Author: Shannon Vicker

Waiting Day 14 Not Yet, Not Now, No: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Not Yet, Not Now, No!

The Questions

1) Who is Theophilus and what is the first narrative referred to in verse 1?

2) Why were the apostles told to wait in Jerusalem? (verse 4)

3) What do the men in verse 11 mean in saying, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven”?

Acts 1:1-14

I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Original Intent

1) Who is Theophilus and what is the first narrative referred to in verse 1?
Luke, the author of Acts, addresses his letter to Theophilus. The first narrative referred to is the Gospel of Luke, which was also addressed to Theophilus. (Luke 1:1-4) Luke’s purpose was to provide Theophilus with a brief summary of what Jesus did when He came to earth (verses 1-3) before beginning the account of what happened following Jesus’ death and resurrection. Luke wants his friend to bring to mind all he had written in his first gospel account, which had been thoroughly investigated (Luke 1:3), in order to provide a background for all that comes next as the Holy Spirit fueled the early believers with His power and the Church was birthed!

2) Why were the apostles told to wait in Jerusalem? (verse 4)
The apostles, or disciples, had been with Jesus in Jerusalem at the end of His life when He was crucified just outside of the city. They celebrated the Passover with Jesus in Jerusalem (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-22) and watched as Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested, tried, and sentenced to crucifixion (Matthew 26:47-27:26, Mark 14:43-15:15, Luke 22:47-23:25, John 18:1-19:16). While many of them were not present at His crucifixion they knew He had died, been buried, and physically seen Him after His resurrection. (Matthew 27:32-28:8, Mark 15:20-16:8, Luke 23:26-24:49, John 19:16-21:19) Jerusalem was not a friendly environment for the followers of Jesus and they likely were afraid of meeting a similar fate to Jesus, yet He told them to wait in Jerusalem. Jesus knew the Holy Spirit was coming, and He knew God’s plan was for the disciples to spread the Good News of the Gospel beginning right at the epicenter of Jerusalem where He had been crucified and risen. (Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8) Jesus knew the gift of the Holy Spirit was coming soon and the disciples needed to stay together in Jerusalem so God’s plan would be fulfilled.

3) What do the men in verse 11 mean in saying, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven”?
This is the second time Luke records the ascension of Jesus back to Heaven. (Luke 24:50-53) However, this time Luke provides more detail to Theophilus about what occurred after Jesus’ ascension. Luke tells of the disciples standing on the mountain and looking into Heaven, waiting for Jesus to return. Suddenly, men appear, wondering why they are still standing around staring into heaven. They inform the disciples that Jesus will return just as He left them. These angelic men assure the disciples He will return, but they don’t give a specific time of return. They are, in their own way, encouraging the disciples to not stand around waiting doing nothing, instead they motivate them to action, reminding them to return to Jerusalem and wait as Jesus had instructed. Only when they were obedient to wait would they receive the Holy Spirit and begin the work of sharing the Good News. 

Everyday Application

1) Who is Theophilus and what is the first narrative referred to in verse 1?
Just as Theophilus needed to be reminded of Luke’s first narrative, the Gospel of Luke, we need the same reminder. What Luke recorded in Acts happened after Jesus’ time on earth and after His death and resurrection. Without understanding all that had taken place while Jesus was on earth, it’s difficult to understand Acts. We can only begin to understand the decisions of the apostles throughout the book of Acts when we understand the relationship and time they spent with Jesus as first-hand eye witnesses to His life. Remembering that Scripture was originally written with varying timelines and purposes is important for us to keep in mind as we read and study. What we read in the pages of God’s Word isn’t a letter written directly to us, rather it is God’s Word revealing Who He is, who we are as sinful humans, and what great Hope we have because of His lavish love for us. Reading Scripture through the proper lens is imperative to proper understanding and good application to our everyday lives. If you’re new to studying the Bible like this, there are many excellent study tools available for free online to help us understand passages in their original context and language. Check out www.studylight.org or www.blueletterbible.org for great resources!

2) Why were the apostles told to wait in Jerusalem? (verse 4)
Jerusalem would have been hostile territory to the disciples. They had just seen their Rabbi teacher, whom they had closely followed, be arrested, beaten, tried, crucified, and buried within a matter of hours. They knew Jesus was no longer dead and had seen Him resurrected, yet they knew those who had killed Jesus would likely be after His followers as well. Yet, Jesus instructs them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to be given. God had a plan, and the disciples trusted it, even when they were likely terrified. As believers today, God still has a plan to continue building His kingdom through us. It doesn’t mean the plan will always make sense when God calls us to action. However, just as the disciples trusted Jesus and waited, we need to be just as obedient when God calls us. God has proven over and again He is trustworthy; our job as believers is to obey just as the first disciples did. We can rest in the knowledge that God’s plan is best, and He will use us as we surrender to Him just as He used the men who had physically walked with Jesus.

3) What do the men in verse 11 mean in saying, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven”?
The words in verse 11 that guarantee Jesus’ return in the same way He left seem cryptic. They don’t provide a time frame, or answer any other questions, instead they point to a singular assurance, He will return. Today, more than 2,000 years later, we still wait for the fulfillment of those long-ago words. However, we are blessed with the entirety of Scripture the original disciples didn’t have the benefit of accessing as a whole. We can read of the promise of Jesus’ return in Revelation 19:11-16 and can read of the guarantee of a New Creation in Revelation 21. We can see the faithfulness of God from Genesis to Revelation and we can note His plan to rescue us from our sin woven into the fabric of Scripture from beginning to end. We rest in the assurance that while we still wait for the fulfillment of the promise of Christ’s return, He is indeed coming, and when He does, it will be more than worth the wait. “For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) In the meantime, there is work to be done as the Gospel still needs to be shared to the ends of the earth. We each play a role in the ongoing work of the Lord while we await His glorious return.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Not Yet, Not Now, No!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Waiting Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Alive Day 7 Adopted: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Adopted!

The Questions

1) What is the spirit of slavery? (verse 15)

2) What is the Spirit of adoption? (verse 15)

3) What does it mean to suffer with Christ? (verse 17)

Romans 8:14-17

14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Original Intent

1) What is the spirit of slavery? (verse 15)
Slavery is a concept Paul’s readers would have known and understood as it was commonplace in their everyday lives from household slaves to business slaves. In Acts 16, Luke records the story of Paul’s interaction with a slave girl, setting her free from demons. (Acts 16:16-24) Paul’s Roman audience, a mix of both Jews and Gentiles, knew the history of Jews enslaved in Egypt for 400 years as told in the Torah, which is a Jewish holy text, comprising the first 5 books of what we know as the “Old Testament” in our Bibles. You can read of Jewish slavery in the book of Exodus. Slavery also existed in the Old Testament when a poor person would sell themselves to another person in order to pay a debt they owed. (Leviticus 25:39) However, God included clear commands in Leviticus instructing slave owners not to force these slaves into labor, but instead to view them as hired workers who would be released in the Year of Jubilee. (Leviticus 25:40-41) Paul is using this base knowledge with his audience to explain their condition as sinners. They were slaves of the debt they owed God because of their sin against Him.

2) What is the Spirit of adoption? (verse 15)
In Roman culture, an adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate, while forfeiting all ties to his past. Paul uses this imagery to convey what happens spiritually when an individual accepts Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, which paid the debt of all sin. (1 John 2:2) This person has lost all ties, ownership, rights, and connection to the previous “family”, ruled by Sin and Death, they become adopted by God as members of His family. Through Jesus, God as Father, gives the person who fully surrenders themself to Him, the “right to become a child of God”. (John 1:12) This is the only way to be accepted by God and be given an inheritance of eternal life instead of the rightfully earned condemnation of eternal separation from Him. (John 14:6, Ephesians 1:3-12) Children of God no longer belong to the world and its slavery to sin, instead they are welcomed in to God’s family as co-heirs with Christ, the Son. (verse 17)

3) What does it mean to suffer with Christ? (verse 17)
Roman crucifixion was one of the worst forms of death, if not the worst form of punitive punishment, ever invented. It was grotesquely brutal and Paul’s audience knew it full well. Likely, some in his audience had even witnessed it firsthand or had heard the horrendous cries of anguish accompanying such a torturous death. The prophet Isaiah conveys the suffering of Jesus’ horrible death in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented by the Romans. The recipients of Paul’s letter also knew there was a price for choosing to follow Christ, meaning many of these early believers would face persecution or death for their faith. Paul knew the persecution was growing more intense for the Church and he wrote to remind the believers that the price of following Jesus was known, expected, and shared among all true followers of Christ, but that reward was coming! (Luke 14:26-27, verse 18) They must be willing to suffer with Christ as part of their adoption. “…if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (verse 17)
However, there is the comfort in knowing nothing they would endure would compare to the suffering of Jesus as He bore the punishment for our sin. (1 Peter 2:24) Praise God, no believer will ever be alone after trusting Christ for salvation for God will always be present through the Holy Spirit!

Everyday Application

1) What is the spirit of slavery? (verse 15)
The type of slavery Paul referenced in this passage was not slavery we think of in western culture today. It was selling yourself as a hired hand to pay a debt, knowing you would one day be released, free of your debt, in the Year of Jubilee, which God had instituted. God outlined specifically how slaves were to be treated in Leviticus 25. Paul uses the term “spirit of slavery” to convey our position before the God of Justice without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. We are sinners bound to the debt we owe as sinners, which is death. (Romans 6:23) Each one of us rightfully deserves death and punishment for our sin and it’s fundamentally imperative we do not forget what we deserve.

2) What is the Spirit of adoption? (verse 15)
The day we accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin we become co-heirs with Christ (verse 17). We are no longer bound by our sin but instead welcomed into God’s family. The ownership chains of sin and slavery have been removed, we are officially declared “dead to sin”. (Romans 6:11) He becomes our Abba, meaning Father, and, just as an ancient Roman son would become an heir to their father’s estate, so we become an heir to our Father’s inheritance. We are fully adopted into the family of God, our penalty of death is paid through Jesus’ death for us and we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within us, promising us our final inheritance is yet to come in eternity with our Father. (Ephesians 1:13-14) We are given the gift of a restored relationship with our Father, that was once broken because of our own sinfulness!

3) What does it mean to suffer with Christ? (verse 17)
In modern western culture, the concept of suffering and persecution as a believer for their faith is foreign. However, believers around the world are currently persecuted for their faith in Jesus, many in torturous ways or through death. If the Lord has currently blessed your life, keeping you from facing the same type of persecution other brothers and sisters in the faith face, I urge you to please use the freedom you’ve been given to share Christ! Regardless of where we live, or what the cost of following Jesus looks like for us specifically, we must not forget we are all called to a higher standard as a child of God. We are to be set apart from the world, which will inevitably make us “stick out”, often bringing on forms of suffering. Paul calls his readers not to be conformed to the world’s pattern of sin, but instead to be transformed by His Spirit (Romans 12:2); this leads to suffering. (John 15:18-21) We are called to love and serve like Jesus and this will come at a cost. The world hated Jesus, and it will hate all who follow Him as well. Jesus Himself calls believers to pick up their cross (Matthew 16:24-28), deny self, and follow Him. Each of us will pay a different price for our faith in Jesus, but we can be sure following Him won’t be suffering free. However, we can cling to the truths Paul wrote of to encourage the early believers. Jesus experienced worse than we can ever imagine, we are never alone, and the final battle for our souls has already been won. We can say with strength as the psalmist did, “The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?” (Psalm 118:6) We are able to endure whatever lies before us because of the One who has gone before us!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Adopted!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Alive Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Alive Day 2 Justice + Mercy = Freedom: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Justice + Mercy = Freedom!

The Questions

1) Why was there condemnation? (verse 1)

2) What could the law not do? (verse 3)

3) What does it mean to “walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit”? (verse 4)

Romans 8:1-4

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Original Intent

1) Why was there condemnation? (verse 1)
From Adam and Eve’s first sin there have been consequences for turning away from God’s standard of holiness. (Genesis 3) God established a sacrifice system that called for the spilling of innocent blood in order to forgive sin. This begins with the animal whose blood was shed to provide clothing for Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:21) In Leviticus 6-7, God provides the guidance for sacrifice and forgiveness which Paul’s audience would have known well, as they regularly offered these sacrifices for their own sins. They knew condemnation existed because of sin and forgiveness only came through sacrifice. Freedom in forgiveness would always cost the death of an innocent one. However, it was understood that the blood of animals did not have the power to remove the sin that stood between the offender and God. (Hebrews 10:4) Rather, these sacrifices, and the need for them, point directly to the One who would come with the power to completely pay for sin’s penalty in full and remove the offense of our sin against a Holy God. This One to come was Jesus.

2) What could the law not do? (verse 3)
God provided Moses with the Law, also known as the 10 Commandments, in Exodus 20:1-17. The Jewish audience would have known this law well. Not only were they quite familiar with these 10 commandments, but they also would have known the other 613 laws found in the Pentateuch or Book of the Law, which are the first 5 books of the Bible. These laws made up the rhythms and boundaries of their everyday lives. It was impossible for any human to follow these laws perfectly and attain flawless righteousness, instead their purpose was to point out that perfection and forgiveness under the law was an insurmountable feat. Therefore, God had a plan which He began to reveal throughout the Old Testament about the fulfillment of the Law. One day, Jesus would come and perfectly fulfill the Law because He is God, the Only One who is blameless without sin. Jesus would accomplish for us what the Law could not.

3) What does it mean to “walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit”? (verse 4)
Every person ever born is born of the flesh. Even Jesus had an earthly mother. However, Jesus put on the likeness of flesh becoming like those He came to save. (Philippians 2:4-8) He did not give up His standing as God the Son to put on human flesh. He was tempted just as we are, but did not give in to that temptation and sin. (Matthew 4:1-11) He withstood it perfectly, allowing Him to eventually take humanity’s sins upon Himself at the cross and pave a way for the gift of the Holy Spirit to be deposited inside every person who truly repents (turns away) from sin and believes in Him through faith. (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) Daily there is temptation to walk according to the desires of sinful flesh, but Jesus makes it possible through the Holy Spirit to walk in Him and turn away from fleshly lusts and sinful desires.

Everyday Application

1) Why was there condemnation? (verse 1)
Each one of us is a sinner. (Romans 3:23) In light of that sin, each of us deserves condemnation for our sins and Paul is clear that the condemnation we earn is death in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…”. While God has always required sacrifice for forgiveness, it wasn’t until Jesus that the sacrifice was permanent. Being fully God and fully human, yet was utterly without sin, Jesus was the Only One who qualified to pay for the debt of sin in full. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Only through Jesus is there no longer condemnation for any who believe in Him. (verse 1) Jesus walked on earth as the only perfect person to ever live. He then took the sins of humanity to the cross. (1 John 2:2) If we simply accept the gift of His sacrifice we are forgiven and free from condemnation’s shame. However, that does not mean there is no accusation. I appreciate what Matthew Henry says, “He does not say, “There is no accusation against them,’’ for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, “There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation,’’ for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be their ruin”. We are still guilty of our sin, but we are no longer condemned through the blood of Jesus. There are often still consequences for our sinful actions in our relationships, but the final punishment of death has been eradicated for eternity. If we repent (turn away from sin), and seek God’s forgiveness, He will no longer hold us accountable to pay for our sin. (Acts 3:19)

2) What could the law not do? (verse 3)
Jesus told His disciples, “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17) As a matter of fact, Jesus summed the entire law up into 2 statements: Love God and love others (your neighbor). (Matthew 22:35-40) The reality is, you and I could never be perfect under the law. We are incapable of perfectly living out even 1 of the 10 commandments God gave to Moses. However, God knew we would fail when He gave the law; our sin didn’t catch Him by surprise. Hebrews 10:1 says, “Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the reality itself of those things, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year.” Therefore, He sent Jesus to do what the law could not. Jesus fulfilled the law for us, but His righteousness isn’t ours automatically. We must choose to accept His free gift of forgiveness and freedom from condemnation in order to claim it for ourselves.

3) What does it mean to “walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit”? (verse 4)
We are all born of the flesh and it is in our natural tendency to sin. Our default nature is to love sin. There is a reason we don’t need to teach small children to sin (hit, bite, get angry, retaliate, or scream for their way) but instead parents are to correct their sinful behavior. In our flesh, we are born sinners and are all in need of Jesus. (Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22) Jesus came, died on the cross, and conquered death allowing for freedom from the flesh. However, just because we accept what Jesus did for us doesn’t mean we leave the flesh completely behind to never sin or be tempted again. On the contrary, it is a daily battle to die to self and walk in the “newness of life” provided through Christ. (Romans 6:4-8) When we choose to surrender our will, moment by moment, to the Spirit’s work in us, He will teach us to keep in step with Him as He conforms us into the image of Jesus. (Galatians 5:16) This transformation is not immediate but a daily choice where we look more like Jesus tomorrow than we do today and more like Jesus a year from now that we did last year. As the Spirit leads, and we choose to follow, we are actively being conformed to the likeness of Jesus. (Romans 8:29)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Justice + Mercy = Freedom!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Alive Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

If Day 12 Free Ride: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Free Ride!

The Questions

1) Why was the man willing to sell everything for this treasure he found? (verse 44)

2) Who is the merchant? (verse 45)

3) What can be learned from these two parables?

Matthew 13:44-46

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.

Original Intent

1) Why was the man willing to sell everything for this treasure he found? (verse 44)
Though Jesus’ parable doesn’t specifically describe what the man found in the field, we know he found it to be of extreme value. This wasn’t something he intentionally went looking for, rather, he happened to stumble upon his grand discovery. Once he found it, he knew its high worth and was willing to bury it again in the field, keeping it hidden and protected, while he went to sell everything he had in order to purchase the field. In this way, he could be certain the treasure he had found would be his forever.

2) Who is the merchant? (verse 45)
An experienced pearl merchant knew exactly what to look for, and he was intent on finding the “perfect pearl”. His life’s work was to know what a perfect pearl looked like, and then pursue that. Pearl merchants knew the worth of each pearl they encountered, and they knew the price to pay for it. Unlike the man who wasn’t expecting to find a treasure in a field, this merchant is actively seeking out the ultimate pearl. On finding it, he knew he had found a treasure worth a lavish price tag. He was willing to sell all he had in order to own the priceless pearl.

3) What can be learned from these two parables?
Jesus often taught in parables, or stories, throughout His earthly ministry. In these stories, Jesus used common things His audience would easily relate with in order to bridge to deeper spiritual truths. In this passage, Jesus wanted His audience to understand the inestimable Treasure He was about to offer them by dying in their place and paying the ultimate price for their sin. He also wanted them to understand the extreme cost of following Him once they understood the true value of embracing Him as Savior. While those listening to these parables did not fully understand them in the moment, His disciples came to understand them after His death and resurrection. They knew that following and obeying Jesus would cost them greatly; many paid with their lives.

Everyday Application

1) Why was the man willing to sell everything for this treasure he found? (verse 44)
The man in Jesus’ story found a treasure he knew was more valuable than anything he owned or could ever own. It was so valuable, in fact, he was willing to part with everything else in his life in order to gain this single treasure. Jesus intended His hearers to understand the Treasure to be Himself as the fullness of God. We have access to Him through His sacrifice where He paid the death penalty we deserve because of our sin so we might be reconciled back to Him. This Treasure had been hidden away in the Old Testament for centuries. Jesus wanted those listening to understand they could “dig” into the “field” of the former prophecies and historical narrative and even the Law in order to find the True Treasure. When we discover Jesus and the Truth of the Scriptures, we are urged to surrender all we have for the vast richness of Christ! (Philippians 3:7-8) Of believers in Jesus, Matthew Henry writes, “upon gospel terms, buy this field; they make it their own, for the sake of the unseen treasure in it. It is Christ in the gospel that we are to have an eye to.” When we understand Truth, recognizing its supreme value, we must make it our own. However, unlike the man who bought the field, our treasure of Christ is not meant to keep to ourselves, but instead share it with the world!

2) Who is the merchant? (verse 45)
This merchant knew exactly which pearl he was pursuing and would stop at nothing to obtain it for himself. Of this pearl, Matthew Henry writes, “a Jewel of inestimable value, which will make those who have it rich, truly rich, rich toward God; in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and forever.” As believers, we understand that in discovering Jesus and the truth of who He is, we have more than enough. Possessions and money are worthless in comparison to having the Treasure of God. There will never be anything more valuable to gain or pursue. Those who have pursued many things, seeking satisfaction, and finally finding Christ are the merchant from Jesus’ story; these people have found the Pearl of Jesus and have understood its supreme value. We don’t need to chase anything else.

3) What can be learned from these two parables?
Both the treasure in the field and the pearl cost a great deal to obtain. Jesus came as God in human flesh to pay the ultimate price for sin with His life that we might be set free from sin and shame. In order for us to spend eternity with God, this price must be paid, because God is just and righteous. This payment cost God His only Son. While there is nothing we can “do” to “purchase” this gift of salvation, there is a cost involved in following Jesus. (Luke 14:26-33) When we understand who Jesus is, we realize the cost is worth it. We become like the merchant and the man who bought the field when we realize the value of the Treasure of God and are willing to pay the cost. Just as these men were willing to part with everything in order to have their treasure, we too must be willing to part with everything in order to follow Christ. It isn’t going to be easy, and we may often question the cost, but as we become more like Jesus we will never regret the choice to pay the price and follow Him in full surrender!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Free Ride!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is If Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sketched IX Day 4 A New Day: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out A New Work!

The Questions

1) What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing?

2) What is the importance of the declaration by Father God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (verse 5)

3) Why did Jesus instruct these three disciples to “not tell anyone about the vision”? (verse 9)

Matthew 17:1-13

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

7 Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.”8 When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

10 So the disciples asked him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 “Elijah is coming and will restore everything,” he replied.12 “But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

Original Intent

1) What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing?
Peter, James, and John (who were the only disciples present with Jesus in this scene) were Israelites and would have been extremely familiar with Moses and Elijah. They would have known their pivotal role in Israel’s history and how God used their lives to reveal Himself through His covenant Law and His prophets. God used Moses to rescue His people from Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land. Moses was trusted with the 10 Commandments by God and was the spokesperson who delivered them to Israel. Elijah was one of the prophets. He was a faithful prophet who spoke against the false god Baal and pointed people towards Yahweh. God did not allow Elijah to die, but instead called him to Heaven, escorted there with a flaming chariot. (2 Kings 2:11) Peter, James and John would have seen these two men as encompassing all of the law and the prophets; their presence both gave witness to Christ and pointed to Jesus being the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.

2) What is the importance of the declaration by Father God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (verse 5)
This is the second time God spoke these words regarding Jesus. The first occurrence immediately followed Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:17) God the Father is giving clear authority to Jesus’ words and mission in these statements. We see these two occurrences at critical moments in Jesus’ ministry. The first is at the beginning of His public ministry, which was followed by Jesus’ period of fasting for 40 days in the wilderness where He would be tempted by Satan. The second comes towards the end of Jesus’ life as He is preparing to suffer the consequence of the sins of the world. (1 John 2:2) These declarations by Yahweh give Jesus authority in His mission, helping Israel understand that Jesus, as God the Son, was co-equal with God the Father. The Father’s voice of love also encouraged Jesus as He walked in obedience to the Father at these pivotal moments.

3) Why did Jesus instruct these three disciples to “not tell anyone about the vision”? (verse 9)
Peter, James, and John were chosen to see Jesus in all His glory before His death and resurrection. However, it was not time for the world to see Jesus in the same way. Peter, James, and John were witnesses to the event, and were then able to share it with the world once Jesus had resurrected. If they would have told the other disciples or made Jesus’ transfiguration public knowledge before the right time, it may have deterred the mission and made the suffering which He was preparing for confusing for the world. They would have wondered even more why He could not (intentionally chose not) to save Himself. Once Jesus resurrected, this event would serve as evidence to His divinity, but it needed to be concealed until the timing was right.

Everyday Application

1) What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing?
Moses and Elijah symbolized the law and the prophets of the Old Testament. For us as believers, Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of both. Moses and Elijah served as witnesses to the authority of Jesus during the transfiguration. Peter, James, and John then served as witnesses to the transfiguration and Jesus’ authority. Although you and I didn’t see these events firsthand, we know about them because of the faithful witness of those men. We too have a responsibility to be faithful witnesses to the activity of God in our lives as well as the divinity of Jesus to the world. Christ’s fulfillment of the law and prophets sets us free from the requirement for us to be perfect, which is impossible! Jesus was perfect on our behalf. When we share this good news with others, and how His freedom has healed us and made us whole, we are testifying of the transfiguration of our own souls in Jesus!

2) What is the importance of the declaration by Father God, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (verse 5)
The Father twice declared and affirmed Jesus’ identity. First, the declaration was very public at His baptism, and then, more intimately, in front of just 3 disciples. This declaration of Jesus as God the Son is crucial. The Father leaves no room for doubting who Jesus is and affirms He is more than a good man or great prophet; He ensures the disciples understand only Christ is the promised Messiah. This declaration provides each of us hope found only in Jesus. If Jesus wasn’t who He claimed, we would be left hopeless, for no “good man” could save us from the consequence (death and separation from God) we earn because of our sin. Jesus came, the Father confirmed His identity, and Christ fulfilled God’s promise to send One who was worthy and able to pay the price for our sins. The result of Jesus’ victory over death, our punishment for sin, provides us with unshakeable, eternal hope.

3) Why did Jesus instruct these three disciples to “not tell anyone about the vision”? (verse 9)
Peter, James, and John were privy to an incredible moment in Jesus’ life where they saw Jesus in His complete divinity before the resurrection. However, the world was not ready for this truth. They were instructed to keep the moment to themselves until after He resurrected. There are moments in our life where our experiences may need to be private for a time. It doesn’t remove the incredible work of God in us, but others may not be ready to hear it yet. However, there will come a time when we are called to testify of the greatness of our Savior and the work of our Lord, just as the disciples did. When that time comes, God uses our testimony for His glory. The Lord knows when the timing is perfect, just as He did when the three disciples were able to share the incredible story of the transfiguration. In the same way, His Spirit will prompt us to share our experiences with the divine, risen Savior; He will use our witness to glorify Himself and draw a lost world to Himself.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with A New Work!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched IX Week One
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Ready Day 2 Trade Routes: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Trade Routes!

The Questions

1) Why had Timothy traveled to visit the Thessalonians? (verse 6)

2) Why was Paul in distress and affliction? (verse 7)

3) Why was Paul experiencing joy? (verse 9)

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

Original Intent

1) Why had Timothy traveled to visit the Thessalonians? (verse 6)
Paul’s original visit to Thessalonica was cut short and he was sent away due to a riot initiated by the Jews. Check out the story in Acts 17:1-10! However, Paul did not forget about the believers in Thessalonica and, while he himself was delayed in revisiting them because of Satan’s hindrances (1 Thessalonians 2:18), he sent Timothy to “strengthen and encourage” the believers. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2) Paul was concerned that the persecution would ruin the faith of the Thessalonians and they would feel overwhelmed, buying the lie that Jesus wasn’t worth the struggle. As with everywhere he went, Paul had fully invested himself while with the new believers in Thessalonica. (1 Thessalonians 2:8) He sent Timothy to ensure his (and Silas’) labors in sharing the gospel hadn’t been for naught. (1 Thessalonians 3:5)

2) Why was Paul in distress and affliction? (verse 7)
Paul had been driven out of Thessalonica during the riot of the Jews. Yet again, Paul was met with persecution for his faith, which he lived out in daily, obedient surrender to Christ. While no stranger to persecution, it still caused distress and affliction in his life. He suffered emotionally and physically in ways we may never experience, but he counted it all as significant gain because he suffered for Jesus, who is of immeasurable worth! (James 1:2-4, Philippians 3:8) Paul was no stranger to the feelings of physical and emotional distress as he was continuously confronted with persecution after his conversion to Christ. However, Paul knew every affliction that came as a result of his obedience to God was absolutely worth it if the gospel was being spread! (1 Peter 3:17-18) He wrote to the church in Philippi regarding his suffering for Jesus, “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…” (Philippians 3:10)

3) Why was Paul experiencing joy? (verse 9)
Timothy brought back an encouraging report to Paul that far exceeded his expectations. The believers in Thessalonica were persevering and flourishing both in their faith and love for one another. This caused great joy in Paul and he publicly thanked God for His work in the lives of the Thessalonians. Paul knew this good work was not to be attributed to him and quickly placed credit where credit was due. Paul was witnessing in the testimony of the Thessalonians what he himself had experienced to be true in his own life of persecution. The more believers surrender to the work of God in their lives, the more God advances the gospel and finishes His work in and through their outpouring of faith and gratitude. Even in the midst of significant hardship, there was still reason to offer thanksgiving, and Paul did exactly this. Paul was also joyful that the Thessalonians had not forgotten him (verse 6), which emphasizes the love all believers share because of the love of God at work within them!

Everyday Application

1) Why had Timothy traveled to visit the Thessalonians? (verse 6)
Paul had been forced away from Thessalonica before he had finished the work he planned to do there. He was concerned the work of discipling new believers, and helping them grow into mature Christ-followers, would fall apart. He was concerned the Gospel would not flourish or take root in his absence. There are times in our own lives where we share the Gospel with people and don’t have the opportunity to stay and watch it grow. If we travel to a mission field away from home, we will likely need to return home before we can witness the growth and change happening in the hearts of those with whom we shared Jesus. People may briefly be placed in our lives for a short season and then they are no longer part of our everyday life for us to see the Good News take root in their lives. Whatever the case, there will be times where we will obediently plant seeds we may never have the opportunity to see grow. While Paul had the ability to send Timothy to follow up on the Thessalonians, we may not have that same privilege. However, we can take comfort that it is God’s job is to grow the seeds we plant; He will send the right people into the lives of those we share with at just the right time in order to encourage and strengthen them. Conversely, we may be the people fulfilling this specific role after someone else has planted seeds in obedience. Whatever the task, and whoever is around us, our command to share Jesus and invest well never changes! We never know where someone is in their faith journey, but it is always our job to work as God is calling us in the lives of those He places around us. While we are obedient to His call, He will be faithful to accomplish His mission!

2) Why was Paul in distress and affliction? (verse 7)
Paul was no stranger to significant struggle. We see him confronted with it time and again throughout his ministry. However, Paul was willing to accept distress and affliction if it meant the Gospel was advanced. (Philippians 1:12-13) He lived a life exemplifying what it looked like to continuously surrender to Christ no matter the earthly consequences. Paul never allowed affliction to prevent him from sharing the reason for his faith, which is a lesson we all need to learn and put into practice! Persecution, distress, and affliction will come our way if we are committed to following obediently after Jesus. However, it is our choice whether we will be silenced by these struggles or, whether we, like Paul, will choose to share the Gospel regardless of our circumstances. Paul always had a response to the hope he had in the midst of all kinds of persecution. (1 Peter 3:15) The question we must ask ourselves is, do we?

3) Why was Paul experiencing joy? (verse 9)
The genuine joy Paul abundantly experienced resulted from the fruit of the Thessalonians’ actively growing faith in God. While not all was perfect in Thessalonica, the believers there had not abandoned their faith and instead they were maturing in it, despite living in the midst of conflict and persecution. In the same way, our authentic joy comes from knowing God and seeing Him move regardless of the circumstances around us. Joy also flows out of actively engaging in shared biblical community. The Thessalonian believers had not forgotten Paul, just as he had not forgotten them; this shared unity and delight in being mutually invested in one another brought deep, satisfying joy. We cannot live this life alone and the joy Paul and the Thessalonian believers felt speaks to the sense of community we all long for, to be known and loved, both by fellow believers in Jesus and by God Himself. What a delight to know God gives these as gifts to share between all believers and Himself!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Trade Routes!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Ready Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Word Day 4 Follow & Remove: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Follow & Remove!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem for the Passover and why is this important to this passage? (verse 13)

2) Why did the actions of the people in the temple make Jesus so angry and why was His anger not sinful? (verses 15-16)

3) Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to them? (verse 24)

John 2:13-24

13 The Jewish Passover was near, and so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords, he drove everyone out of the temple with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

17 And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.
18 So the Jews replied to him, “What sign will you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.” 20 Therefore the Jews said, “This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?”

21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made. 23 While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem for the Passover and why is this important to this passage? (verse 13)
Deuteronomy 16:16 instructed all men to appear before the Lord three times a year. The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which Passover is part of, was one of those times. Jesus would have made the journey to Jerusalem in accordance with this instruction along with all the other Israelite males as Jerusalem was the religious center of Israel. Therefore, the city would have been a bustling place full of travelers. The temple was located in Jerusalem and these travelers were also required to make a sacrifice while they were there. All of these details set up the scene we read about in this passage.

2) Why did the actions of the people in the temple make Jesus so angry and why was His anger not sinful? (verses 15-16)
Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread would have brought many travelers into Jerusalem all of whom were required to offer sacrifices to God according to the Law. While some would have brought their sacrifice with them, several would have arrived needing to purchase an animal for the sacrifice. The people of Jerusalem had chosen to set up a marketplace in the Temple Courts to not only sell animals, but also offer money changing services as people would have needed local currency. These merchants sold for a higher price and took up the space in the Temple that would have otherwise been reserved for worship. Jesus shows up and is angry at what is taking place in His Father’s house. He is angered at the Temple being defiled and people being cheated out of their money. Not only are they defiling the Temple, but they are profiting from their actions. Jesus shows His anger by clearing out the Temple of the merchants. However, this anger was not sinful because Jesus was responding to sin, He was responding to His Father being insulted. Neither was He acting “out of control” in His anger as we read that He had taken the time to “(make) a whip out of cords” (verse 15) as He observed the defilement around Him. Therefore, Christ’s actions were coming from a place of righteous anger and were not sinful.

3) Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to them? (verse 24)
Being the Son of God, Jesus knew the hearts of those standing before Him. He knew when He was being misunderstood or when faith was not genuine. Many eyewitnesses, who followed Jesus and saw all He did during His time in Jerusalem, noticed He was different, but did not embrace Him as the Son of God. Jesus knew they thought He was a good teacher, or possibly a prophet, but they refused to recognize Him as the promised Messiah. As a result, Jesus chose to keep Himself at a distance from those who didn’t genuinely believe Him.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus go to Jerusalem for the Passover and why is this important to this passage? (verse 13)
Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover which was customary in His day. There was a sacredness to these days and the Israelites took time to pause and remember what God had done. We could learn a lesson from the Israelites about slowing down and intentionally remembering what God has done in our lives. They spent time preparing their hearts by following customs designed to help turn their hearts to worship. While we aren’t bound by the same Law they were, it is wise to follow their example and set aside specific times in our calendar for remembering and celebrating what God has done.

2) Why did the actions of the people in the temple make Jesus so angry and why was His anger not sinful? (verses 15-16)
As New Testament followers of Christ, we no longer have a temple we are required to make pilgrimages to. However, Scripture is clear that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) In light of Jesus’ high view of the temple in Jerusalem, we should ask ourselves if we are conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of ourselves being called a temple. The Holy Spirit resides in all who have placed the full weight of their trust in Jesus and His sacrifice for us, therefore we should glorify God with our bodies instead of defiling them as the merchants defiled the temple. We can also think about these verses in relation to the church, which is God’s people living out His love to others on earth. We can bring disunity within the church and damage the church’s impact when we become distracted by anything less than worshipping our Creator. Likewise, we should remember there is such a thing as righteous anger. However, in response to sin and injustice, we must be careful to act within the authority we have and not assume the authority of Jesus. We should rise up against injustice and stand up for those who are treated unjustly. We should be angered by sin within ourselves and others. However, we are not called to be the judge and jury for those outside the Body of Believers. Instead, we are called to love the sinner and point them to Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

3) Why did Jesus not entrust Himself to them? (verse 24)
Jesus knew the hearts of those around Him when He walked the earth, and He knows ours as well. He knows if we are genuine in our faith or faking it to the world around us. “Faith cannot be one-sided here any more than elsewhere. Christ gives Himself to those who give themselves to Him. They who so trust Him that He is sure they will follow Him even when they cannot see where He is going; they who trust Him, not in one or two matters which they see He can manage, but absolutely and in all things; to these He will give Himself freely, sharing with them His work, His Spirit, His reward.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary) There will be challenging days in our faith and we are called to trust Christ, not only when life is easy and we know where we are headed, but also in moments of uncertainty or when those around us waiver. When we choose faith, the reward is large. This past year of 2020, has been a year of staying faithful in the unknown and hard for many of us. However, even in those moments, we are called to genuinely believe and trust Jesus. Following Him won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Follow & Remove!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Word Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Enough Day 7 Fallen Kings: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Fallen Kings!

The Questions

1) Why did Israel not have a king up to this point?

2) What had Samuel said that Israel refused to listen to?

3) Why did Israel want a king so desperately and why did God choose to give them a king?

1 Samuel 8:19-22

19 The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. 20 Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles.”

21 Samuel listened to all the people’s words and then repeated them to the Lord. 22 “Listen to them,” the Lord told Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.”
Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Each of you, go back to your city.”

Original Intent

1) Why did Israel not have a king up to this point?
God instituted a covenant between Himself and Abraham long before these verses were written. This covenant was a promise to bring nations forth from Abraham and his offspring, and it was also a covenant to be their God. (Genesis 17:5-7) In Exodus 6:7, God told Moses the Israelites would be His people and He would be their God. The Israelites didn’t need an earthly king because they had God as their ruler. You’re likely familiar with the term, “democracy” as a rule by the people. Israel had a “theocracy” as a rule governed by God. Up until this point in Israel’s history God would send judges as needed to correct the Israelites when they rebelled repeatedly, but they had no need for a king. God was King. Israel was called by God to be a nation set apart from other nations (Leviticus 20:26) and the lack of a physical, human king was one aspect which separated them from other nations. God had not seen fit to provide a king because Israel did not need one.

2) What had Samuel said that Israel refused to listen to?
These verses follow a dialogue between Samuel and the elders of Israel. They had asked for a king and Samuel had warned them of the reasons they should not desire a king. 1 Samuel 8:9-18 reminds the Israelites what a king would take from them and what is owed to a king. Samuel also warned them that if they appoint themselves a king, there would come a day they would regret their decision and cry out to God, but He will not answer because of their decision to choose an earthly king over The Sovereign King. As verse 19 begins, the Israelites are disagreeing with Samuel’s reasoning and continue demanding a king.

3) Why did Israel want a king so desperately and why did God choose to give them a king?
These verses come toward the end of Samuel’s life. He has appointed his sons as judges over Israel. However, the elders of Israel knew that Samuel’s sons did not live as he did, or follow God as Samuel had. In response, the elders asked for a king. The elders even admitted they desired to have a king “just like the other nations”; they were bent on rejecting God as their king. (1 Samuel 8:1-8) The Israelites strongly wanted to be like everyone around them instead of following their calling to be a nation set apart for God’s purposes. Israel begs for a king as a result of allowing the world around them to have greater influence on them than God. Simply stated, they wanted what everyone else had, which had been a recurring problem for Israel since God rescued them from Egypt. Although God knew it wasn’t in their best interest, He allowed them free will and instructed Samuel to send the elders home until the time a king would be appointed. Even though a king was not what God desired for Israel at this time in history, He allowed it and even used it to teach Israel a lesson about worshipping Him and following Him over others.

Everyday Application

1) Why did Israel not have a king up to this point?
In the United States we do not have a king. As a matter of fact, our country became a nation by people who left England and then fought a war to escape the king’s rule. Citizens of nations with Presidents living under democracies read passages like this in Samuel and don’t have the same understanding the first audience naturally did. God had set Israel apart to be different, and while none of us can claim our nation to be set apart in the same way (unless we are Israel!), God does set apart believers in the same way. There should be a noticeable difference between believers in Jesus and nonbelievers. We should ask ourselves if we are being transformed to the image of God or if we are allowing the world to transform us to their image. God desires for us to submit our lives to Him, looking more like Jesus and less like the world much like He desired Israel to live in submission to Him rather than to an earthly king.

2) What had Samuel said that Israel refused to listen to?
Samuel has just finished providing the Israelites with all the reasons they should not desire a king. However, they refused to listen and demanded a king anyway. How often do we behave in a similar fashion? God provides us with instruction that is best for us, and if we are listening to Him, leads us down the path He knows is right, but we think we know best and ignore God’s leading. We continue to demand our will instead of His, placing ourselves as our own king over His rightful rule. Sometimes we do this because we cannot see God’s plan and God’s path appears too difficult. Other times, we demand our will because we desire control or we feel we know better. In these moments, we behave just as the Israelites, refusing to listen to the wise counsel that truly is best for us.

3) Why did Israel want a king so desperately and why did God choose to give them a king?
Israel desired to look like the other nations around them instead of the set apart nation God had called them to be. They had lived under constant blessing and favor from God. He had rescued them from slavery and led them to a land of their own, yet God’s provision and faithfulness were not enough; Israel wanted more. Israel’s disobedience provides a lesson for us today. Just as the Israelites were in covenant with God, so are all who have surrendered to Jesus and trusted Him as their personal Savior. I appreciate the words of Expositor’s Bible Commentary, “But the lesson of the text is rather for those who have the favour and blessing of God, but are not content, and still crave worldly things. You are in covenant with God. He has redeemed you, not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. You are now sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what you shall be. There is laid up for you an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. Yet your heart hankers after the things of the world.” We are often drawn astray by the things of the world and we long for what God does not desire for us. Even in His sovereignty, He will allow us the free will of our desires and, just as He taught the Israelites a lesson by allowing them a king, He will teach us a lesson when we follow our earthly desires instead of His. God is a God who pursues us even in the moments we drift away. He will constantly teach us and pull us back to Himself because we have been redeemed by Him and He has plans bigger than ours for our lives.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Fallen Kings!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Enough Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Worship VIII Day 12 Authentic Worship: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Authentic Worship!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and how is this done? (verse 1)

2) Why should we “not be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)

3) What does transformation look like? (verse 2)

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Original Intent

1) What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and how is this done? (verse 1)
The practice of sacrificing an innocent animal was common practice for Paul’s audience. When he said “sacrifice”, they had immediate, visual context for his meaning. However, a sacrifice was typically not left alive. Israelites presented their offering for the priest to sacrifice on the altar after it had been slaughtered, for “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) Sacrifice was vital to the everyday living out of the Israelites’ faith. Yet Paul refers here to a different type of sacrifice, a living one. Christ had already come and sacrificed Himself for all of mankind, spanning the impassable gap between us and God created because of our sinfulness. Paul is calling his audience to willingly sacrifice, or turn over, their entire lives to God and His will. He is reminding his readers their lives are not their own, rather they belong to the God who gave His Son to redeem them.

2) Why should we “not be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)
Paul instructs his audience to “not be conformed to this age”, or in some translations, “to the world”. According to Webster’s Dictionary, conformed literally means to make similar in form, nature, or character. The Greek word for conform, “συσχηματίζω”, takes the definition farther in meaning, “to fashion one’s self according to the pattern or mold of another.” Paul is urging his readers to not look like the world in which they live. He strongly reminds them they are now free from the pattern of the world and no longer need to fit themselves into its mold. Christ has done a good work in them and they now carry a different identity than the world in which they reside. They have been reborn to live free and renewed!

3) What does transformation look like? (verse 2)
Transformation is a process that completely changes an object into something new. Paul is telling his audience their full surrender allows the God of the Universe to transform them to be like Him. Paul isn’t talking about simply a physical transformation, but instead a transformation of their whole being. This is radical! Paul is calling believers to allow God to change the way they behave, think, react, and so much more as He puts His Spirit to live within them, making them new as they give over control. This process begins with renewing their mind. As God transforms their minds, the changes flesh out in their behaviors and everyday life. Matthew Henry calls it, “a change not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul”. He goes on to say it occurs in a way “that the man is not what he was, old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs”. This is transformation by the Spirit’s power!

Everyday Application

1) What does it mean to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” and how is this done? (verse 1)
When we become believers in Jesus, trusting Him to cover the payment for our sins against God, our lives are no longer our own. We freely accept what Jesus did on the cross for us and in return we offer our bodies, the whole of our lives back to Him out of love, knowing we could never repay Him for His sacrifice. In doing this, we choose to allow God to work in and through us how He sees fit; we turn our will over to Him. This surrender is not a one-time occurrence, instead this sacrifice is a moment by moment decision we make as believers to surrender ourselves to the Lord. There are times where my life does not look like a sacrifice, when I am operating in my will instead of God’s, and He lovingly calls me back to Himself in full surrender. We are constantly called to choose to live as a sacrifice presenting ourselves to be used for the glory of God and not our own ways.

2) Why should we “not be conformed to this age”? (verse 2)
Perhaps you’ve heard the popular Christian saying, “be in the world but not of it”. In essence, this is exactly what Paul is calling believers to in this verse. Jesus Himself prays for believers in John 17 and we are reminded several times in His prayer that believers are not of the world. This is not our home because we have now been born of the Spirit of God. (John 3:5-6) Our real home awaits us in the presence of our Heavenly Father when we leave this world and enter eternity. Just as Paul did not want his audience to look like the world, neither are we to fit its mold either. We are called to look and behave differently than those with no hope. We are called to live a life that resembles Jesus, a life lived out of the overflow of our relationship with Him rather than an attempt to fashion ourselves after the world’s pattern. When our everyday lives are an overflow of our close walk with Jesus, He naturally shapes us to not look like this world even though we currently reside in it. He crafts us to be like Jesus Himself! (Romans 8:29)

3) What does transformation look like? (verse 2)
A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly and no longer looks as it once did. An example like this is what many of us immediately consider when we hear the word “transformation”. We think of something that endured a change so great it no longer resembles its old self. Transformation is not something that occurs overnight, and the same is true of the transformation Paul references in these verses. We become believers the day we accept the free gift of salvation Jesus offers through His death on the cross. However, we are not complete at that moment. Instead, God continuously transforms us to look less like our old selves and more like Jesus as we grow in relationship with Him. This transformation is not first one seen on the outside, but as God changes our mind and our thoughts, what pours out of our lives begins to look different. We slowly transform into a new person, one who more and more resembles Jesus and less and less resembles sin and the broken pattern this world represents. However, Sisters, do not lose hope when you fail to live up to the transformation taking place in you, for it will not be complete until we enter eternity and the temptation to follow the pattern of sin is forever banished. Instead, acknowledge when you look more like the world and less like Jesus, turn again in surrender and allow God to do what only He can, forgive you and continue making you like Him.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Authentic Worship!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship VIII Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.