The Bread of Life, the Word of Truth

THE BREAD OF LIFE, THE WORD OF TRUTH

A Bible Study for Women using the authorized King James Bible, the only inerrant Word of God

By Patricia Dowers

Introduction

As Christians, we are accustomed to certain phrases from the Bible that form word pictures in our minds such as the Bread of life, the Word of truth, the Way of salvation, to name a few. We must guard against allowing these powerful truths from the Lord, Himself, to become so familiar that they lose their potency for us. In this Bible study we will focus on the Word of Truth.

The Apostle John, in the latter years of his long ministry, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a short epistle to a beloved church about truth. I believe it is no accident that the writers of the inspired authorized King James Bible placed the little book of II John near to the end of the Bible. It stands as a warning sign post reminding us that the Word of God is truth. God will not allow it to be changed, tampered with, watered down, or added to in any way. If you are holding a book in your hand that has been paraphrased or embellished, you are not holding the true Word of God. If you are listening to preaching that diverges from the truth, then the Word does not inspire that preaching. God protects His Word. What an awesome responsibility to remain on guard! Thankfully the Lord has given us many tools and measures to help us. Hopefully, this Bible study will be an exercise in investigation to help us recognize and uphold the Truth.

Please note: In this study, as in all others, it is important to read all Scripture references for yourself that you may know what God has to say.

Session 1

Let us begin by reading through all 13 verses of the book of II John. In this session we will focus on verses 1 through 3. Please reread them. I love how John uses the term elect lady when he addresses this church. It should help us to personalize the message even more because as individuals, we are also elect ladies. (I Peter 1:2) John goes on to say that he loves the elect lady and her children _____ _______ _______________.

How do we love in the truth and who or what is the truth. This question reminds me of a philosophy course that I took in college which actually had very little to do with the truth (another required waste of time and money). Thankfully, you and I can look to the source of truth to discover the truth.

Please read John 14:6.

Who is the truth?

I Tim. 2:4-6

What is the truth?

John 17:22-26

How do we love in truth?

I Cor. 1:2

Who are all they that have known the truth?

II John 1:2 speaks of the truth that dwelleth in us. This is the remarkable indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God that is the legacy and promise of all those who believe in Jesus. Scripture refers to this as the mystery of the Old Testament revealed in New Testament believers.

Please read Col. 1:26-27 aloud in your group.

Use your concordance and find two other references to the mystery in your Bible. Share them with your group.

Verse 3 connects three blessings of the Lord, (________________, _______________, and _______________) to truth and love.

As we remember from the Scripture reference in John 17, we see that the relationship between God the Father, and Jesus Christ His Son is love and truth. That same love and truth is extended to us as believers and manifests itself in grace, mercy and peace.

These first three verses of II John constitute the salutation of the epistle. Isn’t it amazing how much biblical truth is embedded in just a greeting? The Lord does not waste His words. Every one is profitable.

Please read II Tim. 3:16 and write it out in the space below.

Remember, we cannot hold fast to the truth unless we know the truth and value it. The mission of Satan, the father of all lies, is to distort and undermine until we no longer recognize the truth.

Please read II Cor. 11:13-15. In what ways does Satan attempt to deceive us?

Sometimes these small New Testament letters can be a quick read but I like to read them slowly and prayerfully so I don’t miss any of these little gems of truth. We will move slowly through II John in the next three sessions to discover more treasures of truth.

Session 2

We will begin this session by reading II John 4-6 aloud in your group. First of all we see the Apostle rejoicing. It is interesting and significant to note what made the New Testament believers rejoice. It should be the same reason that causes believers to rejoice today. Read the following Scripture verses and note after each name, the reason for rejoicing.

What made John rejoice? II John 4

What made Paul rejoice? Phil 1:18

Phil 3:1

What made Peter rejoice? I Pet 1:7,8

What made James rejoice? Jam 2:13

So we see the answer to the question, “What makes believers rejoice?” is always things that are eternal not things that are temporal. Read John 4:35, 36 and copy verse 36 in the space below.

Nothing can cause us to rejoice more when, as John, we see our own children or our spiritual children walking in the truth. This experience can only happen as a direct result of our own walk in the truth. We cannot reap the full reward if we are only partially obedient to the truth established by the Lord in His Word. We cannot be obedient to the truth unless we study the Word. Please read II Tim 2:15 aloud in your group. Discuss your own experiences walking in the truth as identified in this paragraph.

Before we leave verse 4 it is important to note that walking in truth is a commandment from God not an option. It is also a constant and mindful activity.

It is important to note how often the writers of the New Testament and the Lord Jesus, Himself, referred back to the writings of the Old Testament. We, as believers, can make use of a number of truths and proofs of truth from the entire Word of God. First, the Bible never contradicts itself. We can see this by cross-referencing. Second, God never changes. We see this because He gives us the entire history of His relationship with His creation and because He said so. Third, God has a plan for us that began unfolding in the Old Testament. Fourth, God fulfills His Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament. These examples are just to name a few but there are many others. For me, the most significant is that the Lord authorized both the Old and New Testaments in the King James Bible. He meant for us to have both and to study both. I have often heard it said that believers as New Testament Christians should “live” in the New Testament epistles. That is where we learn Christ’s expectation of the church and the individual Christian. However, if the word “live” implies that we should in any way neglect the study of the Old Testament, then we neglect the whole truth.

Let us take another look at II Tim. 3:15-17.

In verse 15 what had Timothy known from childhood?

What are the Scriptures able to do?

In verse 16 how much Scripture is inspired by God?

How is it profitable?

In verse 17 why is it profitable?

Now take another look at II John 5. Here we see the lady, or the Church being reminded that the commandment to love one another is not a new commandment but one given from the beginning.

Please copy Lev. 19:18 in the space below.

Most of us remember from Sunday school the Bible story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God on the mountain. I remember pictures of a grim looking Moses with his white beard and hair blowing in the wind, while a raging storm darkened the sky. Moses held the stone tablets that God had just engraved with the Ten Commandments. As a little girl, I remember thinking that this was very serious business but I do not remember getting the connection that love was behind it all. That God loved us and wanted us to love Him first and then love each other. But we must meet His standard of holiness.

Verse 6 tells us that we prove our love by walking after His commandments. That is, we show our love for God by obeying His commandments and His commandment to us is to love one another. It seems a simple statement but impossible to do without the indwelling Spirit of God.

We are reminded a second time in verse 6 that this is a commandment we have heard from the beginning. Repeating a statement is a method we often see in Scripture of stressing the message or a way of saying, this is important, pay attention. This is truth that you can trust. There is no shadow of turning with God (Jam. 1:17). How reassuring and awesome at the same time! We can trust the truth of God but we must guard against those who would pervert it.

In the next session we will examine some warnings and practical ways we can stand firm in the truth.

Session 3

We will continue our study of II John by reading II John 7-9 aloud with your group. Verse 7 reminds me of how timely the Word of God is to us. Although this verse was written in the first century A.D., it describes our world today. Since the birth of the true Christian Church, many deceivers have entered, watering down or adding to the truth. As a result, over the centuries the church has been divided many times into numerous sects and denominations. In addition to John, other New Testament authors have also sounded warnings. Let us look at a few.

Eph. 4:14

What are we warned against?

What sorts of men lie in wait to deceive?

II Tim. 3:13

What will evil men and seducers do?

I Pet. 5:8

What are we instructed to be?

Why?

II Pet. 2:1

Who are we warned against?

What will they do?

What will happen to them?

The Lord has promised to preserve His true church and he reveals His purpose and plan in Ephesians, chapter 3.

It is important to note the first phrase of II John verse 8. When we think about who is responsible for our spiritual growth and maturity, we think of pastors, Sunday school teachers, parents, or other spiritual mentors. It is true, that all of these have a role but who does verse 8 say is responsible? We are told to look to "yourselves". This is true and essential for the church and the individual. Ultimately, if we must answer for ourselves we must also be responsible for ourselves and the way that we treat or mistreat God’s Word. A lack of vigilance leads to loss. This is not only a Biblical truth but also a life truth that even non-Christians will admit.

The New Testament is full of similar warnings. Let us look at a few.

What is the warning and what is the loss in:

II Pet. 3:17

Warning:

Loss:

Eph. 5:6

Warning:

Loss:

Heb. 10:38

Warning:

Loss:

Phil. 3:17,18

Warning:

Loss:

The last phrase of verse 8 reminds us of our reward. We love and serve the Lord because of Who He is and what He did for us. He bought our eternal life with His blood and beside that, he blesses us for obedience and service in this world and rewards us in the next. He warns us because He wants to reward us. We heed His warning because we want to please Him and we do not want to miss out on the rewards He wants to give us.

Verse 9 is our tool or yardstick for determining our position or a church’s position in Christ. Having the doctrine of Christ is essential. What is the doctrine of Christ?

Another word for doctrine is teaching. We find the teaching of Christ in the Gospels of the New Testament and throughout the books and epistles penned by the Apostles of the Church.

Please read John 7:16.

Whose doctrine did Jesus preach?

Now read Psa. 119:160.

What do we know about God?

So if we know that Christ’s doctrine is the truth from God the Father than it stands to reason that we can trust his doctrine or teaching in determining truth. Let us take a look at what the Apostle Paul wrote on this subject.

Rom. 16:17,18

How do those with false doctrine deceive?

Eph. 4: 14

Why is it important to grow in the truth of the Scriptures?

II Tim. 3:16

Why is all Scripture profitable for doctrine?

The doctrine of Christ is the truth of God as revealed in Scripture. God cannot lie. We can trust His Word and judge all other doctrine by it.

Session 4

The end of the last session focused on a specific warning against false doctrine. Please read II John 10-13. Verses 10 and 11 give us a directive on how we must treat those who bring false doctrine. Please read those two verses aloud with your group.

Hospitality was viewed as an essential and desired element of human character among ancient people, both among God’s people and many pagan nations as well. It was not unusual to carry it to a sacrificial extreme. Let us look at a few examples.

Gen. 19:5-8

What was Lot willing to sacrifice?

I Kings 17:10-15

What did the widow sacrifice?

Rom. 16:3,4

What did Priscilla and Aquila risk?

In view of this long-held attitude we read something different in II John 10. The Apostle John uses the emphatic words “receive him not” leaving no room for discussion.

I am sure many of you share my experience of having people arrive at the door bearing some other doctrine. Usually they arrive in pairs. They may have pleasant appearances and kind faces and may ooze sincerity. What is the harm of inviting them in for a few minutes? What is the danger if we stay on guard and try to share the Gospel with them? The harm is that God Who knows best tells us “receive them not”. It stands to reason that if they are not bearing the inspired Word of God then they are bearing the word of the Liar.

We must not be deceived by sincerity or good intentions. In a way, our home is an extension of our heart. We have control over who and what we allow in. Tell them why they may not enter your home, hand them a tract and then close the door. Pray they will read it and let the Holy Spirit direct them to the truth. This does not sound hospitable but the Bible warns us against being hospitable to evil.

What does the following Scripture tell us?

Prov. 4: 14,15

Col. 2:8

II Tim. 3:5-7

II Pet. 3:17

Jude 4

John ends his epistle with verses 12 and 13. He relates how he is looking forward to seeing them “face to face that our joy may be full”. Face to face is always the best way to visit with those we love. Letters, photographs, or the many other ways we have of communication cannot compare to it. Imagine the joy we will experience when we see our Lord face to face! There are many hymns written about this joyous experience and it is the bright hope of the New Testament.

Please copy Rev. 22:3,4 in the space below.

Please read through the verses of the following old and familiar hymn. Pay close attention to the references to the truth of the Scriptures. Feeding on the truth that is Christ, the Bread of Life, revealed to us in His Holy Word is sufficient to meet all our needs.

Break Thou the Bread of Life

Author: Mary A. Lathbury (1877)

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,

as once you broke the loaves beside the sea.

Beyond the sacred page I seek you, Lord;

my spirit waits for you, O living Word.

Bless your own word of truth, dear Lord, to me,

as when you blessed the bread by Galilee.

Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;

and I shall find my peace, my All in all!

You are the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,

your holy word the truth that rescues me.

Give me to eat and live with you above;

teach me to love your truth, for you are love.

O send your Spirit now, dear Lord, to me,

that he may touch my eyes and make me see.

Show me the truth made plain within your Word,

for in your book revealed I see you, Lord.

Conclusion

So we see through the many warnings of Scripture the importance of keeping our hearts, homes and churches in truth. All around us the truth is under attack from the evil one. It was his first target and will be his last. There are fewer and fewer strongholds of truth as this world tumbles toward the final great deception. It is the responsibility of every Christian to keep watch and sound the alarm against the enemy until the Lord comes. He has supplied us all the weapons we need in His infallible Word and His Holy Spirit. Until He returns…

May we guard the Truth and ever feast on the Bread of Life.