AUTHORS » Phil Anady

Jan 12
3

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #11

Doctrinal Standards WSC #11

  • Q. What is God’s providence?
  • A. God’s providence is His completely holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing every creature and every action.

Study Passage: Isaiah 43

Support Passages: Psalm 145:8-12; Matthew 5:43-45, 10:29-31; Luke 6:35-36; II Thessalonians 2:6-7; Revelation 20:1-3

Bible Story: Exodus 7:20-11:5 (Exodus 9:12, 15-16, 10:27)

Memory Verses

“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:9, ESV).

Thoughts

  • When thinking upon the providence of God, God’s sovereign and moral will comes to mind. Throughout scripture the will of God can be divided into these two categories. First God’s sovereign will encompasses everything that has or will ever take place. These events are predetermined and will come about regardless of the intervention of any created being (i.e. Man’s sin, Christ death, salvation, Christ’s return, etc). God’s moral will on the other hand can either be obeyed or denied. In scripture God has commanded what He requires of man and it is man’s obligation to either obey or disobey.
  • The way these two will’s relate can best be illustrated by two circles. God’s sovereign will encompass every creature and every action. No being or any action is ever outside of God’s sovereign will. Within the sovereign will of God we find God’s moral will. At any point of action an individual can either be within or outside God’s moral while always be within God’s sovereign will.
  • Since sin is outside of God’s moral will but still within His sovereign will is God responsible for sin and evil? This is a difficult topic but is something Christians should feel comfortable discussing. If God were not sovereign over everything then He would not be God. We also know that that God is not the author of sin nor does He tempt anyone to sin. Therefore, while God does not sin nor does He tempt anyone to sin He has allowed sin to enter into the world in order for His attributes to be seen and glorified by everything created both on earth and in heaven. It is important to understand that the ultimate purpose of all that God does or allows is to bring glory and honor to Himself and that God bringing glory to Himself is for our greatest good.

Discussion Questions

  • What does preserving and governing mean?
  • Do you really believe that God preserves and governs all things?
  • If God preserves and governs everything why is it important that He does is completely holy and wise?
  • If God is preserving and governing all things how does this make you feel?  How should this affect your behavior?
  • Since God is in control of everything does this mean there will be no evil or hardship? Explain (Refer to study passage and Bible story).
  • Why does God allow evil and or hardships? (Exodus 9:15-16).
  • What does Romans 8:28-30 promise believers and what does it teach us about God?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Exodus 9:15-16, Isaiah 43, Romans 8:28-30, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Dec 11
26

Catechism Insight – Review WSC #1-10

Doctrinal Standard WSC #1

  • Q. What is man’s primary purpose?
  • A. Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #2

  • Q. What authority from God directs us how to glorify and enjoy Him?
  • A. The only authority for glorifying and enjoying Him is the bible, which is the word of God and is made up of the Old and New Testaments.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #3

  • Q. What does the bible primarily teach?
  • A. The Bible primarily teaches what man must believe about God and what God requires of man.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #4

  • Q. What is God?
  • A. God is a spirit, Whose being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth are infinite, eternal, and unchangeable.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #5

  • Q. Is there more than one God?
  • A. There is only one, the living and true God.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #6

  • Q.How many persons are there in the one God?
  • A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #7

  • Q. What are the decrees of God?
  • A. The decrees of God are His eternal plan based on the purpose of His will, by which, for His own glory, He has foreordained everything that happens.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #8

  • Q. How does God carry out His decrees?
  • A. God carries out His decrees in creation and providence.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #9

  • Q. What is creation?
  • A. Creation is God’s making everything out of nothing by His powerful word in six days – and all very good.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #10

  • Q. How did God create man?
  • A. God created man, male and female, in His own image and in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, to rule over the other creatures.

Memory Verses

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
(Romans12:2,ESV)

Study Passage: Judges 2:6–11

  • This should be a time of reflection, assessment, and reteaching.
  • There are a couple of different ways to approach this review week. First, the review questions and answers could be made into a game that helps the child to remember what they have learned while assessing their understanding. Another idea is to quiz your child on each of the 10 questions making sure to encourage and celebrate their accomplishments. Last, it would be beneficial to review each of the questions and answers drawing out their central truths and discussing how they are connected.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important that we know these facts?
  • How do facts about events and individuals affect relationships?
  • What did the Exodus generation fail to do with their children (Judges2:6-­‐11)?
  • Can you have a relationship with God without facts about Him?
  • While facts are vital to any relatonship what else must relationships include?
  • What is our righteousness and acceptance before God founded in?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Judges 2:6–11, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Dec 11
19

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #10

Doctrinal Standard WSC #10

  • Q. How did God create man?
  • A. God created man, male and female, in His own image and in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, to rule over the other creatures.

Memory Verses

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27,ESV)

Study Passage: Genesis 1:26-2:25

Support Passages: Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 7:15; I Corinthians 15:45-54; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:23-24; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24

Bible Story: Genesis 1:26-30, 2:15-25; Man and woman were made perfect without sin.

Thoughts

  • Mankind is created special; no other created thing is made in the image of God. This means there are aspects about mankind that are similar but not as complete or powerful as God’s. For example, we like God can make decisions, have dominion over creation, are social, express emotion, have an intellect, can reason, our spirit is immortal, and we are creative.  In addition we can express limited amounts of love, truth, justice, and mercy.
  • Mankind was created without sin. Before the fall of man Adam and Eve were right with God and holy. As a result of sin man has lost that position requiring the redeeming blood of Christ to place us back into the state of righteousness and holiness.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is human life so sacred?
  • What does it mean that mankind is created in the image of God?
  • Is anything else created in the image of God?
  • Spiritually speaking, how was mankind created?
  • What does it mean that Adam and Eve were righteous and holy?
  • What does it mean to rule over the other creatures?
  • How can we do this today?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Genesis 1:26-2:25, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Dec 11
12

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #8&9

Doctrinal Standards WSC #8-9

Q. How does God carry out His decrees?

A. God carries out His decrees in creation and providence.

Q. What is creation?

A. Creation is God’s making everything out of nothing by His powerful word in six days – and all very good.

Memory Verses

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)

Study Passage: Genesis 1:1-25

Support Passages: Hebrews 11:1-6; Romans 1:20; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 33:6-12

Bible Story: Genesis 1; the six days of creation.

Thoughts

  • God has always existed and He created everything out of nothing. When He created He created everything “very good” which means without sin. God is not the author of sin.
  • God carries out His plans or decrees by creating then taking care (providence) of what He created. Our God is not the god of the Deist who created and then withdrew from creation. The God of the Bible has created with a purpose and is always actively implementing that purpose.
  • The fact that God has personally created you and has given you a purpose provides meaning to our lives.

Discussion Questions

  • What does decree mean?
  • What does providence mean?
  • Contrast what the world teaches with what the bible teaches concerning origins.
  • The world and Bible explain the origin of life completely differently. Why is this? (Think worldview of God and man).
  • Which came first, God’s decrees or creation?
  • Why does it matter which one came first?
  • What does it mean that God created everything good? Why is this important?
  • If everything comes from something, where did God come from?
  • How can you use the fact that everything comes from something to prove a constant being called God (look up first cause or cosmological argument)?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Genesis 1:1-25, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Dec 11
4

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #7

Doctrinal Standard WSC #7

Q. What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God are His eternal plan based on the purpose of His will, by which, for His own glory, He has foreordained everything that happens.

Memory Verses

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”(Ephesians 1:3-4, ESV)

Study Passage: Ephesians 1:3-14

Support Passages: Romans 8:26-39, 9:11-18; Acts 2:23, 4:24-28; John 6:44,65; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 2:8; Genesis 18:19; Isaiah 5:1-7; Deuteronomy 7:6-11;

 Bible Story: Genesis 37:1-28, 50:15-21

Thoughts

  • There are a few prerequisites to understanding the decrees of God. First, it is often unclear to see how God is going to use a tragedy or difficult time in someone’s life while it is taking place. Joseph saw nothing but complete evil and despair when his brothers sold him into slavery. It was only after the fact that Joseph saw the plan of God.
  • Second, the dichotomy of God’s sovereignty and mans responsibility is something one will never completely understand. While we will never know in this lifetime how it all works the Bible strongly teaches that God is sovereign and has ordained things while still giving us the responsibility to act and respond to the choices we face.
  • The fact that God has a purpose and is sovereign over all should fill us with humility and confidence that God will finish the work He has started in our lives.

Discussion Questions

  • How does it make you feel that God is in control of everything?
  • How do you think Joseph felt when is brother sold him into slavery? Did he know what God was going to do?
  • If God is in control of everything why do bad things happen to good people?
  • What has God promised to those who love Him? (Romans 8:28-29).
  • What should be our attitude when difficult events happen in our lives?
  • Ephesians 1 says God chose us for salvation before the earth was even created. Why did he do that?
  • If God has chosen us for salvation and is in control of everything what should be our response?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Ephesians 1:3-14, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Nov 11
28

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #6 (3 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard WSC #6

Q. How many persons are there in the one God?
A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.

Memory Verses

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30, ESV)

Study Passage: John 16:1-15

Support Passages: John 14:16-17, 25-31, 15:26-27; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30; Galatians 4:1-6; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18; Acts 5:3–4; 1 Peter 1:2

Bible Story: John 3:1-10; God the Holy Spirit is the one who works in individuals lives to bring them to salvation.

Thoughts

  • The Holy Spirit contains attributes that only God himself contains. The Holy Spirit gives eternal life (John 6:63), complete truth (John 14:17), omnipotent (Romans 8:11), omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), eternal (Hebrews 9:14), and there are many divine attributes attributed to the Holy Spirit.
  • The Holy Spirit is referred as God in scripture. The most notable passage is found in Acts 5:3-4.
  • The Holy Spirit (God) dwells in us and has been given to us as a helper, for our comfort, conviction of sin, to lead us in truth, and to seal us for salvation. With this truth we can have the confidence that God is working in our lives to make us more and more like Him.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some attributes of the Holy Spirit? How does this show that He is God?
  • What is the job of the Holy Spirit? How does this make you feel?
  • Is the Holy Spirit difficult to understand or remember? Why?
  • How does the Holy Spirit convict individuals?
  • How does the Holy Spirit bring someone to salvation?


Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Acts 5:3-4, Hebrews 9:14, John 14:17, John 16:1-15, John 6:63, Romans 8:11, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Nov 11
14

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #5 & 6 (1 of 3)

As you can see there is a lot of information provided. The catechism questions will remain the same for the next three weeks therefore don’t feel rushed to have it all  memorized in one week. I pray that the catechism questions, memory verses, and scripture reference are of great use to you in your efforts to raise your children in the Lord.

Doctrinal Standard WSC #5 & 6

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the Living and True God.

Q. How many persons are there in the one God?

A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.

Scripture Memory

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)

Study Passage: Matthew 28:16-20

Support Passages: Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:10; Ephesians 1:3–14; Acts 2:37-41, 8:14-17; Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Ephesians 4:4-6;

Bible Story: Matthew 3: The Baptism of Jesus testifies to the Trinity.

Thoughts

  • There is one God in three persons. Each person of the trinity is separate from the other two but fully and equally God.
  • The word trinity is not found in the Bible but the early church fathers developed the term to easily explain the concept.
  • There are many illustrations that try to explain but don’t completely and fully explain the trinity. Norman Geisler best explains it using the mathematical formula of  1 X 1 X 1 = 1.
  • Each person of the trinity has distinctive roles. This is not an exhaustive list but a simple example. The Father has predestined believers to salvation, Christ has redeemed believers through His death, and the Holy Spirit is our guarantee of salvation. Refer to (Ephesians 1:3–14).

Discussion Questions

  • What is the trinity?
  • How does the baptism of Jesus display the trinity?
  • What is a good illustration to explain the trinity?
  • Is one part of the trinity more powerful or has more authority then another?
  • How do the different persons of the trinity work together for our good?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Ephesians 1:3-14, Matthew 28:16-20, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Nov 11
7

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #4 (3 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard WSC #4

Q. What is God?

A. God is a spirit, whose being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth are infinite, eternal, and unchangeable.

Scripture Memory

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Study Passage: Psalm 94

Support Passages: (Holy)Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4 (Just) Isaiah 30:18; Job 34:12; Revelation 16:7; Psalm: 82; Psalm 103:6; 146:6-9 (Good) Psalm 145:8-9, 103:8

Bible Story: John 10:1-18 Jesus the good Sheppard

Thoughts

Justice – the perfection of His nature whereby He is infinitely righteous in Himself and in all He does, the righteousness of the divine nature exercised in his moral government. At first God imposes righteous laws on His creatures and executes them righteously

Holy – most common association is separation and brightness. There is nothing else like God. He is holy.

Good – viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of His creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace

(Easton, M. (1996). Easton’s Bible dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean that God is holy?
  • Why does the Bible call believers to be holy?
  • How does Christ death and the Holy Spirits indwelling help us become holy?
  • What does it mean that God is just?
  • If God is just why is there so much injustice?
  • What does it mean that God is good?
  • What is the standard of good?
  • How do you measure up to that standard?
  • How does Christ help us measure up to that standard?
Posted in Study Guides, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Psalm 94, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

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