Why study doctrine? Recap of Study–>See–>Savor! #1….

Some of you who have missed some study sessions have asked if I would post a summary and a list of Scriptures that we discussed.  So here is the first of many posts:

Study #1 ( May 18 )

Introduction to Study–>See–>Savor!

Many people view doctrine as unnecessary for the average Christian, something that just “professionals” study.  Others think that studying doctrine will lead to disagreement, division in the Body of Christ and therefore should be avoided.  Some have even said, “Christ unites…doctrine divides!”

What does the Bible say? 

John 8:32 …..you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Acts 2:42 ….they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (DOCTRINE) and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Note: This is what we do on Sunday nights!  We have supper together, great times of fellowship and sharing our lives, digging in to the Bible (teaching, doctrine…) and pray together.

Acts 17:11 …..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.  Note:  We want to be like these believers.  We will ALWAYS check and double-check the BIBLE to verify whether teaching that we receive is really the truth.  We are warned in Scripture that there will be many false teachers that will try to mislead God’s people.  The only source of TRUTH is God’s Word, and we must be diligent in our study.

Acts 20:27 ….. for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Note: In this passage, Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders, reminding them how he did not shrink from declaring to them anything that was profitable, and teaching them in public and from house to house (verse 20) Paul knew it was important that he teach them ALL of the Gospel, ALL of God’s Word, because he knew that there would be “fierce wolves” that would come in from the outside to try to destroy the “flock” (believers) AND, in addition, there would be those from within that would try to TWIST God’s Word and get people to follow them.  We are much more vulnerable to believing a twisted lie, from within or without, if we do not KNOW what the whole BIBLE teaches.

Romans 6:17 ….But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.  Note:  Thanks be to GOD! Why? Our obedience comes from Him.  And this obedience is from an inner change, a heart change.  God does a heart transplant in us! John Piper comments on this passage, “Let the sovereignty of God make you hopeful that change is possible, not passive as if no change were necessary.”  What are we obedient to?  Biblical teaching, doctrine…

2 Timothy 1:13-14 ….Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.  Two commands for Timothy and us:  Follow and guard.  Follow the “sound words” (teaching, doctrine) of Scripture, and with and through and by the Holy Spirit’s enabling, we guard that good word. How can we follow or guard something that we do not know?  We must study God’s Word!

1 Timothy 4:11-16 ….Command and teach these things.  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.  Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. Note:  Verse 12 is a great encouragement for young people to model godliness, but is so often quoted out of context.  Look at all the imperatives in this passage:  Command, teach, set an example, devote, practice, immerse yourself, keep watch, persist, save…all related in some way to our relationship with God’s Word, the Bible.  Look at the two negatives:  do not let anyone despise you for your young age and do not neglect the gift you have.  You are never too young to study God’s Word, to dig in deeply and THINK hard about what the Bible reveals about God. God gives us brains to think hard, and He gives us His Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.

That’s why our theme verse is 2 Timothy 2:7  ”Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”