I Pet 3:15, Getting ready to defend our hope
Week-5 Handout … for the final class-session, on 05/26/21
Session-5 outline
( 5 mins) Final Devotional thoughts
(15 mins) Interactive-exercise related to …
_1. The process of progressing from an un-sequenced list of
texts on “Spiritual Authority” … to the in-body chain
that flows from “link to link” (ie: text to text).
_2. (If time permits): Our starter-lists related to
“God’s Soul-saving gifts”.
Since this was described as optional homework, let’s just
reason together regarding some words or phrases
associated with God’s soul-saving gifts.
We can then, later … use these terms & phrases to build a
starter-list of texts applicable to this sub-topic.
(10 mins) Quick walk-through of misc considerations applicable to Chaining;
in defense of our hope or for any other Scriptural topic.
( 5 mins) Final questions/comments
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Devo Subject: The meaning of “defense”, in I Pet 3:15.
We have been preparing a defense for weeks, without formally defining it J.
So, we will do that tonight before the class is completed.
The Greek word rendered as “defense” in the NAS, is “apologia”. If the
word had been transliterated rather than translated, what very mistaken
impression might be made?
NOT: “always being ready to make an ______________ for the hope … in you…”
However, something “close” to a transliteration yields a noun whose
definition is quite near the meaning of “defense” as used in 3:15.
“_______________” in general refers to reasoned (ie: logical) arguments
or writings used to support a particular position. The discipline
frequently applies to positions in either science or religion.
In the context of Christianity, the “positions” correspond to Biblical
teachings or doctrines.
When Peter encouraged his readers to always be ready to make a
defense of their hope, he wanted them to give a
reasoned (or logical) explanation for their hope.
So, as we prepare ourselves to be ready … we want to do the very best
we can to accurately & logically explain the truths of God’s Word.
(comp II Tim 2:15)
Interactive-exercise, part_1 … PRINT pages 4-6 for Reference Documents
Miscellaneous reminders and considerations …
A few reminders of important points covered in earlier weeks …
We want to sanctify Christ, as Lord, in the way that we live daily,
and also in the way that we “defend our hope”.
For someone to ask us about our hope, they need to observe hope in us …
through the way we conduct ourselves &/or in the way we speak.
When we get the opportunity, we should do our best to “defend our hope”
with gentleness, humility, agape love, and open Bibles.
Whether or not we share it during the “defense”, we should be
familiar with the context of the verses identified in our Chaining.
Pray … for opportunities to “defend”, for faithfulness & boldness during
the “defense”, & for the Questioner to be receptive to the Word.
A few new miscellaneous thoughts I don’t recall discussing earlier …
As we are deciding whether to include a particular text in our ohaining,
try to objectively assess whether it clearly communicates (or at least
contributes to) the intended message.
Are there potential questions &/or objections that might be anticipated
related to sharing a particular text? If so, we might be able to
prepare for them in advance. (Paul demonstrates this in his writings.
See, for example, I Cor 15: 27-28.)
Consider trying to minimize the number of verses to be read for a single
supporting-text … if we can do so without compromising clarity.
An example from last week’s starter-lists for “Conditionally Beneficial”:
Acts 8: 26-31 & 34-39 … is 12 verses. The condition(s) represented are
all found within 35-38. So, my personal preference would be to
read only 35-38 (4 verses), and mark 26-34 as immediate-context.
If a text we are considering contains a textual variant … my personal
preference is to find the same teaching elsewhere, in order to avoid a
potential objecttion.
In last week’s starter-lists related to the “Conditionally Beneficial”
sub-topic, two texts that were shared contained variants.
(Acts 8:37 and Mk 16: 9-20 are both variants.)
If we decide they are important enough &/or we cannot find a similar
teaching without a variant … at least be aware of possible objections.
What should we do if we’re asked a question that we are not ready for?
_A. If it is something we know will be covered later in our chains.
_B. If it is something we know will not be covered later.
Before we use our Chaining with a Questioner, consider trying it first
with a Christian friend. What advantages might this have?
Interactive-exercise, part_2
Final questions/comments
From anyone in the class …
From Art …
At times, our sessions have run past 8 PM. And at times we have had to cover “too much” material in a single session. But you have been very patient, accommodating, and gracious.
Still, we did not complete everything that would have been ideal. But
we should now have the tools to complete Steps 2-4 of the Chaining process for the sub-topics which follow “Spiritual Authority” in our Chains-List.
If you work on your Chaining after tonight’s class … and encounter any
questions or problems … feel free to email or call me.
If we are now closer than we were 6 weeks ago … to “always being ready to make a defense … for the hope that is in us” … then the class has been
well-worth our collective efforts.
Thank you for your participation!
Art & Dana’s Final-Lists
Step-2: Prepare final sequenced-lists (Full and Abbreviated)
Logically-sequenced texts related to Spiritual Authority
NOTE: The yellow-highlighted verses are ALSO part of the final ABBReviated list!
Text Immediate key thought
Context
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The authority of the Scriptures
I Thess 2:13 2: 9-13 The (gospel msg) is not the word of men, but the word of God
II Tim 3: 16-17 3: 13-17 All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for …
Scriptural authority & relevance are ongoing
I Pet 1: 23-25 1: 22-25 The Word of the LORD abides forever
Heb 4: 12-13 4: 7-13 The Word is sharper than 2-edged sword … All things are open
to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do!
The authority of God the Father, and of Christ Jesus
Mt 28:18 28: 16-20 All authority has been given to Christ Jesus
I Cor 15: 27-28 15: 20-28 An anticipated question … Is Christ now “over” the Father as well?
NO … the Father is “the exception”
Jn 12:48 12: 44-50 The words Jesus spoke … will judge us on the last day
Col 3:17 3: 12-17 Do sll in the name of the Lord (“name” suggests authority)
Relationship between the Law and the new covenant
Heb 8: 7,9,13 8: 6-13 Changing of the covenants!
Heb 9: 16-17 9: 15-22 Timing of the change
//, that many people hold in high esteem
Unreliable sources of authority
Mt 15: 3,8-9 15: 1-9 Traditions which violate God’s instruction
Prov 14:12 14: 11-14 The way that “seems right” … ends in death (follows 3:5!)
Prov 3:5 3: 3-8 Trust the LORD, not your own understanding
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** Related texts that we decided NOT to include in our in-body chaining (with a few exceptions).
(They are retained here for possible future use. eg: reference, addressing questions, etc.)
Text key thought
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Starter-list from Steve and Mona
2 Timothy 3:16-17 This text is included in our final-list
Jn 3:16 Used instead, in the sub-topic: “Conditionally Beneficial” // Belief
Mt 28:18 This text is included in our final-list
Mt 16: 15-16 Who do you say that I am, & Peter’s response (given to him by the Father)
Acts 5:29 Peter & the other apostles (to the Council): We must obey God … not men
Php 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as Christ’s …
Prov 3:5 This text is included in our final-list
Jms 4: 7-8 Submit therefore to God.. Resist the devil & he will flee from you.
Starter-list from Mary
Jn 1: 1-17 AND Things said about God (in Gen 1) also apply to the Word-become-flesh
Gen 1, select verses Creation-from-nothing was the work of God … spoken into existence
Art & Dana’s Chains-List
Step-3: Prepare a Chains-List for the inside back-cover of your Bible
Main-Topic: Defending our hope (based on I Pet 3:15)
Properly-Sequenced Sub-Topics First Logically- Last Logically-
sequenced text sequenced text
Spiritual Authority I Thess 2:13 Prov 3:5
Sin, A Universal Problem Rom 3:23_ Is 59: 1-2
God’s Soul-Saving Gifts ____________ ________________ // TBD
Universally Available I Tim 2: 3-4 Gal 3:28
Conditionally Beneficial Mt 7: 13-14 Acts 2: 38,41
… … … … … … … … … … … …
(Counting the Cost) ____________ ________________ // TBD
The following “Main Topic” examples are just to illustrate that we can use
Chaining for a multitude of topical studies.
For this class, only the preceding Main Topic is relevant.
Main-Topic: Relationship between covenants
Properly-Sequenced Sub-Topics First Logically- Last Logically-
sequenced text sequenced text
Spiritual Authority I Thess 2:13 Prov 3:5
Relationship between covenants ____________ ________________ // TBD
Main-Topic: … … …
Main-Topic: … … …
Art & Dana’s In-Body Chains … EXAMPLES
Step-4 Prepare the in-body chains (corresponding to Step-2)
Both examples are taken from sub-topic “Spiritual Authority”.
Heb 4: 12-13 falls between two texts on the Abbreviated-final-list.
Its immediate-context is 4: 7-13 …
so 6 & 14 are OUTSIDE the bracket identifying the context,
7 – 13 are INSIDE the bracket.
12 & 13 are flagged with “**” because they are to be read aloud.
If the FULL list is being followed, the next text is Mt 28:18
If the ABBR list is being followed, the next text is I Cor 15: 27-28
6 Nothing
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| 7 Nothing
| 8 Nothing
| 9 Nothing
| 10 Nothing
| 11 Nothing
** | 12 For the word of God is living … FULL -> Mt 28:18
** | 13 And there is no creature hidden … ABBR -> I Cor 15: 27-28
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14 Nothing
I Cor 15: 27-28 is part of the Abbreviated-final-list.
Its immediate-context is 15: 20-28 …
so 19 & 29 are OUTSIDE the bracket identifying the context,
20 – 28 are INSIDE the bracket.
27 & 28 are flagged with “**” because they are to be read aloud.
If the FULL list is being followed, the next text is Jn 12:48
If the ABBR list is being followed, the next text is Prov 3:5
19 Nothing
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| 20 Nothing
| 21 Nothing
| 22 Nothing
| 23 Nothing
| 24 Nothing
| 25 Nothing
| 26 Nothing
** | 27 For He has put all things … … FULL -> Jn 12:48
** | 28 And when all things are subjected … ABBR -> Prov 3:5
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29 Nothing