Meeting with God Session 2

Core Seminar

Meeting With God: Session 2

A quiet time is the part of the day that we set aside for the worship of God, for the reading of the Word of God and for fellowship with God so that we would know Him more, know ourselves in light of Him, and know the world according to His perspective.

Hebrews 4:16 CSB

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

,

John 17:17 CSB

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Psalm 119:57–64 CSB

The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep your words. I have sought your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands. Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget your instruction. I rise at midnight to thank you for your righteous judgments. I am a friend to all who fear you, to those who keep your precepts. Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love; teach me your statutes.

1. God’s word of promise to us is the foundation of our receiving

grace from Him (v. 58).

2. God’s word humbles us (v. 59).

3. God’s word is more powerful than anyone who would come

against us (v. 61)

4. God’s word leads us to praise Him (vs. 62).

5. God’s word leads us into the fellowship of the church (vs. 63).

Acts 17:11 CSB

The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Jesus getting some time alone with God:

Matthew 14:22–23 CSB

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.

Mark 1:35 CSB

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.

Mark 1:

Luke 5:16 CSB

Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

I. Bible Intake

Five Means of Bible Intake

1. Hearing

2. Reading

3. Studying

4. Meditating

5. Memorizing

Hearing the Word

OT Example:

Nehemiah 8:1–4 CSB

all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

Nehemiah

The people had a desire to hear the Word.

NT Example:

1 Timothy 4:13 CSB

Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

1 Timothy

“We are to discipline ourselves to go and hear God’s word.” - Don Whitney

“Hearing the Word of God is not merely passive listening, it is a discipline to be cultivated” - Don Whitney (Spiritual Disciplines – Pg. 31).

Benefits:

Cultivates hunger for God’s Word.

Psalm 119:103–104 CSB

How sweet your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:

Ways to Improve:

1. Discuss with others

2. Listen outside of Sunday mornings

Question: How has hearing the Word of God preached helped you meet with God and grow in your relationship with him?

Reading the Word

“Let the man who would hear God speak, read the Holy Scripture.” - Martin Luther

- Martin Luther

“For a number of years I have now annually read through the Bible twice. If the Bible were a large, mighty tree and all its words were little branches I have tapped at all the branches, eager to know what was there and what it had to offer.- Martin Luther

- Martin Luther

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 4:4 CSB

He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

“Haven’t you read…?”

Matthew 12:3 CSB

He said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry:

“It is written…”

Practical Suggestions

1. Find the time

a. When?

b. How long?

2. Make a plan

3. Meditate

Question: What suggestions do you have for others in class for growing in regularly meeting with God through reading Scripture?