* Adapted from, Design for Discipleship Book Five: Foundations for Faith, Navpress
How do you see God’s word (Scripture)? Is the Bible just a collection of nice ideas written down for our perusal, or is it something more? How does your life relate to God’s word? Someone has said, “we do what we believe.” What do you believe about God’s word…and is that reflected in your life?
The Author
Q. How do the writers of Scripture attribute their words to God in these passages?
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 ________________________________________________
II Samuel 23:1-3 ___________________________________________________
Jeremiah 1:6-9 _____________________________________________________
1 Thessalonians 2:13 ________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:16 ______________________________________
Psalm 138:2 ______________________________________
How Jesus viewed Scripture
Matthew 4:1-11 ____________________________________________________
Mark 7:6-9 ________________________________________________________
Mark 12:24-27 _____________________________________________________
Luke 10:25-28 _____________________________________________________
Luke 24: 25-27 _____________________________________________________
Matthew 5:17,18 ____________________________________________________
John 17:17 ________________________________________________________
The reliability of God’s word
Joshua 23:14 ______________________________________________________
Psalm 33:11 _______________________________________________________
Proverbs 30:5,6 ____________________________________________________
Luke 1:1-4 ________________________________________________________
II Peter 1:15-21 ____________________________________________________
Compare Matthew 17:1-9 _____________________________________
The sufficiency of God’s word
Psalm 37:31 _______________________________________________________
Psalm 119:130 _____________________________________________________
John 15:3 _________________________________________________________
Acts 20:32 ________________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:16 ____________________________________________________
James 1:21 ________________________________________________________
Mark 4:14 _________________________________________________________
Isaiah 55:10-11 ____________________________________________________
Hebrews 4:12-13 ___________________________________________________
Psalm 119:11, _____________________________________________________
Psalm 19:7-11 _____________________________________________________
Applying God’s word
Luke 6:46 ________________________________________________________
Luke 24:25 _______________________________________________________
II Kings 23:2-4 ____________________________________________________
II Timothy 3:16 compared to Psalm 119:59,60 ___________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Q. Has any Scripture in this lesson spoken to you? What do you think God wants you to do in response to what you have learned? What steps will you take? Who will keep you accountable?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
TEN "MUSTS" IF I AM TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD
Middletown Bible Church has some fine resources on their website for Bible study. Click on the lick below, then scroll most of the way down the page to find "Ten Musts…"
Click here to go to their website
Click here to go to their website
Bible study commitment for spending quality time with God
There's something about making a commitment that tends to solidify our resolve and encourage us to action. Join me in making a renewed commitment to spending quality time with God and His Word. Cut and paste this into your favorite word processing program, then print it out, fill it out, and tuck it in your Bible as a daily reminder.
I _________________________________ make a renewed commitment to study God’s word and apply it to my life. I agree that “doing the minimum” for my spiritual life each week is not a plan for success or for igniting my walk with God.
2 challenges I will face in keeping my commitment are:
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
My plan for overcoming those challenges:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Days I plan to meet with God for Bible study and quality time:
(circle all that apply) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Time-frame I plan to meet with God (Ex. 6am-6:30am):
_____________________________________________________
Signed ____________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________
I _________________________________ make a renewed commitment to study God’s word and apply it to my life. I agree that “doing the minimum” for my spiritual life each week is not a plan for success or for igniting my walk with God.
2 challenges I will face in keeping my commitment are:
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
My plan for overcoming those challenges:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Days I plan to meet with God for Bible study and quality time:
(circle all that apply) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Time-frame I plan to meet with God (Ex. 6am-6:30am):
_____________________________________________________
Signed ____________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________
Going deeper with OBSERVING in Bible study
Read Matthew 6: 5-15 (NKJV)
When making observations, look for:
• Key words (circle our underline them)
• Repetition/patterns of words & phrases (circle and number them)
• Structure — look for groupings
• Contrasts and similarities (draw arrows)
• Good questions to ask
• define/look up key words
• Cross references to find other key relative passages
• Timeless truths
• Applications
• Attributes of God
• Warnings
------------------------------
In the Matthew 6 passage above, what are 3 key words repeated multiples times? How many times?
1. PRAY 6X
2. FATHER 6X
3. FORGIVE 6X
List some CONTRASTS you have observed
• Street corner vs secret place
• Seen by men vs seen by God
• Vanity reward vs God’s reward
Define KEY WORDS to the text:
• “Hallowed”: Dedicated & set apart for Holy purposes
• “Debts”: a literal debt or offence/sin
• “Trespasses”: failings/sins
Attributes of God
• God is Father
• God knows all things — even secret things
• God portrays Himself as male
-------------------------------------
More observations:
Warnings
V5 “You shall not be like the hypocrites”
V7 “Do not use vain repetitions like the heathen”
Types of prayer:
1. Hypocritical & showy: Prayer is supposed to be to God & for His attention, not other men.
2. Authentic: prayer shaped by God as audience
Structure of the prayer:
Vs 9-10 God-focused adoration
Focus on His Fatherhood
Focus on His kingdom — by laying down our will for His
Vs 11-13 Us-centered supplications (askings of God)
Ask God for our daily needs
Ask God for forgiveness — as we forgive others
Ask God for everyday protection from Satan and temptation
Vs13b God focused adoration & praise
Good questions:
1. What “reward” does one get with authentic prayer?
2. What is God’s “secret place”? (A. vs6,9 = Heaven)
3. Who are our “debtors”?
4. Do we parrot this prayer or use as pattern?
5. What is prayer?
6. Why is forgiveness so important? Why is it conditional?
7. What is God’s kingdom?
8. Has God’s kingdom not come?
9. Have others been led into temptation? (yes. Jesus, Job, Peter)
10. Is this condemning corporate prayer?
11. If God is Father, what is He not? (Mother, daughter, uncle, etc.)
Timeless Truths:
• God desires that our prayers reflect worship and praise
• God rewards us as we pray authentically
• God rejects hypocritical prayer
• Forgiveness is not optional and so important in day to day life
• God sees our hearts
• We need to pray for deliverance from Satan’s influence
When making observations, look for:
• Key words (circle our underline them)
• Repetition/patterns of words & phrases (circle and number them)
• Structure — look for groupings
• Contrasts and similarities (draw arrows)
• Good questions to ask
• define/look up key words
• Cross references to find other key relative passages
• Timeless truths
• Applications
• Attributes of God
• Warnings
------------------------------
In the Matthew 6 passage above, what are 3 key words repeated multiples times? How many times?
1. PRAY 6X
2. FATHER 6X
3. FORGIVE 6X
List some CONTRASTS you have observed
• Street corner vs secret place
• Seen by men vs seen by God
• Vanity reward vs God’s reward
Define KEY WORDS to the text:
• “Hallowed”: Dedicated & set apart for Holy purposes
• “Debts”: a literal debt or offence/sin
• “Trespasses”: failings/sins
Attributes of God
• God is Father
• God knows all things — even secret things
• God portrays Himself as male
-------------------------------------
More observations:
Warnings
V5 “You shall not be like the hypocrites”
V7 “Do not use vain repetitions like the heathen”
Types of prayer:
1. Hypocritical & showy: Prayer is supposed to be to God & for His attention, not other men.
2. Authentic: prayer shaped by God as audience
Structure of the prayer:
Vs 9-10 God-focused adoration
Focus on His Fatherhood
Focus on His kingdom — by laying down our will for His
Vs 11-13 Us-centered supplications (askings of God)
Ask God for our daily needs
Ask God for forgiveness — as we forgive others
Ask God for everyday protection from Satan and temptation
Vs13b God focused adoration & praise
Good questions:
1. What “reward” does one get with authentic prayer?
2. What is God’s “secret place”? (A. vs6,9 = Heaven)
3. Who are our “debtors”?
4. Do we parrot this prayer or use as pattern?
5. What is prayer?
6. Why is forgiveness so important? Why is it conditional?
7. What is God’s kingdom?
8. Has God’s kingdom not come?
9. Have others been led into temptation? (yes. Jesus, Job, Peter)
10. Is this condemning corporate prayer?
11. If God is Father, what is He not? (Mother, daughter, uncle, etc.)
Timeless Truths:
• God desires that our prayers reflect worship and praise
• God rewards us as we pray authentically
• God rejects hypocritical prayer
• Forgiveness is not optional and so important in day to day life
• God sees our hearts
• We need to pray for deliverance from Satan’s influence
Monday, April 20, 2009
Going a little deeper with Bible study — ask more questions
• Asking good questions: Probe with questions, that if answered or thought through, will help you understand the text better. Don’t be afraid to ask really hard questions that you cannot answer at the time. Answers may come later. Asking and processing good questions help us to gain a greater understanding of the text.
Let’s look another text and ask some good questions.
Read Matthew 6: 5-14 NKJV
How many questions can you come up with from this old, well-known passage?
Bring in for discussion next week.
For example:
Q. Why is God’s NAME so important? What does it mean that it is “hallowed”?
Q. How is God’s will done in heaven?
Q. Would God lead us into temptation?
Let’s look another text and ask some good questions.
Read Matthew 6: 5-14 NKJV
How many questions can you come up with from this old, well-known passage?
Bring in for discussion next week.
For example:
Q. Why is God’s NAME so important? What does it mean that it is “hallowed”?
Q. How is God’s will done in heaven?
Q. Would God lead us into temptation?
HOW TO HAVE A BASIC, DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY part II
In-class study & class discussion
Read Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV
1. What does it say?
Make observations; put it in your own words
2. What does it mean?
Make accurate interpretation
3. How can I apply this to my life?
Q. Is there a command to obey?
Q. Is there an example to follow?
Q. Is there a warning to beware of?
Q. Is there a prayer to pray?
Q. Is there a promise to claim?
Q. Is there a key verse to memorize or meditate on?
Q. Is the Holy Spirit speaking to me specifically about something?
Read Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV
1. What does it say?
Make observations; put it in your own words
2. What does it mean?
Make accurate interpretation
3. How can I apply this to my life?
Q. Is there a command to obey?
Q. Is there an example to follow?
Q. Is there a warning to beware of?
Q. Is there a prayer to pray?
Q. Is there a promise to claim?
Q. Is there a key verse to memorize or meditate on?
Q. Is the Holy Spirit speaking to me specifically about something?
Monday, April 13, 2009
HOW TO HAVE A BASIC, DEVOTIONAL BIBLE STUDY
Bible study: Igniting a passion for God’s Word through effective Bible study practices and methods
(If you want to really go basic, skip down to number 3)
When READING God’s Word — ask these questions, preferably in this order:
1. What does it say?
• Make observations: be a careful “observer” of what is happening in the text or what is being taught. Trying making a list of things you are noticing.
• Try putting it in your own words — this really helps you to work at understanding what you are reading.
• Summarize it: If you read a chapter, summarize it in a sentence or two.
2. What does it mean? Make accurate interpretation: there is only ONE correct interpretation, but many applications. When interpreting, remember:
• Some Scriptures are symbolic, metaphorical, emblematic, not always straight forward
• Let the Scriptures interpret themselves whenever possible (cross ref)
• Let the verse or passage be interpreted: in context with what was said before and after it —in the chapter; in the context of the book or letter it is in; in the context of the New Testament; in the context of the whole Bible.
3. How can I apply this to my life? Application
When APPLYING God’s Word — look for these 6 opportunities:
[Remember that men under the Old Testament laws were cursed, as it were, because they were UNDER, and in bondage to, the law; but the New Covenant, in the New Testament, brought grace through Jesus. Not all Old Testament laws still apply because of this and because the O.T. sacrificial system was fulfilled in Christ.]
Q. Is there a command to obey?
Q. Is there an example to follow?
Q. Is there a warning to beware of?
Q. Is there a prayer to pray?
Q. Is there a promise to claim?
Q. Is there a key verse to memorize or meditate on?
Finally,
Q. Is the Holy Spirit speaking to me specifically about something?
Class exercise: use Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) to do a short Bible study focused on application using the above questions to guide you.
(If you want to really go basic, skip down to number 3)
When READING God’s Word — ask these questions, preferably in this order:
1. What does it say?
• Make observations: be a careful “observer” of what is happening in the text or what is being taught. Trying making a list of things you are noticing.
• Try putting it in your own words — this really helps you to work at understanding what you are reading.
• Summarize it: If you read a chapter, summarize it in a sentence or two.
2. What does it mean? Make accurate interpretation: there is only ONE correct interpretation, but many applications. When interpreting, remember:
• Some Scriptures are symbolic, metaphorical, emblematic, not always straight forward
• Let the Scriptures interpret themselves whenever possible (cross ref)
• Let the verse or passage be interpreted: in context with what was said before and after it —in the chapter; in the context of the book or letter it is in; in the context of the New Testament; in the context of the whole Bible.
3. How can I apply this to my life? Application
When APPLYING God’s Word — look for these 6 opportunities:
[Remember that men under the Old Testament laws were cursed, as it were, because they were UNDER, and in bondage to, the law; but the New Covenant, in the New Testament, brought grace through Jesus. Not all Old Testament laws still apply because of this and because the O.T. sacrificial system was fulfilled in Christ.]
Q. Is there a command to obey?
Q. Is there an example to follow?
Q. Is there a warning to beware of?
Q. Is there a prayer to pray?
Q. Is there a promise to claim?
Q. Is there a key verse to memorize or meditate on?
Finally,
Q. Is the Holy Spirit speaking to me specifically about something?
Class exercise: use Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV) to do a short Bible study focused on application using the above questions to guide you.
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