Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

92 / CORNERSTONE CURRICULUM STUDENT WORKBOOK

believer. In every sense, the notion of the Word of God is significant for understanding God’s work in the world, and throughout human history. • The Holy Scriptures are the living and eternal Word of God. They are as identified directly with God’s person and his work. • The Word of God, being authored by the Holy Spirit and therefore infused with God’s own life, is the critical instrument by which new life is created in those who believe in Jesus. The message of the Gospel is the spiritual seed that causes us to be born from above. • The authentic sign of true discipleship in Christ is abiding in and continuing in the Word of Jesus, which liberates and sets believers free. • God has granted to every believer the Holy Spirit in order that we might understand and grasp the meaning of the Scriptures that he inspired (1 Cor. 2.9-16 cf. 2 Pet. 1.21-22). • The Holy Spirit teaches us that the ultimate purpose of the created universe is to glorify Almighty God (Isa. 43.7; Prov. 16.4; 1 Cor. 10.31). • The Scriptures, the Word that creates, enable us through the Spirit to glorify God as we live under God’s rule. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about the power of the Word that creates. What particular questions do you have in light of the material you have just studied? Perhaps the questions below might spark your discussion together, and help you form your own, more specific and critical questions. • When we say that the Scriptures are inspired by God, do we mean the “original autographs” (i.e., the documents that prophets and Apostles wrote), the translations, copies of the translations, or everything? • What impact on discussions about evolution does our belief that God created the world through his Word have? Is evolutionary theory something we need to be concerned about or not? • If the Word of God is living and active and creative, why doesn’t it seem to work the same way in every person’s heart that hears it? Why do so many people reject the message of the Word today?

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B i b l i ca l S tud i e s

Student Application and Implications page 71 & 8