Discipleship: Understanding Scripture

Intro

This year, we are focusing in on Discipleship. We understand that discipleship is contextual. Six areas:

Understanding Scripture

Internal Growth

External Living

Accountability for Sin

Theology

Disciple-Making

Today, we will focus on the first one: understanding Scripture.

Main Idea: We are called to understand Scripture

Understanding Scripture is important for belief. It is important because it leads to have the right convictions. However, we can skip the understanding part and go straight to convictions.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

What is the essence of Scripture? Scripture is breathed out by God

Exp. “Breathed” out by God is understood as Jewish language. Greek = inspired. Only time this word is used. Early church didn’t come up with this. Jews believe this about OT. Scripture = OT.

Ill. We think of inspiration as like an artist sitting outside in nature and painting a gorgeous portrait. That falls short of this idea. Somehow God uses the voice of the author but it is breathed out by God himself.

Arg. Breathing and speaking is synonymous to a Jewish culture. Breath and Spirit are the same word in Hebrew. The voice that spoke creation also breathed life into Adam. Psalm 33:6

Psalm 33:6 ESV

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Arg. The same breath that brought the valley of dry bones to life is the same spirit that lives in believers.

Christ - We are pay attention to God’s Word, and to Jesus. Jesus is the Word. John 1:1

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Christ - Every word he speaks is life giving and he sends the HS to dwell in us and bring us to life.

App. Essence of Scripture is that God breathes it out. Therefore we should live in that.

What is Scripture for? Teaching, reproof, correction, and training

Exp. Teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness.

Teaching. The only teacher of Christian doctrine and Christian living is Scripture. Not me, not church history. Scripture. We only know about God and salvation because of Scripture. We can’t add or take away from God, sin, salvation, Jesus, Christianity, or anything. Pet peeve: “Christians” who ignore the truth of God’s Word for their own satisfaction.

Reproof. Synonym for rebuking or convicting of sin. Often used against false teachers. That’s how you know. A church that isn’t doctrinal will avoid the truth of Scripture = false teachers. Use Scripture as the standard of truth. Also, convict of us sin and error.

Correction. Not only conviction of sin, bur correction.

Ill. Shepherd’s crook. Hook end to pull the sheep in the right direction. This is what Scripture does. It shows us the correct way.

Training in Righteousness. Not only shows you the way, but gives you the path. Shows you the way of the righteous.

Ill. This is why God gives his word to us. It’s important. I try to explain this to Christian when it comes to how we parent. We teach, rebuke, correct, and train. We aren’t being mean, it’s for your good!

Arg. We must avoid when people avoid teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training. Many churches today avoid this.

Christ - This is what Jesus did. Not just to “religious elites.” To sinners! Jesus shows us the way by living out the Word of God. The way of righteousness is through him.

App. Be prepared to humbly approach God’s Word.

What is the product? Complete and equipped for good works

Exp. Finally, we see what this produces. Verse 17. Everything we need for good works and godliness are found in God’s Word. There are no spare parts we need to get.

Ill. Bought cabinets, and everything I need to assemble is in the box. No spare parts needed. That’s how God’s word is!

Arg. “Complete” = qualified. Finished. This is what God’s Word does for you. It completes you. Takes time. Years of growth.

Christ - Jesus is the goal. The standard. Our lives should grow to resemble him and what he has done. The greatest act of completion was his death, burial and resurrection.

App. We must be patient.

Now what?

Believe Scripture is God’s Word. Without a proper view of God’s Word, you will let doubt creep in, and you will eventually make God in your own image. Learn about him from Him.

Humbly approach Scripture to learn. Approach Scripture humbly. You don’t have all the answers. Learn about God and man. Salvation. Learn about how to be trained in righteousness.

Humbly approach Scripture for correction. Don’t ignore the parts of Scripture that call out sin. My confession is that I spend so much time in God’s Word, that I will prepare it as if it’s only meant for you, not for me.

Patiently grow. You will grow and be equipped. But it’s a long game. Older saints still growing. The final completion comes when Christ returns.

Come to our equipping course. To learn how to grow in this and how to lead others. We will do it again.

Let us grow together in understanding God’s Word.