Getting to Know You

Question 1: How is it that a young believer and a mature believer can both be fed by the same Scripture? How has your understanding of God’s word grown? (cf. Heb 5:12–14; 1 Cor 3:1–2)

Commentary Insights

• Matthew Henry: God’s Word is “an inexhaustible store”—the same passage offers “milk” to the young and “strong meat” to the mature because the Spirit applies it according to each person’s condition. (Matthew Henry)
• Wiersbe, “Be” Series: Scripture is living food; as we obey the light we have, God gives more light. Growth turns familiar verses into deeper pathways of trust and obedience. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Series)
• NIV Application Commentary: Meaning is stable, but significance grows with life stage; the Spirit brings new implications from the same unchanging text as contexts change. (NIV Application Commentary)
• Life Application Bible Commentary: Application scales—beginners find clear next steps; seasoned believers are challenged in motives, priorities, and leadership. (Life Application Bible Commentary)

Leader tip: Invite a newer and a seasoned believer to share how the same verse has met them differently this year.

Digging Deeper

Question: Read Isa 40:8; Isa 55:11; Matt 5:17–18; Matt 24:35; John 14:26. What does the Bible claim about itself? How can the miraculous preservation of the Scriptures be used as an apologetic when witnessing to the lost?

Commentary Insights

• Bible Knowledge Commentary (Isa 40:8; Matt 24:35): Scripture insists on its permanence—God’s Word “stands forever” and outlasts creation; Jesus places His words on that same enduring level. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
• The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Isa 55:11): God’s Word is effective—it accomplishes the divine purpose; its power is not in human eloquence but in God who sends it. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
• Holman OT/NT Commentary (Matt 5:17–18): Jesus affirmed the authority and reliability of the OT down to the smallest letter; He fulfills rather than abolishes it, anchoring Christian confidence in verbal reliability. (Holman Commentary)
• NIV Application Commentary (John 14:26): The Spirit’s ministry to the apostles ensured accurate recall and teaching, undergirding the trustworthy foundation of the NT witness. (NIV Application Commentary)

Apologetics Angle

• Expositor’s Bible Commentary: The Bible’s textual preservation (abundance and early dating of manuscripts; stability across copies) makes it uniquely verifiable among ancient texts—supporting its self-claims when sharing with skeptics. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
• Bible Knowledge Commentary: Combine preservation with fulfilled prophecy and Christ’s view of Scripture for a cumulative case: if Jesus rose and treated Scripture as God’s Word, His authority validates the Bible’s authority. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Question: Read Ps 18:30; Ps 119:9; 119:105–107; Prov 30:5; John 8:31–32; 2 Tim 3:16–17. Why did the Scriptures need to be accurately preserved? What would be the result if they weren’t?

Commentary Insights

• Tyndale OT/NT Commentaries (Ps 18:30; Prov 30:5): God’s way is perfect and His word is tested/pure; a pure God cannot guide with a corrupted word—preservation guards His character’s reputation. (Tyndale Commentaries)
• Life Application Bible Commentary (Ps 119; John 8:31–32): Scripture directs daily steps and forms disciples who abide in Christ; distortion would mislead decisions and stunt spiritual freedom. (Life Application Bible Commentary)
• Wiersbe, “Be” Series (2 Tim 3:16–17): Because Scripture is God-breathed and equips every believer for every good work, accuracy is essential; corruption would undercut doctrine, reproof, correction, and training. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Series)
• Holman Commentary: If the text were unreliable, assurance of salvation, moral guidance, and church unity would fracture; preservation sustains teaching and mission. (Holman Commentary)

If not preserved: doctrine drifts, counsel becomes opinion, and confidence in God’s promises erodes. (NIV Application Commentary)

Question: Read Josh 4:4–7; Ezek 36:22–24; John 13:35; John 17:23. Consider evidences for Christianity (science, archaeology, the Bible’s composition/preservation, fulfilled prophecy, Israel’s rebirth, regeneration). How does this wide array of evidence strengthen the case for Christianity? Why do we need reminders like Joshua’s stones?

Commentary Insights

• Bible Knowledge Commentary (Josh 4): The memorial stones functioned as public, intergenerational reminders so future questions would prompt testimony—memory devices strengthen faith and witness. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
• NIV Application Commentary (John 13:35; 17:23): Love and visible unity among believers serve as living apologetics—tangible evidence that the Father sent the Son. (NIV Application Commentary)
• Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Ezek 36): God’s restoration promises display His holiness among the nations; historical movements of Israel and ongoing work among His people point beyond human explanation to divine fidelity. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
• Holman Commentary: Christianity invites a cumulative case: converging lines from creation’s order, archaeological corroborations, textual preservation, prophecy, and transformed lives together form a robust, courtroom-style argument. (Holman Commentary)

Why reminders? We are forgetful; memorials rehearse God’s acts, shape identity, and catalyze conversations with the next generation. (Wiersbe, Be Series; Life Application Bible Commentary)

Taking It Home

Question: How has this study personally impacted your faith? Who can you share this with this week?

Reflection & Application

• Matthew Henry: Turn truth into praise—thank God for a Word that stands when everything else shifts. (Matthew Henry)
• Life Application Bible Commentary: Choose one “memorial” practice this week (journal entry, shared testimony, or Scripture card) and one person to share it with. (Life Application Bible Commentary)

Leader’s Prompt Ideas

• Have the group pick one verse from the set and name a “milk” application for a new believer and a “meat” challenge for a mature believer.
• Close by praying 2 Tim 3:16–17 over the group’s week.

Sources consulted: Matthew Henry; NIV Application Commentary; The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; Tyndale OT/NT Commentaries; Warren Wiersbe’s Be Series; Holman OT/NT Commentary; Life Application Bible Commentary; Bible Knowledge Commentary.