I often get questions from people looking for practical insight regarding growth as believers. While much could be suggested in the slot of "how to" when it comes to maturing as Christians, I think I've narrowed it down to the most important piece of advice I can give a person.
Never read a Bible verse. That's right, never read a Bible verse.
Instead, always read at least a paragraph. I call it the 20/20 rule. 20/20 being perfect vision... so to see clearly[what the true message of a particular verse is] read the 20 verses above it and the 20 below it. In essence 'Be like the Bereans' and examine the scripture"s".
I recently heard a story (probably satire) of a woman who met with her Pastor for counseling. The story goes on to tell that the lady, well meaning, told the Pastor that as she was praying on April 24 at 4:24, she flipped open her bible and it landed on Ephesians 4:24 which says: "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." For this reason she was filing for a divorce from her husband who wouldn't come to church and wanted to remarry a godly man.
While I doubt seriously the truthfulness of that story, this just about sums up the way a lot of Christians today approach reading their Bible. Most people may not be as mystical, but the result and application is the same. Just reach into the scriptures and pull out a verse you like, as if the Bible is a grab bag full of sweets for your soul. This should not be.
In addition to reading the surrounding passage when looking at a verse, here are a few (familiar) tools/considerations to keep in mind as you approach reading and/or studying.
1. Who - Who wrote it and who did he write it to?
2. What - What is the overall message of the passage/letter/book?
3. Where - Where is the setting of the writer and reader? How does it relate to our setting?
4. When - What time frame was it written in? How does that differ from or reflect our time?
5. Why - What was the authors intent? (Jn 20:30 is an example of the authors intent for his writing)
Though simple, applying these methods will greatly help you in your reading and comprehension of God's Word. Get started.
****UPDATE****
FOUND A VIDEO THAT HELPED ME A WHILE BACK. FUNNY THING IS I SAT IN ON A "BIBLE STUDY" GROUP LIKE THE ONE FEATURED IN THE BEGINNING JUST RECENTLY AND ALMOST BURST AT THE SEAMS.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
I can't think of any verse in the Bible that talks about "growing" your faith. On the other hand, there are many verses in the Scriptures that explain that our faith is a GIFT:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that NOT of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9
" ... GOD has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Rom 12:3
"...Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith" Heb 12:2
So MY Bible says that God saved us completely and to the uttermost, without the slightest bit of help, without us lifting a pinky, because if we added even the TINIEST pinch of our own effort or cooperation (a.k.a. "works") then we give ourselves reason to boast. But Jesus did it all, single-handedly without our help so that no one could boast that they gained ANY, not ONE SHRED of holiness through a program, a doctrine, a belief, a "faith exercise" or any other thing that we have come up with which we can use an excuse to claim right-standing with God. Jesus is both the AUTHOR of our faith and the maturer, grower, and PERFECTER of our faith.
Sir Brian....
You're utterly wrong. I can name countless verses that dispove your claim(s)- BUT WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH WHATS WRITTEN IN THIS POST? What did i write concerning salvation, works etc?
Would you mind explaining what youre talking about please. This makes absolutely no sense in relation to the blog. Please clarify your position and motive for me.
and what "Brian" are you? Do you know me?
@ Brian yo bruh if you are a believer I encourage you to study the word line upon line precept upon precept. Just as Steve was stating this is the very reason why a lot of believers read the word, a christian book or even a blog post & TOTALLY miss the point of the message. This post was intended to challenge, encourage & motivate fellow believers to do exactly what Paul talked about in 2 Timothy 2:14-16 which says.... (English Standard Version)
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. 16)But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
Now I didn't post the 20 verses b4 & the 20 after. However if you receive this with an open heart for the sake of God's glory you will totally understand where I'm coming from. Grace & Peace to you Brian & I pray that coupled with your submission & obedience to the will of God that He will continue to conform you to the image of Christ's likeness.
@ Steve this blog posting in is soooo true fam. I appreciate the encouraging words & the challenge that you issue to those who have an ear to hear. For when we unite in the realm of His embrace that is where we will see the endless manifestation of His love. By which the world will know we are His disciples. Like Nehemiah keep buildin bro!!!
In Christ alone,
B
@ Brian... hey bro the following Scripts speak about us pursuing growth... of course our pursuit is driven by God, but our growth is still something the Scripts say to pursue. 1 Pet 2:1-3... 1 Pet 1:4-6... 1 Pet 3:17-18 in essence if we grow in the knowledge of Christ we are growing in the faith & we're told in dozens of Scripts to do so... in other words be actively pursuing growth in Him.
@ Brian... hey bro the following Scripts speak about us pursuing growth... of course our pursuit is driven by God, but our growth is still something the Scripts say to pursue. 1 Pet 2:1-3... 1 Pet 1:4-6... 1 Pet 3:17-18 in essence if we grow in the knowledge of Christ we are growing in the faith & we're told in dozens of Scripts to do so... in other words be actively pursuing growth in Him.
Most meaningful email i've had all week
Mr. Steve, good post brotha!..Great advice that we all can learn from in regards to studying God's word.
Grace & Shalom
b. rich
Nice one fam...
Read your blog. Loved it!!! ...
The words you use drew me into what you were saying even though I kinda knew where you were headed.
Post a Comment