Part 5: Hear God's Word

Part Five HEAR GOD’S WORD God is a God of communication and words. Throughout the ages he has spoken to us through the written Word, the spoken word and the incarnate Word. The H disciplines address our need and desire to hear a word from God. Our world of printed as well as verbal noise can drown out the reality and wonder of God’s Word. There are always other books to read and speakers to listen to. Of course God does use books and people to speak to us. But Scripture is a primary way that the Holy Spirit opens us up to the God who is beyond us. In the Bible God reveals to us both our sin and our belovedness. Our desires for nourishment, strength, comfort and joy are all addressed in Scripture. Reading God’s Word, listening to Scripture on tape or singing biblical texts all put us in a place to attend to the God who speaks. Though there is no new word of revelation today, God is still speaking and guiding us personally and intimately through the Word. Regularly being with God in his Word is a way we open ourselves to truths and guidance outside us. “In the Bible God gives us revelations of himself which lead us to worship, promises of salvation which stimulate our faith, and commandments expressing his will which demand our obedience. This is the meaning of Christian discipleship.” —John R. W. Stott Bible Study DESIRE to know what the Bible says and how it intersects with my life DEFINITION Bible study involves engaging the mind and focusing attention on Scripture in an attempt to understand and apply truth to every part of my life. SCRIPTURE “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.” (2 Timothy 3:16 The Message) “Let the word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!” (Colossians 3:16 The Message) “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) PRACTICE INCLUDES attending to biblical instruction (oral or written) with an open mind and heart in order to grow in love and understanding of the truth systematically studying Scripture to gain the big picture of what God is doing on planet earth using study guides, manuscript studies, small group Bible studies, etc. GOD-GIVEN FRUIT keeping company with Jesus no matter how little or much God speaks to me through his Word loving God with my mind learning and internalizing what Scripture teaches about God having Scripture shape and form my thinking and lifestyle so they are increasingly redemptive and life giving using my understanding to build the community of faith putting myself in a place where God can instruct and correct my behavior and attitudes growing in my ability to rationally defend and express my faith

Part 5: Hear God's Word

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