Good Readers

Sermon Notes November 4, 2018 I Timothy 4:1-16 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Focus of Discussion: How do we improve our skills of reading the Bible? Some Questions for Discussion: 1. Let’s begin by asking: a. What resonated with you from the Sunday message? b. Did you write down any ideas you want to talk about, questions you have? Were there particular applications to your own life which the Spirit was making? 2. None of us reads the bible as we should. We’re at different places: Some are beginners, others have been Christians for a long time; some are naturally better readers. Therefore, we don’t have to be embarrassed or make excuses for our bible reading. The goal is for all of us to improve. So … a. Which version do you like to read? Have you tried other versions – which ones? Helpful to compare? b. When do you find it convenient to read the Bible? What are challenges to finding time to read? c. How do you read? More O.T.? More N.T.? A “plan” for reading? d. If you listen to the Bible read: what differences do you find between hearing it read and reading it for yourself? e. What are the kinds of challenges you find to understanding the Bible? f. What do you do when you are ‘stumped’ by something in the Bible? 3. Think of the Know-Grow-Sow method of digging into the Word: a. Knowing the Word: i. What helps you to understand a text? How do you observe which are key words/phrases? ii. How do you try to get at what the text means? Is there a danger of asking ‘what does it mean to me?’ (applying it) before understanding what the author meant? b. Growing: Is there a specific time/way in which you ask “What is God saying to me here?” [Reflection time or prayer after reading? Questions? E.g. Is there a promise to trust, a command to follow, a principle to apply, a challenge to my thinking or living?] c. Sowing: What does it mean to ‘paraphrase’ a text? How can you tell if your paraphrase is accurate – gets at the gist of the passage? 4. How does teaching and preaching help us in our reading of God’s Word? 5. How can we pray for one another in response to the word today?