Bible Study Guides – Page 149

Lesson 10 – Jesus Returns to Earth

June 23, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: The second coming of Jesus was the great theme of the apostles. It is estimated that one in every 25 verses of the New Testament speaks of this event. But Satan has sought to confuse people so that they will not be ready to meet Him. Before Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem, Satan was successful in confusing the Jewish people by causing them to misapply the prophecies of His second coming to His first coming. As a result, few were ready to receive Him. Now He is applying the prophecies of Jesus’ first coming-such as the 70th week in Daniel 9-to His second coming. And again it is working effectively to deceive! Let us see what the Bible says about Jesus’ second coming.

1. Before Jesus returned to heaven, what did He promise? John 14:13 [Note: Jesus promised that He would receive us to Himself WHEN He came again-NOT BEFORE, in some secret rapture, as some people are teaching today. The Further-study verses are Rev. 22:12-14; Heb. 9:28; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:4; 1 John 2:28; Ps. 50:3]

2. How will Jesus come? Acts 1:9-11 [Matt. 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Isa. 66:15; Ps. 104:3, 4]

3. Will there be counterfeits of Jesus’ second coming? Matt. 24:23-27 [ 2 Thess. 2:9, 10]

4. How can we know when the real Christ has come? Matt. 24:30, 31 [Ans: Everyone will see Him. There are many other identifying characteristics of Jesus’ second coming described in the questions and verses below. See if you can list them all. Rev. 1:7]

5. What work of judgment will Jesus do at His coming? Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 [Ans: He will separate the righteous from the wicked and execute judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth. (The chronology of these events will be further detailed in Lesson 20.) Matt. 16:27; Ps. 50:3, 4; Isa. 66:15-17]

6. What historical event did Jesus use to illustrate this separation? Matt. 24:36-41 [Note: In this separation, those who were taken were taken away in death by the flood (verse 39), and the others were left alive in the ark. So will it be at Jesus’ second coming. While people are doing common things, Jesus will come suddenly in judgment upon all. 2 Peter 3:3-7]

7. While we cannot know the hour, can we know when Jesus’ coming is near? 1 Thess. 5:1-6 [ Matt. 24:32, 33]

8. Will Christ’s coming be secret and silent, as a thief in the night? 2 Peter 3:10-12 [Ans. No, it will be a surprise as when a thief breaks in, but it will not be secret or silent-it will terrify the wicked as when a thief wreaks sudden carnage with great noise upon the household. Ps. 50:3; Isa. 66:15, 16]

9. See if you can answer these questions from the following passage: (1) At Jesus’ second coming, what will happen to the righteous who have previously died? (2) What will happen to the righteous who are still living? (3) Will His coming be silent? 1 Thess. 4:15-18 [ John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:51-55]

10. What will happen to the kingdoms of the world when Jesus comes? Dan. 2:44 [ Rev. 6:14-17; 16:19-21]

11. What will happen to the wicked at Jesus’ second coming? 2 Thess. 1:7-9 [ 2 Thess. 2:8; 2 Peter 2:9]

12. Will everyone who claims to be saved, be taken to heaven when Jesus comes? Matt. 7:21-23 [ 2 Thess. 2:11, 12]

13. What should we do to be ready for that day? Titus 2:11-14 [ Luke 21:34-36]

Commitment: Jesus’ second coming will be a sudden, all-encompassing surprise to the world, at which time all will be eternally separated-some for everlasting destruction and some for eternal life. Is the glorious appearing of Jesus your blessed hope? Do you want Jesus to redeem you from every lawless deed, and to write His law of love and righteousness in your heart, so that you will rejoice to see His face?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 9 – Our Redeemer, the Theme of Prophecy

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: Multitudes today are losing faith in Jesus. How can we KNOW that He was the Savior of the world? We can know because of the Old Testament prophecies.

1. What did Jesus show was the theme of the Old Testament prophecies? Luke 24:25-27 [The Further-study verses are Luke 24:44; John 5:39]

2. In what city did the Old Testament say Jesus was to be born? Micah 5:2 [ Luke 2:1-7; Isa. 9:6]

3. Was there also a specific time when Jesus was to appear? Gal. 4:4

4. When was that time to be? Dan. 9:24, 25 [Ans: Sixty-nine weeks after the command to restore and build Jerusalem. Ezra 6:14; 7:7-11]

5. Sixty-nine weeks is 483 days. In symbolic prophecy, what does a day represent? Eze. 4:6 [ Num. 14:34]

According to Ezra 6:14, the threefold decree to restore and build Jerusalem was completed by the Persian king Artaxerxes. This decree went forth shortly after Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth Jewish month in the seventh year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:8, 9). Artaxerxes’ first year, counted as year “zero” by the Jews, was from the autumn of 465 B.C. to the autumn of 464 B.C. The fifth Jewish month of his seventh year was in 457 B.C. Therefore the Messiah should appear 483 years after 457 B.C., which was 27 A.D. (There is no year “0” between B.C. and A.D., so you must add a year when going from B.C. to A.D.) Twenty-seven A.D. was the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar.

6. Thus the 69 weeks ended in Tiberius Caesar’s 15th year. What happened that year? Luke 3:1-3, 21, 22.

7. The Hebrew word “Messiah” (“Christ” in Greek) means “anointed.” If Jesus was the Messiah, (1) HOW was He anointed, thereby becoming the Messiah; and (2) WHEN did that happen? Acts 10:37, 38 [Ans: He was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism in 27 A.D., exactly according to prophecy! Luke 3:21, 22; 4:18; John 1:41]

8. Did Jesus recognize the fulfillment of this prophetic time? Mark 1:15 [Note: The Greek word here is “pleroo,” meaning “fulfilled,” or “completed,” as translated in the KJV, NKJV, and NASB. The time that had just been fulfilled was the 69 weeks. Matt. 4:17]

9. Although the Jewish people wanted a conqueror, what would happen to the Messiah sometime after 27 A.D.? Dan. 9:26a [Ans: He would be “cut off.” Isa. 53:8, 9]

10. Jesus’ baptism marked the end of the 69 weeks and the beginning of the 70th week of probationary time allotted to the Jewish nation. What would happen in the middle of this prophetic week? Dan. 9:27a [Ans: Jesus, who made the covenant, would put an end to animal sacrifices by Himself being “cut off ‘ and becoming our sacrifice on the cross. Isa. 53:8; Heb. 10:6, 9-14, 18; Matt. 23:38; 27:51]

11. Did Jesus understand the prophetic time period pointing forward to His being “cut off” and doing away with sacrifices? Luke 9:51 [ Matt. 26:18; John 7:6-8]

12. Since after Jesus’ death there were still 3 1/2 years of the final (70th) week for special ministry to the Jewish people, where did Jesus tell His disciples to begin their witness? Acts 1:8 [Note: Jesus confirmed the covenant of 490 years with the Jewish people (Rom. 15:8), first through His own ministry (Matt. 24:47), and then through His disciples. Luke 24:47]

13. When did the gospel begin to go to the Gentiles? Acts 7:59; 8:1, 4 [Note: In the stoning of Stephen, the Jewish nation once more rejected the covenant of mercy. Acts 10:9-17, 28, 29]

14. Was the Jewish nation still God’s chosen people after 34 A.D.? Rom. 2:28, 29 [ Jer. 18:9, 10; Deut. 28:45, 46, 63; Matt. 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9, 10]

15. Under the New Covenant, who are the true Israel? Gal. 3:26-29 [ Gen. 17:4-7; 1 Cor. 7:19; Gal. 3:7; 6:15, 16; Eph. 2:11-22]

Commitment: Jesus alone fulfills the prophecies of the Messiah. Through Him we can each become a part of God’s true people-spiritual Israel. Is it your desire to be a part of God’s true Israel today?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 8 – What Will the Next Life Be Like?

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: Many people picture heaven as an imaginary cloud carrying imaginary spirits who are listening with imaginary ears to imaginary music from imaginary harps-and then we wonder why some people are not excited about going there! Today we will see what heaven is really like.

1. Where did the human race come from? Gen. 1:26-28 [The Further-study verse is Ps. 8:4, 5]

2. What kind of world did God create for our happiness-a real, tangible world; or a make believe, invisible world? Gen. 1:1, 11, 20, 24 [Note: Our streams today are from the very waters God created; our trees are from the seeds of the trees He made. Rev. 4: 11]

3. What did God think of His creation? Gen. 1:31 [James 1:17, 18]

4. God made the human family to enjoy this world forever if they would be loyal and trustworthy. But, since Satan had already rebelled in heaven, what provision for free choice did God give our first parents? Gen. 2:8, 9, 15-17 [Note: Some understand this to mean that as soon as Adam and Eve sinned, they would come under the sentence of death. The KJV margin says: “dying thou shalt die.” On the other hand, if God had not implemented the plan of salvation immediately, Adam and Even would have died at once. Rom. 6:23]

5. Our first parents failed, and what was the result? Rom. 5:12 [Gen. 3:6]

6. God created a perfect world for human beings to enjoy eternally, but through sin they lost that inheritance. Who provided them a second chance to obtain that eternal inheritance again? 1 Peter 1:3, 4, 18, 19 [Isa. 53:46]

7. What kind of life has Jesus promised to give back to us? John 10:10 [Note: Jesus promised a MORE abundant life (one of reality such as He created for us to enjoy in Eden, and which He said was “very good”), not a LESS abundant life. This not only applies to life in heaven, but to our present life as well. Right now God promises to give us peace, joy, and meaning to life. John 14:1-3; Isa. 45:18; Mark 10:29, 30]

8. How long will this “more abundant” life last? John 10:27, 28 [John 3:16]

9. We have seen that God made man a tangible being to enjoy things, and God said it was “very good” (Gen. 1:31). What will the next life be like? Isa. 65:17, 21, 22, 25 [Rev. 21:4; 22:1,3]

10. Since “it is appointed for men to die,” and to lay to rest these tangible bodies (Heb. 9:27), how will we become “real” people again? 1 Thess. 4:15-18 [John 5:28, 29; 6:39, 40; 11:24]

11. How do we know that we will be resurrected to a new life? Who went through the portals of the tomb and was resurrected as an assurance to us that we will be resurrected too? 1 Cor. 15:20, 23 [Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5; Phil. 3:10, 11; 1 Cor. 15:12, 19]

12. Since we will be resurrected as Jesus was, what was He like after His resurrection? Luke 24:33, 43 [Matt. 26:29; I Cor. 15:17, 23; Phil. 3:20, 21]

13. Will we know each other after our resurrection? 1 Cor. 13:12 [Note: The soldiers recognized Jesus after His resurrection. When Mary first met Him after that event, her eyes were too tear filled to see, but she recognized His voice. Jesus hid His identity from the two men on the road to Emmaus so He could teach them truth, but they recognized His mannerisms when He blessed the food. The disciples and all others recognized Him when they saw Him. He was the “same Jesus” (Acts 1:11)! We, too, will be the same people when we are resurrected, and we will be recognized by our friends. Luke 24:30, 32; John 20: 16, 19, 29; Isa. 66:22]

14. It took Jesus’ death to provide this abundant, real, eternal life. What does it take on our part to receive this treasure? Matt. 13:44 [ Matt. 16:24, 26]

Commitment: God made us real human beings, to enjoy a real creation. Jesus came to restore this abundant life to us; but the parable in Matthew 13:44 says it takes all to buy the field. The field containing the treasure represents the Holy Scriptures, within which are hidden the treasures of the gospel-Jesus Christ and eternal life. The Bible teaches that it takes all to become a follower of Jesus, but this treasure is worth far more than everything we have. Will you make an entire surrender of your life to Jesus today that you may obtain this treasure?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 7 – Getting Started With Prophecy

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: “Blessed is he who reads . . . this prophecy” (Rev. 1:3). This lesson begins our study of prophecy.

1. Who alone truly knows the future? Isa. 46:9, 10 [The Further-study verse is John 14:29]

2. Has God revealed the future? Amos 3:7 [2 Peter 1:19-21]

3. Which prophecies did Jesus mention by name, saying we should understand them? Matt. 24:15 [Rev. 10:1, 2]

4. For what time period was the book of Daniel especially written? Dan. 12:4 [Note: Daniel and Revelation are both about the last days; but Daniel was written first and Revelation builds on its prophecies. In order to understand the two books we must start with Daniel and with Daniel’s first prophecy. Each succeeding prophecy is built upon the ones before. Dan. 8:17; 12:9]

5. What circumstances led up to Daniel’s first prophecy? Dan. 2:1-3 [Dan. 2:1-23, 29]

6. Who explained the dream, and what period of earth’s history did it picture? Dan. 2:27, 28 [Dan. 2:19]

7. What was the dream? Dan. 2:31-35 [Acts 17:26]

8. There are two vital principles we must understand to interpret correctly Daniel and Revelation:
(1) These prophecies are given in symbols; and
(2) The symbols are interpreted by the Bible itself.
In this first prophecy, God makes it easy by giving the interpretation immediately. What did the head of gold represent? Dan. 2:36-38 [Note: Nebuchadnezzar represented Babylon. “King” and “kingdom” often mean the same in prophecy (Dan. 2:39; 7:17, 23). Hos. 12:10; Isa. 14:4]

9. What did the silver, bronze and iron represent? Dan. 2:39, 40 [Note: The three kingdoms that followed Babylon were Persia (or Media-Persia), Greece and Rome respectively. Dan. 5:28; 8:20, 21]

10. To see how prophecy builds on itself, note how these same four kingdoms are described again, in greater detail, in the next major prophecy of Daniel. What symbols did God use this time? Dan. 7:2-7, 17

11. What would happen to Rome, the fourth kingdom? Dan. 7:23, 24a [Note: As predicted, only three world powers followed Babylon. Rome was never succeeded, but from 351 to 476 A.D. it was divided up into the following divisions by warring factions within: AngloSaxons (England), Franks (France), Suevi (Portugal), Visigoths (Spain), Alamani (Germany), Burgundians, Lombards, Ostrogoths, Heruls, and Vandals.]

12. How is this breakup of Rome into modern Europe described in Daniel 2? Will Europe ever be reunited? Dan. 2:41-43 [Dan. 2:21]

13. What will happen in the days of divided Europe? Dan. 2:44 [Matt 21:44]

14. How does Revelation describe this event? Rev. 11:15-18 [Rev. 6:14-17]

Commitment: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and pagan Rome have all passed away–we are now living in the tiptoes of the image, just before the new kingdom is set up! When God’s kingdom comes, with what group of people, as described in our last text, do you want to be found?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 6 – Christ Cleanses the Temple

May 31, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: In our last lesson we learned that Jesus has power to forgive and cleanse us. In this lesson we will learn about one aspect of our lives that Jesus wants to cleanse.

1. Why did God ask the Israelites to build Him a sanctuary? Ex. 25:8 [Note: God’s real throne is in the sanctuary in heaven, but He manifested His presence in the earthly sanctuary (and temple) so that His people might realize His nearness. The Further-study verses are Ps. 11:4; Heb. 8:1, 2; and 2 Chron. 6:18, 12; 7:1.]

2. What was one of the first things Jesus did after beginning His earthly ministry? John 2:14-17 [Ans. He cleansed the temple.]

3. At the end of Jesus’ ministry He again cleansed the temple. But because the religious leaders and people refused to keep the temple spiritually clean, God deserted it and it was soon destroyed. Although that temple no longer exists, does God still have a sacred dwelling place on earth? 1 Cor. 6:19, 20 [John 14:23]

4. In the New Testament, the Christian church and the Christian himself are called temples, because God desired to dwell within both. What will God do if we defile or destroy His temple? 1 Cor. 3:16, 17 [John 2:19, 21]

5. What is one way that Daniel believed his body-temple could be defiled? Dan. 1:8, 12 [1 Cor. 9:25, 27]

6. What was the original diet God created for human beings? Gen. 1:29 [Gen. 9:3, 4; 7:2]

7. Man’s original diet for the first 1656 years was of fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables; and the average lifespan was 912 years! When vegetation was destroyed by the flood, God gave permission for the people to eat animal flesh. He had made provision for this by bringing extra of the “clean” animals into the ark. Why did God prohibit the Israelites from eating “unclean” animals? Deut. 14:2. What are some of these “unclean” creatures? Deut. 14:3-20 [1 Peter 2:9; and Lev. 11:1-47]

8. Some people, by misapplying Scripture, have suggested that these health laws from our Creator were only for the Jews (though Gentile bodies are really no different!). Paul’s counsels on health were to the Gentiles (e. g., 1 Cor. 6:10, 19, 20; 10:31). How, and when, will God judge those who rebel against Him by defying His health laws? Isa. 66:15-17 [Rev. 21:27].

9. Besides eating “unclean” meat, what is another way we can defile the body? Prov. 23:29-33 [Note: In Bible times, wine meant grape juice–either fermented or fresh. Here it says, “Do not look on the wine when” it turns “red” and “swirls . . . smoothly.” In other words, do not drink grape juice (or any other juice) after it has fermented. 1 Cor. 6:9-11; and Prov. 20:1]

10. Although cigarettes were not yet “invented” in Bible times, does not tobacco defile the body? [Note: Deut. 29:18 warns against a “poisonous herb”–KJV margin.]

11. How does Paul summarize the way we are to treat our body-temples? 1 Cor. 10:31 [1 Thess. 5:23]

12. What has God promised people who obey Him? Ex. 15:26 [Note: Though at times we may have infirmities which God does not choose to heal (see 2 Cor. 12:7-9), yet by following God’s counsels we will have better health, and nothing will happen to us but what is for our best good; and ultimately we will be perfectly healed when Jesus restores His kingdom! 3 John 1:2]

Commitment: Today Jesus is asking us to respect our body-temples so that we may have clearer minds and better health, and may be able to render Him more faithful service. Will you ask Him to give you power over everything that tends to defile the body?

Notes: There are some texts which, when taken out of context, could be “twisted to our own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Jesus said that “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth” (Matt. 15:11). But Jesus was not talking about food. He was not contradicting Scripture. The Pharisees He was addressing were not questioning food at all, but their human tradition of ritual washing before eating (verses 2, 20). Peter certainly did not understand Jesus to be changing the health laws, for years later he was given a vision of “all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean'” (Acts 10:12-14). Perhaps there were lizards, cats, tigers, vultures, snakes, dogs-we probably would have asked to be excused too! But the vision was symbolic. Peter knew that. After the vision he “wondered within himself what the vision meant” (verse 17). And then he was “shown” that he “should not call any man common or unclean” (verse 28). The Jews called the Gentiles unclean dogs, but the time had come to take the gospel to these Gentiles. Read the whole account in Acts 10:9-11:18. Romans 14:2 says that “He who is weak eats only vegetables.” Meat was offered to idols, and those who were weak in the faith still superstitiously avoided food offered to idols. See 1 Cor. 8:4-11.

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 5 – The New Birth

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: As we observed in our last lesson, God sent His Son to save us “from our sins” that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Matt. 1:21; John 3:16). Through faith in Jesus we receive (1) repentance for sin, (2) forgiveness for sin, and (3) power to overcome sin. This work of grace is the beginning of a “new life,” which is called the “new birth” or “conversion.” In this lesson we will see how this new birth takes place in our lives.

1. How many of us are naturally good? Rom. 3:10, 23 [The Further-study verses are John 8:34; and Ecc. 7:20; and Isa. 64:6]

2. Therefore, what is “most assuredly” necessary if we are going to receive the free gift of eternal life? John 3:3, 5, 6 [Matt. 18:3]

3. Can we change ourselves? Jer. 13:23 [Rom. 7:18-24]

STEPS TO CONVERSION

4. The Bible points out three steps to conversion. What is the first step? Acts 3:19 [Ans: We must repent of our sins. 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38; 5:31; Rom. 2:4; Ps. 34:18]

5. Repentance means to be so sorry for our sins that we do not want to repeat them. Only God can give us that sorrow for sin, for we, by nature, love sin. What will true repentance lead us to do with our past, sinful way of life? Rom. 6:6, 16 [Ans: By God’s help we will crucify the sinful habits we once cherished. True repentance also will cause us to make restitution for our wrongs (such as paying back stolen goods) where we can. Num. 5:7; Eze. 33:15; Luke 19:8, 9; Rom. 8:13]

6. After repentance, what is the second step? 1 John 1:9 [Ans: We must confess our sins to God, asking for forgiveness. After confessing our sins, we are not to keep on dwelling upon them, but to have faith that God has forgiven them. There also may be people from whom we should ask forgiveness. Prov. 28:13; Ps. 32:5; 51:1-10; Lev. 5:5; 26:40-42; Mark 1:5; James 5:16; Neh. 1:6-11; Rom. 5:1]

7. Thirdly, after repentance and forgiveness, how are we then to live? Rom. 6:4 [Ans: We are to live a new life, a righteous life, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:1-10; 1 John 2:6; 3:3]

8. What will happen if we repent of our sins but do not replace our evil deeds with good deeds? Luke 11:24-26 [Note: We must preoccupy the mind with good if we would not have it filled with evil. Eph. 2:1-10; 1 John 2:6; 3:3]

NEW LIFE THROUGH JESUS

9. The end product of conversion is a new life of righteousness. How can we live this new life? Rom. 8:2-4 [Note: God has power to help even the worst sinner overcome his sins. 1 John 3:3-9; and Heb. 10:16; and Eze. 36:25-28; and 1 Cor. 10:13; and Phil. 4:13; and John 8:34-36; and Heb. 7:25]

10. Who showed us the way to live this new life of righteousness? John 14:6 [Heb. 2:10, 11, 16-18; and 1 Peter 2:21; and Matt. 16:24]

11. In demonstrating a righteous life, Jesus showed us three things we can do to enable the Holy Spirit to give us this new life. What is one thing Jesus did, and taught us to do, to live the victorious Christian life? Luke 21:34-36 [Luke 6:12; Matt. 26:41]

12. A second thing Jesus did was to study the Bible and to resist temptation by quoting Scripture. What will regular Bible study do for us? 2 Peter 1:3, 4 [Note: When we study the Bible daily, the Holy Spirit fills us with holy thoughts and gives us strength to resist temptation. When Jesus was tempted, He quoted Scripture that He had memorized. If we will fill our minds with texts of the Bible and Christian songs, our minds will not be so easily affected by sin. Then, when we are tempted, if we will quote Scripture and pray for strength, we will obtain victory. Matt. 4:3, 4, 7, 10; Ps. 119:11; John 6:53-57, 63; John 17:17]

13. Thirdly, after receiving spiritual strength through prayer and Bible study, Jesus mentally and consciously resisted Satan and his temptations, and chose to do right (see Isa. 7:14, 15 and Luke 4:8). What should we do when tempted? James 4:7, 8 [Eph. 6:12, 13]

14. These three things–Prayer, Bible study, and exercising our will in refusing to sin and choosing to do good with the spiritual strength we have thus received–are the secrets for victorious Christian living. We must combine divine power with human effort. But we must do this every day, even moment by moment! How can we have a growing Christian experience? Col. 2:6 [Luke 9:23; and 1 Cor. 15:31; and 1 Thess. 5:17; and Rev. 2:4]

15. When we have been truly born again, what will happen to us? 2 Cor. 5:17 [Phil. 1:6]

Commitment: Is it your desire to be born again into a spiritual life of righteousness, with Jesus as your example? Will you spend time with Jesus every day in prayer and Bible study, and with the strength you thus receive from God choose to resist sin and to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 4 – Jesus, Our Friend

May 27, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: All our lessons are about Jesus and His truth, but this is a special lesson on who Jesus is and what He wants to do for us. Because of Satan’s rebellion, and because Jesus loved us too much to leave us under Satan’s control, Jesus left heaven and came to this earth to redeem all who want to be saved.

JESUS’ DIVINITY AND PREEXISTENCE

1. Shortly after Jesus was conceived within Mary, an angel explained His birth to Joseph and said He would be called Immanuel. What does Immanuel mean? Matt. 1:21-23 [The Further-study verses are Col. 2:9; Isa. 9:6; Rev. 22:13]

2. Where was Jesus before the world was formed? John 17:4, 5 [John 8:58]

3. What work did Jesus do in the beginning? John 1:1-3 [Ans: He created all things. Col. 1:16, 17]

4. What does Paul call Christ? 1 Cor. 10:4 [Ans: The Rock. 2 Sam. 23:3; and Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:2; 31:3; 42:9; 62:2, 6]

WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH

5. Why are all human beings, including ourselves, doomed? Rom. 5:12 [Rom. 3:23; 6:23]

6. Life is only in God, and only by remaining in harmony with God can life continue. Through sin, the inhabitants of this world have placed themselves out of harmony with God and have received the death penalty. What has Jesus done to pay the penalty for our sins? Isa. 53:4-6 [John 1:29]

7. What did Jesus have to do to take our place (i. e., become our substitute) and pay for our sins? Phil. 2:5-8 [John 1:14; and 1 Tim. 3:16; and Heb. 2:14]

8. Can we receive forgiveness by keeping God’s law? Rom. 3:20 [Gal. 2:16]

9. If keeping the law will not save us, how can we be saved from our sins? Acts 16:30, 31 [Note: Belief in Jesus involves more than a mere acknowledgement of His existance, for “even the demons believe” that (James 2:19). Saving belief means accepting Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and as our personal Lord and Savior. Matt. 1:21]

10. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, what does God do with our “sins that were previously committed”? Rom. 3:24, 25 [Note: When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He becomes our substitute and we are free from condemnation. From that point on, Christ will begin to mold and fashion us after His own likeness. Eph. 2:8]

11. In order for us to be forgiven, a change must take place in our attitudes. We must be sorry for our sins. How can we become sorry (repentant) for our sins so that we can receive the merits of Christ’s death in our behalf? Acts 5:30, 31 [Ans: We cannot make ourselves sorry for our sins. We must come to Jesus just as we are, and He will give us both repentance and forgiveness. Rom. 2:4; and 2 Cor. 7:10; and Luke 24:47]

12. Besides giving us repentance and forgiveness for the sins we have committed, what else does Jesus promise to do for us? 1 John 1:9 [Ans: To cleanse us. Eze. 36:25-29]

13. How does God cleanse us from sin, transforming our characters? Rom. 8:1-4, 13-14 [Ans: By giving us the same Spirit (that is, the same divine power) that kept Jesus from sin. 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 1:21; John 8:34-36]

14. After Jesus came down to live and die in our behalf, where did He go and what is He doing for us today? Heb. 4:14-16 [Ans: He went back to heaven to become our “High Priest” that He might help those who are weak and tempted and who call upon Him for help. Heb. 7:25; 2:17, 18; 6:19, 20]

15. What motive prompted God to give us this wonderful friend and Savior, Jesus, who can save us from sin and give us eternal life? John 3:16 [Acts 4:12; and John 15:13; and John 1:12; and 1 John 3:1-3]

Commitment: If you believe in Jesus as your Savior, He will give you repentance and forgiveness, and He will help you in every time of need. God loves you, and He wants you to live with Him forever. That is why He gave His only Son to die in your place. That is why Jesus is still ministering for you in heaven as your High Priest. Will you accept Him as your Lord and Savior today? Will you ask Jesus to come into your life and make you His child?

STEP I (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson 3 – Satan Our Enemy

April 29, 2026June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: In our last two lessons we learned how to develop a relationship with God. In this lesson we will study about Satan. Who is he? Is there really such a being? And if there is, has he existed from all eternity? Is he therefore another god, an enemy god, who is in conflict with Jehovah? We will answer these questions in this lesson.

1. Where did Jesus say Satan came from? Luke 10:18 [The Further-study verse is Jude1:6]

2. Why did Satan fall from heaven? Isa. 14:12-15 [2 Peter 2:4]

3. How did Satan come into being, and what was he like? Eze. 28:15 [Note: In verse 12 (Eze.28:12) of this chapter Satan is referred to as the “king of Tyre.” Just as the Lord was the real king behind the human ruler in Israel (I Chron. 29:23; Zeph. 3:5), so Satan was the real king behind the pagan kingdoms of Babylon and Tyre. Thus at certain points the prophecies of Isaiah 14:1-32 and Ezekiel 28:1-26 reflect in a graphic manner Satan’s own characteristics. Col. 1:16; Ps.148:1,2,5]

4. Since Satan was created as a holy and perfect angel, what change took place in him that caused him to be cast out of heaven? Eze. 28:13, 14, 17 [Note: Satan was “perfect” until “iniquity was found” in him. Ezekiel 28:16 says, “You sinned . . . O covering cherub.” Satan thus became the first sinner, or, according to 1 John 3:4, 8, the first transgressor of God’s law. 1 John 3:8 says, “The Devil has sinned from the beginning.” In other words, he was the originator of sin. Ps. 80:1; John 8:44]

5. Who were expelled from heaven with Satan? Rev. 12:7-9, 12 [ Matt. 25:41]

6. How did this world become involved in Satan’s rebellion? Gen. 3:1-6 [Note: As Satan later worked through the king of Tyre, so in Eden he used a serpent as his medium. Therefore the “serpent” also became one of Satan’s titles (Rev. 12:9). [ Rom. 5:12]

7. In the beginning, Adam was made the ruler over this world (Gen.1:26). But after Satan caused Adam to sin he lost that dominion. Who then claimed rulership of this world? Luke 4:5-7 [ John 14:30; and 2 Cor. 4:4; and Eph. 6:12]

8. What does Satan do to those who oppose truth? 2 Tim. 2:25, 26 [John 8:34-44; Eph. 2:13]

9. What warning does Peter give to Christians living in the last days? 1 Peter 5:6-9 [Eph. 6:10-18]

10. How will Satan work in the last days, and who will he deceive? 2 Thess. 2:8-10 [Rev. 16:14]

11. How will Satan disguise his work and workers in the last days? 2 Cor. 11:13-15 [Matt. 4:5, 6]

12. How can we overcome Satan? Rev. 12:11 [1 John 3:4-8; James 4:7, 8]

Commitment: Many people have wondered how a God of love could permit the sin and suffering in the world today. But God never intended it to be thus. God never made sin or suffering. He gave all His beings, including the angels, the power of choice; and one of those angels, the highest angel in heaven, chose to rebel. Then our first parents joined him in that rebellion. Thus sin entered our planet. Satan is at war with God and is seeking through intrigue, deception, and force to cause our eternal destruction. The Bible reveals his plans and disguises. It also reveals a Savior–Jesus Christ–who will save us from Satan. Will you study His Word and allow Him to save you from the wiles of the Devil?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

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Lesson S1 – Is the Bible God’s Word

November 3, 2024June 1, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: The Bible says that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” for “prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Tim. 3:16; and 2 Peter 1:21). The claim of the Bible is that it is the word of the living God, written by human penmen, to the inhabitants of earth. How can we know that this claim of the Bible is true?

1. What element is essential in order for us to believe the Bible? Heb. 11:3, 6 [Note: Not only the Bible testimony but most of our learning has been received through faith. As children, our parents showed us a ball and said, “This is a ball.” We learned because we had faith in their word. Most of us have not been to Mongolia, but we believe it exists because we have faith in the authorities who have told us. Many people reject the Bible because of their belief in evolution, but evolution itself can be believed only on the basis of faith in someone’s interpretation of selected evidence. The Further-study verse is Heb. 4:2]

2. What is faith? Heb. 11:1 [Ans: Faith is evidence, for it is founded upon evidence. God does not bypass the human mind. He says, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isa. 1:18). God gives sufficient evidence upon which to honestly base our faith. But faith is founded upon evidence of things which are not seen with natural sight. We cannot see the wind, but we can see the evidences of the wind. Rom. 8:24, 25]

3. What is one evidence that God has given us on which we can base our faith? Isa. 45:18-21 [Ans: The God of the Bible claims to be the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth. As evidence, He says He has foretold current happenings “from ancient times.” 2 Peter 1:19]

4. What knowledge does God alone have? Isa. 46:9, 10 [Note: In the lessons following in this series, we will note prophecies that foretold accurately events happening thousands of years later. We will note prophecies of Greece, Rome, and Europe, in some cases giving the specific dates for certain events. The Bible also describes the events and conditions of today. John 14:29]

5. What conditions does the Bible predict will prevail in society today? 2 Tim. 3:1-4 [Note: Sin has always existed in society, but the conditions describe in our text will increase in the last days. Matt. 24:37-39; Gen. 6:5]

6. What international conditions does the Bible picture for the last days? Matt. 24:6, 7 [ Rev. 11:18]

7. In the midst of calamities, violence, and threats of war, for what will many people be seeking and predicting? 1 Thess. 5:2, 3 [ Rev. 18:7, 8]

8. What religious conditions will prevail in the last days? 2 Peter 3:3-7a [Ans. Men and women will scoff at the faith of Christians, denying the evidences of creation and the flood. They will claim that all things continue in a uniform process of evolution that cannot be, and has not been, changed. Luke 18:8; Rom. 1:19-22]

9. While the moral conditions of society are deteriorating, while efforts to reduce international tensions are preoccupying us, and while evolution is replacing belief in creation, what will suddenly happen to earth? 2 Peter 3:10-13 [ Luke 21:34, 35]

10. How can we be preserved from the coming destruction? John 3:16 [ Ps. 91:1, 2, 7-10; 27:1-5; John 6:39, 40]

11. From whom do we receive the gift of faith, which we must have in order to believe and be saved? Rom. 12:3 [ Heb. 12:2; Mark 9:24; James 1:5, 17]

12. Through what process does God develop faith? Rom. 10:14, 17 [ 1 Cor. 1:21-24; Matt. 24:14]

13. How only can we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? John 6:44, 45 [Only those who have learned from the Father can believe on Jesus Christ. As we ask God to teach us, while studying the Bible and opening our minds to the evidences of His presence, He will teach us; He will give us faith; and we will be drawn to Christ as our Savior. John 20:31; Mark 16:17]

14. What invitation does God give to each one of us? Ps. 34:8 [ Matt. 11:28-30]

Commitment: To be understood, the Bible must be studied from a higher standpoint than mere human logic. There must also be the element of conviction from God and an exercise of faith. In His Word, God has given abundant evidence upon which to base our faith in Him. We have looked at one evidence-He can foretell the future. The greatest evidence is the abiding presence of Christ within one’s life. God is fair. He says, “Taste and see” for yourself (Ps. 34:8). You do not have to rely on another’s faith. His promise is that “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Will you give God a chance to demonstrate His goodness in your life?

SUPPLEMENTAL LESSONS (Sl-S4): Studies for Further Knowledge

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Lesson 2 – How to Pray

May 27, 2024May 31, 2017 by Jana Wagner

Introduction: More Important than any rule or law is our love relationship with Jesus Christ, which is developed through spending time in Bible study, prayer, and witnessing. When we study the Bible, God speaks to us. When we pray, we speak to Him. And when we witness, we speak to others about Him. In this lesson we will discover the secrets of prayer and how we can enjoy this privilege.

1. Prayer is talking to God from the heart as to a friend. How do we know that God will always answer our prayers in the best way? Rom. 8:32 [The Further-study verses are Psalms 102:17; 147:3-6]

2. How should we pray in these solemn times? 1 Peter 4:7 [Luke 21:34-36]

3. What did the disciples want Jesus to teach them? Luke 11:1. In response, what did Jesus say should be included in our prayers, Luke 11:2-4. And finally, what principle did Jesus give for obtaining answers to prayer? Luke 11:5-9. [Note: In Luke 11:2-4, Jesus was not giving a formal prayer to recite but was answering the disciples’ request, “Teach us to pray.” Here He taught us what type of things to pray about and how we should persist in prayer. Matt. 6:9-13; 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-7; 1 Thess. 5:17]

4. In Luke 11:2, above, Jesus taught us to pray to the Father. In whose name, or by whose authority, should we address the Father? John 15:16 [Note: We pray in Jesus’ name because He is our mediator and Savior. Through His merits we gain access to the very throne of the universe. John 14:12-15; 16:23, 24; 1 Tim. 2:5]

5. When especially should we pray? Ps. 5:3 [Mark 1:35; Ps. 55:16, 17].

6. What kind of prayers should these morning prayers be? Matt. 6:5-8 [Ans: Personal, private prayers rather than formal, “prayer book” prayers. Matt. 23:14]

7. Besides our private prayers, is there also a place for public prayer? Matt. 18:19, 20 [Acts 1:14; 2:1]

8. What attitude toward God should we exhibit in our prayers? Ps. 95:6, 7 [Ans: Reverence such as is shown by kneeling in awe and humility when possible. Isaiah 45:23; Phil 2:9, 10; Daniel 6:10; 2 Chron. 6:13; Ps. 141:1, 2]

9. On what specific occasions did Jesus and the apostles pray? Acts 27:35 [Ans: At meal times. Luke 24:30] Thus far we have noted four things that will make our prayers effective. We might call these conditions, or principles, of prayer. The four principles we have noted are: (1) being persistent, (2) praying with Jesus’ authority, (3) being personal, and (4) having reverence. Now let us look at five more principles of prayer. See if you can remember all nine when we have completed the lesson.

10. What is a fifth condition? Ps. 37:5 [Ans: We must trust God. James 1:5-7; Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:24]

11. What is a sixth condition? 1 John 5:14 [Ans: We must want God’s will to be done. This is a matter of faith. If we really believe God’s way is best, we will want His will to be done. Matt. 26:39; James 4:3; Rom. 8:26-28]

12. What is a seventh condition? Prov. 28:9 [Ans: We must listen to God and obey Him. Why should we expect God to hear us, if we will not hear Him? And why should we expect Him to do what we ask, if we will not do what He asks? 1 John 3:22; Luke 6:46; John 14:12-15]

13. What is an eighth condition? Phil. 4:6 [Ans: We should praise God and be thankful for His goodness. Col. 4:2; Ps. 34:1]

14. What is a ninth condition? Mark 11:25, 26 [Ans: We should be willing to forgive others as we expect God to forgive us. Matt. 6:14, 15; 18:21-35]

Commitment: Will you plan to become better acquainted with Jesus by setting apart some time every morning to talk with Him in personal, private prayer?

STEP 1 (Lessons 1-10): Believing in Christ, Our Savior and Coming King

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