Getting a Grip on the Word

Introduction: capture attention

comment by Albert Mohler, President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky

THE TRAGEDY OF BIBLICAL ILLITERACY, PART 1

By Gary Gilley Feb 21 2017

Both statistical research and anecdotal observation come to the same conclusion—America, a nation once steeped in Scripture if not always living in obedience to God, has joined the ranks of the biblically illiterate from around the globe. Both theologians and sociologists speak of our “post-Christian” culture, which, while still being fueled to some extent by the capital of Christianity, is now all but coasting on empty.

Albert Mohler, in a short article entitled “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem,” quotes pollsters George Gallup and Jim Castelli as saying, “Americans revere the Bible—but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.”1 As a result, Mohler documents that fewer than half of all adults can name the four Gospels, identify more than 3 disciples or name even five of the Ten Commandments. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe that “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible.

More comical are the studies that reveal 12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife, a considerable number think Billy Graham preached the Sermon on the Mount, and 50% of graduating high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A survey not referenced by Mohler indicates that some believe the epistles are the wives of the apostles.

These findings and stories drawn from secular society should not surprise us too much—after all, biblical instruction is seldom found today in our schools, media, clubs or any place else apart from the church. But sadly the church is catching up to society.

Lifeway Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It

Church Life and Practice| Pastor Views| Culture| Lifeway Research | Apr 25, 2017

“Most Americans don’t know first-hand the overall story of the Bible—because they rarely pick it up,” McConnell said. “Even among worship attendees less than half read the Bible daily. The only time most Americans hear from the Bible is when someone else is reading it.”

ORIENT TO THE TOPIC:

Dr. Howard Hendricks, taught at DTS for over 50 years said “you are either in the Word and the Word is conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ, or the world is squeezing you into its mold.”

So today, we will take a look at getting a grip on the Word with a practical look at 5 methods of learning to help us continue to grow in our walk with Jesus!

I have to break my rule of not skipping to different parts of the Bible during the message. Please follow along.

WHAT: the Word Hand

is an illustration created by the Navigators, a discipleship organization, and it doesn’t matter if you are left or right handed....www.navigators.org for resources

Hear is first: the small finger “pinkie”

Romans 10:17 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update

16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?”17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

faith: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Chapter 10

17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

But: we only retain 5 % of what we hear

Read: is the ring finger on left hand

Revelation 1:3 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update

3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

reads: to say out loud something that was written

There actually 3 actions pointed out in this verse, and all of them are my actions: reads, hear, heed (do it)

But: we generally retain 15 % of what we read

Study: is the middle finger

Acts 17:11 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update

10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

To examine (analyze) to consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

Not also that they received the Word with great eagerness, and then still dug into it to see if it was so...

But: we retain about 35% of what we study

Memorize: is the pointing finger

When I first believed, my roommate and I would walk to breakfast and memorize verses. It was called the Topical Memory System, 60 verses in one year. I am sorry to say that I have not kept up with this discipline. However, there are times when they come back to me when I need them the most

Psalm 119 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.

10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

AND: we do retain 100% of what we memorize if we review it

SO WHAT

Meditate: the thumb, getting a grip on scripture

get all to try and grab their Bibles without their thumbs (be careful and kind, someone may not have use of their thumbs or may not have them)

Psalm 1:1-3New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Psalm 1)

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

let’s take a closer look at these three verses

observation

the basic construction is “do not” then “do” and “results in (a condition of grace (my comment)”

be careful: NO PROSPERITY THEOLOGY or an IF THEN CLAUSE that does not exist

V1: BLESSED: is really more of a condition than a feeling (blessed: characterized by happiness and being highly favored- as by divine grace)

NOT walk in the counsel…AMP following their advice, their plans and purposes

NOT stand …AMP submissive and inactive in the path where they walk

NOT sit…AMP sit down and relax with them

V2: BUT (instead)…this is one of my favorite words in scripture.

whenever you see this word, it is contrasting at least two things and indicates this is the thing, not the other thing

HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD

law: the Greek word “signifies primarily instruction that comes from God”

delight: the law is life giving, there is an excitement in the word delight “Delight” (ḥepṣô) expresses all that makes the godly happy. The law is more than their delight—it is their chief desire.

VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 80). Zondervan.

AND IN HIS LAW HE MEDITATES DAY AND NIGHT

we probably think this is too hard to do

THERE IS AN INTENTIONALITY TO DO SOMETHING WITH WHAT IS LEARNED/READ/UNDERSTOOD (THE DELIGHT AND MEDITATE PART)

the word’s basic meaning is to murmur, mutter

Meditation is not the setting apart of a special time for personal devotions, whether morning or evening, but is reflection on the word of God in the course of daily activities (Jos 1:8). Regardless of the time of day or the context, the godly respond to life in accordance with God’s word. Even where the word is not explicit, the godly have trained their hearts to speak and act with wisdom (Pr 1:1–7). According

VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 80). Zondervan.

Most references to meditation occur in the OT, especially in the Psalms. The Hebrew words for meditation primarily were derived from two separate roots. The first (hagah) literally means “to utter in a low sound.” The word is used to denote the growling of a lion (Isa. 31:4) or the cooing of a dove (Isa. 38:14). Therefore it has been suggested that in ancient Hebrew meditation Scripture frequently was recited in a low murmur. The second root word (siach) has the basic meaning of “to be occupied with,” or “concerned about.” Thus meditation is the repetitious going over of a matter in one’s mind because it is the chief concern of life. The constant recollection of God’s past deeds by the hearing of Scripture and repetition of thought produce confidence in God...

Most references to meditation occur in the OT, especially in the Psalms. The Hebrew words for meditation primarily were derived from two separate roots. The first (hagah) literally means “to utter in a low sound.” The word is used to denote the growling of a lion (Isa. 31:4) or the cooing of a dove (Isa. 38:14). Therefore it has been suggested that in ancient Hebrew meditation Scripture frequently was recited in a low murmur. The second root word (siach) has the basic meaning of “to be occupied with,” or “concerned about.” Thus meditation is the repetitious going over of a matter in one’s mind because it is the chief concern of life. The constant recollection of God’s past deeds by the hearing of Scripture and repetition of thought produce confidence in God

(from Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

V3: HE WILL BE

not if, but when

LIKE A TREE FIRMLY PLANTED BY STREAMS OF WATER

WHICH YIELDS ITS FRUIT IN ITS SEASON

AND ITS LEAF DOES NOT WITHER

what better place to plant a tree than by “canals of water” for nourishment

AND IN WHATEVER HE DOES, HE PROSPERS

WHATEVER - breathing air in every day life

HE PROSPERS - to make steady or favorable progress

True to the language used in Wisdom literature, the godly are characterized by the success the Lord sends their way. The prosperity of the righteous does not necessarily extend to the assurance of great wealth but primarily to God’s blessing on their words and works (cf. 90:14–17). The psalmist thus encourages the godly to pursue the way of wisdom. The wise are characterized by success. Nevertheless, the psalm does not encourage a success-oriented faith. The godly do not seek success for its own sake, but they do receive a measure of blessing on their lives. The prosperity of the righteous—guaranteed or limited to the godly—is a gift of God, a by-product of wise living; consider Joseph (Ge 39:2–3, 23), Joshua (1:8), Solomon (2 Ch 1:11–12), and Hezekiah (2 Ch 32:30). But success is not an unmistakable token of God’s presence, for the wicked may also prosper (Ps 37:7); rather, the righteous live with the hope of God’s blessing.

VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 82). Zondervan.

DO A QUICK REVIEW OF THE HAND: HEAR, READ, STUDY, MEMORIZE, MEDITATE

NOW WHAT: Lessons

1. Commitment to do your part

Psalm 1:1-2 Note that the action is mine to do

where I walk and who I hang out with

what is my deepest desire, what is it I put in my mind and think about

Cambridge 7 example

Started the 7 minutes with God

History of “7 Minutes with God” HOW TO PLAN A DAILY QUIET TIME by Robert D. Foster It was in 1882 on the campus of Cambridge University that the world was first given the slogan: "Remember the morning watch." Students like Hooper and Thornton found their days "loaded" with studies, lectures, games and bull sessions. Enthusiasm and activity were the order of the day. These dedicated men soon discovered a flaw in their spiritual armor - a small crack which if not soon closed, would bring disaster. They sought an answer and came up with a scheme they called the morning watch - a plan to spend the first minutes of a new day alone with God, praying and reading the Bible. The morning watch sealed the crack. It enshrined a truth so often obscured by the pressure of ceaseless activity that it needs daily rediscovery: To know God, it is necessary to spend consistent time with Him. The idea caught fire. "A remarkable period of religious blessing" followed, and culminated in the departure of the Cambridge Seven, a band of prominent athletes and men of wealth and education, for missionary service. They gave up everything to go out to China for Christ. But these men found that getting out of bed in time for the morning watch was as difficult as it was vital. Thornton was determined to turn indolence into discipline. He invented an automatic, foolproof cure for laziness. It was a contraption set up by his bed: "The vibration of an alarm clock set fishing tackle in motion, and the sheets, clipped to the line, moved swiftly into the air off the sleeper's body." Thornton wanted to get up to meet his God! The intimacy of communion with Christ must be recaptured in the morning quiet time. Call it what you want - the quiet time, personal devotions, the morning watch, or individual worship - these holy minutes at the start of each day explain the inner secret of Christianity. It's the golden thread that ties every great man of God together - from Moses to David Livingstone, the prophet Amos to Billy Graham - rich and poor, businessmen and military personnel. Every man who ever became somebody for God has this at the core of his priorities: time alone with God!

2. Building relationship takes time

Find your best time and set it aside

There are 168 hours in a week

sleep 7 X 7 = 49

personal hygiene = 3.5

eat = 14

work =40

commute = 10

date night = 3

church = 3

total = 122.5

remaining = 45.5 hours (time with children, activities, studying…)

Find a quiet place, your place to meet with God

Remove distractions

Whatever it is that distracts you

Electronics, newspaper

Go for it!

3. Spend the time with God with the intent to live out what you learn: pray, read, meditate, pray, live....

Discipleship Journal, Issue 51 (May/June 1989) Get A Grip On Scripture

On Meditation

by John Owen, 1615–1683

Some godly duties…are particularly important in weakening and subduing the power of indwelling sin in the believers. These are first prayer, and then meditation. They have much in common, differing only in the manner of their exercise. By meditation, I mean meditating upon what respect and relevance there is between the Word and our own heart, so that they stay close together in conformity to each other. As we ponder on the truth as it is in Jesus, we see how it is reflected in our own hearts. Thus meditation has the same intent as prayer, which is to bring our mind into a disposition that answers in all things to the mind and will of God.

Of the two, people are less familiar with—and therefore more confused about—meditation. So let us set two or three rules to help us in this matter.

1. Meditate about God with God. When we think about God and His excellencies, glory, majesty, love, and goodness, let it be done in such a way that we are speaking directly to God, in a spirit of deep humility and dependence before Him. This will fix the mind, and draw out one thing after the other which gives glory to God in a fitting manner. This will affect the soul to exercise a holy admiration of God and a delight in Him which is acceptable to God. Meditate as you would pray or give praise, speaking with God.

2. Meditate on the Word in the Word of God. When reading the Scriptures, consider the particular sense of each passage. Look to God to find help, guidance, and direction in the discovery of His mind and will within the Scriptures. Then labor to have your heart affected by it.

3. Endeavor to meditate frequently. When we come short of prolonged sustained concentration in meditation, let us make up by frequency in meditation. Some become discouraged because their minds do not provide them with a regular supply of thought to carry on their meditations. They are weak or imperfect in their reflections. Compensate for weakness here by frequently returning to the subject proposed for meditation. Thus new aspects will be discerned.

John Owen, a Puritan scholar, was known as "the Calvin of England." This passage was taken from Sin and Temptation (Multnomah, 1983).

before praying: rehearse the hand one more time: hear, read, study, memorize, meditate

PRAY and INVITE