• Parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)

  • In a study, many people from the United States failed to notice the famine in Luke 15:14. People from Russia who read the same story noticed the famine much more readily. The Russians had more recent history with famines, so that detail stuck out to them more.

  • What might we be missing when we read the Bible?

• Try an unfamiliar translation (and do some double-takes)

  • Nehemiah 8:1-8

  • Numbers 28:7 – NASB says “strong drink.” CSB reads “beer” here and other places.

  • II Timothy 3:16 – “inspired by God” (NASB) vs “God-breathed” (NIV)

  • The KJV, NKJV, ASV, NASB, and ESV are recommended.

  • Parallel Bibles can help when comparing translations, as can Bible study software.

• Read the Bible in a different order (switch reading plans)

  • II Peter 3:1

  • Chronological plans help you see the overall story.

  • Slower plans allow for more thinking.

  • Reading whole books gets us closer to the original.

    • Beyond the Verse by Wes McAdams

    • In 1560 A.D., the Geneva Bible was the first English Bible printed with chapter and verse markings.

  • Mixed plans add variety.

  • An audio Bible may provide a whole new twist.

    • Luke 4:16

    • DwellApp.io

    • The Word of Promise

• Remember that you are a new you.

  • Psalms 71:5-6, 15, 9, 18

  • II Kings 22:11

  • II Timothy 3:15

  • Psalms 119:105

• Acts 9:10, 36; 11:26; 16:1; 21:16

• Matthew 28:16-20

• Learn from the teacher

  • Mark 2:18

  • John 9:28

  • Matthew 28:20

  • Mark 12:43 – Jesus used this as a teaching opportunity.

  • Luke 6:17-20; 11:1-2 – The disciples wanted to learn!

  • Acts 6:1-7; 14:21

  • No one’s ever been more qualified to teach us than Jesus!

• Imitate the teacher

  • Luke 6:39-40

  • John 13:5-14, 34-35; 15:8 – Our love for each other shows people we are disciples of Jesus.

  • John 8:31 (John 8:37-39, 42-44; Luke 6:46) – We are truly Jesus’ disciples if we abide in His word. We must obey Jesus!

• Give yourself to the teacher

  • Matthew 16:24-25; 10:24-25

  • Acts 14:22 – Our devotion to Christ should far exceed everything else.

  • Luke 14:26, 27, 33 – We must be prepared to sacrifice even our own lives for Jesus.

[Sorry, due to technical difficulties, no audio or video recording of this lesson is available. -MRW]

• Sin tends to continue (and get worse).

  • Judges 21:25

  • Unrighteousness is much easier, but it’s not good for the next generation. What one generation permits, the next embraces.

• Therefore, we need to take action.

  • Judges 2:8-10

  • If we love our kids and grandkids, we have to take action to stop the slide into sin!

  • Israel fell away in only one generation!

  • Eli was a priest and judge for 40 years, yet his sons were worthless! I Samuel 8:3 This is part of the reason Israel wanted a king.

  • We can’t deny the power of generational influence.

• What should we be teaching our kids and grandkids?

  • The importance of family.
    • Titus 2:3-5
  • The ugliness of sin.
    • Hebrews 10:26-29
  • Physical purity.
    • Romans 13:12-14; II Peter 2:7

[Sorry, due to technical difficulties, no audio or video recording of this lesson is available. -MRW]

• Acts 18:24-28

• Skilled

  • Acts 18:24-26

  • Romans 12:4-8

  • Apollos was Alexandrian and knew the scriptures well, although he knew only the baptism of John.

  • Apollos had good character and enthusiasm.

  • What skills can I develop and improve?

• Humble

  • Acts 18:25-26 – Apollos evidently accepted instruction humbly.

  • Acts 19:1

  • I Corinthians 1:11-12 – The Corinthians had a problem latching on to certain people. It would be easy for Apollos to play into that, but he did not.

  • I Corinthians 3:4-9, 21-23; 16:12

  • I Peter 5:5-6

• Courageous

  • Acts 18:26, 28, 27 – Apollos greatly helped!

  • Titus 3:13

  • I Corinthians 15:58 – Always abound in the work of the Lord!

  • Corinth was not an easy place to go preach, but he went anyway!

• Authority is specified to a certain degree.

• Exodus 25:14

• Example #1: Transporting the ark.

  • Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15; 7:6-9; I Chronicles 3:7-14; 15:2, 12-15

  • They did not seek God according to His ordinances.

• Example #2: Strange fire

  • Leviticus 10:1-2

• Example #3: Priesthood

  • Hebrews 7:11-16; 8:4

• II John 1:9

• “Please go buy me a dog.”

• Genesis 6:14 – “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood.”

• Singing

  • Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; I Corinthians 14:15; Colossians 3:16

  • Do we have authority to play instruments? No, God did not authorize it.

• Work of local churches

  • II Corinthians 8:1-4; I Corinthians 14:26; Philippians 4:15

  • Provide for needy saints

  • Provide for worship and edification

  • Provide for preaching

• Even when my choice is not explicitly stated. I’m okay as long as I’m still within the authority.

• Where is the authority for song books?

  • Books are just a utility to aid in singing.

• Where is the authority for a church building?

  • I Corinthians 14:23, 26; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25

  • A building is just a utility to allow us to assemble.