Chapter 2 THE STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES

1. WHAT did Christ say to the Jews concerning the study of the Scriptures?
"____________; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39

2. For what were the Bereans commended?
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and ______________________________." Acts 17:11.

NOTE.-"If God's Word were studied as it should be," says a modern Bible student, "men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character , and a stability of purpose that are rarely seen in these times. But there is little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through, and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view, and no positive instruction gained."

3. By what comparison is it indicated that some portions of God's Word are more difficult to understand than others?
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be ______________________________; and are become such as have need of __________, and not of __________________." Heb. 5:12.

4. In what way is this comparison further explained?
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a ________________. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of _____________, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Verses 13,14.

5. What writings are specifically mentioned as containing some things difficult to understand?
"And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother __________ also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all ____________, speaking in them of these things; ____________ __________________, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15,16.

NOTE.-Some scriptures are too plain to be misunderstood, while the meaning of others cannot so readily be discerned. To obtain a comprehensive knowledge of any Bible truth, scripture must be compared with scripture, and there should be " careful research and prayerful reflection." But all such study will be richly rewarded.

6. Who alone comprehends the things of God?
"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but _________________." 1 Cor. 2:11.

7. How thoroughly does the Spirit search out the. hidden treasures of truth?
"But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for _____________________, _____________________." Verse 10.

8. What is one purpose for which the Holy Spirit was sent?
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He ________________________________________________________________." John 14:26.

9. Why cannot the natural man receive the things of the Spirit?
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, __________________________ _____________." 1 Cor. 2:14.

10. For what spiritual enlightenment should every one pray?
"_________________________, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Ps. 119:18.

11. For what spiritual gift did the apostle Paul pray?
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you __________________________________________________." Eph. 1:17.

12. Upon what conditions is an understanding of divine things promised?
"Yea, _______________________, _____________________; ________________ _______________________________________________; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Prov. 2:3-5.

13. What great blessing did Christ confer upon His disciples after His resurrection?
"_______________________________, that they might understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45.

14. What beings of a higher order than man desire to study the truths revealed in the gospel of Christ?
"Which things _____________________ desire to look into." 1 Peter 1:12.

15. What is promised him who wills to do God's will?
"lf any man will [willeth to, R. V.] do His will, ______________________________, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.'? John 7:17.

16. How did Christ reprove those who, though familiar with the letter of the Scriptures, failed to understand them?
"Jesus answered and said unto them, ___________________________________ _______________________." Matt. 22:29.

17. What are the Scriptures able to do for one who believes them?
"And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, __________________ ________________________________________________." 2 Tim. 3:15.

18. When asked by the rich young man the conditions of eternal life, to what did Jesus direct his attention?
"He said unto him, ______________________? ______________?" Luke 10:26.

19. Whom did Jesus pronounce blessed?
"But He said, Yea rather, __________________________________." Luke 11:28.

20. What did Christ say concerning the book of Daniel?
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (_____________________________)." Matt. 24:15.

21. What other book of the Bible is especially commended for our study?
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear _____________________________ [____________], and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Rev. 1:3.
________________________________________
"How Readest Thou?"

It is one thing to read the Bible through,
Another thing to read to learn and do.
Some read it with design to learn to read,
But to the subject pay but little heed.

Some read it as their duty once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
While others read it with but little care,
With no regard to how they read, nor where.

Some read to bring themselves into repute,
By showing others how they can dispute;
While others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long 'twill take to read it through.

Some read it for the wonders that are there,–
How David killed a lion and a bear;
While others read it with uncommon care,
Hoping to find some contradictions there.

Some read as if it did not speak to them,
But to the people at Jerusalem.
One reads with father's specs upon his head,
And sees the thing just as his father said.

Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Hence understand but little that they read;
For every passage in the book they bend.
To make it suit that all-important end.

Some people read as I have often thought,
To teach the book instead of being taught;
And some there are who read it out of spite.
I fear there are but few who read it right.

But read it prayerfully, and you will see,
Although men contradict, God's words agree;
For what the early Bible prophets wrote,
We find that Christ and His apostles quote.

So trust no creed that trembles to recall
What has been penned by one and verified by all.

Copyright © 2003-2008
www.PreparingForEternity.com
All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 1 THE SCRIPTURES

1. BY what name are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known?
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in _______________, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?" Matt. 21:42.

2. What other title is given this revelation of God to man?
"And He answered and said unto them, My mother and My brethren are these which hear ___________________, and do it." Luke 8:21.

3. How were the Scriptures given?
"All scripture is given by ___________________." 2 Tim. 3:16.

4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved _______________________." 2 Peter 1:21.

5. What specific instance is mentioned by Peter?
"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, ______________ _____________________________________, which was guide to them that took Jesus." Acts 1:16.

6. How does David express this same truth?
"__________________________________, and His word was in my tongue." 2 Sam. 23:2.

7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?
"__________, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets." Heb. 1:1.

8. For what purpose were the Scriptures written?
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written ____________________, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4.

9. For what is all scripture profitable?
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ________________ ____________________________________." 2 Tim. 3:16.

10. What was God's design in thus giving the Scriptures?
"That the man of God may be _______________________________________." Verse 17.

11. What estimate did Job place upon the words of God?
"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; _________________ ______________________________________________." Job 23:12.

12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?
"And beginning at __________________ and all the _________________, He expounded unto them _________________________ the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.

13. What three general divisions did Jesus recognize as including all the writings of the Old Testament?
"And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in _________________, and in ________________________, and in __________, concerning Me." Verse 44.

14. What does God's character preclude Him from doing?
"In hope of eternal life, which God, _____________________, promised before the world began." Titus 1:2.

15. What is God called in the Scriptures?
"He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: ______________ and without iniquity, just and right is He." Deut. 32:4.

16. What, therefore must be the character of His word?
"Sanctify them through Thy truth: ____________________." John 17:17

17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed teacher of truth?
"________________________: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.

18. What does God design that His word shall be to us in this world of darkness, sin, and death?
"Thy word is a ____________ unto my feet, and a ____________ unto my path." Ps. 119:105.

19. To what extent has God magnified His word?
"Thou hast magnified Thy word __________________." Ps. 138:2.

NOTE.-God did this by backing His promises with an oath based upon Himself. Heb. 6:13,14. By this He pledged and placed at stake His name, or character, for the fulfillment of His word.

20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?
"___________________ have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." Ps. 119:54.

21. How long will the word of God endure?
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but ______________________________." Isa. 40:8. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but ________________________." Matt. 24:35.
________________________________________

O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky!
We praise Thee for the radiance
That from the hallowed page,
A lamp to guide our footsteps,
Shines on from age to age.
The church from her dear Master
Received the gift divine,
And still that light she lifteth
O'er all the earth to shine.
It is the golden casket
Where gems of truth are stored;
It is the heaven-drawn picture
Of Christ the living Word.
William How.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.PreparingForEternity.com
All rights reserved.