3. Love God: Welcoming the Living Word

In order to grow we need to eat

John 6:35 NASB95

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

Jesus is the living word. and the canon of scripture was giving to us so we can know and understand the ways of God

John 1:14 NASB95

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Psalm 119:5–8 NASB95

5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. 7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!

3. Devouring The Bible

What’s your experience with the Bible?

Reading the Bible shows us God’s character. The Bible is our definitive source for the answers to our questions about God.

Hebrews 1:1–3 NASB95

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Things the Living Word is Good For

This is not a complete list, but a great place to get started in knowing the importance of the word of God

We ask the Question

What is the Bible good for!

1. The Living Word is good for Nourishment

1 Timothy 4:6 NASB95

6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

2. The Living Word is good for Wisdom

2 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

James 3:17 NASB95

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

3. The Living Word is good for Correction

2 Timothy 3:16 NASB95

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Proverbs 12:1 NASB95

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.

4. The Living Word is good for Equipping thoroughly

2 Timothy 3:17 NASB95

17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:3 NASB95

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

5. The Living Word Builds your Faith

Romans 10:17 NASB95

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

6. The Living Word is good for Discernment

Hebrews 4:12 NASB95

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

7. The Living Word is good for keeping from sin

Psalm 119:11 NASB95

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

8. The Living Word is good teaches us to imitate God

Ephesians 5:1 NASB95

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

9. The Living Word helps us discover our next step.

Psalm 119:105 NASB95

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

10. The Living Word helps us to renew our minds so we can know God’s will.

Romans 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

11. The Living Word allows us to be certain of what God said. The Bible is our final authority.

John 17:17 NASB95

17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

12. The Living Word allows us to receive the desires of our heart.

John 15:7 NASB95

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

13. The Living Word is how we learn about the gospel.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB95

13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

John 5:39–40 NASB95

39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

14. The Living Word gives us courage.

Joshua 1:8–9 NASB95

8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

15. The Living Word helps us to be fruitful.

Psalm 1:2–3 NASB95

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

16. The Living Word keeps us clean

James 1:21 NASB95

21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

17. The Living Word brings us out of darkness

Psalm 119:130 NASB95

130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

So how do you read the Bible? We have a 50-day reading plan to get you started. It’s not just about checking off the read column - although that can be satisfying. We want the Bible to read us. We allow that by asking the questions we outline below.

Tool - 50-Day Reading Plan

How to read the Bible?

Can you COMMUNE?

C - Commit to a time

O - Observe

M - Memorize

M - Meditate

U - Understand

N - Not just read, but do!

E - Engage

Commit to a time

• Morning or Evening:

Jesus and the psalmists are often found praying in the morning (e.g., Psalm 5:3; Luke 4:42).

The evenings less so, but choose a time when you are at your best and most attentive.

• Lunch Break: If you have time during your workday to read during your lunch or another break, this might be a perfect way to spend your time.

• Anytime: Some of you may have such busy lives that you need to fit it in whenever you can. This is totally normal! Make sure that whatever time you decide to read your Bible that you are in a place where you can focus and reflect on God’s Word.

Observe

Mark up your Bible as you read.

If you have an interpretive question, use the study Bible notes to explore answers.

It may be helpful to join a Bible study or home group to get further direction by your peers and leaders in the church.

Memorize

Meditate

Understand

What does it say?

How can I summarize each passage into two or three sentences?

What does it mean?

What does each passage teach me? What is the spiritual truths or principles in these verses?

How can I apply this?

What is the Lord specifically leading me to do in response to this passage?

Not just read, but do!:

Pray:

Ask God to speak to you through his Word.

And then expect God to speak.

Your approach to God’s Word will greatly impact your times of personal worship.

Ask God to search your heart and to transform your life.

Engage

• Study Bible: We recommend the NIV Life Application or NIV Study Bible. If you want to get even more in-depth, look at some of the commentaries in the NIV Application Commentary Series.

• Bible Reading Plan: Choose a plan and work the plan. If you miss some days, do not try to catch up. Simply pick up where you left off.

• Journal: We recommend using a simple journal that’s easy to use. You can find these at just about any store, especially bookstores or online.

• Pen: To take notes within your Bible or a journal.

Journal:

(try to limit it to one page per day to start): Start a new page and record the date and Scripture you read on the top line. Write down a verse or two that stood out to you, word-for-word. Stay focused on what God is saying through his Word that intersects with your everyday life. This is not about speculation, private interpretations or manipulating God’s Word to say what you want it to say. This is about bringing Christ to your everyday life based on the truth of God’s Word rightly interpreted. Ask yourself and answer in your journal What does it say? How can I summarize each passage into two or three sentences?What does it mean? What does each passage teach me? What is the spiritual truths or principles in these verses? How can I apply this? What is the Lord specifically leading me to do in response to this passage?

Application

Read the Bible everyday. Reflect on what it says and how you can apply it. Write down any questions you have about what you’ve read to ask your Growth Coach next time you meet.