We know we’re supposed to read our Bibles. We hold the deep conviction that this is God’s special revelation to us. But let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to nail down what reading God’s Word is actually supposed to accomplish.
Fortunately, the Bible isn’t silent on matters of its own effectiveness.
It initiates faith: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”
(Rom. 10:17).
It gives new spiritual life: “You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:23).
It helps us grow spiritually: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation”
(1 Pet. 2:2).
It sanctifies: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).
It searches the heart and convicts: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
It liberates: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).
It refreshes and renews: “Give me life according to your word!” (Ps. 119:25).
It revives and enlightens: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7; see also Ps. 19:8–11).
A Few Questions:
Has the knowledge of these claims made it down to your heart yet?
If you know these claims to be true, are you truly expecting them from Scripture?
How could this change your approach reading the Bible?
While carving out an hour a day for intense, inductive Bible study is wonderful, not everybody’s schedule or life situation allows time for that. Joe Thorn (author of Note to Self) gives some advice on the spiritual disciple of meditation.
Go slow.
Focus on smaller passages at a time.
Seek to understand some key things:
What does this passage tell me about God?
What does this passage tell me about the human condition / my condition?
John Piper, author of Bloodlines, shares his thoughts on unity within God-given diversity and how the gospel profoundly affects race relations in this video interview with Collin Hansen. Thanks to The Gospel Coalition for this video and the time markers:
0:02 – What is at stake in our pursuit of racial harmony?
3:31 – Why do some think the ideal is color blindness?
Many of you have your Bible and your reading plan all set for 2012. However, there are undoubtedly some passages or even books that more difficult to understand than others. In Welcome to the Story, Stephen Nichols gives us some pointers on understanding the prophetic texts:
You should keep the big picture of hope in view. It’s easy for us to get lost in the details. We are tempted to run down rabbit trails of trying to decipher minutiae and looking for some secret insight into the details. Is Ezekiel’s “wheel within a wheel” some sort of UFO? Are the locusts in Revelation Huey helicopters of the US Air Force?
Remember the big-picture reason why God reveals the future to us. He wants us to know what will happen so that we can have a real and abiding hope. God wants us to know what will happen so that we will trust in him that despite appearances, he controls the future and we need to trust and rest in him. He wants us to know what will happen so that we will work until he comes.
As you journey through these prophetic passages of Scripture, you can easily lose your way. These questions serve as guideposts to help you navigate these texts. Begin with trying to capture the big picture of restoration, and then work from that solid ground to sorting through and understanding the details.
Questions for reading prophetic passages of Scripture:
What does this passage teach about the grand narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration?
What does this passage specifically teach about the coming restoration of all things?
What have I learned from this passage about the future that I can put into practice now?
What do I need to change in my life based on what I have learned about the future?
How does this passage offer a different perspective on life, as compared to the perspective offered by our surrounding culture?
Join Pastor Rhodes and Dr. Bradley, author of Keep Your Head Up, in Jackson, MS.
Conference Description: A new generation of Christian leaders address the intersections of theology, race, and culture in an exciting conversation about the future of the black church.
Schedule:
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 –A Celebration of Praise and Worship in Black Church Traditions
9:00-10:15 Session 1 –Dr. Anthony Bradley, “Reformed Theology, White Privilege, and Black Liberation.”
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:15 Session 2 –Pastor CJ Rhodes, “Liberating the Black Church”
11:30–1:00—Break for Lunch (Lunch is provided)
1:00 p.m. -2:15– Panel and Audience Discussion: “Is the Black Church Dead?”
2:15-2:30–Final Remarks and dismissal.
Lunch is provided for those who RSVP via admin@mthelm.org by February 6, 2012.
Address:
300 E CHURCH ST
JACKSON, MS 39202
601-353-3981
Church website: click here.
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