Search The Scriptures —Study 26— Psalm 34

Study 26 From The Psalms is:  Psalm 34

This is a psalm that shines with new light when we know the probable circumstances of the time when it was composed, See the psalm heading and 1 Sa. 21:10-22:2. Perhaps it was sung in the cave of Adullan for the instruction of David’s followers.

1.      Who are those who may expect the Lord’s blessings? Note the various ways in which they are described.  Are we ourselves entitled to claim blessings on the same ground?

2.      Make a numbered list (avoiding repetition)of the blessings God gives to His people, as stated in this Psalm.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 25— Psalm 33

Study 25 From The Psalms is:  Psalm 33

This psalm begins where Ps. 32 left off.  The Hebrew word translated ‘rejoice’ in verse 1 is the same as that translated ‘shout for joy’ in Ps 32:11.

1.      The call to praise (verses 1-3) is followed by reasons for praise (verses 4-19). What are these, and do they help you to join in praising God?

2.      What reasons are given as to why the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed above other nations?  What is the psalmist’s response to this (verses 20 – 22)?

Note.  Verse 3 ‘A new song’: the song of the redeemed.  Cf. Ps. 40:3. ‘Play skilfully’: verb. sap, for all who aspire to lead the praise of God’s people.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 24— Psalm 32

Study 24 From The Psalms is:  Psalm 32

1.      According to this psalm what are the indispensable conditions for enjoying the forgiveness of God?  Cf. Pr. 28:13.

2.      What great blessings does the forgiven soul receive, filling the heart with joy? What conditions of their continued enjoyment are laid down? Are you fulfilling these conditions?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 23— Psalm 31

Study 23 From The Psalms is: Psalm 31

1.      What would you pick out at the most bitter ingredients in David’s cup of sorrow (verses 9-18)?  What would you do if you were in a similar situation? What did David do?

2.      In the rest of the psalm what witness does David bear to God both in his prayer and praise? What message does he bring to fellow-believers everywhere?

Note: Verse 5a. Cf. Lk. 23:46 as evidence that this psalm was in our Lord’s mind upon the cross.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 22— Psalm 30

Study 22 From The Psalms is:  Psalm 30

1.      From what danger had God delivered David? What indications are there the danger had been very great? What was David’s state of mind (a) before the danger, (b) during its presence, and (c) after he was delivered from it?

2.       In regard to his experience, to what conclusions does David come about (a) the salutary effects of the afflictions, and (b) the purpose for which he had been delivered? What can he now do that he could not do in the same way before?  Cf. 2 Cor. 1:8-11

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14— 1 Corinthians 16

Study 14 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 16

With this study we end the book of 1 Corinthians. The next study will take us once again to the Psalms

1.      Verse 1: ‘The contribution for the saints’. Paul was concerned about a fund which he had initiated among the Gentile churches to aid the poor of the church in Jerusalem.  What may we learn from his practical directions about the collections and sending of this money?

2.      What may we learn from this chapter about the plans, movement and ministry of Christian workers? How may we help such more effectively to do ‘the work of the Lord’?

3.      How were the five commands of verses 13, 14 particularly relevant for the church at Corinth as we know it from this letter? Let me also examine my own life in order to discover in what ways I, too need to heed these commands.   

               

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13— 1 Corinthians 15: 35-58

Study 13 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

1.      What does the analogy of the seed suggest about the relation between our present natural body and our future spiritual body? In what ways will the latter be different from the former? What does verse 38b also imply?

2.      What will take place when Christ comes again? Cf. 1 Thes. 4:13 -18. In view of this, what should be the character of our present life and service?

Notes  

Verse 36. Resurrection in Paul’s view is not a strange thing, but is embedded in the heart of God’s creative plan, both in nature and in grace.

Verse 49. ‘The image of the man of heaven’ signifies the likeness of Christ in His glorified body.  It is this likeness that we are to share.  Cf. Rom. 8:29; Phil 3:20, 21; 1 Jn. 3:2.

Verse 51. ‘We’ means ‘we Christians’. Some will be alive when Christ comes. 

   

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12— 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Study 12 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

One group at Corinth did not believe in life after death at all, another did not believe in the resurrection of the body. In this classic passage Paul deals with both groups.

1. What strikes you about the content and the proclamation of the gospel as summarized in verses 1-4? What benefit does it offer to men, and how is this benefit to be enjoyed? Cf. 1 Tim. 1:15.
2. What is the significance of the evidence which Paul marshals in verses 5-11 for the resurrection of Christ? What for Christians are the five far-reaching consequences of denying the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead? See verses 12-19.  Does death set any limit to your hope in Christ?
3. What are to be the full and final consequences of the resurrection of Christ? Of what ultimate consummation is it the promise and pledge? Why are Christians able triumphantly to face death for Christ’s sake?

Notes

1. Verse 28.  No change in the eternal relations between the Persons of the Trinity in meant here. It is the Son’s willing subjection in love.  Cf. 11:3.
2. Verse 29.  The meaning of this reference is uncertain. What is obviously implied is that the practice mentioned is pointless if there is no life beyond death.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — 1 Corinthians 14

Study 11 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 14

1.      Try to form a mental picture of the church’s worship in Corinth. In what ways did it differ from the Church’s worship today? Did it include any features, no longer familiars, which it would be good to see restored?

2.      What two principles should govern the conduct of public worship and of church gatherings? How did Paul apply these principles in his directions about public worship in Corinth?

3.      Many in the church at Corinth seem to have coveted speaking with tongues.  What assessment does Paul make of this gift? What was Paul’s counsel to those eager for manifestations of the Spirit? Which gift do you earnestly desire?

Notes: Verse 3. Prophecy might include foretelling of the future (Acts 11:28), but was more normally a forthelling of God’s will for present ‘upbuilding’ and encouragement and consolation’.  In contrast to an unintelligible ‘tongue’ it was readily understandable and practically relevant to the hearers.

    

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The Scriptures —Study 10 — 1 Corinthians 13

Study 10 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1 Corinthians 13

The Apostle has urged the believers at Corinth to be zealous to possess the more excellent of the gifts (12:31), but before going on to explain what he means by this (chapter 14), he pauses to point out that spiritual gifts are of profit only when exercised in love.

1.      Verses 1-3. Why is love so all-important? In what ways does Paul show further in verses 8-13 that love is greater than all other gifts? How may it find expression in my life? Cf. 1 Jn. 4:7, 12; Gal. 5:22, 23.

2.      In verses 4-7 there are fifteen ways of describing love. Write them in a column and then try to put opposite each a single word summarizing it, and, if possible, an incident in Jesus’s life illustrating it. Then ask yourself: is this found in me?

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