Week 1 Doctrine: Scripture
Day 1 - General Revelation.
Scripture - Romans 1:19-25
Devotion - In order for mankind to know God, God must reveal who He is to mankind. He does this in two different ways, the first one that we will learn about is called General revelation. This is when God reveals Himself to Humans by displaying some of His character in His creation. God, Himself is not part of His creation, but He chooses to show us some of His character in how He designed His creation.
When we examine the intelligent design of our world, we can surmise that an intelligent Creator must be the cause of it all. General Revelation does not reveal to us specifically who God is, but it does reveal to us that we have a Creator God.
Questions -
1) What is General Revelation?
2) Is God part of His creation?
3) Based on Romans 1:19-25, do all people have General Revelation about God?
Day 2 - Special Revelation
Scripture - 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 & Hebrews 1:1-2
Devotion - The second way God reveals Himself to mankind is by way of Special Revelation.
Special Revelation is when God communicates with us in Scripture.
The main focus of Special Revelation is the redemption of lost sinners; Jesus winning back His rebellious creation. In the Bible, we can more fully understand God's plan for His creation.
God inspired many different men throughout history to author His Special Revelation ( the Bible). We do not need to receive additional Revelation from God, because in Christ, the redemption of all things is accomplished.
Questions -
1) What is Special Revelation?
2) Where can we find God's plan of redemption?
3) Do we need any additional revelation for God?
Day 3 - Why Scripture matters.
Scripture - Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 & Luke 24:44
Devotion - The Bible is God's Special Revelation to His people. It is important for every Christian to know and understand God's word. The Bible is our ultimate authority and rule. It shows us how we may glorify and enjoy God rightly; not by our own imaginations, but in obedience to His written commands.
When our ideas or preferences differ from scripture, we must repent and obey God's word.
The Bible offers teaching, reproof, correction, and training for God's children; that we may be equipped for every good work.
Questions -
1) Why does scripture matter?
2) How does God's word equip Christians?
3) What should we do when what we believe is different than what scripture teaches?
Day 4 - Scripture's Inerrancy
Scripture - Psalm 18:30, & John 17:17
Devotional - Scriptural Inerrancy means that in the Bible's original documentation, Scripture does not profess any errors or mistakes.
When the Bible tells a story about a lie being told, the lie does not become true simply because the Bible records it. However, the doctrine of inerrancy means that the story about the lie recorded for us in Scripture is a truthful story. It is not misrepresenting the story about the lie. The lie is not true; the story about the lie is.
The Bible is completely true and there is nothing untrue in it.
Questions -
1) What does Scriptural Inerrancy mean?
2) What is an error?
3) Does the Bible lie?
Day 5 - Scripture's Infallibility
Scripture- John 1:1-2 & Titus 1:1-2
Devotional - Scriptural Infallibility means that it is impossible for Scripture to make mistakes. Unlike any other type of book, there is no possibility for scripture to teach anything that is not true.
God Himself is pure and without any imperfections. Because of this, it is impossible for His word to contain any imperfections.
John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word.
If God's word could be imperfect, then God's own character could also be imperfect.
That is impossible. If you overheard your mother discussing you with her friend, saying, "insert_name is such a good boy/girl. I never have any troubles with him/her. BUT, he/she lies all of the time". Would that make any sense? Of course not! If you had a habit of lying, then your mother wouldn't call you good. Lying ruins your character. The same is true of God and His word. If God lies in His word, then He couldn't be God.
God is flawless, and we can rest assured that His word is as well.
Questions -
1) What is Scriptural infallibly?
2) Can God's word be imperfect?
3) How is the Bible different from other books?
Resources Referenced:
ESV Bible: www.esvbible.org
Westminster Confession of Faith & Larger and Shorter Catechisms: https://www.amazon.com/Westminster-Confession-Catechisms-Adopted-Presbyterian/dp/0979377005/ref=sr_1_2?crid=NLMB9B71ROL3&keywords=westminster+confession+of+faith+and+catechisms&qid=1558915443&s=gateway&sprefix=westminster%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-2
Louis Berkof Systematic Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Systematic-Theology-Louis-Berkhof/dp/1941129560/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1558915533&sr=8-1
Ligonier Free Resources: www.ligonier.org