Core 52 Week 50 - Scripture
Notes
Transcript
Reference research we covered at the beginning. Reading the Bible is transformative.
Effect on Behavior (stats) the odds of giving in to temptation goes down when we engage with the Bible 4x or more per week:
§ Drinking to excess - 62%
§ Viewing porn - 59%
§ Extramarital sex - 59%
§ Gambling - 45%
§ Bouts of anger - 31%
§ Gossiping - 28%
§ Lying - 28%
§ Gluttony - 20%
§ Financial mismanagement - 20%
o At the same time, our emotional health improves:
§ Bitterness - 40%
§ Destructive thoughts - 32%
§ Difficulty forgiving - 31%
§ Discouragement - 31%
§ Loneliness - 30%
o Equally important are the positive spiritual effects:
§ Knowing scripture - +407%
§ Discipling - +231%
§ Giving - +416%
§ Feeling more spiritually alive - +60%
§ Feeling connected to God - +44%
• [SLIDE] But we WANT to read it.
• We know intuitively that reading the word transforms us.
Bible engagement is the single most powerful predictor of spiritual growth.
How to Navigate the Bible
How to Navigate the Bible
Structure: 66 “books” organized into two sections.
Usually called Old and New Testaments.
Testament = covenant. Somewhat analagous to a contract.
OT covenants include Abraham’s covenant, David’s covenant.
NT has one new covenant with all creation regarding our restoration and redemption in Christ.
OT has 39 sections or books written between 1400 and 450 BC. NOT chronological. Rather in categories:
Law, History, Poetry, Major and Minor prophets.
NT has 27 sections or books written by several authors between AD 45 and 95.
Arranged under 3 major categories:
Gospels, History and Letters.
How Do I Learn From the Bible?
How Do I Learn From the Bible?
Our goal isn’t simply information but transformation.
12 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.
The Word has a way of penetrating to the very core of our lives.
Some practical steps to learning more from the Bible
Pick a Bible you like and are comfortable with. (Bible versions graphic).
A study bible is very helpful.
Read it.
Find a place, a plan, a pen.
Work on recall.
memorization.
Persist.
Don’t get discouraged. (graphic of time spent reading every day.)
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.