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| home :: archive :: 17.03.05 |
17 March 2005
A thematic series "Growing"GROWING THROUGH SCRIPTUREThe Word of God is the foundation of the Christ?directed life. It is from the Bible that you learn all of the basics for the Christian life. As God speaks to you through the Scriptures, you come to know Him and to understand and obey His principles for life and ministry.When you have a vital, personal intake of the Word of God, you will grow. 2 Timothy 3:16 Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you. The "how" of learning and applying the Scriptures to life is something every Christian should know. This lesson covers the five ways to make the Bible yours. Compare the five methods of teaming from the Bible to the five fingers of your hand. If you hold the Bible with only one or two fingers, it is easy to lose your grip. But as you use more fingers, your grasp of the Bible becomes stronger. This is also true spiritually. If a person hears, reads, studies and memorizes the Word ? and meditates on it, his grasp of the Scripture becomes firm and part of his life. As the thumb is needed in any combination with any finger to complete your hold, so meditation combined with hearing, reading, studying, and memorizing is essential for a full: grasp of God's Word. Illustrate the hand: Psalms 119:17 Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word. 1. The Hand: Meditate - Psalms 1:2-3 But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. 2. The Four Finger: Memorize - Psalms 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you. 3. The Middle Finger: Study - Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 4. The Next to the Little: Read - Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand. 5. The Little Finger: Hear - Romans 10:17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 1. Hear The WordRomans 10:17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.A. What kind of heart will best hear and use the Word?An honest and good heart.Luke 8:15 That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience. B. In proclaiming the Word, what can pastors and teachers do?Nehemiah 8:8 They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.Most Christians hear the Word of God preached. But only a few learn the profit of conserving what they hear. To retain what you hear, take notes on the Scriptures used and on the main points of the sermon. C. Whom did Jesus say would be blessed?Luke 11:28 But he said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it."2. Read The WordRevelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.A. Reasons for daily reading of the Bible.Deuteronomy 17:19-20 and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel.B. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.A daily reading program which will take you systematically through the Bible is something many Christians use as a regular part of their daily devotional time.3. Study The WordActs 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.A. How does Proverbs 2:4 indicate we should study the Word?Proverbs 2:4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures:B. What should be our goal in studying the Bible?2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. Study is more than just careful reading ? it requires writing down what you discover. Reading is faster than study and gives you the overall picture. But study helps you think ? and remember.C. Suggested Bible study tools for long?term investment.(1) Halley's Bible Handbook (Zondervan Press)(2) Unger's Bible Dictionary (Moody Press) (3) Beacon Bible Commentary (Beacon Hill Publishing) (4) Young's (Eerdman's Press) or Strong's Concordance (Royal Publishers) (5) Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Revell) 4. Memorize The WordPsalms 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you. A. In your own words state what God wants us to do about His Word.(1) Deuteronomy 11:18 Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes.(2) Proverbs 7:3 Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart B. How did Jesus overcome Satan's temptations?Matthew 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'" Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" Do you see any way you might apply this example to your own situation?C. What do you think "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly" means?Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.D. Psalms 40:8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.""I know of no form of intake of the Word which pays greater dividends for the time invested than Scripture memorization."- Dawson Trotman After 24 hours you may accurately remember
E. You must have a memory plan and follow it.You remember an idea best if you express it; in fact, learning is improved as more senses are involved.Expression makes impression. (1) Repeat it. (2) Explain it. (3) Put it in your own words (personalize it. (4) Discuss and understand its meaning. (5) Review - silently and aloud, over and over, looking for correct emphasis and pertinent meaning. (6) Review - with another person. Test each other. 5. Meditate On The WordPsalms 1:2 But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night.Meditation is prayerful reflection with a view to understanding and application ?giving prayerful thought to God's Word and your life, with the goal of conforming your life to His will. KNOW GOD'S WORD and OBEY IT! Asking these two questions will help you meditate:
2. How should this verse affect my life? (There are many applications.)
2) as you read the Bible in your daily devotional time; 3) as you pray and reflect on what you are studying; 4) as you go over verses you have memorized. A. What promises are made to the person who continually meditates on the Word of God?(1) Psalms 1:2-3 But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.(2) Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. B. Do you think meditating on God's Word can affect your speech and actions? If so, how?Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.C. Besides being diligent in learning God's Word, what else should we do in order to understand it?Psalms 119:18 Open my eyes, That I may see wondrous things out of your law.Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments. Psalms 119:125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, That I may know your testimonies. "'1 cannot too greatly emphasize the importance and value of Bible study . . . in these days of uncertainties, when men and women are apt to decide questions from the standpoint of expediency rather than on the eternal principles laid down by God Himself." - John Wanamaker "'The Scriptures were not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives." - Dwight L. Moody "'Ignorance of the Bible means ignorance of Christ" - Jerome "'I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women; but . . . a knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible. Everyone who has a thorough knowledge of the Bible may truly be called educated, and no other learning . . . no matter how extensive . . . can form a proper substitute." - William Lyon Phelps Dale Boehs 17 March 2005 to load the version for print |
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