Instructions: Everyday Bible Study Book By Ben Gutierrez, Chris Hulshof, and Professor John Cartwright.Once you have completed the assigned text readings (Everyday Bible Study Chapters 11-22), selec

 Instructions: Everyday Bible Study Book By Ben Gutierrez, Chris Hulshof, and Professor John Cartwright.

Once you have completed the assigned text readings (Everyday Bible Study Chapters 11-22), select two threads you wish to reply to and address your classmates' thoughts and ideas. The goal of these two posts is to build on the material provided by your classmates. Thus, responses that simply affirm the thread material are not sufficient. The content of each reply must reflect an excellent knowledge of the textbook reading and interact with both the thread and relevant chapter material. You must support your thoughts and ideas by quoting from Everyday Bible Study and citing related Scripture. Each response post 200 words in length. I need 2 responses

I need you to write classmate 1 and 2 for each person reply. So I know whom I'm replying to. 

***** classmate 1 I need to reply to

Word Splash

According to chapter 11, in order to effectively study God's Word, one must start to build "a library of necessary tools that will help them unpack God’s Word" (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016,p.62). Therefore, this chapter focuses on the various study resources needed to build a "simple toolbox" and why they are effective. (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016,p.62). The first tool is a study bible. A optimal equivalence study bible,such as Holman Christian Standard Bible, is an important translation for study. It is important due to the fact that, it "retains elements of formal or literal translation but is also committed to a text that is readable in modern English"(Hulshof&Cartwright,2016,p.52). As a student of God's word it is helpful to use two or three different translations of the bible. Hulshof & Cartwright (2016) state that, using different translations "can clear up interpretation difficulties, clarify word meanings, and translation options for difficult passages" (p.62). The second helpful tool is an illustrated bible dictionary. This tool "provides brief discussions on important people, places, and things recorded in Scriptures" and it gives a "quick overview" of the topic (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016,p.62). Along with the illustrated bible dictionary, a bible handbook is helpful as it "provides a clear and consise overview of each book of the Bible" (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016,p.62). In order to study specific words found in the Bible, it is useful to have a concordance. A concordance will allow one to study Greek and Hebrew related words to a specific word study. It also will help identify the number of times a word is used, and where it is found in the Bible. (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016, p. 63) It is not necessary to purchase a printed concordance. There are bible software programs available that use word search tools. This results in a more quick and efficient way to study a specific word. Next, a student should add a one-volume bible commentary to their tools. According to Hulshof & Cartwright (2016), when studying God's word one can "make sure that our thoughts, ideas, or conclusions fit within the traditional understanding of a bible passage" is to use a one-volume bible commentary." (p.64) A commentary will contain an introduction to the book of the bible being studied, "points of observation, interpretation, and application" (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016,p.64.) Additionally, an expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words. is another important tool. A meaningful aspect of this tool is that when it is used with a concordance, it is helpful for word studies. It identifies how a word is used throughout the Bible, it provides "keys to understanding the word, and offers practical points of applications derived from this word" (Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016,p.65). Next, a bible atlas provides an understanding of where biblical events occurred. In order to effectively study passages of scripture, it is important to understand topography, "travel routes, physical features, political barriers, and border lines"( Hulshof & Cartwright, 2016, p.65). Finally, an important part of personal bible study, is to add a notebook bible. This style of bible will allow one to "record their observations, interpretations, correlations, and applications of an individual passage"(Hulshof & Cartwright,2016, p.65). This is an important reminder of how God is teaching and changing the student. In conclusion, these tools are just the beginning foundation of resources for studying God's word. As a student grows and matures, resources can be added and changed.

****Classmate 2 I Need to reply to

Inspiration, Illumination, Sanctification - Word Splash

Chapter 13 of “Every Day Bible Study” focuses on the working of the Holy Spirit and his ability to help us interpret and understand the Word of God. We sometimes approach the Bible as a book that simply needs to be studied, as a purely academic exercise. This is the wrong way to approach the Bible. When approached in this manner we miss so much. First, we know the Bible is truly God’s word, 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us “…no prophecy comes from one’s own interpretation…by the will of man…instead…they were moved by the Holy Spirit”, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is inspired by God…”. Thus we know the inspiration of the “Bible is the product of God’s will, mediated through the Holy Spirit to the men who wrote it”. (Hulshof, et al (2016)p. 74) In and of ourselves, we can never begin to understand the Bible on our own. Instead, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, he illuminates the Word for us. He opens our eyes, removes the “scales” that prevent us from seeing and understanding, and reveals truth to us. Ephesians 1:17-19 says”…I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling…”. This verse speaks to me about the illumination that can only come through the gift of the Holy Spirit. An unbeliever misses out on the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit due to God’s word appearing foolish to them. “…a veil lies over their hearts but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” (2 Corinthians 3:15-18) Once that veil is gone, believers are able to delve so much deeper into the word, to seek out the “spiritual riches of God’s Word”. (Hulshof, et al (2016)p. 75) When we are able to better understand God’s word, we move forward and are encouraged to “be doers of the word and not hearers only…if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking…in a mirror. For he looks at himself…and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works – this person will be blessed…” (James 1:22-25) Looking in the mirror shows me who I am, just like the Word of God shows me my heart. When our heart are revealed, the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, which in turn leads us to confessing and repenting. These works can only occur with the Holy Spirit. At this point, the ”sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers causes them to grow in faith and become more like Jesus”. (Hulshof, et al (2016)p. 76) As we work to have fellowship with our Lord, sanctification, mediated through the Holy Spirit, continues to convict us of our sins that we might repent and be restored. I encourage you to choose to repent and be restored instead of having your heart be hardened. Keep studying the Bible with the Holy Spirit close by your side.