Discovering Spiritual Maturity - Session Two

AUTHOR MERLE

How to get a grasp on your Bible

The whole bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives: it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is Gods way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone”. 2 Tim 3:16-17

Tonight we gonna look at six ways to get a grip on your bible.

These are the ingredients that will help the word stick in your mind and lifestyle.

Hear – Read – Study – Memorise – Meditate – Apply

HOW TO HEAR GODS WORD

“Faith comes from hearing the Word of God”. Romans 10:17

Ways to hear God’s Word

The bible on tape

Church services and studies

Sermon Tapes

Radio/TV teachers

And normally what happens is the following:

I hear and I forget

I speak and I remember

I do and I understand

We forget 95% of what we hear after 72 hours, so how do I improve my hearing

1. Be ready and eager to hear God’s Word

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” Luke 8:8

2. Deal with attitudes that prevent hearing Gods Word

“Consider carefully how you listen…” Luke 8:18

A closed mind. Is fear, pride or bitterness preventing me from hearing God?

A Superficial Mind:

Am I really serious about wanting to hear God’s speak?

A Preoccupied Mind:

Am I too busy and concerned with other things to concentrate on what God has to say?

3. Confess any sin in your life

“…Get rid of all moral filth and humbly accept the word…” James 1:21

4. Take notes on what you hear

“We must pay more careful attention to what we’ve heard, so that we do not drift away”. Heb 2:1

Keep a Spiritual Notebook (It helps you evaluate your growth)

5. Act on what you hear

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves”, James 1:22

“Whoever…does not simply listen and then forget, but puts into practice – that person will be blessed in what he does”. James 1:25

HOW TO READ GODS WORD

“Happy is the one who reads this book, and obeys what is written in it”. Rev 1:3

How often should I read God’s word? (Joshua 1:9)

“The Scriptures shall be his constant companion. He must read from it everyday of his life so that he will learn to respect the lord His God by obeying all of his commands”. Deut 17:19

Suggestions

Read it systematically (Note the whole bible not just a few books)

Read a bible without notes

Read it in different translations

Read it aloud to yourself

Underline or colour code key verses

Choose a reading plan and stick to it

If I read approx…………. minutes per day, I can read the whole bible once a year

HOW TO STUDY GOD’S WORD

“…. They accepted the message eagerly and studied the Scriptures everyday”. Acts 17:11

“Be a good workman …. Know what His Word says and means” 2 Tim 2:15

The difference between reading and studying the bible is that you us a pencil to study.

The secret of effective Bible Study is know how to ask and fine these six questions in the subject. Who, what, why, when, where and how

Then talk about the various study resources

HOW TO MEMORISE GODS WORD

“Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep with your heart”. Pr 7:2-3

What are the benefits of memorizing scripture?

Helps me resist temptation

“I have hidden you Word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. Ps 119:1

Helps me make wise decisions

“Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path” Ps 119:105

Strengthens me when I am under stress

“….Your promises to me are my hope. They give me strength in all my troubles, how they refresh and revive me!”. Ps 119:49

Comforts me when I am sad

“Your words are what sustain me, they bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me”. Jer 15:16

They help me be the witness for Christ

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”. 1 Peter 3:15

The best times for memorizing

Quiet time

During exercise

While waiting

When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches. (Ps 63:6)

How to memorise

Pick a verse that speaks to you

Say the reference before and after the verse

Read the verse aloud many times, even record it

Break the verse into natural phrases

Emphasise key words when quoting the verse

Write down the verse and erase a word one at a time

Write out the verse on a flash card

Carry some cards with you at all times for reveiew

Display your verses in prominent places

Always memorise the verse word perfect

Put the verse to music, write a song

Get a partner to check each other with

We remember what is important to us

The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. Ps119:72

HOW TO MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper. Ps 1:2-3

Picture it! Visualise the scene in your mind

Pronounce it! Say the verse aloud each time emphasizing a different word

Paraphrase it! Rewrite the verse in your own words

Personalise it! Replace the pronouns or people in the verse with your own name

Pray it! Turn the verse into a prayer and say it back to God

Probe it! Ask the following questions:

s.p.a.c.e.p.e.t.s

Is there any…??????

Sin to confess?

Promise to claim?

Attitude to change?

Command to obey?

Example to follow?

Prayer to pray?

Error to avoid?

Truth to belive?

Something to thank God For?

HOW TO APPLY GODS WORD

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Matt 5:19 “…but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven…”