Introduction: Is there a right way and a wrong way to interpret our Bibles? Does it really matter? Can anyone decide what a text means to them and be right? How should we read, study, meditate and memorize the Scriptures? How should we prepare to teach the Bible? Hopefully, these guidelines will help you in your preparation as you both teach the Word of God and share the Word of God.

Conclusion: According to James, there is more accountability for the teacher and preacher to rightly divide the Word of God accurately.

“1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1)

Introduction: Are you going through a hard time? Read Romans 15. It will encourage you. As you read notice the different phrases the Holy Spirit led Paul to write.

1. The God of Patience!

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 15: 5,6)

2. The God of all Hope!

“13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 15:13)

3. The God of Peace!

“33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Rom 15:33)

• Patience
• Hope
• Peace

Introduction: Parenting or grandparent is not easy, if we want to honor our Lord while passing down a lasting legacy. However, there are several biblical admonitions which give instructions for the task.

1. What is Nurturing?

The word “nurturing” is παιδεία: (pahee-di’-ah), which means discipline, training and education of children, also instruction; chastisement, correction.

As one can see, there is a balance in being top heavy …either UNDER DISCIPLINE or OVERLY OVER BEARING. Only God the Holy Spirit can keep one balanced (Eph 5:18). Due to our failures in the past, we have a tendency to go OVERBOARD with our children to try to insure they do not make the same mistakes. While that is not all bad, it can lead to having blind spots in other areas besides the ones we adamantly enforce. Because of that, if we are not cautious and careful, we neglect to see the big over all picture with our families.

2. What does Admonition mean?

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4)

The word “admonition” is νουθεσία: (noo-thes-ee’-ah), which means a warning, admonition, counsel.

Godly admonition is greatly needed today. Why? Because of rebellion and lawlessness, our families and homes are suffering immensely. However, our Lord, through the pen of Paul, informs every parent and grandparent the key to keeping the balance. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to get back on track. 

Conclusion: Parenting and grandparenting takes a lot of GRACE! Unconditional LOVE. FORGIVENESS. OBEDIENCE. Really any relationship requires the same. Having studied the topic, a few final words are needed. Keep up the difficult task. Be encouraged. Lay down a good foundation. Practice pointing our loved ones to Jesus. Set the example before them.

Pray, pray, and pray.

1. With Jesus we WIN God’s favor and forgiveness!

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (2Cor 9:15)

2. With Jesus we WIN over the devil’s dominion!

“0The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

3. With Jesus we WIN Heaven as our Home!

“1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Conclusion: Stop talking negatively. Start praising our Lord daily! With Jesus, no matter what, we Win! In life, in death, in sickness, and in health, with Jesus we WIN!

Introduction: For many today, Easter – Resurrection Sunday, is just a religious holiday. But for those whose lives have been changed it represents the most important event in human history. Jesus arose from the grave!

Peter preached about that event in the days of the early Church…. The Day of Pentecost.

1. E – Early in the life of Jesus Christ! (Acts 2:22)

“22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

Jesus authenticated His divinity and ministry by the miracles He performed with the intention that those who witnessed them, and experienced them, would place their FAITH & TRUST in Him as their Lord & Savior.

Some did. Many did not. 

2. A – A man – the God man! (Acts 2:22, 23)

“22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.”

The word “foreknowledge” is πρόγνωσις, (prog’-no-sis) foreknowledge, previous determination.

3. S – Substitute! (Acts 2:23)

“Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”

The word “determinate” is ὁρίζω, horizó (hor-id’-zo): I separate, mark off by boundaries; I determine, appoint, designate.

4. T – Triumphant over the grave! (Acts 2:24-32)

“24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”

The words having “loosed” the pains of death. “Loosed” is λύω, which means I loose, untie, release, (b) met: I break, destroy, set at naught, contravene; I break up a meeting, annul.

The word “held” is κρατέω, (krat-eh’-o), which means, I am strong, mighty, hence: I rule, am master, prevail; I obtain, take hold of; I hold, hold fast.

The bottom line: Jesus broke the grip of death….He arose!

5. E – Exaltation! (Acts 2:33)

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”

After conquering death, hell, sin and the grave, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father. (See Rom 8:33, 34; Heb 1:1-3)

6. R – Religion or Relationship? (Acts 2:37-41)

“7Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”