September 24, 2017

The Fallen Condition Factor

Biblical illiteracy is a scandal in the church Biblical illiteracy is a scandal in the church. – Al Mohler, President, SBTS Many Christians can’t name more than 2 or 3 of the apostles The tendency to compromise on homosexuality is related to biblical ignorance There is confusion about the gospel We will not believe more than we know, and we will not live higher than our beliefs

How often do American church-goers read the Bible? Daily = 19% Once a week = 14% A few times a month = 22% Rarely = 18%

Study on Transformational Discipleship By Ed Stetzer How often do American church-goers read the Bible? Daily = 19% Once a week = 14% A few times a month = 22% Rarely = 18% Percentage of church-goers who desire to please and honor Jesus Christ in all they do: 90% (64%) Percentage who think about biblical truths throughout the day: 59% (20%)

10% of Christians have a Biblical Worldview (4% of Millennials) If we want to transform our culture then we will need to change the choices people make that produce that culture. And in order to change those choices we must identify the beliefs that led to those choices. – George Barna

Righteousness & Justice Practical Legalism God as Advocate Sexual Identity Holiness Cultural Identity Righteousness & Justice God is Sovereign… Clean or Fish Men & Women

The Biblical Mandate Driving this Study 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. – Paul to the Ephesian Elders, Acts 20:26-27

Our Study An Introduction to the Bible A Message and Theological Summary of the Bible’s Books How to Read, Study, and Understand the Bible

Our Study An Introduction to the Bible A Message and Theological Summary of the Bible’s Books How to Read, Study, and Understand the Bible Overview Inspiration Canonization Transmission Translation 09/24/17 The Message of the OT The Message of the NT Redemptive History 1 Redemptive History 2 11/05/17 10/01/17 11/12/17 10/15/17 11/19/17 10/22/17 12/05/17 10/29/17

Our Study – Overview Driver: Acts 20:26-27 The role of Scripture in the life of the believer Objectives Q&A – What you what to get out of this?

“Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live, enter, and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed every one of you who followed Baal of Peor. (!)    – Deuteronomy 4:1-3

4 But you who have remained faithful to the LORD your God are all alive today. 5 Look, I have taught you statutes and ordinances as the Lord my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to possess. 6 Carefully follow them, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’ – Deuteronomy 4:4-6

 7 For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him? 8 And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?   – Deuteronomy 4:7-8

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one 4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates. – Deuteronomy 6:4-9

8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. – Joshua 1:8 1 How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  – Hebrews 4:12

What do you want to get out of the study?