Faith Foundations

Digging Deep: The Transformative Power of God's Word

Bible Passage: Joshua 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Hebrews 12:4, 2 Peter 1:19–20, Isaiah 55:10–11

Summary: This theme emphasizes the vital role that studying the Bible plays in the life of believers, as the scriptures are the foundation for spiritual growth, teaching, and guidance.

Let me pray for us.

Big Idea: Today we are going to be discussing how engaging deeply with the Bible transforms our lives, sharpening our faith and aligning our actions with God's will.

Hello friends, my name is Sean and if we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, I want you to know it is a joy to have you join us today. Wherever you are in your faith journey I encourage you to come meet the staff if you haven’t already Abby, Dawson, Tim and I are all here for you. We would love get you plugged into a small group here on campus or if you are not ready for that step yet we would love to take you out for a cup of coffee and hear more of your story and share with you why we follow Jesus Christ.

Speaking of Jesus we see that throughout the Scriptures, Jesus embodies the truths of the Word, revealing God's character and purpose, and the study of the Bible ultimately leads us to a richer understanding of Him as Savior and Lord.

Tim has been so nice to bring me a white board today to better illustrate this.

Draw the Wheel Illustration

The past two NavGathers focused on the importance of Jesus as the center of our lives. Similarly we use this illustration to see Jesus at the center of our lives and over the next four meetings we will discuss the internal and external impact of a relationship with Christ. Today we are focusing on the first of the two internal spokes: Time in the Word of God.

The two passages you may have heard in relation to the Word of God is 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 CSB

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2. Scripture Sufficient Guide

2 Timothy 3:16–17

All Scripture is God-breathed, that word breathed is the same as used in Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”

The God of the universe that breaths live into each of us has done the same with the Bible. The Bible is a complete guide for righteous living. If we rely fully on God’s Word to become thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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These were two of the first passages I memorized when I first came to faith. Ever since then I have been discovering new passages that point me back to Jesus. God continues to use the Bible to reveal His character in my own life.

Now I am a few years older than you, in fact my freshman year of College was in 2019, pre-covid, what a crazy time to think back to. But when I entered college I did not have a relationship with Jesus, in fact I really only knew of Jesus as a religious figure and nothing more than that.

In light of this my goal in college was not to get plugged into a Bible study, or seek out Christian community. My goal was to get through college as fast as possible so I could go work and make as much money as possible. Neither of those things are bad, except for the fact that it all revolved around me.

However God in his sovereignty had placed me right where He wanted me, because on my first day of college I would meet a Christian, and not just any Christian….but a Christian girl. And she was persistent in sharing her faith and even invited me to attend Bible study.

After a long process of being invited to go to go to a Bible study I finally went and I experienced something I never had before, that the Bible was not only accessible to me, but the God of the universe wants to communicate to me through His Word .

This was the first time in my life that I had ever had a deep spiritual awaking, and it came from opening the Bible, asking questions and studying it for myself.

My life completely transformed when I accepted Jesus as my savior and then later made a Lordship decision to give up the pursuits of my life and rather follow Jesus with all my heart. And all of that happened through exploring the Scriptures.

The Word of God, the Bible it is powerful my friends. And I am honored that I have the space to share why you to should get into this 2000 year old book every single day.

If we engage deeply with the Bible, God will use it to transform our lives, with that, lets open the Word together.

I have three take aways for us tonight and it is that the Word of God is Perfect, the Word of God is Living, and the Word of God is Powerful.

1. The Word of God is Perfect

2 Peter 1:19–20 CSB

We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation,

Peter reminds us that God’s Word is not just ancient writing but a lamp shining in a dark place. In a world filled with confusion, shifting opinions, and spiritual darkness, Scripture provides steady, reliable guidance. Just as a lamp does not remove all darkness at once but illuminates the next steps, the Bible directs us day by day as we walk by faith.

Peter emphasizes that prophecy did not originate in human imagination or interpretation. Instead, it is God-breathed, carried along by the Holy Spirit like we see in 2 Timothy 3:16. This means the Bible’s reliability does not rest on the wisdom of men but on the faithfulness of God.

For believers, this calls us to lean on the Spirit as we study the Word. Without His illumination, Scripture can remain words on a page. But with Jesus guidance, the Word becomes living and active.

2. The Word of God is Living

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The Word is Alive:

The Bible is not a dead book or an ancient relic—it is living. Over the last 2,000 years, its truth has endured and been confirmed again and again. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls showed how faithfully Scripture has been preserved. God’s Word remains intact, unbroken, and authoritative.

The World’s Truth vs. God’s Truth:

Culture tells us that truth is subjective, “my truth” and “your truth.” But Scripture cuts through that lie. There is one truth: the Word of God. It speaks to every generation, every culture, every person, and it exposes what is real and what is false in our hearts.

Sharper Than Any Sword:

God’s Word doesn’t just inform us—it transforms us. It cuts deep into our thoughts and motives, confronting sin, stripping away excuses, and strengthening us to endure hardship. When temptation or trial comes, Scripture is our sword in the spiritual battle, equipping us to resist and pursue holiness.

But the Bible is boring Sean, where are you getting that it is this living book? That may be because we sometimes approach it like a textbook—it’s a living voice from God that wants to change you closer into the image of His son Jesus. And when the world speaks lies, use the Word as your weapon of truth and strength. (share a lie I believed and a passage I used to help me).

3. The Word of God is Powerful

Isaiah 55:10–11 CSB

For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to

The Word Brings Growth:

Rain nourishes the soil so life can sprout. In the same way, God’s Word plants seeds in our hearts and brings about spiritual fruit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” Where His Word is received, transformation always follows.

The Word Transforms Lives

Sometimes we don’t immediately see the growth, just like farmers don’t see a harvest overnight. This is the same for each of us. An example the most awarded Olympian of all time Michael Phelps swam 5-6 hours a day every day for years before he won his first gold metal. The same is with God’s Word, it will transform us, but we must do the work of getting into it daily, reading it, studying it, and abiding in it. It will not return empty—it will bear fruit in God’s time and in God’s way.

When you feel weak, doubtful, or dry, let the promise of Isaiah 55 assure you: God’s Word is never wasted, it always accomplishes His purpose.

The Word of God is Perfect, the Word of God is Living, and the Word of God is Powerful.

Application: Ultimately spending time in the Bible through reading, devotions and prayer will transform your life, it will sharpen your faith and align your actions with God's will.

It is the first spoke of this wheel, because we need a firm foundation to lay the rest of the flourishing Christian life.

Let me pray for us.

We don’t want to hear the Word to have greater knowledge, rather we want to take this into our lives, so I have prepared a few questions.

Questions:

Discussion Questions

1. When you think about the Bible being Perfect, Living, and Powerful, which of those is easiest for you to trust and which is the hardest? Why do you think that is?

2. Isaiah 55 compares God’s Word to rain that produces growth over time. What are some areas of life where growth takes time and consistency? How might engaging with the Bible fit into that kind of long-term process?

3. What would it look like for you to let God’s Word shape your goals, priorities, or relationships this semester?