This week's Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum.
Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 3:12-17
Discussion Questions:
-- Do you think most Christians are biblically literate or illiterate?
-- Why is biblical illiteracy a threat to the church?
Food for Thought:
We live in an age when people want their ears tickled and their backs scratched. We don't want a prophet; we want political correctness. We don't want exhortation; we want entertainment. A lack of knowledge of the Word of God has led to increased secularism and humanistic thinking in many pulpits and pews. Far too many church members lack a biblical worldview. They don't know what the Bible says about life.
In the apostle Paul's second letter to Timothy, we see the importance of the Word of God in the context of revival. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul told Timothy that all the issues, sideshows and problems of the day could only be addressed by going back to the Word and giving people the truth of God. If we don't grasp this basic truth, we are sunk.
The Word of God is able to convict and comfort, to tear apart and build up, to cut and to heal. How? Because it is God-breathed. If you don't believe the Word is inspired, inerrant and infallible, you won't see revival. If the Word is wrong on one subject, it's wrong on all subjects. If there is error regarding the flood, it could be assumed there is error regarding saving faith.
You can't cherry-pick the Scriptures. If you really stand on the authority of the Bible, it will lead to persecution. Such a stand is not popular. The Word of God goes against the grain of culture and unbiblical worldviews. It goes against the desires of our flesh. But we cannot shirk our duty to declare it. There can be no revival without a return to the Scripture as the final authority for life.
MasterWork curriculum
MasterWork is an ongoing Bible study curriculum based on works from a variety of renowned authors, offering adults pertinent, practical messages that also are uplifting and enriching. The list of authors and their books to be studied in upcoming months can be found at LifeWay.com/MasterWork.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool
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