Day 2: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Overview, Part 1

LOOKING THINGS UP (THE PRIMARY SOURCES) FOR YOURSELF

One of the most important things I think we can do is look things up for ourselves regarding the Bible and other things in life. We should never trust man to quote things or understand the quotes correctly. People are sinful and make mistakes. This includes pastors, Bible study leaders, and writers or commentators. So, let’s listen to what they say, but verify. We should look at the primary source for ourselves.

There is yet another reason why we should look up things in the bible for ourselves. It’s because we can then look at the context and at least four verses before and after the verse or passage (Multiple verses) we are studying, even if we go into another chapter or book when we look at the context. It will help us more fully grasp what we study.

Another reason why we should look things up, the primary sources, for ourselves is so we see it with our own eyes and grasp it with our own minds. It helps us to learn it when we see it for ourselves.

But, there is another reason to look at the primary sources for ourselves. In the case of anything regarding life and following Christ is the Holy Bible. It is the Word of God. Psalm 1:2 states:

Psalm 1:2 EXB

2 They love [delight in] the Lord’s·teachings [laws; instructions],

and they think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night.

We are to be in the Word of God, the Bible, morning, noon, and night, 24/7/365. This will help us to do so.

So, do not trust what I am telling you. I am a human and am sinful. So, look things up for yourself. Make sure that I am correct. Look at the context as well to double-check what I say and teach. When you do this, you are in the Bible and claim it even more for yourself and your life. This leads to a strong and firm faith.

LOOK AT MULTIPLE VERSIONS OR TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE

Let’s be honest. Each of us has our favorite translation or version of the Bible. It’s the one we own and is the one we turn to first and foremost. This is a good thing and definitely is not bad or wrong. We need to find the version which speaks to us the most. However, in order to get the absolute most out of the Bible, we need to study all the versions of the Bible in the languages we read.

Why? You might wonder. Why do we need to study all of the versions?

If we study as many translations of the Bible as possible, it broadens and depends our understanding. We learn more of what God intended and meant. Therefore, it’s the most accurate understanding.

So, when we read the Word of God, we should read a verse within context and read several translations in order to get the most out of it and it will then be also the most accurate. Therefore, dear reader and fellow Christ-follower, I ask that you always keep context in mind and read multiple versions of the Bible. Do so not only with this study, but with life in general.

THE FOCUS VERSES OF “40 DAYS TO A STRONG AND FIRM FAITH: A DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY” ARE 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-14

Today and tomorrow, we are going to study this passage of Scripture as a whole and look at it as an overview. Then, for the next 40 days, we will look at every verse and breakdown each part of the verse. Today, I have included four versions or translations of these verses and tomorrow, I’ve included three.

Let’s look at each version or translation on its own and prayer journal about them. Then, let’s look each version against one another and learn from these differences and similarities.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

PRAYER JOURNAL AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-14 NLT

1 Write down any thoughts and questions you have.

2 What jumped out at you the most and why? In other words, list three different things at least which jumped out at you and caught your attention, along with the reasons why.

3 What do these verses mean for your life?

4 What do you want to apply to your life? Why? How? Make an action plan on how to do so.

5 How can these verses help you have a strong and firm faith?

6 What did you say to God about these verses?

7 What did God say to you about these verses?

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 HCSB

13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. 14 Your every action must be done with love.

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

PRAYER JOURNAL AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-14 HCSB

1 Write down any thoughts and questions you have.

2 What jumped out at you the most and why? In other words, list three different things at least which jumped out at you and caught your attention, along with the reasons why.

3 What do these verses mean for your life?

4 What do you want to apply to your life? Why? How? Make an action plan on how to do so.

5 How can these verses help you have a strong and firm faith?

6 What did you say to God about these verses?

7 What did God say to you about these verses?

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 GW

13 Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong. 14 Do everything with love.

PRAYER JOURNAL AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-14 GW

1 Write down any thoughts and questions you have.

2 What jumped out at you the most and why? In other words, list three different things at least which jumped out at you and caught your attention, along with the reasons why.

3 What do these verses mean for your life?

4 What do you want to apply to your life? Why? How? Make an action plan on how to do so.

5 How can these verses help you have a strong and firm faith?

6 What did you say to God about these verses?

7 What did God say to you about these verses?

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NCV

13 Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

PRAYER JOURNAL AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS FROM 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-14 NCV

1 Write down any thoughts and questions you have.

2 What jumped out at you the most and why? In other words, list three different things at least which jumped out at you and caught your attention, along with the reasons why.

3 What do these verses mean for your life?

4 What do you want to apply to your life? Why? How? Make an action plan on how to do so.

5 How can these verses help you have a strong and firm faith?

6 What did you say to God about these verses?

7 What did God say to you about these verses?

PRAYER JOURNALING AND CONTEMPLATION QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FOUR VERSIONS OF 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-14

1 What were the similarities between each of the versions?

2 What do those similarities teach you?

3 What were the differences between each of the versions?

4 What do those differences teach you?

5 How do the differences deepen and broaden your understanding of the verses?

6 How can these verses teach you to live a stronger, firm, and bold faith?

7 What did you say to God about these verses?

8 What did God say to you about these verses?

Saturday, January 4, 2014