What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 65 - 25/10/24

This week we look at "The Heart of God".

Topic and Purpose: Tonight, we are studying the heart of God as revealed in the Bible, inspired by the book Gentle and Lowly, which draws insights from 17th-century Puritan writings. Our focus is on understanding God’s heart through His Word, particularly His love and compassion (Matthew 11:28-30).

Approach to Study: We approach this study by bringing together scriptures without a specific agenda, allowing us to explore openly and without bias what the Bible reveals about God's heart. This method emphasizes the richness and depth of God’s Word (Jeremiah 31:20).

God’s Goodness in Creation: In Genesis 1:31, we see that everything God created was “very good,” showing His delight and generosity in sharing the goodness of creation with humanity, especially before the fall. This highlights God’s benevolent heart toward us and His desire for us to enjoy His gifts (Psalm 103:13).

Mercy and Justice: God's character is balanced between mercy and justice. In Exodus 34:6-7, God describes Himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Yet, He also affirms that He does not leave the guilty unpunished. This reveals the necessity of repentance and trust in His grace for true restoration (Isaiah 55:6-9).

God’s Invitation: God invites us to seek Him while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6). His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), yet His forgiveness is abundant, and His mercy is vast. He calls us to turn from our ways and return to Him, demonstrating His desire for relationship and reconciliation.

Jesus’ Gentle and Lowly Heart: Jesus describes His own heart in Matthew 11:28-30 as “gentle and lowly.” He invites us to come to Him with our burdens, assuring us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. This shows that He walks alongside us, guiding us with compassion, patience, and humility.

Encouragement in God’s Faithfulness: Despite our failures, God remains patient and faithful. Lamentations 3:31-33 reminds us that God “does not willingly bring affliction” and that His compassion is unfailing. This encourages us to return to Him, as His heart is always inclined toward mercy and restoration.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nw5_XX-sPTzu4Wt58RFGr9vZ_YRPxDc9/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 64 - 11/10/24

This week we tackle the second session on forgiveness.

We began with a prayer, asking for guidance and wisdom to understand God's Word, particularly on the topic of forgiveness.

Last time, we examined forgiveness in the Old Testament, focusing on God's mercy towards Israel and individual stories like Joseph and David.

Tonight, we are exploring New Testament teachings on forgiveness, starting with Matthew 18:21-35, where Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant.

The parable highlights how much we've been forgiven by God, and how that should compel us to forgive others, even when it feels difficult.

We reflected on the challenge of forgiving from the heart, acknowledging that it is not just a verbal act, but one that requires a true change in our inner spirit.

Jesus' command to forgive from the heart emphasizes that forgiveness is essential for maintaining our relationship with God, and unforgiveness can create a barrier between us and God.

We concluded by discussing the transformative power of forgiveness, how it frees us, and how we are called to forgive as God has forgiven us, inspired by Christ’s example on the cross.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VfB3y3qVI1v42UhnAOV_laU9x-nnDrGq/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 63 - 27/09/24

This week we tackle the first session on forgiveness.

We start by acknowledging God's sovereignty and thank Him for bringing us together. We commit this meeting to Him, praying for His guidance and healing, especially for those among us who are struggling, like Tim with his injury.

We reflect on how, despite our many Bible studies, we’ve surprisingly never focused on forgiveness as its own topic. Although we’ve touched on it through other discussions, it’s clear that this is a crucial subject we need to explore more deeply.

We dive into Joseph’s story and the profound forgiveness he showed his brothers after their betrayal. We realize that Joseph’s example teaches us how God can bring good from bad, even when we face painful conflicts, especially within our families.

We discuss the emotional and spiritual struggles we all face when it comes to forgiveness, acknowledging how difficult it can be when deeply hurt. Yet, we recognize that as Christians, we are called to forgive unconditionally, just as God forgives us.

We consider whether forgiveness sometimes feels conditional, but ultimately, we know that it shouldn't be. The Bible reminds us to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us, which challenges us to practice unconditional forgiveness in our own lives.

We explore the parallels between Joseph’s experience and Jesus’ forgiveness, recognizing how Joseph’s life prefigures the Messiah. Like Jesus, Joseph extended grace and mercy even to those who had wronged him, showing us how central forgiveness is to God's plan.

As we conclude, we are reminded that forgiveness is about more than just resolving conflicts in the moment. It’s about understanding God’s larger, redemptive plan. Even through our trials and betrayals, God can bring about good, and forgiveness helps us align ourselves with His greater purpose.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VfB3y3qVI1v42UhnAOV_laU9x-nnDrGq/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 62 - 13/09/24

This week we take a look at Psalm 2.

Opening Prayer: The session starts with a prayer asking for God’s guidance, peace, and focus as the group dives into studying His word.

Psalm 2 Context: The group discusses how Psalm 1 and 2 serve as the introduction to the Book of Psalms, and the historical context behind Psalm 2 being seen as prophetic of the Messiah. They note the connection between Psalm 1's emphasis on meditating on God's law and Psalm 2's focus on the rebellion of nations against God and His anointed one (the Messiah).

Dividing Psalm 2 by Voices: The group identifies different voices in Psalm 2—God, the kings of the earth, and the psalmist—and how each speaks to the ongoing theme of rebellion and submission. This leads to a deeper reflection on the plot of nations against God and His Messiah.

Rebellion Against God’s Authority: The conversation turns to how the nations rebel against God's instruction, viewing His commands as burdensome, leading to a discussion of contemporary resistance to God's authority, especially in modern culture. Romans 1 is referenced, highlighting humanity's inherent knowledge of God and the deliberate rejection of Him.

The Futility of Rebellion: The group explores God's reaction to the rebellion, noting that God laughs at their vain attempts. They compare this to other scriptures, such as Psalm 37, where God's power and justice are highlighted. This leads to reflections on God's sovereignty and the foolishness of opposing Him.

God’s Judgment and the Role of the Messiah: Verses 7–9 of Psalm 2 are discussed in terms of God’s promise to the Messiah, with prophetic implications about Christ's authority over the nations. The group reflects on the tension between Christ's role as both Savior and judge, with references to future judgment in Revelation and other scriptures.

Call to Submit and Find Refuge in Christ: The psalm’s final verses serve as a warning to the kings and rulers of the earth to submit to God's authority ("kiss the son"). The group considers the duality of fearing God’s judgment while finding joy and refuge in Him. The discussion ends with a prayer for boldness to share the message of salvation and the reality of God's wrath with others.

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 61 - 30/08/24

This week we take a look at Psalm 50.

Introduction to Psalms 1 and 2: The discussion begins by explaining that Psalms 1 and 2 are often considered together as a prologue to the entire Book of Psalms. They lay the groundwork for understanding the Psalms, similar to how the opening chapters of Genesis set up the entire Bible. Some ancient texts combine them, but they are typically treated as two separate Psalms in most Bible versions.

Interpretation of "Blessed": The word "blessed" in Psalm 1 is analysed deeply. It is often translated as "happy," "fortunate," or "to be envied," but the discussion emphasizes that being blessed is not necessarily about material wealth or comfort. Instead, it signifies divine favour and spiritual growth, implying a deeper, more spiritual state that involves being favoured by God, often irrespective of one’s material circumstances.

Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked: Psalm 1 draws a clear distinction between the righteous, who delight in the law of the Lord, and the wicked, who follow ungodly counsel. The righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season, symbolizing stability and prosperity. In contrast, the wicked are compared to chaff blown away by the wind, symbolizing instability and worthlessness.

Progression of Sin: A key theme discussed is the progressive nature of sin as described in Psalm 1: walking in the counsel of the wicked, standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of mockers. This progression illustrates how individuals can gradually become more entrenched in sinful behaviour, moving from casual association to active participation and ultimately to a settled attitude of scorn toward righteousness.

Call for Personal Reflection and Spiritual Growth: The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives in light of the teachings of Psalm 1. It stresses the importance of not following ungodly counsel and instead staying rooted in God’s word. The importance of taking a stand against worldly influences and holding onto biblical truths is emphasized, highlighting the need for Christians to be vigilant about their spiritual health and growth.

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 60 - 16/08/24

This week we take a look at Psalm 50.

The discussion is focused on understanding Psalm 50, emphasizing its relevance to both ancient Israel and modern Christian practice, especially in terms of genuine obedience and heart-driven worship rather than mere ritualistic actions.

Psalm 50 portrays God's judgment and justice, reminding the people of His sovereignty and ownership over all creation, dismissing sacrifices made without true devotion as insufficient.

The group contrasts the first half of Psalm 50, which emphasizes God's righteous character and the need for heartfelt thanksgiving, with the second half, which criticizes hypocrites who follow the law outwardly but lack true obedience and righteousness.

The discussion touches on how this Psalm is relevant to contemporary believers, warning against superficial religious practices and highlighting the importance of internal sincerity and gratitude towards God.

There is a connection drawn between the issues addressed in Psalm 50 and the New Testament, particularly in terms of religious hypocrisy and the need for a heart aligned with God's will, rather than mere outward conformity to religious norms.

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 59 - 02/08/24

This week we look at what the bible says about parenting. What does it mean to be a Christian parent? Does the Bible give us any help in how to raise our children? What happens if we ignore it?

The Bible study focuses on understanding what the Bible says about parenting, particularly the importance of discipline and correction in raising children.

Proverbs 22:15 highlights that foolishness is inherent in a child's heart and must be corrected through discipline to guide them away from this natural tendency.

The discussion emphasizes that proper parenting involves actively teaching and correcting children, as neglecting this responsibility can lead to negative consequences for both the child and the parent

The study also addresses the importance of setting boundaries and enforcing consequences consistently, ensuring children learn right from wrong through a balanced approach to discipline.

The conversation underscores the importance of starting discipline early, as the longer it is delayed, the harder it becomes to instil proper values and behaviour in a child.

DOWNLOAD STUDY NOTES

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_miL92EWcU9OpacSLoQWntbJp_ZQGn_a/view?usp=drive_link

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly bible study.

Episode 58 - 19/07/24

This week we look at what the bible says about the Spirit of the Age. What Does that mean? Are there really spiritual forces controlling the world and it's actions? What does that mean for Christians?

Overview of the Study: The Bible study session explores what the Bible says about the "spirit of the age," focusing on the spiritual influences and realities affecting the world.

Biblical Insights: The study begins with Job 1:7, which highlights Satan's roaming presence on Earth and his access to God, illustrating his active role in seeking to influence and deceive.

Spiritual Forces: Ephesians 2:1-3 discusses the "prince of the power of the air," representing Satan’s influence over those who live in disobedience, contrasting with the new life in Christ.

Impact on Society: The discussion extends to Psalm 2, which reflects on how worldly powers and rulers conspire against God and His anointed, showing how the spirit of the age manifests in societal and governmental structures.

Role of Believers: The study emphasizes the personal and collective spiritual battles Christians face, with the ultimate assurance that greater is Christ within them than the forces of darkness in the world.

STUDY NOTES: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uLz-SPpI9-GttLGqtiFloc71v9INu110/view?usp=drive_link