By John Evans

Benchley, June 9, 2009

• Acts 17:32-34
• Galatians 1:8-10
• If we truly try to teach the truth:
  • We will prevent discouragement.
  • We will not twist the scriptures.
  • We will seek to please God rather than men.
• Sometimes people will reject the truth.
  • Matthew 7:13-14?- Most will reject the truth.
  • Acts 17:32-34?- Some will mock.
  • Acts 7:57-58?- Stephen was stoned for preaching the truth.
  • John 12:42-43?- Many believed in Jesus, but were afraid of what other people would think of their belief.
  • Matthew 14:3-4?- John the Baptist was beheaded for teaching the truth.
  • Some try to delay obedience.
  • Acts 18:5-6?- When the Jews stopped listening, Paul just kept teaching to the Gentiles.
• Sometimes even faithful Christians will leave the faith.
  • John 6:52-59,66?- Jesus’ own disciples left Him after hearing more of His teaching.
  • Hebrews 4:12
• Sometimes people need time to think about what they’ve heard.
  • Acts 17:32?- Some of Paul’s listeners needed to hear more teaching before they were convinced.
  • Don’t give up on people that are willing to study and hear you!
• Sometimes people will gladly receive the truth.
  • Acts 17:34?- Some people joined Paul.

By David Watson

Benchley, February 8, 2009

• God authorized the church to provide for needy saints.
  • Acts 6:2-4
  • Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Acts 6:1-3; 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-26; I corinthians 16:1-3; II Corinthians 8:3-4,14; 9:1; I Timothy 5:16,5?- only needy saints provided for.
  • Shouldn’t the church help people by doing good works?
    • Yes, but only those good works for which it was designed.
  • Can’t churches do whatever individuals do?
    • No, this is not true.? II Thessalonians 3:7-12; Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:4-5; I Corinthians 7:2-5
  • Does the Bible ever say not to use church money another way?
    • No, but that’s not how Bible authority works.
    • God’s silence does not permit – it prohibits.
      • Colossians 3:17; I Corinthians 4:6; Acts 15:24; II John 9; Jeremiah 19:4-6; 32:35; Leviticus 10:1; Hebrews 7:14; 8:4
• God authorized the church to provide for worship and edification.
  • Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Hebrews 10:23-25; I Corinthians 14:3,12,17,26,40
  • What about using church money for kitchens, fellowship halls, gymnasiums, etc.?
    • Since God did not authorize them, we cannot use church money for these things.
  • But aren’t we edifying each other when we socialize or share a meal together?
    • The Bible uses edification very specifically to mean a church assembling together to worship.
• God authorized the church to provide for the preaching of the gospel.
  • I Thessalonians 1:8; I Corinthians 9:9-14; II Corinthians 11:7-8; Philippians 4:14-18
  • What about other arrangements?
    • Since they are not authorized, they are wrong.

By David Watson

Benchley, December 21, 2008

• Pray every day.
  • The Bible says we ought to pray.? Philippians 4:6; Romans 12:12; I Thessalonians 5:17
  • The Bible shows us what to pray for.? John 17:9; 17:21; I Timothy 2:1-2
  • The Bible tells us how NOT to pray.? Matthew 6:5
  • The Bible tells us how TO pray.? I Peter 3:7,12; Luke 18:1-14; I John 3:21-22; 5:14-15; James 1:5-8
  • Several things encourage us in prayer.? Romans 8:26; James 5:13-18; Colossians 4:12
  • How can we make sure to pray everyday?
• Read the Bible every week.
  • Why should we read the Bible on a regular basis?
    • I Timothy 4:13?- Because it pleases God.
    • Because it is God’s sole revelation of truth.? Psalms 119:105; Jude 3
    • Because we can understand it and learn from it.? Ephesians 3:4; Luke 10:26; Matthew 24:15; II Peter 3:16
    • Because it takes our minds off of other things.? Psalms 119:11
  • What are some helpful tips?
    • Use a plan (http://bibleclassmaterial.com)
    • Use an accurate, readable translation.
      • KJV, NKJV, NSB, ESV
    • Use an audio Bible.
• Invite one person per event.
  • Why would we want to have such a goal?
    • Because souls have great, eternal value.
    • Because God told us to.

• Acts 2:14-47 – Peter’s teaching
• Two types of teaching:
  • Congregational
    • Concerted
    • Collective
  • Personal
    • Individual
    • Concurrent
• In this lesson, we mainly stress individual teaching.
• The importance of teaching by one’s life.
  • Psalms 51:10-13 – David’s plea for cleansing
    • Clean heart
    • Right spirit
    • Close walk with God
    • Joy of salvation
    • THEN will be able to teach others
  • I Peter 5:3; I Timothy 4:12; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 4:15-16 – be an example to others
• The importance of teaching by word
  • Matthew 28:19 – The great commission was “go and teach”.
  • It is our responsibility to plant and water. (I Corinthians 3:6)
  • God will not be able to give the increase unless we teach. (Isaiah 55:11)
  • Acts 2:14,40 – It was with WORDS converts were made.
  • Romans 10:17 – Hearing the words is necessary to faith, which is necessary to salvation.
• Do not grow negligent because you do not see immediate and gigantic results.
  • They did not listen to Noah, Jeremiah, Christ, or Paul, but they kept on teaching.
  • The truth has not lost its power – we have lost our fire.
  • I Corinthians 6:9-11 – If heaven doesn’t mean everything, it doesn’t mean anything.
• The importance of teaching is seen in that it proves our love:
  • for God
  • for the gospel
  • for souls of others
  • for our own soul, for without teaching and the word, I cannot save myself.