Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — 1 Thessalonians 1

Study 1  From The Books of Thessalonians I & II Is: 1 Thessalonians 1

1. What explanation does this chapter give of the way in which these Thessalonians became Christians? Am I talking a similar share in the reception and spread of the gospel of Christ?
2. Pick out the outstanding features of the Christian life and character of these converts. Making every allowance for the difference in circumstances, is our Christian life of this kind?
3. What marks of a work of the Holy Spirit are mentioned here? Can we share in a similar experience?

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Search The Scriptures —Study - Introduction On the Books of Thessalonians

Study 0  From The Books of Thessalonians  Is: The introduction

Almost certainly these two letters were the first books of the New Testament to be written. They were written in Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey, and not long after the church at Thessalonica had been founded, about 50 AD (Acts 17:1-10). In them we get an insight into the life of a local Christian church within about twenty years of the death and resurrection of our Lord. The first letter was written on Timothy’s return from a visit to Thessalonica, and the second a few months later.  They are among the most personal of the apostle’s letter in the New Testament, and present a vivid picture both of himself and of his readers, while revealing also the marvellous results of his missionary work in a great heathen city, the capital of Macedonia.

The apostle was greatly encouraged by the report, which Timothy brought, of the church’s steadfastness under persecution and of its continued progress.  But there were some matters that gave him concern, in particular the wrong were some matters that gave him concern, in particular the wrong views that were held about the  second coming of Christ. This is then the chief theme of the two letters.  It is shown to be a comfort in bereavement, a motive for endurance, an inspiration to hope, a safeguard in temptation, a help to purity, a challenge to watchfulness, a ground of rejoicing, and a separating and sanctifying power. The apostle’s great aim is summed up in 1 Thes. 3:13.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 21 — Psalm 28 and 29

Study 21  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 28 and 29

***Tomorrow we will dive into the book of Thessalonians***

1.      In Ps. 28 David’s prayer is answered. What difference does this make to him?  Are you always as thankful about God’s answers to your prayers?

2.      Ps. 29 is the description of a thunderstorm viewed as a manifestation of God’s glory. What spiritual lessons does it teach regarding God, and regarding our duties and privileges as His people?

Note. 29:3. ‘The voice of the Lord’: i.e., thunder and so throughout the psalm. Cf. Ps. 18:13

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Search The Scriptures —Study 20 — Psalm 27

Study 20  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 27

1.      What does verses 1-6 reveal of David’s attitude in life and of his chief desire?  Upon what is this attitude and desire based? What equivalent desire should we have today? Cf. 1. Pet. 2:4, 5; 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

2.      In verses 7-14 what are David’s seven petitions? How does he address God, and how does he encourage himself to continue in prayer?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — Psalm 26

Study 19  From The Books of Psalms  Is: Psalm 26

1. Describe in your own words the main trend of David’s life as he describes it here.  Can you make similar claim for yourself?
2. In verse 12, David seems to be assured that God will answer his prayer. On what has it been based that he can have this assurance? Cf. Ps. 66:18; Jas. 4:3.

Note.  Verse 12. ‘Level ground’: i.e., a place of safety and ease, where he can fulfill the promises of verses 6, 7

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Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — Psalm 25

Study 18  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 25

1. What are the main petitions made here by the psalmist? What light do these petitions throw upon his circumstances and spiritual experience? How far can you make these petitions your own?
2. In verses 6-15 what is said about God and what He does for those who fear Him? How far is this true in your own experience? What does this psalm teach about how you can experience more of the friendship, guidance and deliverance of the Lord?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — Psalms 23 and 24

Study 17  From The Book of Psalms  Is:  Psalms 23& 24

1. David knows the Lord as His shepherd. In Ps. 23 note the effect this has upon his thoughts about his present and his future.  Has your knowledge of the Lord had this effect for you?
2. From Ps. 24 what do we learn of the Lord? What is required, therefore of those who worship Him?

Note. Ps. 24 was probably written for the occasion when David brought the ark of God to Jerusalem. See 2 Sa. 6

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Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Psalm 22:22-31

Study 16  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 22:22-31

1. Trace in these verses the happy results of the sufferings described in verses 1:21. Note (a) how far-reaching is their effect, and (b) to whom they mean most.
2. List those things that are stated will be the reaction of people to the deliverance of the sufferer, and see how far this is true of your own reaction to the resurrection of Jesus-Christ.

Note. Verse 22. This is applied to Christ in Heb. 2:12

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — Psalm 22:1-21

Study 15  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 22:1-21

1. Note the things that seem to make the sufferings here described the harder to bear.  How closely does this psalm picture the sufferings of Christ? Cf. Mt. 27:35-46; Jn. 19:23, 24.
2. In these sufferings upon what does the faith of this man say itself?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Psalm 20 and 21

Study 14  From The Book of Psalms  Is: Psalm 20 and 21

These two psalms are closely linked together. In Ps. 20 a battle is about to take place between the king of Israel at the head of his people and his foes.  Sacrifices have been offered, and the king and his people commit their cause in faith to God. In Ps. 21 the battle is won, and the people give thanks to God for their king and look forward to further victories.

1. What does Ps. 20 reveal is the attitude of the king and his people as they set out against their foes? On what is the confidence of verses 6 based? Is this sort of confidence characteristic of God’s people today?
2.  Ps. 21 falls into two parts, verse 1:7 and 8-12, with a concluding prayer.  To whom is the first part addressed, and to whom the second? In what ways does what is said of the king find its fulfilment in Christ?

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