Trusting The Word
Lesson 2
Psalms 19:7-9; 119; Luke 24:44-48
CONNECTION
We can trust that the Bible is true and the books in it were chosen by God.
REMEMBER
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Intro
Sometimes the way is dark, and we do not know which way to turn. There are decisions that are heavy, relationships that are broken, situations that are confusing. Yet God’s Word is there, like a welcoming light, showing us the path to take.
Through His Word, the Lord guides us, comforts us, and becomes our refuge. His Word truly is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path.
And we can trust His Word, given to us in the form of the Bible, because we can know how it came to be and see how God was working through that process.
There’s a reason that the Bible is considered the most important book this world has ever known. It tells the story of God’s redemption through many generations.
It shares prophecies that only God’s wisdom could have revealed.
It provides guidance for our lives. But most importantly, the Bible shows us God’s character, will, power, and grace.
The Bible is an expression of God’s love.
When it comes to evaluating what we think and know about the Bible, the first thing we have to know is that there is a lot we can’t know.
As is the case with other ancient pieces of literature that we might study in history class, we have no eyewitnesses to interview in person about the writing of the Bible or how the books were put together.
But there is a lot that we can know, some of which we’ll figure out together today.
If you have time, read all of Psalm 119 together (it’S long!). But if time is short, just look at Psalm 119:105-112.
As you read this. Write down any words or impressions that stand out to you.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that
I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much; preserve my life,
Lord, according to your word.
Accept, LoRD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
What can you tell from these verses about how the writer thought about or valued the words of God?
Think about these verses in Psalm 119 combined with the idea of God’s Word being breathed (that is, inspired) by Him, as we learned in the last lesson.
Look at the words “Your statutes are my heritage forever.”
Why would it be important for an Israelite to maintain the integrity of God’s laws and the record of God’s interactions with Israel?
For the Israelites, the words and acts of God were sacred. They were treated as precious treasures, considered part of their identity as Jews.
How much of your identity is based on God?
Identity is all of the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one’s sense of self.
Church memories
Every word, every God-memory was a treasure. Knowing this helps us understand how careful they might have been when passing these stories down.
We can also know that events in the Old Testament were true because other historical writings support their existence.
For example, ancient inscriptions mention David, the young shepherd who killed the giant Goliath, became Israel’s king, and also wrote about half of the psalms.
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of structures that are mentioned in the Bible, such as the ruins of the wall that was built by the Jewish people to protect the city of Jerusalem.
The story of the rebuilding of this wall can be found in the book of Nehemiah.
In the book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, we see the story of the Israelites freed from slavery and following Moses wherever God led.
God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses-laws such as “You shall not murder” and “You shall not steal.”
These laws did not appear only in Jewish culture, however. They appeared in many cultures around the world.
Some people point to this fact as a way of saying the Bible is not unique or that these commands did not come from God, since these other cultures were not even following the God of the Israelites.
Psalms 119:89-91 and 19:7-9
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
In Psalm 119 we see God and His laws described as eternal, standing firm, continuing, and enduring.
What are the adjectives used to describe God’s laws and commands?
What actions do God’s laws and commands do?
God’s laws didn’t work well just for the ancient Israelites. They work well for every human in every culture and every age.
They are good laws; they point out things that we can do to each other and point us toward the righteousness, the right living, that only comes from God.
God’s laws endure, no matter where you go in the world, because they are good and wise.
Another way we can see that God’s Word is true and trustworthy is to consider whether different parts of the Bible seem to make sense together.
Many of the prophecies recorded were fulfilled, and the fulfillment of those prophecies was recorded as well.
For example, in Isaiah 44 and 45 are predictions that a man named Cyrus would help the Jews return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
These prophecies were fulfilled when King Cyrus of Persia conquered the Babylonians and declared that the Jews, who were living in exile, could return home to Jerusalem.
Isaiah announced Cyrus by name more than 100 years before these events!
There are many detailed prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah to come, whom we know as Jesus, foretelling where He would be born, how He would die, and the fact that He would rise again.
What does the fulfillment of prophecies in the Bible (sometimes hundreds of years after those prophecies) tell us about God?
What does it tell us about the Bible?
As we learned last week, even though the Bible was written by at least 40 authors, in different countries, over centuries, it tells one big story about one God.
It tells us about the relationship God wants to have with His people.
The New Testament is made up of 27 books. These books were written after Christ’s death and resurrection.
The early Christians gathered the writings to be included in the Bible. They took the important action of saving and recording the accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings, the letters of the apostle Paul, and other writings of early Christian leaders, known and respected by the early Christian communities.
Eyewitness
For a piece of writing to be included in the New Testament, it had to come from a disciple who had witnessed the life of Jesus-or someone who had known the disciples.
Eyewitness accounts helped assure the credibility and accuracy.
For example, two of the first four books of the New Testament (called the Gospels) (Matthew and John) were written by Jesus’ first disciples.
The other two Gospels (Mark and Luke) were written by individuals who had a special relationship with one of the first disciples.
The writing had to be accepted by most Christians as being authentic.
What do you think would happen if a lot of Christians didn’t accept a particular book as being from God?
Why is it important to be able to trust the Bible?
After Jesus had risen from the dead and then left the earth, there was some confusion and fear among those who had been following Him.
They wanted a trusted source of His teachings so they could continue to grow in faith and learn to live in the way that Jesus had taught.
The New Testament begins with Jesus’ life and teaching and the accounts of the first Christians in the Gospels and Acts.
Next are the letters (also called epistles). They were written by Christian leaders, such as Paul, to give instruction and spiritual support to those who received them.
The last book of the Bible, Revelation, is a book of prophecy and encouragement. It helps us imagine what Christ’s return might be like and gives a glimpse of the hope we have in Heaven.
We’re going to look at one more passage from the Gospel of Luke and see what it tells us about the Bible. The setting of these verses is after Jesus had died on the cross and been resurrected. He had just appeared to His disciples.
Luke 24:44-48.
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
He said this is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.”
Jesus was considered a wise teacher, even by those who did not believe
He was God.
We can trust the Bible because Jesus trusted the Scriptures. He told His followers that they were not only legitimate, but that they were talking about Him. And if it was important for Jesus to help His disciples understand the Scriptures, then it’s also important for us to ask God to help us understand.
And one more thing-if it was important to Jesus that repentance and forgiveness of sins be preached to all nations, then that should be important to us too.
Because if you are a follower of Jesus and understand what it means to receive forgiveness, then you are also a witness of these things.
The Bible is true and has remained true throughout all history. The Bible is precious because God speaks through it. He wants to speak to you.
Maybe you don’t know God yet. Maybe you still have questions. If you seek God, you will find Him.
The best way to get to know God is to spend time digging into His Word. The more you listen to a person and spend time with a person, the more you know about them and understand who they are.
The same is true for God. The more you spend time with Him and listen to his Word, the more you will know Him.
Another way to let God’s Word become part of your life is by memorizing it.
Psalm 119:11:
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
What does this verse mean?
Why could having God’s Word in your heart be helpful?
Could it really help you avoid sin? How?