INSIGHT
 
   As Christians, it is important for us to grow in the knowledge and image of Christ. Man has a natural tendency to depart from God's way and to become lax in his faith. From the beginning this was a problem with man: In Genesis chapter three, we read of how Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit -- an act that brought death to all mankind. In Exodus chapter 32, we see God's people, Israel, defiling themselves by following after other gods. Even Aaron, the appointed priest (Ex. 28:1), participated in this sin of idolatry. 

   Isaiah was right when he said "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way..." Isa. 53:6 For this reason, we need to familiarize ourselves with Christ and His teachings, and to do the things that promote God's goodness in our lives. As the Hebrew writer said: "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Heb. 3:12, 13

   Let us "see to it" that we don't turn away from God through sin's deceitfulness. Let us continue to hold to the pattern of the Word and to grow in the likeness of Christ. The Spirit tells us through our brother Paul, "be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us ..." Eph 5:1-2a.

   Therefore, let us "see to it," that we get to know Him who died on the cross for our sins. Let us live lives that are acceptable and pleasing to our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. 
The Relationship with God
Bible Study: Listening to God


Key Text:                 Ephesians 5:8-9
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Theme:
As Christians, one of the top priorities is to become rooted in consistent and productive personal Bible study. Only by wielding “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) will we be able to take a stand against Satan and his evil plans. Also, abiding in the Word of Christ is the best way to safeguard against false teachings. The Bible teaches us that some passages are difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:16), but not impossible (2 Cor. 1:13a). This is why we must strive to be students of the Word and learn the ways of the Lord.

Application:
Hear are some practical suggestions:
   1. Have a set time to study your Bible daily.
   2. Keep a note book to write down the convicting points or 
      questions from daily  reading.
   3. Participate in your Church classes.
   4. Focus on the New Testament until you are quite familiar 
      with it; then venture into the Old Testament
   5. Study an entire book of the Bible at a time: don’t skip all 
      over the Scriptures.
   6. Memorize one new verse per week and review verses 
      learned in earlier weeks.

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline


I. The Old Testament As A Tutor
  A. Romans 15:4
    1. Things written in past to teach us 
    2. The Scriptures give us hope
  B. 1 Corinthians 10:6,11
    1. O.T. examples keep us from setting
       our hearts on evil
    2. O.T. examples as warnings

II. Israel's Reminder From God
  A. Deuteronomy 8:2-3
    1. Review of God's goodness
      a. He was their Deliverer (vs 14b)
      b. He was their Leader (vs 15)
    2. Do not forget Me
    3. The Word as Food

III. Jesus' Example To The Christian
  A. Matthew 4:4,7,10
    1. The Word used to defeat Satan
      a. Weakness overcome by the Word
      b. Trust established by the Word
      c. Dedication established by the
         Word

IV. Paul's Exhortation To Us
  A. Colossians 3:16
    1. Let the Word dwell in us richly
      a. So you can teach with wisdom
      b. So you can admonish with wisdom
      c. So you can sing with gratitude
    2. Let your heart house the Word
    3. Let the Word dwell as Master
Small Group Study
Warm-up:
If you were making a list of the things you would count as important for survival, what would be on that list? What would you consider to be the most important?

See To It                               1 Peter 2:1-3
1. What does it mean to crave?
2. What does the term spiritual milk mean? Explain your answer.
3. Why does the Spirit use newborn babies as examples of how we ought to crave for this spiritual milk?
4. What is a sure sign of an unhealthy baby? An unhealthy Christian?
5. If we are saved at the moment we obey the Gospel, what does “...so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” mean? What kind of “growth” do we experience? Growth in what?

Seeing It Closer:
1. On a scale of 1 to 5, how important is food to you (1:least important; 5:most)?
2. On a scale of 1 to 5, how has the Word of God been rating in your life?
3. What kind of growth have you experienced since you tasted the goodness of the Lord?
4. Does growth come from just reading and/or hearing the Word? Explain.

Getting To It:
Just as we eagerly desire food when hunger strikes, we ought to fervently desire the milk of the Lord. Let us, therefore, be determined to earnestly desire the pure spiritual milk!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Listening to God

MONDAY
Read Deuteronomy 8:3. What was God teaching Israel? How does this teaching apply to you today? Write down your thoughts on the following passages: Job 23:12; Psalm 119:103; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2. Write Matthew 4:4 down on an index card and take it with you wherever you go today and reflect upon it.

TUESDAY
Read Psalm 119:97-104. Look up the word meditate in a good dictionary. What does the word meditate mean? What attributes did the psalmist possess as a result of meditating on the word of God? What will meditating on the word of God do for you as a Christian? Write down your thoughts on the following passages: Psalm 19:7-11; 119:105; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Write Psalm 119:105 down on an index card and take it with you wherever you go today and reflect upon it.

WEDNESDAY
Read 2 Timothy 2:15. How should you present yourself to God? What should you be competent in handling? What kind of worker is a “shameful” one? What kind of “workman” are you? This passage begins with the Greek word spoudazo, which means to be diligent, to labor or to study. The word should not only be read, but also studied (look up the verb study). We should strive to gain knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. Pray for wisdom and understanding; ask questions regarding hard-to-understand verses; use cross-references, concordances and other Bible helps to aid in your understanding. Write down your thoughts on the following passages: Acts 17:11 (look up the verb examine); 2 Timothy 3:16-17--focus on verse 17; 1 Peter 3:15. Write 2 Timothy 2:15 down on an index card and take it with you wherever you go today and reflect upon it.

THURSDAY
Read James 1:22-25. Is it enough to just study the Bible? What must you do as you learn the Word? Do you find yourself just hearing the word of God? If so, what can you do to change that? Write down your thoughts on the following passages: Joshua 1:8; Matthew 7:21-27; John 8:31-32. Write James 1:22 down on an index card and take it with you wherever you go today and reflect upon it.

FRIDAY
Read Colossians 3:12-16. Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the Christian virtues; they being compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. In order to have these qualities, the brethren were encouraged to do the following: put on love, submit to the peace of Christ, be thankful and allow the word of God to dwell richly in them. Concentrate on verse 16. Do you find yourself lacking one or more of these virtues? Write down those virtues you are lacking or weak in. How can you strengthen these virtues in your life? What happens when the word of Christ dwells poorly in you? What can you do to promote the word to dwell richly in you? Write down your thoughts on the following passages: Deuteronomy 6:5-6; 11:18; Psalm 119:9-11; James 1:21. Write Psalm 119:11 down on an index card and take it with you wherever you go today and reflect upon it.