Psalm 119:16 (NIV)
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
The Holy Bible – Reading the Bible
Now that you have, understand and trust the Word of God it’s time to READ it! LOVE, LEARN & LIVE the Word!
It’s so important to our lives and spiritual connection to God. GOD’S WORD BRINGS…
POWER.
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
For the word of God is alive and powerful.
Power to overcome addiction. To walk in confidence. To live in victory and not defeat.
HEALING.
(Physical, Emotional, Relational, Past)
Psalm 107:20 (RSV)
He sent forth his word and healed them.
DIRECTION.
I don’t know God’s will? I don’t know what He wants me to do…It’s in His word!
LIFE is full of QUESTIONS & God’s WORD is full of ANSWERS.
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
FREEDOM.
Luke 4:18 (NIV)
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.
How can we become people of The Word?
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
Tips for Reading the Bible:
1.Choose a TIME & PLACE.
2.Get a TRANSLATION you like.
Bible written primarily in two languages. Hebrew & Greek. (we had to have it translated from the original transcripts) There are dozens of translations of the English new testament.
We are blessed to have it in many forms and translations to give us greater understanding and revelation.
– Formal Equivalency – KJV, NKJV, NASB, and ESV
exactly translated from the original version word for word.
Over the years the words didn’t change but grammar has. So it can be difficult to read.
– Functional Equivalency – NLT, Good News, TEV, and NIV
dynamic…not word for word but thought for thought. NIV is a blend of both.
– Paraphrase – Living Bible, and The Message
don’t use the original language…they took the English bible and made it even easier to understand. Great for devotionals and to read with your kids.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV)
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Charity = agape (unconditional God kind of love)
Suffereth long = patient (long suffering)
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (MSG)
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head.
3.Get a STUDY Bible. (so you can STUDY the BIBLE)
Proverbs 7:1-3 (NLT)
“Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”
We must STUDY the TEXT so the TEXT can STUDY us.
Jewish boys would memorize the books of the law by the age of 10.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
How to Digest the Word:
S -cripture: which verse stuck out to you the most? Write it down.
O -bservation: what do you think about the verse? What does God seem to be reavealing through it? Does any specific word stick out? Study it further.
A -pplication: how can you apply this truth to your life? Are there any areas of your life that do not align with the scripture and need to change? Have you seen growth in any areas?
P -rayer: pray and ask God to help you implement His truth into your life. Pray for others who may need this truth and praise God for his blessings and speaking to you.
Matthew 23:27 (NIV)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.”
I John 2:3-6 (NIV)
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s word is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
4.Get in a LIFE Group.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Study it and discuss it with others. Iron sharpens iron. (Host or lead a group)
Bible study groups, growth groups, right now media, sermon discussion questions
Closing Reflection Questions:
How consistent are you in spending time with God?
What do you need to START or STOP doing?
What other activities/events typically get in the way of studying God’s Word?
Can you relate to the Pharisees?
White – washing the outside of your life while harboring disobedience on the inside? What is God asking you to do?
What commitment do you need to make in studying God’s Word?