Deuteronomy Worksheet - Chapter 13

Review & Intro:  In Chapter 12, Moses was warning the people not to inquire after false gods, nor to imitate the ways that the Canaanites served them.  In Chapter 13, we hear about prophets and dreamers being able to perform signs to deceive the people.  How appropriate this is to the false teachers in Christianity today; yes, many deceive through signs and wonders.  Even Satan appears to be an angel of light.  Do you know how to put them to the test?

Deuteronomy Chapter 13 - Observation Worksheet

1. Does a sign or wonder from a prophet or a dreamer mean that the message is the correct one? vs. 1-3
2.  What is the evidence that they are seeking to lead you astray? vs. 2
3.  What is the Lord doing when He allows a false prophet to be among the true believers? vs. 3
4.  There is much written on the subject of false teachers and prophets in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament.  What were the magicians in Egypt able to do with their magic arts?  Comment on the following verses:

• Exodus 7:11-12 -
• Exodus 7:22 -
• Exodus 8:7 -
• Jeremiah 14:14 -
• Lamentations 2:14 -
• Ezekiel 13:9 -
• Ezekiel 22:28 -

Note:  These are no ordinary miracles!  It would be easy to be deceived by them, right?

5.  What is written in the New Testament to warn us about false teachers and prophets among us?  Comment on the verses below:

• Matthew 7:15-23 -
• Matthew 24:11 -
• Matthew 24:24 -
• Mark 13:22 -
• 2 Corinthians 11:13 -
• 2 Corinthians 11:14 -
• 2 Corinthians 11:26c -
• Galatians 2:4 -
• 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10 -
• 2 Peter 2:1 -
• 1 John 4:1 -
• Revelation 2:2 -
• Revelation 13:13,14 -

6.  Back to Deuteronomy 13. .. What is your safeguard against being deceived by false brethren, apostles, prophets, teachers ? vs. 4 - Name 6 things

Note:  Give yourself to the "truth" and you will not fall captive to the "false.  Did you know that bank tellers are trained to detect false bills by only studying what the real looks like over and over and over?  There is no need to "check out" what the false teachers are teaching; just keep studying to renew your mind and protect yourself from their deceptions.  Amen?

7.  In Israel's day when they were all congregated together and they had such a threat to the overall population of being deceived, what were they do do with the dreamer or the prophet that had tried to lead them into rebellion against the Lord? vs. 5
8.  In our society with church and state a separate matter, how are the churches themselves told to handle false teaching, or those who cause dissenssions, etc? Comment on the following verses:

• 1 Corinthians 5:12,13 -
• Matthew 18:15-17 -
• Philippians 3:1-3 -
• Titus 3:8-11 -
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 -
• 1 Timothy 5:19-22 -
• Titus 1:10-11 -
• Galatians 6:1 -

9.  In Israel, how serious were they to take the death penalty for causing rebellion to follow after other gods? vs. 6-10
10.  In our lives, should we let any relative come between our relationship with the Lord?

• Matthew 10:36-38 -

11.  Back to Deuteronomy 13.  What was the purpose for this? vs. 11
12.  What did Jesus say would be easier for a false teacher to deal with (rather than the judgment they will receive from Him) .. if that person willingly put a stumbling block in the path of a little one (which could also mean a young believer)?

• Mark 9:42

Note:  When a man falls into sin, he should be rubuked and then restored in a gentle manner (Galatians 1:6), but if that man has intent of leading others astray, he must be removed from the congregation.  So many churches refuse to discipline in this way today being afraid of law suits and so forth. 

13.  Back to Deuteronomy 13.  ... If worthless men went into a city and they were able to turn that city against the Lord to serve other gods, what were they to do in order to make sure it was true first of all? vs. 12-14
14.  If it was definitely true, they were to destroy the city and burn everything associated with it so that the city would never rise up again. (vs.15-16) They were not to take one thing from the city for themselves.  What were they to do instead to avoid the judgment of the Lord? vs.17,18 -

Application:

15. How should you handle the ones who come to your door with a different message than what you believe in? Comment on the verse below:

• 2 John 1:10,11 -

16. When a miracle occurs through the prayer of a person, be thankful to God for His work, but never give glory to the person.  If the person has a message that is not in line with what you know to be true, we should not go to them for help regardless of their powers.  Christians must realize that it is not the miracle, but the message that matters.  Have you ever been tempted to seek out a physic or someone that could do supernatural things?  What does the Bible say about this?  Comment on the following verse:

• Deuteronomy 18:10,11 -

17.  The Lord is enough.  He knows the end from the beginning.  He will cause all things to work together for our good.  He wants us to trust Him for the outcome and to walk by faith; not by sight.  He wants us to depend wholly upon Him; even to "cling" to Him.  He is our Shepherd.  We must walk close to Him, listening to His heartbeat, letting His rod and His staff comfort us, protect us, lead us, guide us.  Do you believe He is enough?
18.  Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like.