The Word

Review + Intro

Spiritual Habits — Wheel Diagram Word, Prayer, Community, Evangelism

Talked about evangelism last week, not too late to join Spring Training

This week we talk about the importance of the Word

Read Ezra 7:10

Explanation

Read Ezra 7:10

Background

Israelites had been in exile because they’d been overtaken by Babylon

They lost their sense of identity because so much of it was tied to the Promised Land and they felt God had left them

Ezra & Nehemiah are about the people returning to the land and rebuilding the walls

Ezra resolves to follow God and it starts with knowing his Word

The Bible is the “Word of God”

2 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 1:1-3, Romans 12:1-2

But he hears the people have sinned through intermarriage (which led to idolatry)

Look what happens

Ezra leads the people in repenting and turning back to God’s law

Then Nehemiah comes and helps rebuild the wall

Read Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5, 8, 9-12; 9:2-3

A revival breaks out like has happened on college campuses numerous times throughout history, including Asbury

They make a new covenant to commit themselves to God

It all starts with one man resolved to hear, obey, and share God’s Word

If you want to experience personal revival and impact this campus, you need to be in the Word deeply

How to read the Bible better

Hear It

Go to church every week, listen to the sermon, take notes

Read It

If you don’t regularly read the Bible, doing it every day may be the most life-changing thing you could ever do

A study was done in 2021 that found that people who only engage in Bible reading once a week (e.g. hearing a sermon) it made little effect

The big jump was people who engaged 4 times per week

They were more likely to share their faith

Less likely to be deceived by false teaching

Less likely to experience stagnation in the spiritual life

So, make a habit of it!

Find a time, place, and reading plan

This is what the card is for

Study It

Take notes, write down what you don’t understand, ask others

Memorize It

One of the best things you can do to avoid temptation is to memorize Scripture I use the “Bible Memory App”. You can use flashcards, quizlet, etc.

Obey It

James 1:22-25

“No information without transformation!”

Share It

You don’t have to know the Bible front and back to share Jesus with people

BUT, you can’t draw water from an empty well

Conclude + Apply

60 Day New Testament together