Spiritual Gains (Part 1 - Bible Reading) (reduced version)

Introduction

Attention:

Welcome!

Perform workout challenge with curls

Effort

Tonight: Reading the Bible (Joshua 1:8)

Need:

GROW

1 Timothy 4:7b (NLT)

... train yourself to be godly.

“Train” = γυμνάζω

“Godliness”

Closeness and conformity

“Being” vs. “doing”

Bible reading statistics

41% of teens never read the Bible

Only 20% of teens say that they read the Bible weekly

Only 3% of teens say that they have a daily Bible reading habit

Only 23% of Christian teens have developed a daily Bible reading habit (barna)

22% of teens that do read the Bible say that they don’t understand it.

Body

The Big Idea: Regularly reading the Bible is key to Christian success.

The Big Question: How can we read the Bible most effectively?

Study it

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Explanation:

Context

Beyond simply reading (skimming)

Focused

Thinking about what you read

A model for studying: H.E.A.R.

Highlight

What words or phrases stick out to you?

Explain

Why was it written?

Apply

What are the differences and similarities between the original audience and us?

What does this passage mean today?

Respond

What is a specific action step you will take based on this text?

Illustration:

Understanding your workout

Understanding the Bible

Application:

A heart to study

Memorize it

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Explanation:

Day and night = “always”

Memorization = motivation

Practice = priority

Have a plan

Illustration:

Workout form

Memorizing Scripture:

Application:

Want

Live it

Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

Explanation:

“Day and night” = habit

28 days to form a habit

Finding a time and a place

Teens: 7 hours and 22 minutes of screen time

When?

Where?

Find a Bible reading plan

Illustration:

Lasting workout results = routine (3-5x)

Making the Bible a regular part of your life

Application:

Priorities

Meditate on it

Joshua 1:8 (NLT

Explanation:

Secular vs. Christian

Meditation: “deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture, or upon life from a scriptural perspective, for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer.”

-Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life

Lingering (day and night)

Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Life (Revised and Updated) Joshua 1:8 and the Promise of Success

“The reason we come away so cold from reading the word is because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.”

Meditation > obedience > success

Illustration:

“Mind-muscle connection”

“Mind-scripture connection”

Application:

Linger

Conclusion

Reiteration

Hunger

Grow

This week