MY BIBLE COLLEGE JOURNAL WITH ASSIGNED SCRIPTURES
My Understanding of Those Scriptures
New Testament Survey Journal
Dr. Baker
by Becky Wall
Galatians 1 - 9/1/98
I was educated to things I had never been taught before because I was compelled to focus on the evidence Paul was trying to present instead of on the point Paul was trying to make. I had passed over this evidence while reading on my own. I concluded that Paul should be accepted as an Apostle, not merely because he says he is one, but because he has presented overwhelming evidence to prove his case.
The verse which meant the most to me was verse 18: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.” That’s pretty harsh. I must be careful to research and fully understand what I teach.
Galatians 2 - 9/1/98
I couldn’t help but put the key figures in a modern-day setting. I can think of several occasions where others tried to force their ideas on me, not because I am a Gentile, but because I was of a lower class, a female, have a limited education, a different political party, a different religion, etc. But in Jesus’ eyes, I am equal. In His eyes, I am somebody. I need to obey Him before any other, and if anyone tries to teach me anything contrary to what the scriptures teach, then I will continue to ignore that person’s teachings.
My favorite verse was 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." The bad and ugly part of me is dead, buried, and forgotten, but the good that comes from the Holy Spirit gives me a pure heart and a new life that will never end.
Galatians 3 - 9/1/98
In reading this chapter I gained a better perspective in knowing that the law is no longer our master, but that doesn’t make it null and void. It still serves the same purpose: it convicts us of sin. But the beauty of it all is that Christ has redeemed us. We don’t have to be born into just the right family, or be a particular gender, or be in a certain income level. I am free to be me, and I am loved just the way I am.
My favorite verses were 23-26, which include a promise against prejudice and a promise of the rights of an heir.
Galatians 4 - 9/2/98
I would certainly rather be an heir with the rights of an heir than to be a slave. As long as I remain in Christ, I will have the rights of an heir, but if I should fall into sin, I will become a slave to sin. Those are my choices. So why is it so hard to choose sometimes? Like the Galatians, I would lose my joy along with my freedom if I turn away from Christ’s teachings.
It is a paradox that when we are disciplined, we are the most free, but when we become “carefree,” we become a slave to our sins. I know that this principle is true because I have seen it too many times to doubt it. To be free in Christ is to be free indeed!
Galatians 5 - 9/2/98
I have never taken even a sip of an alcoholic beverage and I have never participated in an orgy, but I have to be really careful about honestly answering that I have never committed any of the other sins listed, at least in some form or the other. I thought, at first, that I had never participated in witchcraft, but I remember playing with a Ouija board at least once when I was young.
Galatians 6 - 9/2/98
It is hard to bear in mind at all times that I reap what I sow. Sometimes I quickly reap the consequences of my actions, but sometimes the consequences appear over a long period of time. It is so important for me to look at “the big picture,” not just the inviting temptations for pleasure that face me in the present. That few minutes of pleasure could not only bring dire consequences that are long-lasting, but could injure my reputation, my witness, my usefulness and potential as one of Christ’s disciples, and my self-respect. It would also rob me of my peace and ongoing happiness.
I Thessalonians 1 - 9/3/98
These words would be music to my ears if someone were to say them to me. I hope that at the end of my life someone will be prompted to say them.
I Thessalonians 2 - 9/3/98
Paul never wanted to be a burden to anyone so that his witness would be more well received, and he was gentle with the Thessalonians in his presentation of spiritual truths. His approach is one to exemplify when I present spiritual truths, and I never know when that opportunity will arise. The key, then, is to never be a burden to anyone, and always be gentle in my approach.
I Thessalonians 3 - 9/3/98
Paul continues to encourage the Thessalonians. I think encouragement is almost a lost virtue in our churches. It is one of my pet peeves. I do encourage, but I always feel I could encourage more if I would just take the time and overcome my own weaknesses that prevent me from doing so, like shyness and fear of saying the wrong thing. I've often said I was born with a silver foot in my mouth. I am really trusting God to help me overcome those fears so that I can increase my usefulness in the church and as an overall witness.
I Thessalonians 4 - 9/3/98
Paul gets a little more serious in his writings to the Thessalonians in that he reminds and warns them not to fall into sin. I, too, should stay in God’s Word to get those constant reminders and warnings so that I do not fall into sin.
I Thessalonians 5 - 9/7/98
Paul continues to admonish the Thessalonians. In the beginning of the chapter he warns them not to worry about when Christ will come again, but warns them to just be ready. Am I ready? Sometimes I think “Yes;” other times I think “No.” I will continue to prepare for His coming in a spiritual way, but I won’t give up my Dorm Mom job and my college studies in order to sit outside in a lawn chair waiting for Christ’s arrival, similar to what some of the Thessalonians were evidently doing. Paul put much emphasis on encouraging and admonishing one another, love, peace, and continuing to work. These charges apply to me, as well.
II Thessalonians 1 - 9/8/98
Paul encourages the Thessalonians not to lose heart over their sufferings, for the Lord would repay the trouble the troublers had brought to His people.
II Thessalonians 2 - 9/3/98
Paul further warns the Thessalonians against false prophets saying the end has come or who come with false teachings. That is why I should know the scriptures. There are so many out there who think they know the truth, but never bother to study the scriptures in search of the real truth. I know they can be very convincing and appear very confident because I have been approached by them before. It is my hope that I can prevent others from falling into this trap by confidently teaching them with scriptures. I had this opportunity one time when one of my friends was approached by Jehovah’s Witnesses and was soaking up everything they said. I knew my scripture well enough to combat the false teachings they were presenting, and even the Jehovah’s Witness trainee was shaking her head “Yes” at what I was saying, as if it made sense to her, too. It was a fulfilling experience. The friend began to go to the Church of Christ and is still a regular goer today. Several of her family members also go. This was about 25 years ago.
II Thessalonians 3 - 9/8/98
Paul again warns the people to work--to not be idle busybodies. This reminds me of something my mother used to say: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” In this case, it seems that Paul is trying to say, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” I would do well to heed the warnings of my mother and Paul, for I have seen and experienced that their points are well taken.
I Corinthians 1 - 9/13/98
These scriptures reminded me of God’s displeasure with the grumbling of the Israelites while on their trek from Egypt to the Holy Land. Paul, too, calls for the Corinthians to give up their quarrels. I do a lot of grumbling myself. Grumbling and quarreling causes division, and God hates division. He hates it in the home, and He hates it in the church. Therefore, I should avoid grumbling. Paul deviates from the subject by encouraging the people to take heart in that God uses the “weak” and “foolish” to accomplish His purposes. I feel weak and foolish, but it is comforting to know that these are the type of people through whom God worked. This is one time that I am okay with being weak and foolish.
I Corinthians 2 - 9/13/98
These scriptures confirm what I had concluded on my own. Spiritually speaking, I am subject to God’s judgment--not man’s. The Holy Spirit has led me on a path unknown to others, and it is the Holy Spirit I should listen to--not the judgment of man. The spiritual truths the Holy Spirit teaches me are not always consistent with what I am told by other Christians and non-Christians. It is God to whom I must ultimately answer, so it is He, through the Holy Spirit, that I should listen. He has promised to reveal to me the truths I need to know, as long as I am willing to listen.
I Corinthians 3 - 9/13/98
It was sobering to me to discover that my jealousy and quarreling puts me in the same category with the worldly ones. I became more aware of the emphasis God puts on my body being his temple. And if I do anything to destroy someone else’s temple, God will destroy me. I would never murder, but would I display, or am I already displaying, a behavior that another might copy to an excessive and destructive degree? I hope not, but it is something I need to constantly consider.
I Corinthians 4 - 9/13/98
The church must take advantage of every opportunity, for it is the foolishness of the church’s teaching that makes Christ’s message strong. I am a member of that church. I still have a measure of respectability because I have not been persecuted by Satan’s forces to the point that Paul was, in that people looked down upon him. I have been verbally abused because of my Christianity, but if I were persecuted to the point that I was in rags, physically tortured, and downtrodden, as Paul was, I would pray that it was because God considered me a worthy advocate.
I Corinthians 5 - 9/14/98
My charge in these scriptures is not to even associate with the unrepentant sinner. We are told in other passages to love the sinner, to witness to them, to help them in whatever way we can, but when they continue their behavior, we are to avoid them. I am to avoid them. I could be brought down by their behavior if I remain in their company for very long. I should never date or marry an unrepentant sinner; that would be a terrible failure to God on my part.
I Corinthians 6 - 9/14/98
I learned that my body provides housing for my soul and Spirit. It is God’s temple, and like the architectural structure, it is not to be defiled or desecrated. If I put this together with other scriptural teachings, my body, like the temple, is to be constantly cleansed. My body and soul should first be cleansed through baptism, then through the forgiveness that comes with prayer and confession. I should never do anything that would possibly or ultimately destroy my temple. Additionally, I would never get a tattoo because it is like putting graffiti on a temple. It is the shell that God wishes for me to use in order to complete His work in me. When that day comes, my shell will no longer needed, but I will live on for eternity, according to His promise.
I Corinthians 7 - 9/14/98
Because I am a divorcee, I battle with these scriptures sometimes. On the other hand, I am at peace with God over my situation. I know that Paul is speaking to Christians, and that some of them were wanting to divorce a mate, rebel against their slavery, be circumcised, etc. But Paul admonishes them to stay in their present situation. (He does tell the slaves to get their freedom if they can.) He is not addressing abusive marriages, adultery, fornication, an addicted spouse, etc. He does say that God has called us to live in peace. Divorce may be a sin, but so are anger, disharmony, bitterness, quarreling, abuse, etc. The Lord came to save us from our sins, because for some of us, there seems to be no escape from sin no matter how hard we try. For that I will be eternally grateful--literally.
Galatians 3 - 9/1/98
In reading this chapter I gained a better perspective in knowing that the law is no longer our master, but that doesn’t make it null and void. It still serves the same purpose: it convicts us of sin. But the beauty of it all is that Christ has redeemed us. We don’t have to be born into just the right family, or be a particular gender, or be in a certain income level. I am free to be me, and I am loved just the way I am.
My favorite verses were 23-26, which include a promise against prejudice and a promise of the rights of an heir.
Galatians 4 - 9/2/98
I would certainly rather be an heir with the rights of an heir than to be a slave. As long as I remain in Christ, I will have the rights of an heir, but if I should fall into sin, I will become a slave to sin. Those are my choices. So why is it so hard to choose sometimes? Like the Galatians, I would lose my joy along with my freedom if I turn away from Christ’s teachings.
It is a paradox that when we are disciplined, we are the most free, but when we become “carefree,” we become a slave to our sins. I know that this principle is true because I have seen it too many times to doubt it. To be free in Christ is to be free indeed!
Galatians 5 - 9/2/98
I have never taken even a sip of an alcoholic beverage and I have never participated in an orgy, but I have to be really careful about honestly answering that I have never committed any of the other sins listed, at least in some form or the other. I thought, at first, that I had never participated in witchcraft, but I remember playing with a Ouija board at least once when I was young.
Galatians 6 - 9/2/98
It is hard to bear in mind at all times that I reap what I sow. Sometimes I quickly reap the consequences of my actions, but sometimes the consequences appear over a long period of time. It is so important for me to look at “the big picture,” not just the inviting temptations for pleasure that face me in the present. That few minutes of pleasure could not only bring dire consequences that are long-lasting, but could injure my reputation, my witness, my usefulness and potential as one of Christ’s disciples, and my self-respect. It would also rob me of my peace and ongoing happiness.
I Thessalonians 1 - 9/3/98
These words would be music to my ears if someone were to say them to me. I hope that at the end of my life someone will be prompted to say them.
I Thessalonians 2 - 9/3/98
Paul never wanted to be a burden to anyone so that his witness would be more well received, and he was gentle with the Thessalonians in his presentation of spiritual truths. His approach is one to exemplify when I present spiritual truths, and I never know when that opportunity will arise. The key, then, is to never be a burden to anyone, and always be gentle in my approach.
I Thessalonians 3 - 9/3/98
Paul continues to encourage the Thessalonians. I think encouragement is almost a lost virtue in our churches. It is one of my pet peeves. I do encourage, but I always feel I could encourage more if I would just take the time and overcome my own weaknesses that prevent me from doing so, like shyness and fear of saying the wrong thing. I've often said I was born with a silver foot in my mouth. I am really trusting God to help me overcome those fears so that I can increase my usefulness in the church and as an overall witness.
I Thessalonians 4 - 9/3/98
Paul gets a little more serious in his writings to the Thessalonians in that he reminds and warns them not to fall into sin. I, too, should stay in God’s Word to get those constant reminders and warnings so that I do not fall into sin.
I Thessalonians 5 - 9/7/98
Paul continues to admonish the Thessalonians. In the beginning of the chapter he warns them not to worry about when Christ will come again, but warns them to just be ready. Am I ready? Sometimes I think “Yes;” other times I think “No.” I will continue to prepare for His coming in a spiritual way, but I won’t give up my Dorm Mom job and my college studies in order to sit outside in a lawn chair waiting for Christ’s arrival, similar to what some of the Thessalonians were evidently doing. Paul put much emphasis on encouraging and admonishing one another, love, peace, and continuing to work. These charges apply to me, as well.
II Thessalonians 1 - 9/8/98
Paul encourages the Thessalonians not to lose heart over their sufferings, for the Lord would repay the trouble the troublers had brought to His people.
II Thessalonians 2 - 9/3/98
Paul further warns the Thessalonians against false prophets saying the end has come or who come with false teachings. That is why I should know the scriptures. There are so many out there who think they know the truth, but never bother to study the scriptures in search of the real truth. I know they can be very convincing and appear very confident because I have been approached by them before. It is my hope that I can prevent others from falling into this trap by confidently teaching them with scriptures. I had this opportunity one time when one of my friends was approached by Jehovah’s Witnesses and was soaking up everything they said. I knew my scripture well enough to combat the false teachings they were presenting, and even the Jehovah’s Witness trainee was shaking her head “Yes” at what I was saying, as if it made sense to her, too. It was a fulfilling experience. The friend began to go to the Church of Christ and is still a regular goer today. Several of her family members also go. This was about 25 years ago.
II Thessalonians 3 - 9/8/98
Paul again warns the people to work--to not be idle busybodies. This reminds me of something my mother used to say: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” In this case, it seems that Paul is trying to say, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” I would do well to heed the warnings of my mother and Paul, for I have seen and experienced that their points are well taken.
I Corinthians 1 - 9/13/98
These scriptures reminded me of God’s displeasure with the grumbling of the Israelites while on their trek from Egypt to the Holy Land. Paul, too, calls for the Corinthians to give up their quarrels. I do a lot of grumbling myself. Grumbling and quarreling causes division, and God hates division. He hates it in the home, and He hates it in the church. Therefore, I should avoid grumbling. Paul deviates from the subject by encouraging the people to take heart in that God uses the “weak” and “foolish” to accomplish His purposes. I feel weak and foolish, but it is comforting to know that these are the type of people through whom God worked. This is one time that I am okay with being weak and foolish.
I Corinthians 2 - 9/13/98
These scriptures confirm what I had concluded on my own. Spiritually speaking, I am subject to God’s judgment--not man’s. The Holy Spirit has led me on a path unknown to others, and it is the Holy Spirit I should listen to--not the judgment of man. The spiritual truths the Holy Spirit teaches me are not always consistent with what I am told by other Christians and non-Christians. It is God to whom I must ultimately answer, so it is He, through the Holy Spirit, that I should listen. He has promised to reveal to me the truths I need to know, as long as I am willing to listen.
I Corinthians 3 - 9/13/98
It was sobering to me to discover that my jealousy and quarreling puts me in the same category with the worldly ones. I became more aware of the emphasis God puts on my body being his temple. And if I do anything to destroy someone else’s temple, God will destroy me. I would never murder, but would I display, or am I already displaying, a behavior that another might copy to an excessive and destructive degree? I hope not, but it is something I need to constantly consider.
I Corinthians 4 - 9/13/98
The church must take advantage of every opportunity, for it is the foolishness of the church’s teaching that makes Christ’s message strong. I am a member of that church. I still have a measure of respectability because I have not been persecuted by Satan’s forces to the point that Paul was, in that people looked down upon him. I have been verbally abused because of my Christianity, but if I were persecuted to the point that I was in rags, physically tortured, and downtrodden, as Paul was, I would pray that it was because God considered me a worthy advocate.
I Corinthians 5 - 9/14/98
My charge in these scriptures is not to even associate with the unrepentant sinner. We are told in other passages to love the sinner, to witness to them, to help them in whatever way we can, but when they continue their behavior, we are to avoid them. I am to avoid them. I could be brought down by their behavior if I remain in their company for very long. I should never date or marry an unrepentant sinner; that would be a terrible failure to God on my part.
I Corinthians 6 - 9/14/98
I learned that my body provides housing for my soul and Spirit. It is God’s temple, and like the architectural structure, it is not to be defiled or desecrated. If I put this together with other scriptural teachings, my body, like the temple, is to be constantly cleansed. My body and soul should first be cleansed through baptism, then through the forgiveness that comes with prayer and confession. I should never do anything that would possibly or ultimately destroy my temple. Additionally, I would never get a tattoo because it is like putting graffiti on a temple. It is the shell that God wishes for me to use in order to complete His work in me. When that day comes, my shell will no longer needed, but I will live on for eternity, according to His promise.
I Corinthians 7 - 9/14/98
Because I am a divorcee, I battle with these scriptures sometimes. On the other hand, I am at peace with God over my situation. I know that Paul is speaking to Christians, and that some of them were wanting to divorce a mate, rebel against their slavery, be circumcised, etc. But Paul admonishes them to stay in their present situation. (He does tell the slaves to get their freedom if they can.) He is not addressing abusive marriages, adultery, fornication, an addicted spouse, etc. He does say that God has called us to live in peace. Divorce may be a sin, but so are anger, disharmony, bitterness, quarreling, abuse, etc. The Lord came to save us from our sins, because for some of us, there seems to be no escape from sin no matter how hard we try. For that I will be eternally grateful--literally.
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