Covenant Baptist New Members Class

Covenant Baptist New Members Class

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20

Personal Evangelism

• Personal evangelism is relational in nature.
• But the church should also be involved.
  • By making the gospel clear during our services.
  • By equipping you to share the gospel.
  • By bearing witness to the gospel through our love for each other.

Global Evangelism / Church Planting

• Sending
  • At least 10% of our annual budget goes to mission and church planting.
  • We already have a position in our budget for a future International Missionary.
• Going
  • Short term: Short Term Trips/ Pastoral Theological Training
  • Long-term: missionaries are sent by local churches

Caring For Other Churches

• Support for seminarians
• Training pastors through our residency program
• Locust & Honey Media Ministries
• Our partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)
  • What does it mean to be Southern Baptist?
  • Where did the SBC come from?

The entities of the SBC:

• International Mission Board (Richmond, VA) – The IMB sends missionaries overseas
• Seminaries – These institutions provide pastoral and theological training for Southern Baptist churches:
  • Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (Mill Valley, CA)
  • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City, MO)
  • New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminar (New Orleans, LA)
  • Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC)
  • The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY)
  • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX)
• North American Mission Board (Alpharetta, GA)–NAMB assists church planting domestically
• Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (Nashville, TN)–The ERLC is the public policy arm of the SBC
• LifeWay Christian Resources (Nashville, TN)–Publishes Christian resources for individuals and churches
• Guidestone Financial Resources (Dallas, TX)–Provides financial services to pastors and churches
• Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee (Nashville, TN)–Coordinates SBC activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (taken from www.sbc.net):

What is the Southern Baptist Convention?

The SBC is a parachurch organization created by Baptist churches to coordinate and support international missions and pastoral training. The term "Southern Baptist Convention" refers to both the denomination and its annual meeting.

How does a church affiliate with the SBC?

In order for a church to affiliate with the SBC, it must "be in friendly cooperation with the Convention and sympathetic with its purposes and work, and be "a bona fide contributor to the Convention's work during the fiscal year preceding" (Article III, Southern Baptist Convention Constitution).

What is the Cooperative Program?
The Cooperative Program is the unified method of supporting SBC mission causes. It coordinates the giving of individuals, churches, and state conventions to the SBC, and the distribution of that money to the various entities of the convention.

What is the SBC’s stance on the autonomy of the local church?
We recognize that in the New Testament there was no centralized ecclesiastical authority over the churches that forced the churches into any form of compliance. There was encouragement, exhortation, and admonition, but there was never enforcement. We strongly adhere to that principle. Jesus Christ is the head of the local church - we are not. Each church is responsible before God for the policies it sets and decisions it makes.

What is the significance of resolutions passed by the SBC for the local church?

The Southern Baptist Convention makes official statements regarding specific issues by means of resolutions passed at our annual gatherings each June. Southern Baptist polity views these resolutions as expressions of opinions or concern which are representative of the messengers attending the meeting, but are not binding upon any individual church or successive Conventions.

How are SBC entities governed?

Trustees from each of the states are appointed by a committee to serve on trustee boards for each of the entities.

Covenant Baptist New Members Class

Covenant Baptist New Members Class

The Purpose of the Church in the Book of Ephesians

Context:

• Chapter 1: beautiful description of our salvation.
• Chapter 2, Part 1: How we’re saved (Ephesians 2:4)
• Chapter 2, Part 2- Chapter 3: Primary implication of our salvation (Ephesians 3:6)

Why did God do all this?

“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities on the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Ephesians 3:10-11

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

Putting these commands into practice requires three characteristics of our relationships in a local church:

1. Relationships that are committed
2. Relationships with a defined group of people.
3. Relationships that give permission to speak hard words into your life.

Breadth and Depth of Commitment

• Depth (meaningful membership)
• Breadth (loving those who are different from you)

Covenant Baptist New Members Class

Dear friends,
We are thrilled to have you all here for Session 2 of our New Membership Class! During this session, we will be covering our Church Covenant at CBC. As its name states, a Church Covenant is that which we as a church body are committing (or covenanting) to one another to uphold both in our own lives personally and in the life of our church. It is difficult to overstate the importance of our Church Covenant because it is the commitment that we make to one another in Christ that ultimately binds us together as a local body of believers.

It is my prayer that as we learn more about our CBC Church Covenant this evening, our excitement to commit to one another in these ways as a local church body will grow. As we’ve said before, unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). We believe that the Lord has sovereignly brought each and every one of you here, and will continue to bring more into our congregation by power of the Gospel. As our congregation covenants together, our prayer is that we will rejoice in knowing that we are co-laborers in what the Lord is ultimately doing here in Perry and in Middle Georgia.

Blessings in Christ,
Andrew Robinson
Administrative/Worship Pastor

Hebrews 10:23-24
²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The Christian life is fundamentally relational in nature.
We were created to be in community. When God created man He said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:27) Signifying that God Himself exists in perfect and holy communion as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; three distinct persons in one being. God then goes on to say “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” And thus He creates woman (Gen. 2:18). We were not created to live life alone. We were created to be in community with one another and ultimately with God. It is at the very core of who were are.

Relationships require commitment to flourish.
If at our wedding, the vows I gave to my wife were, “I’ll love and serve you when I feel like it and when I get too busy with my own stuff, you’re just going to have to make things work until things calm down and then I’ll come back and start participating in our marriage again,” what would that say about the way that I view my relationship with my wife? Would our relationship flourish, or dry out? The answer seems obvious, yet this is the relationship many have with their local church. Similar to marriage, our relationship with the Church requires a certain type of commitment that transcends comfort and circumstance in order to flourish.

Our Church Covenant is the commitment we make to one another within our church.

1. Having been led by the Spirit of God to acknowledge Jesus Christ as savior and Lord,
2. and in profession of that faith, we, the members of Covenant Baptist Church, most
3. solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another:
4.
5. As members of Covenant Baptist Church, we affirm this covenant with one another by
6. God’s grace, for our good, and ultimately for God’s glory, ⁱ
7.
8. Having been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and 9. to surrender our lives to Him, ⁱⁱ and having been baptized as Christians in the name of
10. the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ⁱⁱⁱ, we covenant together to glorify God ^iv
11. by making disciples v of all nations. ^vi
12.
13. Together, we will draw near to God in worship. ^vii We will delight in the glory of
14. God, ^viii depend on the presence of God, ^ix grow in the knowledge of God, ^x and
15. submit to the Word of God as the all-sufficient authority in our lives and in His
16. church. ^xi
17.
18. Together, we will hold fast to the hope we profess. ^xii We will regularly participate
19. in communion as we solemnly and joyfully remember the past work of Christ on
20. the cross, celebrate the present work of Christ at the Father’s right hand, and
21. anticipate the future work of Christ in His return for His bride. ^xiii
22.
23. Together, we will spur one another on to love and good deeds. ^xiv We will meet
24. with one another consistently, ^xv pray for one another regularly, ^xvi and serve one
25. another selflessly. ^xvii We will share each other’s joys and bear each other’s
26. burdens. ^xviii We will edify one another with our speech ^xix and encourage one
27. another with our example. ^xx We will humbly and gently confront one another and
28. receive correction from one another in accordance with a New Testament
29. understanding of church discipline and restoration. ^xxi We will give cheerfully and
30. generously to the support of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of
31. the Gospel through all nations. ^xxii
32.
33. We will submit to the leadership of the pastors/elders who have ben entrusted
34. by God to serve and care for this Body by teaching the Word of Christ to us and
35. modeling the character of Christ before us, and we will affirm deacons as leading
36. servants in the church. ^xxiii If we move from this local body, we will as soon as
37. possible unite with another local church where we can carry out the spirit of this
38. covenant and the principles of God’s Word. ^xxiv
39.
40. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship
41. of the Holy Spirit be with us all. ^xxv

Each one enters into this covenant together with Covenant Baptist Church under the common goal of obedience to, glorification of, and joyful satisfaction in Jesus Christ, because we believe and assert, with the rest of the Body, that we need one another's help to do so. As believers and disciples of Jesus, we have entered into a covenant relationship with God, who revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. The blessing and promises of this covenant have been freely extended and given to us; therefore, out of wonder, love, thanksgiving, and reverence, we hereby accept and take up these covenant responsibilities, which accompany said privileges, together, as a covenant family. This is our reasonable service, and we should do nothing less; God help us all! We rely on His grace alone and hold fast to His promise that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. May His grace provide for all that He commands.

i. Acts 2:38; 16:31; 20:21; Romans 10:9-10
ii. Luke 14:25-33
iii. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:1-4
iv. Isaiah 43:7; 1Corinthians 10:31
v. Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2
vi. Psalm 67:1-2; Revelation 7:9-10
vii. Hebrews 10:22; Romans 12:1-2
viii. Psalm 16:11; 37:4; 63:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:31
ix. Exodus 33:14-18; Matthew 28:20; John 15:5; James 4:8
x. Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:9-12; 2 Peter 3:17-18
xi. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Psalm 19:7-11; 119:105-112; 2 Timothy 4:2-4
xii. Hebrews 10:23
xiii. Luke 22:7-23; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
xiv. Hebrews 10:24
xv. Hebrews 10:25
xvi. Philippians 1:3-6
xvii. Romans 12:9-13
xviii. 1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 2:3; Galatians 6:2
xix. Ephesians 4:29-32
xx. 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Philippians 4:9
xxi. Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1
xxii. 2 Corinthians 8-9
xxiii. Hebrews 13:17; Acts 6:1-7; 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:17-20; 1 Peter 5:1-4
xxiv. Hebrews 10:25
xxv. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Covenant Baptist New Members Class

Dear friends,
On behalf of the congregation of Covenant Baptist Church, welcome to our New Members class. It’s my hope that over the next six sessions, we will be able to introduce you to our church and to what the Bible says about the responsibility every Christian has to bring glory to God through their life with other Christians in a local church. This commitment to a local church- what we call membership- is the focus of this class. And membership matters.

As you get to know us as a church, I trust that you will begin to see some of the opportunities and challenges that our setting bring to us. We cannot be sure what life in the future will bring for us as a church any more than we know what tomorrow will bring for us as individuals. We are nonetheless delighted at the spiritual health God is cultivating here and are thankful that He continues to bring committed believers into our fold. It is a blessing to serve God in the mission field of Covenant Baptist with these brothers and sisters of all ages, backgrounds and occupations.

Whether it is Covenant Baptist, or someplace else, my prayer is that God would show you where to commit yourself to His people in His service.

Blessings in Christ,
Matt Caporale
Lead Pastor, Covenant Baptist Church

Most simply, our statement says that CBC is a Christian, Evangelical, Baptist, Congregational church. This statement was adapted from the BFM 2000 but really first published by a committee of the Baptist Convention and was named the New Hampshire Confession 1833. The confession was reissued with minor changes in 1853 by J. Newton Brown of the American Baptist Publication Society. It is one of the most widely used Baptist statements of faith in America. We primarily use the 1853 statement.

Our statement of faith is divided into 18 articles, which speak to the fact that we can be called by each of these names. The "Historically Christian" articles simply show what Christians have always believed, in other words, issues that there has traditionally been little dispute over in Christendom. The "Evangelical" category highlights the critical issues related to the gospel that were recovered during the Reformation. The "Baptist" and "Congregational" categories highlight the distinctive features of CBC.

1. Of the Scriptures- Evangelical
2. Of the True God- Historically Christian
3. Of the Fall of Man- Historically Christian
4. Of the Way of Salvation- Historically Christian
5. Of Justification- Evangelical
6. Of the Freeness of Salvation- Historically Christian
7. Of Grace in Regeneration- Historically Christian
8. Of Repentance and Faith- Evangelical
9. Of God’s Purpose of Grace- Evangelical
10. Of Sanctification- Evangelical
11. Of the Perseverance of Saints- Evangelical
12. Of the Harmony of the Law & Gospel- Historically Christian
13. Of a Gospel Church- Congregational
14(a). Of Baptism & the Lord’s Supper- Baptist
14(b). Of Baptism & the Lord’s Supper- Historically Christian
15. Of the Family- Historically Christian
16. Of Civil Government- Historically Christian
17. Of the Righteous and the Wicked- Evangelical
18. Of the World to Come- Historically Christian

I. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men, divinely inspired,
and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that it has God for its author,
salvation for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it
reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain
to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard
by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).

II. Of the True God
 We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an
infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the maker and Supreme Ruler of
Heaven and earth (7); inexpressibly glorious in holiness (8), and worthy of all possible
honor, confidence, and love (9); that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons
in one being: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (10); equal in every divine
perfection (11), and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of
redemption (12).

III. Of the Fall of Man
 We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his
Maker (13); but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (14); in
consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (15), not by constraint, but choice
(16); being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively
inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (17), without defense or excuse (18).

IV. Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace
(19), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (20); who by the appointment of
the Father, freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin (21); honored the divine law
by His personal obedience (22), and by His death made a full atonement for our sins
(23); that having risen from the death, He is now enthroned in heaven (24); and, uniting
in His wonderful person the most tender sympathies with divine perfections, He is every
way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all- sufficient Savior (25).

V. Of Justification
 We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (26) secures to
such as believe in Him is justification (27); that justification includes the pardon of sin
(28), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (29): that it is
bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but
solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood (30); by virtue of which faith His perfect
righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (31); that it brings us into a state of most
blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needed for time
and eternity (32).

VI. Of the Freeness of Salvation
 We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free
to all by the gospel (33); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial,
penitent, and obedient faith (34); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest
sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (35);
which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (36).

VII. Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (37); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (38); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (39), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel(40); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (41).

VIII. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (42); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (43), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (44); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and rely on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (45).

IX. Of God's Purpose of Grace
 We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners (46); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (47); that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (48); that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy (49); that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (50); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (51); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (52); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (53).

X. Of Sanctification
 We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness (54); that it is a progressive work (55); that it is begun in regeneration (56); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (57).

XI. Of the Perseverance of Saints
 We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (58); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (59); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (60); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (61).

XII. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government (62); that it is holy,  just, and good (63); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arise entirely from their love of sin (64); to deliver them from which, and to
restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great of
the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible
Church (65).

XIII. Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of believers (66), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (67); observing the ordinances of Christ (68); governed by His laws (69), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word (70); that its only scriptural officers are Elders, or Pastors, and Deacons (71), whose qualifications, claims, and
duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus

XIV.Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (72), into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit (73); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effects in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life
(74); that it is important to a Church relation; and to the Lord's Supper (75), in which the
members of the Church are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (76);
preceded always by solemn self-examination (77).

XV. Of the Family
We believe that marriage is the lifelong uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment; that the husband and wife are of equal worth before God, being both created in the image of God and, in equal measure (78), dependent on His grace; and that marriage is God's unique revelation of the union between Christ and His church (79). As such, a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, to provide for, protect, and pastor his family, following Christ's example of leadership as He
shepherds the church (80); a wife is to respect and submit herself, by grace given her,
to her husband's leadership, even as the church willingly submits to the headship of
Christ (81). Children are to honor and obey their parents, as is pleasing to the Lord (82).

XVI. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (84); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed (85); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (86) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (87).

XVII. Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (88); that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem (89); while all such as continue in impenitence and
unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse (90); and this distinction holds
among men both in and after death (91).

XVIII. Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of the age is approaching (92); that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven (93), and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution (94); that a solemn separation will then take place (95); that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (96); and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on a principle of righteousness (97), while ushering the new heavens and new earth.

1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31;
Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2
2. 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39
3. Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4
4. Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48
5. Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11
6. 1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5;
Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11
7. John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10
8. Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8
9. Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13
10. Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7
11. John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6
12. Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; comp. 2, 7
13. Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16
14. Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12
15. Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7
16. Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18
17. Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15
18. Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22
19. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11
20. John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
21. Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21
22. Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21
23. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15
24. Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4
25. Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14
26. John 1:16; Eph. 3:8
27. Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1
28. Rom, 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43
29. Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21
30. Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9
31. Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12
32. Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8
33. Isa, 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17
34. Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17
35. John 5:40; Matt, 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46
36. John 3:19; Matt, 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8
37. John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27
38. 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7
39. John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13
40. 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11
41. Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John
42. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1
43. John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31
44. Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Psa. 51
45. Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim.
46. 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John
47. 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14
48. Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29;
James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36
49. 1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts
1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12
50. 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10
51. 1 Thess. 1:4-10
52. Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29
53. 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11
54. 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4
55. Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16
56. John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14
57. Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23;
Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30
58. John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18
59. 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9
60. Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12
61. Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4
62. Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15
63. Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119
64. Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44
65. Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28
66. 1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5
67. Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13
68. 1 Cor, 11:2; 2 Thess, 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17
69. Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess, 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2
70. Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14
71. Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1
72. Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38;
8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8
73. Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28
74. Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16
75. Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles
76. 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20
77. 1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71
78. Gen. 1:26, 27; Gen. 2:15-25; Matt. 5:31.32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Rom. 1:18-32
79. Eph. 5:22-33
80. Deut. 6:4-9; Josh. 24.15; 1 Sam. 1:26-28; Psa. 78:1-8; 128; Prov. 15-20; 13:24; 22:6,15; 23:13,14; Mal. 2:14-16; Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19,21; 1 Pet. 3:7
81. Prov. 12:4; 14:1; 31:10-31; Eph. 5:22-24, 33; Col. 3:18; 1 Tim. 5:14; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:1-6
82. Exod. 20:12; Prov. 6:20-22; Col. 3:20
83. Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer. 30:21
84. Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8
85. Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20
86. Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-13
87. Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16
88. Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18
89. 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7
90. Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John
12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14
91. 1Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20;
13:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13
92. Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11
93. Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2
Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42
94. Matt. 13:49, 37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-33
95. Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil.
3:19; Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18
96. Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.
20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:1

When I was growing up, I remember viewing the Bible as a textbook about God. In middle
school, I had my Biology, Math, and English textbooks for school, and I had my God textbook for church. I saw the Bible as a book of information about God so that we could learn more about Him in the same way that we learn more about Math. When we learn about Math, we are leaning so that we can use the Math that we learned when we need to use it. Under the surface, I was doing the exact same thing with God. I was seeking to learn more about God simply so that I could know how to access Him and tap into Him whenever I needed Him.

Often times as Christians, we unknowingly treat God and the Bible in the same way that I did when I was in middle school. For some that may mean knowing all of the “Bible answers” in Sunday School for the sake of our Church reputation. For others, that may mean knowing how to “pray properly” to God so that He will be more likely to answer our prayers in a time of need.

However, the Bible tells us to test and examine our ways so that we may see the ways in which our lives align with or stray from that which God through His Scriptures has called us to live. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: “Is this the way that we are called to view Scripture? If not, how has God called us to view it?”

Let’s dive into the book of Psalms for more insight.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
- Pslam 1:1-3

The first thing that we ought to notice here is that it does not say that that the man is blessed if he reads the law of the Lord, nor does it say that he is blessed if he knows the law of the Lord. Instead, it says that he is blessed if he delights in the law of the Lord. He loves it. He enjoys it. He meditates on it day and night.

As I mentioned in the introduction, when I was a teenager, my delight was not in the law of the Lord. Instead, my delight was in baseball. I loved it. I meditated on it day and night. It was all I thought about. I studied so much about the game and its history that I can still rattle off almost any baseball statistic off the top of my head. It became ingrained within me.

What if our relationship with the Word of God was similar in this way to my relationship with baseball as a teenager? What would happen? Well, Scripture tells us that we who delight in the law of the Lord are like trees planted by streams of water that yield fruit in its season, and whose leaves do not wither. A tree that is planted by streams of water never thirsts. It is never lacking, it is always content, and it always bears fruit in its season. Its leaves never even wither.

How many of us, however, are like trees planted on the side of I-75? Sure, we are healthy when it rains, but if there is a long period of time without rain, our leaves will be sure to wither; and if there is a serious drought, we are really in trouble. Additionally, if affliction or temptation produces a bolt of lightening that strikes us during said drought, we may end up being consumed in flames within a matter of seconds.

This is why it is so important for us to delight in the Scriptures. If we are planted by a stream that never ceases to flow, then when a drought comes, our leaves will not even be withered, and we will still bear fruit. If we simply rely on knowing the Bible based off what we have heard from others or reading our favorite Bible passages over and over again, we become a tree that is dependent upon the rain that may or may not come.