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Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA

A Conservative Christian Church (and podcast)

Reading and Living by the Book

April 20, 2016

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Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:7-9 – What are we thinking about as we go about our days? Do we constantly reflect on Biblical truth and its principles?

Many Christian people are in a rut, there is no or little joy in their Christian journey. Could it be that we are “doing it wrong” and have been for a long time? Are we saturated and grounded in God’s word?

Romans 12:1 – Guilt is a poor motivator for reading the Bible. Either we are in the Word and are being conformed by it or the world is cramming us into its mold.

Matthew 6 – Often it is more difficult to make, or find the time to dig into the word. We need to be students of “The Book” for our selves.

We won’t be farmers (or whatever your vocation is) in heaven… but we will be worshiping the King and the author of the Bible.

Why Study the Bible

1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 19:10 – We should long for and crave the Word. Day and night a new baby longs for milk, this is how we should long for the Word.

Hebrews 5:11-14 – Bible study is essential for spiritual maturity. Time is very important. With time there should be growth. The mark of spiritual maturity isn’t so much how much we understand but rather how much we obey what we already know.

2 Timothy – Have you ever wished that your life was more effective for kingdom work? Are you trying to grow orchids without reading the orchid book?

Mathew 4:1-11 – Satan was defeated by Jesus 3 times… how? He quoted scripture from Deuteronomy.

Bible reading is good for correction. It often opens the doors to the closets and cupboards of our lives. We’ll be lead to see things that need to be cleaned up and straightened up.

God wrote his message in a book. He asked us to study it for the following reasons.

  1. It is essential for growth
  2. It is essential for maturity
  3. It is essential for equipping and training for God’s use and glory.

Lets Talk about Daily Life

To be successful at Bible study you need to learn to read and study. It will take discipline. You’ve got to read and study it for yourself.

Some tips. Read in a different version. Read out loud. Change it up, but it will always take effort on your part to make it happen.

Deuteronomy 6 – God is seeking those who will worship him.

Revelation 1:3-4 – It is unlikely that we will fully and completely understand on this side of heaven. But there is a blessing to be had when we obey what we do know and there is a blessing that is also to be had in reading scripture.

Only you can set your schedule and make sure that there is time set aside for the reading and studying of the scriptures. Something or somebody will always want your attention. People, neighbors and children need our attention. However it is often the things that we allow to crowd into our lives that keep us from studying the word.

Do you need a “study help?” They can be helpful, but it is often more important to know the scriptures themselves.

Some Hinderances

Technology isn’t necessarily bad, however too often it is used for things that can hinder our spiritual growth. Only you can put the your finger on the things that are competing with your time for God.

  • Newspapers?
  • Sports?
  • Hobbies?
  • Business?
  • Volleyball?
  • Hunting?

1 Timothy 5:13 – Make sure you are keeping things in there place, don’t let these kinds of things compete for your heart. Don’t become absorbed with things that have no eternal value.

Ezra 7:10 – Let us learn to read and live by the Word of God and to share it with others.

Related Sermons:


  1. The Apostles’ Teaching, Then and Now
  2. Everyone Needs a Little Hope
  3. Not By Bread Alone
  4. Living Life with Purpose – Session 4
  5. Living Life with Purpose – Session 5

Filed Under: Carl Heatwole, Special Meetings Tagged With: 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Deuteronomy, Ezra, Hebrews, Joshua, Matthew, Psalm, Revelation, Romans

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