Spokane
Washington, U.S.A.
The Evergreen State
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United Church of God
Spokane
















 


 

B I B L E   S T U D Y   C O U R S E
L E S S O N   1


Why the Bible
Is the Word of God

Part 5




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RELYING ON GOD IN AN
UNCERTAIN WORLD!

It is abundantly evident that we live in an uncertain world.   Three thousand years ago Solomon confirmed that "man is greatly troubled by ignorance of the future; who can tell him what it will bring?" (Ecclesiastes 8:6-7, Revised English Bible).  He said "the living know that they will die" and "time and chance happen to them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 11).

Mankind has long dreamed of utopia--an earthly paradise of peace and plenty.

This ancient king's words are as true today as when he wrote them.   As mortal human beings, our one certainty is death.

The apostle James also reminds us that we "do not know what will happen tomorrow"(James 4:14).  Though the context clearly shows that he refers to man's mundane, day-to-day activities, his sobering declaration underlines the natural state of our material world.

How is God willing to relate to us in this uncertain world of suffering and death?

"Lord, You have been our dwelling place for all generations . . . Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Psalm 90:1-2).

God is always there! As Peter wrote, "do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). God "inhabits eternity"--and is not bound by physical laws of time and space (compare Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 90:4).

Yet is God fully aware of our life expectancy, our temporary existence in this world?

"We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow" (Psalm 90:9-10).

Though the Bible freely acknowledges the insecurity and uncertainty of man's earthly existence, how do the Scriptures contrast the character of God?

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:17).

God is the most stable Being in this whole universe! His overall plan and purpose remain constant and unchanging. God is our refuge, our one place of security, our hope in the face of the uncertainties that plague us (compare Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). He is our Rock! (Psalm 18:2).

On whom, then, should we rely?

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary . . . He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength" (Isaiah 40:28-29).

What does God promise to do when we are troubled by doubt and uncertainty?

"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'" (Isaiah 41:13).

Points to Ponder

"Points to Ponder" is a regular feature of this course. We introduce it to help you reflect on the major points you have just studied and to think beyond the content of the lesson and apply it on a personal level. It is meant as a study aid and a spur to further thought on these important biblical concepts.

We suggest that you take the time to write your answers to these questions as well as to other questions that may come to mind. Please feel free to write directly to us any feedback about this lesson or the course itself.

The questions on lesson one:

ï What scriptures help us understand that the Bible is God's method for communicating with mankind?

ï Look around you. What invisible attributes of God do you see in the creation that surrounds us? (Romans 1:20).

ï In what ways do you see the love of God expressed in the eternal values and standards established in the Bible?

ï What type of relationship is God seeking with humankind? What can you do to develop a meaningful relationship with God? What is the ultimate potential of this relationship?

ï Given the uncertainty of our world today, how can an individual or family find direction and peace of mind in life?

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Even death cannot defeat those who trust in God. It was Jesus who said that "whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:26). He obviously meant eternal death, because we will all face the end of this life (Hebrews 9:27).

Yet Christ promised there would be a resurrection to eternal life for those who truly trust in God and His Word. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).

Those who are truly converted--through repentance and the receiving of the Holy Spirit--and remain faithful to the end have the sure promise of a resurrection to eternal life in God's kingdom. Our free booklet What Happens After Death? (Note: This takes you out of UCG-Spokane web site.  In order to return here, click on the back button or back arrow of your browser.) explains in much greater detail.

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The Books of the Bible

The Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament)

The Five Books of Moses
(The Law, Torah or Pentateuch):

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

The Former Prophets:

Judges
Joshua
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings

The Latter (or Major) Prophets:

Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel

The Twelve (Minor) Prophets:

Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah

 

Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

The Writings:

Psalms
Proverbs
Job
Song of Songs
(or Song of Solomon)
Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes
Esther
Daniel
Ezra
Nehemiah
1 & 2 Chronicles

Note: The Old Testament is not
arranged in strict chronological order. Other factors,such as message content, alsocontributed to the order and arrangement of its books.

The Apostolic Writings (or New Testament)

The Gospels:

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

The Acts of the Apostles:

Acts

The Epistles of Paul:

Romans
1 & 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians

 

Colossians
1 & 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews

The General Epistles:

James
1 & 2 Peter
1, 2 & 3 John
Jude

The Book of Revelation

Revelation

© 1997,
United Church of God,
an International Association
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On to the Survey*

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United Church of God Offices

Australia:
United Church of GodóAustralia
GPO Box 535,
Brisbane, Qld. 4001, Australia
Phone: 07 55 202 111
Fax: 07 55 202 122
http://www.ucg-aus.org.au*

Bahamas: United Church of God
P.O. Box N8873, Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: (242) 324-3169
Fax: (242) 364-5566

Canada:
United Church of GodóCanada
Box 144 Station D
Etobicoke, ON M9A 4X1, Canada
Phone: (416) 231-9379, (800) 338-7779
Fax: (416) 231-8238
http://www.ucg.ca
*

New Zealand:
United Church of God
P.O. Box 22, Auckland 1030, New Zealand

South Africa:
United Church of God
P.O. Box 4345, 2125 Randburg, South Africa
Phone: 011 792-4601 Fax: 011 791-0711
http://www.ucg.org.za*
Spanish-speaking areas:
United Church of God
P.O. Box 458,
Big Sandy, TX 75755, U.S.A.
Phone: (903) 636-4928

United Kingdom:
United Church of God (UK)
P.O. Box 5929, Thatcham
Berkshire RG19 6YX
United Kingdom
Phone: 01635-528063 Fax: 01635-522797

United States:
United Church of God,
an International Association
P.O. Box 661780
Arcadia, CA 91066-1780
Phone: (626) 294-0800
Fax: (626) 294-0808
http://www.ucg.org*
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