Listening to God: The Transformative Power of Scripture
Summary
### Summary
Today, we journeyed back to the time of young Samuel, serving under Eli in the house of the Lord. Samuel, though dedicated to godly service, had not yet heard the voice of the Lord. One night, he hears a voice calling his name and, after several misunderstandings, Eli realizes it is the Lord speaking to Samuel. Eli instructs Samuel to respond with, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." This story sets the stage for our exploration of the spiritual discipline of Bible study and learning.
We must approach Scripture with the same posture as Samuel, ready to listen and obey. The Bible is not just a historical text, a collection of moral codes, or a self-help manual; it is the living word of God, designed to transform us and reveal our true selves in light of God. James 1:22-25 emphasizes that we must be doers of the word, not just hearers. Hearing without doing is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what we look like.
To effectively study the Bible, we can use the inductive study method: observe, interpret, and apply. Observation involves understanding what the text says, interpretation seeks to understand its meaning, and application asks how it applies to our lives. Each book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, has a unique context and purpose, and understanding this context is vital for proper interpretation and application.
We also explored the structure of the Bible, from the Torah and historical books to the wisdom literature, prophets, gospels, and letters. Each section contributes to the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan. The gospels tell the good story of Jesus, and Acts chronicles the early church's formation and growth. The letters provide instructions for Christian living, and Revelation promises Jesus' return.
In conclusion, while the Bible can be overwhelming, starting small and using resources like Right Now Media can help. Above all, we must approach Scripture with a heart ready to listen and obey, trusting that God will speak to us through His word.
### Key Takeaways
1. Approach Scripture with a Listening Heart: Like Samuel, we must come before God with a posture of readiness to listen. This means setting aside our preconceived notions and distractions, and genuinely seeking to hear God's voice through His word. When we say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," we open ourselves to divine guidance and transformation. [05:08]
2. Be Doers of the Word: James 1:22-25 teaches that hearing God's word is not enough; we must also act on it. This involves integrating the teachings of Scripture into our daily lives, allowing it to shape our actions and decisions. Hearing without doing is like looking in a mirror and forgetting our reflection, rendering the exercise pointless. [09:40]
3. Understand the Context of Scripture: Each book of the Bible was written in a specific historical and cultural context. Understanding this context is crucial for accurate interpretation. For example, knowing that James wrote to the early church helps us grasp the urgency and relevance of his message. This contextual awareness enriches our study and application of the Bible. [21:08]
4. Use the Inductive Study Method: The inductive study method—observe, interpret, and apply—provides a structured approach to Bible study. Observation involves noting what the text says, interpretation seeks to understand its meaning, and application asks how it applies to our lives. This method helps us engage deeply with Scripture and draw meaningful insights. [16:54]
5. Start Small and Use Available Resources: The Bible can be overwhelming, but starting with small, manageable portions and using resources like Right Now Media can make it more accessible. Consistent, small steps in Bible study can lead to significant spiritual growth over time. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you in understanding and applying God's word. [35:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:40] - Samuel's Calling
[03:16] - Eli's Realization
[05:08] - Posture of Listening
[06:46] - Nature of Scripture
[08:19] - Roadmap of the Sermon
[09:40] - Be Doers of the Word
[11:09] - Mirror Analogy
[12:28] - Scripture Reveals Our Inner Self
[14:05] - Real-Life Applications
[15:33] - Practical Bible Study Tips
[16:54] - Inductive Study Method
[18:28] - Interpretation and Application
[19:49] - Personal Testimony
[21:08] - Overview of the Bible
[22:33] - Understanding Context
[23:56] - The Torah
[25:25] - Historical and Wisdom Books
[28:21] - Major and Minor Prophets
[29:44] - Gospels and Acts
[31:07] - Focus of Each Gospel
[32:23] - The Book of Acts
[33:46] - Letters and Revelation
[35:07] - Starting Small and Using Resources
[36:45] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 3:1-10
2. James 1:22-25
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Samuel's initial reaction when he heard his name being called? How did Eli eventually guide him? ([01:40])
2. According to James 1:22-25, what analogy does James use to describe someone who hears the word but does not act on it? ([09:40])
3. What are the three steps of the inductive study method mentioned in the sermon? ([16:54])
4. How does the sermon describe the Bible beyond just a historical text or a set of moral codes? ([06:46])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to approach Scripture with a posture of listening, as Samuel did? How does this posture affect our understanding and application of God's word? ([05:08])
2. In what ways can hearing the word without doing it be compared to looking in a mirror and forgetting what you look like? How does this analogy help us understand the importance of application? ([09:40])
3. How does understanding the historical and cultural context of a Bible passage enhance our interpretation and application of Scripture? ([21:08])
4. What does it mean to be a "doer of the word" in the context of James 1:22-25? How can this be practically lived out in daily life? ([09:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you approached Scripture with a distracted mind. How can you create a more focused and listening posture like Samuel's in your future Bible study sessions? ([05:08])
2. James 1:22-25 emphasizes the importance of being doers of the word. Identify one specific teaching from the Bible that you have heard but struggled to put into practice. What steps can you take to start applying it this week? ([09:40])
3. The sermon mentioned the inductive study method: observe, interpret, and apply. Choose a Bible passage and practice this method. What new insights did you gain, and how can you apply them to your life? ([16:54])
4. Understanding the context of Scripture is crucial. Think of a Bible passage you find challenging. Research its historical and cultural background this week. How does this new understanding change your interpretation and application of the passage? ([21:08])
5. The sermon suggested starting small and using resources like Right Now Media to make Bible study more accessible. What small steps can you take this week to deepen your Bible study routine? How can you utilize available resources to aid your study? ([35:07])
6. Reflect on the analogy of the mirror in James 1:22-25. What are some "mirrors" in your life that help you see your spiritual condition? How can you use these reflections to make tangible changes in your behavior and attitudes? ([09:40])
7. The sermon highlighted the transformative power of Scripture. Identify an area in your life where you need transformation. How can you intentionally seek God's guidance through His word to bring about this change? ([06:46])
Devotional
Day 1: Approach Scripture with a Listening Heart
When we approach Scripture, it is essential to come with a heart ready to listen, much like Samuel did when he responded to God's call with, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." This posture of readiness means setting aside our preconceived notions and distractions, genuinely seeking to hear God's voice through His word. By doing so, we open ourselves to divine guidance and transformation. This approach is not just about reading the Bible but about engaging with it in a way that allows God to speak into our lives and shape us according to His will. [05:08]
1 Samuel 3:9-10 (ESV): "Therefore Eli said to Samuel, 'Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you read the Bible but were distracted or rushed. How can you create a quiet, focused environment to truly listen to God's voice today?
Day 2: Be Doers of the Word
James 1:22-25 emphasizes that merely hearing God's word is not enough; we must also act on it. This involves integrating the teachings of Scripture into our daily lives, allowing it to shape our actions and decisions. Hearing without doing is like looking in a mirror and forgetting our reflection, rendering the exercise pointless. To be doers of the word means to let the Bible influence our behavior, choices, and interactions with others, making our faith evident through our actions. [09:40]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Identify one specific teaching from the Bible that you have heard but not yet acted upon. What steps can you take today to put this teaching into practice?
Day 3: Understand the Context of Scripture
Each book of the Bible was written in a specific historical and cultural context, and understanding this context is crucial for accurate interpretation. For example, knowing that James wrote to the early church helps us grasp the urgency and relevance of his message. This contextual awareness enriches our study and application of the Bible, allowing us to see the depth and breadth of God's redemptive plan throughout history. [21:08]
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
Reflection: Choose a book of the Bible you are currently reading. Research its historical and cultural background. How does this new understanding change your perspective on the text?
Day 4: Use the Inductive Study Method
The inductive study method—observe, interpret, and apply—provides a structured approach to Bible study. Observation involves noting what the text says, interpretation seeks to understand its meaning, and application asks how it applies to our lives. This method helps us engage deeply with Scripture and draw meaningful insights, making our study time more fruitful and transformative. [16:54]
Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
Reflection: Pick a passage of Scripture and practice the inductive study method. What new insights do you gain from observing, interpreting, and applying this passage?
Day 5: Start Small and Use Available Resources
The Bible can be overwhelming, but starting with small, manageable portions and using resources like Right Now Media can make it more accessible. Consistent, small steps in Bible study can lead to significant spiritual growth over time. Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you in understanding and applying God's word, and don't be afraid to seek out tools and resources that can aid in your study. [35:07]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: What is one small, manageable step you can take today to deepen your Bible study? Consider using a new resource or tool to help you in this journey.
Quotes
1. "This morning, we are continuing in our sermon series on spiritual disciplines, airplane mode, the ability to shut off distractions from the world, to hear the voice of the Lord. Perhaps you wonder why would we start here? Well, today we're looking at the spiritual discipline of Bible study and learning. And as we approach scripture, we approach his very word, God's very word. I want us to have the posture of Samuel the fourth time, where he said, speak Lord for your servant is listening." [05:08] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see, up here, I could give you the best sermon on how to study scripture. You could perhaps go off and learn Hebrew and Greek and be able to read scripture in its original text. Perhaps you could be an academic and have memorized entire portions of scripture, knowing the entirety of Genesis, reading and maybe memorizing all of the gospel of Matthew, understanding the law and the prophets in the Old Testament. You could do all of this, but if you first neglect to go before the Lord and ask him to speak and have a posture of listening to him speaking to you, you're in danger of being like a Pharisee, someone who knows the word of God, the text itself, but is far, far from the heart of God." [06:46] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Scripture is the living word of God. It is alive and active. It is designed to pierce through our hearts and reveal our true selves in light of God. It's a transformative power that shapes our character, molding us into the very image of Christ. Scripture is a tapestry, woven with the threads of God's faithfulness, his grace, and love, telling a story that connects us to the very heart of God. Scripture, as Timothy says, or as Paul says to Timothy, is breathed out by God, his very words living and active." [07:30] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Doers of the word and not hearers only. Of course, I introduced the sermon by saying that we should be hearers of the word. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. And that's important. But that's merely the first step. A few weeks ago, Robert mentioned and taught that in the Old Testament times, back in Samuel's day, there was no Hebrew word for obey. It was implied that if you heard the word of God, you did what he asked of you. That if you heard the word, you did it." [09:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And James uses this analogy of saying, when somebody looks at, their face in a mirror, we study it. We try to understand what we look like so that we can be presentable to the world around us. Perhaps you go to a job interview, you want to make sure that you look sharp. You're going to work, you want to look presentable. Going out with friends, different outfits. We make sure that there's a mirror so that we can look presentable. If we didn't care about what we looked like, mirrors wouldn't exist. But clearly, since 2,000 years ago with James, mirrors have been around to show us what we look like. And James has drawn this analogy saying, so too scripture shows us what we look like internally." [12:28] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We can understand the truths in scriptures. We can be reading it and say, amen, close the book, exit the audio Bible and live a life that does not reflect at all what Christ calls us to do. James knows what he's talking about. It's not simply enough to hear the word of the Lord. We have to obey his word. We have to obey his word." [14:05] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "You don't have to be a pastor like me, Robert, or Shelly to understand scripture. You don't have to be a church leader. If you simply have given your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, he has given you the Holy Spirit, which can help you understand this word. And so I want to first bring up a very simple way to study the Bible. It's called the inductive study method. And it's three things that we do. We observe the word of God. We interpret his word. And we apply his word. We observe, we interpret, and we apply." [16:54] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We need to have the Holy Spirit working inside of us to do this. So we observe the text. What does it say? We interpret the text. Hey, what does this mean? What did the author mean when he wrote it? Application, what does it mean for me? And now I want to dive into 66 books of the Bible. This entire thing, I have 14 minutes. We're doing a 30,000 foot flyover. Take notes, take pictures. We're going to go fast. And I'm really excited. This is something that I am passionate about." [19:49] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so the Bible is God's word about himself, and it's his word to his people. God is the author, tells us about him. God wrote it to us. It's about his people. 2 Timothy 2.3, every word is God-breathed. Thousands of years it was written, but all of it was written from God. So it's 66 books, thousands of years. Each section has a purpose in God's story, which he wants you to know about himself and about humanity." [22:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And what can we learn from these gospels and from Acts? Simply this, God is faithful. Jesus came to rescue us from our sin. As you're reading them, God is faithful." [33:46] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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