Chapter 1 - Studies the Word of God

This is a continuation from last month's blog post. This is Chapter 1 of S.H.A.P.E.D. - Studies the Word of God.

When my kids were younger, my wife and I made the executive decision to forbid the word “stupid.” We did not want that word to be a go to adjective describing another person. We taught our kids it was a “bad” word and inappropriate to use. In our declaration I never envisioned a day this would backfire on me.

One day, our precious kids were hanging out with their cousins and my wife’s parents. I overheard a conversation where the cousins mentioned to my in-laws that they heard their father say a bad word. It was the ultimate tattle tale moment. Not to be outdone, my sweet little princess offered up this nugget to her cousins and grandparents, “Well, my dad said the “S” word!” Enter shocked faced emoji. She was of course referring to the word stupid, but I knew not everyone understood our vernacular.

There is another “S” word that has a poor reputation. It’s a word that at one point in your life would cause a sudden outbreak of the sweats. If someone would drop the “S” word, immediately you would feel a little uncomfortable. Yes, I’m talking about studying.

Being in spiritual shape always involves Studying the Word of God. That is the “S” in Shaped. If you remember in Acts 2 where the first church is formed… 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… The Apostles were teaching Jesus and echoing what He taught. They helped these new believers understand the Law and the Prophets and the connection to our Savior. The new believers were hungry to hear the very word of God. If you want to grow in your relationship with Christ and be shaped more into His image, you must discipline yourself to consistently dive into God’s Word.

I know for some that makes you cringe. Studying can feel like a dirty word. I can remember back in college and seminary there were certain subject requirements to officially graduate. This meant that I needed to take some classes that didn’t quite stoke the learning fire. Studying in those classes felt more like a chore than a passion. I was being forced to study topics that really held no interest in my life. For all of us that have had educational efforts, there are times studying seems to equate to academic hoop jumping.

This pertains not only to the academic world. For a season in my life, I was a junior high basketball coach. To be hired I had to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License so I could drive the team to tournaments and away games in a school bus. Passing the test was a lengthy process because it involved 3 intense exams and a driving test. I hated studying the 152 page CDL manual. Coaching was definitely a passion I held, but learning the ins and outs of air brakes was on a totally different spectrum. However, I had to study and read every word in that manual to pass to get to my license. And thankfully I did on the first try.

When it comes to God, some of you hear the phrase “study the Word of God” and you immediately want to check out. The Bible looks like a 152 page CDL manual to you*. You are nervous about understanding the information and the Bible appears complicated and overwhelming. Plus, you feel worried you will not pass the final exam. That’s the wrong perspective. There is not a test at the end as far as God asking how many Bible verses you know. He will not go all “Bible Drill” on you. What will be determined is if you have a relationship with Jesus and if you surrendered your life to Him. Jesus did not tell the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise…after you memorize the Law.”

Head knowledge is never the primary goal of studying the Word of God. Life change is. We read the Word of God to know who our God really is and how our lives should look as a result. With the proper perspective, we see that studying God in His Word really is a treasure and not a chore. Our God is so immense that the layer peeling effort by studying His Word leads to a glorious end.

Have you ever been snorkeling? My wife and I had the wonderful opportunity to snorkel on a trip to Cabo San Lucas. We saw some beautiful fish as we stayed near the water’s surface. These fish were far more beautiful than the lake fish that I knew. However, I hear from scuba divers that is just the tip of what beauty lies beneath.

There is a big difference between snorkeling and scuba diving, right? We can get a glimpse of glory snorkeling, but there is a whole other world the deeper you go. And to go deeper is going to take some studying. When you go further and further into the depths of God, the more glory that is revealed. The deeper you go the more majestic you find Him.

I love how Paul puts it, Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. - I Cor 2:6-10

There is a depth to God, and He is deeper than we could ever imagine. The word Paul uses for depths is from the Greek word bathos, which can mean deep water. I was given a snorkel with no experience. However, I was not given an oxygen tank. I hadn’t studied the subject.

When I was a church planter, we didn’t have our own building, so I didn’t have my own office. This was a positive for me. It forced me to be in my community more than normal. Once I was sitting at “my office,” a local coffee shop, and I was in a conversation with the barista. We were talking about spiritual matters when she said something that set my radar off. She basically told me that what God said was subjective. She communicated that we couldn’t really know what God wanted because we were dealing with man’s interpretation of God’s Word.

I, of course, couldn’t let that go and began a discussion and debate on the validity of God’s Word. This is an important issue because if you don’t think you can truly know what God meant in the Bible, then it becomes really easy to pick and choose what you want to believe. In essence, you become your own God making up your own standards.

Obviously, there are many things written in the Bible that don’t fit today’s narrative. It is far easier to explain passages and verses away, or toss them in the trash, so that it would fit our culture better. However, this is not an option for the Christian. As tough as a verse or passage might sound, we can’t, nor should we want, to change God’s Word. Our goal should be to figure out what God meant in the hard verse or passage.

In fact, I don’t know if you have ever heard this in a Bible Study setting, but I’m not a fan of asking “what did the passage mean to you?” Typically this phrase declares there are multiple ideas God meant when the Bible was written. I certainly believe God can apply a verse or passage differently to people, however, there is a correct interpretation of what God was communicating. The application can look different, but the truth is constant.

Truth is an interesting topic because we demand truth in almost every area of our lives. You want to receive the truth and I do too. You want it from your family, friends, teachers, Pastor, author, the local meteorologist (let that one go though, it’s not going to happen). We especially want truth if it’s going to affect us financially. You don’t want to be charged any more than necessary. I want the truth so bad in that area I don’t even trust gas pumps. I see those numbers rising before the gasoline ever gets in my car. What about the auto mechanic? Don’t you want to hear the truth there? My car engine knowledge is less than zero. I think each one is trying to rob me blind. I want the truth.

We want the truth when it comes to safety. The bungee cord better be secure and able to hold. We want to know that the airplane has been thoroughly inspected and is cleared for blue skies. What about our health? We want to know why Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is in a lot of our food. We want to know what is actually in McDonald’s meat. On second thought, it’s probably best we just don’t know.

But it sure seems many people aren’t interested in truth when it comes to morality or religion. Why? Because most people don’t want to be held accountable to any moral standards. St. Augustine once said, “We love truth when it enlightens us, but we hate it when it convicts us.” Christians are notorious for arguing and dissecting God’s Word, not to understand what He meant, but to keep us so busy we don’t actually do what it says. It’s as if debating and appearing intelligent is better than denying our self and picking up our cross.

Atheists and Agnostics get around moral standards by declaring there is no truth, which is illogical. The proclamation of no truth is a self-defeating statement. The argument that is being made is based upon a statement that is supposedly based upon fact, truth. He or she in essence is saying, “The truth is, there is no truth.” Well, if there is no truth, then that statement isn’t true, which would mean there is truth. 

What did Jesus say about truth? In John 17, the prayer Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane before His arrest and crucifixion, He prayed a prayer that was thankfully recorded for us.

Jesus voiced, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” - John 17:17

I believe Jesus is referring to the Old Testament AND to the words He taught in the flesh.

Jesus also said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6b

Jesus says the Word of God is truth and that He is truth, which means what He taught is truth. The truth is what will sanctify us, what will help us get in spiritual shape.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. - Psalm 1:1-6

To be the healthiest we can be, we need to treat the Word as a treasure. We should be at the place where we are meditating on it day and night. The Psalmist writes about delighting in the Law and focusing on it day and night. Now remember, this isn’t the Old Testament and New Testament. The author is talking about the Law. What an exceptional privilege that we have the whole Bible. We have the entirety of God’s Word and if we would dive in, we would experience spiritual fruit, life, and vitality. That’s why a big part of getting in good spiritual shape is Studying the Word of God.

Jesus once said Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Matt 6:33

In fairness, Jesus didn’t say specifically “get in the Word.” However, the heart behind His statement is for His followers to passionately pursue the Father. There are different ways to do this, but probably the easiest is to study the Word of God.

I want to be as practical as I can to help you Study the Word of God. I’m going to give you the acrostic S.E.E.K. to use to remind yourself to study!

S- Set Aside Time

It has been said that the greatest evidence of love is TIME. This is understandable because we make and create the time for the things we love and for the things we feel are important. We make sure we have the time to post that cute selfie. There are TV shows we enjoy, so we carve out the necessary minutes in our schedules to watch them. We plan watch parties for the big game. There are certain things we make time for every day because we have placed a priority on whatever it is.

Priority is the key word. There are specific things we have labeled important in our minds, so we make sure we accomplish them daily. Do you have a habit of brushing your teeth? Let’s hope so! What about eating? We find this necessary so we don’t skip this part of our day. You might think, “I have to eat to survive.” It’s time we view the Word of God with this level of importance. We have priorities that have been designated with time. God is deserving of our time. You must make Him a priority.  

Seeking God begins with a decision on when you will meet with Him. Set aside the time each day when you know you will sit and meet with Him in His Word.

E- Eat God's Word

In ancient Jewish culture, formal education began at 6 years old. Jewish boys would go to the local synagogue school called house of the book (beit sefer). When they graduated at 10, they would have memorized the first 5 books of the OT called the Torah. Every word memorized. Wow!

According to Jewish tradition, the rabbi would cover their slate with honey on the first day of class. Then the rabbi would instruct his class to lick the honey off their slate while reciting Ps 119:103 - How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

That was their first and perhaps most important lesson. The rabbi wanted them to fall in love with the Word of God. He wanted them to taste that God’s Word is good.

When we study God’s Word we must chew on it as we would a delicious delicatessen. You have a favorite food. You know it’s your favorite when you savor the bites. Make sure you don’t fly through God’s Word. Savor each bite.

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Ps 119: 9,11

Part of eating God’s Word involves memorization. When we hide God’s Word in our heart, the Holy Spirit brings His words to our minds and uses them to encourage us and to give us victory over temptation. When Jesus faced temptation, He defeated it with the Word. After each time the devil tempted Him, He would say, “The Scriptures say…”

Repeatedly we see Jesus knew Scripture. When he was a young boy in the Temple, He amazed the teachers of His understanding. He also quoted Scripture often in His teaching. Even when He hung from the cross and said, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” He was pointing the listeners, and us, back to Psalm 22.  

If Jesus used the Word, we should too. We need to eat it to know it.

E- Engage In Conversation

We will talk more about prayer in Chapter 3, but the idea here is to pray the Word of God. You should view your time in the Word as a conversation, not a monologue. God speaks to you through His Word, but as in any conversation, deeper understanding and levels of communication occur in the context of a back-and-forth dialogue. As you study, interact with the Word of God by having a conversation with Him. Pray promises. Pray Scripture. Be still in those moments and know that He is God.

There are times I will read something in the Bible and say to God, “This is my heart too.” I will then pray verbatim what was written. As you read the Word, use it as a conversation starter with Almighty God.

K- Keep God's instructions –

Have you ever been given a letter or note that you kept because it was special to you? If God places anything on your heart as you study His Word, it is worth holding onto. I recommend for followers of Jesus to take part in some sort of journaling. Some people are more naturally gifted in this area and some aren’t.

Since we are already using acrostics, I’m going to give you the best one I have ever seen in journaling. I spent a year with Pinelake Church in Brandon, Mississippi, learning the ropes of church planting and I picked up this incredible tool while there. I’ve never been good at journaling and this outline really helped me do a better job of processing what God is speaking to me through His Word. Once you seek God, it is inevitable you will REAP spiritual health. This is how you can keep track of what God is doing.

R- Read

More often than not, when you read God’s Word, a word or phrase or passage will prick your spirit and jump off the page. In your journal you are going to write the verse or verses that stick out to you. So you need to read with a pen in hand or an app that allows you to make notes. I’d encourage you to write comments, ask questions, and mark highlights in your Bible. Underline keywords. Circle things that jump out at you. Draw arrows to show correlation. As you talk with God and converse with Him in your heart and with His Word, spiritual truth and the voice of God come alive.

After you have read you will take your journal and write or type or copy and paste the part of the passage that was the most intriguing or impactful. Then you are ready to move on.

E- Explain

In your journal, this is where you are going to give yourself as much information as possible about the passage you are focusing on. You will try to answer key questions: What is the context, who is talking, who are they talking to, what issue is being addressed, etc.? Ask the basic questions of who, what, where, when, why and how. This will help you remember what is the background to the verse or verses when you come back to it later in life, whether that’s a month or a year.

Once you have a good idea of the context and what the author was trying to communicate to his audience, you will move to the next phase…

A- Apply

This might be the hardest aspect of Bible Study. Application is the personal digging. How does this apply to my life? How do I need to live because of what I read? You need to take the time to write or type this answer. Be very specific about how your life should look after encountering God’s heart in His Word. Remember that Bible reading isn’t about accumulating knowledge. The ultimate goal is life change. The application process will help bring this to light.

P- Pray

Literally take the time to record a prayer in your journal. This prayer should directly relate to what you just processed in the R.E.A. section. It is easy to talk to yourself as you read and explain and apply and forget you need to spend time with God talking about what has been illuminated in your spirit.

If you SEEK the Lord, you will REAP intimacy and health. If you SEEK God, you will REAP a changed life. I have had many mountain top experiences with Christ but when I look back over my life what really changed me was early on, I made meeting with God a spiritual discipline in my life.

Let’s end this chapter with a game changing principle. The beauty of the Christian life is that this workout isn’t meant to be done alone. Our studying God is not a solo effort. I’m not saying we never read the Bible on our own. On the contrary, that is a great gift that we have so much access to the Word of God. We must read it by ourselves, but we must also find a way to be in the Word of God with like-minded believers.

In your school days, did you ever participate in a study group? For those of you that went to college, or maybe you did this in high school, but it was much more enjoyable to study with someone else. If the group wasn’t focused, it could be counter productive, but if the group was on task, there could be a great synergy in your efforts to learn the lesson correctly.

Look at the life of Jesus. There were many people who followed Jesus, but there were a group of 12 guys who were close to Him. These 12 men came from different towns and backgrounds and even different occupations. But Jesus approached each of these men and invited them to do life with Him - to travel with Him, interact with Him, live with Him, and learn from Him at a very personal level. This was a group of everyday people living everyday life together for the sake of the Gospel. A Gospel that they embraced along the way.

It must have been incredible for these guys to not only hear Jesus teach, but they also saw Him live out His teachings. They heard Him speak about loving and serving others and then they themselves experienced being served by Jesus as He washed their feet. That’s what special about community. Being real, hearing truth, and applying it and growing together and watching that happen in each other.

That’s the thing about studying God. When you study God on your own, it’s too easy to only learn what you see on the pages of the Bible and not get another vantage point from a unique set of eyes. That’s not how studying happened in the New Testament. It was a group project.

Living an isolated life is the exact opposite of the way we see life lived in the Bible. You miss out on the wisdom from others and the strength of others. The enemy’s MO is to isolate us, get us alone so he can take us out. Don’t let him! Get together. Jesus didn’t want His disciples, and He doesn’t want you and me, to live the Christian life alone.

You might think you are old enough and wise enough and mature enough to go about this your way. Being mature doesn’t equate to being able to handle all things by yourself. Being mature means you now know how to turn to the right people. So let’s check out the next workout.

“The Bible is a remarkable fountain: the more one draws and drinks of it, the more it stimulates thirst.” – Martin Luther

*For the rare person that gets excited about manuals, you must imagine something else.