Transformative Power of God's Word and Study

 

Summary

In today's message, I shared my deep appreciation for the transformative power of God's Word. As I preach, I often wonder about the long-term impact of the Word on people's lives. It's always encouraging to hear from those who have been touched and transformed by the teachings. God's Word is the inerrant revelation to humanity, and it is a privilege to be able to share it with others. This passion for Scripture led to the creation of the Tony Evans Study Bible, a tool designed to deepen understanding and foster spiritual growth.

The Tony Evans Study Bible is a comprehensive resource that includes a full Bible commentary, covering every passage in both the Old and New Testaments. Key elements from these passages have been extracted and incorporated into the study Bible, which comes in various colors and covers to suit personal preferences. The study notes are a significant feature, providing explanations and references to help readers grasp the meaning of the text. However, the ultimate goal is not just to impart knowledge but to facilitate a deeper relationship with God, the author of the Bible.

Understanding Scripture is crucial because it is meant to lead to transformation, not just information. When we truly study and comprehend God's Word, it changes our thinking and influences our actions. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide this tool and am encouraged by the testimonies of those who have found it beneficial in their spiritual journey. The Tony Evans Study Bible is more than just a book; it is a means to know God more intimately and to grow in faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. The power of God's Word lies in its ability to transform lives, not just inform minds. It is essential to move beyond mere knowledge and allow Scripture to change our hearts and actions. [02:04]

2. The Tony Evans Study Bible is designed to deepen understanding and foster a closer relationship with God. It includes comprehensive commentary and study notes to aid in grasping the meaning of Scripture. [01:33]

3. True spiritual growth occurs when we use the Bible as a tool to know God better, rather than just accumulating information. This relationship with God is the ultimate goal of studying Scripture. [01:49]

4. The study notes in the Tony Evans Study Bible are crafted to explain key passages and references, helping readers to understand and apply God's Word in their lives. [01:33]

5. Hearing how the Tony Evans Study Bible has impacted others' spiritual growth is a source of encouragement and a testament to the power of God's Word to transform lives. [02:29]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - The Impact of God's Word
[00:23] - Encouragement from Testimonies
[00:37] - The Inerrant Revelation
[00:50] - Creation of the Tony Evans Study Bible
[01:06] - Features of the Study Bible
[01:20] - Understanding Scripture
[01:33] - Study Notes and Key Passages
[01:49] - Knowledge Leading to Transformation
[02:04] - The Goal of Knowing God
[02:15] - The Effect on Our Lives
[02:29] - Gratitude and Encouragement

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, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2. 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."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the ultimate goal of studying the Bible? ([01:49])
2. How does the Tony Evans Study Bible aim to help readers understand Scripture better? ([01:33])
3. What are some of the features of the Tony Evans Study Bible mentioned in the sermon? ([01:20])
4. How does the pastor describe the impact of hearing testimonies from those who have been transformed by God's Word? ([00:23])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Scripture should lead to transformation rather than just information? ([02:04])
2. How might the study notes in the Tony Evans Study Bible contribute to a deeper relationship with God, according to the sermon? ([01:49])
3. What does the pastor mean when he says that the Bible should be the primary means of coming to know God? ([02:04])
4. How does the pastor's appreciation for testimonies reflect the transformative power of God's Word? ([00:23])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when reading the Bible led to a change in your actions or thoughts. How did that transformation occur? ([02:04])
2. How can you use the study notes in a study Bible to deepen your understanding of Scripture this week? ([01:33])
3. What steps can you take to ensure that your Bible study leads to a closer relationship with God rather than just gaining knowledge? ([01:49])
4. Consider the testimonies of others who have been transformed by God's Word. How can you share your own experiences to encourage others in their spiritual journey? ([00:23])
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you desire transformation. How can you use Scripture to guide and support this change? ([02:04])
6. How can you incorporate the teachings from the Tony Evans Study Bible into your daily routine to foster spiritual growth? ([01:20])
7. Think about a person in your life who might benefit from understanding the transformative power of God's Word. How can you introduce them to the Bible in a meaningful way? ([02:29])

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through God's Word
The power of God's Word lies in its ability to transform lives, not just inform minds. It is essential to move beyond mere knowledge and allow Scripture to change our hearts and actions. The Word of God is not just a collection of ancient texts but a living and active force that can penetrate the deepest parts of our being. When we engage with Scripture, we are invited into a transformative journey that reshapes our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. This transformation is not automatic; it requires intentionality and openness to the Spirit's work in our lives. As we allow God's Word to dwell richly within us, it begins to influence our decisions, relationships, and perspectives, leading us to live in a way that reflects God's character and purposes. [02:04]

"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." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need God's Word to transform today? How can you intentionally invite Scripture to shape your thoughts and actions in this area?


Day 2: Deepening Understanding and Relationship
The Tony Evans Study Bible is designed to deepen understanding and foster a closer relationship with God. It includes comprehensive commentary and study notes to aid in grasping the meaning of Scripture. This resource is more than just a tool for acquiring knowledge; it is an invitation to engage with God's Word in a way that draws us closer to Him. By providing context, explanations, and insights, the study Bible helps readers navigate the complexities of Scripture and discover the richness of God's revelation. As we delve into the study notes and explore the commentary, we are encouraged to ask questions, seek understanding, and ultimately, grow in our relationship with the Author of the Bible. [01:33]

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." (Psalm 119:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use the resources available to you, like the Tony Evans Study Bible, to deepen your understanding of Scripture and your relationship with God this week?


Day 3: Knowledge Leading to Transformation
True spiritual growth occurs when we use the Bible as a tool to know God better, rather than just accumulating information. This relationship with God is the ultimate goal of studying Scripture. The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake can lead to pride and self-reliance, but when our study of Scripture is motivated by a desire to know God more intimately, it becomes a pathway to transformation. As we encounter God's character, promises, and commands in the Bible, we are invited to respond in faith and obedience. This response is not about checking off a list of religious duties but about cultivating a vibrant, dynamic relationship with the living God. [01:49]

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from merely acquiring biblical knowledge to deepening your relationship with God through your study of Scripture?


Day 4: Applying God's Word in Life
The study notes in the Tony Evans Study Bible are crafted to explain key passages and references, helping readers to understand and apply God's Word in their lives. Understanding Scripture is not an end in itself; it is meant to lead to practical application and life change. The study notes provide valuable insights that bridge the gap between ancient texts and contemporary life, offering guidance on how to live out biblical principles in everyday situations. As we apply God's Word, we experience its power to guide, correct, and encourage us in our journey of faith. [01:33]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one specific teaching or principle from Scripture that you can apply to your life today. What steps will you take to put it into practice?


Day 5: Encouragement from Transformed Lives
Hearing how the Tony Evans Study Bible has impacted others' spiritual growth is a source of encouragement and a testament to the power of God's Word to transform lives. Testimonies of transformation remind us that we are not alone in our journey and that God's Word is active and effective in the lives of believers around the world. These stories inspire us to persevere in our own study and application of Scripture, trusting that God is at work in us, even when we cannot see immediate results. As we share our own experiences and hear from others, we are encouraged to continue pursuing a deeper relationship with God through His Word. [02:29]

"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when God's Word has significantly impacted your life. How can you share this testimony with someone else to encourage them in their spiritual journey?

Quotes

"when i'm preaching god's word and the sermon comes to the benediction, i really don't know what the long-term effects of the proclamation has done in people's lives. you want it to have an ongoing effect, but you just don't know. that's why i so appreciate when people write to me or email us or just let us know that the word that has gone forth has made a real tangible visible difference in their lives." [00:01:04]

"you know i i treasure god's word. it is the inherent without error revelation of god to man, and that's why i'm also so excited and humbled that he allowed me to write the tony evans study bible. we began with a full bible commentary where we covered every passage in the old and new testament, and then we extracted key elements from those passages and incorporated them in the tony evans study bible." [00:34:56]

"the tony evans study bible comes in all these different colors and covers that allow people to choose the one that they prefer the most, and it is full of features to help you grow in your understanding of what scripture is teaching and what it has to say. one of the key features in the study bible are the study notes throughout every page." [00:69:20]

"there are notes to help explain key passages, key references on that particular page of the study bible. it is i hope that god uses those notes to help a person understand what's being said, but the goal is to grow people in their knowledge of the author of the bible, that the bible becomes the mechanism, the primary means of coming to know god." [00:93:36]

"because if you have the bible and you don't come to know god, it becomes information that doesn't lead to transformation. but when we study god's word and come to understand it, it changes the way we think and it affects the way we live. so i'm grateful to god that he's allowed us to have this tool that many are being blessed by." [00:122:96]

"thank you for encouraging me and us by letting us know how god is using tony evans study bible to encourage your spiritual growth and encourage your walk with god." [00:146:72]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?