Bible Study Group Founder
Michael Meza
Born in San Francisco in 1962, I embarked on a journey that led me to the picturesque landscapes of Northern California's Sonoma County, where I grew up.
A profound transformation took place in my life in 1982. I heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and made my decision to accept the love that he offered me at the cross and accepted my salvation from his resurrection, an experience that forever changed the course of my journey. It was at the Christian Renewal Center in Silverton, Oregon, that I was Saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit on the very evening of my salvation. Surrounded by pastors, I was blessed to receive guidance and wisdom that stemmed directly from the inerrant word of God, as found in the King James Bible (KJV).
After completing my education, I delved into the world of Mobile Electronics, finding both passion and purpose in this field. In 1984, I took a bold step and established my own business within the same industry. Little did I know that this decision would shape the next 40 years of my life. Through an entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, determination, and establishing God in everything I do, my business flourished, becoming a testament to the power of dedication.
In 1988, I found love and companionship in Cindy Jo. Together, we embraced the responsibilities and joys of parenthood, raising four wonderful children in the light of God's glory.
Fast forward to today, and my business thrives in the capable hands of our eldest and youngest daughters. Cindy and I have embarked on a new chapter of our journey in the scenic state of Maryland. Here, we aim to live out each day that God has graciously granted us, seeking to spread His love and grace in all that we do.
As you explore the pages of this website, my hope is that you'll find inspiration, guidance, and perhaps a shared connection. Join me as we navigate the intersections of faith, family, and the myriad blessings that our father, God, has to offer.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
Blessings,
Michael Meza
Purpose of our bible study
Our voyage through life's pages has led us to a world where biblical illiteracy is rampant. But I believe, with unwavering conviction, that this trend can be reversed. The Bible, God's letter to us, is not meant to be a cryptic code accessible only to a chosen few. It is God’s message telling us what happened, what’s happening, and what is going to happen. It's a treasure trove of wisdom, a source of solace, and a wellspring of Jesus leading, guiding, and directing us that's available to all who seek it.
In our shared pursuit of truth, I am committed to providing more than just information. I am committed to empowerment. In each Bible study, we will delve into the scriptures with resources at hand, equipping ourselves with the invaluable tools of knowledge. Strong's Concordances, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries — these will be our companions, empowering us to document and explore the rich layers of meaning that God's Word holds.
It's my vision that as we gather, we foster a community where questions are encouraged, and doubts are met with understanding. A community where the complexities of the Bible are unraveled, and the light of comprehension shines through even the most intricate passages.
But this journey is not about mere intellectual understanding; it's about embracing the transformative power of God's Word. It's about internalizing the teachings of Jesus Christ and allowing them to guide our actions, thoughts, and words. As we immerse ourselves in scripture, we'll discover a profound friendship with the Creator, experiencing a love that surpasses all understanding and a faith that stands unshaken.
So, whether you're taking your first steps on this path or you're seeking to deepen your understanding, I invite you to join me. Let's embark on this journey together, fueled by a shared commitment to break the chains of biblical illiteracy and embrace the unending wisdom that God's Word offers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
+ How do I get involved in The Verse By Verse Bible Study?
The best way to get started is to come to a bible study! We currently meet at the Panera Bread in La Plata, MD on Wednesdays at 6:00pm. If you can't make it to a meeting in person, we will have our past study group recordings available by clicking here.
+ Is this bible study suitable for beginners or more advanced Bible scholars?
We welcome every person, regardless of experience. Our aim is to prove that God's Word is for everyone, not just pastors or scholars. When you know what God wants for us, it becomes easy to break down even intricate passages and understand the true meaning for yourself, not through the lens of someone else.
+ Is this website just a way to make money?
This is not a bible study that comes with a begging bag, soliciting contributions and donations. What sets this ministry apart is not a focus on personal gain or financial prosperity. It's about fostering a genuine connection—a bond of fellowship that goes beyond superficial boundaries. This Bible study was birthed as a place where believers come together to explore the depths of God's Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Should this fellowship evolve into a church, it will remain grounded in the simple truth of God's gospel message through Jesus Christ. In a world that sometimes veers into the complexities of financial agendas, we choose a different path. No individual will collect a wage for serving, no passing of a tray, there will be a box in the back for offerings to go solely towards doing God's work; our compensation is stored in the eternal treasury of heaven, as outlined in Revelation 20:12: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."
+ What translations of the Bible do you study in this group?
In our group, we embrace the King James Version (KJV) Translation because it represents an unparalleled example of a faithful English translation derived from the finest Greek, Latin, and Hebrew scriptures. The wording in newer Bibles has been changed so much that you can no longer find the root translation and the meaning has been lost.
+ Are there video or audio resources available for Bible study, such as sermons or lectures?
Yes! After each study group, we will post a recording of the session so people who weren't able to come in person can listen or people who did attend can go back and relisten to something they want to examine further. We will also include a study guide pdf with notes. That can be located here.
+ How frequently are new study materials or content added to the website?
We update the site on a weekly schedule. With new bible study session recordings as well as our newsletter with thoughts on various topics beyond the strict verse by verse format of our weekly study meetings.
+ Is there a blog or newsletter that provides regular updates and insights related to Bible study?
Yes, that can be found here.
Our Statement Of Faith
The following is a resume of those things we believe in and teach from the Holy Scriptures. This list is by no means complete, but we feel it will be of help to those wishing to make a study of the Scripture as it relates to the individual, the nation, and the world in the end of this age.
We believe in the God of the Bible (Exodus 3:6-14)
We believe the Holy Bible to be the Word of God. We believe in its History, Covenants, and Prophecy (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21).
We believe in the Bible account of Creation (Genesis 1 & 2).
We believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
We believe Jesus Christ died for us (Romans 5:8); also, that He was raised from the dead (Romans 6:4; Revelation 1:18).
We believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary (Romans 5:11); not only for Israel, but for the sins of the world (I John 2:2).
We believe Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 8:1).
We believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:9-14) when He shall take the Throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33) and rule on earth for the prophetic thousand years known as the millennium (Revelation 20:4; Zechariah 14:9).
We believe that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
We believe in the Holy Spirit and His mission (John 16:7-14;.
We believe salvation is by grace through faith, and it is the gift of God, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). It must be preached (Romans 10:14) and it is necessary for all (Romans 3:23).
We believe that water baptism is ordained of God for all that believe (Matthew 3:13-15; Romans 6:3-5; Acts 2:37-39).
We believe in the ordinance of the communion as established by Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16).
We believe that God chose out a special people unto Himself to be His servants and those servants were to be the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob called "Israel" (Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 105:6; Isaiah 44:1-2).
We believe the Bible with God's law, statutes and judgments was given to Israel (Exodus 20; Psalm 147:19-20) and through Israel's prophets came the inspired Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21).
We believe civil law was given by God to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:1-2). The law was given for Israel's good (Deuteronomy 5:33). God commands us to obey civil law (Romans 13:1-7).
We believe that one day out of seven is the Sabbath of the Lord (Exodus 20:10) and that Israel was to keep it (Deuteronomy 5:15) as a sign between Israel and the Lord (Exodus 31:16-17). We believe Jesus Christ became our Sabbath (Hebrew 4:8; Colossians 2:16-17). (Hebrew 4:9- There remaineth therefore a rest (Gr. Sabbatismos) to the people of God).
We believe Israel was to be punished if God's laws for the nation were disregarded (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Isaiah 42:24; Amos 3:2).
We believe that the New Covenant was made with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12) which meant Israel was to become Christian and that Jesus Christ confirmed that Covenant (Galations 3:16-17; Romans 15:8).
We believe that Israel was promised redemption (Psalm 130:7-8; Isaiah 52:3; Hosea 13:9-14); that Jesus Christ came to Israel (Matthew 10:6); that He was recognized as the Redeemer of Israel (Galations 4:5; Titus 2:14), and His death and resurrection accomplished that redemption (Galations 4:4-5; Hebrews 9:12).
We believe that after Jesus Christ's death and resurrection Israel was to be called by a new name (Isaiah 62:2). Israel was not to be remembered by her old name (Hosea 2:17); and, the new name was to be the Lord's Name (II Chronicles 7:14) which would be CHRISTIAN (Christ man) (Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16).
We believe that each individual, of Israel or not, must be born of water and of the Spirit to be a Christian (John 3:3-8; I Peter 1:23).
We believe in an existing Satan, who is called the serpent (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9); who has power with devils and men (Matthew 12:22; I Peter 5:8); who has a people who will not hear God (John 8:44-47), some of whom deceive people as "ministers of righteousness" (II Corinthians 11:13-15).
We believe that Jesus Christ has broken the power of Satan (Hebrews 2:14) and His Name makes devils impotent against Christians (Luke 10:17).
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ along with His followers are at battle with Satan and his followers (Ephesians 6:11-19): And that Jesus Christ is the victor in this "battle" (Isaiah 28:21-22; 45:17-25; Ezekiel 38-39; Hosea 13-14; Joel 3:9-21; Micah 7:16-20; Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 4; Matthew 28:18; Luke 19:27; I Corinthians 15:24-28; Philippians 2:9-11; II Peter 3:7-13; Revelation 11:18; 15:4; 19:11-15 and others).
We believe in the resurrection of the dead as prophesied (Job 19:25-27; Hosea 13:13-14; John 5:29); as proven (I Peter 1:3); as taught by the Scripture (Acts 24:14-15; I Corinthians 15:11-26) and that the resurrected will reign with Christ (II Timothy 2:11-12) for ever (Revelation 22:1-5).
We believe the seventh trump sounds after the tribulation (Matthew 24: 29-31). Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians because he knew the first had been misunderstood, concerning Jesus Christ's second return. Paul then gives two signs which will be present when the Day of the Lord comes. Those signs being the apostasy and the man of lawlessness. Neither of these signs were present at that time.
Apostasy means giving up or renouncing of one's professed principles, or faith. This will come to pass when the religious lamb (false messiah) of Revelation 13:11 comes to pass. He will look like the Lamb of God, but his voice is of the dragon, for he is the great dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan (Revelation 12:9). When the false christ stands in the holy place performing in the sight of Christians, the pretribulation-rapture-Christian shall think it is Jesus Christ coming to rapture them away. It is the duty of the elect to stand and witness in the synagogues, allowing the Holy Spirit to give His Message to the world through you. (Mark 13:9).
Jesus Christ is your spiritual Husband. You should remain a spiritual virgin until He returns (II Corinthians 11:2). For Jesus Christ Himself said; "Woe to them that are with child in those days!" (Mark 13:17). If your spiritual Husband has been on a long journey and finds you with child when He returns, then you have been impregnated (deceived) with the mark of the false messiah, and worshipped Satan in the last hour. Study God's Word.