Equip Night – Alternate Tuesday
7.00 pm to 8.00 pm
The Bible: Study & Apply
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105
Can you relate to one, more or a combination of several areas?
Where are you?
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Why Study the Bible?
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Why Study the Bible?
Acts 17:11
The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Why Study the Bible?
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Why Study the Bible?
Romans 15:4
Everything that was written in the past was written to each us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Why Study the Bible?
Why Study the Bible?
Joshua 1:8
Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Why Apply the Bible?
Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Why Apply the Bible?
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.
Why Apply the Bible?
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
Jesus said "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32 (NLT)
Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Why Apply the Bible?
Why Apply the Bible?
Hebrews 4:12-13
The Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him whom we must give account.
Reading God's Word can't be separated from our relationship with Him.
The Bible is Alive
… not an ordinary book
The Bible and the Spirit ...
The Word of God and the Spirit of God are directly connected.
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, teaches, leads us into truth.
We need the Spirit to teach us spiritual truths in the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
John 15 | The Vine & the Branches
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in His love.
You are my friends if you do what I command.
I
Colossians 3:16
Let the Word of God dwell in you richly.
Is the Word of God dwelling in you richly?
Are you consistent and disciplined in studying God's Word?
Are you consistent and disciplined in applying God's Word?
Do you value and prioritize God's Word?
Where are you?
Choose to prioritize the Word of God.
Choose to make time daily to read the Bible.
Ask God to help you be consistent and increase your passion.
Read Psalm 119 make note of what God is speaking.
Start Where You Are
Read scripture verses in context
Bible commentaries, dictionaries etc.
Read a variety of translations
Follow a plan (read Bible in a year)
Choose a book, the Gospels, Psalms etc.
Journal what God is speaking
Ask the Spirit for insight and revelation
Combine prayer, worship, time in God's presence with His Word
Move Forward
Psalm 19: 7-11
The law of the Lord is perfect refreshing the soul
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.