Engaging Scripture: Building Resilient Faith Together

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound significance of engaging daily with Scripture, drawing inspiration from Acts chapter 2. The early church, as described in Acts 2:42, devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This devotion was not merely a routine but a rhythm that cultivated a resilient faith amidst persecution and adversity. The early believers understood that being filled with the Spirit did not negate the need for learning and understanding the teachings of Jesus. Instead, it fueled their hunger for truth and knowledge, leading them to sit at the apostles' feet and learn.

The Spirit-filled church is a Bible-believing church, one that submits to the authority of Scripture. This submission is not just about defending the Bible's authority but recognizing it as the ultimate truth that guides our lives. In a world where truth is often subjective, the Bible stands as a beacon of objective truth, offering guidance and freedom. Engaging with Scripture is not just an individual pursuit but a communal one. The early church met daily, breaking bread and sharing in the Word, which strengthened their community and faith.

Research shows that engaging with Scripture four or more times a week leads to significant spiritual growth and transformation. It equips believers to share their faith, resist temptations, and find solace in God's Word. Despite the accessibility of the Bible today, many struggle with consistent engagement due to the overwhelming flow of information in our digital age. However, by prioritizing Scripture and integrating it into our daily lives, we can cultivate a resilient faith that withstands the challenges of our time.

As a community, we are called to support one another in this journey, encouraging each other to delve deeper into God's Word. Whether through life groups, Bible reading plans, or digital resources, the goal is to make Scripture a central part of our lives. By doing so, we not only grow individually but also contribute to the growth of the church, just as the early believers did.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Rhythm of Devotion: The early church's devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer was foundational to their resilient faith. This rhythm of devotion is essential for spiritual growth and community building. Engaging with Scripture is not just a personal discipline but a communal practice that strengthens the body of Christ. [03:11]

2. Spirit-Filled and Bible-Believing: A Spirit-filled church is inherently a Bible-believing church. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives should draw us closer to the Word of God, not away from it. The authority of Scripture is paramount, guiding us in truth and righteousness amidst a world of subjective truths. [11:24]

3. The Power of Consistent Engagement: Engaging with Scripture four or more times a week leads to significant spiritual transformation. It equips believers to share their faith, resist temptations, and find solace in God's Word. This consistent engagement is crucial for developing a resilient faith that can withstand life's challenges. [17:47]

4. Community and Scripture: Engaging with Scripture in community enhances our understanding and application of God's Word. Sharing insights and reflections with others fosters a deeper connection with the Word and with each other, reinforcing the importance of communal learning and support. [23:50]

5. Overcoming Distractions: In a world overwhelmed with information, prioritizing Scripture is vital. Setting aside specific times and places for Bible reading helps us focus and engage deeply with God's Word. Utilizing digital resources and community support can aid in overcoming distractions and maintaining a consistent engagement with Scripture. [29:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [03:11] - Devotion to Apostles' Teaching
- [04:08] - Resilient Faith in Adversity
- [05:14] - Personal Journey with Scripture
- [07:19] - Spirit-Filled Learning
- [08:20] - The Holy Spirit's School
- [09:12] - Miracles and Apostolic Authority
- [10:35] - Testimonies of Transformation
- [11:24] - Authority of Scripture
- [12:42] - Truth in a Subjective World
- [14:34] - The Temptation of Selective Christianity
- [16:38] - Bible Engagement Statistics
- [17:47] - The Power of Four Effect
- [19:43] - Community and Scripture Engagement
- [23:50] - Testimonies from the Community
- [29:03] - Overcoming Information Overload
- [33:11] - Global Bible Translation Efforts
- [35:20] - Call to Daily Scripture Engagement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 2:42-47

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the four key practices that the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42? [03:11]
2. How did the early church's devotion to these practices impact their community and growth? [03:11]
3. What role did the apostles' teaching play in the life of the early church as described in the sermon? [07:19]
4. How did the presence of the Holy Spirit influence the early church's engagement with Scripture? [08:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between being Spirit-filled and being devoted to Scripture? [11:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that consistent engagement with Scripture transforms a believer's life? [17:47]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of community in engaging with Scripture? [23:50]
4. What challenges to engaging with Scripture are highlighted in the sermon, and how can they be overcome? [29:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current rhythm of engaging with Scripture. How does it compare to the early church's devotion described in Acts 2:42? What changes might you consider making? [03:11]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in Scripture engagement. How can you incorporate more communal Bible study into your routine? [23:50]
3. The sermon mentions the "Power of Four Effect." How can you ensure that you engage with Scripture at least four times a week? What practical steps can you take? [17:47]
4. Consider the distractions in your life that hinder your engagement with Scripture. What specific strategies can you implement to minimize these distractions? [29:03]
5. How can you support others in your community to engage more deeply with Scripture? Are there specific people you can invite to join you in a Bible reading plan or study group? [23:50]
6. The sermon discusses the authority of Scripture in guiding our lives. How can you prioritize Scripture over other sources of information in your daily decision-making? [12:42]
7. Reflect on a recent experience where engaging with Scripture provided guidance or comfort. How can you share this experience to encourage others in your community? [17:47]

Devotional

Day 1: The Rhythm of Devotion
The early church's commitment to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer was not just a routine but a rhythm that fostered a resilient faith. This rhythm was essential for their spiritual growth and community building, allowing them to withstand persecution and adversity. Engaging with Scripture was a communal practice that strengthened the body of Christ, as they met daily to share in the Word. This devotion is a model for us today, emphasizing the importance of integrating Scripture into our daily lives to cultivate a strong and enduring faith. [03:11]

Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to create a daily rhythm of engaging with Scripture, either individually or with others?

Day 2: Spirit-Filled and Bible-Believing
A Spirit-filled church is inherently a Bible-believing church. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives should draw us closer to the Word of God, not away from it. The early believers understood that being filled with the Spirit did not negate the need for learning and understanding the teachings of Jesus. Instead, it fueled their hunger for truth and knowledge. The authority of Scripture is paramount, guiding us in truth and righteousness amidst a world of subjective truths. By submitting to the authority of Scripture, we align ourselves with the ultimate truth that guides our lives. [11:24]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the Holy Spirit to deepen your understanding and application of Scripture in your daily life?

Day 3: The Power of Consistent Engagement
Research shows that engaging with Scripture four or more times a week leads to significant spiritual growth and transformation. This consistent engagement equips believers to share their faith, resist temptations, and find solace in God's Word. Despite the accessibility of the Bible today, many struggle with consistent engagement due to the overwhelming flow of information in our digital age. However, by prioritizing Scripture and integrating it into our daily lives, we can cultivate a resilient faith that withstands the challenges of our time. [17:47]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: Identify one specific time and place each day this week where you can consistently engage with Scripture. How can you make this a non-negotiable part of your routine?

Day 4: Community and Scripture
Engaging with Scripture in community enhances our understanding and application of God's Word. The early church met daily, breaking bread and sharing in the Word, which strengthened their community and faith. Sharing insights and reflections with others fosters a deeper connection with the Word and with each other, reinforcing the importance of communal learning and support. As a community, we are called to support one another in this journey, encouraging each other to delve deeper into God's Word. [23:50]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in a community that engages with Scripture? Consider joining or starting a Bible study group this week.

Day 5: Overcoming Distractions
In a world overwhelmed with information, prioritizing Scripture is vital. Setting aside specific times and places for Bible reading helps us focus and engage deeply with God's Word. Despite the distractions of our digital age, utilizing digital resources and community support can aid in maintaining a consistent engagement with Scripture. By overcoming these distractions, we can ensure that Scripture remains a central part of our lives, guiding us in truth and righteousness. [29:03]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."

Reflection: What are the main distractions that keep you from engaging with Scripture? What practical steps can you take to minimize these distractions and prioritize your time with God?

Quotes

1) "We've defined resilient this way, the ability to recover quickly from setbacks or adversity. And the early church had to learn how to be resilient because they were up against persecution, lack of funding, being outnumbered. And ultimately, they were up against the devil, who never wants God's church to grow and advance. We are called to be resilient disciples. And today I want to talk to you about the rhythm of engaging daily with Scripture." [04:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "The early church was a learning church. I think some people believe that if you're filled with the Spirit, like the early church was at Pentecost earlier in chapter 2 of Acts, that if you're filled with the Spirit, then you have this very emotional experience with God. You become charismatic. You believe in the full gifts of the Spirit. Some people believe that then that will lead you to become anti-intellectual. Where theology and reading books and talking about the core doctrines of the church, that those things can seem less important than prayer and worship. But that's not what we see here in Acts chapter 2." [07:19] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "So a Spirit-filled church, is to be a Bible-believing church. And a Bible-believing church is one that submits itself to the Word of God. So we don't abandon study of the Word because the Spirit is at work. No, if you're full of the Spirit, you will be drawn to the Bible. Spiritual revival begins in prayer, but it only lasts when there's consistent and accurate teaching from the Bible." [11:24] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The authority of God, the authority of Scripture, is really good news for the world that we live in today, where everything seems to be subjective, where truth is yours, where everyone is choosing their own adventure. And in the midst of that culture that we're surrounded with, we turn to the words of Scripture, to the words of Jesus, when we hear Him say in John chapter 8, if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. And then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [14:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "The temptation today is to be a selective Christian, to pick and choose which parts of the Bible we like, and to disregard or ignore the rest. But Jesus didn't give us this option. He says in the Great Commission, teach them to obey all that I have commanded, or everything that I have commanded. And the truth is, is that there have been false prophets ever since the time of Jesus who want to water down the truth to make it more palatable to the cultural moment that we live in." [15:03] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Research a few years ago found that among U.S. adults, 50% of Americans never or rarely engage with Scripture. So half of Americans pretty much never or rarely engage with Scripture. Now with the other half, there's three groups. There's 16% of Americans who engage with Scripture a few times a year or about once a month. So there's a little bit there, but not much. Then the other 18% read Scripture one to three times a week. And then there's 16% of Americans who engage with Scripture four or more times a week." [16:38] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "The point is, that level of engagement isn't enough to produce real fruit and transformation. The key is that it has to be the majority of your week, four or more times. And it doesn't say how long. It doesn't say, like, it's gotta be an hour or it's gotta be 20 minutes. It's just saying there's a daily touchpoint with Scripture. And one of the things that we've been highlighting with all seven of these rhythms is the importance of doing them in community. You're personally practicing them, but you're also doing them in community." [19:43] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "Now, you know, we're living today in an era where it has never been easier to read the Bible. It's never been so accessible to us and more translations and more formats and more sizes. You can get a Bible study from any version, right? And you know, one of my favorite Bible versions is the YouVersion Bible app. And it has so many features in it. Like you can highlight verses. I think almost every translation's on there. You can compare versions. So you like highlight a verse. I do this every morning. I'm like, okay, what does it say in the NIV or the NLT or the New King James?" [27:10] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "The issue here in the Western world might be Bible engagement. That's what we've talked about most of today. But in many other parts of the world, the issue is still access. And of the more than 7,000 languages in the world today, more than 3,200 languages need a Bible translation because they have little to no scripture at all. And of that number, of the 3,200 number, 952 languages do not have a single verse translated yet. It's hard to fathom." [32:26] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "What a joy that it is to partner and participate in getting the Word of God to the farthest ends of the earth. And yet for us today, how I want nothing more than to see us engage daily with Scripture four or more times a week, daily devotion. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles, teaching, they gathered daily, and it says in verse 47, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. May this be true for us today. May we have a resilient faith that grows by engaging daily with God's Word." [35:20] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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