Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Proverbs 8

Study 5 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 8

1.      Contrast the description of wisdom with that of the woman in 7:5-27. How do they differ in speech, in conduct, in what they offer, and in the goal to which they lead their followers?

2.      What is said of wisdom in verses 22-31 concerning (a) its existence from the beginning; (b) its part in creation; (c) its communion with God; (d) its interest in man? Consider how in all these respects there is here a foreshadowing of Christ. Cf., e.g.’ (a) Jn. 17:5; (b) Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:15-17; (c) Mt. 11:27; (d) Heb. 2:17, 18.

3.      What similar but greater gifts than those which wisdom offers in 8:32-36 are offered in Christ? Cf., e.g., Mt. 11:29; Lk. 11:28; Jn. 14:21; 17:2, 3:3:36.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Proverbs 6 and 7

Study 4 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 6 and 7

1.      Verses 1-5 give warning against foolish financial commitments and pledges.  What other warnings are given in these chapters?

2.      In what forms do the sins here spoken of manifest themselves at the present day?

3.      Test your life in the light of 6:16-19.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Proverbs 4 and 5

Study 3 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 4 and 5

1.      What are the main lessons that the speaker seeks in these chapters to impress upon us?  What heed have I given, and am I giving, so these most urgent counsels?

2.      4:23-27 provide an admirable guide to successful living. Heart, lips, eyes, feet:  what directions are given concerning each? Note how much is implied for the Christian by verse 18.

3.      What are the results, at various levels, of neglecting this way of wisdom? See 4:19;  5:9-14; 5:21-23.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Proverbs 2 and 3

Study 2 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 2 and 3

1.      What directions are given in these chapters for the attaining of wisdom? Make a list of them as a guide to your own life.

2.      What benefits does wisdom brings us, and from what evils does it preserve us? How far have I proved this in my own experience?

3.      ‘My son’: what application does the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews give to these words? Cf. Heb. 12:5-10.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Proverbs 1

Study 1 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Proverbs 1

1.      From the purpose of the book, as expressed in verses 1-6, what personal profit may we expect, to gain from studying it? How, according to verse 7, can we (a) begin right, or (b) show our folly? (See Note under Study 17.

2.      List some of the attractions in the enticing talk of verses 11-14. What positive attitudes will forearm me against them?

3.      What is the essence of the outlook deplored in verses 20-32? And of the promise given in 33?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction to Proverbs

Study 0 From The Book of Proverbs Is: Introduction

Proverbs 1:7 provides the key to the book and to the whole of the Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). It all starts from the creed of one God—Jehovah, or the Lord—and wisdom is to know and do His will. The term ‘proverb’ has the double meaning of a short parable and a pithy saying.

The proverbs are all intensely practical, covering the human race and the whole of its activity, aiming at giving ‘knowledge and discretion’, or the building up of the ‘perfect man’ by fixing truth in the memory.  As expressing eternal spiritual principles many of them can receive their full meaning only when applied to the believer in Christ. 

Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Galatians 5:25-6:18

Study 7 From The Book of Galatians Is: Galatians 5:25-6:18

***This is the last study of the book of Galatians. Tomorrow we will start the book of ‘PROVERBS’. ***

1.      5:25-6:10. What is the effect of ‘walking by the Spirit’ in the realm of social relationships? Make a list of what you find, and test your own relation to fellow-Christians by it.

2.      What, according to 6:11-16, is the core of Christianity? What must be given up in order to embrace it?

3.      Gather together from the Epistle as a whole the teaching given about (a) the cross of Christ, and (b) the Holy Spirit.

Note. 6:2. ‘The law of Christ’: cf. Jn. 13:34; 1Jn. 4:21.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Galatians 5:2-24

Study 6 From The Book of Galatians Is: Galatians 5:2-24

Spiritual freedom may be lost in two ways: (a) by false teaching, in this case the teaching of the necessity of circumcision (verse 2-12); and (b) by living to please self (verse 13-15). The secret of victory is to give the Holy Spirit full sway within us by obeying His promptings. He will subdue the flesh, and bring forth in us the fruit of Christ-like living (verses 16-25).

     1.      Verses 2-12.  To be circumcised meant taking the way of the law.  What four results would follow if the Galatians did so?  What is the way of the Gospel?

2.      Verses 13-15. How should the Christian use his freedom?

3.      Verses 16-24.  Seek to grasp the antithesis between ‘flesh’ and ‘spirit’.  What should be the attitude of the Christian towards each?  Note that the right attitude demands expression in positive action.

Notes

1. Verses 5, 6. ‘The hope of righteousness’: i.e the hope of future glory that springs from justification through believing on Jesus Christ.  Cf. Rom. 5:1, 2; 1 Pet. 1:3. Notice also the collocation here of faith, hope and love.
2. Verse 18.  The Christian is free from the law as a rule to be obeyed in order to obtain life (cf. 3:12), yet, when ‘led by the Spirit’ he does all that the law demands (see verses 24-25; cf .Rom. 8:4).
3. Verse 24.  Cf. 2:20; Rom. 6:6.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Galatians 4:8-5:1

Study 5 From The Book of Galatians Is: Galatians 4:8-5:1

    1.      According to this passage, what does Christian freedom imply?

    2.      In what way is Paul’s reaction to the Galatians’ condition indicative and illustrative of pastoral concern? Do we know any similar concern for the spiritual well-being others?   

    3.      Verses 21-31.  Paul uses Gn. 16 as an allegory. In this picture, what is the position of those ‘under law’, and what, in contrast, that of believers? What is the point of Paul’s quotation of (a) Is. 54:1, and (b) Gn. 21: 10-12?

Note 4:17, 18. A reference to the new teachers, who were eager to win the favour of the Galatians believers in order to cut them off from Paul and his gospel so that they would have no-one to turn to but themselves. If these teachers had really come to do good. Paul would have raised no objection (verse 18).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Galatians 3:19-4:7

Study 4 From The Book of Galatians Is: Galatians 3:19-4:7

1. 3:19-24. Paul seems to have made light of the law.  How does he state its purpose in this passage?

2. In what way does 3:25-4:7 demonstrate the amazing privileges and position of a Christian? Make a list of them in your own words.

Notes. 3:19, 20.  'Added because of transgressions': i.e., the law gave to sin the form of transgression and so made men conscious of guilt before God when they sinned.  Cf. Rom. 3:19, 20; 5:20; 7:7, 13.

'it was ordained by angels through an intermediary': Paul introduces these words to show that the promise is superior to the Law even in the very manner of its promulgation. In the case of Abraham God Himself spoke the promises directly, whereas the giving of the law was through intermediaries on both sides--God being represented by angels. (cf. Dt. 33:2, LXX; Act 7:53; Heb. 2:2), and the people by Moses.

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