Becoming a theologian: Rightly handling the word of God

As we continue to become theologians and as we realize that the Bible is our starting point for knowing God and knowing about God, we must realize that it is important to correctly handle God's Word. In other words, we must make sure we don't use it - or part of it - inappropriately.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

We're not reading the Bible in the original language(s) it was written in

• We are reading from translations which means that we're not reading the original texts. Thus, the words we see, are a person's or a group of people's interpretation of what the original words mean. Sometimes, an original word in the Hebrew or Greek may be translated into many different English words or several different Hebrew or Greek words may be translated to the same English word.
• This means that if we're having a hard time interpreting what Scripture is saying, we may need to consult someone or something that knows more than we do about what the words in the original language mean.

The world has changed a lot since the Bible was written

• When the Bible was written, a lot of things that we take for granted for living our daily life did not exist: there were no cars, telephones, TVs, computers, interstate highways, and many other things.
• Thus, when we read things in the Bible that sound strange to us (like Jesus washing the disciples feet), we may need to read other books called commentaries to help us understand what was happening.

Context is important

• Context means understanding the big picture around what we are reading.
• If we read just one sentence of Isaiah 56:12, we can read "Let us drink our fill of beer!" Does that mean we should drink beer until we're full - until we can't drink any more?
• If we look at this in context by reading what's around it, we find that this is said by wicked people who according to verse 11 "lack understanding." In other words, the people who are saying this aren't very smart. With that in mind, do you think everyone should go out and drink beer until they are full?

Even though Scripture has clarity and we can understand it, we need to make sure that we are studying it carefully so that we know we're doing what God wants.

Becoming a theologian: Why we use the Bible

As we continue our study to become a theologian, I want to look today at why we can use the Bible as our starting point. The Bible as we know it has four characteristics:

1. Authority
2. Clarity
3. Necessity
4. Sufficiency

Let's look at what each of these mean.

Authority

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16

• If Scripture is God-breathed (inspired by God), can we trust what it says about God?
• Who knows God better than God Himself? nobody
• If God inspired all of Scripture, then the Scripture itself has authority to tell us about God

Clarity

⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

• Some of Scripture may be hard to understand, but for the most part, it is clear and easy to understand.
• Would we be commanded to teach it to our children if it couldn't be understood clearly?
• Would we be commanded to talk about it in different situations to different people if nobody could undertand it clearly?

Necessity

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4

• We know we need to eat to live. Jesus tells us that we need God's Word to live.
• If Jesus tells us we need God's Word to live, do you think we need it?

Sufficiency

¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

• Scripture equips us to do every good work.
• Are there things we should do that Scripture does not help us with? No
• You may also recall from our study of Psalm 119 that Scripture is useful for many things.
• Is there any thing else that we can take as having authority, clarity, and necessity? no

Becoming a theologian: Where do we start

As we pursue becoming a theologian, we must pick a starting point. What is one thing that we can use through which God has revealed Himself and told us about Himself and told us of what He has done? If you're thinking the Bible, you're exactly right! We've studied a lot about God's word in Psalm 119 and Psalm 19 and 2 Timothy 3:16 among other places. Let's look at what the Gospel according to John says about itself.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:31

We see three purposes mentioned in this one verse:

• Knowing that Jesus is the Christ. In other words knowing that He was the Messiah. This relates to His purpose in coming to earth.
• Knowing that Jesus is the Son of God. Here, it's talking about understanding the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, His Son.


• Believing in God and having eternal life. In other words, the John didn't write this just so we could know about God but also so that we could believe in and know God!

We're going to use the Bible as the starting point for becoming a theologian. It would be helpful to know a little bit about the Bible.

• What are the two major divisions of the Bible? The Old Testament and the New Testament
• How many books are in the Bible? 66
• What kind of books are in the Old Testament?
• the books of the Law - telling the Law and how it came to be (contains some history)
• History books - telling about God's people
• Wisdom books - containing poetry, songs, and wise sayings
• Prophecy books - containing prophecy
• What kind of books are in the New Testament?
• Gospels - stories about Jesus
• Acts of the Apostles - stories about His followers
• Epistles - letters written to teach believers in Jesus
• Prophecy

Tomorrow, we'll learn a little bit more about the Bible.

Ayin

As we continue our journey through Psalm 119, we come to Ayin the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The theme I want to touch on today is this: When faced with multiple paths, hate the wrong ones. In light of what we read yesterday about people who stray from the path and the day before about how God's word is a light to our path, we know the importance of the right path. But sometimes we are tempted by other paths that may not be the right path. So, let's read.

¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.

¹²² Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.

¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.

¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.

¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.

¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken.

¹²⁷ Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,

¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119:121-128

Discussion Questions

• Before we look at how the Psalmist hates the wrong paths, we need to see where he is first.
• He is living a "good" life
• doing what is righteous and just (v. 121)
• serving God (v. 125)
• wanting to understand God's laws (v. 125)
• He is looking to God
• looking for God's salvation and promise (v. 123)
• looking for God to respond to bad people(v. 126)
• He is motivated by God's word
• He loves God's commands (v. 127)
• God's word is valuable to Him (v. 127)
• He considers God's word right - as in the right path, a straight, level path
• As a result of living a life obedient to God, looking to God, and realizing that God's word points to the right path, he hates the wrong paths. It is important to note:
• Hate - literally means to hate. Not "not like as much as the other" and not "slightly dislike" and not "dislike", but hate!
• wrong - translated elsewhere as false meaning a lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood
• path - way, path, road, passing of life, way of living

Nun

Now we come to Nun. Today, we're going to do things just a little bit different. We'll be having some discussion questions before we do our reading and then we'll have more after we do our reading. But, anyway, back to nun, the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this section we see that God's word guides us. God's word helps us to know where to go and keeps us heading in the right direction.

Discussion Questions

• If you are walking through the woods in the dark, what tool would you want with you? A flashlight?
• If there's a path through the woods, would you want to stay on it?
• If you are walking in the dark and drop your favorite toy, what would you do?
• If you are walking in the woods at night and hear a strange noise off the path, what would you do?
• If you're walking at night in the dark, do you think you should remember your flashlight?

Now, keeping in mind that God's word guides us, listen as we read for how God's word keeps us on the right path.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

¹⁰⁸ Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.

Psalm 119:105-112

Discussion Questions

• Based on verse 105, what would you compare God's word to?
• Does the Psalmist plan to stay on the path? How? (v. 106)
• The Psalmist is suffering and worried about losing his life. How does he expect to not lose it? (v. 107)
• The wicked are out to get him. What does he do? (v. 110)
• How do we know he'll have his "flashlight" with him? (v. 109)
• How does he plan on staying on the path? (v. 112)

Mem

Mem is the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet that we come to in Psalm 119. In this section of Psalm 119, we read about how God's word makes us wise. Webster.com defines wise (adj) as "characterized by wisdom : marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment." For our purposes, we can think of it as being smart, having common sense, having good judgement, making good decisions, having insight into and understanding about things. Listen for some of these words and concepts as we read. Also, pay attention to how the Psalmist has to do things (put effort into) in order to gain some benefit (get something out of it) from God's word.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.

⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.

¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119:97-104

Discussion Questions

• What does the Psalmist put into God's word? What does he do with it?
• He loves it (v. 97)
• He meditates on it (v. 97, 99)
• He obeys it (v. 98)
• He statys away from evil (v. 101)
• He doesn't depart from the law (v. 102)
• He "eats" or consumes it (v. 103)
• What does he get out of God's law?
• made wise (v. 98)
• insight (v. 99)
• understanding (v. 100, 104)
• able to obey (v. 101)
• learned it (v. 102)
• gains pleasure from it (v. 103)
• What do you want to put into learning God's word?
• memorizing?
• meditating?
• praying?
• singing?

Lamedh

Today, we're finally moving into the second half of Psalm 119. Today's letter is Lamedh. In this section, we read about how God's word is eternal.

⁸⁹ Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

⁹² If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.

⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.

⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.

Psalm 119:89-96

Discussion Questions

• How long is it until Christmas? less than two months
• How long have you been alive? Is that longer than until Christmas?
• How long has Daddy been alive? Is that longer? What about Grandpa?
• How long is eternity?
• God's word is eternal. What does that mean? How long has it been around? How long will it last? (Verse 89)
• What about God's faithfulness? It's eternal too (Verse 90)
• What about God's law? It's eternal, too (Verse 91)
• The psalmist would have perished in his affliction if he had not delighted in God's law. Why? He probably realized God's law would last long after his affliction was over. (Verse 92)
• The psalmist sees a limit (end) to everything but what? God's law (Verse 96)
• Does keeping in mid the eternalness of God's word help you realize how short any of your waiting is?

Kaph

As we continue our journey through Psalm 119, we come to the halfway point: the Hebrew letter Kaph. As with each section, we're looking at this section and looking into a theme in the section. This section talks about how God's word helps us in waiting.

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.

⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?"

⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees.

⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?

⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law.

⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.

⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

⁸⁸ Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

Psalm 119:81-88

Discussion Questions

• Do you sometimes find it hard to wait?
• The psalmist is waiting for something. What is he waiting for? salvation (from his affliction) (Verse 81)
• Hope, we defined last week, is "wishing and expecting that wish to be fulfilled." What has the psalmist placed his home in? God's word (Verse 81)
• Does it seem like the psalmist has waited a long time? (verses 82,83,84, 87)
• How does he handle the waiting?
• Remembering God's law (Verse 83)
• Remembering God's word is trustworthy (Verse 86)
• Not forsaking (turning away from) God's law (Verse 87)
• Obeying God's law (Verse 88)
• What can you do to help you wait on God?
• Reciting scripture
• Memorizing scripture
• Meditating on scripture
• Singing scripture

Heth

So we've spent some time so far looking at Psalm 119. We've seen several themes of how God's word relates to our lives. These include:

• the word of God promotes the fear of God
• the word of God helps us to live pure lives
• the word of God helps us when people are doing or saying bad things to us
• the word of God helps us when we're not happy
• the word of God helps us focus on what God wants us to do
• the word of God helps us to live boldly
• the word of God gives us comfort

Heth is the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The theme I want to look at today is how we turn to God's word is response to what He has done for us.

⁵⁷ You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.

⁵⁸ I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.

⁵⁹ I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.

⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.

⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.

⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.

⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.

Psalms 119:57-64

Discussion Questions

• In the NIrV, verse 57 begins "Lord, you are everything I need." What do you think that means? Everything he needs is provided by God
• What are some things that you need? How does God provide for them?
• Recognizing the sufficiency of God's provision for Him, how does the Psalmist respond? He promises to obey God's word.
• In verse 59, the Psalmist has thought about the way he lives his life? What does he decide to do? Follow God's laws.
• What else does the Psalmist say about following/obeying God's law?
• he won't waste time and will obey quickly
• regardless of what's happening, he won't forget to obey
• he'll give thanks to God - even in the middle of the night
• he'll be a friend to others who obey
• he wants to keep learning God's law
• What are some of the reasons he wants to do this? We've already seen one
• God provides all he needs (verse 57)
• God's decisions are fair (verse 62)
• The earth is full of God's love (verse 64)

Zayin

Zayin is the next letter in the Hebrew alphabet. One theme I see in this passage is finding comfort in God's word. Comfort means assistance and support or a feeling of relief or encouragement.

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.

⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

⁵¹ The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law.

⁵² I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.

⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.

⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.

⁵⁵ In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.

⁵⁶ This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.

Psalm 119:49-56

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to have hope?
• If the Psalmist has hope, do you think that he might be lacking in something at the moment or be in a situation where he doesn't want to be?
• Verse 50 talks about suffering. What is suffering?
• What is the first thing he says provides him comfort?
• In verse 52, what does he say provides him comfort?
• Since he remembers God's ancient law, do you suppose he's read a lot of scripture and perhaps memorized scripture?
• The last part of verse 54 in the NIrV reads "I sing about your orders" indicating that he actually sings God's word. Do you ever sing God's word?
• Can you name some songs that you've sung where you are singing God's word?

Waw

Waw (not "wow") is the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Like each of the sections we've read this far, we can kind of find a theme in this section. The theme I see here is how God's word helps us to live boldly. Webster.com (the online dictionary) defines bold as "fearless before danger." Do you sometimes get scared? I know that I do. But, this section of Psalm 119 reminds us that with God's word, we don't have to fear, we can live boldly!

⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;

⁴² then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

⁴³ Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.

⁴⁴ I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.

⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,

⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands because I love them.

⁴⁸ I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:41-48

Discussion Questions

• In verse 41, what does the Psalmist want to come to him?
• What was promised to him by God?
• He writes of being taunted (insulted). Why is he not scared of this?
• He also writes speaking before kings. Kings in his day were pretty powerful, they made the laws and would lead their armies in battle and if they wanted to have somebody punished, they could. Why is he not afraid of doing this?
• What are some things that you're afraid of?
• Do you think that remembering God's word can help you not to be scared of them

He

He is the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Here we can see how God's word helps us keep focused on what God wants us to do.

³³ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.

³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.

⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness.

Psalm 119:33-40

Discussion Questions

• When you're playing Star Wars Lego on the Wii, can you play soccer at the same time?
• If it's good to focus when you're playing Wii, should you also focus on what God wants you to do?
• The Psalmist wants to learn God's laws, how long does he expect to keep them? the rest of his life
• The Psalmist wants to keep God's law, how will he obey it? with all his heart
• What are some things that the Psalmist worries will distract him?
• selfish gain - wanting something for yourself really badly that you don't really need.
• worthless things - things that have no value, especially with regard to what God wants for us
• What are some things that distract you from God?
• What can help you focus on God?

Daleth

As we've been working our way through Psalm 119 and working our way through the Hebrew alphabet, we've also been seeing different aspects of how the Word of God is helpful to us.

• Under aleph, we learned about how the Word of God promotes the fear of God
• Under beth, we learned about how the Word of God can help us to live pure lives
• Under gimel, we see how the Word of God is useful when people are doing bad things to us or saying bad things about us

Today, in the daleth section, we'll read about what the Word of God offers us when we're not happy.

²⁵ I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.

²⁶ I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.

²⁷ Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law.

³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame.

³² I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.

Discussion questions

• What are some indications that the Psalmist might be not very happy?
• Verse 25 talks about being "laid low in the dust" which can be taken to mean near death
• Verse 26 says "I recounted my ways..." which some translations of the Bible translate as meaning telling of what they've done wrong and others translate as meaning making complaints.
• Verse 28 says "My soul is weary with sorrow" which in the NIrV is translated "My sadness has worn me out."
• How does the Psalmist respond to these things?
• To being near death, preserve my life according to your word
• To recounting their ways, teach me your decrees
• To being weary, strengthen me according to your word
• Each time, it involves turning to God's Word and trusting in it
• What is one way the Psalmist has chosen to be faithful to God? by putting his trust in God's law (v 30)
• Why does the Psalmist trust God's laws? Because God has set him free (v 32)

Gimel

Gimel is the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. And so, it's where we're going today. Here in this section of Psalm 119, we see the focus shift a little bit. We read here about the Psalmist being scorned (being rejected by people) and slandered (people saying bad things about him). The focus is still on God's word and how it can help us. In this section, we see how it can help us when we have to deal with bad people in our life and when people are not saying nice things about us.

¹⁷ Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.

¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands.

²² Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.

²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

²⁴ Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:17-24

Discussion questions

• We read in this passage about good and bad being done to the Psalmist. Who is doing the good? God is.
• What does the Psalmist expect out of God's word? Wonderful things
• Where does the Psalmist feel his home is? heaven
• What does the Psalmist long for? God's commands
• What is the difference between the people who are being bad to the Psalmist and the Psalmist? they stray from God's commands, he keeps them
• How does the Psalmist respond to the bad things being said about him? He meditates on God's word
• In the end, why does the Psalmist delight in God's word? it is his counselor teaching him the right thing to do

Beth

Beth is the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is also the next section of Psalm 119. It also, as does most of what we've been looking at this week, speaks of ways that God's Word is useful for us to grow closer to God.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

¹² Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.

¹³ With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.

¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

¹⁶ I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119:9-16

Discussion Questions

• How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to God's word.
• What are some of the things this passage tells us we can do to help us live by God's word?
• Memorizing scripture - I have hidden your word in my heart
• Learning scripture - teach me your decrees
• Reciting scripture - With my lips I recount all the laws...
• Gladly obeying God's law - I rejoice in following your statutes
• Meditating/thinking about scripture - I meditate on your precepts
• Delighting in scripture - I delight in your decrees
• Which of these things are you doing?
• Which of these things would you like to try more of?
• The very last thing this section says is I will not neglect your word. Neglect means "to pay no attention or too little attention to." Do you think you pay enough attention to God's Word?
• Would you like to pay more attention to God's word? How do you think we could do that?

Psalm 19

¹The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

²Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

³There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

⁴Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

⁵which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

⁶It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

⁷The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

⁸The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

⁹The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

¹⁰They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

¹¹By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

¹²Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

¹³Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19

In Psalm 19, there seem to be four sections with separate but intertwining themes. Let's look at vv1-4a.

• What is the theme of this section?
• What is praising God?
• Who can hear this praise?
• Can we agree that the theme here is "All of Creation praised God?"

Now let's look at vv4b-5.

• What is the theme of this section?
• What does this say about the sun?
• Is it safe to say that "God is God over the sun (and all Creation)?"

Now let's look at vv7-11.

• What does this say about God's law?
• There are many different words used here to refer to God's Word and His law. How many do you remember?
• What does this section tell us about God's law?
• Is there benefit to keeping God's law?

And now let's finish with vv12-14.

• Now that King David has focused on Creation and God's law, what does he turn his attention to now?
• Does he admit to being a sinner?
• Does he want to continue to sin?
• Does he want to please God?

One reason we do this

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

This verse pretty much captures why we're having this Bible study. It's not so that we learn about the Bible - even though that's good. It's not so that we learn about God - even though that's very good. It is about training you up to become Godly young men so that as you grow older you grow into Godly men.

For one thing it's something father's are commanded to do...

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

So, as a father, I need to teach you the ways of the Lord.

• How can we learn about the Lord?
• What are some things we've learned about the Lord?

The book of 2 Timothy in the Bible is written like a letter from a father to a son. Although Paul was not Timothy's real father, they served together closely in ministry and Paul considered Timothy like a son. Here are some of the words Paul wrote to Timothy about what he had learned and about the Word of God.

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Discussion Questions

• Did Paul trust those that had taught Timothy?
• How long had Timothy known the holy Scriptures?
• Who are the Scriptures? And what Scriptures did Timothy know?
• What are the Scriptures useful for?
• What is the ultimate goal of knowing the Scriptures?
• How does that relate to what we learned in Proverbs 22:6?
• Do you want to keep learning the Scriptures and learning from the Scriptures?