The Bible Part 2

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

How does the Bible picture it’s potential for changing our lives?

Seed

1 Peter 1:23 NIV

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Sword

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Food

Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.

Matthew 4:4 NLT

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

1 Peter 2:2 NLT

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

Fire & Hammer

Jeremiah 23:29 NLT

Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?

Mirror

James 1:23–25 NLT

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

2. Understand God’s Word Spiritually.

Two Truths Believers need to know

1. The Holy Spirit makes me able to understand the Bible.

1 Corinthians 2:12–15 NLT

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.

John 16:13 NLT

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

2. The Holy Spirit makes me responsible for understanding the Bible.

1 John 2:20 NLT

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2:27 NLT

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

3. Handle God’s Word Accurately.

2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Seven Rules of Bible Study

Rule 1: Faith & the Holy Spirit are necessary for proper interpretation.

Rule 2: The Bible interprets itself

Rule 3: Understand the Old Testament in light of the New Testament.

Rule 4 : Understand unclear passages in light of clear passages.

Rule 5: Understand words and verses in the light of their context.

Rule 6: Understand historical passages in light of doctrinal passages.

Rule 7: Understand Personal experience in the light of the Scripture.

4. Study God’s Word Diligently.

Psalm 19:10 NLT

They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.

How do you decide to study God’s Word as a lifetime commitment?

1. Decide to trust in and commit to the truth of His Word.

1 Timothy 4:15–16 NIV

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2. Cultivate eagerness by examining God’s Word for answers to life’s issues.

3. Tell others what you are learning from God’s Word.

Colossians 3:16 NLT

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

4. Act on what you learn as you study the Bible.

James 1:22 NLT

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

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