Back to: Equipped To Believe
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. –Acts 17:11 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul was an amazing man who was used by God to establish churches and doctrines. He wrote twelve of the New Testament books, declaring and clarifying the doctrines of grace, the rapture, the church, spiritual gifts, and more. It must have been amazing to hear him teach!
If you were able to attend a service where the Apostle Paul was teaching, would you check his work? Would you challenge his conclusions? Would you ask for verse references so that you could see for yourself? Do you do that with anyone who teaches?
The Bible declares that it is an honorable thing to verify the truth of what is taught by examining the Scriptures. It is foolish to simply accept what someone else teaches about God. Yet that is what many people do. Many people do not know what they should believe. Others know what they believe, but have no idea why they believe it.
Do you know what you believe, and why you believe it? That is what this course is all about. As we walk through the major Bible doctrines, the teaching for each session will declare what we believe. Your job will be to examine the Scriptures daily to find out if it is the truth.
Knowing why you believe is essential for a strong foundation in the Lord. It is also essential for you to experience the life that God has for you. Knowing why you believe helps you maintain sound doctrine so that you are not easily led astray.
So I encourage you to fully engage in this course. Listen to the teaching and take notes. Do the homework each day. It should take you about 15 minutes to do the homework each day. Engage in the discussion when you are doing this with a group. Challenge, and be challenged, so that you rest securely upon the Word of God.
-Jerry
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. –1 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV)