-I-
DAY
2 – INVESTIGATE
SCRIPTURE—CONNECT
WITH GOD
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them
before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the
hearers. 15 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.
2 Timothy 2:14-15
14 But as for you, continue in what you have
learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which
are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man
of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Second in the F.I.R.S.T. “First
Steps”, we are to “Investigate the Scriptures” through personal and corporate
Bible Study, primarily through LifeGroups. However, there are other Bible
studies throughout the week, including Sunday afternoons and Wednesday
evenings.
The old King James version read
“Study to show thyself approved…” for 2 Timothy 2:15. Since the Word of
God is inspired or breathed out by God (3:16), and we are to handle it rightly,
or accurately (2:15), what could be the danger of simply interpreting the Bible
always alone and always on your own, without guidance within the fellowship and
incorporation of the church?
1 Corinthians 12:18 and 21 says
that God arranged us as members of the body to be in need of one another, not
only in giftednesses, but also in making sure we understand the Bible properly,
and just as importantly, that others be instructed. “But as it is, God
arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. …The eye
cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the
feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ ”
When we connect with God
through the Scripture at church, we allow ourselves to be connected with God
and also with others. Peter stated that Scriptures are not a matter of one’s
own private interpretation. Read 1 Peter 1:
19 And so we have the
prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a
dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
20 knowing this first, that no
prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible promises that
through investigating its truths, the words keep us from sin (Psalms 119:9, 11),
will give light to our paths (Psalm 119:105), will prosper us (Psalm 1:3,
Joshua 1:7-8), help us defend our faith (1 Peter 3:15), and increase our faith
(Romans 10:17). Like a sword, the word of God will rightly divide our thoughts
and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17). Like water, the
word of God will cleanse us (John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26). Like a firm
foundation, hearing and doing the word will help us with the storms of life (Matthew
7:24). Like a mirror, it reveals truth (James 1:23). Like a seed, it will bear
fruit (1 Peter 1:23, Luke 8:11).
Unlike temporal things, the
word of God will remain forever, even longer than the heavens and earth (Matthew
24:35). Unlike the lies of Satan and the world, the word of God is perfect,
true, and without error (Psalm 19:7, 119:60, Proverbs 30:5).
Day 3, Relationship
Day 3, Relationship
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