Week of March 15th - Studying and Applying God’s Word

Key Thought:
Imagine what it would be like if you were only allowed to eat one meal per week. How long could you survive? Our bodies technically can go seven days without food, but eventually the cycle of gorging for one meal and starving the rest of the week would kill you. Christians who are only fed by God’s Word one meal per week on Sunday mornings are in jeopardy of eventually starving spiritually. Fortunately for all of us there are many Bible study resources along with radio and online sermons that can challenge and help grow us spiritually. Unfortunately, some of us aren’t taking advantage of these resources, and aren’t reading the Bible we have sitting on the shelf at home. The spiritual malnutrition is evident and the joy of knowing Jesus is evaporating quickly.

Now, imagine if you started stuffing yourself with your favorite foods and desserts 5 times a day and never did anything active or athletic. Hopefully you’re having to imagine this scenario. This is a word picture of a Christian who likes to read and study the Bible. A person who takes advantage of the plethora of books, sermons, and Bible studies available, but who never seriously applies what they’ve learned to their life. This person is the exact opposite as the underfed Christian, but just as unhealthy.

Wisdom is applying the words of God to real life. It’s skillfully living a Godly life as you encounter the difficulties, the confusing dilemmas, and the big life decisions that are replete with uncertain outcomes. The Bible says that knowledge “puffs up” meaning it makes a person arrogant. I have met my share of arrogant Christians who possess much biblical knowledge and very little Godly wisdom and compassion. The formula to keep in mind when approaching the Scriptures is, 1) Study to understand and interpret what it meant back then 2) Find the timeless truth/principle contained in the interpretation 3) Apply that principle to your life immediately

Bible Reading:
Monday – James 1:21-25
Tuesday – Ezra 7:10
Wednesday – Matthew 24:35
Thursday – Psalm 119:11
Friday – Matthew 23:27

Questions to Ponder During the Week:

1. Who do you more relate to, the Christian who is malnourished or the one who is well fed but under-active? Which type of person is more prevalent in your experience?
2. Why is it so easy to go through the motions of being a religious person while neglecting to personally study and apply God’s word on a consistent basis?
3. Do you believe the Devil is active in trying to prevent you from taking the principles of study and application seriously? In what ways is he active?
4. In what ways do malnourished and under-active Christians damage the church? Their testimony to unbelievers?
5. What has been your study plan…or what is going to be your study plan after today?