Thought Provoking Bible Studies

Thought Provoking Bible Studies

Lesson 0330 ? 2011 My Name ___________________________________ Date __________

THOUGHT PROVOKING BIBLE STUDIES are written by Fred D. Whitelaw. Download free of charge but only from our website: bible- Make as many copies as you desire. Use them freely. These lessons are designed to promote independent thought in classroom and individual studies. Hole punch and organize in 3 Ring Binders. Copyright is to preserve integrity. Each lesson must be reproduced in its entirety with no changes or partial reproductions. Unless otherwise noted all quotes are from the KJV for consistency.

A GENERATION GAP IN THE CHURCH?

1. Definition A new generation comes along every 20-25 years. From Adam and Eve until the 20th Century each successive generation changed little from the preceding one. "One generation

_________ away, and another generation __________: but the earth _________ for ever"

(Ecclesiastes 1:4). The scoffers of Peter's day recognized that "since the _________ fell asleep, _____ things ___________ as they were ______ the ____________ of the creation" (2 Peter 3:4). A great change has occurred in the 20th Century. This is especially true since WWII due to modern technology, mechanization, higher education, transportation and communication. 2. The Restoration Plea Honest truth seekers always try to go back and collect all the facts from the beginning. The intention is to establish and accept fundamental truths of whatever is being investigated. If it is creation, one would go back to Genesis; if circumcision, one would go back to Abraham; if the advent of Christ, one would first go to Old Testament prophecies then the New Testament. 3. Establishing A Background "Remove not the _________ landmark, which thy __________ have set" (Proverbs 22:28). Keep in mind that "the ______" in the evolvement of God's scheme of redemption "was our _____________ to bring us unto Christ" (Galatians 3:24). Also,

"whatsoever things were written ____________ were written for our ___________, that we through

__________ and ___________ of the scriptures might have _______" (Romans 15:4). 4. Pass Truth From Generation To Generation The Jews were reminded to remember well "that

ye may _______ _____ to the _____________ following" (Psalm 48:13). These ancients pledged to preserve what "our _________ have told us" and vowed that "we will _____ ______ ______ from their __________, showing to the ___________ to _______ the praises of the LORD" (Psalm 78:34). A godly home is the first and best spiritual classroom. Christian parents, never depend on others for your child's spiritual education. Obey God. Teach your children. 5. Think About It Let's consider 4 USA generations born from 1926-1945, 1946-1965, 1966-1985, and 1986-2005. You fit into one of these time frames. Inarguably, the oldest two generations are the most alike. The degree of variance grows with the younger generations. Ask yourself, "What Changed? Was it God's Word or society?" Here's a poignant question: "Why _________ thou about _____ _______ to __________thy way?" (Jeremiah 2:36). Mimicking the ungodly always = trouble with God. 6. Have You Bought Into It? Remember Dr. Spock? His influence did much to ruin God's concept of discipline. "For whom the Lord ________ he _____________" (Hebrews 12:6). Do you believe it? ______. Ask yourself: "What son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (V7). God pulls no punches: "But if ye be __________ chastisement, whereof _____ are partakers, then are ye bastards, and _____ sons" (V8). The undisciplined are "lovers of their ____ _______" and "disobedient to _________-----unthankful-----heady, highminded" (2 Timothy 3:2-4). 7. A Doctrinal Gap? The teachings of Christ embody a system of belief that (Jude 1:3) refers to as "the _________". Only Christians who have uncompromising faith in this system of faith can ________ God--(Hebrews 11:6). Not just any kind of faith will do. The faithful (ie: ones full of faith) must "believe to the _________ of the ______" (Hebrews 10:39). This means an active, doctrinal faith. There is much doctrinal subjectivism within the younger generations. This variance is summed up in the warning: "My __________, these _________ ought not so to be" (James 3:10).

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8. An Absence Of Respect God's elders (ie: old ones) have always been His choice to lead. "The

________ head is a _________ of _________, if it be _________ in the way of ____________"

(Proverbs 16:31). Simon the Sorcerer purported himself to be "some ________ one" (Acts 8:9). Jesus' statement is pregnant with meaning: "If I _________ myself, my _________ is __________" (John 8:54). He upbraided the Jews, "It is my Father that ___________ me" (Ibid). He said that they claim "he is ______ God, yet ye have _____ known him" (V55). He added, "I ______ him: and if I should say, I _______ him _____, I shall be a _______ like unto you" (Ibid). No generation that is consumed with its own self-importance can properly accord respect to their elders. 9. My Children Are Wonderful! Why do folks get such notions? Is it love to spoil little Johnny rotten? It is selfish to try to vicariously experience through your children the things YOU desired and missed as a child. "Children are an __________ of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). God's prescription cannot be excelled: "________ up a child in the way he _________ go" (Proverbs 22:6). 10. A Proud Legacy God said, "My people are __________ for ______ of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Additionally, "Thou hast __________ knowledge" so "I will ______ reject thee" (Ibid). Moreover, "I will also _________ thy ___________" (Ibid). Why? Their parents failed to set a proper example and teach respect for God. There is no greater gift or prouder legacy than to bring up children "in the _________ and ____________ of the _______" (Ephesians 6:4). 11. Are We Dysfunctional? This means impaired or functioning abnormally. One is spiritually dysfunctional when he "walketh ____________" (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Someone is "out of step" with God if there is a generational variance of beliefs about how biblical authority is established. This renders the local church dysfunctional because it is necessary for "the ________ body" to be

"fitly ________ together and compacted by that which _______ joint ____________, according to the

effectual __________ in the measure of ________ part" (Ephesians 4:14-15). 12. Are We Enablers When We Placate? Godly congregational elders "that ________ well" deserve

"double _________" (1 Timothy 5:17) because "they ________ for your _______" (Hebrews 13:17). Compromise and placation often result in the absence of vigilant elders. Such is a form of bribery. 13. Are We Sound? We hear, "But the young people wanted it," or "We went along with the younger generation because..." Such patronage has resulted in "Teen Church" and many sinful departures. The enablers open a Pandora's Box and become hostages to the insatiable appetites of a younger generation not "grounded and __________" in "the ________" (Colossians 1:23). 14. There Is A Bright Side We are glad that not all the present generations have yielded to the pressure of society's increasing secularism. "The LORD _______ ____ as man seeth; for man looketh on the __________ appearance, but the LORD _________ on the __________" (1 Samuel 16:7). Remember, "For _____ he that commendeth himself is __________, but whom the Lord _____________" (2 Corinthians 10:18). The generation that puts God first is the one that is approved of God. 15. A Proud Tradition Isaac re-dug his father Abraham's wells that had been destroyed by the Philistines and "called their _______ after the ________ by which his father _____ called _______" (Genesis 26:18). David said: "Yea, I have a goodly _________" (Psalm 16:6). God affirms: "My righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from ___________ to generation" (Isaiah 51:8). Pave the way. Set the right example. Demand excellence of yourself first, then of the younger ones. 16. Present Concerns This command is sadly all but forgotten: "Thou shalt _______ up before the

_________ head, and honour the face of the ______ man, and _______ thy God: I am the LORD"

(Leviticus 19:32). This constituted rebellion in ancient Israel: "...the child shall behave himself _________ against ______ ancient, and the ________ against the honourable" (Isaiah 3:5). 17. Honor God--He Holds Us Up He stated: "And even to your _______ age I am he; and even to hoar

hairs will I ________ you: I have made, and I ______ bear; even I ______ carry, and will __________

you" (Isaiah 46:4). Transgressors were warned: "Remember the former things of old: for I _____ God, and there _____ none _______; I am ______, and there is _______ like ______" (Isaiah 46:9). 18. Let Us May we encourage ourselves and our young people to believe fervently that "thou art my _______, O Lord GOD: thou art my ________ from my youth" (Psalm 71:5).

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