Video Bible Study by David E. Pratte

Wholesome Guidance for Young Women - part 1 ============================= Young women should be taught to #love their #husbands and #children. Contrary to much of our society, #women should value their #family relations as their primary realm of service. They should also be #discreet, learning good judgment. And they should be #chaste, learning to be morally pure and upright. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Wholesome Teaching for Older Women ======================== Older #women should be taught to be reverent toward #God in their conduct, to avoid #slander and hurtful #speech, to avoid the dangers of #alcoholic beverages, and to #teach good things especially to young women. Emphasis on passages describing the value of women teachers. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Sound Teaching for Older Men ================== Instructions for various groups of people beginning with older men. They should learn to have sober judgment, reverent #respect for God and His word, and temperance (self-control) to practice what is good. They also need sound or wholesome #faith, #love, and #patience. Class discussion of when a person becomes a "older" man or woman. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

They Profess to Know God but by Works They Deny Him ================================== Paul continued describing #false #teachers. They should be rebuked sharply because they turn from the #truth teaching fables and commandments of men. Their mind and #conscience are #defiled. They profess to know God but deny Him by their #works. Those who are #pure must resist #evil influences. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #gospel #Scripture

Should We Criticize Religious Error? ====================== Some say we should not #judge or object to what other people teach or practice, but should be #tolerant, encourage #diversity, and #Political #Correctness. Did Jesus and His apostles #criticize others? What does the #Bible teach about #rebuking error? What do #love and a #Christlike spirit teach us? Should we "preach the #gospel but let others alone?" What is the reason people object to error being opposed? This material is also available to read as an article at https://gospelway.com/teaching/rebuking_sin.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #Scripture

Exhorting and Convicting Those Who Contradict ============================= Elders must hold fast to God's faithful word in the #Scriptures so they can #exhort and #convict those who contradict the #truth. #False #teachers may #rebel, often for the sake of personal #gain, and may lead others astray with their #deceits. They must be opposed with sound #doctrine. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #gospel

Holiness, Justice, and Self Control ===================== God requires elders to be #hospitable and love what is good. They must be #holy and #just. To be sober-minded means they must learn to think clearly and have good #judgment to lead the congregation to serve God faithfully. Then they must exercise self-control to diligently lead lives that please God. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Not Given to Wine, Not Greedy for Money ========================== Qualifications for #elders or #bishops require a man who avoids social #drinking. #Alcoholic beverages cloud #judgment, weaken inhibitions, and hinder wise decisions. Elders also must avoid #violence but should accomplish goals by #teaching and practicing the Word of God. They must avoid #greed and love of #money. As spiritual #leaders they pursue #spiritual goals. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Not Self-Willed and Not Soon Angry ====================== Class discussion of elders' qualifications continues. What if a child of an elder becomes unfaithful? What does it mean to be self-willed, and what problems are caused if an #elder is self-willed? What does the #Bible teach about being quick tempered, and why is it important for #bishops to control their #anger? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Seeking the Lord and His Will for Your Life ========================== Can people seek for God and find Him and His will for our lives? If so, who can #seek? What about people in Africa and other places where the #gospel is little known? What must we do to seek for God? What about the #attitude of our #hearts? Must we #believe in God and #study the #Bible? How important is #obedience? Read this material as a free Bible study article at https://www.gospelway.com/salvation/seeking-the-lord.php PowerPoint slides and charts available at https://www.biblestudylessons.com/powerpoint/index.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #Christianity #truth #Scripture

Qualifications of Elders: Faithful Children ========================= The required characteristics of elders/bishops include "faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." The class discusses the meaning and Bible passages using the terms #faithful, #riot, and #unruly. Must the children be Christians? What if they are immoral or rebellious? How many must be faithful? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Qualifications of Elders: Blameless, Husband of One Wife ================================== Class discussion of characteristics men must have to serve as #elders or #bishops. Some qualities are absolute but others are matters of #degree. The church must consider whether a man possesses the latter sufficient to do the work. The class discusses the meaning and application of "blameless" and "husband of one wife." Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Jesus' Church: Often Imitated but Never Equaled ============================== Does Jesus want one #church today or many? Modern #denominations differ in many ways, all claiming to be #Christian and to honor Jesus. Yet the #gospel shows that Christ planned and built just one church. Should Christianity be characterized by religious #unity or by #division? Is one church as good as another? How many true churches are there? This material is also available as an article at https://www.gospelway.com/church/unique_church.php PowerPoint charts are available at https://www.biblestudylessons.com/powerpoint/index.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #Scripture

The Importance of Appointing Qualified Elders ============================ Churches should work to develop and #appoint elders because the work these men do is so essential to working effectively as a congregation. Until a church has #elders, something important is lacking. Scripture reveals the #qualifications or characteristics men must have in order to be appointed. These qualities are necessary for each man to possess in order to serve. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Appointing Elders =========== Paul instructed Titus about #elders. Are elders different from #bishops or #pastors? What are the responsibilities of these men: #Teaching? #Supervising? Caring for souls? What are the limits on their #leadership? May one man alone rule a #congregation or must there be more than one? What are the responsibilities of other members to the elders? Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Hope of Eternal Life Which God Promised ============================ Paul was an #apostle to proclaim the #faith by which we become God's elect people. The #truth teaches #godliness which gives #hope of eternal life. God promised this and made it known through the #gospel message that inspired men #preached and wrote down in the #Scriptures so we can know it. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity

The King of Israel, the Lord, Is in Your Midst =========================== The remnant of God's people will be richly blessed. God will #forgive their #transgressions so they can #worship Him. They will #trust Him and have no #fear. They can #rejoice and be glad for He will be present in their midst and will rejoice over them. PowerPoint charts on Zephaniah are available free at www.biblestudylessons.com/powerpoint/index.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Lord Is Righteous ... He Never Fails ======================== Just like today, people claimed to serve God but did not #obey Him. The #rulers, #preachers, and #priests pursued their own gain and perverted God's #teaching and #worship. But God could be trusted to do #justice and #righteousness without fail. He would bring destruction on those who do evil and would bless those who are faithful. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Let Your Light Shine So Men May See Your Good Works ================================= Jesus taught His disciples to set an #example of good works so people would give glory to the Father in heaven. Everyone has #influence. Our influence is shown by our #works, not just our words. Evil conduct leads people to dishonor God, but good works lead people to glorify God. Is your light shining for God's glory? This material is also available as an article at https://www.gospelway.com/teaching/influence.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

Seek the Lord, Seek Righteousness, Seek Humility ============================== Through Zephaniah God predicted the destruction of Philistia, Moab, Ammon, and Assyria. Nineveh would be desolate like a wilderness inhabited only by animals. We now know the cities of these nations are desolate like God predicted. Pictures of Nineveh show it is uninhabited except by animals. There are other cities named in the Bible that God never predicted would cease to exist and they are still known today: Jerusalem, Rome, Athens, and Damascus. Prophecy confirms Bible inspiration. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Sound of a Mournful Cry ================= Some people are complacent because they think God will overlook their #sins so there will be no #consequences. But a day of #wrath and #trouble is coming. Some trust their #possessions to assure them of protection from harm, but #wealth cannot deliver from the consequences of sin. So, God continued to predict through Zephaniah the destruction of #Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Day of the Lord Is at Hand =================== God inspired Zephaniah to warn the rulers and people of Judah that #punishment was coming because of their #sins, especially #idolatry. Some had turned away from following God, but others claimed to follow God yet still participated in false #worship. God would punish the rulers and the pagan priests who led the people into error, but He would also punish the people themselves. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Lord God Is My Strength ================== As his message comes to an end, Habakkuk states the conclusions he has reached from the answers God has provided. He has learned that people should #trust God to do what is right even when we do not understand what He is doing and why. God has a plan. He knows what He is doing. In the end, #wicked people will be #punished and #righteous people will be #rewarded in God's way and God's time. #Faith teaches us to #trust God even when our fallible human wisdom does not understand. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

You Can Be Victorious Through Jesus ======================= We are involved in a great spiritual #battle with the forces of #evil. Jesus won this battle, and we can #conquer through Him. He was #victorious over #sin, #temptation, evil, and even #death. We can win these same #victories through the #weapons He supplies. Don't you want to be on His side and win the victory? You can also read this material as a free Bible study article at https://www.gospelway.com/christianlife/victory-jesus.php Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture

The Lord Is In His Holy Temple =================== Habakkuk had asked why God would use the evil Chaldeans to #punish the people of Judah. God responded that He knows the evil of the Chaldeans and will punish them too. Unlike the #idols, God knows what people do, good and bad, and He is still in charge of His universe. He will reward all people for their conduct in His way and His time. Lesson presented by David E. Pratte; www.gospelway.com #Bible #BibleStudy #religion #Jesus #Christ #God #Christianity #truth #gospel #Scripture