Key Scriptures

            -2 Timothy 2:15        -Acts 17:11

            -2 Timothy 3:16-17   -Psalm 138:2

            -Romans 10:17

After you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior, you become a disciple.

1. As a disciple, you don’t just treat the Bible as some sort of book with selfish desires.
2. You don’t always just open it and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you where to read.
3. You need a consistent study and understanding of the Scriptures as a disciple.
4. It should also be your desire to live in the Scriptures on a daily basis to gain more understanding for Christ-like living.

   2.   A True Disciple Must Know The Word of God.

• The Bible is God’s manual for man. –Joshua 1:8
• The Bible is God speaking to man.—Exodus 23:22a
• The Bible is the life of God.  –John 1:1
• The Bible makes those that read cured.  –Psalm 119:98-104
• The Bible empowers faith.  –Romans 10:17
• The Bible is useful for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness.  –2 Timothy 3:16
• The Bible can penetrate every area of a man’s heart and can judge the attitudes of the heart.  –Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is also the inspired Word of God, totally true, absolutely reliable, and the final authority for all we do as Christians and as a church.

   3.   Different Ways to Know God’s Word

1. You can know the word of God by hearing.
1. Sermons, tapes, CD’s, reading aloud, etc.
2. Knowing the Word of God by reading.
1. When you read, ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding.
2. It is helpful to follow a reading plan.
3. It is healthy to read it everyday.
4. Read with your notebook, pen, and marker.
5. Take notes of the lessons for the day and ask the Holy Spirit to help you meet the standard of God’s Word.
3. Ways of Studying the Word of God. (Acts 17:11)
1. Set a goal or an aim for your study.

• Study of a Bible character like Adam, Jesus, Moses, David, etc.
• Analyze a passage of the Bible like John 3:16, Genesis 1:1, Exodus 23:25-27.
• Study of a theme like the Holy Spirit, fasting, prayer, anointing, etc.

1. Write anything that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you.
2. Remember and share with others what God reveals to you.

  4.    Know the Word by Meditating Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3

1. Think of what you have read and give the Holy Spirit time to teach and speak to you personally through them.
2. Reason with the Word through objective thinking.

  5.    Know the Word by Memorizing   Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Proverbs 7:1-3

1. This helps us to stand against any challenge without opening the Bible.
2. It helps us to overcome sin, temptations, and Satan.

-Ephesians 6:17                 -Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

  6.     The Purpose for Studying the Word

1. Discipleship and Growth

-2 Timothy 3:16-17

1. Faith and Encouragement

-Romans 15:4

1. Witness and Evangelism
2. Spiritual Warfare

-Ephesians 6:17

Questions

1. Can you really grow as a disciple of Jesus if you just pick out occasional Scripture verses or passages to read?
2. How can a true disciple study the Word of God?
3. Give three reasons why a disciple must know the Word of God.
4. What are the different ways to know the Word of God?