Study for Truth

By Robert Wyeth

One day in church, a reader said it was in the Old Testament people couldnt find it, some looked at the index, and others searched wildly for the book. I was amazed, and thought those people do not read or study the Bible. Then the reader gave the page number.

God sees, understands, and knows. What would he say to you? How well do you know the Bible? Why is Isaiah the greater prophet? Why are all the apostle Paul's writings different?

What I have done is to make it easier to read, by asking questions, to try and make you think.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781514463963

Robert Wyeth

After university I went to the London Bible College. I expected to prepare for missionary work, but the Lord didn’t want me to go there. I carried on as a project engineer, working in industry. I have been going to church for a number of years, and I have been an elder, so some things are good and the rest of them are bad. One friend commented to me, "After I am dead, I will be an angel. Floating around doing good for anybody." Really? Particularly so with the concept and themes of the Bible. You are children of God, welcomed in the kingdom of God, do you want to be an angel? Remember the good and bad angels. What will happen to the bad angels?

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Copyright © 2017 by Robert Wyeth.

Library of Congress Control Number:  2015916365

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-5144-6395-6

             Softcover      978-1-5144-6394-9

             eBook           978-1-5144-6396-3

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Rev. date: 04/21/2017

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Introduction

Why Study the Bible?

Over many centuries people from all over the world have turned to the Bible in times of trouble and found comfort when reading it. Why?

It is different from other books in that it describes itself as being inspired by God. This means that, though made up of the writings of a number of people, God was behind the very words that were written down.

As such, the Bible contains the answers to a number of crucial questions:

Why are we here?

How are we supposed to live?

What is going to happen in the end?

In many cases the writers seemed to be unaware that they were setting down a personal message from God, they were able to express their views and concerns without realising that they were part of a bigger plan. That is why the Bible is so important and relevant today. You could look on it as a sort of ‘manual for living.’

Of course, each writer was influenced by the social and political situation of their time, which means that to fully understand what is written, you need to appreciate the pressures they faced. To the casual reader some parts appear not to make much sense. This is why many people find Bible study outlines useful, for they direct your attention to what you should be looking out for, and help to make sense of what you are reading.

How to Study the Bible

A missionary friend speaking about the versions of the Bible said, ‘Some will let in more light than others,’ so I’m confident that you have a Bible to start. It may surprise you that you don’t need much: pen and paper, an open mind and the faith to believe that the Bible is true.

If you study a section every day it will take you under six years until you finish. It is better to spend a small amount of time every day, than a lot of time infrequently. It really is up to you.

Look out for questions with more than one answer.

For example, to the question, ‘Why was Jesus born?’ you could give a number of answers:

Because Mary his mother was pregnant.

Because the people of Israel needed a leader.

Because the prophets of old said it would happen.

Because his birth was part of God’s plan.

Because he had to live and die in order to save the world.

All of these are correct!

You need to write down what you discover. This is the only effective way of remembering. If you wish, keep a diary recording what you have discovered. Look back over your answers from time to time and you will build up a clearer picture of what the writer was trying to say.

As you answer the questions, ask yourself, ‘Is there a warning to take notice of, an example to follow, or a challenge to rise to?’ Those who are prepared to listen will find that God speaks to them from the Bible. As you think about what you have read, you will find something that relates to your life. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, old or young, happy or sad. Something that will be special to you.

Think about your reading during the day. Put it into practice and see how it works. Don’t worry about others. This is something from God for you.

If it helps, tell someone about your Bible study. Maybe it will help them too. When you have completed a Bible study outline you should have a number of things that you need to take action about. This is why we study the Bible!

Being a Christian

When you study the Bible, the important question for you is. How can you be saved?

Just because a large number of people, of many different races, including many intelligent and well-educated people hold other views, does not make them correct. This situation has occurred before, as when it was first presented that the earth revolved around the sun. This view that was dismissed at the time by the scientists, the state and the church.

The simple answer is to read the Bible. The things that really matter and the issues that we need to rely on, are presented simply and clearly. If we build our faith on these words, we will not go wrong.

There is a God (Genesis ch.1 v1)

The Bible starts by stating the existence of God.

The all-powerful being.

Who is totally in control of everything.

He is eternal, immortal and invisible (1 Timothy ch.1 v17).

Summary: If there were no God can you imagine the chaos that would bring?

God is good (Genesis ch.1 v31)

The world that God created was perfect.

Even after it was spoiled by man and woman.

God sought the best for the people he had made.

God is also just and has to do what is right.

Summary: God did not force man or woman to love him. Why?

We are sinful (Psalm ch.51 v3-5)

But man and woman chose to disobey God.

Each of us has done, said and thought what was wrong.

And we have been like this from an early age.

The longer we live, the more sins we commit, whether we want to or not.

Whatever good deeds we do cannot set aside these failings (Romans ch.3 v23).

Summary: How long before men and women sin?

God is love (John ch.3 v16)

God is not influenced by our appearance.

It doesn’t matter whether we are rich or poor.

A success or a failure, old or young, good or bad.

He loves us because we are human.

Summary: Why do you think that God sends the sun to shine on us every day?

God sent his son (Hebrews ch.4 v14-15)

If there was to be any hope for us, God had to make the first move.

This he did by sending Jesus to live among us.

His birth was a miracle (Luke ch.1 v35).

Jesus did what we could not do, live a perfect life without sinning.

Summary: God proved his love for us. Why?

Jesus died for our sins (Romans ch.5 v6-8)

We were still powerless.

If we were going to be forgiven someone had to be punished for us.

That is what Jesus did when he died on a cross.

It was the only way; it was the reason why he was born.

Summary: Christ died for the ungodly. What is that to do with us?

There is life after death (1 Corinthians ch.15 v35-44)

One day everyone will have a new body.

These will be different from the earthly bodies that we currently have.

Those people alive at the time this occurs will be changed in an instant.

Some will experience life being with God and others life without him.

Summary: Why do we have a spiritual body after the resurrection?

The Lord will return again (John ch.21 v22)

As we look around the wicked do better than the good.

Jesus promised he would come back.

It will be in the same way that he left.

We are warned to be alert and to watch how we live.

Summary: Why is it important to be alert?

What we do now matters (Romans ch.1 v28-32)

Continual wrongdoing leads to corrupt thinking.

That leads to further wrongdoing.

We are more likely to move further from God as we get older.

This makes him angry (1 Kings ch.11 v9).

Summary: The wisest man of earth failed. Why?

There will be a judgement (Acts ch.24 v25)

The wrongs of this life must be dealt with; that is only fair.

This will occur after we die (Hebrews ch.9 v27).

It will be for everybody and it will be completely fair.

It will be to decide who is good and bad.

Summary: Why is the judgement terrible?

We can be forgiven (Ephesians ch.1 v7)

Jesus paid with his life so that we can be forgiven.

This is an undeserved gift from God.

It allows us to be pardoned.

And considered innocent in God’s sight (Romans ch.5 v10).

Summary: Jesus never promised it would be easier to follow him. Why?

We need to respond (Revelation ch.3 v20)

The gift of God is available to all, but not accepted by everybody.

Only those who believe in what Jesus has done.

And accept it for themselves they will be saved (John ch.1 v12).

Faith is not a one-act event; it is a way of life.

Summary: Do you really know Jesus?

We have to change (James ch.2 v14-18)

Faith shows itself in how we behave and through what we say.

The Holy Spirit comes to live in the body of the believer.

It makes them aware of what is right and wrong.

It helps them to live as God expects (Romans ch.8 v5-11).

Summary: We need his Holy Spirit to come into our life. Why?

Summary of the study

Why is it helpful to learn the verses from the Bible?

What is God like?

Why is it that man and woman are sinful?

What if God hadn’t sent his son?

Jesus died for our sins. Why?

Why is it important for Jesus to come again?

How can we be forgiven?

Being a Disciple

Following your desire to receive and follow Christ as Saviour and Lord, it is most desirable to be sure that you are being built up within the faith.

So how do you do it?

There are a lot of books you can read, churches you can visit, or even literature you can read. But I think that you want to read the Bible.

So I’ve prepared some readings for you:

Holy Spirit – comes within you (Romans ch.8 v9-11 and John ch.16 v5-16)

Why did the Holy Spirit come to a new Christian?

What effect did the Holy Spirit have?

What will happen to our sinful nature?

Summary: Why is your conscience important?

Prayer – by giving back to the Lord (Matthew ch.6 v5-15)

What do the hypocrites do?

Why is it a simple prayer?

What happens if you don’t forgive men?

Summary: What will happen if you forget to pray?

Bible study – by learning the Lord’s way (Nehemiah ch.8 v8 and Acts ch.17 v11-12)

What did Ezra do?

Why is it important to give the meaning of the passage?

Why did the Bearans study the scriptures?

Summary: Why is it important you learn the Bible?

Witnessing – it’s what Jesus wanted (Matthew ch.28 v16-20 and John ch.14 v26)

What did Jesus say to them?

Why should we go?

What was the effect of doing that?

Summary: What will happen if we don’t witness?

Church – it’s fellowship with other Christians (Acts ch.2 v42-47 and 1 Peter ch.1 v7-9)

What did they do in the church?

Why did they meet together?

What effect did that have?

Summary: Why do you meet in a church?

Commitment – it must be all things (John ch.12 v25-26)

Why is it important to sacrifice everything?

Why will the man who hates this life do?

Why did Jesus mean by his servant?

Summary: Why is commitment so critical?

Justice and Righteousness – God watches how we work (Amos ch.6 v12 and Romans ch.1 v17)

What will happen if we consistently fail?

Why did God measure human conduct?

Why is it important to have faith?

Summary: Why are justice and righteousness so important?

Contents

Old Testament

New Testament

Genesis

The beginning; the life of the family of Abraham

Genesis – Part 1

Section 1 – ch.1 v1-19 - The beginning (1)

What happened in the beginning?

Why was it good?

Why was it separated into days?

Section 2 – ch.1 v20-31 - The beginning (2)

After day five, why did the living creatures appear?

Why was man not created earlier?

What did mankind eat?

Section 3 – ch.2 - Adam and Eve

How did man get created?

Why were there four rivers?

What did God do for man?

Why was woman created?

Section 4 – ch.3 v1-13 - The fall of man

Why was the serpent craftier than the other animals?

Why did the serpent trick the woman?

Why was the man equally guilty like the woman?

Why did they hide themselves from God?

Section 5 – ch.3 v14-24 - God punishes the serpent, woman and man

Why did God punish the serpent?

Why did God punish woman and man?

Where did the skin come from?

Why did God banish the man and the woman from the Garden of Eden?

Section 6 – ch.4 - Cain and Abel

Why did the Lord look on Abel’s offering?

What did the Lord say to Cain?

Why did Cain attack his brother?

How did the Lord punish Cain?

What did Lamech say to his wives?

Section 7 – ch.5 v1-32 - From Adam to Noah

Why was Seth so important?

Why did men live for so long on the earth?

Why was Enoch special?

Section 8 – ch.6 - The ark

Why was the Lord so sad?

Why was Noah picked for the job of building an ark?

How big was the ark?

How did he catch the animals and birds?

Section 9 – ch.7 - The flood

Why was Noah so special?

Why did God flood the earth?

Why did the Lord shut him in the ark?

How long was the ark afloat?

Section 10 – ch.8 - The ark rested on the ground

Why did Noah send out a raven?

Why did Noah send a dove?

How long was the flood on the earth?

Why did the Lord not destroy all living creatures ever again?

Section 11 – ch.9 - God’s covenant with Noah

Why did God change the food he gave to Noah and his sons?

What marked the rainbow out as different?

What difference did Ham make on Noah’s drunkenness?

Section 12 – ch.10 - The table of nations

Who fathered the maritime peoples?

Why was Nimrod marked out for special mention?

Why was Peleg named?

Section 13 – ch.11 - The tower of Babel

Why was the whole earth under one common speech?

Why did they build a city?

Why did the Lord confuse their language?

Why is Abram important?

Summary for chapters 1-11

Why did God say that what he made was good?

Why did man and woman fall?

How did God punish them?

Why did the flood cover all the earth?

Why was Noah so special?

Why did God confuse their speech?

Suggest a title to sum up these chapters.

Genesis – Part 2

Section 1 – ch.12 v1-9 - The call of Abram

Why did Abram leave Haran?

Why did the Lord offer the land of the Canaanites to Abram?

Why did Abram build an altar?

Section 2 – ch.12 v10-20 - Abram in Egypt

Why did Abram go to Egypt?

Why did he say his wife was his sister?

Why did the Lord inflict serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household?

What did Pharaoh do?

Section 3 – ch.13 - Abram and Lot separate

Why did Abram and Lot separate?

Why did Lot choose the plain?

Why did the Lord chose Abram?

Section 4 – ch.14 - Abram rescues Lot

Why was there a war?

Why were there only three hundred and eighteen trained men?

What did King Melchizedek do?

Why did Abram refuse to take his share of the battle?

Section 5 – ch.15 - God’s covenant with Abram

Why was Abram childless?

Why did Abram believe the Lord?

Why were his children to become slaves?

How long would they be slaves?

Why was the Lord making a covenant with Abram?

Section 6 – ch.16 - Hagar and Ishmael

Why did Sarai give Hagar to Abram?

Why did Sarai complain?

What did the angel of the Lord do to Hagar?

Why did Hagar return to Abram and Sarai?

Section 7 – ch.17 - The covenant of circumcision

Why was he called Abraham?

Why was circumcision important?

Why was Abraham laughing within himself?

Section 8 – ch.18 v1-15 - The three visitors

Why did the Lord appear to Abraham as three people?

Why did Abraham prepare a meal?

How did the Lord promise Sarah a son?

Why did Sarah laugh?

Section 9 – ch.18 v16-33 - Abraham pleads for Sodom

Why did the Lord outline what he was about to do?

How did Abraham respond?

How many people would save the city?

Section 10 – ch.19 v1-29 - Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed

Why did Lot insist they spent the night at his house?

What did the residents of Sodom do?

What did the angels do?

Why did the angels spare Lot, his wife and his two daughters?

How did the Lord destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?

Why did Lot’s wife become a pillar of salt?

Section 11 – ch.19 v30-38 - Lot and his daughters

Why did Lot live in a cave?

How did his two daughters get pregnant?

How did Lot waste his possessions?

Section 12 – ch.20 - Abraham and Abimelech

Why did Abraham lie?

What did God say to Abimelech?

What did Abimelech say to Abraham?

What effect did Abraham’s prayer have?

Section 13 – ch.21 v1-21 - The birth of Isaac and Hagar and Ishmael sent away

What did the Lord do for Sarah?

Why did Sarah send Hagar away?

Why was Abraham displeased?

Why was Hagar upset?

Section 14 – ch.21 v22-34 - The treaty at Beersheba

Why was Abraham concerned?

What were the seven ewe lambs to do?

What did the name ‘Beersheba’ mean?

Section 15 – ch.22 - Abraham tested

Why did God test Abraham?

Why was there no lamb to burn?

Why did the angel of the Lord call from heaven?

What did the angel of the Lord call a second time?

Summary for chapters 12-22

Why was Abram so important?

Why did Sarai laugh when God promised Abraham a son?

Why did he lie to Pharaoh and Abimelech?

Why did Hagar run away twice?

Why was he spared from slaughtering Isaac?

Suggest a title to sum up these chapters.

Genesis – Part 3

Section 1 – ch.23 - The death of Sarah

Why did Abraham purchase land from the Hittites?

What did Ephron say?

What did Abraham do in the cave?

Section 2 – ch.24 v1.27 - The servant leaves to find a wife for Isaac

Why was the chief servant selected?

Why did the servant call on God?

What did Rebekah do?

Section 3 – ch.24 v28-67 - Isaac and Rebekah

Why did the chief servant praise God?

Why did the servant not eat?

What did Laban and Bethuel say?

Why did they ask Rebekah?

Section 4 – ch.25 v1-11 - The death of Abraham

Why did Abraham give all that he had to Isaac?

How long did Abraham live?

What happened after Abraham’s death?

Section 5 – ch.25 v12-34 - Ishmael, Jacob and Esau

Why were the sons of Ishmael hostile towards all the brothers?

Why was Rebekah childless?

Why did Rebekah call on the Lord?

Why did Esau give up his birthright?

Section 6 – ch.26 - Isaac and Abimelech

Why didn’t Isaac travel to Egypt in the famine?

Why did Isaac say Rebekah was his sister?

Why did the Lord bless Isaac?

Why did Abimelech come looking for Isaac?

What effect did Esau’s two marriages have upon Isaac and Rebekah?

Section 7 – ch.27 v1-29 - Jacob gets Isaac’s blessing

Why did Isaac bless Esau?

What did Rebekah do?

Why did Isaac not recognise Jacob?

How did Isaac bless Jacob?

Section 8 – ch.27 v30-46 - Esau vows to kill Jacob

How did Isaac bless Esau?

Why would Esau kill Jacob?

Why did Jacob flee?

Section 9 – ch.28 - Jacob goes to Laban

Why did Esau marry a Canaanite woman?

Why did Jacob dream of a stairway?

What did God say to him?

Why did Jacob erect a pillar and pour oil on top of it?

What did Jacob say to God?

Section 10 – ch.29 v1-14 - Jacob arrives in Haran

Why were they not watering their sheep?

What was Rachel’s job?

How did Laban take the news?

Section 11 – ch.29 v15-35 - Jacob marries Leah and Rachel

How did Laban repay Jacob?

How did Laban cheat Jacob?

Why did Jacob work for seven more years?

Why was Leah upset?

Section 12 – ch.30 v1-24 - Jacob’s children

Why did Leah and Rachel offer Jacob two maidservants?

Why were Leah and Rachel fighting over Jacob?

Why was a son the most important for the women to bear?

Section 13 – ch.30 v25 - ch.31 v3 - Jacob’s flocks increase

Why did Jacob ask Laban to build up his own flocks?

How did Jacob cheat Laban?

Why were Laban’s sons not happy with Jacob?

Section 14 – ch.31 v4-21 - Jacob flees from Laban

What was Jacob’s dream?

How did Jacob win over his wives?

Why did Rachel steal her father’s household gods?

Why did Jacob run away?

Section 15 – ch.31 v22-55 - Laban pursues Jacob

Why did God speak to Laban in a dream?

Why did Laban search for his gods?

Why was Jacob angry with Laban?