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God’s Art in Scripture… (Circle the correct answer quiz)

God is the Greatest Artist of all time, (and beyond). This cannot be denied nor should it be disregarded by those whose talents are not in the artistic vein.
— Sometimes the practically minded struggle to comprehend the art in God’s Word (the Bible).

As an example, read how Jesus spoke to Peter in John 21:17.. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (ESV)

Q1. How do we properly interpret this command?

The practical mind might think…
a/ He is telling Peter to find His sheep somewhere scattered on the mountains and take care of them.

While the artists may think…
b/ This is picture language where Jesus is likening His followers to sheep without a shepherd.

We find the artist’s interpretation is the correct one when we research the words of Jesus, for we find in Mark 6:32-34… And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.  (33)  Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.  (34)  When He (Jesus) went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things. (ESV)

— Jesus often taught using parables, fiction stories of how people actually thought and behaved.

This again is God using His artist’s ability in verbal communication.

(Circle the correct answers)

Q2. So what are we to do when artistic confusion hinders our study of God’s Word?

We…  a/ search historical records.     b/ abide by strict language interpretation.     c/ seek God’s help.

It sometimes helps to find out the historical setting of these lessons, for cultural nuances are often addressed in the Bible, and these cultural quirks may change over time.
— However, the heart message remains true regardless of culture change. (And God sees the heart.)

God counsels us to pray and rely on God Himself to give us a proper understanding…
This is written for us in John 14:25-26… (Jesus tells them) “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: God’s Holy Spirit will not support mankind’s tendency to arrogance and pride, therefore God requires humility when we receive any of His gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We also need to work together and humbly accept the teaching of others God has given us to help answer our confusions. (Sometimes these answers will come from those we least expect.)

This is written for us in 1^st Corinthians 12:27-30… Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.  (28)  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.  (29)  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  (30)  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Q3. Fill in the blanks… Vs29(a)… ____ all apostles? ____ all prophets? ____ all teachers?

a/ making – making – making     b/ are – are – are

Q4. Fill in the blanks… Vs30… Do all work miracles?  (30)  ____ all possess gifts of healing? ____ all speak with tongues? ____ all interpret?

a/ so – so – so     b/ do – do – do

God’s Art in Scripture… (Pg.2)

In 1^st Corinthians 12:27-30 we find that God has provided certain positions to expound His word and directions to us His followers. (He also tells us to test those who claim such positions.)

1^st John 4:1-3 (ESV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  (2)  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,  (3)  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

Also in…

Matthew 7:15-18 (ESV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  (16)  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  (17)  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  (18)  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Q5. We can recognize true apostles, prophets, and teachers by seeing if they…

a/ focus on sharing Jesus as God’s Messiah.     b/ give us a lot of fruit to eat.     c/ say what we want to hear.

Q6. We can recognize false prophets by checking out if…

a/ dress in sheepskins.     b/ look like wolves.     c/ they seek to please the flesh and mistreat others.

To understand the truths presented in any of God’s teachings also requires diligence…

2^nd Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  (15)  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  (17)  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Q7. The Apostle Paul is teaching Timothy the value of…

a/ looking for signs and wonders.     b/ not worrying about scripture.     c/ all God’s Word.

Q8. How long had Timothy been taught God’s Words?

a/ For 3 yrs. In Bible school.     b/ Since he was a child.     c/ Since he met Paul.

Q9. Therefore Paul is also teaching Timothy about the value of…

a/ continued study of scripture.     b/ quitting further study of scripture.

Q10. 2^nd Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is good to…

a/ gain the admiration of others.     b/ advance your ambitions.     c/ teach, correct, and train.

This fact that God is a Creative Genius cannot be denied, and the goal of God’s artistry was always to create something beautiful. And as in the creation account from the Bible, when God states that His creation “was good”… You can be sure that what He made was (and still is to some great measure) mind-blowingly amazing.

Sometimes you therefore come across God’s use of art in His Word (the Bible).

— When we struggle to comprehend some scriptures, it is good to know God has given us ways of gaining a better understanding. Let us commit to make use of all these resources that He has so generously given, so we may grow in knowledge of the amazing God we serve. (KK)

(Click here for a PDF copy of pg.#1)

(Click here for a PDF copy of pg.#2)