What Should I Know?

Intro

If someone came up to you and asked you to give your stance on predestination, can you give it? If someone came up to you and asked you to explain how to reconcile Jesus as God with Jesus as man, can you do it?

Can you explain redemption, justification, sanctification and propitiation? These are all complex topics that require a little more study than just a few minutes a day. Even so, it is good for us to study them because they help build a stronger faith and trust in God.

Today we ask the question, “what should I know?” There are so many topics to study within the Scriptures that it can be at times daunting to decide where to go next. Today, I hope to provide some direction for all of us. Every suggestion will not be for every person at this time. But it shouldn’t stop us from seeking to study different topics so that we have a solid base to live from.

Let’s do our quick quiz before moving on.

Pop Quiz

We all know , but can you quote ?

John 3:17 NIV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

What is the Great Commission?

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What is the full set of the armor of God?

Helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, belt of truth, shield of faith

Who said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”?

Joseph in Geneses 50:20

Which of these does NOT belong?

I am the bread of life

I am the door

I am the light

I am the cup

Understanding general topics

God - character, nature, personality, acts

Jesus - birth, life, death, resurrection, miracles, teaching

Holy Spirit - work, purpose, direction

Salvation - what is it? why do I need it? what happens in it?

Sin - what do I struggle with? am I forgiven? what effects does it have?

Eternity - what am I looking forward too? what is expected? how do I get there?

The Church - purpose, involvement, reasons, how did it start?

Studying a book of the Bible - what’s the overall theme? what are the key verses? how does it intertwine with other books?

Understand the times

What is going on in our community

What is going on in our state

What is going on in our country

What is going on in our world

Major issues

Political

Religious

Economical

Relational

Understand your circumstances

Work - attitude, ethics

Marriage - love, sacrifice

Parenting - patience, wisdom

Sickness - hope, peace, healing

Church - gifts, service, involvement

Choices - God’s will, right or wrong, right or right

Understand you

Personality

Strengths

Weaknesses

Gifts

Hurts

Emotions

Desires

Conclusion

When it comes to studying the Bible, it is an open book. I know that sounds cliche but it’s true.