Online Bible Course




Thank you for your interest in studying the Bible. We hope you have completed Lesson Two and have received your grade. Any answers you may have missed on the previous lesson needs to be studied again to make sure you understand fully the question and the corrected answer. Study this third lesson just as you did the two previous and look up all Bible verses that are referred to in order to answer the questions at the end of the lesson. As in the previous lessons, the answers are to be typed into the spaces provided. After you are finished with the answers, please type your correct e-mail address. We cannot emphasize how important it is for you to type your e-mail address correctly in order that we might be able to receive your answers and return your grade for each lesson you submit. We trust you will continue this course until you have finished all seven lessons. Again, thank you for your interest in studying the Bible.

JESUS, THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE

Lesson Three

By Sewell Hall

The popular goal of our generation is "the good life". This dream is not new. It has been the desire of every age -- of teachers and philosophers, of kings and common man. But to the truly good life, as to every other good thing, JESUS IS THE WAY.

JESUS CORRECTS MISCONCEPTIONS

The good life is probably summed up best in the word HAPPINESS. Yet, when we think of the good life, we usually think of material prosperity, of pleasure, and popularity. This is because we suppose that these things are the things which bring happiness. Jesus rejects this supposition. Hear Him:

"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." (Luke 12:15)

"Woe to you who are full! For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! For you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:25,26)

Our own personal observations agree that most wealthy, high-living, and famous people are not happy. Yet we continue to seek these things and often are disappointed when Jesus does not provide them. If Jesus offered these as the way to a better life, He would be a failure.

JESUS ROOTS OUT THE PROBLEM

God endowed man with the good life in the very beginning of time. But man lost it when he sinned. With sin came guilt, fear, pain, and death. Sin is still the spoiler. Jesus said:

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." (Mark 7:21-23)

Is it not true that most of the unhappiness you have known is traceable to just such sins as these? It is only in turning from sin that we can hope to find happiness.

"For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile; let him turn away from evil and do good: let him seek peace and pursue it." (1 Peter 3:10-11)

Only by studying the law of Christ can we recognize sin.

"...sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4)

Only by following the perfect example of Jesus can we avoid sin.

"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth." (1 Peter 2:21-22)

Imagine a life without guilt, without fear, without the anxiety that always attends a life of sin! Here, indeed, is peace that passes understanding.

JESUS TEACHES US TO SEEK NEW GOALS

The goal of an unhappy world is earthly treasure. Jesus says:

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)

Men are eager to receive, but reluctant to give. Jesus says:

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Men consider it a symbol of the good life to be served. Jesus says:

"Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant,...just as the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve." (Matthew 20:26,28)

The goals the world sets are goals which many can never achieve. Achievement does not insure happiness and those who fail to achieve them are made even more miserable by their failures.

But when our goals are changed, we can be contenet without those things the world considers essential; they are no longer the things we are seeking. Our contentment and happiness come with attaining our new goals and success in these is within the reach of all. All can store up treasure in Heaven, all can give, all can be servants. If there is any doubt that these do bring happiness, just look at any individual you may know who is actually practicing them.

But, wonder of wonders, there is MORE:

JESUS GIVES WHAT WE DO NOT EXPECT!

Once we learn not to make material things, pleasure, and fame our goals, Jesus provides us an unexpected portion of these very things! Hear Him:

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What shall we drink?' or, 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom." (Luke 6:38)

"For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

HOW DOES JESUS DO IT?

We may never know all the ways by which the Lord fulfills His promises. But one way is through the sheer wisdom of His instructions. Knowing man as He does and loving man as He does, He asks of us only those things that are good for us; and He forbids only those things that are harmful.

Our health is better when we live the pure life that Jesus teaches. We are better off financially, for we are better workers and we no longer have to pay the expensive cost of sin. Family life is better as we learn to think first of others. And regardless of the problems and troubles we still must face, we face them with Jesus and with the hope of Heaven.


PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.

Please look up the underlined scripture in your Bible and then fill in the blanks using the Bible as your guide.


1. The things that defile a man and make him unclean come out of his . Mark 7:21-23

2. If one would love life and see good days, he must turn away from . 1 Peter 3:10-11

3. The lawless man, in transgressing God's law committs . 1 John 3:4

4. committed no sin. 1 Peter 2:21-22

5. Treasures on may be destroyed by moth and rust or stolen by thieves. Jesus taught us to lay up treasure in . Matthew 6:19-20

6. Jesus said that is better than receiving. Acts 20:35

7. Jesus said one who desires to be great must be a . Matthew 20:26

8. The worry about what they will eat, drink, and wear. We are taught to seek first God's and and all these things will be supplied. Matthew 6:31-33

9. If we others will give to us. Luke 6:38

10. One who humbles himself will be . Luke 14:11

The word BLESSED means HAPPY, WELL-FAVORED. It is another word to describe the truly "good life". Using your Bible, find the following verses which tell who are blessed and supply the proper words below.

11. Blessed are the . Matthew 5:3

12. Blessed are those who . Matthew 5:4

13. Blessed are the . Matthew 5:5

14. Blessed are the . Matthew 5:7

15. Blessed are they who and for righteousness. Matthew 5:6

16. Blessed are they whose are forgiven. Romans 4:7

17. Blessed are the dead who die in the . Revelation 14:13

 

Your Name:

Your E-mail:
To ensure the return of your results, please enter your email address correctly.

After you have completed the above questions, simply click: and your answers will automatically be sent to us. We will then grade Lesson Three and return your grade for you to begin Lesson Four.

If you should have a Bible question, feel free to e-mail us at wisechurch@adelphia.net

Back To Wise Church Home Page