THE SON — THE FOUNDATION AND STABILITY OF THE CHURCH: THE PILLAR OF TRUTH ============================================================ Course: The Potter’s Wheel (Wheel) Lesson: 4 Scripture: John 17:13–19; Isaiah 6:1–8; 2 Timothy 3:14–17 Language: English URL: https://kgm-school-preview.netlify.app/lessons/en/wheel/04-the-son/ WhatsApp: WHEEL EN 04 LESSON FOUR — THE SON: THE FOUNDATION AND STABILITY OF THE CHURCH: THE PILLAR OF TRUTH ============================================================ BIG IDEA God is holy, and what belongs to Him is holy. We are a holy people because we belong to God. Jesus asked His Father to make His disciples holy by the truth, and the Father’s Word is truth (John 17:17). The church is built on Christ Himself, and the Son is known through His Word. So the church knows the Bible, reads the Scriptures aloud, preaches and teaches the Word, and writes the truth down. A church that remains rooted in the truth will stand firm. This is the pillar of Truth. PART 1 — SCRIPTURE READING John 17:13–19 • Isaiah 6:1–8 • 2 Timothy 3:14–17 Open your Bible and read slowly: John 17:13–19, Isaiah 6:1–8, and 2 Timothy 3:14–17. In John 17, Jesus prays to His Father for His disciples, and He asks the Father to sanctify them by the truth. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a throne, and the seraphim call out that the Lord Almighty is holy. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul tells Timothy to continue in what Timothy has learned. From infancy Timothy has known the Holy Scriptures, and all Scripture is God-breathed. In Lesson Three we began to walk through the five relationships, one by one. We began with the Father and the pillar of Love. Now we come to the Son, the Foundation and Stability of the church, and to the pillar of Truth. In Lesson One we saw that loving God with all our mind is tied to the pillar of Truth. In Lesson Two we saw that the ankle-deep water speaks of standing in correct doctrine. This is the pillar of Truth, where we learn to stand. This lesson follows Chapter 4 of The Potter’s Wheel. KEY VERSE — JOHN 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” PART 2 — WALKING THROUGH THE LESSON A. In the Presence of the Holy One Isaiah was in the presence of the Most High, and he was filled with fear and wonder. Isaiah wrote, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). (In your Kiswahili Bible the words “high and lifted up” describe the throne. It is the same thought: the Lord is above all.) Above the Lord were seraphim (Isaiah 6:2). “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory’” (Isaiah 6:3). What caused the seraphim to call out in this way? It was not God’s morality. It was His place above all things. The Lord is high and exalted, and He is separate from all else. When we say that God is holy, we mean that God Himself is the measure of purity. Holiness is not only about behaviour. Holiness is not like anything else. Holiness is what sets God apart. God alone is pure in Himself. Anything else is called holy only because it belongs to Him. B. Holiness Is Defined by Ownership — We Inherit the Son’s Purity Holiness is defined by ownership: what belongs to God is holy. The idea of holiness is not limited to morality. It reaches to anything that belongs to God. Think of three things that are called holy. 1. A holy book. The Bible is made of paper and ink, like any other book. It is called the Holy Bible because it belongs to God. 2. A holy building. A building that is set apart for the worship of God is called a holy place. If the same building is given another use, it can become a shop. 3. A holy people. We who believe are called a holy people. This is not because we are morally perfect. It is because we belong to God. Holiness is defined by ownership. In heaven the four living creatures never stop saying, day and night, that the Lord God Almighty is holy, the One who was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8). God’s holiness is eternal and has no equal. As His children we inherit His love and His grace. We also inherit the purity of His Son, because we belong to God. C. The Son’s Truth Makes Us Holy — The Word Is the Foundation The truth of the Son makes us holy. Jesus asked His Father to sanctify His disciples by the truth (John 17:17). To sanctify is to make holy. Jesus Himself gave the Father’s Word to His disciples (John 17:14). The truth of the Son also sets us free. Jesus said that those who hold to His teaching are really His disciples (John 8:31). He added, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The Lord said to Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). The Lord told Joshua to keep the Book of the Law on his lips, to meditate on it day and night, and to do everything written in it. The Word of God is the foundation of the local church. Without the Word we are open to falsehood, spiritual weakness, and confusion. A church that is rooted in the truth is a church that thrives. D. The Danger of Biblical Illiteracy One danger must be named: biblical illiteracy. This does not mean that a person cannot read. It means that believers do not know what the Bible says. Where sound doctrine is lacking, believers are spiritually weak, and they are easily deceived. So we do three things with the Bible. 1. We know what the Bible says. If we do not know what the Bible says, we will be misled by opinions, by culture, and by emotions. 2. We study God’s Word. If we do not study God’s Word, our faith will be built on superstition and not on truth. 3. We apply the Bible. If we do not apply the Bible, we will remain as we are, and we will not grow in Christ. God said through Hosea that His people are destroyed from lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The same verse says that knowledge had been rejected and that the law of God had been ignored. A church that neglects the teaching of the Bible will fall into error, sin, and spiritual weakness. So the church must be a place where the truth is taught, received, and lived. E. The Ministry of the Word — Knowing the Bible Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The ministry of the Word has these parts. We read the Bible, personally and publicly. We preach and teach the truth of the Bible. We write and publish materials that train believers as disciples. We will look at five parts, one by one: knowing the Bible, the public reading of Scripture, preaching, teaching, and writing. We begin with knowing the Bible. Paul wrote, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). True faith is built on the knowledge of God’s Word. Many people confuse faith with superstition. But real faith stands on Scripture, not on feelings and not on assumptions. Consider the example of Jesus. When the devil tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus answered with Scripture (Matthew 4:1–11). Jesus answered the first temptation with what is written: man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). When Jesus taught His disciples, He pointed them to the Word. In times of challenge, the Word of God was His defence. The more we store God’s Word in our hearts, the more His Word will strengthen us in times of need. F. The Public Reading of Scripture The book of Revelation opens with this blessing: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). (Your Kiswahili Bible says “the one who reads.” One person reads, and many hear. This is the reading of Scripture to the church.) Throughout history, when God’s people renewed their commitment to Him, they read the Scriptures in public. Joshua read all the words of the law to the whole assembly of Israel (Joshua 8:34–35). This reading affirmed who they were: the people of God. After the return from exile, Ezra read the Law aloud from daybreak till noon. All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law (Nehemiah 8:2–3). This reading restored the people spiritually. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13). (Your Kiswahili Bible says “reading, exhorting, and teaching.” The reading is the reading of Scripture to the church. To exhort is to urge the hearers to obey, and this is the work of preaching.) When Scripture is read aloud to the whole church, no one can say, “I did not know.” When we read the Bible regularly in our churches, we affirm three things. We belong to God. We are accountable to His Word. We desire to be changed through Scripture. So we read Scripture aloud when we gather, not as an empty custom, but as a family listening to our Father. G. Preaching and Teaching — The Heart and the Mind Paul named both preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). Each has its own work. 1. Preaching stirs the heart into action. On the day of Pentecost Peter preached to the crowd (Acts 2:1, 14). “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37). A powerful sermon convicts the heart, and this leads to repentance and change. A powerful sermon also calls for action, and this leads people to obedience. 2. Teaching transforms the mind for lasting change. Jesus said, “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path” (Matthew 13:18–19). The message was heard, but the message was not understood. So what was sown in the heart was snatched away. A strong teaching ministry deepens understanding. Such teaching brings spiritual growth that lasts, and equips believers for maturity in Christ. A balanced church needs both preaching and teaching. Preaching stirs the heart. Teaching builds the mind. H. Writing — So That the Truth Outlives the Teacher Habakkuk wrote, “Then the LORD replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it’” (Habakkuk 2:2). The early church gave priority to writing, so that the truth would reach future generations. The apostles wrote letters that became part of the New Testament. Christian leaders wrote down doctrine to guard the church against false teaching. Courses were written to train new believers. A church that puts effort into biblical resources, study materials, and planned teaching strengthens her foundation. She makes sure that the faith reaches the next generation. When we write things down, the truth outlives the teacher. The Ministry of the Word at a Glance - The ministry of the Word: Knowing the Bible · Scripture: Romans 10:17; Matthew 4:1–11 · What it does: Builds true faith on the knowledge of God’s Word - The ministry of the Word: The public reading of Scripture · Scripture: Revelation 1:3; 1 Timothy 4:13 · What it does: Affirms that we belong to God and are accountable to His Word - The ministry of the Word: Preaching · Scripture: Acts 2:37 · What it does: Stirs the heart into action - The ministry of the Word: Teaching · Scripture: Matthew 13:18–19 · What it does: Transforms the mind for lasting change - The ministry of the Word: Writing · Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2 · What it does: Makes the truth outlive the teacher I. The Son’s Truth Transforms Lives Jesus prayed to His Father for His disciples, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). The Word of Christ brings freedom, strength, and spiritual growth. A church that remains rooted in the truth will stand firm and will bear fruit that lasts. The church is built on Christ Himself. Paul wrote, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). A church stands as long as her foundation stands. Her foundation is the Son, and the Son is known through His Word. Paul also calls the church of the living God the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). So the church stands on Christ, and she holds up the truth in a world that keeps changing. Your holiness does not begin with your effort. It begins with ownership: you belong to God, and what belongs to Him is holy. So let the truth do the work of making you holy. A believer who feeds on opinions will be blown here and there by opinions. A believer who feeds on the Word will stand. J. The Lesson in One Sentence The church is built on Christ, whose Word makes us holy, sets us free, and equips us for every good work (1 Corinthians 3:11; John 17:17; John 8:32; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). In Lesson Five we come to the Holy Spirit, the Life and Power of the church, and to the pillar of Prayer. PART 3 — KNOW THE WORD: TEACHING FOCUS #### 1. We Are Holy Because We Belong to God Read Isaiah 6:1–3 again. The seraphim call out that the Lord Almighty is holy (Isaiah 6:3). God alone is pure in Himself. Anything else is called holy only because it belongs to Him. Peter calls believers a holy nation, God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9). In His prayer for His disciples, Jesus said to His Father that for them He sanctifies Himself, that they too may be truly sanctified (John 17:19). So our holiness comes to us from the Son. We inherit the Son’s purity because we belong to God. #### 2. The Word of God Is the Foundation Read the key verse again (John 17:17). The Father’s Word is truth. Jesus gave that Word to His disciples (John 17:14). Those who hold to the teaching of Jesus will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (John 8:31–32). So the Word of God is the foundation of the local church. We know what the Bible says, we study God’s Word, and we apply the Bible. God said through Hosea that His people are destroyed from lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The church must be a place where the truth is taught, received, and lived. #### 3. A Church Needs the Whole Ministry of the Word All Scripture is God-breathed, and through Scripture the servant of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Paul told Timothy to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). The Lord told Habakkuk to write down the revelation and to make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2). A church needs every part of this ministry: knowing the Bible, the public reading of Scripture, preaching, teaching, and writing. The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11), and He is known through His Word. A church stands as long as her foundation stands. PART 4 — TRUST THE SPIRIT: TEACHING FOCUS #### 1. The Spirit Carried the Prophets Along Paul wrote that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). Peter wrote, “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). (Your Kiswahili Bible says that they were led by the Holy Spirit.) The Holy Spirit carried the prophets along, and they spoke from God. So the Word and the Spirit belong together. Paul calls the Word of God the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and there He answered the devil with what is written (Matthew 4:1, 4). When we open the Bible, we trust the Holy Spirit, for He is the One who carried the prophets along. #### 2. The Spirit Guides Us into All the Truth Jesus promised His disciples, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He speaks only what He hears, and He glorifies Jesus (John 16:13–14). So when we read the Word, preach the Word, teach the Word, and write the truth down, we do not depend on our own minds alone. We trust the Spirit of truth to guide us into the truth. #### 3. The Spirit Does the Sanctifying Work Jesus asked His Father to sanctify His disciples by the truth (John 17:17). Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica that God chose them to be saved. They are saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). We believe the truth, and the Holy Spirit does the sanctifying work. He makes holy those who belong to God. This is His work, and we trust Him. Word and Spirit in Lesson Four — Side by Side - Know the Word: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). · Trust the Spirit: Prophets spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). - Know the Word: Those who hold to the teaching of Jesus will know the truth, and the truth will set them free (John 8:31–32). · Trust the Spirit: The Spirit of truth guides the disciples of Jesus into all the truth. He speaks only what He hears (John 16:13). - Know the Word: Jesus asked His Father to sanctify His disciples by the truth. The Father’s Word is truth (John 17:17). · Trust the Spirit: Believers are saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). - Know the Word: Jesus answered the devil with what is written (Matthew 4:4). · Trust the Spirit: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1). The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). PART 5 — FORMING CHRIST IN THE BELIEVER This lesson forms Christ in us in three ways: 1. Christ is formed in us when we know that we belong to God. Our holiness does not begin with our effort. It begins with ownership. As His children we inherit the purity of His Son. 2. Christ is formed in us when we store the Word in our hearts. Open the Bible every day. Store the Word in your heart before the day of testing comes. In the wilderness Jesus answered the devil with what is written (Matthew 4:4). 3. Christ is formed in us when we apply the Bible. Truth that is not applied is truth that is not yet obeyed. When we do what is written, we grow in Christ. PART 6 — DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Come prepared to answer. Come prepared to listen. 1. Holiness is defined by ownership. You are holy because you belong to God. How does this change the way you see yourself? 2. A believer who feeds on the Word will stand. What do you feed on most in your own week: the Word, or opinions? Which needs to grow in your life: knowing what the Bible says, studying God’s Word, or applying the Bible? 3. Look at the place of the Word in your church. Is Scripture read aloud when you gather? What would help your church to listen as a family listening to our Father? 4. Preaching stirs the heart, and teaching builds the mind. Does your church have both? Which of the two would you like to strengthen, and how? 5. Are you writing things down, so that the truth outlives the teacher? What would this look like in your church? What is one truth that you could write down this year? PART 7 — WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT Before next class, take time with the following: - Read Mark 11:15–17, Matthew 5:3–6, Luke 11:1–13, and Acts 4:23–31 in preparation for Lesson Five. - Memorize John 17:17 or John 8:31–32. - Open your Bible every day this week. Each day choose one verse from your reading, and store that verse in your heart. - Read 2 Timothy 3:14–17 aloud with your family or with your church this week. - Write one truth from this lesson on one page, in plain words. Give the page to one person in your church. CLOSING PRAYER A PRAYER TO PRAY OUT LOUD THIS WEEK Father, You are holy, and the whole earth is full of Your glory. You alone are pure in Yourself, and what belongs to You is holy. Thank You that we belong to You, and that as Your children we inherit the purity of Your Son. Sanctify us by the truth, for Your Word is truth. Let us hold to the teaching of Jesus, so that we know the truth and the truth sets us free. Teach us to know what the Bible says, to study Your Word, and to do what is written. Let the Spirit of truth guide us into all the truth, and let Him do His sanctifying work in us. Make our church a pillar and foundation of the truth in our town and across Tanzania. Let the Scriptures be read aloud among us, and let us listen as a family listening to You, our Father. Give us preaching that stirs the heart and teaching that builds the mind. Help us to write the truth down, so that the truth outlives the teacher. Keep us on the one foundation, Jesus Christ. In the Name of Jesus, amen. NEXT LESSON — Lesson Five — The Holy Spirit. The Life and Power of the Church: The Pillar of Prayer ---------- KGM School of Service — Knowing God Missions · Tumenyimana https://kgm-school-preview.netlify.app