1 2 Timothy 2:14-26 Effective Bible Study

2 Bible Study Our presence here today indicates something… Our presence here today indicates something… How can we know how to please God? How can we know how to please God? –Eph. 3:3-5… “…when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ…” –1 Cor. 2:11-12… “…that we might know the things freely given to us by God…”

3 Bible Study Do we the word of God which has been given to us by His grace? Do we “value” the word of God which has been given to us by His grace? If one were to place a price tag on our Bible in direct proportion to our devotion and dedication to it, what would that price tag reveal? If one were to place a price tag on our Bible in direct proportion to our devotion and dedication to it, what would that price tag reveal?

4 Bible Study We must recognize the need and the value in studying God’s word. We must recognize the need and the value in studying God’s word. Hopefully everyone here would say it’s something we should do… Hopefully everyone here would say it’s something we should do… …but HOW? …but HOW? How can we make our Bible study an effective agent for change in our lives? How can we make our Bible study an effective agent for change in our lives? How can we tap into the power (“dunamis”) that is found within the pages of scripture? How can we tap into the power (“dunamis”) that is found within the pages of scripture? –Rom. 1:16

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6 Types of Bible Study Group Studies Group Studies –This includes our Bible classes and sermons here at the building and the group studies we have in peoples homes – cf. Acts 20:18-20 “…teaching you publicly and from house to house…” “…teaching you publicly and from house to house…” –This also needs to include our personal study and meditation on God’s word.

7 Types of Bible Study We do ourselves a great disservice, and actually great harm, if we limit our Bible study to once or twice a week when we gather together! We do ourselves a great disservice, and actually great harm, if we limit our Bible study to once or twice a week when we gather together!

8 Reading vs. Studying There is a need for both reading and studying God’s word in our lives. There is a need for both reading and studying God’s word in our lives. –Personal Study! –Group Study Bible classes Bible classes Sermons Sermons The difference in the two being a matter of depth and application. The difference in the two being a matter of depth and application.

9 Reading vs. Studying To study, is to allow for time for meditation and time to expand our thoughts through related scriptures and the details in the inspired words. To study, is to allow for time for meditation and time to expand our thoughts through related scriptures and the details in the inspired words. –Ps. 1:2; 119:97-99 This is how the word of God comes alive and can give us life! This is how the word of God comes alive and can give us life! –Heb. 4:12 –Jn. 6:33-35, 48 –Matt. 4:1-4

10 Reading vs. Studying Types of studies: Types of studies: –Word Study “communicate” = fellowship, share “communicate” = fellowship, share The word “burden” – Gal. 6:1, 5 The word “burden” – Gal. 6:1, 5 –Character Studies Life of Christ Life of Christ Life of Paul Life of Paul –Specific Subjects Type of music in worship Type of music in worship Baptism Baptism Benevolence Benevolence Identifying marks of the Lord’s church Identifying marks of the Lord’s church Parables taught by Christ Parables taught by Christ

11 Effective Bible Study Requires An Attitude… Of Reverence! There is a difference between the words of men and the word of God! - 1 Thess. 2:1 There is a difference between the words of men and the word of God! - 1 Thess. 2:1 The words of the Bible are inspired of God “God- breathed” - 2 Tim. 3:16 The words of the Bible are inspired of God “God- breathed” - 2 Tim. 3:16 Our reverence for the word of God will NOT allow us to add to or take away from His word Our reverence for the word of God will NOT allow us to add to or take away from His word 1 Peter 4:11; Acts 20:27; Jer. 26:21 Peter 4:11; Acts 20:27; Jer. 26:2

12 Effective Bible Study Requires Effective Bible Study Requires An Attitude… That says “I NEED IT!That says “I NEED IT! Do we “hunger and thirst” for God’s will? - Matt. 5:6Do we “hunger and thirst” for God’s will? - Matt. 5:6 Job said, “My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” - Job 23:11-12Job said, “My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” - Job 23:11-12

13 Effective Bible Study Requires An attitude… Like David in Psalms 119…Like David in Psalms 119… “…I long for Thy precepts…” - vs. 4 “…I long for Thy precepts…” - vs. 4 “Thy word I have treasured in my heart…” - vs. 11 “Thy word I have treasured in my heart…” - vs. 11 “…Incline my heart to Thy testimonies…” - vs. 36 “…Incline my heart to Thy testimonies…” - vs. 36 “…I shall delight in Thy commandments, which I love…” - vs. 47 “…I shall delight in Thy commandments, which I love…” - vs. 47 Virtually every verse in this chapter makes reference to God’s word! Virtually every verse in this chapter makes reference to God’s word!

14 Effective Bible Study Requires An Attitude… Of personal application!Of personal application! Must apply to self FIRST! Must apply to self FIRST! Rom. 2:21-22; Matt. 23:1-3 Rom. 2:21-22; Matt. 23:1-3 Self-examination - 2 Cor. 13:5 Self-examination - 2 Cor. 13:5 First, remove the - Matt. 7:3. First, remove the “log that is in your own eye” - Matt. 7:3.

15 Effective Bible Study Requires An Attitude… That God requires it!That God requires it! We are instructed to diligently apply ourselves to the accurate handling of God’s word - 2 Tim. 2:15We are instructed to diligently apply ourselves to the accurate handling of God’s word - 2 Tim. 2:15 We are expected to grow from student to teacher over time from our study - Heb. 5:12We are expected to grow from student to teacher over time from our study - Heb. 5:12 Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18 Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18

16 Effective Bible Study Require An Attitude… Of relevance & application!Of relevance & application! Many say the Bible is ill-equipped to help us deal with today’s modern problems.Many say the Bible is ill-equipped to help us deal with today’s modern problems. It is not outdate! – Isa. 55:7-9 It is not outdate! – Isa. 55:7-9 Rather, we must believe that God’s word will make us everything we need to be.Rather, we must believe that God’s word will make us everything we need to be. 2 Tim. 3: Tim. 3:16-17

17 Effective Bible Study Requires…PLANNING When Bible study is a mere after-thought – something that takes place only after everything else is done – little good will come.When Bible study is a mere after-thought – something that takes place only after everything else is done – little good will come. Requires effective use of our time – we must set aside the time!Requires effective use of our time – we must set aside the time! Eph. 5:15-16Eph. 5:15-16 Planning involves the concept of discipline!Planning involves the concept of discipline! 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Tim. 4:7-81 Cor. 9:25; 1 Tim. 4:7-8 We need to plan what to study!We need to plan what to study!

18 Effective Bible Study Requires…PURPOSE To become “Christ-like”!To become “Christ-like”! Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 4:13Rom. 8:28-29; Eph. 4:13 To be able to overcome temptations and find the way of escape!To be able to overcome temptations and find the way of escape! 1 Cor. 10: Cor. 10:12-13 To “grow up in Him” and be a mature Christian!To “grow up in Him” and be a mature Christian! Eph. 4:15; Heb. 5:14 – 6:1Eph. 4:15; Heb. 5:14 – 6:1 To be able to defend the truth!To be able to defend the truth! Jude 3; 1 Peter 3:15Jude 3; 1 Peter 3:15 To share the good news with others!To share the good news with others! 2 Tim. 2:22 Tim. 2:2

19 Effective Bible Study Requires…CONCENTRATION Con = with; centre = center – to center your mind.Con = with; centre = center – to center your mind. It begins with a mind-set!It begins with a mind-set! Col. 3:1-2; Rom. 8:5-8Col. 3:1-2; Rom. 8:5-8 Practically, do we do our personal Bible study in a place free from distractions?Practically, do we do our personal Bible study in a place free from distractions? Do we strive not to be a distraction in our collective Bible studies?Do we strive not to be a distraction in our collective Bible studies?

20 Effective Bible Study Requires…THE RIGHT TOOLS It starts with a Bible! Yours!It starts with a Bible! Yours! Know your Bible!Know your Bible! Needs to be an appropriate translation and not a paraphrase.Needs to be an appropriate translation and not a paraphrase. There is no substitute for simply knowing what the text says!

21 Effective Bible Study Requires…OTHER TOOLS Other tools can help such asOther tools can help such as Pens, paper, highlighters, etc. (are you truly a student?)Pens, paper, highlighters, etc. (are you truly a student?) Distinguish between reference works and simply the thoughts of men. (Concordances, Bible dictionaries, lexicons, maps, etc. verses commentaries)Distinguish between reference works and simply the thoughts of men. (Concordances, Bible dictionaries, lexicons, maps, etc. verses commentaries) Computer software may be helpfulComputer software may be helpful Use ALL With Caution!Use ALL With Caution!

22 Effective Bible Study Requires…FREQUENCY Public Bible studies don’t accomplish much if we are irregular in our attendance.Public Bible studies don’t accomplish much if we are irregular in our attendance. Personal Bible study – must be continual and regular!Personal Bible study – must be continual and regular! Joshua 1:7-8; Psalms 1:1-3; Deut. 6:4-6Joshua 1:7-8; Psalms 1:1-3; Deut. 6:4-6

23 Effective Bible Study Requires US TO PRACTICE IT Not enough to be just a “learner” !Not enough to be just a “learner” ! We must be “doers”!We must be “doers”! Jas. 1:22-27; Matt 7:21-27Jas. 1:22-27; Matt 7:21-27 Rom. 2:13; 1 Jn. 2:17; 3:7Rom. 2:13; 1 Jn. 2:17; 3:7 Phil. 4:9Phil. 4:9

24 Effective Bible Study Produces GOOD FRUIT! It will accomplish that which God desires!It will accomplish that which God desires! Isa. 55:8-11Isa. 55:8-11 It will transform your life!It will transform your life! Rom. 12:1-2Rom. 12:1-2 It will enable yourself to be !It will enable yourself to be “renewed day by day” ! 2 Cor. 4:162 Cor. 4:16 It is God’s power unto salvation!It is God’s power unto salvation! Rom. 1:16Rom. 1:16 It will save your soul!It will save your soul! Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:22-25Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:22-25