Feeding on the Word: Nourishment for Spiritual Growth

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, the Word of God plays a central role in bringing us to faith and sustaining us in our walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to nourish and strengthen us, much like food sustains our physical bodies. Jesus himself emphasized the importance of living by every word that comes from the mouth of God, likening it to the bread of life. Feeding on Christ through His Word is essential for our spiritual nourishment and growth.

In my personal practice, I start my day with a simple routine of reading the Bible. Whether you have an hour or just ten minutes, the key is to focus on what you read and let it dwell in you. I often land on a single verse or truth, reflecting on its meaning and how it applies to my life. Writing it down and turning it into a prayer helps me internalize it and carry it with me throughout the day. This practice is not about the quantity of scripture read but the quality of what stays with you.

Reading additional resources, such as Bible commentaries, can also enrich our understanding. These readings often become the seedbed for future teachings and sermons. It's important to keep our Bible reading fresh and engaging, moving to different parts of the scripture as needed to maintain a vibrant spiritual life.

Meditating on scripture involves letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly. This means welcoming it as an honored guest in our lives, allowing it to live and remain in us. When God's Word dwells in us, it transforms us, making us effective in prayer and fruitful in ministry. The Word of God is not just for personal edification but is meant to be shared, reaching others through us.

The vision for our ministry is to open the Bible for you, help you open it for yourself, and empower you to open it for others. As we let the Word of Christ dwell in us, it nourishes our souls and equips us to share its truths with those around us. This is how the Gospel advances—through God's people carrying His Word into the world.

Key Takeaways:

- The Word of God is essential for spiritual nourishment, much like food is for the body. Feeding on Christ through His Word sustains and strengthens our faith. [00:39]

- A simple daily routine of reading and reflecting on scripture can have a profound impact. Focus on quality over quantity, allowing the Word to dwell in you and transform your life. [01:53]

- Meditating on scripture involves letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, welcoming it as an honored guest. This practice leads to effectiveness in prayer and fruitfulness in ministry. [12:39]

- The Word of God is meant to be shared, reaching others through us. As we carry the Word with us, it speeds ahead, impacting the lives of those we encounter. [15:03]

- Our ministry aims to empower you to open the Bible for yourself and others. By letting the Word dwell in us, we are nourished and equipped to share its truths, advancing the Gospel. [15:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:21] - The Power of God's Word
- [00:39] - Nourishment Through Scripture
- [01:09] - My Morning Routine
- [01:35] - The Value of Reflection
- [02:11] - Writing and Praying Scripture
- [03:19] - Additional Resources
- [04:03] - Keeping Bible Reading Fresh
- [04:49] - Meditating on Colossians 3
- [06:44] - Letting the Word Dwell Richly
- [08:25] - God Reveals Himself
- [09:46] - The Transformative Power of the Word
- [12:39] - Effects of the Word Remaining in Us
- [13:59] - Sharing the Word with Others
- [15:34] - Vision for Ministry
- [16:25] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:4 - "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
2. Colossians 3:16 - "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."
3. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 - "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how does the Holy Spirit use the Word of God in our lives? [00:21]
2. What analogy does Jesus use to describe the importance of the Word of God, and what does it imply about our spiritual nourishment? [00:39]
3. What is the pastor's morning routine for engaging with the Bible, and what is the significance of focusing on a single verse or truth? [01:09]
4. How does the sermon describe the process of letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly? [06:44]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for the Word of Christ to "dwell in you richly," and how might this look in a believer's daily life? [06:44]
2. How does the sermon suggest that meditating on scripture can lead to effectiveness in prayer and fruitfulness in ministry? [12:39]
3. In what ways does the sermon propose that the Word of God is meant to be shared with others, and what impact does this have on the advancement of the Gospel? [15:03]
4. How does the pastor's personal practice of writing and praying scripture help in internalizing and applying the Word? [02:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current routine for engaging with the Bible. What changes can you make to ensure that the Word of God dwells in you richly each day? [06:44]
2. Consider a time when a specific verse or truth from the Bible had a profound impact on your life. How can you make this a regular part of your spiritual practice? [01:53]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of sharing the Word with others. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from hearing a truth from the Bible. How can you share it with them this week? [15:03]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of turning scripture into prayer in your daily routine? What specific verse will you focus on this week? [02:47]
5. Think about a recent situation where you felt spiritually nourished by the Word of God. How can you recreate that experience regularly? [00:39]
6. The sermon mentions using additional resources like Bible commentaries. What resources have you found helpful, and how can they enhance your understanding of scripture? [03:19]
7. How can you ensure that your Bible reading remains fresh and engaging, especially if you find yourself getting bogged down in one part of the scripture? [04:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Nourishment Through the Word
The Word of God is essential for spiritual nourishment, much like food is for the body. Just as our physical bodies require sustenance to function and thrive, our spiritual lives depend on the nourishment provided by engaging with Scripture. Feeding on Christ through His Word sustains and strengthens our faith, enabling us to grow in our relationship with Him. This spiritual nourishment is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires regular engagement with the Bible. By immersing ourselves in the Word, we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming our hearts and minds to align more closely with God's will. [00:39]

Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV): "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure that you are spiritually nourished by God's Word, just as you ensure your physical nourishment through meals?


Day 2: Quality Over Quantity in Scripture Engagement
A simple daily routine of reading and reflecting on scripture can have a profound impact on your spiritual life. The focus should be on the quality of engagement rather than the quantity of scripture read. By allowing the Word to dwell in you, it can transform your life in meaningful ways. This practice involves taking time to meditate on a single verse or truth, reflecting on its meaning, and considering how it applies to your life. Writing it down and turning it into a prayer can help internalize the message and carry it with you throughout the day. This approach encourages a deeper connection with God and a more profound understanding of His Word. [01:53]

Psalm 119:15-16 (ESV): "I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word."

Reflection: Identify one verse or passage from your reading today that resonates with you. How can you meditate on this verse throughout the day to allow it to transform your thoughts and actions?


Day 3: Welcoming the Word as an Honored Guest
Meditating on scripture involves letting the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, welcoming it as an honored guest in our lives. This practice leads to effectiveness in prayer and fruitfulness in ministry. When we allow God's Word to live and remain in us, it transforms us from the inside out, equipping us to be more effective in our spiritual walk and in serving others. By making space for the Word in our hearts, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our paths, leading to a more vibrant and fruitful spiritual life. [12:39]

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: In what ways can you make room in your daily routine to welcome the Word of Christ as an honored guest, allowing it to dwell richly in your life?


Day 4: Sharing the Word with Others
The Word of God is meant to be shared, reaching others through us. As we carry the Word with us, it speeds ahead, impacting the lives of those we encounter. This sharing is not just about speaking the Word but also living it out in our actions and interactions with others. By embodying the truths of Scripture, we become vessels through which God's love and grace can flow to those around us. This is how the Gospel advances—through God's people carrying His Word into the world and allowing it to influence and transform the lives of others. [15:03]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: Think of one person in your life who could benefit from hearing or seeing the Word of God in action. How can you intentionally share the Word with them today, either through conversation or by example?


Day 5: Empowered to Open the Bible for Others
Our ministry aims to empower you to open the Bible for yourself and others. By letting the Word dwell in us, we are nourished and equipped to share its truths, advancing the Gospel. This empowerment involves not only personal engagement with Scripture but also the ability to guide others in their spiritual journeys. As we grow in our understanding and application of the Word, we become more effective in helping others discover the richness and depth of God's message. This shared journey of faith strengthens the community and furthers the mission of spreading the Gospel to all corners of the world. [15:34]

Acts 18:24-26 (ESV): "Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."

Reflection: How can you take steps today to not only deepen your own understanding of the Bible but also to help someone else grow in their knowledge and love of God's Word?

Quotes

"Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus is using the analogy of food and he's saying now you're going to be nourished you're going to be fed you're going to be sustained by the word of God and of course the bread of life is Jesus himself." [00:36:03]

"What matters most is not how much you read but what goes in and what stays with you so I try to land on a verse or a truth that I can apply to myself, carry with me through the day and perhaps pass on to someone else." [01:13:06]

"Remember what matters most is not how much you read, but what goes in and what stays with you, and people sometimes ask do I read anything else beside the Bible, well yes I do, what you read of course will depend on how much time you have." [03:06:42]

"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, and whatever you do in word or deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him." [06:02:52]

"God has told us who he is he has revealed himself in scripture and supremely in the Lord Jesus Christ. John says at the beginning of his gospel in the beginning was the word, but notice he does not then say you know in the beginning was God and no one has ever seen him or known him." [08:25:42]

"Through his word, God will speak to you, God will nourish you, God will strengthen you, sometimes he'll rebuke you and correct you but always he will walk with you and bless you let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." [09:46:19]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you read the Bible ask yourself what do I have to do for this part of the word of God to be at home in me, make your life a place where the word of God will be at home." [11:16:70]

"God wants his word to dwell in you to remain in you to live in you and of course that's why it's so valuable to land on one verse and to try and take it in, and to keep it with you, you know Jesus gives us this marvelous promise, if you remain in me and my words remain in you." [12:21:42]

"Now notice the effects of God's word remaining in you, they are first that you will be effective in prayer and second that you'll be fruitful in Ministry well there are two gifts that all of us would want so let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." [13:02:42]

"If the word of Christ dwells in you well it's going to go wherever you go because you're going to carry it with you, and here's the vision that burns in my heart for our ministry and open the Bible, as a friend of this ministry, you are a person who receives the word of Christ gladly." [13:45:36]

"God's plan is that his word should live in you, and because God's word lives in you that it should reach other people through you, Paul says in second Thessalonians chapter 3 and verse 5 finally Brothers pray for us that the word of the Lord May speed ahead and be honored as happened among you." [14:23:16]

"Make it your practice to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, take an a verse of scripture and carry it with you each day, and here's what will happen, first your own soul will be nourished, you're going to be strengthened and blessed, and second the holy spirit will bring to your mind truths that you've stored away." [15:47:04]

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Transcript
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