4. Read Thoughtfully

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Read Thoughtgully

Last week, we explored the concept of making observations while we read and study our Bibles. We spent most of our time honed in one just a single verse, trying to draw out as many things that we could notice from the verse. Today, we’re going to keep talking about observation as we read our Bibles, this time, we’re going to focus on reading the Bible thoughtfully.

Who has ever day-dreamed while reading the Bible?

- Early morning study turns into extra sleep...

- Thinking about that argument you had with your friend last month...

Why does this happen to us? (Lack of discipline)

If we’re honest, sometimes we approach the Bible the same way we approach English class.

Remembering from lesson 2, what kind of agents are we? (CIA)

Are CIA agents sleeping on the crime scene?

We need to approach God’s word thoughtfully, our brain has got to be running if we want to take anything from our time in the Word.

So, today we’re going to work together through the smallest book of the New Testament, Philemon. (Open up on pg. 11)

Philemon

Barrage the Text with Questions

If you’re a detective at a crime scene, why is asking questions so important? (Find answers which will lead you to solve the crime)

We’re going to read the whole book of Philemon together, and as we read, I want you to write down any questions that come to mind. Write down your question next to the verse you’re asking about, and when we get to that verse in our study, ask me that question... Ask questions about...

Who: People involved

What: Things you want to know more about

Where: Locations

Why: Things that you don’t know how it works

Things you find confusing or just don’t understand

(Read through the text with them and allow them to write down their questions)

Start with People

(Read Philemon)

Help me with some observations here. Tell me, who are we introduced to in these verses? (Paul, Timothy, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus)

Paul

Do you notice anything interesting about the name Paul uses for himself? (Prisoner)

Typically, Paul uses the name apostle, but here he leaves that out and calls himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

Why would he call himself a prisonner of Jesus? (Sharing his location, closeness, give us context)

Philemon

How is Philemon addressed in vs. 2? (Beloved friend, fellow laborer)

What does that tell us about their relationship? (Closeness, served together in the past?)

If you’re writing to an old friend, are you going to be harsh and direct?

“Dear Jonathan, you better smarten up and pay attention to what I say!”

Paul is writing to an old friend, he’s not going to play the apostle card on this man.

Apphia

Philemon’s wife?? Probably...

Archippus

Philemon’s son? Maybe

Who else is mentioned in vs. 2? (The church in their house)

When your friend sends you a personal text message, do you typically keep that to yourself? Or send it abroad?

Post it on FaceBook...

Paul is writing a letter that’s obviously aimed to Philemon, but he wants the whole church to hear about it. Kind of strange isn’t it?

Why do you think Paul would want the whole church to read this letter?

Paul has something so important to say that he wants the whole church to get this message too.

Terms

We’re going to read through Philemon again, and try and notice any key words, big ideas and why they might be important

(Read Philemon)

Read Repeatedly

You may or may not have noticed, but it was no accident that we read Philemon a few times, because this is a very useful Bible reading strategy.

When you’re reading an average book for school, how many times do you need to read it to have a good idea what the book is all about? (Probably 2x, 3x)

The Scriptures can be read a thousand times and you still find new things. Repetition is the best way to learn.

Pick a book of scripture and read it every day for a month...

Esther

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Philemon

James

1 John

You’ll know the book so much better by the end of the month

Read entire books at one sitting

Why would it be helpful for us to read an entire book in one sitting? (Get a full picture of what the author meant)

Binge watching an entire tv show vs. watching 1 episode a week...

You might be thinking, “No way I’m going to read a whole book at one sitting, that would take forever!”

There are plenty of books that can be read in 30 minutes or less...

If you really feel adventerous, try reading one of the Gospels in one sitting, it’ll really shape your understanding.

Start at the Beginning of the Book

Jump into a movie that’s halfway done...

Are you really going to undesrtand what’s going on? (No way!)

How is that any different than our Bible reading?

It seems a little crazy to think we wouldn’t start at the beginning of the book, but people do that...

Don’t know what to read, open up your favorite chapter… John 3.

Why do you think it’s important to start reading at the beginning?

CONTEXT IS KING

Listen to Recordings of Scripture

Everyone turn to 1 Samuel 17 (David & Goliath)

Comparison in vs. 7-11

Listening to Scripture helps us...

Visualise the events (Sight + hearing, Another sense is involved)

Hear it from someone elses perspective (Vocal emphasis in different places)

Listen to it anytime, anywhere!

Write Down Scripture Passages

Great challenge! Forces you to think about what you are writing.

Read it out loud

Set up a Schedule

Bible app

Plans in the back of your Bible...

Conclusion

All these tools are there to help you read your Bible thoughtfully and soak it all in.