~Study Guide~

~Content to aide in your Bible Studies~

 
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Topic: Hold Fast

 

 

Hold That Line

 

There was a ‘yell’ that our Cheerleaders used to do called “Hold That Line”.  Whenever the opposing team had the ball, the Cheerleaders would yell “Hold That Line” because we did not want the opposing team to gain any yardage on us.  We wanted the team to remain where they were or retreat backwards so that we would have the advantage over them.

 

Each of you are charged today to “Hold That Line” --- in other words, hold on to what “you” have attained, and stay in the right position so that the enemy will not get an advantage over you. 

 

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  (2 Corinthians 2:11).

 

The Lord has blessed you to gain much, but each one of you can lose it all within days if you do not “Hold Fast”.  Paul told young Timothy to “Hold Fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13).  There will be many who will tell you that “it don’t take all this to make it to heaven”, and “you’ve just wasted your valuable time” but it will take all this, plus a whole lot more. 

 

Look at the advice that the Lord gave Jeremiah to give to the people:  “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.  But they said, We will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16).  Will you be one to ‘walk therein’ – in the old paths or will you be one to say like those in the days of Jeremiah, “We will not walk therein.”  The right path for living is ancient and has been marked out by God.  But the people refused to take God’s path, going their own way instead.  They were like “Burger King” – they wanted to have it their way.  God has a standard for living and it is ‘holiness’, without which, no man, woman, boy or girl shall see the Lord.  The rules have been set by God, Himself, and it is left up to each of us to adhere to them, even if we do not fully understand them. With freedom, comes responsibility.

 

There are a lot of vain things in this world that will tempt you to turn back, but keep in mind that the Word of God said that heaven and earth would all pass away, but His Word would never pass away.  Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain a very disciplined prayer and study life if you want to “Hold Fast” and grow in the Lord. 

 

Will everything come easy?  No it will not, but Jesus has promised that He will never leave you, nor will He forsake you.  You have that assurance from the Lord. 

 

What kind of times are we living in according to 2 Timothy 3rd chapter? And why is it so important for you to “Hold Fast”?  Will there be suffering?  Of course, but if you trust in the Lord, God has assured you the victory.  (2 Corinthians 2:14).  God has made you ‘more than a conqueror’.  (Romans 8:28-39). 

 

                ~ “More than conquerors – Hupernikao – Strong’s #5245.  From huper, “over and above,” and nikao, “to conquer.”  The word describes one who is super victorious, who wins more than an ordinary victory, but who is overpowering in achieving abundant victory.  This is not the language of conceit, but of confidence.  Christ’s love conquered death, and because of His love, we are hupernikao.

 

We must adhere to the standard of living that God is requiring.  It is an absolute standard that cannot be substituted.   We must follow holiness …

 

Holiness:  hagiosune – Strong's #42.  The process, quality, and condition of a holy disposition and the quality of holiness in personal coduct.  It is the principle that separates the believer from the world.  Hagiosune consecrates us to God's service both in soul and in body, finding fulfillment in moral dedication and a life committed to purity.  It causes every component of our character to stand God's inspection and meet His approval.

 

Holy:  (Set aside for holy purposes), qadosh – Strong's #6918.  Set apart, dedicated to sacred purposes:holy, sacred, clean, morally or ceremonially pure.  The verb qadash means "to set apart something or someone for holy purposes."  Holiness is separation from everything profane and defining:  and at the same time, it is dedication to everything holy and pure.  People or even objects, such as anointing oil or vessels, may be considered holy to the Lord, (Ex. 30:25; Jere 2:3; Zech 14:20, 21).  Lev. 19:2 stresses 'holy' and 'holiness' most thoroughly.  Lev. 10:10 shows that God desired that the priests be able to distinguish "holy" and "unholy" and teach Israel to do likewise.  God is entirely holy in His nature, motives, thoughts, words, and deeds so that He is called Qadosh, the Holy One" or Qedosh Yisrael, "the Holy One of Israel)."  Thus Lev 19:2 can say, "You shall be qedoshim (holy ones) for I … am holy." 

 

Holy (purity), hagios – Strong's #40:  Compare "Hagiographa" and "hagiography."  Sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, separated, properly revered, worthy of veneration.  Godlikeness, God's innermost nature, set apart for God, reserved for God and His service.  Since nothing that is polluted could be hagios, purity becomes a big part of hagios.  A holy God calls for a holy people.

 

Church (ecclesia) – Strong's 1577.  Used in secular Greek for an assembly of citizens and in the Septuagint for the congregation of Israel.  The New Testament uses the word in the former sense in Acts 19:32, 39, 41, and in the latter sense in Acts 7:38 and Heb 2:12.  The dominant use in the New Testament is to describe an assembly or company of Christians in the following ways:  1)  the whole body of Christians; 2)  a local church constituting a company of Christians gathering for worship, sharing and teaching; 3) churches in a district.  Other related terms are:  "spiritual house", "chosen race," and "God's people."  The survival of the Christian Church against all its opponents is assured in Jesus' words  from Matthew 16:18, "On this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

 

Hold:  to have and keep in one's grasp; a certain position or relationship

 

Fast:  fixed firmly in position; secure

 

It is imperative that each of you hold fast to what you have received and seek the Lord for the more of Him.

 

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How many times have you picked up The Bible and felt the urge to study?  I know "many times".  This section includes passages that you may wish to study and also questions for you to ponder!  It is always good to have a "Check Point" to see if you are grasping what you've read or to give you an incentive to pay close attention to details.  There are four sections to this Guide... more will come in the future.  So, grab you a glass of iced tea [or your favorite beverage], have a dictionary on hand, pen and paper, and let's get with it. 

 

God said to study that we may show ourselves approved as a workman who rightly divides the word of God.    (2 Timothy 2:15).  None of us can afford to casually approach the Word because the Word of God is ‘life’.  Therefore, we have been called to ‘diligently’ study.  May God open your eyes to even the more!  "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Psalm 119:130)

 

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PART ONE

 

Theme:  Love of the World

 

Scriptures:  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,  is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (I John 2:15-17)

 

Name three important points that you would like to hold on to concerning these verses.

1)

2)

3)

 

                What are some attractions that satan offers to Christians?

 

 

                Name a scripture in the Old Testament that connects with this passage.

 

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PART TWO

 

Theme:  Two Foundations

 

Scriptures:  “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  Whosever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:  He is like a man which built a house and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock:  and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”  (Luke 6:46-49)

 

1)     Compare the natural house with the spiritual house in this passage.

2)     How can these scriptures be applied to a young couple setting up house for the first time?

3)     What does ‘sand’ refer to?  The Rock? The Flood?

4)     Why would anyone build a house without a foundation? Give spiritual insight as well.

5)     When encountering problems, what kind of ‘house’ should you have?  Explain …

6)     How dangerous is it to listen and not obey?

7)     What is considered as a “Sure Foundation”?

8)     Can the ‘foundation’ be destroyed?  (Refer to Psalm 11:3)

9)     What are some of the issues that can beat against a home causing "home wreck"? 

 

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PART THREE

 

Theme:  Obedience

 

                Obedience:  hupakoe – Strong’s #5218.  From hupo, “under,” and akouo, “to hear.”  The word signifies attentive hearing, to listen with compliant submission, assent, and agreement.  It is used for obedience in general, for obedience to God’s commands and for Christ’s obedience.

 

                Obeyed:  hupakouo – Strong’s #5219.  To hear as a subordinate, listen attentively, obey as a subject, answer and respond, submit without reservation.  Hupakouo was used particularly of servants who were attentive to the requests made of them and who complied.  The word thus contains the ideas of hearing, responding, and obeying. (Following instructions, orders, commands)

                “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have seen taught, whether by word or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 15)

 

Your next assignment will be to read Jeremiah 35th and Numbers 6th chapters.  After reading these chapters, compare family life, cyberspace-style to those of the Rechabites.   

 

1.     What is  “The Importance of Obedience"?

2.     Give a definition of the following words:  commitment; devotion; dedication and blessing

3.     Write the Rechabites’ Code of Conduct.  Do you feel that this Code is out of the ordinary?  What are some rules that a Christian family should have?

4.     Explain how this passage will help you focus on living under the “Rules” of the church you attend.

 

5.     What are some of the things the Rechabites had to contend with? 

6.     How do you think they suffered? 

7.     Are there benefits to suffering?  (See 1 Peter 5:10)

8.     Do you feel they took some mockery from their neighbors?  What kind?  

9.     How do you think people felt about them? 

10.   Do you think they were embarrassed in any way because they did not own land and lived out of tents? 

11.   What were they ‘rich’ in?

12.   What was their purpose?  Their destiny? 

13.   Before looking at the explanation of the Rechabites and the Nazirites, look up the following scriptures:  Isaiah 48:10; Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 1:4;  2 Corinthians 4:16-18;  Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:12; I Peter 3:14 and Revelations 22.  

14.   How do you feel about going through for the cause of Christ?  Are you willing?

15.   What can you look forward to in the end? 

16.   Can you compare yourself in any way to the Rechabites (before the study and after its completion)?

 

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Explanation of the Rechabites – Jeremiah 35th chapter:  The Rechabites’ code of conduct resembled that of the Nazirites, who took  a special vow of dedication to God (Numbers 6th chapter).  For 200 years, they had obeyed their ancestors’ vow to abstain from wine.  While the rest of the nation was breaking its covenant with God, these people were steadfast in their commitment.  God wanted the rest of his people to remain as committed to their covenant with him as the Rechabites were to their vow.  God had Jeremiah tempt the Rechabites with wine to demonstrate their commitment and dedication.  God knew they wouldn’t break their vow. 

 

There is a vivid contrast between the Rechabites and the other Israelites: (1)  The Rechabites kept their vows to a fallible human leader; the people of Israel broke their covenant with their infallible divine Leader. (2)  Jonadab told his family one time not to drink, and they obeyed.  God commanded Israel constantly to turn from sin, and they refused.  (3)  The Rechabites obeyed laws that dealt with temporal issues.  Israel refused to obey God’s laws that dealt with eternal issues.  (4)  The Rechabites had obeyed for hundreds of years.  Israel had disobeyed for hundreds of years.  (5)  The Rechabites would be rewarded.  Israel would be punished.  (Explanation from the LIFE STUDY APPLICATION BIBLE.)  

 

Explanation of the Nazirites – Numbers 6th chapter:  In Moses’ day, a personal vow was as binding as a written contract.  It was one thing to say you would do something, but it was considered much more serious when you made a solemn vow to do it.  God instituted the Nazirite vow for people who wanted to devote some time exclusively to serving him.  This vow could be taken for as little as 30 days or as long as a lifetime.  It was voluntary, with one exception – parents could take the vow for their young children, making them Nazirites for life.  The vow included three distinct restrictions:  (1)  they must abstain from wine and fermented drink.  (2)  The hair could not be cut, and the beard could not be shaved.  (3)  Touching a dead body was prohibited.  The purpose of the Nazirite vow was to raise up a group of leaders devoted completed to God. 

 

A blessing was one way of asking for God’s divine favor to rest upon others.  The ancient blessing in these verses helps us understand what a blessing was supposed to do.  Its five parts conveyed hope that God would (1) bless and keep them (favor and protect); (2) make his face shine upon them (be pleased); (3) be gracious (merciful and compassionate); (4) turn his face toward them (give his approved); (5)  give peace.  When you ask God to bless others or yourself, you are asking him to do these five things.  The blessing you offer will not only help the one receiving it, it will also demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring to others.  (Explanation from the LIFE STUDY APPLICATION BIBLE.)

 

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PART FOUR

(The Sermon on the Mount)

 

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto him:  And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, “ (Matthew 5:1, 2)

 

Part Four pertains exclusively to the Sermon on the Mount – what Jesus, Himself, taught His disciples.  It is so very important because it addresses life’s issues that concerns us.  One researcher said:  “This sermon probably covered several days of preaching.  In it, Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law.  Position, authority, and money are not important in His kingdom – what matters is faithful obedience from the heart.  The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day.  It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance.” 

 

Theme:  The Beatitudes. 

 

There are at least four ways to understand the Beatitudes:  (1)  They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers.  (2)  They contrast kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). (3)  They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith Christ wants.  (4)  They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new kingdom.  These beatitudes are not multiple choice – pick what you like and leave the rest.  They must be taken as a whole.  They describe what we should be like as Christ’s followers.

 

Scripture:  Matthew 5:1-12

 

1.     What does it mean to be blessed according to this passage?

2.     Write a definition of Beatitudes

3.     Why is it necessary to ‘rejoice’?  and at what point should you rejoice?

4.     Give a brief summary of this passage.

 

Here is a helpful chart that will be a blessing to you about the Beatitudes:

 

Beatitude               Old Testament                       Clashing     God’s Reward    How to develop

                                Anticipation                           worldly values                                                      this attitude

 

Poor in spirit          Isaiah 57:15                   Pride and personal            Kingdom of                        James 4:7-10

                                                                        Independence              heaven

 

Mourning                Isaiah 61:1, 2                Happiness at any                Comfort                             Psalm 51

                                                                                Cost                            (2 Cor 1:4)                          James 4:7-10

 

Meekness               Psalm 37:5-11                Power                                  Inherit the earth              Matt 11:27-30

 

Righteousness         Isa 11:4, 5, 42:1-4    Pursuing personal                  Filled (satisfied)       John 16:5-11

                                                                           Needs                                                                          Phil. 3:7-11

 

Mercy                      Psalm 41:1                     Strength without                 Be shown mercy       Eph. 5:1, 2

                                                                                Feeling

 

Pure in Heart         Psalm 24:3, 4                 Deception is        See God                          I John 3:1-3

                                   51:10                           acceptable

 

Peacemaker           Isa 57:18, 19                   Personal peace is                Be called Sons                Rom 12:9-21

                                   Isa. 60:17                      pursued without                 of God                             Heb. 12:10, 11

                                                                      concern for the

                                                                        world’s chaos

 

Persecuted            Isa 52:13; 53:12        Weak commitments       Inherit the kingdom  2 Tim. 3:12

                                                                                                                                Of heaven

 

 

Theme:  The Similitudes

Scripture:  Matthew 5:13-16

 

1.     What are Similitudes?

2.      Explain “Salt” and “Light” in this passage.

3.     What does this mean to you?  “Don’t lose your saltiness.”

4.     Was it meant for you to stay hidden?

5.     How can Saints make others ‘salty’ for Jesus?

6.     How can "salt" lose its flavor?  Compare to your Christian walk.

7.     What is the difference between ‘letting your light shine’ and ‘making your light shine’?

8.     Give a brief summary of this passage.

 

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*Please note that this Study Guide is only meant to enhance your own personal Bible Study time.  We pray that you will be encouraged to dig into the Word of God even more ... "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (I Peter 3:15, 16).