Julington Creek NEWSLETTER News about the collective work at the Julington Creek church of Christ and updates on individuals and families. Volume 2 Issue 11March 17, 2013 How To Study The Bible Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth (NASB). Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (KJV). The Greek word that is translated “study” in the KJV can be translated as “Eagerness, earnestness, zeal or diligence.” In other words, Paul is exhorting Timothy, and us, to be eager, earnest and zealous about learning the word of God. When the daughter of Herodias came before Herod to ask for the head of John the baptist, she appeared “in haste” before the king (Mark 6:25). In the koine Greek, the wording is the same as that used in Paul’s encouragement for Christians to study the word. Some people, like Herodias, are eager to do wrong. Christians must be eager to learn what God has said to us. Like Mary who went “in haste” to visit Elizabeth, John’s mother (Luke 1:39), true believers run in haste to the word to find God’s ultimate judgment on a question or issue. “Diligence” is hard work that is done with persistence. Rather than the false notion that people can flip through the pages of the Bible while God will mysteriously reveal some message to them, God is telling us to work hard, study hard and be persistent in finding answers to life’s questions. If I’m having a problem in my spiritual life, God expects me to search the scriptures to find His solution to my problem. If I want to know what the unvarnished truth is on some religious issue, God expects me to carefully read and interpret His word so that I can “exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). If I want to know the truth, I need to show God how important truth is to me by my willingness to read, study, meditate on and memorize the word! No one would ever go to a surgeon who only studied medicine occasionally, and then only half- heartedly. No. We would want the best educated and most diligent doctor this side of the Mississippi to operate on us. Well, God cannot send His “workmen” into a lost world if they only study occasionally and half-heartedly. We must W-O-R-K to be able to accurately teach His saving word to a world lost in the darkness of false religious doctrine. Then, we can stand before God with trust and assurance, and not with guilt and shame. dlf

CONTACT US Julington Creek Church Of Christ 1630 State Road 13 N. St. Johns, FL Phone: Or, Denny Website: julingtoncreekchurchofchrist.net GATHERING TIMES SUNDAY Bible Classes :30 AM Morning Worship :30 AM Evening Worship :00 PM WEDNESDAY Bible Classes :00 PM We love visitors! C. V. Alexander – Confined to home. Eddie Goff – At Westminster, Alzheimer's center. Darlene Jessup – Recovering from hip replacement at LifeCare Center, Orange Park. Ina Putnal – Now In rehab at Westminister. Prayers WEDNESDAY NITE BIBLE CLASS: Different topics and teachers. SUNDAY SERMONS: AM – Serving Like Jesus Reading: John 13:13-17 PM – Why Do I Feel This Way? LADIES BIBLE CLASS: Thursday mornings at 10:30. PowerPoint slides are available for viewing/download on church website. SUNDAY AM CLASS: Romans 12. Teacher: Steve McCain. CHILDREN’S CLASSES: Posted in the hallway. BIBLE CLASSES: MEN: There are still a few teaching slots on the Wednesday night class sign-up sheet in foyer. Please help out. JULINGTON MEN’S MEETING The men of the church will meet this afternoon at 4:00 at the building to discuss kingdom work at Julington. Bill Bowman, Wendell’s brother, lung removal was successful last week. Jim Dillinger’s mother – Successfully had a stint placed in her heart.