Where do I start?
Scripture
Read the Bible verse Acts 8:30-31
"So Philip ran to him and heard him [an Ethiopian] reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I , unless someone guides me?" And he invited Phillip to come up and sit with him.
- Did the Ethiopian understand what he was reading?
- Have you ever asked yourself, "How do I read the Bible"?
Story
William McPherson was the superintendent for a stone quarry when a blast severely injured him. He lost his eyesight and both hands in the explosion. He was determined to read the Bible, and learned to read raised letters with the tip of his tongue. It is said that he read through the Bible four times in this manner.
Source: Annual Report of the American Bible Society, Volume 97
- Would you be as committed as William McPherson to read the Bible if you lost your eyesight and arms?
- Does this story motivate you to be in your Bible more?
How to read the Bible and have relationship with God
READ: Read a passage of scripture. Try not to read too long of a passage as you will be going back over it again.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
EXAMINE: Re-read and examine the passage of scripture and make note of the key words or points that stuck out to you. Ask questions to gain understanding (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How). Try to retell the story in your own words - this will test your level of understanding of the passage.
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11
ASK: Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what God is saying to you in this passage. Remember this is not religion, but relationship. God is a person and wants to have a connection and relationship with you. Seek to hear His voice! John 10:27
LIVE: Live out what God has revealed to you by applying it to your life. Remember though, that we must allow Jesus to live it through us.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Now that we have REAL Time with God, do we keep it to ourselves? No!
So What?
In groups, take some time to answer the following questions:
- How would you describe your time in the Word?
- Has anyone in your life guided you like Phillip with the Ethiopian?
- Is living out what God has given to you a new concept?
Grow Further
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
