“How To Study Your Bible To Grow”

“How To Study Your Bible To Grow”

Acts 17:10-12

Acts 17:10–12 NLT

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

Introduction:

A man was seated on a park bench when a little chap of about five sat down beside him and started winding what appeared to be a most prized possession--a watch. "My, what a pretty watch," remarked the man. "Does it tell you the time?"

"No sir," replied the boy; "you gotta look at it."

The answers to help with all of life’s challenges, and circumstances are found in God’s Word. In order to avail yourself of that help you must study God’s Word.

Let’s take a look at “How to study God’s Word to Grow”.

I. BIBLE STUDY MUST BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE (Acts 17:11 A).

Acts 17:11 NLT

11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

A. An attitude of open-mindedness to the message.

(εὐγενέστεροι = noble minded, open-minded)

1. Don’t dismiss the message because it doesn’t mesh with your traditions.

*Like the scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees of Jesus’ day.

2. Don’t dismiss the message because it doesn’t match with your lifestyle.

* Like the man I witnessed to who didn’t want to accept the truth of the Gospel because he would have to change his life (Percy)

3. Don’t dismiss the message because it makes you uncomfortable.

* Like Felix (Acts 24:25)

Acts 24:25 NLT

25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”

B. An attitude that welcomes the message and messenger.

1. Welcome the message with a willing heart and mind.

a. δέχομαι: to receive favorably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to reject

b. προθυμία: ready mind, willing mind

1) When studying the Bible, accept its message and be willing to make it your own.

(Psalms 78:1)

Psalm 78:1 NLT

1 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying,

(Proverbs 23:12)

Proverbs 23:12 NLT

12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.

2) The Word of God is given for our good.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NLT

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

II. BIBLE STUDY MUST BE PERFORMED WITH DILIGENCE (Acts 17:11 B).

Acts 17:11 NLT

11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

A. An earnest study must be made.

(2 Timothy 2:15)

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

1. Dig into the Word.

(ἀνακρίνοντες = to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinize, sift, question).

2. Dig into the Scriptures.

(τὰς γραφάς = the Scriptures)

3. Dig into the scriptures continually.

(ἡμέραν = daily, every day)

4. Dig into the scriptures purposefully.

a. These folks had a purposeful way of studying (a plan).

1) They were following what Paul said and examining the scriptures progressively.

b. You and I need to follow a plan for study.

1) Study a book of the Bible

(i.e. The Gospel of John).

2) Study a subject

(forgiveness, Salvation, etc.)

3) Study a Bible character

(Elijah, Paul, etc.)

4) Study a book that teaches Bible truths by a solid author

(Charles Stanley, Henry Blackaby, etc.)

B. An evaluation of truth or falsehood must be made.

1. Check out to make sure you are on track.

(εἰ ἔχοι ταῦτα οὕτως. =to find out whether these things were so).

a. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your study.

1) He will guide you to the truth.

(John 16:13)

John 16:13 NLT

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

b. Allow scripture to shed light on scripture.

1) God will never contradict himself.

c. Ask yourself some questions in order to make it personal:

1) What is the main subject being talked about in this passage?

2) What are the main truths that are being taught about this subject in this passage of scripture?

3) What other passages of scripture talk about this subject? What do they say about it?

4) How does my life match up with the truths taught in this passage (and others related to it)?

5) What do I need to do, in a practical way, in order to put these truths into practice in my life?

d. Record what the Lord has shown you from your study of His Word.

1) Keep a Bible study Journal.

III. BIBLE STUDY MUST RESULT IN DECISIVE CHANGE (Acts 17:12).

Acts 17:12 NLT

12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

A. An encounter with God’s Word will bring us to a crisis of belief.

1. We will encounter truth that requires us to evaluate our life and beliefs.

a. The Bereans encountered truths that made them reevaluate their belief systems.

1) The Jews had to evaluate their traditions and teachings.

2) The gentiles had to reevaluate their superstitions and legends.

b. The truths we find in Bible study will require us to take a deep look at what we have always held to be true.

(Haggai 1:7)

Haggai 1:7 NLT

7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!

1) We must be willing to put everything to the test of scripture:

a) What we were taught while growing up.

b) Traditions we have held as sacred.

c) “Common sense” maxims we have held as fact.

d) Ideas we received and accepted as truth.

2. We will come to a point that requires us to make adjustments to our life and beliefs.

a. The Bereans found out they were required to make adjustments in their lives by repenting of their sins and believing in Jesus as God’s Messiah and Son.

1) The Berean Jews had to reject the notion that the Messiah would be a military leader and accept the fact that he was a suffering savior (this was a major adjustment).

2) The Berean Gentiles had to reject the idea of multiple gods and accept the fact that there is only one God and Savior (this was a major adjustment).

b. We must be willing to make adjustments that will require that we reject anything scripture shows to be untrue and wholeheartedly accept Biblical truth.

(Psalms 119:59)

Psalm 119:59 NLT

59 I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.

B. An encounter with God’s Word will call for us to yield to His will and way.

1. We must yield to what he says by believing the truth He has revealed.

2. We must yield to what he says by acting on the truth He has revealed.

CONCLUSION:

Years ago, I am told, an old organist sat at his bench playing the instrument for the final time. He was a good organist and had served the church faithfully and well. Now a new organist was to come and the old organist wanted to step aside with dignity and grace. He struck the last chord, closed the instrument, locked it, and placed the key in his pocket. He then made his way to the rear of the church.

There, eagerness flashing in his eyes, the young organist was waiting for him. He asked for the key and, after a moment's pause, he raced to the organ, opened it, and began to play. The old organist had played with precision the notes before him, but this new organist played with a depth of soul and feeling that brought tears even to the eyes of the retiring organist. Reports of his artistry spread by word of mouth, and soon people came from miles around to hear him strike the keys of the console.

This new organist was a master at his craft; to that, the ear and the soul would abidingly attest. He was, in fact, none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. As the old organist left the church he thought to himself: "Just suppose I had not given the master the key!"

As we choose to study God’s Word we must all make the choice. We can choose to keep on as we always have done. We might be able to do things in a precise manner and exactly mimic the ways we have always done, but there will be no joy, no life. It is only when we choose to allow God to have his way with our lives that we grow and experience life the way He intends for it to be… full of joy, power, and the beauty of His presence.