First Four Messages Part B

Bible Interpretation

This information is taken from an article entitled "The Eight Rules of Bible Interpretation" by Ron Rhodes and Richard Anthony.

The eight rules are

The rule of DEFINITION

The rule of USAGE

The rule of CONTEXT

The rule of HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The rule of LOGIC

The rule of INFERENCE

The rule of GENRE JUDGMENT

The rule of dependence upon the HOLY SPIRIT

The rule of DEFINITION is

• We must have a correct understanding of the words, whether in English or the original languages.
• We must take the plain, normal meaning of the words, not just a made-up definition or an obscure definition.
• We must realize that God is very smart and knows how to communicate. We do not need to take the definition that is different than normal just because the speaker has an earned doctorate or belongs to an authoritative group.
• Having a basic handbook of original language definitions helps, too. Consider the Greek words allos and heteros. These both mean another when there is only a one word definition. In Greek, however, allos has the understanding of another of the same type, while heteros has the meaning of another of a different type. For example:
• "So then comfort one another with these words."  1 Thessalonians 4:18 (English Majority Text Version, 2011 Edition with Greek Explanatory Notes). The word another is from allos thus another of the same type. The type in this case being believers.
• "No one is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other, or else he will be devoted to the one, and he will despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24 (English Majority Text Version, 2011 Edition with Greek Explanatory Notes). The word other here is heteros meaning another of a different type.

The rule of USAGE is

• We must understand that the Old Testament was written by Jews and for Jews.
• Jews had cultural idioms that we must understand.
• We are not to make doctrinal beliefs based on a wrong understanding of a Jewish idiom.
• The New Testament likewise was written is primarily Greco-Roman world. Again idioms must be understand in that culture, not as understood in today's culture.
• For example:
• "Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck." Psalms 75:5 (King James Version (1769). Two idioms are here. First is horn on high, and the second is speak with a stiff neck. These idioms mean do not rebel.
• "For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother". Philemon 7 (KJV). This verse is not saying that their innards are refreshed, but it is an idiom referring to the heart, the soul and spirit, of a person. Often head is an idiom for leader, breaking bread means having a meal, walk means live your life, etc.

The rule of CONTEXT

• It is important to take the passage in context. We are to take context in this order:
• The verses before and after our text
• The chapter
• The book/epistle
• The testament (old or new)
• The whole Bible
• Examples
• "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)" 1 Corinthians 8:5 KJV. Mormons are said to use the words in bold verse as a proof text for polytheism. In context, however, it is plain that it is "called gods," that is, not gods but just called gods.
• "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." John 12:32 EMTV. Some take lifted up to in praise, but Jesus was talking about being lifted up in death, that is, on a cross. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." John 12:32 EMTV
• "Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead" Philippians 3:13 EMTV. Some take this to mean to forget bad, negative, experiences from the past, but instead in context it refers to his accomplishments in Judaism. Philippians 3:4-11.
• Many times people string together isolated verses to "prove" a doctrine. This is also wrong for it is not done in context.

The rule of HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• We need to understand the readers (and writers) culture, geography, idioms, etc. for better understanding of the Scriptures.
• Examples
• "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth." Luke 1:5 EMTV. Who is Herod? Which Herod? What was he like? For this use a Bible dictionary.
• "And returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the rest with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed like nonsense before them, and they disbelieved them. But Peter rose up and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen strips lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened." Luke 24:9-12 EMTV. Why didn't the men believe the women? What was the opinion of men towards women's testimonies in that day?

The rule of LOGIC

• This is the use of common sense and logic.
• Does an interpretation make sense?

The rule of INFERENCE

• We know one fact based on the passage, then we logically infer a logical result or action.
• Example:

The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him, and they questioned Him, saying: "Teacher, Moses said that IF A MAN DIES, HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE AS NEXT OF KIN, AND SHALL RAISE UP OFFSPRING FOR HIS BROTHER.

Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died, after having married, and having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother.

Likewise the second also, and the third, up to the seventh.

Last of all the woman died also.

Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her."

Jesus answered and said to them, "You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

For in the resurrection neither do they marry, nor are they given in marriage, but they are like angels of God in heaven.

But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,

'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."

And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. Matthew 22:23-33 EMTV

• From the example we see the fact of the resurrection. If God is the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, then they are living, not dead.

The rule of GENRE JUDGMENT

• The Bible contains books of history as the Pentateuch, the Gospels, and Acts. It should be read and studied as history.
• The Psalms are poetry. It should be read as such.
• Isaiah, Daniel, and Revelation are example of prophetic writings. It should be interpreted as that.
• Each genre may contain other forms but this is by the context and form.
• Genre is necessary for communication between intelligent beings.
• The Bible is to be understood in its plain, normal sense. If it is poetry, it is different than history, etc.

The rule of dependence upon the HOLY SPIRIT

• Even though the words of Scripture are plain, to be fully understood, it is necessary to have the illumination from the Holy Spirit.
• The nonbeliever has a darkened mind. As Christians we still live in this world and need God's help. "Because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, or give thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:21 EMTV. "having been darkened in understanding, being estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardness of their heart."
• Ephesians 4:18 EMTV.

God gives us help. "But as it is written: "EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, in order that we might know the things freely given to us by God;

which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in words taught by the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no man.

For "WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?" But we have the mind of Christ."

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 EMTV.

• The Bible contains all that is necessary for our spiritual understanding. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand it. The Holy Spirit will not give illumination of one verse that would contradict another.

The Lord Jesus interpreted the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

1. Creation of Adam and Eve--Mark 10:6, etc.
2. Noah's Ark and the flood--Matthew 24:37-39, etc.
3. Jonah--Matthew 12:38-41
4. Sodom and Gomorrah--Matthew 10:15
5. Lot and his wife--Luke 17:28-32

The Lord Jesus believed the Scriptures are inspired--Matthew 22:41-46

The Lord Jesus believed and taught so the average believer could understand the Scriptures without help from a bunch of "authorities." John 18:19-24.

The Bible has all that the believer needs to live a Christian life--2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Since the Bible has the words that show us how to be forgiven and right with God, it must be understood in its plain, normal sense--John 6:63. A wrong interpretation and gospel is cursed and leads to eternal punishment--Galatians 1:6-10, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 and Revelation 20:11-15.

When we interpret Scripture, we must ask, "What is this passage saying. What does this passage mean." It is wrong to say, "What does this passage mean to me." We can make application, but we do not interpret that way.

When we interpret Scripture, we must take the plain, normal sense. We must not read our theology into the passage. We do not change the meaning of a passage to agree with out theology; we change our theology to agree with the interpretation.

When we interpret Scripture, we do not change definitions of words. We take the passage and the words in its plain, normal sense.

First Four Messages Part A

If I was a pastor, what would be the first, four messages (sermons) that I would preach? The next 4 posts are those messages.

My testimony
The Gospel

• Read Romans 1:1-7
• Read Romans 1:17-18
• Am I ashamed?
• Are you ashamed?
• Read Romans 3:10-18
• No one seeks God. We do not seek God, nor can we. God seeks for us. He wants all to be saved, but most resist.
• If God didn't seek us first, no one would be saved. God initiates salvation and completes salvation. We are saved by grace and kept by grace.
• Read Matthew 22:36-40. The Law of God shows us our sin as we are convicted by the Holy Spirit.
• Read Matthew 19:16-22. We have broken the Law. This young man stated that he had kept them, but the heart did not, for he had great possessions and loved money and things more than God, which is breaking the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).
• Read Romans 3:23. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
• Read Romans 6:23. Our just punishment is to die and go to hell. God does have a gift of eternal life rather than eternal hell, if we believe the Gospel.
• Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Why did Jesus die? He was our Passover Lamb ("Purge out the old leaven, in order that you may be a new batch of dough, since you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." 1 Corinthians 5:7 (EMTV). He bore our punishment, yours and mine.
• Read John 3:16. We need to believe the Gospel, repent, trust in, and call on the name of the Lord Jesus to be saved. Repent is a willingness to turn from our sins; it is an 180 degree turn. There is only one Gospel. The same Gospel was preached to Adam and Eve, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, the prophets, the Lord Jesus, the Apostles, and the rest. There are not two gospels, just one. 
• Read "Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (EMTV). Read "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17 (EMTV)
• Today is the day of salvation. Repent and believe the Gospel.

Transformational Grace

Theme: Power of the Gospel

Objectives:
Know: The gospel connected the worst sinners to God and transformed their lives.
Think: Interact with others understanding that the gospel saves people from sin and transforms their lives.
Do: Share the gospel, trusting God to change people's lives.

Scripture: Acts 9:1-43

Notes and questions
B1 What is happening here

• C1 Saul's conversion Acts 9:1-19a
• C2 Saul in Jerusalem with the disciples Acts 9:19b-31
• C3 Peter is used by God to heal Aeneas and Dorcas Acts 9:32-43

B1 Acts 9:1, why is Saul so angry? What was the fruit of his anger? (He wanted to kill Christians). What causes anger? Is all anger wrong? (Compare Mark 3:5) What are we to do when we are angry? (See Ephesians 4:26 and Proverbs 15:1).
B2 Acts 9:1-2, who did Saul go to for letters (permission) to find, arrest, and bring Christians to Jerusalem? This is important to know for later chapters in Acts.
B3 Acts 9:3, where was Saul when this incident happened? Was this bright light just lightening? The Greek word for "shined around" means enveloped, surrounded, thus there was a great light, and Saul was in the midst of it.
B4 Acts 9:4-5, what were the words Saul heard? Who is Saul persecuting? When Christians are persecuted today, who is the one in reality being persecuted? See John 15:20. What is our response to be towards persecution? See Matthew 5:10-12 and Matthew 5:44 also Romans 8:35 and 1 Corinthians 4:12.
B5 Acts 9:6, what is Saul told to do? Saul is going to the same city but now for a different reason.
B6 Acts 9:7-9, why didn't Saul eat or drink anything? Compare Psalm 69:10.
B7 Acts 9:10-12, what scary words did Ananias hear?
B8 Acts 9:13-14, what was Ananias' response? Is that a reasonable response?
B9 Acts 9:15-16, was the Lord angry with Ananias? Personally, I don't think so. It was a legitimate question, and Ananias did go after the Lord reassured him. What did the Lord tell Ananias about Saul, and what Saul was to do?
B10 Acts 9:17-19, how would Saul have known that this was the man to lay hands on his eyes? Wouldn't it seem strange to have someone just walk in and lay hands on you? (Saul have known for at least two reasons. First, Saul had a vision that a man named Ananias would be coming to do this. Second, Ananias knew that reason to be there, that is, to lay hands on Saul's eyes and tell him that Jesus would heal him).
B11 Acts 9:17-19, why the words "filled with the Holy Spirit"? Wouldn't Saul have received the Holy Spirit upon his faith in the Lord Jesus? Possibly, based on the Scriptures as Romans 8:9 and Ephesians 1:13, Saul would have be filled with the Holy Spirit upon conversion, but Saul thinking in his Jewish teachings would need to be told this.
B12 Acts 9:17-19, how long did it take for this miraculous healing of Saul's eyes take? (It was instant). How does that compare to today's so called healers? What did Saul do immediately after being healed?
B13 Acts 9:19-22, Saul had a good start--he started preaching the Gospel. Did he have a strong finish? See 2 Timothy 4:7. Are we going to finish strong, too?
B14 Acts 9:22, the word confounded, sugcheo (G4797), has the idea of not only bashing them in debate but also an emotional response from them. Preaching the truth has an effect. It will either soften or harden a person's heart.
B15 Acts 9:23-25, why did the Jews want to kill Saul?
B16 Acts 9:26-30, did Saul stop preaching in the face of opposition? Was he a fool, or was he strengthened by God to live and preach the Gospel? Who can give us this strength?
B17 Acts 9:31, what was happening to the church?
B18 Acts 9:32-35, what was wrong with Aeneas? Was he really healed? What percentage of those who were told they were healed were really healed? (100%). How does this compare to today's healers(?)?
B19 Acts 9:36-43, who was Dorcas? What happened to her? Would you want to come back to life again after you died?
B20 Who wins in the numbers game (those who become Christians), those who preach the true Gospel or those who preach a false Gospel?
B21 What changed Paul's life? Was there a change? See 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 6:15.
B22 Anyone you know who has had a radical change in believing the Gospel? Share your story.

Next week:
Sent into the world

Theme: Spreading the Gospel

Scripture: Acts 13:1-52

Fear no man

Theme: Faithful to the Gospel

Objectives:

Know: Stephen stayed true to Christ and the Gospel in the face of opposition.

Think: Have the mindset that the Gospel should be proclaimed, even if it is offensive.

Do: Seek to present the Gospel through your words and lifestyle.

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15 and Acts 7:51-60

Notes and questions:

B1 Acts 6:8, does the words "...full of faith and power..." mean that anyone who is "full of faith and power" can do miracles today?

• C1 Full of faith means completely believing and obeying God. It does not mean that he is sinless or has some special gift from God.
• C2 Doing miracles in the first century church is a special gift given to certain people to show that this "new thing," the Gospel, was from God.
• C3 We can be full of faith today but do no miracles.
• C4 Stephen had the hands of the Apostles on him when he was ordained to the office of deacon (Acts 6:6). We don't have apostles today.
• C5 According to Wilbur Pickering, noted Greek manuscript editor, "full of faith" is the wording in 80% of manuscripts while "full of grace" is the wording in 20% of manuscripts.

B2 Miracles in the early church

• C1 Ray Stedman in his notes writes: The second thing to be noted is that these signs were to confirm the introduction of new things in the church. When the apostles first began to proclaim the gospel of the resurrected Lord it was confirmed to the people by signs and wonders. Now, when the apostles extended their ministry to include others with gifts within the church, it too is confirmed with signs and wonders. The word of God makes clear that these signs and wonders, these mighty miracles, are particularly slanted toward the Jewish mind, and are for the purpose of confirming something being introduced for the first time. They did not continue in the church, and they do not continue to this day. That does not mean that God is not able to do miracles. He can, and does. But they are no longer of the character of signs and wonders. God does work physical miracles today in most amazing ways. But they are no longer of this confirmatory character. These were reserved for the initial experiences of the early Christians, as they introduced truth into the world.
• C2 Acts 2:22, Acts 4:29-30, Acts 8:6, and 1 Corinthians 1:22

B3 Acts 6:8, who are "the people?" This term is used for Israel, the Jews. (Matthew 2:4, John 18:14, 2 Peter 2:1, etc.). Now it includes all who believe as in Hebrews 4:9 and Hebrews 11:25, 1 Peter 2:10, etc.).

B4 Acts 6:9, who are the Libertines? Others translate this as the Freedmen. It refers NOT to freethinkers but those who had been Roman slaves in Italy (and elsewhere) who had in various ways become freed. These had come back to Israel and had their common synagogue.

B5 Acts 6:9, why did they argue with Stephen? What was Stephen preaching?

B6 Acts 6:9, notice "Cilicia." Where was the Apostle Paul from? Could the brilliant Saul have been one of those who could not refute Stephen? Was that why Saul was consenting to his death?  (Acts 8:1 [Acts 7:60 in some versions], Acts 22:20) Archibald Thomas Robertson in his Word Pictures in the New Testament comments for this verse are "Was consenting  (ην συνευδοκων). Periphrastic imperfect of συνευδοκεω, a late double compound (συν, ευ, δοκεω) that well describes Saul's pleasure in the death (αναιρεσις, taking off, only here in the N.T., though old word) of Stephen. For the verb see on Lu 23:32. Paul himself will later confess that he felt so (Ac 22:20), coolly applauding the murder of Stephen, a heinous sin (Ro 1:32). It is a gruesome picture. Chapter 7 should have ended here."

B7 Acts 6:10, who gave Stephen wisdom to answer? Is this possible today? What part do we have in acquiring wisdom?

B8 Acts 6:11, “You shall not testify against your neighbor with a false witness." (Exodus 20:16, LEB), what are these "super" religious, self-righteous Jews doing in their accusation? Does this happen today? Has it happened to you? There is something about truth that brings out the worst in unbelievers.

B9 Acts 6:12, what is the underlying motive for their violent acts against Stephen? See "You shall not murder."(Exodus 20:13 LEB). How do we handle situations when we are unjustly accused and physically abused? Do we hate anyone? How do we handle this?

B10 Acts 6:13-16, was there any truth to their accusations? Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!" Then the Jews said, "This temple has been under construction forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body. So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken." (John 2:19-22 LEB)

B11 Acts 7:51, according to Calvinism no human can resist God. Is Stephen mistaken in his theology?

• C1 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34 EMTV) These are the words of the Lord Jesus.
• C2 Many things that God has said are conditional on our response, and some are not.
• C3 Some unconditional promises
• D1 Earth will not be destroyed again by water (Genesis 9:15)
• D2 Jesus will return (Matthew 24:30, Revelation 1:7, etc.).
• D3 The resurrection from the dead (Daniel 12:2, John 5:28-29, etc.).
• C4 Some conditional promises
• D1 Forgiveness of sin (Acts 13:39, Romans 10:8-11)
• D2 Naaman's healing in 2 Kings 5:8-15

B12 Acts 7:52-53, does the truth get into the listener's soul? Is Stephen telling the truth? Why did they then not repent?

B13 Acts 7:54, what does "cut to the heart" mean? It means to saw into pieces. It is a very strong word describing the effect of truth on these people. Why does the truth have this effect on some people but not others?

B14 Acts 7:54, what was the reaction of these Jews when they heard the truth?

B15 Acts 7:55-56, why did Stephen have this vision at this time? Did he really see Jesus or having a hallucination? What did the Jews who heard it think?

B16 Acts 7:57-59, what effects did this vision have on the Jews and Stephen?

B17 Acts 7:60, what were the last words of Stephen?

B18 Acts 7:60, do the words "fell asleep" refer to soul sleep, the idea that when people die, their soul is not aware of anything? No, it is a phrase for dying as some might say, "S/he passed away," or "S/he's gone," etc.

B19 If we might die for telling the truth, should we lie or not say anything? We might say the truth with a soft voice instead of loud and harsh voice, but we must tell the truth.

B20 Who was with Stephen through this time?

B21 How do the terms "stiff-necked" and uncircumcised affect the Jews (Acts 7:51)? These terms are incredibly derogatory to Jews. See Exodus 33:3-5, Psalm 75:5, Jeremiah 17:23, and Romans 2:25-29.

B22 When Christians are persecuted for no reason except that they are Christians, is there anyone who can help us? Who helped Stephen?

B23 Who will help you this week?

In His care

Theme: God provides for His people

Objectives:

Know: God arranged events that promoted Joseph to a prominent position in Egypt to provide a way for Israel and his descendants to survive the famine.

Think: Be constantly aware that God provides for His people on His terms, sometimes in ways we would never expect.

Do: Do what you know is good and right, and expect God to provide the rest.

Scriptures: Genesis 45:1-28

Notes and questions:

1. What's happened since Joseph was sold as a slave?
1. Joseph interprets various dreams--Genesis 40
2. Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams--Genesis 41
3. Joseph's brothers go to Egypt and return the first time--Genesis 42
4. Joseph's brothers go to Egypt with Benjamin and have a feast with Joseph,--Genesis 43
5. Joseph's keeps Benjamin from returning to Israel and Judah's plea to Joseph for Benjamin's release,--Genesis 44
6. Joseph would have been about 32 years old at the time of Genesis 45. See Genesis 41:46 and Genesis 45:6.
7. Joseph had spent about 13 years as a slave.
2. What happens in Genesis 45?
1. Joseph reveals to his brother who he is--Genesis 45:1-2
2. Joseph explains what has happened, how his being in Egypt is good, and that Israel must come to Egypt--Genesis 45:3-15
3. Pharaoh hears of Joseph's brothers--Genesis 45:16-20
4. Joseph does as Pharaoh instructs and gives gifts and instructions to Joseph's brothers--Genesis 45:21-24
5. The brothers tell Israel all that has happened to them--Genesis 45:25-28
3. Up until Genesis 45 what would Israel and Joseph's brothers think happened to Joseph?
4. Why did Joseph hide his identity from his brothers?
5. Could God have kept Israel's family alive by other means that Joseph being sold as a slave?
6. Genesis 45:1, why did Joseph send everyone out of his presence except for his brothers?
7. Genesis 45:3, what was the response of Joseph's brothers to his true identify? Can truth be shocking?
8. This passage speaks of deliverance. Who are all those who are being delivered?
9. What is the worst bondage of all? (Sin. And having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. (Romans 6:18 EMTV).
10. What is the best slavery there is? (Righteousness)
11. Who is our deliverer?
12. If we find ourselves as a slave, what should be our attitude? (To be the best slave ever).
13. Joseph had worked for Pharaoh about 2 years at the time of this story. Why didn't he leave to visit his father?
14. Genesis 45:9, who made Joseph lord (prime minister under Pharaoh) over all Egypt? Who has the ultimate authority? How does this authority affect our lives?
15. Genesis 45:13, is Joseph bragging, boasting?
16. Genesis 45:17-20, does Joseph obey Pharaoh?
17. Genesis 45:24, why did Joseph tell his brothers not to argue?
18. Genesis 45:36, it would have been enough to tell Israel that Joseph was still alive, but what do you think was going through Israel's mind when told Joseph was ruler?
19. What is the difference between what the world gives and what God gives?
20. God has restored our relationship to Him through faith in Jesus Christ's Gospel. In what ways are we to restore fellowship with others?
21. Does God always provide the life we want? What are some ways, that if we are willing, God's way is best?
22. In our Christian life how does God provide deliverance, sustenance, and restoration?