Asking Good Questions - 1

Hugh’s Bible & The Bible from church Board

Questions are one reason we engage in Bible study.

Asking good questions leads to deeper understanding which leads us closer to God.

Some would even say that the quality of the questions you ask determine what you get out of your study.

Asking good questions really is essential. As is asking the right questions.

There were times that I was not asking questions, I started preaching, no real Bible study, then over time I was looking for passages which supported what I believe rather than allowing the spirit to teach me new things — develop this

The challenge is to come to scripture with no opinions or conclusions, but with an open and humble heart, open to the guidance of God’s Spirit the author of the words we reading — 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB 2020

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

Are you ready for the message God has for us today?

Cool let’s get into it!

What do we learn about God?

Would you agree that God is the main character of the Bible?

Scripture reveals God because He is revealing Himself to us!

Here is how that works

God reveals His character or attributes to us

Exodus 34:6–7 NASB 2020

6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth; 7 who keeps faithfulness for thousands, who forgives wrongdoing, violation of His Law, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, inflicting the punishment of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

“1) The Lord, 2) the Lord 3) God, 4) compassionate and 5) gracious, 6) slow to anger, and 7) abounding in lovingkindness and 8) truth; 9) who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, 10) who forgives iniquity, 11) transgression and 12) sin; yet 13) He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished…

2. Scripture reveals the conduct of God. We see God doing this to reveal who He is — Psalm 23

Psalm 23 NASB 2020

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.

Look at what God does for His people

3. Scripture reveals the things that concern God — Exodus 22:21-22

Exodus 22:21–22 (NASB 2020)

21 “You shall not oppress a stranger nor torment him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22 You shall not oppress any widow or orphan.

God values and protects those that are marginalized

Character, conduct, and concern are three different angles to help us see what a passage tells us about God.

What do we learn about people?

People are the center of God’s purposes for creation.

We bear His image!

Even so Adam and Eve rebelled!

There are also three angles to learn what a passage teaches about people

The first is what it means to be created in the image of God. Genesis 9:6

Genesis 9:6 NASB 2020

6 “Whoever sheds human blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made mankind.

2. Second discover what a passage reveals about our fallen condition, that is our propensity or bent towards sin — Proverbs 6:16-19

Proverbs 6:16–19 NASB 2020

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who declares lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

3. Third what does a passage reveal about what our lives are to look like as redeemed people? Acts 2:42-43

Acts 2:42–43 NASB 2020

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

Thus we are created, fallen, and redeemed.

When seen from these three angles we learn what God has to say about humanity.

What do we learn about relating to God?

When we read the Bible we want to pay attention to a passage teaching us how we should relate to God.

What should we praise God for? — 1 Peter 1:3-5

1 Peter 1:3–5 NASB 2020

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2. What does a passage teaches us about sin? Do learn something about sin our life? Do we need to confess or repent? — 1 John 1:7-9

1 John 1:7–9 NASB 2020

7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. What promises do we see in a passage? — Ephesians 4:22-24

Ephesians 4:22–24 NASB 2020

22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

So praise , confess, repent, and promises. These are key ways to express our love to God.

Conclusion

So take these notes and add them to your study of scripture.

This is lesson one, because asking the right questions is so important to Bible study.

Next week we will ask three more.

Let us pray!