God’s Principles By Categories (Topics & Concepts)
The Purpose of teaching categorically is to help you (the born-again believer) erect a Grace Place in your soul for application of Bible truths to the details of life. Categorical study organizes God’s Truth’s into a systematic format. In other words: we learn different pieces of the puzzle, one piece at a time — each piece fitting together to help us understand and see the whole picture of God’s Eternal Plan through Christ our Lord (Proverbs. 4:2; Isaiah 28: 9-13; 1 Timothy 4:6,13, 15 & 16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; 4:2; Titus 1:9; Heb. 4:12).
God literally inspired (breathed or exhaled) the Scriptures in to each writer of the Books and Booklets of the Bible for our benefit, which is to transform our thinking and conform us to Christ, so that we do not conform to the world (Romans 12:2). Bible Doctrine equips the believer for the combat of spiritual warfare and living the Christian life in the secular world (Ephesians 3:16-21; 1 Timothy 4: 7-8). The Holy Spirit teaches us through our inhale of Bible Doctrine and our exhale in application. Thus, we can become effective witnesses for Christ as we learn to walk with Him.
HUMILITY: Prerequisite To Learning (Romans 12:3; 9-21; 13:1).
Humility may be described as the basis by which salvation is obtained through faith in the Cross Work of Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever through Scripture so that the unbeliever is able to recognize his/her sinful state and need for a Savior. By turning from disbelief to belief (the true meaning of repentance) in Jesus Christ, the unbeliever becomes a believer receiving eternal life.
Christ humbled Himself in voluntary obedience to the Father, condescending to become like sinful man and die on the Cross. He set the example that every human being should follow. Humility is the basis for learning God’s Word and for living the Christian Life. It is difficult to be humble in an arrogant world. Humility is the exact opposite of arrogance. Therefore, humility is a prerequisite to Salvation and learning (Matt. 18:1-4; 23:11-12; Luke 14:11; 18:14; Phil. 2:8; 1 Pet.5:5,6).
From infancy, we learn to attract attention and get our way — selfishness. We must learn selflessness to become humble. The sensate culture in America today is centered upon sensuality — the instant gratification of fleshly appetites and the sensational self — “I am the center of my life and the world revolves around me” mentality. Subjectivity has replaced objectivity. Humility is the initial virtue necessary to build character. It is the first step through the door of the house of edification.
Christian Integrity and character are developed through the inculcation (learning by repetition in our study and meditation upon the Word) of Biblical Principles and the exercise of dealing with life’s experiences. Bible Doctrine transforms our thinking — our human viewpoint transforms into Divine Viewpoint. Our individual experiences develop and strengthen our Christian character so that we are toughened to meet the new challenges ahead, on the way to the high ground of spiritual maturity. Divine Viewpoint is the light of the spirit; the eye of the soul, by which we must live and walk the Christian life.
“Humility seeks reality and accepts truth.”
Structured Concepts or conceptualistic structuralization (God’s principles by category and concept).
Reference verses: Proverbs. 4:2; Isaiah 28: 9-13; 1 Tim. 4:6,13,15&16; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-17; 4:2;Titus 1:9;Heb. 4:12.
Categorical Bible Studies are a method of learning God’s Word by topics, or concepts and precepts organized systematically.
The Purpose of Categorical Studies is to bring glory to God and our Savior Jesus Christ and to erect a Grace Place in the soul of believers. Categorical Bible Studies organize God’s Word into topical groups. “Precept upon precept, line upon line (Isaiah 28:10).”
We learn different pieces of the puzzle, one piece at a time — each piece fitting together to help us see the whole picture. The study of God’s Absolute Truth (the Bible) is made less difficult and more interesting when organized into Categories and Concepts.
Application of God’s principles can become a natural part of our thinking, transforming our human viewpoint to Divine Viewpoint.
God designed Bible Doctrine to transform our thinking and conform us to Christ, SO THAT WE DO NOT CONFORM TO THE WORLD (Romans 12:2). Bible Doctrine equips the believer for the combat of spiritual warfare and living the Christian life in the secular world. ‘Keeping the faith’ means the whole realm of Doctrine (Eph. 3:16-21; 1 Tim.4: 7-8). The Holy Spirit teaches us through the inhale of Bible Doctrine (through study and meditation upon the Word) and the exhale in application to life’s circustances. Thus, we can become effective witnesses for Christ as we learn to walk in His footsteps.
Humility is the initial virtue necessary to build character. It is the first step through the door of the house of edification. Happy Studying!
Christian Integrity and character are developed through the inculcation of Biblical Principles and the exercise of life’s experiences. Bible Doctrine transforms our thinking – our human viewpoint into Divine Viewpoint. Our individual experiences develop and strengthen our Christian character so that we are toughened to meet the new challenges on the way to the high ground of spiritual maturity. Divine Viewpoint is the light of the spirit; the eye of the soul, by which, we must live and walk the Christian life.
Humility seeks reality and accepts truth!
Thank you, Father, for Jesus Christ and Bible Doctrine — the very Mind of Christ, the Living God (1 Corinthians 2:16). Thank you for humbling yourself to save us … we certainly are unworthy. Thank you Father for humbling us to receive Christ by faith … and thank you for faith, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Happy Studying!