Engaging with Scripture: A Journey of Transformation
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound importance of engaging with Scripture as a foundational practice in our journey to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do what He did. Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared how intimidating it can be to approach things we don't understand, like car repairs or even the complex cockpit of an airplane. Similarly, many find the Bible daunting, especially when first encountering its ancient language and cultural context. Yet, just as I learned to navigate Scripture with the help of a more accessible translation, we are all invited to embark on a journey of understanding and applying God's Word in our lives.
The series "Practicing the Way" draws inspiration from John Mark Comer's work, focusing on nine practices modeled by Jesus. Today, we delved into the practice of handling Scripture, emphasizing that Jesus Himself read, memorized, and fulfilled the Scriptures. The Bible is not just a book but a divine library that guides us, rebukes us, corrects us, and trains us in righteousness. It is a lamp to our feet, illuminating our path and helping us discern God's will.
We discussed the necessity of moving towards Scripture through inspiration, devotion, meditation, and interpretation. Each step requires faith, time, thinking, and study. By engaging with Scripture, we experience illumination, transformation, and application in our lives. The ultimate goal is not just to read but to let the Word of God change us, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
As we continue this journey, I encourage everyone to establish a daily habit of engaging with Scripture, whether through reading plans or listening to the Bible. Remember, it's about quality over quantity, fostering a relationship with Jesus through His Word. Let us strive to be doers of the Word, applying its truths to our lives and growing in our faith.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Scripture's Role: Scripture is a divine library meant to guide, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness. It is essential for spiritual growth and understanding God's will for our lives. Engaging with Scripture helps us see our path clearly and make informed decisions. [11:13]
2. Approaching Scripture with Faith and Humility: The Bible is both divine and human, requiring us to approach it with faith and humility. Understanding its context and inspiration helps us interpret it correctly and apply its teachings to our lives. [18:59]
3. The Importance of Devotion and Meditation: Developing a habit of reading and meditating on Scripture is crucial for spiritual growth. It requires time and discipline, allowing us to fight against the currents of the world and align our lives with God's Word. [23:16]
4. Transformation Through Scripture: Engaging with Scripture transforms our minds, leading to changed thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This transformation aligns us with God's will and helps us become more like Jesus. [36:37]
5. Application of Scripture: It's not enough to merely read or listen to Scripture; we must apply its teachings to our lives. By doing so, we become doers of the Word, experiencing God's blessings and growing in our faith. [38:30]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:53] - Intimidation and Understanding
- [03:54] - Practicing the Way Series
- [06:26] - Jesus and Scripture
- [09:07] - Spiritual Growth and Maturity
- [11:13] - Scripture as a Guide
- [12:07] - Lostness and Purpose
- [13:50] - Teaching, Rebuking, Correcting, Training
- [15:40] - Inspiration of Scripture
- [16:48] - Divine and Human Elements
- [18:59] - Context and Interpretation
- [20:30] - Trusting the Bible
- [23:16] - Devotion and Meditation
- [25:09] - Tools for Studying Scripture
- [27:08] - Interpretation and Context
- [30:11] - Misinterpretations and Context
- [33:03] - Jesus Hermeneutic
- [34:36] - Results of Engaging with Scripture
- [36:37] - Transformation and Application
- [38:30] - Faith and Forgiveness
- [40:25] - Bible Plans and Quality Time
- [41:29] - Church Anniversary Celebration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness."
2. Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
3. Hebrews 5:12-14 - "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!"
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the four purposes of Scripture as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:16-17? How do these purposes guide a believer's life?
2. How does the metaphor of God's word as a "lamp to my feet" in Psalm 119:105 help us understand the role of Scripture in our daily decisions? [09:07]
3. According to Hebrews 5:12-14, what is the difference between spiritual milk and solid food, and why is it important for believers to progress from one to the other?
4. In the sermon, what personal experience did the pastor share about feeling intimidated by things he didn't understand, and how did this relate to approaching Scripture? [01:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Scripture being "God-breathed" influence the way believers should approach and interpret the Bible? [11:13]
2. What does it mean to have a "Jesus hermeneutic" when interpreting difficult passages in the Bible, and how can this approach help in understanding Scripture better? [33:03]
3. How can the practice of meditation on Scripture, as described in the sermon, lead to a deeper understanding and application of God's word in one's life? [23:16]
4. What are the potential consequences of not progressing from spiritual milk to solid food, as warned in Hebrews 5:12-14, in a believer's spiritual growth?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current engagement with Scripture. Are you more on spiritual milk or solid food? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and application of God's word? [09:07]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of approaching Scripture with faith and humility. How can you cultivate these attitudes in your daily Bible reading? [18:59]
3. Consider the metaphor of God's word as a lamp to your feet. Can you identify a recent decision where Scripture provided guidance? How did it illuminate your path? [09:07]
4. The pastor shared about the intimidation of approaching Scripture. What are some practical ways you can overcome this feeling and engage more confidently with the Bible? [01:53]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of meditation on Scripture into your daily routine? What specific passage will you focus on this week? [23:16]
6. The sermon highlighted the transformation that comes from engaging with Scripture. Can you share a personal experience where reading the Bible led to a change in your thoughts, feelings, or actions? [36:37]
7. What is one specific way you can apply a teaching from Scripture to your life this week, and how will you hold yourself accountable to it? [38:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Scripture as a Divine Guide
Scripture serves as a divine library, offering guidance, correction, and training in righteousness. It is essential for spiritual growth and understanding God's will for our lives. Engaging with Scripture helps us see our path clearly and make informed decisions. The Bible is not merely a book but a collection of divinely inspired texts that illuminate our journey, providing wisdom and insight into the heart of God. As we delve into its pages, we are invited to allow its teachings to shape our lives, leading us toward spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God. [11:13]
"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life." (Proverbs 6:23, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need guidance or correction today? How can you allow Scripture to illuminate your path and help you make a decision?
Day 2: Approaching Scripture with Faith and Humility
The Bible is both divine and human, requiring us to approach it with faith and humility. Understanding its context and inspiration helps us interpret it correctly and apply its teachings to our lives. As we engage with Scripture, we must recognize the need for a humble heart, open to learning and being transformed by its truths. This approach allows us to see beyond the surface and grasp the deeper meanings within its pages, leading to a more profound understanding of God's will and purpose for our lives. [18:59]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: What preconceived notions or biases might you need to set aside to approach Scripture with humility? How can you cultivate a heart open to learning from God's Word today?
Day 3: The Discipline of Devotion and Meditation
Developing a habit of reading and meditating on Scripture is crucial for spiritual growth. It requires time and discipline, allowing us to fight against the currents of the world and align our lives with God's Word. By dedicating time to engage with Scripture, we create space for God to speak into our lives, transforming our thoughts and actions. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also equips us to navigate the challenges of life with wisdom and grace. [23:16]
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific time each day can you set aside for reading and meditating on Scripture? How can you make this a consistent practice in your daily routine?
Day 4: Transformation Through Scripture
Engaging with Scripture transforms our minds, leading to changed thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This transformation aligns us with God's will and helps us become more like Jesus. As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we are renewed and reshaped, allowing His truths to penetrate our hearts and influence our actions. This process of transformation is ongoing, requiring a commitment to continually seek God's guidance and wisdom through His Word. [36:37]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you noticed your thoughts or behaviors changing as a result of engaging with Scripture? How can you continue to allow God's Word to transform you?
Day 5: Application of Scripture
It's not enough to merely read or listen to Scripture; we must apply its teachings to our lives. By doing so, we become doers of the Word, experiencing God's blessings and growing in our faith. The application of Scripture involves taking the truths we learn and integrating them into our daily lives, allowing them to influence our decisions and interactions with others. This practice not only deepens our relationship with God but also enables us to live out our faith in tangible ways, reflecting His love and grace to the world around us. [38:30]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific teaching from Scripture that you can apply to your life today? How can you take a practical step to live out this truth in your interactions with others?
Quotes
"Growing up, my dad did not teach me how to fix cars or how to do home repairs. That's why I have Janelle. She's smart. He did teach me how to hit a curveball, throw a baseball, throw a football, all of that, but he left that other fixer-upper thing out of the piece for me. But I was thinking about, so when I have a car problem, I'm intimidated by it because I don't know how to fix it. Because I have no idea, really, how things work. Home repair issues. Don't really know how to do electrical things. Probably be pretty dumb for me to try to do that. I'm intimidated by that." [00:01:26] (47 seconds)
"Jesus handled the scriptures. Jesus read the scriptures. Jesus memorized scripture, huge portions of scripture. And I really believe that as we read the biographies of Jesus in the gospels, that Jesus, as he read scripture, began to see himself in these scriptures because he said several times, that I've come to fulfill all that was written about me in the law and the prophets and the psalms and so forth. And so the goal of practicing the way, you're going to hear this mantra over and over, is to be with Jesus, to become like Jesus, and to do what Jesus did." [00:04:13] (44 seconds)
"Paul's writing his young protege, Timothy, and he says, all scripture is God-breathed or inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Unless you are maybe military trained, or your name is Barrett, or you're a military veteran, or you're a military veteran, or you're a military We all probably, we need a pastor. of some sort, a trail to explore the outdoors, to explore the wilderness. Because it's easy to get lost in the wilderness, right?" [00:11:17] (36 seconds)
"You're lost, but you don't know it. It's a lot of people in the world. They're lost, but they haven't figured out that they're lost. But then there's that sense of being lost, and you know it. That causes great fear. You don't know where you are and how to get back to the path, how to get back to some safety. Who knows, is there a bear coming after you? When you're lost, you just don't know what's going on there. I think when it comes to being lost, we did not create ourselves." [00:12:07] (34 seconds)
"What's going to cause you to grow is for you to learn to handle the Scriptures for yourself, creating a good habit of reading or listening to Scripture on a daily basis. Reading Scripture, studying Scripture is not just for Bible teachers. It's not just for pastors. It's not just for theologians. It's for all of us, all of us who follow Jesus. And if we want to grow and become like Jesus, we need to know what the Scriptures have to say." [00:09:33] (30 seconds)
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. We need a reliable guide in our life. We have the words of Jesus, the living word of God, and the words that God has inspired through the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide our lives. But when you think about the inspiration of Scripture, what is Scripture? Scripture is an ancient set of sacred writings written by ancient people with an ancient worldview." [00:15:47] (40 seconds)
"To be inspired, the Scriptures are both divine and human at the same time. They are divine in that the Holy Spirit moved people to write down these sacred writings, but it also used the human element of, you know, metaphors and things that make sense for us in our humanness. So it's human and it's divine. The fact that I say it's also human does not take away any of the divine parts of understanding Scripture. It actually helps us read the Bible better." [00:16:48] (38 seconds)
"To approach scripture, I need to learn what it means to meditate on scripture. The psalmist said, oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers, but they delight in the law of the Lord. Meditating on it day and night. When you think meditation, don't think Eastern meditation. Who's good at worrying? If you can worry, you're just doing a negative form of meditation." [00:23:36] (33 seconds)
"Positive, good meditation is when we meditate on the scriptures, when we meditate on Jesus. When we meditate on the very promises of God and become familiar with the promises of God. To meditate is to think deeply, to run something over in your mind, over and over and just think deeply about it. So what's the requirement in this step of approaching scripture? Thinking, using your mind. One of the ways we love God is heart, soul, mind, and strength." [00:24:07] (33 seconds)
"Who correctly handles the word of truth. I've heard people, I did it and have done it. We all have error in our life and we can abuse scripture. We can abuse scripture. If we're not reading it correctly, we can turn it into something that becomes drudgery. We've all been there. Sometimes when you read the Bible and there's difficult passages and you say, it says what it says. What does it mean? What does it mean? It says what it says, but what does it mean?" [00:27:56] (31 seconds)
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