Bible Study: Listening to God

Assisting young Christians to become rooted in consistent and productive personal Bible study is one of the top priorities of those discipling them to Christ. Only in this way will we be able to take our stand against Satan and his schemes, wielding "the sword of the Spirit". Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Abiding in the Word of Christ as individuals and as churches is the surest safeguard for the unity of the movement. While not fostering independence of spirit, let us carefully call each man and woman in Christ to an independent and discerning study of the Word of God. Let us listen to God's voice. Introduction Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" "Every word." Comparable to physical bread, therefore essential. If you don't stay in the word, you won't stay in the faith. Work at your Bible study 2 Peter 3:15-16 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Possible to distort scriptures to own destruction. Tremendous responsibility on us personally to stick with the truth. Yes, some passages are difficult to understand but not impossible! (2 Corinthians 1:13). Strive to comprehend them yourself first, before asking others what they mean. 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Becoming a well-equipped workman, not being ashamed, developing competence in studying with people. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, Equipped for evangelism: not just Bible knowledge, but being able to answer questions, helping others, maintaining gentleness and respect. James 1:22-25 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. Useless to study the Bible without making the applications to our lives. Suggested a. Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. b. Psalm 1:2-3 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. c. Psalm 119 [whole chapter] d. Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. e. Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. f. Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. g. Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. h. 1 Corinthians 10:11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. i. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. j. 2 Timothy 2:7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Practicals Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. Have a set time to study your Bible daily. Read daily. Write down the convicting points and pray about them. Do well in church classes and teaching programs. If you are reading the Bible for the first time, don't try to read straight through. Focus on the NT until you are quite familiar with it, then venture out into OT.