Engaging with God's Word: A Transformative Journey
Summary
Today, we explored what it truly means to follow Jesus by engaging with God’s Word in a way that is alive, personal, and transformative. Many of us have started habits—whether it’s eating healthy or going to the gym—only to find them difficult to maintain. The same can be true for reading the Bible. Sometimes, we approach Scripture as a duty or a checklist, but God’s Word is so much more than that. It’s not just something we read; it’s something that reads us. God knows exactly where we are, what we’re facing, and what we need in every season of life. His Word meets us right in the middle of our circumstances, offering comfort, correction, and hope.
I shared a personal story about a difficult season when my son was born with serious health issues. In that moment, God’s Word became more than just text—it was a lifeline, a direct message from God reminding me that He saw me, He saw my son, and He was sovereign over every detail. This is the power of Scripture: it cuts through the noise, the masks we wear, and even the lies we believe about ourselves. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, able to expose our innermost thoughts and desires. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s always for our good.
Jesus Himself is the living Word. When we open the Bible, we’re not just seeking information; we’re seeking a relationship with the One who is Truth. The Holy Spirit makes God’s Word come alive, nourishing us like fresh-baked bread. Just as we need food daily, we need the truth of God’s Word every day—not just on Sundays or in crisis moments. Abiding in God’s Word is essential for spiritual health, freedom, and transformation. It’s not about guilt or obligation, but about experiencing the living God who wants to change us from the inside out.
If you’ve struggled to make Bible reading a habit, start small. Take one step at a time—read a chapter, memorize a verse, and ask God to speak to you. Let God’s Word become your daily bread, your source of truth, and your guide as you follow Jesus more closely.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Word is Personal and Timely
God’s Word is not a distant, impersonal text; it is a living message that meets us exactly where we are. In every season—whether joy or hardship—Scripture speaks directly to our circumstances, offering comfort, direction, and hope. When we allow God’s Word to read us, we discover that He knows us intimately and has something to say to us in every moment. [19:26]
- Scripture Cuts Through the Masks We Wear
We all have layers of pretense, public image, and even self-deception. The Bible, empowered by the Holy Spirit, acts like a surgical instrument, cutting through these masks to reveal the true condition of our hearts. This process may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for genuine transformation and freedom. [24:58]
- Jesus is the Living Word—Relationship, Not Just Information
When we approach the Bible, we are not just seeking knowledge or moral guidance; we are encountering Jesus Himself. The Word became flesh, and through Scripture, we enter into a relationship that transforms us from the inside out. This relationship is what brings true spiritual life, not just intellectual understanding. [30:17]
- Daily Engagement with God’s Word is Essential
Just as our bodies need daily nourishment, our spirits need the daily bread of God’s Word. Relying on past experiences or weekly sermons is not enough; we need fresh encounters with God’s truth every day. This daily discipline is not about legalism, but about sustaining spiritual health and growth. [34:35]
- The Truth of God’s Word Brings Freedom
We live in a world full of lies—about ourselves, our worth, and our purpose. Jesus, the Word, is the Truth, and abiding in His Word exposes deception and sets us free. Freedom from sin, confusion, and spiritual stagnation comes as we let God’s truth dwell in us richly and respond to it with faith and obedience. [39:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[17:02] - The Struggle of Starting Good Habits
[19:26] - God’s Word Meets Us in Every Season
[23:55] - Experiencing the Power of Scripture
[24:58] - The Bible Cuts Through Our Masks
[25:59] - God’s Word as Spiritual LASIK
[27:16] - Soul and Spirit: The Bible’s Deep Work
[28:38] - Are You Spiritually Alive or Just Functional?
[30:17] - Jesus: The Word Made Flesh
[31:18] - Inviting the Holy Spirit to Make the Word Alive
[32:55] - God’s Word is Fresh Bread
[34:35] - The Bible: Food for Every Day
[35:24] - Only God Satisfies Our Deepest Hunger
[39:10] - The Truth That Sets Us Free
[41:15] - God’s Word: Essential Spiritual Nutrition
[42:59] - Don’t Just Read the Bible—Let It Read You
[44:44] - Practical Steps to Engage God’s Word
[49:01] - Responding to God’s Word and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Letting God’s Word Read You
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### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive 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.
- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me... For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb... All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
- John 1:1, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 4:12, what does God’s Word do that makes it different from any other book?
2. In Psalm 139, what are some ways the psalmist describes God’s knowledge of us?
3. How does John 1 describe the relationship between Jesus and the Word of God?
4. The sermon mentioned that God’s Word is “not just something we read; it’s something that reads us.” What does that mean in your own words? [[19:26]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Bible is described as “alive and active” and “sharper than any two-edged sword”? What does this say about how we should approach it? [[24:58]]
2. The pastor shared a personal story about how Psalm 139 became a lifeline during a crisis. Why might God’s Word feel more personal or powerful in certain seasons of life? [[19:26]]
3. What does it mean that Jesus is the “Word made flesh”? How does this change the way we read the Bible? [[30:17]]
4. The sermon said, “It’s not about guilt or obligation, but about experiencing the living God who wants to change us from the inside out.” Why is this distinction important for our spiritual growth? [[42:59]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon compared reading the Bible to eating daily bread. What is your current “spiritual diet” like? Are you living off of “spiritual snacks” or are you feeding on God’s Word regularly? What needs to change? [[34:35]]
2. The pastor said, “Don’t just read the Bible—let it read you.” Can you think of a time when a Bible passage exposed something in your heart or challenged you to change? What happened? [[42:59]]
3. Are there any “masks” or areas of pretense in your life that you sense God’s Word is trying to cut through right now? What would it look like to let God’s Word do “surgery” in that area? [[24:58]]
4. The sermon encouraged starting small—reading a chapter, memorizing a verse, and asking God to speak. What is one practical step you can take this week to engage with God’s Word in a fresh way? [[44:44]]
5. When life gets hard, what do you usually turn to for comfort or direction? How could you make God’s Word your “first stop” instead of your “last resort”? [[35:24]]
6. The pastor said, “When we open the Bible, we’re not just seeking information; we’re seeking a relationship with the One who is Truth.” How can you shift your mindset from reading for information to reading for relationship? [[30:17]]
7. If you’ve struggled to make Bible reading a habit, what has held you back? What support or accountability could help you take the next step? [[44:44]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray that God would make His Word come alive to each person this week, and that everyone would experience the comfort, correction, and hope that only He can give.
Devotional
Day 1: God Knows You Deeply and Personally
God knows every detail of your life—your thoughts, your struggles, your joys, and your pain. In every season, whether you are on the mountaintop or in the valley, He sees you and cares for you intimately. Even when circumstances feel overwhelming or uncertain, you can rest in the truth that God’s knowledge of you is complete and His presence is constant. He is sovereign over your days, and nothing about your life is hidden from Him. Let this truth be a comfort and a source of strength, especially in times when you feel unseen or misunderstood. [19:26]
Psalm 139:1-4, 13-16 (ESV)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that God sees and knows you completely? How can you invite Him into that area today?
Day 2: God’s Word Cuts Through the Masks
The Bible is not just a book of encouragement; it is a living and active force that cuts through the noise, the masks, and the pretense we often wear. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires, revealing the true condition of our hearts. Like a skilled surgeon, God’s Word does not shy away from uncomfortable truths but lovingly brings them to light so that we can experience real transformation. When you approach Scripture, allow it to search you, challenge you, and change you from the inside out. [24:58]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Reflection: What “mask” or pretense do you sense God’s Word inviting you to lay down today? How can you respond honestly to what He reveals?
Day 3: Jesus Is the Living Word
When you open the Bible, you are not just reading words on a page—you are meeting a Person. Jesus is the Word made flesh, and through Scripture, He invites you into relationship, not just information. The Holy Spirit brings the words of the Bible to life, making them personal and powerful as you encounter Jesus Himself. Approach God’s Word with expectation, asking Him to reveal Himself to you and to speak directly into your life. [30:17]
John 1:1, 14 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Reflection: Before you read the Bible today, pause and ask: “Jesus, what do You want to show me about Yourself?” What do you sense Him saying as you read?
Day 4: God’s Word Is Daily Bread
Just as your body needs daily nourishment, your spirit needs the daily bread of God’s Word. Jesus Himself is the bread of life, and only He can satisfy the deepest hunger of your soul. Don’t settle for spiritual snacks or leftovers from last week—come to Him each day for fresh strength, wisdom, and guidance. Make it a habit to feed on God’s Word, trusting that He will meet you and sustain you in every season. [35:24]
John 6:35 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to make time for God’s Word as your daily bread? How will you prioritize this spiritual nourishment?
Day 5: Abiding in the Word Brings Freedom
True discipleship is marked by abiding—remaining, living—in God’s Word. As you let Scripture dwell in you richly, you come to know the truth, and that truth sets you free. Freedom from sin, from lies, from the things that hold you back, is found in Jesus, the living Word. Make it your aim not just to read the Bible, but to let it shape your heart, your mind, and your actions as you walk in the freedom Christ offers. [39:10]
John 8:31-32 (ESV)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need freedom today? How can you intentionally abide in God’s Word and invite His truth to set you free?
Quotes
``And if you've ever struggled with reading God's word and getting into it and making it a discipline in your life and you didn't find, you've not found the life -giving force that is the Bible today, what if I told you that the Bible is not something, it isn't something that you just read, but it's something that reads you. [00:18:35] (22 seconds)
God knows what you're going through. He knows the season of life that you're in. He knows your struggles and your relationships and your finances and your family and your mind. He knows right where you are, and he has a word for you in every single season of your life. [00:19:29] (17 seconds)
And I got to tell you, God's word, there was such a value in my life at that time. But in a moment, in a season that I was walking through, it was so relevant that God saw me, that God saw my son, that God is sovereign, that his plan, whether it was to take Ryan or to heal him, that God was in control, that God saw everything. I'm just here to tell you today that God's word is powerful. It's living and it's active. It will speak to you if you allow it to do what it's supposed to do in your life. But here's the tension. [00:22:54] (33 seconds)
The truth is, there's a level of masking that all of us have in our life. And the Bible has the power, if we allow it to, by God's spirit, to cut through the mask. Hebrews 4 .12, here's our theme verse for today. It says this, For the word of God is alive and powerful. [00:25:10] (19 seconds)
You see, when you meet the Word, you're not just getting insight. You're going to get insight. You're going to get wisdom. But when you come to God's Word, you're entering relationship, and relationship that doesn't just inform, it transforms. So when you read it, here's what I want to encourage you to do. As you read it, before you read it, after you read it, ask the Holy Spirit, God, what are you saying to me? Would you speak to me? [00:31:18] (29 seconds)
So here's how God's word relates to following Jesus. In John 8, so Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will do what? Set you free. Some of you, you need to have an encounter today with the truth to find freedom, to find freedom from the power of sin in your life, to surrender your life to Jesus. Can I just introduce you to the freedom giver? His name is Jesus, that he is the word of God. And so he says, hey, if you're truly my disciples, here's what's going to happen. There's going to be the outflow of that or really that the core of that is abiding in my word. The outflow is that you're a disciple of Jesus. And so what does abide mean? Abide means to remain, to stay, to live there, to remain faithful to. [00:40:04] (61 seconds)
It's not just that, but it's something that gets into you as you allow the Holy Spirit to do its work. And let me just say, it's not optional to this life of following Jesus. His word is not an option. It's essential. [00:41:15] (16 seconds)
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