The Word of God

Background Scripture: 2 Peter 1-2; Titus 1
Lesson Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:8-9, 15; 3:15-17

Introduction

When we read the title, “The Word of God,” we think about the book called the Bible. The word bible means book, and by adding the word The, we set this book apart from all others. The Bible is God’s will recorded in print so every generation will know it. God has ordained that great care has been exercised through the years so the message that was originally written would be accurately transcribed and translated.

The psalmist wrote “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). God said through the prophet Malachi, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Mal. 3:6). When we read the Word of God or hear it read, we can be confident that it is the will of God revealed in His unchanging Word. As Christians, we are called to obey His Word with lifelong fidelity. May this lesson inspire us to appreciate the Bible.

Key Verse

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

God inspired various men to write down His will for mankind. Moses took two tables of stone up Mount Sinai where God’s finger inscribed the Ten Commandments. These tables were placed in the ark within the Holy of Holies where they were revered as God’s law. Today we have the whole canon of Scripture, Old and New Testaments, bound in one volume. May we hold it with reverence and awe. We should be careful when handling the Bible and never stack other books on top of it. Children should be taught to respect the Bible as a special book.

Our key verse teaches us that this Word is the sword of the Spirit. Its power is further described in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” As believers acquaint themselves with the Word, it is first a means of personal inspiration and sanctification, then it becomes a weapon of defense to verify the truth of what the believer endeavors to live and teach.

The Word is the basis of all moral teaching and sound doctrine. It defines the narrow way that leads to heaven by way of the cross. Those who mock and despise the Word of God are enemies of the cross of Christ and serve their own flesh. Many Christians have been imprisoned, tortured, and slain because their enemies hated the truth of God’s Word. Soon after Pentecost, the traditional religious establishment sought to stop the spreading of the gospel. Even though Christians were apprehended and confined, the Word of God continued to be propagated.

The responsibility of parents and teachers to instill a love for the truth in the children under their care cannot be overemphasized. Daniel and his three friends are examples of the effects of such sound teaching. Timothy was blessed with a godly mother and grandmother who taught him true faith. The psalms of David testify that he learned to love the truth as a child. In order to teach children to love the Bible, the adults teaching them must cherish it in their own hearts. Memorization at home and school should not be neglected. Children are very impressionable.

Let us remember that this Word is inspired by God and has counsel for everyone in every aspect of life. Those who love it and live by it are thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Practical Truths for Today

Christ is the central theme of the Bible from beginning to end. The Old Testament prepares the way, telling how God used people and circumstances to accomplish His plan. The prophets spoke often about the gospel age, giving details of Christ’s coming, extolling the glories of His kingdom, and foretelling His suffering and death.

The New Testament is a factual account by eyewitnesses of Christ’s birth, ministry, miracles, and atoning death on Calvary. It tells of His resurrection and return to heaven. Within the pages of the New Testament are detailed instructions on how the followers of Jesus are to live and the promises of reward to the faithful. It speaks clearly of the final judgment, heaven, and hell.

The Bible is not just an interesting story. It is God’s Word. It is His will being made known to mankind with the intent that each soul would come to know Jesus Christ and obtain salvation. No one that stands at the judgment will have the excuse that he did not know God’s will. Isaiah wrote, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).

The followers of Christ have always believed the Bible’s truths, endeavoring to pattern their lives accordingly, even if it cost them their lives. At times, authorities have forbidden ownership of the Bible. However, those who loved the truth were willing to take the risks of owning one and distributing copies to others.

Christian writers who wrote about their faith, whether to the authorities or to fellow believers, have made liberal use of Scripture references.

As a young man, Menno Simons was trained as a Catholic priest. Yet, after he was ordained as a priest, he confessed that he seldom read the Bible. Only when he began to doubt what he had been taught did he begin to read it. As he read, he came to understand the falsehoods he had been taught and to recognize his lost and sinful condition. He surrendered his life to God, was converted, and joined the small, persecuted church of God. This struggling Dutch church asked him to take the leadership. He continued to be a student of the Word and became an able preacher and prolific writer. His writings are liberally verified by Scripture. His fellow laborer, Dirk Philips, and later writers like John Holdeman, have likewise used many Scriptures as the basis of their writings. One of the most detailed confessions of faith, Thirty-Three Articles of Faith, is liberally substantiated by Scripture. It is worthy of note that this confession is a literary masterpiece of a detailed and yet concise statement of faith.

In our time, we should follow the example of these church fathers. Our Scripture text exhorts, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This is addressed to all Christians. Take up the challenge and study the Word so you know what you profess to believe and why. Regular Bible reading and study when the mind is clear and uncluttered is invaluable in settling Bible truths in our memory. Then the Holy Spirit is able to bring them to our remembrance as we need them.

Throughout Bible history and the ages since, God has used chosen men to preach the gospel and teach His will. The New Testament church relied heavily on this approach. The apostles went everywhere preaching the Word. The Berean believers searched the Scriptures daily to establish the truth in their minds. This practice continues to bless believers today.

Though the minister should be open for correction in the message he brings, the body of believers should receive the message as from the Lord. The Thessalonian believers understood this principle as expressed by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “Because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Those called by God and the church to this work must be faithful to preach the Word. To read and interpret the Scripture in preaching is helpful for the hearers to know that the message is true. Stories and experiences should be used as examples of biblical truths and not to entertain the audience.

Due to advances in technology, the Bible is available online and in apps on smart phones. This can be useful, but it is doubtful that it can ever replace “The Book” in hand that is well worn and marked with personal notations. We should learn to find the passages needed to substantiate what we believe. In Sunday school and Bible study, we should freely use our Bibles. In ministers’ and deacons’ councils and the conferences of the church, using verses from the Bible adds authority to discussions and decisions.

The Bible has counsel for all areas of life. It is good to seek direction from it when we are faced with personal problems or church concerns. Quoting it or reading it often gives light in a particular situation.

In years gone by, statesmen, presidents, and generals have acknowledged that they read the Bible daily. They had a deep regard for its truths. We may not always agree with their interpretation, but it surely gave them wisdom and affected their judgment in a positive way. We pray God that today’s leaders will do the same.

On the judgment day, the Word will be used as the basis of judgment. Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). This relates to Revelation 20:12-15, referring to the time when the books will be opened. How well we have respected, accepted, and obeyed what is taught in the Scriptures will determine how we will be judged.

Questions

1. What are good, practical ways to teach the Word of God to our children and grandchildren?
2. What are the advantages of carrying a Bible to church services? When we neglect to do so, are we ashamed of His Word?
3. School students of the early 1900s used the Bible as a textbook. Should we include more Bible study in our Christian schools?
4. To the youth: Discuss ways to make Bible reading in your personal devotions meaningful, such as the best time of day to read, making notes of impressions, and good ways to memorize verses.
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).