The Regular Intake of Scripture- Growing in Godliness (Lesson 3)

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

 “Bible Intake”

Lesson 3; 10/7/18

The theme verse of this Sunday School study at Lake Country Bible Church is 1 Timothy 4:7-8.  It’d be a great verse to memorize this quarter.  Here is the handout from one of our adult Sunday School groups.

What are some of the things that are keeping you from practicing the spiritual disciplines?

“No spiritual discipline is more important than the intake of the Word of God.” (note Psalm 1; 19; 119)  Why is this so?

What are some of the chief motivations for being a “man or woman of the Word?”

(Jer. 9:23-24; 1 Pet. 2:2-3; Hos. 6:6; )

Matthew 4:4; Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

1 Timothy 4:6; If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

What are the different ways one can apply this specific discipline? (Bible intake)

1. HEARING the Word of God-

Are you a sermon critic?

Are you a sermon connoisseur?

OR are you an active, humble, and discerning sermon listener? 

2. READING the Word of God-

3. STUDYING the Word of God

"Reading gives us breadth while studying God's Word gives us depth."

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Lesson 3- BIBLE INTAKE

HW and Discussion Guide

1. Read through Jonathan Edwards’ 70 Resolutions one more time.  The goal is to imitate Edwards’ unwavering commitment to Christ (not his list of resolutions per say).

2. Begin writing out your own list of “Personal Resolutions.”  I would suggest adding new resolutions to your personal list after each Sunday’s lesson (which covers a discipline).  Take whatever principles you learned from this week’s lesson and personalize it to fit your unique life circumstances.  Specific personal application is normally not a one size fits all concept.

3.      What are some of the things that are keeping you from practicing the spiritual disciplines?  What practical steps are you going to take in order to resolve this problem?

4. If I asked your 4 closest friends what your greatest passions in life are what would they say?  Why do you think they’d say those things (whatever they might be)?

5. Meditate on the following passages of Scripture this week: 1 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 4:4, Luke 11:28, Romans 10:17, James 1:22-24, Hosea 6:6, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 13, Revelation 1:3, Psalm 1 and 119.

6. Why do Christians spend so much time talking about the Bible? (You need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, etc, etc)?  What would you say to an unsaved friend who said, “You Christians are all idolaters because you worship a Book?”

7.  What did you do during your free time or during your free moments this week?  Keep a record to see where your free moments are going? (smartphone, video games, knitting, TV, Facebook, reading, etc).

8. List 3 ways you can help prepare your heart for Sunday on Saturday night and on Sunday AM before church?

9.  What type of hearer of God’s Word are you? (a critic, a connoisseur, an active listener and doer)

QUESTIONS 10-14 from Dr. Don Whitney.

10. Why is knowing the Bible intimately such a vital part of knowing God and being Godly?

11.  We often honor God’s Word only with our lips.  In what practical ways might you add to that honor with your heart, hands, ears, eyes, and mind?

12.  In our busy lives, it’s easy to become preoccupied with ‘Christian’ activities and not spend enough time in God’s Word. What ‘Christian’ activities are you involved in?  In what ways is or is not Bible intake a part of these activities?

13.  Why can Bible intake become a chore instead of a Discipline of joy?  In what ways might meditating on Scripture deepen your appreciation of God’s Word?

14. Consider Ezra 7:10. To which 3 key areas of study did Ezra devote himself?

Practical things that might enhance your study of Scripture:

Write down observations about what you read.

Write out whatever questions you might have in regard to the Text.

Look up cross-references.

Find key words and seeing how they’re used in other Scripture portions.

Outline chapters, one paragraph at time.

Read through a specific book of the Bible as many times as you can in one month.

Do book studies, character studies, topical studies, and/or word studies.

Keep a personal journal (more on this point later).

Books you might consider using if you’re trying to dig deep into Scripture (or) if you’re simply wanting to have more consistent devotions.  (Before you buy anything check out our library):

-     Individual Commentaries of specific Bible books (email me if you’d like more direction here)

-          R.C. Sproul’s, Knowing Scripture

-          John MacArthur’s, The MacArthur Daily Bible

-          ----- MacArthur’s, How to Get the Most Out of God’s Word

      -     ----- MacArthur’s, The MacArthur Study Bible

-          Jay Adam’s, What to do on Thursday.

      -     James M Grey’s, How to Master the English Bible   

-     Also check out Logos Bible Software http://www.logos.com/

Books you might consider reading for a more in-depth study on the attributes of God:

-          A.W. Tozer’s, The Knowledge of the Holy

-          A.W. Pink’s, The Attributes of God

-          J. I. Packer’s, Knowing God

-          R.C. Sproul’s, The Holiness of God