To where was each New Testament book specifically written?
God hates divorce but does He allow it anyway?
Someone recently said to me: “Evangelicals must make the biblical case against divorce. God Hates Divorce.” Agreed. The preferred sentiment is to always err on the side of preserving the sanctity of marriage. Divorce, in the case of adultery, is God’s permissive will – not an obligation or mandate. If one can find the inner […]
Ephesians 3:16-21
Ephesians 3:16-21 Amplified Bible (AMP) Source: biblegateway.com 16 May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been […]
Is this you?
…conduct becoming of a true, maturing Christian. A somewhat lengthy study of 1 Thessalonians 5 What Love Does. This passage by Paul the apostle exhorts the believer in Christ, “all believers, those set apart for God” — to live in a manner pleasing to Christ. We of course are not saved by how pleasing we […]
Patterns That We Set
A small study of Philippians 3:13-21; 4:1-13 Philippians 3:13-21 Amplified Bible (AMP): “…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this […]
The Sower and the Seed
The Sower and the Seed 18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the [i]word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 The one on whom […]
God’s Normal
There are several lists in Scripture showing us what IS part of the normal Christian life. We each must search “our inner self”. Do you know that God indeed sees you in this way? Do you truly “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…?” (Ephesians 4: verse 1). God knows. Here are four passages of what “normal” looks like:
Hebrews 6:4-5
“…the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come….” –Hebrews 6:4-5
Matthew 7:21-23
Works. Sincerity. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out […]
2 Timothy 1:12
Perseverance. Security of the Believer “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. –2 Timothy 1:12
Romans 8:28-30
Predestination 28 And we know that [k]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among […]
Romans 8:38
Secure In Him 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Romans […]
Luke 23:39-43
The Thief On The Cross 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was [l]hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the [m]Christ? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we […]
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Who We Are
Who we are matters. What we say we believe, matters less. This is easy to understand. In a court of law, does it really matter (at all) that the killer says he did not do it, if the dead body is found with his DNA on it and three credible witnesses say they saw him […]
Imagine Your Evil – Unrestrained
The Holy Spirit restrains evil. For now. But the day will come when those restraints will be loosed. Can you imagine what your city will look like, when evil is unrestrained: your neighborhood, your PTA, your local road driving etiquettes, your state lawmakers, your governor’s oversight, your congressional laws passed, your presidential degrees? 2 Thessalonians […]
What We Are To Be
Romans 12 is one of those sections of the Bible that tell a complete story – all in one passage. Paul presents a thorough explanation of what God is expecting of those who choose to follow Him. This passage, like many, goes along with the message of James, which says we’ve got to back-up our […]
Ephesians 6:19-24. Final Greetings
Final Greetings Ephesians 6:19-24 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download FINAL GREETINGS Prayer for others: Can we adopt this personal petition of Paul, and apply it for others? 19,20. _________________________________________________________________________ Which are the key words? _____________________________________________________________________ For whom can you pray this? And do your include yourself? _____________________________________________________________________ Identification of Tychicus: […]
Ephesians 6:10-18. The Armor of God
The Armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson. Available: Printable PDF download THE ARMOR OF GOD “Finally” and the following BIG exhortation: ________________________________________________________________________________ Is there a “secret” to be learned in having the “Strength of the Lord”? ________________________________________________________________________________ How are we to understand a view the “full” armor of God? […]
Ephesians 6:1-9. Children and Parents
Children and Parents Ephesians 6:1-9 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF CHILDREN AND PARENTS How do you view “children”? _______________________________________________________________ An “old” imperative for children: ____________________________________________________________ Why? _______________________________________________________________________________ Looking at one of the Ten Commandments: _____________________________________________________ A promise from the Lord. What does “promise” mean to you? _________________________________________ In this a […]
Ephesians 5:22-33. Wives and Husbands
Wives and Husbands Ephesians 5:22-33 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download WIVES AND HUSBANDS Would you say that this is a passage often used to “prove” your own personal bias? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Why is it so easy to forget v. 21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”? Is it […]
Ephesians 5:15-21. The Holy Spirit’s Filling
The Holy Spirit’s Filling Ephesians 5:15-21 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download THE HOLY SPIRIT’S FILLING Comments regarding the context: (from preceding verses) 5:1 -14 ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ What does it mean to be very careful how you live?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What is the difference between being wise and unwise? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Why are […]
Ephesians 5:1-14. Living as Children of Light
Living as Children of Light Ephesians 5:1-14 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT How does verse one, continue the theme from the preceding section? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you find the opening phrases of verses one and two truly “amazing”? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What model is given for living […]
Ephesians 4:17-32. Living as Children of Light
Living as Children of Light Ephesians 4:17-32 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT What does the “so . . .” indicate at the beginning of this passage? ______________________________________________________________________________________ Paul is insistent concerning: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Why does he offer this strong insistence against a Gentile lifestyle? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ […]
Ephesians 4:11-16. Leadership Gifting for the Church
Leadership Gifting for the Church Ephesians 4:11-16 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download LEADERSHIP GIFTING FOR THE CHURCH How do we see the divine direction and “gifting” for the body of Christ in verse 11? ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Looking at those descriptive words: Apostles ____________________________________________________ Prophets ____________________________________________________ Evangelists __________________________________________________ Pastor –teachers ______________________________________________ What […]
Ephesians 4.1-10. Unity in The Body of Christ
Unity in The Body of Christ Ephesians 4.1-10 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST How does Paul urge us forward? _________________________________________________________________________________________ To which purpose and goal does Paul give his urging? _________________________________________________________________________________________ “How” is this to be lived out? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Do you feel […]
Ephesians 3:14-21. A Prayer For the Ephesians
A Prayer For the Ephesians Ephesians 3.14-21 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download A PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS Which are the primary words for prayer in the New Testament? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which are the primary postures for prayer in the New Testament? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How does the Old Testament background aid in our […]
Ephesians 3:1-13. Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles Ephesians 3.1-13 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download PAUL THE PREACHER TO THE GENTILES How does Paul identify himself? _________________________________________________________________________________________ What is the meaning of the word “gentiles’? _________________________________________________________________________________________ How can we understand the meaning of “the administration of God’s grace? _________________________________________________________________________________________ How is the […]
Ephesians 2:11-22. One in Christ
One in Christ Ephesians 2:11-22 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson Available: Printable PDF download ONE IN CHRIST What does the “therefore” connect? ___________________________________________________________________________________ On remembering: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ What grabs you regarding your former situation? _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ A GREAT “BUT NOW” v. 13 ___________________________________________________________________________________ Our problems with distances – ___________________________________________________________________________________ THE EXCELLENCY OF JESUS: […]
Ephesians 2:1-10 Made Alive in Christ
Made Alive in Christ Ephesians 2:1-10 Bible study with Dr. Peter Larson. Available: Printable PDF download MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST When the “you” is singular and when it is plural: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The description of that “you” that Paul is giving: ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Who would be the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” and […]
