Union Grove Church of CHRIST 

What Better Thing to do than to Study The Bible!
If you have a Bible question, we are ready to give a Bible, book, chapter and verse answer? Put your question on our 'Contact us', then 'Leave a Message' page; or contact us at ugchurchofchrist@gmail.com

Come learn GOD's word with us, as we study The Bible.
Sunday at 10:00 and 11:00 am and 2:00pm
Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Lesson 4 - What about a Standard of Authority in Religion

The value of Truth What if someone...

What if someone told you a lie, that cost you, your loved ones life. Would you consider lies deplorable? Would you say that there is value in truth? We cling in trust to the accuracy of a message, and we do this daily. What if truth could never be known, the fabric of our lives would unravel. Likewise, if Spiritual Truth were unattainable, all hope would be lost. But, Thanks be to GOD, that HE has made Truth readily accessible. The Bible is in many, many languages and dialects, it has global distribution, and always has been the annual number 1 best seller. It is available for free on the internet, you can request a free Bible from many places, it is at your public library, it is in most motel and hospital rooms, and very likely you own a copy yourself. The greatest treasure in the world, Truth, GOD's Truth. The Bible tells you how to be saved from your, yes your sins. What a tragedy to have such a treasure in your possession and do nothing with it!

John 4:23 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
-If the true worshippers shall worship in Truth, Is Truth something that can be known? Y N

1Timothy 2:4 - Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
-Since GOD desires all men to be saved, what has GOD provided man, to help him be saved, according to this verse? (See John 8:32 for clarification)

1 Peter 1:22 - Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
-How did these purify their souls? 
-If Truth can be obeyed, can you obey something that is not available or understandable?

Revelation 21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
-How does GOD feel about liars?
-Would GOD give us a message that was a lie?

Main points from Bible Study #3
-JESUS was born of a virgin
-GOD spoke from heaven confessing JESUS as HIS SON
-JESUS' miracles were confessed by HIS enemies
-JESUS miracles were witnessed by many
-JESUS committed no sin
-JESUS rose from the dead
-JESUS resurrection was witnessed by many

If you have any questions please contact me, csakin67@gmail.com

What about a Standard of Authority in Religion? 
Lesson 4 
Is there one standard of authority�to which everyone needs to submit, or are we all free to choose for ourselves which standard we will follow? 

When we talk about a "standard" of authority in religious matters, what does the word "standard" mean? "The definition of a standard is something established as a rule, example, or basis of comparison" [www.yourdictionarycom] 
1.When we talk about the weight or length of 
an object or the amount of liquid which is 
inside a container, we have non-changing, 
accepted standards of measurement which we 
use. What are some examples? ___________ 
____________________________________
______________________________________ 
What would happen in a society if we wanted 
to purchase or sell items, but we did not have 
these standard units of measurement? _______ 
2. Matthew 21:23 -- During the last week of Jesus' life, in the temple area in Jerusalem He taught people, healed the sick, and cast out those who were buying and selling there. Aware that He had done those things, what did the Jewish leaders ask Him about His activities? ___________________________ � ___________________________________�If they asked those questions out of a sincere heart, were those good questions? Y N �
3. Matthew 21:25 -- When Jesus responded by asking them about the baptism of John, did His question show that in religious matters there are only two sources of authority for what men do -- from heaven or men? Y N 
4. When the Nazi regime murdered six million innocent Jews in Europe during World War II, did those who ordered those killings think that their action was appropriate? Y N �In reality, was their action acceptable? Y N �
5. Proverbs 16:25 -- Is it possible for something to appear to be the right thing to do, but it actually turns out to be a disaster? Y N 
6. Acts 26:9-11-- Before he was converted, did Paul persecute the followers of Jesus? Y N 
When Paul did those things to Christians, how did he feel about what he was doing? 
____________________________________
7. Galatians 1:13,14 -- Did Paul demonstrate great zeal when he was doing evil things to God's church? Y N 
When Paul zealously persecuted Christians out of a sincere heart, at that point was he saved or lost? ______________ 
What does this example show us about going by our feelings or what appears to be right? Are feelings a safe standard to follow? Y N 
8. 1 Peter 3:20 -- When a great flood covered the earth in the days of Noah, how many people were spared inside an ark? ________ 
On that occasion, where was the safe place to be: inside or outside the ark? _____________ 
Those who died outside the ark: were they in the majority or minority? _______________ 
9. Exodus 23:2 -- Did God instruct the nation of Israel not to follow a crowd to do evil? Y N 
10. Matthew 7:13,14 -- What did Jesus say about how many take the path to destruction? _____ 
What did He say about how many travel the path that leads to life? __________________ 
What is your conclusion about blindly following what the majority of folks do in religious matters? Is what the majority says or does a safe standard to follow? Y N 

11. Isaiah 55:8,9 -- Do humans always look at things the same way that the Lord does? Y N 
12. 1 Corinthians 3:19 -- What does God think about man's wisdom (the wisdom of this world)? He says it is ___________________. 
13. Matthew 7:15 -- Jesus warned about false prophets. T F 
What does it mean that such messengers come in sheep's clothing? _______________ 
____________________________________
14. 1 John 4:1 -- What were the first-century Christians told to do with religious messages that they heard? ______________________ 
What did John say about the existence of false prophets in his day? _______________ 
Today if you and I want to put a religious message or messenger to the test, how should we do that? ___________________________ 
15. 2 Peter 2:1,2 -- Is it possible for religious teachers to lead people astray with a false message? Y N 
What is your conclusion about blindly following what a religious teacher, preacher, or pastor says? Is what such people say always a safe standard to follow? Y N 
16. Mark 7:7 -- What is true about our worship to God if we teach as doctrines the commands of men? ___________________ 
What does it mean for worship to be in vain? ____________________________________ 
17. Mark 7:9,13 -- It is acceptable to God if we put human traditions on the same level with His commands? Y N 
What are we doing with God's word if we hold to/follow human traditions? ________ 
___________________________________
What is your conclusion about the traditions of men? Are they a safe standard to follow in religious matters? Y N 
18. John 8:31 -- What did Jesus say that His real disciples do? _________________________ �
19. John 8:32 -- What did Jesus say can make us free? _________________________ �If one who commits sin nonstop is a slave of sin, and if slavery is the opposite of freedom, then in that context, what kind of freedom did Jesus have in mind when He said the truth can make us free? _________________________ �
20. John 17:1 -- The entire 17th chapter of John is �
a record of Jesus' prayer to the Father. T F 
21. John 17:17 -- In spiritual matters, what is truth? ______________________________ �If a message contradicts or is different from God's word, should we accept it? Y N �What if the one who teaches a message that does not harmonize with the Bible is my good friend, my family member, or my religious mentor? _____________________ �
22. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 -- The Scriptures were able to make Timothy wise _____________. �By following the Scriptures, is it possible for a servant of God to be complete, thoroughly equipped to do what God wants? Y N �If the Scriptures can make us a complete person in the sight of God, is the Bible a sufficient guide for us or do we need some other message in addition to the Scriptures? � ___________________________________
23. Psalm 119:105 -- What is it that serves as a light to guide our spiritual path? __________ 
24. Matthew 28:16-18 -- Who has all authority in religious matters? _________________ 
If Jesus has all authority in the spiritual realm, then do we need to submit to Him? Y N 
25. If the Old Testament is the word of God, then is it true? Y N 
What about the New Testament? Is it true as well? Y N 

If the message of both testaments is the truth, then which portion of God's word should we follow today? Should we follow the Old Testament, the New Testament, or both? God willing, that is the topic which we will consider in our next study together. 

All Bible quotations are taken from the New King James Version; ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

These materials were prepared by Roger D. Campbell. Permission is granted to reproduce and share them, but please do not sell them. (this was in tract form)

  
"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?"
  


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