1. Getting More from God’s Word The Church: Stewards of the Mystery

3. God’s Word It takes effort… It takes effort… – Not written to entertain – Personally convicting – Mentally challenging – Not written to us

4. God’s Word It takes effort… It takes effort… So I must have desire… So I must have desire… And ability. And ability.

5. God’s Word Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

6. Our Goal… Grow in desire Grow in desire Refine our ability Refine our ability So we get more from His Word So we get more from His Word

7. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – It’s true Psalm 119:151 You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.

8. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – It’s true Psalm 119:160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

9. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – It’s unchanging Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

10. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – It’s unchanging Matthew 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

11. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – It’s proven 2.5 – 6 billion copies sold in modern times 2.5 – 6 billion copies sold in modern times Whole or parts in +2400 languages Whole or parts in +2400 languages

12. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – It’s true – It’s unchanging – It’s proven

13. Desire: Why study it? It helps make life work It helps make life work – Relevant to our deepest needs Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

14. Desire: Why study it? It helps make life work It helps make life work – Our greatest source of wisdom Psalm 119:98-100 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.

15. Desire: Why study it? It helps make life work It helps make life work – Source of strength in our struggles Psalm 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

16. Desire: Why study it? It helps make life work It helps make life work – Peace and Joy in any circumstance Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

17. Desire: Why study it? It helps make life work It helps make life work – Reveals our Savior Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

18. Desire: Why study it? I can absolutely depend on it I can absolutely depend on it – true, unchanging, proven It helps make life work It helps make life work – our always relevant source of wisdom, strength, peace, joy, and our Savior

19. Ability: How to study it Go To grace-bible.org  downloads  biblestudies  “Bible Study Methods Packet”

20. Ability: How to study it Step 1: Prepare Step 1: Prepare – Gather resources – Choose a good time and place – Pray – Choose a passage: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

21. Ability: How to study it Step 2: Observe Step 2: Observe – Read once: List 2-3 Big ideas

22. Ability: How to study it Step 2: Observe Step 2: Observe – Read once: List 2-3 Big ideas – Read again: underline verbs underline verbs circle key words circle key words box connecting words box connecting words and, but, also so that, yet, therefore,however…

23. Ability: How to study it Step 3: Interpret Step 3: Interpret – list your questions – review the context (book & passage) – look up cross-references – look up key words, names, places – check a commentary

24. Ability: How to study it Step 4: Apply Step 4: Apply – list principles & circle your hardest – when do you struggle most? – brainstorm ways to improve – choose one & create a concrete plan of action

25. Ability: How to study it Go To grace-bible.org  downloads  biblestudies  “Bible Study Methods Packet”