Unlocking the Bible: A Kingdom Perspective for Life

 

Summary

Understanding the Bible as a unified document is crucial for navigating the complexities of life and the world around us. Many people struggle with how the Old Testament relates to the New Testament and how the Bible can provide answers to modern-day issues such as government, racial strife, and personal relationships. The key to unlocking these answers lies in a kingdom-based approach to Scripture. God's kingdom represents His rule over all aspects of life, and His kingdom agenda is the visible manifestation of that rule. By understanding the kingdom thread throughout Scripture, we can see how it applies to our personal lives, families, churches, communities, and the broader society.

The Bible, when viewed from a kingdom perspective, offers real, relevant, and contemporary answers to every question and challenge we face. There is no problem too great or issue too complex that the Bible cannot address when understood in this light. The Tony Evans Training Center is designed to help individuals grasp this kingdom approach, providing contemporary solutions from this historical document. The Bible is not just a book of the past; it is alive and continues to speak into our lives today. This training center aims to equip believers with the tools they need to live life as the Creator intended, offering a transformative journey that aligns with God's kingdom agenda.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Bible as a Unified Document: Understanding the Bible as a cohesive document is essential for making sense of its teachings and applying them to our lives. The connection between the Old and New Testaments reveals a continuous narrative of God's kingdom and His rule over all creation. This perspective helps us see the Bible as a living document that speaks to contemporary issues. [00:23]

2. Kingdom-Based Approach: A kingdom-based approach to Scripture emphasizes God's rule and His kingdom agenda, which is the visible manifestation of His authority in every area of life. This approach provides a framework for understanding how biblical principles apply to personal, familial, and societal challenges. [00:57]

3. Relevance to Modern Issues: The Bible offers relevant answers to modern-day issues such as government, racial strife, and personal relationships. By viewing these issues through the lens of God's kingdom, we can find guidance and solutions that align with His will and purpose. [01:32]

4. Equipping Believers: The Tony Evans Training Center is designed to equip believers with the knowledge and tools needed to apply a kingdom perspective to their lives. This training empowers individuals to live according to God's design and find answers to life's challenges in Scripture. [02:02]

5. The Bible is Alive: The Bible is not just a historical document; it is alive and continues to provide guidance and solutions for today's world. By engaging with Scripture through a kingdom lens, we can experience its transformative power and align our lives with God's kingdom agenda. [02:02]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - The Bible as a Unified Document
[00:57] - Kingdom-Based Approach
[01:32] - Relevance to Modern Issues
[02:02] - Equipping Believers
[02:02] - The Bible is Alive

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. Romans 14:17 - "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
3. Colossians 1:13 - "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the Old and New Testaments in understanding the Bible as a unified document? [00:23]

2. What is meant by a "kingdom-based approach" to Scripture as discussed in the sermon? [00:57]

3. According to the sermon, how does the Bible provide answers to modern-day issues like government and racial strife? [01:32]

4. What role does the Tony Evans Training Center play in equipping believers, as mentioned in the sermon? [02:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might understanding the Bible as a unified document change one's perspective on its teachings and relevance to contemporary life? [00:23]

2. In what ways does a kingdom-based approach to Scripture provide a framework for addressing personal and societal challenges? [00:57]

3. How can viewing modern issues through the lens of God's kingdom offer guidance and solutions that align with His will? [01:32]

4. What does it mean for the Bible to be "alive" and how can this understanding impact a believer's daily life? [02:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a current issue in your life or community. How might a kingdom-based approach to Scripture provide guidance or solutions for this issue? [01:32]

2. Consider your understanding of the Bible as a unified document. How can this perspective help you navigate complex questions or challenges you face today? [00:23]

3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to see God's rule or kingdom agenda. What steps can you take to align this area with His kingdom principles? [00:57]

4. How can you actively seek God's kingdom and righteousness in your daily decisions and interactions with others? [01:32]

5. Think about a time when you felt the Bible spoke directly to a situation you were facing. How did this experience shape your view of Scripture as a living document? [02:02]

6. What practical steps can you take to equip yourself with a kingdom perspective, perhaps through resources like the Tony Evans Training Center? [02:02]

7. How can you encourage others in your community or church to view the Bible as a source of contemporary solutions and guidance? [02:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible as a Unified Narrative
Understanding the Bible as a cohesive document is essential for making sense of its teachings and applying them to our lives. The connection between the Old and New Testaments reveals a continuous narrative of God's kingdom and His rule over all creation. This perspective helps us see the Bible as a living document that speaks to contemporary issues. By viewing the Bible as a unified narrative, we can better understand how its teachings apply to our personal lives, families, and communities. This approach allows us to see the Bible not just as a historical document but as a guide that continues to speak into our lives today. [00:23]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you begin to see the Bible as a unified story that speaks to your current life situation? What steps can you take to explore the connections between the Old and New Testaments this week?


Day 2: Embracing a Kingdom-Based Approach
A kingdom-based approach to Scripture emphasizes God's rule and His kingdom agenda, which is the visible manifestation of His authority in every area of life. This approach provides a framework for understanding how biblical principles apply to personal, familial, and societal challenges. By focusing on God's kingdom, we can align our lives with His will and purpose, finding guidance and solutions to the issues we face. This perspective encourages us to see God's hand in every aspect of our lives and to live in a way that reflects His kingdom values. [00:57]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize God's kingdom authority? How can you intentionally seek His kingdom in those areas today?


Day 3: Finding Relevance in Modern Issues
The Bible offers relevant answers to modern-day issues such as government, racial strife, and personal relationships. By viewing these issues through the lens of God's kingdom, we can find guidance and solutions that align with His will and purpose. This approach helps us navigate the complexities of the world around us, providing a biblical perspective on contemporary challenges. By engaging with Scripture in this way, we can find hope and direction in the midst of difficult circumstances. [01:32]

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Romans 13:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one modern issue you are currently facing? How can you seek God's guidance through Scripture to address this issue in a way that aligns with His kingdom values?


Day 4: Equipping Believers for Kingdom Living
The Tony Evans Training Center is designed to equip believers with the knowledge and tools needed to apply a kingdom perspective to their lives. This training empowers individuals to live according to God's design and find answers to life's challenges in Scripture. By engaging with this training, believers can deepen their understanding of God's kingdom and learn how to apply biblical principles to their daily lives. This process of equipping is essential for living a life that reflects God's kingdom agenda and brings glory to Him. [02:02]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to equip yourself with a deeper understanding of God's kingdom? How can you apply this knowledge to your daily life and interactions with others?


Day 5: Experiencing the Bible as a Living Document
The Bible is not just a historical document; it is alive and continues to provide guidance and solutions for today's world. By engaging with Scripture through a kingdom lens, we can experience its transformative power and align our lives with God's kingdom agenda. This perspective allows us to see the Bible as a source of hope and direction, offering answers to the challenges we face. By embracing the Bible as a living document, we can experience its impact on our lives and grow in our relationship with God. [02:02]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach the Bible as a living document that speaks to your current circumstances? What changes can you make in your daily routine to engage more deeply with Scripture?

Quotes


Have you ever wondered what ties the whole Bible together and makes it make sense as one unified document? Have you ever wondered how the Old Testament relates to the New Testament? Have you ever been confused about how to use the Bible to answer questions about the confusing things, not only in your life but in our world today? [00:01:34]

Do you really believe that the Bible has answers to the things we're facing and the confusion that we're living in, whether it relates to governments or whether it relates to racial strife or whether it relates to divorce and remarriage? Do you struggle with understanding what it means and whether it really means what it says? [00:30:00]

It's called the Tony Evans Training Center, because this training center is designed to answer those and a myriad of other questions related to living life as the Creator meant it to be lived. You see, what we're going to be teaching is a kingdom based approach to the Bible. God's kingdom is His rule over all. [00:57:84]

His kingdom agenda is the visible manifestation of that rule over every area of life. And when you understand the kingdom thread throughout all of Scripture, and see it work out in your personal life, in your family life, and your church life and your community life and in the broader society, the whole world, you will see that there are no question for which God does not have real, relevant and contemporary answers. [01:22:74]

You don't have a problem, an issue, a challenge, that this book, when understood from a kingdom perspective, is not equipped to answer. So get ready for the ride of your lifetime. The Tony Evans training center is here just for you, and I'm so excited that we can give you contemporary solutions from this historical document, because guess what? It's still alive. [01:35:91]

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Transcript
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