Into Thy Word - "Man shall not live by- bread alone"
The Scriptures is our primary means of knowing God and growing in His grace.
Joshua 1:7-8; Ps. 1, 19, 119; Mt. 4:1-11, 7:24-29; John 8:31-32, 15:1-11;
Col. 3:12-17; II Tim. 3:15-16; Hebrews 4:12; J Peter 1: 22-2:2.
Some suggestions for hearing and receiving the Scriptures into our mind, heart and life.
1. Study with purpose.
- To be with God, and deepen your personal knowledge and relationship with Him, this is our priority in life! Ps. 27:8
- To be with Jesus and learn of and from Him. Phil. 3:10; I John 1 :3-4
- To let the Bible be a window on God and a mirror on self. James 1:21
- To know and do God's will. Mt. 7:24-29, Rom. 12:2, Col. 1:9
- To be strengthened in faith and obedience. Rom. 15:4.
- To be equipped and ready for Christ's service. I! Tim. 3:15-16
2. Study with proper sense of our ultimate Reality.
- God, being God, is to be the most important Person in our lives, honored heard, known and worshipped.
- God, being God, should have primary place in our lives, recognized, trusted, served with joy.
- God, being God, is to be trusted, loved and enjoyed.
3. Study with expectation.
- He has a personal word for us. Mt. 4:4; Ps. 119:25; 28, 50, 72, 89, 90, 105, 130; Prov. 6:20-23; Ps. 40:7-8; Jer. 15:16, 23-29, etc.
4. Study with a plan: consecutive reading, book study, topical study, verse by verse. Luke 24:27, Acts 17:11
5. Study with a pencil and notebook.
- "Thoughts disentangle themselves and are clarified passing through the fingertips onto a page.'
- Address the paragraph with questions such as: Who? Where? When? What? Why? What does it say about God? About myself? Any example to follow? Error to avoid? Duty to perform? Promise to receive? Prayer to offer?
- Write your reflections in first person singular.
6. Study with personal application in mind.
- Write down what you are going to do about it. Ja. 1:22-25
7. Study with willing to give an eager response. "Walk in the Light." Mt. 7:22-29; Mark 4:1-29; Luke 11:28; John 8:12; I John 1 :5-7.
8. Study with quiet confidence in God. Mt.14: 22-33; Mt. 8:5-13; John 15:1-17; Eph. 3:20; James 4:3; Jude 24-25.
9. Share what you have learned with others. Mt. 28
From the teaching notes of Prof. ROBERT MUNGER
www.intothyword.com
