John Lloyd - How Do I Study God's Word?
/Strengthen Your Core Series
Bible Study: Takes me to Where God Wants me to be
September 15, 2019
Pastor John Lloyd
Our physical bodies are made up of several core muscles. If kept in shape through exercise, they will function properly. God’s goal for followers is to make us more like Jesus. This happens when we think like Jesus, CORE beliefs, act like Jesus, CORE practices and be like Jesus, CORE virtues. We need to exercise our CORE in order to glorify God. The journey of becoming like Jesus begins by thinking like Jesus. When we start thinking like Jesus, we are well on our way to becoming like Jesus. Today, we will look at the action of Bible study and how it can take us where God wants us to be.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Memorize Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Luke 24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
Key Idea: I study the Bible to know God and his truth and to find direction for my daily life. Prayer: Lord, make me and take me where you want me to be.
We have learned that Spirit led disciplines are avenues to encounter the transforming grace of God. The most critical discipline is the intake of God’s Word. Donald S. Whitney. Spirit of the Disciplines
Key Question: How do I study God’s Word?
I. Clear the deck of all __________________.
Psalm 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!
Psalm 51: 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. I John 1:9
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 5:26
Psalm 32: 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Takeaway:
II. Let His Word bring _________________ to our soul.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
Psalm 1:2 but his delight is in the law] of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple
Psalm 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.(19:8b,9)
Psalm 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
I Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Revelation 1:3
“If you want to be changed, if you want to become more like Jesus Christ, discipline yourself to read the Bible.” John Blanchard
“Reading gives us breadth, but study gives us depth.” Jerry Bridges
Time, Bible Reading Plan, find one word, phrase, verse to meditate on each time you read. One thing you want to remember.
What is one thing you can do to improve your intake of God’s Word?
Takeaway:
III. Apply what you ____________ to your life.
Ask God how am I to respond to this text? What would you have me to do as result of my encounter with this part of His Word?
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
John 14: 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Psalm 119:50. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Does the text reveal something I should believe about God?
Does this text reveal something I should praise, thank, or trust God for?
Does this text reveal something I should pray about for myself or others?
Does this text reveal something I should have a new attitude about?
Does this text reveal something I should make a decision about?
Does this text reveal something I should do for the sake of Christ, others or me?
Hebrews 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
“If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last” (Luke 6:48 MSG).
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
___ I read the Bible daily.
___ I regularly study the Bible to find direction for my life.
___ I seek to be obedient by applying the truth of the Bible to my life.
___ I have a good understanding of the contents of the Bible.
Takeaway:
Spiritual Growth Questions for September 15, 2019
(take one question each day and grow deeper in Bible study)
Please use at least one of these questions with each passage and write down your responses. If helpful write them down in your Bible for future use.
Does the text reveal something I should believe about God?
Does this text reveal something I should praise, thank, or trust God for?
Does this text reveal something I should pray about for myself or others?
Does this text reveal something I should have a new attitude about?
Does this text reveal something I should make a decision about?
Does this text reveal something I should do for the sake of Christ, others or me?
1. Read Psalm 119:9-24, Psalm 1:2-3. What is the difference between studying God’s Word and hiding it in our hearts? What is the difference between reading God’s Word and meditating on it day and night? What are the promised benefits for doing this?
2. Read Matthew 13:1-23. According to this passage, what enemies of the Word are taking root in our hearts? How do we open our hearts to be more receptive to the Word? Explain how you might apply this into your own Bible reading and listening to the Word.
3. Read Psalm 119:33-40 three times. Take some time to meditate on these verses. What do you think the psalmist is asking for?
What does he want to do and not to do? Write a prayer for your own life like this one.
4. Read Psalm 119:97-112 three times. Write down what the psalmist outlines as the benefits of Bible study. Do you feel the same way as the psalmist? Why or why not?
5. Read Matthew 4:1-11. Describe each temptation and how Jesus uses the word to overcome each one. What can we learn from this? How could this be applied to our lives?
6. As a group discuss the motivations someone could possess for studying the Bible. Discuss which reasons are the most compelling.
7. What obstacles usually hinder a person from practicing consistent Bible study? Discuss ways to overcome these challenges.
Memory Verse: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.