Maturing in Christ: God's Word is Clear

Maturing in Christ: God’s Word is Clear  
Deuteronomy 30:1-14   Page #217

Chapter 4: Taking God at His Word, Kevin DeYoung

I. Different Views on Clarity
     1. Mystical View – God is so transcendent He cannot be known
         with words, so the focus is on an experience.

     2. Roman Catholic View – Scripture is not complete or clear,
         therefore it must be explained and supplemented by
         tradition and the magisterium.

     3. Pluralism View – No one can truly know absolute truth, and
         therefore all “religions” are equal or at least needed.

Deuteronomy 30:1-14 Page # 217 

II. Application

     1. Some parts of Scripture are clearer than others
         Martin Luther - On 1 Peter 3:19 he wrote, “A wonderful text
         is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other
         in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty
         just what Peter means.”

     2. Knowing, believing, and doing are clearly seen in the Bible.

John 14:15 - “Jesus said, ‘If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.’ ”

     3. Not all doctrines are clear in every passage, they are clear  
         somewhere in the Bible.Matthew 28:20 - “…teaching them
         to observe all that I commanded you; and behold I am with
         you always, even to the end of the age.” 

     4. If we will prayerfully study and learn, we will know much
        about God and bear much fruit.John 15:7-8 – “If you abide
        in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, 
        and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that
        you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

     5. The most important truths in the Scriptures may not be
         understood perfectly, but they can be sufficiently
         understood.

Luke 10:36-37 – “Jesus said, ‘Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?’ And he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’”

     6. Only those born anew will desire God and his truth.

John 10:26-27 – “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…”

     7. Assertions that the Bible is not understandable are seeking
         to erase the sufficiency of Christ and the priesthood of the
         believer.

1 John 2:26-27 – “These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.  As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”

Faith Sheet

Main Themes
~ The Bible is clear enough for the masses to understand with God’s enablement. We do not need a hierarchy over us telling us what the Bible says or does not say.

~ God enables some individuals to have the gift of teaching to enable us to better understand and obey His word, but we all must examine the Scriptures for ourselves to see if what is being taught is truly from the Lord. (Ephesians 4:11-13, Acts 17:11)

 #1- Reviewing this Past Sunday  
Maturing in Christ: God’s Word is Clear
Deuteronomy 30:1-14

1. Read Deuteronomy 30:1-14.
2. Verses 1-5 declare that Israel will be eventually exiled from the
    land because of their refusal to follow the Lord. What is God’s
    promise of grace in verses 5-6?
3. Verses 6-10 contrast those who love the Lord and those who do
    not. What differences do you see?
4. Verses 11-14 declare that the people, educated and
    uneducated, can understand God’s word. What phrases make
    this truth clear?
5. Why is God’s word being clear to understand by the masses of
    people so important?
6. Praise Him for being clear about Himself and His promises.

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
Maturing in Christ: God’s Word is Authoritative  
Acts 17:1-15

Read Chapter 5 of Taking God at His Word by Kevin DeYoung

1. Read Acts 17:1-15.
2. What is happening in verses 1-4, and how is Paul making Christ
    known?
3. In verses 5-9 what is a result of Paul’s ministry? Should we
    expect the same and if so, how do we prepare for this?
4. In verses 10-12 the Apostles are in a new ministry location.
    What do we learn about the people in that area and their view
    of the Bible?
5. How does one become eager and stay eager to read and obey
    the scriptures?
6. How is it shown in your daily life that the Scriptures are the final
    authority in your life and in your relationships?