Bible Study
I.
Introduction
a.
We have
talked about 2 ways to grow closer to God, Prayer and Worship, today I want to
talk about a 3rd: Bible Reading/Study
II.
Body:
a.
Why read the bible?
i.
Psalm 119:130 – “The unfolding of your words
gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
i.
It shows us why we are here, what we are to do,
and why we should be doing things the way it tells us to, so that we can avoid
some very bad things happening to us now and in eternity
ii.
1st Peter 2:2 – “Like newborn babies,
crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,”
i.
When we read the Bible it helps us to grow
spiritually, because we are spending time with God and knowing what he is like
and thus what we should be like.
iii.
Romans 15:4 – “For everything that was written
in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the
encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
i.
It teaches us, gives us endurance and
encouragement, and helps us have hope.
iv.
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living
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.”
i.
It is a book of God’s words to us!
ii.
It can speak to us today
iii.
It can help convict us of our sins so we can
grow more godly
v.
Matthew 4:3-5 – “The tempter came to him and
said, “If you are the son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: man does not
live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”
i.
It is as essential to our spiritual life as food
is to our physical life
ii.
It can help us overcome temptation
b.
How to get something from your reading
i.
Do it daily, consistently
ii.
Get rid of distractions
iii.
Do it for the relationship with God to grown,
not out of obligation
iv.
Use SOAP
What does SOAP stand
for?
S – Scripture; O – Observation; A – Application; P
– Prayer
How does SOAP work?
Scripture – First you write down the
scripture that you are reading
EXAMPLE: S – John 3:1-21
Observation – Second you write down an
observations that you make while reading it.
The who, what, when, where, and why.
Also write down any questions you have.
And if you have any background information write that down as well.
EXAMPLE: O – Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish
ruling council
Nic
came to meet Jesus at night
(Why did he come at night? Why did he meet with Jesus at all?)
Nic and ruling council think Jesus is a
teacher sent from God
(Why?) No one but one sent by God could perform the miracles
that Jesus is
performing
Jesus – no one can see the kingdom
of God unless he is born
again
Nic
doesn’t understand this and takes it in a literal way of being born
Jesus rephrases and makes it a spiritual birth not a fleshly birth
(What does water and the Spirit
mean? Is it talking about baptisms?)
Those born of the spirit are like the wind
Meaning: Can’t tell where they come from or where they
are going
Nic
still doesn’t understand what Jesus is talking about
Jesus chides him for not understanding
since Nic is a spiritual teacher
Nic’s people still don’t understand or accept what Jesus is teaching
Jesus has spoken about earthly things and Nic doesn’t get it
Jesus – none have gone into heaven except the Son of Man – Jesus
(How is this possible was there no one
in heaven yet?)
Jesus compares himself to a bronze snake from a story in Numbers
Jesus must be lifted up: crucified.
Then all who believe will be saved
God
loved the world so much he sent Jesus
Whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life
Jesus didn’t come to condemn but to save
the world through himself
If
someone doesn’t believe in him they are condemned
He uses Jewish ruling council term of Verdict
to show finality and truth
Verdict: Light came, men love darkness,
those who do hate light, and
won’t come to the light for fear of
being exposed, if you live by truth
you come into light, those who do, see
what God has done.
(Is there more to this conversation that we
don’t hear or does it end here?)
This happened toward the beginning of
Jesus ministry, right after he cleared the temple for the first time, he was
probably in or near Jerusalem
We find out later that Nic became a
believer and helped bury Jesus, even though he didn’t want the others on the
council to know he believed.
Application – Write down what this
scripture means for you and your life.
Think: what does this mean to me?
What is this trying to teach me?
EXAMPLE: A – I need to
believe in Jesus in order to be saved
I am supposed to be in the light (letting
God expose my wrongs) so that
I can be free and know the truth
I need to be reborn spiritually so that I
am of the Spirit rather than flesh
Prayer – Write down a prayer to God
asking him to help you in the application or applications that you have found
in the passage.
EXAMPLE: P – Dear God
help me to come to you and allow you to see and expose those areas of my life
that I try to hide in darkness. Forgive
me for those things and help me to live a life following You and Your Spirit
not my own flesh. Amen.
