LIVING THE WORD
Personal Bible Study

Not by Bread Alone

In today's society, billions of the world's people go through life spiritually undernourished. The words Jesus spoke over 2,000 years ago are still true, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4).

Recognizing this need in their lives, more people are turning to serious study of the Bible. Everyone needs to study the Bible for himself or herself. This includes those who are new to the Christian faith and those who have been walking with Christ for many years.

This particular study has been carefully planned to help you:

  Establish a program of personal study of the Scriptures
  Examine the basic Truths of the Bible
  Learn and practice the essentials of a disciple
  Set time aside. Just as church attendance is planned for a specific time each week, you should also plan a time for your personal Bible study. Decide on a time that is best for you, and then stick to it faithfully.
  Choose a place that's free from distractions. Get away from the television.
  Material. Bible with Old and New Testaments and a dictionary to help you understand some of the more difficult words or to give you a greater understanding of words you already know. Don't assume the definition of a word. If you're not certain - look it up.

To begin you will need your Bible. As you progress, you will find a dictionary and concordance very helpful. Each question will direct you to a passage of Scripture. After meditating on the passage, write the answer in your own words.

Scripture references will give the book, chapter and verse. Be certain to pray before you begin each chapter. Ask the Lord for understanding as you study each topic. If there is not enough room to write in complete answers, use a separate sheet of paper or write on the back of the page.

Scripture quotations are from the New International Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated.

Chapter One

GOD CARES FOR YOU

You are a special person. You are not special because of what you have accomplished or your current status in life.
You're special because God chose you to be so. God says you are valuable to Him. He genuinely cares about you and cares about what happens to you. In this chapter, you will investigate four statements of God's concern for you:

  God created you
  God knows you
  God loves you
  God made you a part of His family

GOD CREATED YOU

  1. In the Bible, Genesis is referred to as the Book of Beginnings. Chapter 1 tells us that God created the universe. Read Genesis 1:1-5. List at least three facts concerning the creation.
  2. How did God create the world? Read Hebrews 11:3
  3. How should you respond to God's creation? Revelations 4:11
  4. Why did God create you? Isaiah 43:7
  5. Man's uniqueness, his authority, and his purpose show the dignity God gave man. List some facts from Genesis 1:26-28 that
    1. The uniqueness of man
    2. The position or authority of man
    3. The purpose of man
    4. In verse 26, what one created being is not listed here that Adam was not going to
      have dominion over?

    GOD KNOWS YOU

  6. In Psalm 139':1-6, David mentions several areas of his life that God searched and
    knew.” List at least four of them. Then place a check mark by the areas God knows about your life.
  7. How did David respond as he realized how completely God knew him? Ps. 139:23-24
  8. What does Jesus reveal about God's detailed interest in you? Matthew 10:29-31

    GOD LOVES YOU

  9. What was God's greatest demonstration of His love? I John 4:9-10
    10. (Manifest means to show or make apparent; propitiation means a payment that restores favor).
    God so loved the world....
    …Whoever believes in Him

        SHALL NOT PERISH    BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE

    FROM DEATH… TO LIFE

    GOD GAVE HIS ONLY SON

  10. Study John 3:16 in relation to the above illustration
    1. What did God's love cause Him to do?
    2. What does it mean when it says that God "gave" His Son?
    3. How can a person receive eternal life?
  11. In John 10:9-16, Jesus compares His love and concern to the love and concern of a shepherd. According to this passage, what are some of the things He wants to give you?
  12. Which items that you listed in question 11 are most important to you?
    13. (Take a moment to pray. Thank God for all the things you listed in question 11. Specifically remember those that mean the most to you. Praise Him for giving them to you without having to earn any of them on your own).

    GOD WANTS YOU IN HIS FAMILY

  13. How did Jesus teach His disciples to address God? Matthew 6:9
  14. Is it true that God is “everyone's Father? Why or who not? John 8:42 – 44; John 1:12;
  15. How are you born into God's family? John 1:12-13

    16. "The importance of the assurance of faith lies in the fact that, childlike, I cannot possibly love or serve God if I do not know whether He loves and acknowledges me as His child." Andrew Murray

  16. List some of the advantages of being a true child of God. Romans 8:15-17
  17. How do you know that God is your Father?

    18. It is important for you as a Christian to be assured that God is your Father and that you have eternal life. Since feelings change, this assurance must ultimately depend on the Word of God. Here are four verses that you should commit to memory that have helped many people gain greater assurance of their salvation.   "I write these things to you who believe…that you may know that you have eternal life." I John 5:13   "…whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24   "…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." I John 5:11,12   "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20

    REMEMBER THESE POINTS

      God created you for His purpose and glory. He gave you dignity by making you in His likeness.
      God considers you to be of great value. He takes interest in knowing you completely.
      He demonstrated His love to you by sending Jesus to die so you can have life.
      God gave you life in Jesus and you are now spiritually born into His family.

    If you would like the complete 91 page booklet, please contact the church. It will help you mature in the things of God.
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