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• HOW TO HEAR GOD’S WORD

“Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.”  Rom. 10:17

Ways to Hear God’s Word

•  The Bible on tape
• Church services & studies
• Sermon tapes
• Radio/TV teachers

PROBLEM:  We forget _95__ % of what we hear after 72 hours.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR HEARING

1. Be ready and eager to hear God.

(Jesus) “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  Luke 8:8

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103

2. Deal with attitudes that prevent hearing God (Luke 8:4-15)

“Consider carefully how you listen …”Luke 8:18

  –  A Closed Mind:  Is fear, pride or bitterness preventing me from hearing God?

  –  A Superficial Mind:  Am I really serious about wanting to hear God speak?

  –  A Preoccupied Mind:  Am I too busy and concerned with other things to concentrate on what God has to say?

3. Confess any sin in your life.

“… Get rid of all moral filth and humbly accept the Word…” James 1:21

4. Take notes on what you hear.

“We must pay more careful attention to what we’ve heard, so that we do not drift away!”Heb. 2:1

5. Act on what you hear!

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says!“ James 1:22

“Whoever … does not simply listen and then forget, but puts it into practice – that person will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:25 (GN)

• HOW TO READ GOD’S WORD

“Happy is the one who reads this book … and obeys what is written in it!” Rev. 1:3 (GN)

How often should I read God’s Word? ____DAILY________________

“(The Scriptures) shall be his constant companion.  He must read from it everyday of his life so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all of his commands.”  Deut. 17:19

SUGGESTIONS

Read it systematically.

Bible without notes.

Read it in different translations.

For reading: Good News, Living Bible, Phillips

Read it aloud quietly to yourself.

Underline or color code key verses.

Choose a reading plan and stick with it.

If I read approximately 15 minutes a day, I can read through the Bible once a year.

• III. HOW TO STUDY GOD’S WORD

“… they accepted the message eagerly and studied the Scriptures everyday …”    Acts 17:11 (Ph)

“Be a good workman … Know what His Word says and means.” 2 Tim. 2:15

The difference between reading and studying the Bible is that you TAKE NOTES when you study.

The secret of effective Bible study is knowing how to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

SUGGESTED RESOURCES FOR BIBLE STUDY

Study Bibles:

• The Best Personal Study Bible:

       “The Life Application Bible” (NASB)

  Bible Handbooks:

• “Richard’s Complete Handbook” (Word)

• “Haley’s Bible Handbook” (Zondervan)

• “Eerdman’s Bible Handbook” (Eerdmans)

  Other Important Study Tools

• A Bible on computer program such a “WordSearch” or “PCBible” or “Blue Letter Bible” [a web based free program.  You can also download the app on your phone].  
• “The Bible App” for your phone.  Offers daily reading programs, study plans, devotionals, and audio bibles.
• “The New Bible Dictionary” (Eerdmans)
• “The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible” (Baker)
• “The New Bible Commentary” (Eerdmans)
• “The Moody Atlas of Bible Lands” (Moody)

• HOW TO MEMORIZE GOD’S WORD

“Guard my words as your most precious possession.  Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart.” Pr. 7:2-3

BENEFITS OF MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE

1. It helps me resist temptation.

“I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”   Ps. 119:11

2. It helps me make wise decisions.

“Your Word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.    Ps. 119:105

3. It strengthens me when I’m under stress.

“… Your promises to me are my hope.  They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!” Ps. 119:49 (LB)

4. It comforts me when I’m sad.

“Your words are what sustain me … They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me.” Jer. 15:16 (LB)

5. It helps me witness to unbelievers.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

WHEN TO MEMORIZE A VERSE

• During your Quiet Time

• While Exercising

• While waiting (spare moments)

• At bedtime (Ps 63:6)

HOW TO MEMORIZE A VERSE

1. Pick a verse that speaks to you.
2. Say the reference before and after the verse.
3. Read the verse aloud many times. Record it!
4. Break the verse into natural phrases.
5. Emphasize key words when quoting the verse.
6. Write down the verse and erase a word one at a time.
7. Write out the verse on a flash card.
8. Carry some cards with you at all times for review.
9. Display your verses in prominent places.
10. Always memorize the verse word perfect.
11. Put the verse to music. Write a song!
12. Get a partner so you can check each other.  

Suggested beginning rate:  2 new verses a week.

• SCRIPTURE MEMORY COURSE

The following verses suggest a “balance” in Scripture Memory.  The verses selected are key verses in understanding the foundations of the Christian Life and Christian Growth.  Do not feel tied-down to this suggested list.  This is only a tool to lead you in an understanding of the importance of memorizing “key” verses.

Live the New Life:

Christ the Center                          II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20

Obedience to Christ                      Rom. 12:1; John 14:21

The Word                                    II Tim. 3:16; Josh. 1:8

Prayer                                         John 15:7; Phil. 4:6-7

Fellowship                                   Matt. 18:20; Heb. 10:24

Witnessing                                  Matt. 4:19; Rom. 1:16

Proclaim Christ:

All Have Sinned                           Rom. 3:23; Isa. 53:6

Sin’s Penalty                                Rom. 6:23; Heb. 9:27

Christ Paid the Penalty                 Rom. 5:8; I Peter 3:18

Salvation Not by Works               Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

Must Receive Christ                     John 1:12; Rev. 3:20

Assurance of Salvation                 I John 5:13; John 5:24

Rely on God’s Resources:

His Spirit                                     I Cor. 3:16; I Cor. 2:12

His Strength                                 Isa. 41:10; Phil. 4:13

His Faithfulness                           Lam. 3:22; Num. 23:19

His Peace                                    Isa. 26:3; I Peter 5:7

His Provision                               Rom. 8:32; Phil 4:19

His Help in Temptation                Heb. 2:18; Ps. 119:9, 11

Be Christ’s Disciple:

Put Christ First                             Matt. 6:33; Luke 9:23

Separate from the World               I Jn. 2:15-16; Rom. 12:2

Be Steadfast                                 I Cor. 15:58; Heb. 12:3

Serve Others                                Mark 10:45; II Cor. 4:5

Give Generously                          Prv. 3:9-10; II Cor. 9:6-7

Develop World Vision                  Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19-20

Grow in Christ likeness:

Love                                           John 13:34-35; I Jn. 3:18

Humility                                      Phil. 2:3-4; I Peter 5:5-6

Purity Eph. 5:3; I Peter 2:11

Honesty                                       Lev. 19:11; Acts 24:16

Faith                                           Heb. 11:6; Rom. 4:20-21

Good Works     Gal. 6:9-10; Matt. 5:16

• HOW TO MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD

“(Those) who are always meditating on His Laws … are like trees along a river bank bearing fruit … they never wither and whatever they do prospers.”                         Ps. 1:2-3 (LB)

Meditation is Focused Thinking about a Bible verse in order to discover how I can apply its truth to my own life.

WHY MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE?

1. It is the key to becoming like Christ.

” … Your life is shaped by your thoughts.”          Pr. 4:23 (GN)

” … Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2

“As we … contemplate the Lord’s glory, we are being transformed into His likeness …”    1 Cor. 3:18

2. It is the key to answered prayer.

“If you live your life in Me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like, and it will come true for you.” John 15:7 (Ph)

3. 3. It is the key to successful living.

” … Meditate on (the Word) day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

SIX WAYS TO MEDITATE ON A VERSE

1. Picture it! Visualize the scene in your mind.
2. Pronounce it! Say the verse aloud, each time emphasizing a different word.
3. Paraphrase it! Rewrite the verse in your own words.
4. Personalize it! Replace the pronouns or people in the verse with your own name.
5. Pray it! Turn the verse into a prayer and say it back to God!

1. HOW TO APPLY GOD’S WORD

“Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word.  Instead, put it into practice.”  James 1:22

” … Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”   Matt. 5:19

HOW TO APPLY SCRIPTURE 

1st ask:  What did it mean to the original hearers?

2nd ask:  What is the underlying timeless principle?

3rd ask:  Where or how could I practice that principle?

Write out a sentence that describes a project or action you will take to apply the truth.

4 Marks of A Good Application Project

1. It’s PERSONAL
2. It’s PRACTICAL
3. It’s POSSIBLE
4. It’s PROVABLE 

“Now that you know these things – do them!  That is the path of blessing!” John 13:17 (LB)

A BIBLE READING PLAN

THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT IN 30 DAYS

1.   Matthew 1-9
2.  Matthew 10-15
3.   Matthew 16-22
4.   Matthew 23-28
5.   Mark 1-8
6.   Mark 9-16
7.   Luke 1-6
8.   Luke 7-11
9.   Luke 12-18
10. Luke 19-24
11. John 1-7
12. John 8-13
13. John 14-22
14. Acts 1-7
15. Acts 8-14
16. Acts 15-21
17. Acts 22-28
18. Romans 1-8
19. Romans 9-16
20. 1 Corinthians 1-9
21. 1 Corinthians 10-16
22. 2 Corinthians 1-13
23. Galatians – Ephesians
24. Philippians – 2 Thessalonians
25. 1 Timothy – Philemon
26. Hebrews
27. James – 2 Peter
28. 1 John – 3 John
29. Revelation 1-11
30. Revelation 12-22