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August Apologetics Tools
Apologetics 101: Christian apologetics is the branch of theology that deals with the defense and rational justification of the Christian faith. Below are our tools to help Grace family continue to grow in being able to defend their faith.
- August Apologetics Google Doc: Where to find all of your August Apologetics questions, answers, links and more.
- Slido App - Where you can submit anonymous Bible questions or life questions to your Grace Pastors.
- Blue Letter Bible - a great website to help you study and memorize scriptures and learn more!
- Cross Examined.org - a great website to learn more about apologetics; click the link!
- Momma Bear Apologetics - a great book for Parents to teach their youth to defend their faith! Click the link!
Pastor Theo's: "On the Neck of Kings" Part II
Sunday, August 18th, 2024
All scriptures are in NIV Version
Bible Reading: Revelations 12, Key verse: Rev. 12:2
Psalm 118:1-17, 17
///
Read along with Pastor Theo: Notes
Re-Thinking Strategy: The How and Why of Spiritual Opposition
1 Peter 4:12-13 - Think it Not Strange “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Satan and His Fall: The Origin of Opposition
Isaiah 14:12-15 - Satan’s Rebellion "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit."
2 Peter 2:4 - Angels Who Rebelled “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.”
God’s Strategy: Using Man in the Spiritual Battle
Luke 10:1-20 - God Empowers Man to Fight "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field... The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’"
Psalm 8:4-5 - What is Man? "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor."
Understanding the Spiritual Battle: Satan's Role and God's Sovereignty
Job 1:6-12 - Satan Still Has Access to God & God uses Satan to test us "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’ Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."
The Outcome of the Spiritual Battle: Satan's Fate
John 10:10 - Satan’s Goal: Steal, Kill, and Destroy "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Revelation 12:12 - Satan’s Wrath "Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Revelation 20:14-15 - Satan’s Ultimate Defeat "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."
How to Respond: Standing Firm in the Spiritual Fight
1 Peter 5:8 - Be Vigilant "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
Matthew 4:1-4 - Jesus Responds with Scripture "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’"
The Nature of the Spiritual Fight: Endurance and Strategy
Matthew 4:1-11 - The Battle of Endurance "Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
The Final Encouragement: Victory is Assured
Psalm 118:1-17 - You Will Live and Not Die
1. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
3. Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.”
4. Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”
5. When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.
6. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
7. The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.
9. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
15. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16. The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17. I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
Endurance, Resilience and Patience is needed.
Matthew 24:13 (NIV): "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Sunday, August 18th, 2024
All scriptures are in NIV Version
Bible Reading: Revelations 12, Key verse: Rev. 12:2
Psalm 118:1-17, 17
///
Read along with Pastor Theo: Notes
Re-Thinking Strategy: The How and Why of Spiritual Opposition
1 Peter 4:12-13 - Think it Not Strange “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Satan and His Fall: The Origin of Opposition
Isaiah 14:12-15 - Satan’s Rebellion "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit."
2 Peter 2:4 - Angels Who Rebelled “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.”
God’s Strategy: Using Man in the Spiritual Battle
Luke 10:1-20 - God Empowers Man to Fight "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field... The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’"
Psalm 8:4-5 - What is Man? "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor."
Understanding the Spiritual Battle: Satan's Role and God's Sovereignty
Job 1:6-12 - Satan Still Has Access to God & God uses Satan to test us "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’ Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."
The Outcome of the Spiritual Battle: Satan's Fate
John 10:10 - Satan’s Goal: Steal, Kill, and Destroy "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Revelation 12:12 - Satan’s Wrath "Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
Revelation 20:14-15 - Satan’s Ultimate Defeat "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire."
How to Respond: Standing Firm in the Spiritual Fight
1 Peter 5:8 - Be Vigilant "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
Matthew 4:1-4 - Jesus Responds with Scripture "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’"
The Nature of the Spiritual Fight: Endurance and Strategy
Matthew 4:1-11 - The Battle of Endurance "Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
The Final Encouragement: Victory is Assured
Psalm 118:1-17 - You Will Live and Not Die
1. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
3. Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.”
4. Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”
5. When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.
6. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
7. The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.
9. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
14. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
15. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16. The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17. I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
Endurance, Resilience and Patience is needed.
Matthew 24:13 (NIV): "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Understanding your Bible: Breakdown of the Bible
Total Books in the Bible:
Tips on Memorizing and Recalling Bible Scriptures
Connecting Scriptures
Total Books in the Bible:
- 66 Books Total
- Total Books: 39
- Categories:
- Law (Torah or Pentateuch): 5 books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
- Historical Books: 12 books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)
- Wisdom Literature/Poetry: 5 books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon)
- Major Prophets: 5 books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel)
- Minor Prophets: 12 books (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)
- Total Books: 27
- Categories:
- Gospels: 4 books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
- History: 1 book (Acts)
- Pauline Epistles: 13 books (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon)
- General Epistles: 8 books (Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude)
- Prophecy: 1 book (Revelation)
Tips on Memorizing and Recalling Bible Scriptures
- Flash Cards
- Start Small and Build:
- Begin with short, meaningful verses. Memorize a few at a time and gradually build up to longer passages. Example: Start with John 3:16 before moving on to something longer like Psalm 23.
- Use Repetition:
- Repetition is key to memory. Repeat the verse multiple times throughout the day. Write it down, say it aloud, and use it in prayer.
- Understand the Context:
- Understanding the context and meaning of scripture helps with retention. Use Google other resources like Blue Letter Bible.com to answer the following questions: 1) Who’s the author of the scripture? 2) Who is their audience? 3) What’s happening in the time of this scripture? 4) Why is it happening?
- Use Acronyms, songs etc.
- Create acronyms, songs, or rhymes to help memorize verses. For example, the first letters of “Jesus Wept” (John 11:35) can be remembered as “JW.”
- Connect Verses:
- Link new verses to ones you already know. For example, connect Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all this through him who gives me strength”) to Joshua 1:9 (“Be strong and courageous…”).
- Use Flashcards or Apps:
- Write verses on flashcards and review them regularly. Bible memorization apps like “Scripture Typer” or “Bible Memory” can also be helpful.
- Online Resources:
- Blue Letter Bible.com
- Type your question into Google “Why did Jesus walk on water?”
- Practical Application:
- Use the scriptures in your daily life. The more you apply them, the more they will stick in your memory. Pray through the scriptures or share them with others.
- Group Study:
- Memorize verses with a study group or a partner. Discussing the verses and hearing others recite them reinforces your memory.
- Visual Aids:
- Write verses on sticky notes and place them around your house, on your mirror, or dashboard, so you see them often.
- Teach What You Learn:
- Teaching others is one of the best ways to solidify your own knowledge. As you share scriptures, you’ll find that you remember them more easily.
Connecting Scriptures
- Thematic Connections:
- Identify themes that run through multiple scriptures, such as God’s love (John 3:16, 1 John 4:8), faith (Hebrews 11:1, Ephesians 2:8), or salvation (Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8).
- Story Connections:
- Connect stories across the Bible. For example, link the story of Moses parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14) with Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:39) to illustrate God’s power over nature.
- Prophecy and Fulfillment:
- Connect Old Testament prophecies with their New Testament fulfillment. For example, Isaiah 53:5 prophesies about Jesus' suffering, which is fulfilled in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 27).
- Cross-Referencing:
- Use cross-references in your Bible to find related scriptures. These are often listed in the margins or footnotes and help you see how scriptures connect.