I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline for our meeting on August 21, 2011. This lesson focuses on the need for Christians to be devoted to the Word of God by looking at the importance of Scripture and the impact it has (or should have) in the life of a Christian. I hope you get something from it! If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!
What’s the Good Word?
The Importance of the Bible
Introduction
A couple of weeks ago we addressed Acts 2:41-47 and asked whether or not we are complacent or committed
In Acts 2:42, we saw that the early Christians committed or devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to fellowship and the breaking of bread, and to worship.
We mentioned that the devotion to the apostles’ teaching today would translate into a commitment to the Bible
Since the teaching and writings of the early apostles came from the Old Testament and in many ways became the New Testament, for us as Christians today to be committed to their teachings means we must have a commitment to God’s Word
This commitment requires knowledge and action
We must know the Bible
This requires time
The truth of Scripture will not simply enter our hearts by osmosis, we must go looking for them
We must act on it
Obedience is not an accident
As we learn God’s truth, we must do it
Today I want us to consider the importance of God’s Word by looking at four truths about the Bible
1. It is the inspired Word of God
2. It is sometimes difficult to understand
3. It is powerful
4. It must be studied
So, what do you know about the origin of the Bible?
1. The Bible is the Inspired Word of God
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired by God”
What does it mean that the Bible is inspired?
The Holy Spirit exerted his influence upon the writers of the Bible (2 Peter 1:20-21)—the writers of the Bible were moved by God’s Spirit to write
The Bible does not contain the Word of God, it is the Word of God
Every word of this book is inspired by God’s Spirit, yet it is written in the language/tenor of a variety of human authors
The Bible is free from error and absolutely trustworthy (Ps. 119:89-91; Matthew 5:17-18; 24:35)
The Bible is our trustworthy source of God’s self-disclosure
As a result of its inspiration, the Bible is a rather unique book
It is a library of 66 books written by close to 40 different authors
These authors were from a variety of backgrounds, some educated and some not so educated
There were farmers, fishermen, tax collectors, kings, teachers, physicians, and others
They wrote in different eras over thousands of years
In spite of this diversity, the book has a single focus—God’s revelation of himself to humanity
The Bible agrees on its primary topic—God—because it was inspired by him to reveal himself to us
2. The Bible is Sometimes Difficult
What areas of the Bible do you find most difficult? What are the books you tend to avoid?
2 Peter 3:14-16
Peter writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and acknowledges that some of Paul’s letters contain things “hard to understand,” all the while encouraging diligence in pursuing an understanding of God’s ways
Just like Paul’s letters, there are other places in the Bible that contain things difficult to understand
That is why we must be filled with the Spirit of God
God’s Spirit often guides us to a better understanding of God’s Word (John 16:12-15)
We must read the word, but we must also rely on God to help us to understand it
We should acknowledge the Bible’s difficulties rather than run from them
We cannot exhaust the knowledge of God, but we can act with obedience on what we understand—but are we?
3. The Bible is Powerful
Hebrews 4:12-13
God’s Word is living and active
How is God’s Word alive? Active?
The Word is like a scalpel, it can cut and divide and discover
Like a sword, it can separate
Like a scalpel, it can heal
It reveals to us God’s nature and our own nature (James 1:22-25)—by doing what it says, we show God’s life in our lives
It is the judge of our very thoughts and intentions
God’s Word can keep us from sin (Psalm 119:9-11)
The Bible can cleanse us (Ephesians 5:26; Psalm 51:2)
God’s Word is a seed of life, producing the redeeming life of God in us when we respond in faith (1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 3:9)
The Bible is our nourishment and spiritual food for us (1 Peter 2:1-3)
Like natural food, it can strengthen us and empower us for life in God
God’s Word, like the promises of God, are certain and true and will accomplish all the God intends (Isaiah 55:10-11)
When God speaks, things happen. God’s spoken revelation (his Word) contains what every human heart needs to flourish with a garden of God’s virtues and grace. The Word provides life and nourishment (cf. Luke 8:4-18)
4. The Bible Must be Studied
2 Timothy 2:14-15
This verse is a command, not a suggestion
Studying the Bible, digging into its heart and soul, accomplishes several things
As we act on it, it keeps us from being ashamed
Reading and heeding its instructions helps us avoid worldly and vain chatter that leads to ungodliness
It makes God’s will known to us and show us how we ought to live
As you study the Bible, ask:
Who is speaking here?
To whom are they speaking?
What is the main principle or truth revealed in this passage?
How can I apply this to my own life?
Reading the Bible is fine, but we are called to cut a straight path in our study of the word
We are called to diligence in plowing into God’s Truth, the Bible
Application
Since we are commanded to be diligent in properly understanding and obeying God’s Word, the application is rather obvious—we need to spend time with the Bible
This does not mean that we can be content with merely reading what the words say. We must learn to dig deeper. As Luther said, “I study my Bible like I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb--study book after book. Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings.”
Some Resources
We must study Scripture like Martin Luther, taking it as a whole and interpreting its pieces as thoroughly as possible. Remember, the Word can never mean what it never meant. We must keep it in its proper context
This week I want to you spend an extra 15-20 minutes a day not simply reading the Bible, but studying it and digging deep into it. To help facilitate that, here are some on-line resources that may help:
http://www.preceptaustin.org/the_key_inductive_study_%28pt2%29.htm
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
http://bible.org/
These resources are not exhaustive, but they are pages I trust
The most important thing this week is to be diligent in properly understanding God’s Word and then acting on what you learn
What we really believe, we live. All the rest is just religious talk. (Peter Lord)
Will we live what God says?
Thanks for reading!
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