Bethany Bible Study

Solutions for SinHebrews 12:2looking unto Jesus, theauthor andfinisher ofourfaith,who for the joy that was set before Himendured the cross, despising the shame, andhas sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Mathew 5:10-12 Blessedarethose who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds ofevil against you falsely for My sake.12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for greatisyour reward in heaven, forso they persecuted the prophets who were before you.WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM 2BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, AND IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE: BUT WE KNOW THAT, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.

Repentance is more than being “Sorry” and “Regretting” for mistakes made. Repentance requires turning away from sin and turning to God. Repentance is not the work of man but work of God (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him). How does God draw us to Him? Repentance is followed by change (Mathew 3:8, fruits meet for repentance, II Corinthians 5:17, old things are passed away)What is the Basis for our witness? What is the Content of our witness? What is the Desired outcome of our witness?

Episode Notes: Four Stated Objectives of 1 JohnIn this episode, we explore the four clear purposes for which the Apostle John says he wrote this letter. These objectives shape the entire message of 1 John and give believers clarity, assurance, and direction in their walk with Christ.1️⃣ Joy Made Full (1 John 1:4)“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”John’s first objective is joy—not temporary happiness, but deep, abiding joy rooted in fellowship with God. This joy flows from walking in the light, having communion with God, and living in truth.Key takeaway: True Christian joy comes from restored fellowship with God, not from circumstances.2️⃣ That You May Not Sin (1 John 2:1)“These things write I unto you, that ye sin not.”John writes to encourage believers toward holy living. While he acknowledges human weakness, his goal is not to excuse sin but to discourage it. Christ is presented as our Advocate, not a license to sin.Key takeaway: Grace is not permission to sin, but power to live righteously.3️⃣ Warning Against False Teachers (1 John 2:26)“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.”A major concern in the letter is deception. John warns believers about false teachers who distort the truth about Christ. He reminds them to remain grounded in what they have heard from the beginning.Key takeaway: Spiritual discernment is essential to remain steadfast in truth.4️⃣ Assurance of Eternal Life (1 John 5:13)“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”John’s final and climactic purpose is assurance. Believers don’t have to guess or hope—they can know they have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.Key takeaway: Eternal life is not uncertain for the believer—it is assured through faith in Christ.Closing ThoughtThese four objectives—joy, holiness, discernment, and assurance—form the backbone of 1 John and remain deeply relevant for believers today. John writes not merely to inform, but to transform lives rooted in truth.

1 JOHN 1:5-10GOD IS LIGHT WALKING IN DARKNESS WALKING IN LIGHTNATURE OF SINARE BELIEVERS SINNERS?

1 John 1:1-4JESUS CHRIST REVEALEDPURPOSE OF THE LETTER #1: EXPERIENCE FULLNESS OF JOY

Jude 1REMEMBER THE WARNINGSBUT, BELOVED

Jude 1WARNING ON FALSE TEACHERSCHALLENGE TO CONTEND FOR OUR FAITH

Jude 1Author: Family: Written to: Jude (full name maybe Judas or Judah) half-brother of Jesus (Mathew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?)Time: 65-80 ADWritten to: Jewish Believers. General epistle (not written to any specific church)

Brief Review of Nehemiah

Nehemiah 13JERUSALEM IN RUINS (SPIRITUALLY) (part-2)FAILURE #4: What did Sabbath require? How was Sabbath violated? How did Nehemiah react? Is the principle of sabbath relevant and applicable today?FAILURES #5: How were the Jewish people unequally yoked? What are the dangers of being unequally yoked? How did Nehemiah react? Do we see such marriages/relationships today? What do the four prayers of Nehemiah show?

Nehemiah 12THE DEDICATION OF JERUSALEM WALLSPURIFICATION (27-30): Why was it important to hold a dedication service? What is the significance of dedication? Why were the Levites invited from surrounding areas? What role did the Levites play in the temple? What did they cleanse? Why is cleansing important? How can sinners approach a holy God?WALL DEDICATION WORSHIP SERVICE(31-47): Who all participated in the worship? What are some notable observations from the worship service? What was the source of joy? What followed the worship service? How did people express their generosity and duty?

Nehemiah 13JERUSALEM IN RUINS (SPIRITUALLY)JERUSALEM IN DECLINE: What is the context for this spiritual decline? How long did Nehemiah stay in Jerusalem? Why did he return? How long was he away? What did he expect to see on his return and what did he observe?FAILURES #1 and #2 (1-9): What are the two failures identified? How did Israelites discover their failure #1? How did they react? How was the house of God desecrated (failure #2) and how did Nehemiah react?FAILURES #3-#5(6-31): What were these three failures? How did Nehemiah react? What does it say about man’s ability to honor the covenant?

Nehemiah 11JERUSALEM RESETTLEMENTJERUSALEM RESTTTLEMENT(1-36): Why is Jerusalem called the ‘holy city’? Why was it critical to repopulate the city? Who were the initial occupants? How were other settlers selected? Why was there a reluctance to return to Jerusalem? What were the broad categories of people who returned?JERUSALEM PRIESTS and LEVITES (12:1-26): List the priest sand Levites during different generations of the returned exiles.

Nehemiah 10ISRAEL’s COVENANT WITH GODTHE COVENANT (29-39): What were the three main elements of the covenant?

Nehemiah 10ISRAEL’s COVENANT WITH GODTHE COVENANT (1-28): What prompted the signing of the covenant? Who initiated the covenant? Who are the parties to the covenant? Who signed the written covenant? Who consented verbally to the agreement? Is the covenant binding?ELEMENTS OF THE COVENANT (29-39): What were the three main elements of the covenant? What would be the outcome of keeping the covenant?

Nehemiah 9LONGEST PRAYER (CONTD.): REVIVAL THROUGH WORSHIP & CONFESSION GOD’s FAITHFULNESS & MAN’s UNFAITHFULNESS (16-36): How did God display his faithfulness? How did the people respond? Did God forgive or abandon?Did people continue to repeat the same mistakes? How does God respond to repeated failures?THE DECISION (37): What did Israelites decide at the end of their prayer of reflection & confession?

Nehemiah Chapter 9LONGEST PRAYER: REVIVAL THROUGH WORSHIP & CONFESSIONASSEMBLY (1-3): Who all gathered? What was the purpose of the gathering? How long did they read the Word and Worship? What is the basis for true revival?CALL TO WORSHIP (4-5): Who lead the call to worship? What are some reasons to praise God?GOD’s FAITHFULNESS & MAN’s UNFAITHFULNESS (6-36): How did God display his faithfulness? How did the people respond? Did God forgive or abandon? Did people continue to repeat the same mistakes? How does God respond to repeated failures?

Nehemiah Chapter 8ContextShift from physical rebuilding (walls) to spiritual restorationFocus moves from Nehemiah to Ezra the scribeTakes place during Feast of Trumpets (7th month, 1st day)Reading God's Word (v.1-8)People gathered at Water Gate, requested to hear the LawEzra read for 6 hours from elevated wooden pulpit13 Levites helped translate/explain (Hebrew to Aramaic)People's response:Stood in reverenceSaid "Amen, Amen" with lifted handsRemained attentive throughoutTwo Responses (v.9-12)Weeping - Conviction of sinJoy - Leaders reminded them to celebrate the holy dayKey verse: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (v.10)Instructions:Eat, drink, and share with those who have nothingUnderstanding God's word brings both repentance and joyDiscovery & Obedience (v.13-18)Day 2: Leaders gathered for deeper studyDiscovered Feast of Tabernacles instructionsHadn't been properly celebrated since Joshua's timeImmediately built booths and celebrated 7 daysDaily Scripture readingResult: "very great gladness"Key Applications1. Foundation for RevivalTrue revival comes from God's Word and prayerNot from programs but from hearts touched by the Spirit2. Essential for StrengthLike house built on rock (Matthew 7)Provides stability during life's challenges3. Preacher's RoleEdify, not entertainHelp listeners understand and applyPractice before preaching (Ezra 7:10)4. God's Word is EffectiveNever returns void (Isaiah 55:11)6 hours of reading transformed the people5. Our Response to ScriptureDesire itRead regularlyUnderstand the meaningApply to lifeShare with othersMain LessonsSpiritual restoration requires returning to God's WordUnderstanding is as important as readingScripture brings conviction leading to repentance AND joyImmediate obedience results in blessingLeaders must delegate according to spiritual giftsCorporate worship and personal study are both essentialWhen hearts are prepared, God speaks powerfully through His WordChapter Theme: God's Word is the foundation for spiritual revival, bringing repentance, joy, and transformation when read, understood, and obeyed.

Nehemiah 7REBUILDING OF GODLY COMMUNITY BEGINSFIRST STEPS (1-3): What was Nehemiah’s focus after completion of walls & gates? Who did he appoint to govern? Why were the chosen? Who else were appointed? What instruction were given? Why is continued security important?NEHEMIAH’s BURDEN (4-5): What was the condition of the city? What was missing? How did Nehemiah go about resolving the problem?THE GROUP & THEIR CONTRIBUTION (6-73): Who is in the list of the people who moved to city? Why weren’t some grouped as priests? What was donated to the treasury? What inspired them to contribute generously?

Nehemiah 6ATTACKS ON NEHEMIAH | WALL FINISHED!!DECEPTIVE INVITATION (1-4): What was the condition of the walls? Who invited Nehemiah and what prompted the invite? Why did Nehemiah reject the invitation? What reason did he give? How could Nehemiah discern their evil motive? Do all have discernment? Was God’s work a priority for Nehemiah?SLANDER & LIES (5-9): What lies did the letter contain? What was the role of prophets? What was the purpose of spreading lies and slander? How did Nehemiah respond to such personal attacks?TRAP TO SIN AGAINST GOD(10-14): Who was Shemiah? How did he try to lure Nehemiah to commit sin? What was Nehemiah’s response?WALL FINISHED (15-19): How long did it take? What was the reaction of the enemies? Why did evil Tobiah continue to attract followers?