Four Weeks Forward
WEEK ONE
Stepping into God's Word
This week we will focus on BIBLE STUDY. Stepping into God's Word is all about getting to know God.
You will want to have a Bible to read the recommended passages, and a notebook to answer the questions.
DAY ONE
One of the first steps we take in a relationship is to communicate with the other person. A while ago, that first conversation was a moment of magic in a dating relationship. The guy would work up the courage to talk to the girl. Recently, it seems like a Facebook message or a text is all the courage we attempt .
God took the first step and talking to us and initiating this important part of relationships. Over the next few days we’re going to look at a few of the letters, poetry, and spoken words of God that are recorded in the Bible. We call the Bible, the word of God For a few reasons, and as you read some of it this week, you’ll be able to see why.
(If you’ve never read the Bible before, it’s a fantastic collection of writings, Pen by many people over many years. We separate the Bible into different writings, called books within each book we’ve separated, chapters and verses. So when you hear people referencing parts of the Bible, we talk in a normal Convention where we say the book title, followed by the chapter in verse. Genesis 1:1 is describing the book of Genesis, the first chapter and the first verse. Genesis 1: two is describing the book of Genesis the first chapter and the second verse. Hope that’s helpful!)
Read the following verses today and record what you discover about the importance of reading God’s word, the Bible.
Psalm 119:105
- The writer says God’s word is like what?
- How does this imagery help? You understand the usefulness of reading the Bible?
- Write down some modern Day uses of lamps and lights. Can you think of spiritual truths that compare to these uses?
DAY TWO
Have you ever heard news incorrectly? Something happened and you knew for certain that person wouldn’t ever say what you were told they said… What do you do? You go back to the source and fact check. How do we know that the Bible is the word of God? One of the reasons that we believe this is because of what the Bible says about itself.
Read 2 Timothy 3: 14-17 and write down some observations about what the Bible says about itself.
- You have believed and learned some things about God. Who or what are some sources of how you’ve learned about God?
- In 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul (he is the guy who wrote this letter to the guy named Timothy), he says Timothy has learned the sacred writings from childhood. What are the sacred writings able to do?
- 2 Timothy 3:16 is a key verse for Christians who claimed the authority of God’s word and their lives. How does this verse help us? Trust the Bibles authenticity as God’s word?
DAY THREE
Our faith is in the reality of Jesus, who lived in human flesh, yet was completely divine. This is a mystery to us, but the foundation of our faith. If Jesus was not both divine and human, our sins could not be paid for on the cross, and we would still be enslaved to send , since Jesus is the main focus of our faith, we should know what he said (and he said a lot!)
.Today, Read, Luke 6:46-49 and record your observations from what Jesus says about his words.
- Jesus starts with a question and Luke 6:46. What are Jesus’ expectations about his words and what we do?
- Jesus says those who listen and obey his word are wise like __________?
- What does Jesus say about those who do not listen to him and do not obey?
- What is happening in your life now that you know Jesus is saying, that you know you need to start practicing?
DAY FOUR
Sometimes the Bible has been described as God’s love letter to us. Sometimes we talk about The Bible as a roadmap to follow, not a rulebook to make me miserable, but God’s word is even more powerful than being a love letter or a roadmap. See how the author of the book of Hebrews describes God‘s word.
Read Hebrew 4:12 and record any initial thoughts you have.
- In this verse, there are five descriptions of what the word of God is or does. Try to identify all five of them.
- What other writing can you think of that is described with these five characteristics?
- OK, that’s a trick question, because no other book claims to be able to do such things! When the Bible is described as sharper than a two edge sword, it’s a surgical term more than a military term. It means to cut precisely. How do you think God’s word cuts, precisely our soul?
- The last clause of Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God‘s word discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. This even includes the space and circumstances that we keep most intimate to ourselves and seldom talk about. How have you experience God‘s word discerning your thoughts and heart-intentions?
Isn’t God’s word an amazing gift to us?! Our hearts need help, and God’s word shows us where we’re sick, and brings us to the God who can heal. This is why our first steps in a relationship with Jesus is to know God’s word!
DAY FIVE
Great job in being consistent in these daily devotional times! Keeping up with it might seem hard or like a chore, but we’ve learned so far that to know God’s word is like having a light that guide you through the darkness (that’s day one). It’s reliable because it’s the very words of God himself (day, two). It’s necessary because we are wise to follow and do the words of Jesus (day three). And it’s urgent because The Bible can read our mail and knows our true condition. (day four).
If you’ve ever struggled with reading, God’s word, you’re not alone. In fact, in the Bible, there’s a story of a man who struggled reading the Bible.
Check it out and Acts 8:26-40 and then record your observations.
- Look at verse 31. How does he respond to Phillip’s question? Do you resonate with this at all?
- Versus 32 and 33 quotations from the book of Isaiah. They are prophecies about Jesus, but the man didn’t know who Jesus was at the time, so he needed Philip to explain it to him. How how does first 35 help us see how this happened?
- How do you know that the Ethiopian man became a follower of Jesus?
- The Bible was meant to be read and understood as a community. God always wanted his people to study his word in groups and in families and in communities. Do you have other people you read God‘s word with?
Make it your goal to commit your walk with Jesus to knowing his word and taking each step together with others who can help explain God’s word and help learn together.
TELL YOUR STORY
If you have found a message of hope in Jesus, we want to know your story! Tell us how you came to know Christ and the change He has made in your life.