UNIVERSITY OF EXCELLENCE
LESSON ONE
How to have fun in the Bible!
Would you like to have fun that never gets old? Wouldn't it be fun to be free from things which tie you down? How would you enjoy doing just what God wants you to do?!
The Holy Bible says, "If the Son (Jesus, the LIVING Word) makes you free, then you will be really free." (See the gospel of John you studied with your last lesson - John 8:36.)
How does Jesus set us free? Remember what we studied last time? When we read the WRITTEN Word, the Holy Bible, we find out how Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, was buried, and is alive again!
In this lesson we will study six books which are found in the New Testament (promise) of God's Word, the Holy Bible. The six books are as follows:
1. Galatians
2. Ephesians
3. Philippians
4. Colossians
5. 1st Thessalonians
6. 2nd Thessalonians
Now what are all these funny names? They are the names of cities and states or provinces: just like Los Angeles, Nairobi, Paris, Tehran, Singapore, or Mexico City. God, by his Holy Spirit, caused a preacher named Paul to write to churches in other places.
The Apostle Paul was a Hebrew from the tribe of Benjamin who studied under Gamaliel, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (or, governing body of the Jews) and who was one of the chief Jewish rabbis of the day.
Paul wrote to a group of Messianic Synagogues (churches) in a place called Galatia to remind them that they are free. In Galatians 1:4, God tells us that we are set free from this present evil age because Messiah (Christ) willingly gave (or, sacrificed) himself for our sins. Read Galatians 2:21 through 3:3. How is man put right with God? [Place an “X” in the right answer.]
by God's Law [ ] ? . . . or . . . by Christ's death [ ] ?
Freedom is what we have! Christ has set us free! (See Galatians 5:1.) If we are FREE - that is, joined to Christ, and not to the world - what is the only thing we can boast about? [Read Galatians 6:14.]
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The more we read God's Word, the more we see how much we have to be thankful for. In the book of Ephesians God shows us that in a special way the Jews are God's "chosen" people (Ephesians 2:12). But in another way, God has chosen all people who are joined to Christ to be his. When did God choose us? [See Ephesians 1:4.]
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People who are not Jewish are called "Gentiles" (Gentiles are also referred to as "goyim.") Read carefully verses 13 through 18 in Chapter Two of Ephesians. How is it that all of us, both Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles), have access by the Holy Spirit to the Father God? How are we able to present ourselves by the Holy Spirit to God the Father?
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In the book of Philippians, God shows us that he has a PLAN ... for our lives, and for the whole world. How long will God work in YOU, so that you may obey his plan? [See Philippians 1:6 and 2:13.]
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What will all men do some day? [Ph. 2:10-11.]
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The book of Colossians was written to remind people that they were dead in sin apart from Christ, but now they have TRUE LIFE if they are joined to Christ!
What four things should we do in being joined (that is, in union) with Christ? [See Colossians 2:6-7 . . . there are four (4) answers; use one line for each answer.]
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Paul also tells us how we are to talk. How should you talk to God? [See Colossians 4:2 . . . there are three (3) answers; use one line for each answer.]
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How should you talk to people? [Colossians 4:5-6 . . . there are four (4) answers; use one line for each answer.]
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In the books of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, the preacher Paul reminds us of how we are to live in these last days, as well as telling us the world news ahead of time. When you watch TV or Internet News, or listen to the radio, you only know what has taken place in the PAST, or what is taking place NOW. However, the Holy Bible shows us the news ahead of time ... in the FUTURE!
Read carefully 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. When the Lord Jesus comes back, who will go to meet him in the air first? [Place “X” in the right answer]
Dead Christians [ ] ?
Living Christians [ ] ?
Remember what Jesus said in John 11:25? "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies ..." We should thank God at all times for our Christian brothers; God called us, with them, through the Good News (the Gospel). This is how e have FUN in the Holy Bible. Every day we can learn more about God, and how he set us FREE, so that we can enjoy life here on earth, and go to Heaven, too!
QUESTIONS:
Are we saved by our good works? [Ep. 2:8-9.] [Place an “X” in the right answer.]
Yes [ ] ? . . . or . . . No [ ] ?
When Jesus returns, what happens to all who do not believe the truth, but take pleasure in sin? (2 Th. 2:9-12.)
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Read Colossians 3:1-4. Where is your life?
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Your next study (Lesson 2) will be: How to Talk to God.
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University of the future
LESSON 1 - HOW TO HAVE FUN IN THE BIBLE