Here are the notes for our Taste & See Study Groups of the 8th January. I preached from Psalm 19, then we gathered to look at the Word and at select Confession Passages. The highlight of my group was sharing the study with four attenders between 12 and 14 years of age. Their hunger and honest engagement with these meaty issues was thrilling!
Session 1: How does God Speak Today?
Scripture: Psalm 19
Confession: Chapter 1, The Holy Scripture
1. [i]The Holy Scripture is the all-sufficient, certain and infallible rule or standard of the knowledge, faith and obedience that constitute salvation. [ii]Although the light of nature, and God's works of creation and providence, give such clear testimony to His goodness, wisdom and power that men who spurn them are left inexcusable, yet they are not sufficient of themselves to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary for salvation. [iii]In consequence the merciful Lord from time to time and in a variety of ways has revealed Himself, and made known His will to His church. [iv]And furthermore, in order to ensure the preservation and propagation of the truth, and the establishment and comfort of the church against the corrupt nature of man and the malice of Satan and the world, He caused this revelation of Himself and His will to be written down in all its fullness. [v]And as the manner in which God formerly revealed His will has long ceased, the Holy Scripture becomes absolutely essential to men.
4. [vi]The Scripture is self-authenticating. [vii]Its authority does not depend upon the testimony of any man or church, but entirely upon God, its author, who is truth itself. It is to be received because it is the Word of God.
1Thess 2:13; 2Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:19-21; 1 Jn 5:9
5. [viii]The testimony of the church of God may influence and persuade us to hold the Scripture in the highest esteem. [ix]The heavenliness of its contents, the efficacy of its doctrine, the majesty of its style, the agreement between all its parts from first to last, the fact that throughout it gives all glory to God, the full revelation it gives of the only way of salvation - these, together with many other incomparably high qualities and full perfections, supply abundant evidence that it is the Word of God. [x]At the same time, however, we recognize that our full persuasion and assurance of its infallible truth and divine authority is the outcome of the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
Jn 16:13-14; 1 Cor 2:10-12; 1 Jn 2:20,27
Has anything really struck you as you’ve read the Bible in recent weeks? Why is that, and how has it helped you?
Do you agree with the description of the Bible in Conf. 1i? Would you want to add anything to this description?
What can we learn about God in Creation? Compare Psalm 19.1-4
How is Creation unable to bring us the knowledge of God which we need?
Look at Conf. 5ix and Psalm 19.7-10. What are some pointers towards the authority of Scripture?
How are we convinced that Scripture is actually God’s Word? Check Conf. 5x
Read Psalm 19.11-14. In the light of these verses, why has God given us His Word?
What fresh confidence can you take from today’s study as you go to your bible this week? What fresh purpose will you have as you read it?
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