Enhancing Your Bible Study

The more familiar we become with the scriptures the more apt we are to use them; but use them we must! It is not enough for them to just be familiar. The key is to put the scriptures to use in our daily walk through times that are mundane as well as extraordinary. We must put them to use in our thought patterns whether problem solving or day dreaming. We must use them in our conversations with those close to us and those we encounter by chance

 

How do I get the most out of Bible Study?

 

 

Psalm 119:9-18

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, O Lord;

teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

Do good to your servant, and I will live;

I will obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law.

 

 

 

How do you view Bible Study: do you view it like breakfast? Can’t wait to be refreshed?

Ex. – of young girl wanting to get my “daily Bible reader” star

Immature motive, but still did me good. Tried to put into works how I view it.

What’s reading the Bible like to me at different times?

 

Hot cup of coffee on a cool morning/Alarm clock on a cool morning

Warm blanket comfort/Surgical knife comfort

Warm bread for breakfast/exercise after breakfast

Love letter hearing how much I’m loved/ closest friend telling me I’ve hurt them

A candle when electricity is out/realizing I need matches and the electricity is out

GPS when I’m lost/I’m lost and learn to use the GPS

A deep embrace/A kick in the rear

the view from 30,000 feet/being back on the ground after a bumpy flight at 30,000ft

camaraderie in the daily battle /knowing Jesus won the war, I go to heaven

 

but even more…

bread when starving

drink of water when thirsty

balm for my grief

reminder when I forget

cold water to wake me up

hope amidst facts

light in darkness

oxygen when I’m under water

 

 

I’m the learner, I need to be taught, ….

 

James 1:21-22

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

 

2 Tim. 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living 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.

 

 

 

What does humility look like? Careful listening, watching, eagerness to be taught, instructed and corrected, …Do I read with humility or just for information, or just for comfort, or just reading for reading sake?

 

 

 

 

1 Tim. 4:8

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

 

1 Peter 1:13

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 

Some ideas to share: You can add….

 

 

 

when I am living real life, where does my mind go for teaching, rebuke, correction, training in righteousness (sound familiar??)

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

2 Tim. 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

 

 

 

… examples of exercises to find scriptures needed…….

 

I hear my child complain about a teacher, or another friend, etc.

Prov. 18:17

 

Someone did something seemingly unfair to me…

1 Peter 2:23…he did not retaliate…entrusted himself to him who judges justly

 

When I feel angry …

James 1:19-20

Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry

For anger does not work the righteousness of God

 

When I feel worried….

Phill. 4:6

 

When stuck in traffic

Ephes. 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 

When friend wants to engage me in gossip

Proverbs 16:28

A perverse man stirs up dissension,

and a gossip separates close friends.

 

When I’m down

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song.

 

 

 

 

When your friend is going through a tough time – the way to share your faith, sharing the scriptures….really do it this week.. a challenge

 

 

 

**Close your eyes, and listen as we pray through some of psalm 119

 

Psalm 119:18-20

Our God…Open our eyes that we may see

wonderful things in your law.

Lord, let me say [19] I am a stranger on earth;

do not hide your commands from me.

[20] My soul is consumed with longing

for your laws at all times.

 

Psalm 119:24

Your statutes are my delight;

they are my counselors.

 

 

Psalm 119:28

My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

 

Psalm 119:32-38

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

 

[33] Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;

then I will keep them to the end.

[34] Give me understanding, and I will keep your law

and obey it with all my heart.

[35] Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

[36] Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

[37] Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.

[38] Fulfill your promise to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

 

Psalm 119:45-50

I will walk about in freedom,

for I have sought out your precepts.

[46] I will speak of your statutes before kings

and will not be put to shame,

[47] for I delight in your commands

because I love them.

[48] I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,

and I meditate on your decrees.

 

[49] Remember your word to your servant,

for you have given me hope.

[50] My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.

 

Psalm 119:53-54

Indignation grips me because of the wicked,

who have forsaken your law.

[54] Your decrees are the theme of my song

wherever I lodge.

 

Psalm 119:67-68

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I obey your word.

[68] You are good, and what you do is good;

teach me your decrees.

 

Psalm 119:71-74

It was good for me to be afflicted

so that I might learn your decrees.

[72] The law from your mouth is more precious to me

than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

 

[73] Your hands made me and formed me;

give me understanding to learn your commands.

[74] May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

for I have put my hope in your word.

 

Psalm 119:76-77

May your unfailing love be my comfort,

according to your promise to your servant.

[77] Let your compassion come to me that I may live,

for your law is my delight.

 

Psalm 119:89-92

Your word, O Lord, is eternal;

it stands firm in the heavens.

[90] Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

you established the earth, and it endures.

[91] Your laws endure to this day,

for all things serve you.

[92] If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

 

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.

 

Psalm 119:112

My heart is set on keeping your decrees

to the very end.

 

 

Psalm 119:120

My flesh trembles in fear of you;

I stand in awe of your laws.

 

 

Psalm 119:126-128

It is time for you to act, O Lord;

your law is being broken.

[127] Because I love your commands more than gold,

more than pure gold,

[128] and because I consider all your precepts right,

I hate every wrong path.

 

 

Psalm 119:130-131

The unfolding of your words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple.

[131] I open my mouth and pant,

longing for your commands.

 

Psalm 119:139-140

My zeal wears me out,

for my enemies ignore your words.

[140] Your promises have been thoroughly tested,

and your servant loves them.

 

Psalm 119:165-167

Great peace have they who love your law,

and nothing can make them stumble.

[166] I wait for your salvation, O Lord,

and I follow your commands.

[167] I obey your statutes,

for I love them greatly.