they may enjoy many benefits in the meantime). But in the spiritual realm the opposite occurs: We do not fully inherit until we have died; yet in this life we can experience many joys and benefits of being heirs of God. Our experience now is only a foretaste of what God has guaranteed to us in the future. (Life Application Bible Commentary)

Related Topics: Curriculum

New Testament Insights

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What Happened Since the Time of Esther?

During the exile from her homeland, Israel was cut off from the temple, divested of nationhood and surrounded by pagan religious practices. So, the Jews concentrated on what they had retained—the Law (the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch or the Torah) and the belief that they were God's people—rather than on the nationhood they had lost. This found its expression through personal piety and prayer rather than the sacrifices now denied to them. The new center of worship was now the local synagogue. As a result, Judaism became a faith that could be practiced wherever the Torah could be carried. This helped to preserve Judaism but also prepared the way for the Christian gospel.

The Diaspora (dispersion) of Israel begun in the exile, accelerated during the years that followed so that by Jesus' time Jews filled "every land and sea." Jews outside Palestine concentrated their religious life in the study of the Torah and the life of the synagogue. The missionaries of the early church began their outreach ministries among the Diaspora, using the Greek translation of the Old Testament. Within many Jewish synagogue congregations were “God-fearing” Gentiles (anyone who was not a Jew)—those who believed in the Jewish God and followed the Law to some extent but not fully.

As a nation, Israel ceased to be an independent nation and became a minor territory in a succession of larger empires. First, Alexander the Great acquired Palestine in 332 BC. After his death, Israel was ruled by descendants of Alexander's general, Ptolemy, from Egypt who were considerate of Jewish religious sensitivities. However in 198 BC, descendants of another of Alexander's generals, Seleucid, took control. Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.) imposed Greek language and culture on Israel (Hellenism). A segment of the Jewish aristocracy adopted Greek ways. The majority of Jews were outraged. Laws were enforced with extreme cruelty. Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted the eradication of the Jewish religion by prohibiting some of the central elements of Jewish practice. He ordered copies of the Torah (the Pentateuch) to be destroyed. He required offerings to the Greek god Zeus. His crowning outrage was the erection of a statue of Zeus and the sacrificing of a pig in the Jerusalem temple itself!

Opposition to Antiochus was led by Mattathias, an elderly villager from a priestly family, and his five sons (one named Judas the Maccabee—thus the Maccabean revolt). Hanukkah is a celebration of this victory. He destroyed a Greek altar and killed Antiochus' emissary to his village. This triggered a 24-year war led by Maccabeus resulting in the independence of Judah. Mattathias' sons all ruled. Yet, the dynasty became corrupted and turned into an aristocratic Hellenistic regime. Those who had supported the Maccabean revolt soon fell out of favor. The Pharisees (the religious group formed during this time to keep Israel pure) were actually persecuted by their own leaders from 103-76 BC

In 63 BC, an expanding Roman empire entered in the picture. Pompey took Jerusalem after a three-month siege of the temple area, massacring priests in the performance of their duties and entering the Most Holy Place. This sacrilege began Roman rule in a way that Jews could neither forgive nor forget! The Roman Senate appointed Herod, a non-Jew, king in 40 BC He was subject to Rome.

During this time period, the Pharisees built a "hedge" around the law to enable Jews to live righteously before God in a world that had changed drastically since the days of Moses. Few in numbers, the Pharisees enjoyed the support of the people and, as a group, was the only one to survive the destruction of the temple in AD 70, thus being the spiritual progenitors of modern Judaism.

New Testament Summary

The New Testament opens with the births of John and Jesus. About 30 years later, John challenged the Jews to indicate their repentance (turning from sin and toward God) by submitting to water baptism—a familiar Old Testament practice used for repentance as well as when a Gentile converted to Judaism (to be washed clean of idolatry).

God's incarnate Son publicly showed the world what God is like and taught His perfect ways for 3 – 3½ years. After preparing 12 disciples to continue Christ's earthly work, He died voluntarily on a cross for mankind's sin, rose from the dead, and returned to heaven. The account of His earthly life is recorded in 4 books known as the Gospels (the biblical books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John named after the compiler of each account).

After Jesus’ return to heaven, the followers of Christ who were then empowered by the Holy Spirit spread God's salvation message among the Jews, a number of whom believed in Christ, while the apostle Paul and others carried the good news to the Gentiles during 3 missionary journeys (much of this recorded in the book of Acts). Paul wrote 13 New Testament letters to primarily Gentile Christian churches (Romans through 2 Timothy).

The section in our Bible from Hebrews to Jude contains 8 additional letters penned by five men, including two apostles (Peter and John) and two of Jesus’ half-brothers (James and Jude). The author of Hebrews is unknown. The apostle John also recorded Revelation, which summarizes God's final program for the world. The Bible ends as it began—with a new, sinless creation.

Connecting With New Testament Everyday Women

Many women today have very little knowledge of the New Testament beyond a few stories about Jesus and a few of Paul’s letters. You might not have much. Perhaps you know about Jesus and the miracles He performed as well as His death and resurrection. When you read the gospels, you can easily think, “What’s written in it happened two thousand years ago. So long ago! What do those women have in common with me? They didn’t live in my world.” Do you tend to think that way, as though they are just names on a page?

Maybe you like to read biographies. Doesn’t reading someone’s biography make that person come alive for you? Or, you may have done genealogy work on your family tree? It can be great to find something to brag about. But, you can also find out some of your ancestors’ dark secrets and hardships. I don’t know about you, but I feel a connection to that great-great grandmother when I learn a little bit about her life.

This study covers the lives of some New Testament women and the time period in which they lived. Some you may have heard about—Jesus’ mother Mary, Martha and her sister Mary, Lydia and Priscilla. Others are strangers to you—the Canaanite woman, the widow of Nain, or Phoebe.

Maybe these New Testament women lived years ago, but they were still women just like we are. They cooked meals, did laundry, and raised children. They had responsibilities inside and outside of their homes. Some even had home businesses. A couple of them could put together a banquet in a short time. They experienced hormone fluctuations, PMS, and menopause. They laughed with their friends, differed with their mates, and cried when a loved one died. They wrote songs and played musical instruments. I bet they all found ways to use their 20,000 words per day!

At one time, they were 20-somethings, then 40-somethings, then 60-somethings and more. They wore beads, earrings, and anklet bracelets. Their hair needed to be combed and fixed, and it turned grey as they aged. No doubt, some of them, if not all, had something on their bodies that sagged!

These women also experienced fear at various times just like we do. They faced rejection from peers, sick family members, and disappointments. They faced trauma and surprise houseguests. They even had “bad” days when things didn’t go right, sometimes due to their own choices. These were everyday women, just like we are. Their stories—snippets of their biographies—are preserved for us to get to know them, and to know their God who is also our God.

Jesus Christ entered into the midst of their lives, visibly representing God to them, loving them dearly, and changing their lives forever! He does the same for you and me today.

New Testament Timeline

Historical Period

Years AD

Woman Studied

Jesus’ Lifetime & Ministry

6 BC to ~30 AD

Samaritan Woman

Immoral Woman

Adulterous Woman

Sick Woman & Dead Girl

Canaanite Woman

Crippled Woman

Widow of Nain

Mary & Martha 

Mary Magdalene

Mary, Jesus’ Mother

The Early Church

~30 to 65 AD

Dorcas

Lydia

Phoebe

Priscilla

Israel’s Political and Religious Authorities

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Map of Israel During This Time Period

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