Lesson 2

Learning How to Study God's Word

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INTRODUCTION

Stages of learning move in three particular ways. The order cannot be reversed for God has made people TO operate in this way.

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a. Intellect - Analyzes the facts and tries to understand.
b. Emotion - Responds to the principle drawn from the facts.
c. Will - Takes the principle and applies it to life so changes are made.

 

1. HOW WE HEAR AND READ THE WORD AND APPLY IT TO OUR
LIVES IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE. Matthew 13:3-23:

 

The parable of the sower describes four different responses to the Word.

 

a. The Way Side - Fowl devoured the seed.

b. Stony Place - No root; the seed withered away.

c. Thorns - Choked the seed.

d. Good Ground - Brought forth fruit.

 

NOTE: The natural man cannot understand the spiritual meaning of the parable. The hidden meaning was for those whose hearts were open to the truth. (I Corinthians 2:14 and 14:23). THE SEED REPRESENTS THE WORD OF GOD AND THE GROUND REPRESENTS OUR HEARTS.

RESPONSES TO THE WORD

a. The Way Side - "I don't understand.” This person never puts a guard around the Word, never prays, and allows the enemy to snatch it away.

b. Stony Place - This experience usually was one of emotion, and when the trials of life came there was no sound footing to stand firm upon.

c. Thorns - The cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, pleasures, no time for the Lord--all choked out the Word.

d. Good Ground - Hears, understands, responds, and allows the seed to take root and grow so it can produce fruit. (GOD CAN TILL YOUR SOIL)

 

MEMORY VERSES (Also, the Faith Helps at the back of the manual)

Matthew 6:33 ……….Seek ye first.
II Timothy 2:15 …….Study to show.
Romans 12:2 ……….. Be ye transformed.
Joshua 1:8 …………....Meditate on the Word.
John 16:12-14 ……...Jesus wants you to keep growing.

2. MEDITATING ON THE WORD IS IMPORTANT

It is important to turn scripture over in your mind and chew it like a cow chews its cud. WHY? Because it is a message from God, and each word has a significance and truth in it that He wants you to know. (It is Sifting God’s Word From The Head To The Heart, in the back of this lesson)

 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).

 

Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
(Psalm 119:11 also Joshua 1:8 - Be a success).

 

3. MEMORIZATION OF THE WORD IS IMPORTANT

When you memorize the scripture you show God that you mean business, that your salvation is not just a passing fad.

 

You need to have a ready resource of scripture inside of you to combat the enemy. Jesus said, "It is written" (Luke 4:1-14).

 

Knowing the Word makes you an effective witness for your Lord.
(Acts 8:26-35)

 

4. APPLICATION OF THE WORD TO OUR LIFE IS IMPORTANT

Pastors, evangelists, teachers, and other Christians may be a great influence and a great help to you, but the most effective voice speaking to your heart is the Holy Spirit.

 

Whatever the source, it is only effective in your life if you apply the truths that are revealed to you (James 1:21-22).

 

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. He said, "She hath CHOSEN that good part which shall not be taken from her" (Luke 10:38).

 

5. THE METHOD THAT GOD HAS CHOSEN TO TEACH YOU IS HIS WORD

Establish your confidence and dependence on the Bible as being God’s direct instructions to you, HIS WORD THAT HE WANTS YOU TO FOLLOW.

 

GOD’S WORD DOES NOT RETURN TO HIM VOID, BUT IT ACCOMPLISHES WHATEVER HE SENT IT TO DO (Isaiah 55:11).

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LEARNING HOW TO STUDY GOD’S WORD

- REVIEW -

 

1. Name the three stages of learning in order.

a.
 

b.
 

c.

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2. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23), what four types of ground are mentioned, and what does the seed represent?

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

e.

 

3. When you have difficulty understanding the Bible, what should you do? Scripture please.

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4. Name the FOUR IMPORTANT THINGS we should remember about being grounded in the Word.

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

5. Whose voice should you listen to more than any other when you are seeking to apply the Word to your life?

 

 

6. What method has God chosen to teach you His ways?

 

 

SO HOW DO WE STUDY THE BIBLE?

 

1. Find a place that is quiet and allow adequate time to study several times a week.

 

2. Pray before, during, and after your Bible study, asking God to open your heart to His Word.

 

3. Use a Bible that you enjoy reading and have a notebook, pen, highlighter, etc.

 

4. Read the New Testament through at least seven times beginning at the Gospel of John. Bypass the Book of Revelation because it can sidetrack you from your GOAL at this time.

 

5. Then start reading one book of the Old Testament (starting at Genesis) and then back to the New Testament. Start reading the Gospel of Matthew this time.

 

6. As you read, ask yourself the following questions.

a. What does this chapter say about Jesus?

b. What does this chapter say about the Holy Spirit?

c. Who is this chapter talking to?

· The Jews
· The Nation of Israel
· The Gentiles
· The Church
· You / Me

d. How does this chapter apply to me today?

e. What did God say about this subject?

f. What did Jesus say about this subject?

g. What did the disciples say about this subject?

 

7. Write down the questions you have and the questions that come up as you read in your notebook and date them. Then when you get the answers, write them down and date them too. You will see God is working with you to help you to understand His Word. The Bible will answer your questions.

 

8. Make notes in your Bible. Underline verses that stand out to you.

 

9. You may use other references such as, a Strong’s Concordance, or a topical study explaining the customs during Bible times.

 

10. Start a Topical Chain Reference in your Bible going from verse to verse. Use verses that say the same thing so you can develop the Seven Sets of Scripture practice.

 

Topic Examples;

a. The first coming of Jesus
b. The second coming of Jesus
c. The Holy Spirit
d. Water baptism

 

11. Find three to seven sets of scripture on the subject you are working on. This is how you can make the adjustments in your life that are necessary, to line up with God’s Word. Look at the In Him verses on page 14 and the Faith Helps, in the back of this manual.

 

12. Do not try to interpret the Bible. Let scripture speak to you the way it is written in your Bible. Stay away from the one-half verse or the one verse method of trying to prove a point. God did not give instructions on how to interpret His Word. He only gave instructions on, HOW TO OBEDIENTLY FOLLOW HIS WORD AND HOW TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Do these exercises when you are reading, or studying, and after each lesson. Using this method purifies the Word in your heart. MAY YOU GROW IN GRACE AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

 

HOW TO SIFT GOD’S WORD:
FROM THE HEAD TO THE HEART

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REMEMBER; The Bible separates the head from the heart.

 

1. Review; The FOUR STAGES OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH in the back of Lesson One.

a. Review the four types of soil (Matthew 13:1-23).
b. Man shall not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4).
c. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word will last forever.

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2. Review; THE NIGHT OF THE LAST SUPPER and EXAMINE THE NEW COVENANT.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to initiate our spiritual growth.

 

3. God’s basic principal IS, EVERYTHING He has for us, is received by faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:9-10). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We receive by faith in the heart, not knowledge in the head. This is why we must learn, to get into God’s Word first, so we can pray from the heart, in faith. An example of Rhema in the inner man, is in Ephesians 1:17-23, 2:1 and 3:16-20. Look at Mathew 11:20-26 and Matthew 10:13-16. (Child like faith)

 

4. STUDY God’s word (II Timothy 2:15) and grow in grace and knowledge. (II Peter 3:18). The Bible is the Holy Spirit’s toolbox.

 

5. MEMORIZE God’s Word. Psalm 119:11 says, “I hide your word in my heart.” Also Proverbs 3:5-7. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on own, your understanding.

 

6. MEDITATE on God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

 

7. Then SPEAK God’s Word (Romans 10:9-10).

 

8. PRAY--before, during, and after reading God’s word. Matthew 7:7-8, ask, seek, knock. Also Jeremiah 33:3, call on God.

 

9. Start a daily DEVOTION TIME (Proverbs 8:17).

 

10. There is only one way to commit God’s Word to memory. It is to;
--REVIEW, REVIEW and REVIEW---.

Our eyes, ears, and mind are the gate to our hearts. (The inner man)

 

11. My people are destroyed for lack, of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).

 

12. Without a vision, my people perish (Proverbs 29:18).

 

GOD’S WORD APPLIED

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The Holy Spirit works in our inner man in conjunction with God’s WORD and our response and obedience to it. James 1:22 says, “Be ye a doer of the WORD and not a hearer only”. This is the APPLICATION of the WORD, to our heart and life, and where the child-like faith is developed.

 

You are CLEANSED by the WORD, John 15:3.

 

You are, TRANSFORMED, by the WORD, Romans 12:1-2.

 

FAITH, comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God”, Romans 10:17.

 

The WORD is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, Romans 10:8-10.

 

You are a SUCCESS through the WORD, Joshua 1:8.

 

“If you abide in Me, and My WORDS (RHEMA) abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it will be done for you”, John 15:7.

 

You are MAINTAINED through the WORD. David said; “I hide Your WORD in my heart, so I will not sin against You”, Psalms 119:11.

 

Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit will bring, ALL THINGS, (My WORD) I taught you, to remembrance”, John 16:12.

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“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My WORD will live forever”, Matthew 24:35.

 

The Lord knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart, Hebrews 4:12.