Alpha Course, Week 6

Here's a look at the worksheet for tomorrow's meeting.

Alpha Course, Week 6

Why and How Should I Read The Bible?

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1. God Has Spoken Revelation in the Bible

  • It was inspired by God
  • Difficulties in the Bible
    • Historical difficulties (Luke 3:1-2)
    • Moral difficulties (such as issues of suffering)
  • It is God-breathed and provides authority in: (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
    • For Teaching
    • For Rebuking
    • For Correcting
    • For Training in Righteousness

2. God Speaks Through the Bible (2 Timothy 3:15, John 5:39-40)

  • To those who are not Christians (Romans 10:17, John 20:31)
  • To those who are Christians
    • To become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18)
    • To provide joy and peace during the storms of life (Psalm 23:5)
    • To provide guidance (Psalm 119:105)
    • To provide health and healing (Proverbs 4:20-22)
    • To provide defense against Spiritual attack (Matthew 4:1-11)
    • To provide power (Hebrews 4:12)
    • To provide cleansing (John 15:3)

3. How Do We Hear God Speak Through The Bible?

  • Set aside time to study the Bible
    • Plan ahead to make time for God
    • Develop a regular pattern of study
  • Set aside a place to read the Bible
    • Find a “solitary place” (Mark 1:35)
  • Find a method to study the Bible
    • Ask God to speak
    • Read the passage
    • Ask yourself questions
      • What does it say?
      • What does it mean?
      • How does it apply?
    • Respond in prayer
    • Put your learning into practice (Matthew 7:24)

Conclusions:

  • God speaks to us through the Bible
  • Make a habit of reading the Bible regularly

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it important to read the Bible? What does the Bible mean to you?

2. Nicky mentioned that many people struggle with the content of the Bible and the idea we serve a loving and benevolent God. How do you reconcile that struggle? How do you explain that to others?

3. D.L. Moody said, “We were not given the Bible to increase our knowledge, we were given it to improve our lives.” Do you agree with Moody’s assessment of the Bible? Why or why not?

4. Nicky talked about reading the Bible to develop our relationship with God. In what ways, if any, has your relationship with God changed or grown through your reading of the Scriptures?

5. Nicky gives a formula for finding time to read the Bible and how to get the most out of reading the Bible. What has been your experience with reading the Bible? What are some of the barriers to setting aside time to study God’s word?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju...
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co...
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve...
Read more