SAMPLE DOCTRINAL STUDY- DEMONSTRATION OF OVERALL PROCESS

SAMPLE DOCTRINAL STUDY- DEMONSTRATION OF OVERALL PROCESS

1. RELIANCE ON GOD/ BEING OPEN TO LEARN:

God’s will is not Man’s will.

I should follow God’s Word.

(Note: This step is invisible but needs to be always kept in mind to be humble and learn what the Bible actually says about the topic)

 

2. TOPIC/ THEME:

God’s Will

 

3. MEANING, RELATED WORDS / SYNONYMS (Using Language Dictionary/ Bible Dictionary):

Will is the fixed and persistent intent or purpose that enable a personality to make conscious choice and decision. 

God’s Will is the desire of God for mankind and all His creation.

(Note: The definitions need not be true, it may need some addition, deletion or modification after studying what the Bible really means)

Synonyms of Will- Desire, Want, intent, intention

Related Words- Purpose, predestination, foreknew, Choice, decision, Man’s Will (acceptance)

(Note: Synonyms are words that can be used alternatively for a given word, and Related Words can be closely connected words that may be associated with a cause or consequence. Also, if you are interested you may learn what word (s) are used in Hebrew/ Greek for much broader understanding)

 

4. COMMON IDEOLOGIES AND QUESTIONS:

S1 (Statement 1): God’s Will for man will be fulfilled.

S2 (Statement 2): God’s Will for a person is revealed by other people.

Q1 (Question 1): If God’s Will is all to be saved, why many people are not saved?

Q2 (Question 2): How do I know God’s Will for me?

(Note: Once you are thorough with the process, steps 1 to 4 needn’t be written down like this, but could be conceptually followed in thinking while studying a topic)

 

5. STUDYING VERSES RELATED TO THE THEME OR TOPIC:

5.1. Verses and its study, found by already known verses:

Submitting our ways to the Lord by trusting Him and leaning not on our own understanding  will make our paths aright (Proverbs 3: 5-6).

(Note: Started to search a verse with some words which came to mind and found the verse as Romans 8: 29, but while trying to study it inductively in its context, the verses in Rom 8: 18-30 had lot of teaching related to the topic of study)

Sufferings in the present world is of negligible value when we look into future glory that will be revealed to us. Even creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God who will take the responsibility to fulfill God’s purpose, because creation had became futile because of the corruption of mankind, to whom God had entrusted. Not just creation, but even the mankind without God in their lives were groaning inwardly for being saved from our guilt and need of the redemption, for reconciliation with God. We are saved by hope and that is not something vain but something of higher value that will be seen when waited patiently (Romans 8: 18-25).

The Spirit of God helps the believers and intercedes for them according to the will of God (Romans 8: 26).  

For those who love God and called according to His purpose, all things work together for good. Because God had foreknown those who choose Him and predestined them to be in the likeness of Jesus. God had called them to be a part of fulfilling His purpose, justified them and glorified them (Romans 8: 27-30).

God made everything Good (Gen 1Ch), and God made man to have dominion over everything on earth, in His image as male and female. They ought to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Gen 1: 26- 28).

A believer should present the self as a living sacrifice by allowing God to work in his life, by being holy and acceptable to God which is a pleasing act of worship. Then a believer will not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of mind, that by testing they may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12: 1, 2).

5.2. Verses and its study, found by Search (Using Concordances / Bible Apps):

Will of God makes a person to be closely associated with Jesus (Mar 3: 35).

A Person who resists at the beginning but follow the way of righteousness later does the will of God rather a person who say that he will follow the way of righteousness but doesn’t do that actually (Matt 21: 28-32).

All who receive Jesus, believe in His name, God gave right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1: 12, 13).

Paul conveys that he will return if God wills (Act 18: 21).

Ananias told Paul that the God of their fathers appointed him to know His will, to see the righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth, for Paul will be a witness for Him to everyone of what he had seen and heard (Act 22: 14, 15).

Paul calls himself as apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God (1 Cor 1: 1; 2 Cor 1: 1).

Churches of Macedonia gave generously amidst poverty gave themselves first and then by the will of God to Paul and his companions (2 Cor 8: 5).

Paul claims that he writes his letter by the Will of God (Eph 1: 1; Col 1: 1, 2; 2 Tim 1: 1).

The servants shall obey their earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as they would do to Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, that he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free (Eph 6: 5-8).

Epaphras, who is one among the Colossians, a servant of Christ Jesus struggled with his prayers that they stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Col 4: 12).

The Will of God is sanctification, that is abstaining from sexual immorality, controlling his own body in holiness and honor, not being in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God, and not transgressing and doing wrong to a brother in that matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all those things (1 Thess 4: 3-6).

Respecting those who labor among the believers in the Lord, admonishing them, esteeming them very highly in love because of their work, Being at peace among believers, admonishing the idle, encouraging the fainthearted, helping the weak, being patient with all, Not repaying evil for evil but always seeking to go good to one another and to everyone, Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances are all the will of God in Christ Jesus for believers (1 Thess 5: 12-18).

We need to pray, intercede, and thank God for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. That is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Tim 2:1-4).

The Message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, and no one shall escape if they neglect such a great salvation. It was declared at first by the Lord, it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will (Heb 2: 1-4).

Jesus came to do the Will of God (Heb 10:7).

By doing good, a person shall put to silence the ignorance of foolish people, for that is the Will of God (1 Pet 2: 15).

As Christ suffered in the flesh, arm the selves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the Will of God (1 Pet 4: 1, 2).

No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1: 21).

A person whoever does the Will of God abides forever (1 John 2: 17).

God gave instructions to follow things, that the Lord will choose (Deu 16: 5, 6, 16; 17:8; 26:2).

If a person make a vow to the Lord their God, they shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord God will surely require it and a person will be guilty of sin (Deu 23: 21).

The Lord will establish the people as holy, if they keep the commandments of the Lord the God and walk in His ways (Deu 28:9).

The Lord will make the people as head and not tail, if they keep the commandments of the Lord the God and be careful to do them (Deu 28:14).

The Lord God will make the people abundantly prosperous in all the work of their hand, in the fruit of their womb and in the fruit of their cattle and in the fruit of their ground, if they obey the voice of the Lord and keep all His commandments that He command them. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering them, as He took delight in their fathers when they obey the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments and His statutes that are written in the Book of the Law, when they turn to the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul (Deu 30: 8-10).

If the people obey the commandments of the Lord the God that He command them, by loving the Lord the God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then they shall live and multiply, and the Lord God will bless them in the land that they are entering to take possession of it (Deu 30: 16).

God will mediate for a man if he sins against a man, but if someone sins against the Lord, no can intercede for him. But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death (1 Sam 2: 25).

God desire mercy and not sacrifice, that is following laws and traditions (Matt 12: 1-8).

Jesus desires His disciples to be with Him where He is, to see His glory that God had given Him because they loved Him before the foundation of the world (John 17: 24).

David acclaims that the Lord will fulfill His purpose (Psalm 138: 8).

The Lord had made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble (Prov 16:4).

(Note: There are many other related verses related to the Topic and it can also be studied for more complete teaching of the Bible)

 

6. SUB TOPICS/ THEMES BASED ON THE IDEAS, QUESTIONS AND THE IDENTIFIED VERSES

i. God’s Will (God’s Will for a person is revealed from God through the Word of God and a person could find it by obeying His commandments (S2 & Q2):

The Will of God is sanctification, that is abstaining from sexual immorality, controlling his own body in holiness and honor, not being in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God, and not transgressing and doing wrong to a brother in that matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all those things (1 Thess 4: 3-6).

Respecting those who labor among the believers in the Lord, admonishing them, esteeming them very highly in love because of their work, Being at peace among believers, admonishing the idle, encouraging the fainthearted, helping the weak, being patient with all, Not repaying evil for evil but always seeking to go good to one another and to everyone, Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances are all the will of God in Christ Jesus for believers (1 Thess 5: 12-18).

God will mediate for a man if he sins against a man, but if someone sins against the Lord, no can intercede for him. But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death (1 Sam 2: 25).

God desire mercy and not sacrifice, that is following laws and traditions (Matt 12: 1-8).

ii. Significance of God’s Will:

Submitting our ways to the Lord by trusting Him and leaning not on our own understanding  will make our paths aright (Proverbs 3: 5-6).

Will of God makes a person to be closely associated with Jesus (Mar 3: 35).

All who receive Jesus, believe in His name, God gave right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1: 12, 13).

Ananias told Paul that the God of their fathers appointed him to know His will, to see the righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth, for Paul will be a witness for Him to everyone of what he had seen and heard (Act 22: 14, 15).

Paul calls himself as apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God (1 Cor 1: 1; 2 Cor 1: 1).

Epaphras, who is one among the Colossians, a servant of Christ Jesus struggled with his prayers that they stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Col 4: 12).

The Message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, and no one shall escape if they neglect such a great salvation. It was declared at first by the Lord, it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will (Heb 2: 1-4).

iii. Man’s Will and God’s purpose:

Sufferings in the present world is of negligible value when we look into future glory that will be revealed to us. Even creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God who will take the responsibility to fulfill God’s purpose, because creation had became futile because of the corruption of mankind, to whom God had entrusted. Not just creation, but even the mankind without God in their lives were groaning inwardly for being saved from our guilt and need of the redemption, for reconciliation with God. We are saved by hope and that is not something vain but something of higher value that will be seen when waited patiently (Romans 8: 18-25).

Jesus came to do the Will of God (Heb 10:7).

By doing good, a person shall put to silence the ignorance of foolish people, for that is the Will of God (1 Pet 2: 15).

No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1: 21).

iv. Being in the will of God (God’s will for man will be fulfilled only if he submits to His will (S1 & Q1):

The Spirit of God helps the believers and intercedes for them according to the will of God (Romans 8: 26). 

A believer should present the self as a living sacrifice by allowing God to work in his life, by being holy and acceptable to God which is a pleasing act of worship. Then a believer will not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of mind, that by testing they may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12: 1, 2).

A Person who resists at the beginning but follow the way of righteousness later does the will of God rather a person who say that he will follow the way of righteousness but doesn’t do that actually (Matt 21: 28-32).

As Christ suffered in the flesh, arm the selves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the Will of God (1 Pet 4: 1, 2).

A person whoever does the Will of God abides forever (1 John 2: 17).

God gave instructions to follow things, that the Lord will choose (Deu 16: 5, 6, 16; 17:8; 26:2).

v. God’s purpose and Desire:

For those who love God and called according to His purpose, all things work together for good. Because God had foreknown those who choose Him and predestined them to be in the likeness of Jesus. God had called them to be a part of fulfilling His purpose, justified them and glorified them (Romans 8: 27-30).

God made everything Good (Gen 1Ch), and God made man to have dominion over everything on earth, in His image as male and female. They ought to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Gen 1: 26- 28).

Jesus desires His disciples to be with Him where He is, to see His glory that God had given Him because they loved Him before the foundation of the world (John 17: 24).

David acclaims that the Lord will fulfill His purpose (Psalm 138: 8).

The Lord had made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble (Prov 16:4).

We need to pray, intercede, and thank God for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. That is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Tim 2:1-4).

vi. Submission to God’s Will:

If a person make a vow to the Lord their God, they shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord God will surely require it and a person will be guilty of sin (Deu 23: 21).

The Lord will establish the people as holy, if they keep the commandments of the Lord the God and walk in His ways (Deu 28:9).

The Lord will make the people as head and not tail, if they keep the commandments of the Lord the God and be careful to do them (Deu 28:14).

The Lord God will make the people abundantly prosperous in all the work of their hand, in the fruit of their womb and in the fruit of their cattle and in the fruit of their ground, if they obey the voice of the Lord and keep all His commandments that He command them. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering them, as He took delight in their fathers when they obey the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments and His statutes that are written in the Book of the Law, when they turn to the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul (Deu 30: 8-10).

If the people obey the commandments of the Lord the God that He command them, by loving the Lord the God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then they shall live and multiply, and the Lord God will bless them in the land that they are entering to take possession of it (Deu 30: 16).

Paul conveys that he will return if God wills (Act 18: 21).

Churches of Macedonia gave generously amidst poverty gave themselves first and then by the will of God to Paul and his companions (2 Cor 8: 5).

Paul claims that he writes his letter by the Will of God (Eph 1: 1; Col 1: 1, 2; 2 Tim 1: 1).

The servants shall obey their earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as they would do to Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, that he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free (Eph 6: 5-8).

(Note: Steps 5 and 6 can be integrated, if you are able to study the verses and classify it under sub topics instantly, you shall do it and add the related teachings one after one)

 

7. ORGANIZED AND SUMMARIZED CONTENT (FINAL CONTENT):

GOD’S WILL

I. Introduction:

God’s Will is the desire of God for mankind and all His creation through which He makes conscious choice and decision.

(Note: Introduction may be started with some creative ways like open ended questions, illustrations or activities, while teaching).  

II. God’s Will:

God’s Will for a person is revealed from God through the Word of God and a person could find it by obeying His commandments.

The Will of God is sanctification, that is abstaining from sexual immorality, controlling his own body in holiness and honor, not being in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God, and not transgressing and doing wrong to a brother in that matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all those things (1 Thess 4: 3-6).

Respecting those who labor among the believers in the Lord, admonishing them, esteeming them very highly in love because of their work, Being at peace among believers, admonishing the idle, encouraging the fainthearted, helping the weak, being patient with all, Not repaying evil for evil but always seeking to go good to one another and to everyone, Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances are all the will of God in Christ Jesus for believers (1 Thess 5: 12-18).

God will mediate for a man if he sins against a man, but if someone sins against the Lord, no can intercede for him. But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death (1 Sam 2: 25).

God desire mercy and not sacrifice, that is following laws and traditions (Matt 12: 1-8).

III. God’s purpose and Desire:

God created man for a purpose and God’s purpose will surely be done irrespective  of Man’s submission of his will to Him. But God’s desire can only be fulfilled only when a man submits to Him. If we look at the Bible, there were lives of people who submitted themselves to God’s will and also people who did according to their will, but the purpose of God was fulfilled, whereas the desire of God is only fulfilled when men acted acted to His will.

For those who love God and called according to His purpose, all things work together for good. Because God had foreknown those who choose Him and predestined them to be in the likeness of Jesus. God had called them to be a part of fulfilling His purpose, justified them and glorified them (Romans 8: 27-30).

God made everything Good (Gen 1Ch), and God made man to have dominion over everything on earth, in His image as male and female. They ought to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Gen 1: 26- 28).

Jesus desires His disciples to be with Him where He is, to see His glory that God had given Him because they loved Him before the foundation of the world (John 17: 24).

David acclaims that the Lord will fulfill His purpose (Psalm 138: 8).

The Lord had made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble (Prov 16:4).

We need to pray, intercede, and thank God for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. That is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Tim 2:1-4).

 

IV. Man’s Will and God’s purpose:

God doesn’t compel Man to fulfill His purpose, but executes His plan and purpose irrespective of Man’s obedience to Him. Man’s response and good works is necessary to be in the Will of God and fulfill God’s purpose along with Him.

Sufferings in the present world is of negligible value when we look into future glory that will be revealed to us. Even creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God who will take the responsibility to fulfill God’s purpose, because creation had became futile because of the corruption of mankind, to whom God had entrusted. Not just creation, but even the mankind without God in their lives were groaning inwardly for being saved from our guilt and need of the redemption, for reconciliation with God. We are saved by hope and that is not something vain but something of higher value that will be seen when waited patiently (Romans 8: 18-25).

Jesus came to do the Will of God (Heb 10:7).

By doing good, a person shall put to silence the ignorance of foolish people, for that is the Will of God (1 Pet 2: 15).

No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1: 21).

V. Significance of God’s Will:

God’s will is best grasped by the believers who follow the commandments of God and it helps them to be dependent on God and allow God to work in their lives.

Submitting our ways to the Lord by trusting Him and leaning not on our own understanding  will make our paths aright (Proverbs 3: 5-6).

Will of God makes a person to be closely associated with Jesus (Mar 3: 35).

All who receive Jesus, believe in His name, God gave right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1: 12, 13).

Ananias told Paul that the God of their fathers appointed him to know His will, to see the righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth, for Paul will be a witness for Him to everyone of what he had seen and heard (Act 22: 14, 15).

Paul calls himself as apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God (1 Cor 1: 1; 2 Cor 1: 1).

Epaphras, who is one among the Colossians, a servant of Christ Jesus struggled with his prayers that they stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God (Col 4: 12).

The Message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, and no one shall escape if they neglect such a great salvation. It was declared at first by the Lord, it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will (Heb 2: 1-4).

VI. Submission to God’s Will:

When a person or a nation submits themselves to do the Will of God in their lives, they should reflect the love of Christ by following the commandments of the Lord, and there is a great reward and fruitfulness in it.

If a person make a vow to the Lord their God, they shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord God will surely require it and a person will be guilty of sin (Deu 23: 21).

The Lord will establish the people as holy, if they keep the commandments of the Lord the God and walk in His ways (Deu 28:9).

The Lord will make the people as head and not tail, if they keep the commandments of the Lord the God and be careful to do them (Deu 28:14).

The Lord God will make the people abundantly prosperous in all the work of their hand, in the fruit of their womb and in the fruit of their cattle and in the fruit of their ground, if they obey the voice of the Lord and keep all His commandments that He command them. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering them, as He took delight in their fathers when they obey the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments and His statutes that are written in the Book of the Law, when they turn to the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul (Deu 30: 8-10).

If the people obey the commandments of the Lord the God that He command them, by loving the Lord the God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then they shall live and multiply, and the Lord God will bless them in the land that they are entering to take possession of it (Deu 30: 16).

Paul conveys that he will return if God wills (Act 18: 21).

Churches of Macedonia gave generously amidst poverty gave themselves first and then by the will of God to Paul and his companions (2 Cor 8: 5).

Paul claims that he writes his letter by the Will of God (Eph 1: 1; Col 1: 1, 2; 2 Tim 1: 1).

The servants shall obey their earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as they would do to Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, that he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free (Eph 6: 5-8).

VII. Being in the will of God:

God’s will for man will be fulfilled only if he submits to His will by killing selfishness and allowing God to work in our lives. A person will be able to be in the Will of God only if continuously obey the commandments of God and the person will abide in the Lord.

The Spirit of God helps the believers and intercedes for them according to the will of God (Romans 8: 26). 

A believer should present the self as a living sacrifice by allowing God to work in his life, by being holy and acceptable to God which is a pleasing act of worship. Then a believer will not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of mind, that by testing they may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12: 1, 2).

A Person who resists at the beginning but follow the way of righteousness later does the will of God rather a person who say that he will follow the way of righteousness but doesn’t do that actually (Matt 21: 28-32).

As Christ suffered in the flesh, arm the selves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the Will of God (1 Pet 4: 1, 2).

A person whoever does the Will of God abides forever (1 John 2: 17).

God gave instructions to follow things, that the Lord will choose (Deu 16: 5, 6, 16; 17:8; 26:2).

VIII. Conclusion:

Overall God’s Will is keeping up His commandments, and allowing God to fulfilling His purpose in our lives by submitting ourselves completely as a living sacrifice, and glorifying God in everything we do, whatever we are involved in because we will tune our desires and make ours choices, not according to the worldly standards but according to Godly standards.

(Note: Always the study could be improved, with the change of order of the sub-topics, adding, deleting or modifying the needed and unnecessary information)

 

8. ALLOWING THE LEARNINGS TO IMPACT THE LIFESTYLE:

I will study, obey and teach God’s word to be in the will of God and to lead others in the will of God.

(Note: This step is invisible but needs to be always kept in mind to be humble and learn what the Bible actually says about the topic)