Studying the Bible for Spiritual Growth

Part 6

Principles for Spiritual Growth

Week 1 - The main reason for bible study is Transformation not just information.

Week 2 - How I receive the Word determines my response to the Word. My responses are shown in my daily actions and activities.

Week 3 - In order to grow spiritually I must invest my time, attention, and money in my Bible Study. What God provides for me, will always exceed what I invest.

Principles for Spiritual Growth

Week 4 - I grow when I apply what i study to become more Christlike.

Week 5 - There are many ways to study the Bible, to grow I must be open to using new methods.

Why we read the Bible

In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized. He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God. Christ’s Object Lessons, 38

Key Text

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. John 1:6-9

Do you know who she is?

Shirley Sherrod

Member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

Worked for the US Department of Agriculture but was forced to resign on July 19, 2010. Why?

What Happenened?

A video surfaced of her making a speech where it appeared that she did not treat all farmers fairly.

But her words were taken out of context.

Context is Critical

Context keeps us from error.

Context keeps us from spreading error.

Context opens the door for power. John 1:6

Steps to Context

Read the introduction to the book and pay attention to what is said about the

(a) author,

(b) date of writing,

(C) audience, and

(D) general themes or Message.

Steps to Context

Look at what is said before and after the passage you are studying.

Compare scripture with scripture.

Familiar Texts

John 3:16

John 14:1-3

Phillipians 4:13

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Author - Jeremiah

Date of Writing - During the reign of the last five kings of Judah.

Audience - People of Judah before and after captivity.

General Themes or Messages - Peace is only found in a covenant relationship with God.

Principle for Spiritual Growth

I grow when I study and share the Bible in context.

I Will Dig Deeper By

Paying special attention to the context of scripture during my Bible study time.