The importance of God's Word
v2
by
brother Jeff
Songs
Introduction
Questions:
A. Why do we read &
study the Bible? Why do you read & study the
Bible?
"Because people tell me you should read the Bible." But
why? There are greater reasons to love the Word of God.
B. What are some good ways
(methods, approaches, focal points) you personally have
discovered
that help you learn & study the Bible more fruitfully?
The
Bible is unique among all the books in the world.
What makes the Bible so unique?
• The Bible is a spiritual Book. That clearly
explains Who God is.
• The Bible is the most important Book & most
widely read Book of all time. The best-selling, most
widely read book throughout the centuries all over the
world.
• The Bible is a Love Story.
No other spiritual book is a love story. A love story
between God & His people.
Throw away all your human & earthly romance novels,
movies & earthly ideas. The Bible is the most
amazing romance novel of all time!
If you want to learn what real love is, go straight to the
Source!
• The Bible is an instruction manual.
This book, more than any other, teaches us practical
guidelines & useful instructions about how to live.
For example: How to solve problems? How to be a
good husband (or wife)? How to build good
relationships with others?
• The Bible is a survival manual. Instructs us
in practical & spiritual ways, how to survive the trials
& challenges of life.
• The Bible comprehensively explains what life
is all about?
Why read the Bible?
How can we read & get the
most from the Bible? What areas should
we focus on when reading the scriptures?
by
brother Jeff
First, make God's Word a personal
priority.
Read the Bible eagerly, regularly &
more.
Realize God's Word is like nutrition, nourishment to your soul.
Look upon the scriptures as important, needed, essential daily
food.
Partake of 2 or 3 meals (chapters) daily, plus some scripture
snacks (verses) each day.
Matthew
4:4
Jesus answered and said, “It is
written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of
God.’”
If you don't eat food, what happens to you?
Psalm
1:1-3
1 How blessed is the man who does not
walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Realize we grow closer to God &
can learn how to walk with God by journeying with the Holy
Spirit on the avenues of: prayer & daily meditation on His Word.
Realize our great need to get closer to God.
The main street where we can move closer to the
Lord happens while we daily read & partake of His Word.
Psalm
119:1-8
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes.
Tips: Get solid reasons in mind as to why the Bible is
amazing, helpful, essential & beneficial to you. And
anyone who reads it.
Read with humility & hunger & thirst, with a readiness to
learn. Be ready to change. Stop being too busy to read
the Bible. Turn off the TV. Minimize renting &
watching movies. Dive into God's Word. And let the
Holy Spirit teach & guide you.
Become convinced you not only need to read the scriptures, but
make Genesis to Revelation a central part of your life. Live
with Matthew 6:33 in mind. In action & in truth.
How
can we read & benefit most from studying the Bible?
Jeff's tips & advice
What is the purpose of the Bible?
The Bible was given to enable us to become spiritually healthy. Through knowing Jesus & His salvation through the atonement of the cross, we can
be restored to relationship with God.
The Bible directs our path & guides us to
grow close to the Lord. We
all need to read, understand, apply, practice,
memorize & embrace what God's Word
says.
However, the Bible is not merely an academic textbook to study. Or a Sunday magazine to
read for leisure & enjoyment. We
are to study the Bible. However, after study,
there will be a test. And the test is REAL LIFE.
Bible study is not merely aiming to know things.
Rather, the Bible focuses on revealing & getting to know Someone.
And seeing our life transformed into Christ's image. The
entire Old Testament is a chronology of prophecies & foreshadowing symbols, types &
scriptures pointing toward a future Messiah. In the 1st century Christ the
Messiah came. Every chapter in the New Testament
endeavors to reveal Jesus to us, every
book, verse by verse.
The Bible is not head knowledge or lessons
for our head, but rather: truths &
revelations to LIVE BY & change our heart.
The scriptures provide us a very practical life manual, explaining
every aspect of how to live life. Each page aims to open our
eyes to know God personally.
What makes us a good student (wise learner) or disciple?
I taught private music (piano & guitar lessons) for almost 15
years.
The students who benefited most from my teaching efforts:
• Followed my example & followed my ways
• Paid attention to my words &
instructions
• Showed up to their lessons
(consistent attendance), paid attention each hour they were with me & arrived
eagerly interested, hungry to learn
• After each lesson was over, they went home and practiced what they had been taught. Successful students (disciples) eagerly
practiced their instrument,
including the Christian songs & spiritual sheet music
I gave them. Fruitful students
really want to become a good musician & do the things which
enable them to grow, mature & improve.
• The best students (disciples) didn't
just learn rote formalities
of how to play notes or do musical
fingerings & chords (or sing). They learned to imitate the
heart ATTITUDE of their teacher: love for music, enjoyment of
music, love for God, a heavenward direction with
their songs, to direct their notes, chords
& voices to worship the Lord with heartfelt songs of
praise. The best students longed
personally to know God more, desired to grow
in their skills, and embraced a goal of being
used by God, to fulfill a calling to minister
to others.
Good music students are like good Bible students.
What
are some good approaches to studying the Bible?
Jeff's tips & advice: How to read & benefit most
while we study the Bible
Question: How
much of your personal information, how much of your life
history, your personal problems & personal secrets do
you confide in those who hate you?
Realize the importance of becoming God's friend. And
loving God. Through grace, join the inner
circle. Receive the Lord's salvation. Become a
seeker of God. And learn to be one of God's
confidants.
Approach reading the Bible with a focus of Love
for the truth, Love for the Word of God
God sent His Word (Jesus) to us because of LOVE. To
bring us His love. John 3:16
explains.
Matthew 4:4
God's Word is a series of personal LOVE LETTERS to us. 1 John 3:1, Jeremiah 31:3
We need to LOVE the Word of God & hold the message of God
close to our hearts in order to benefit from the scriptures
the way God intends.
Jesus said: "If
you love Me, you will obey My commands." We need
to read the Bible with Love in our hearts for God.
If the love is missing, we may miss the
meaning & the purpose.
Start reading the Bible
with the goal of learning to love God back as you
read. Keep asking the
Lord to infuse your heart with real
love for God. Let the Holy
Spirit enable you to return to Jesus as
your First Love.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been
justified by faith, we
have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through
whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we
stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God. 3 And
not only that, but we also glory in
tribulations, knowing
that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and
perseverance, character;
and character, hope. 5 Now
hope does not disappoint, because
the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.
Approach reading the Bible
looking for personal answers, encouragement &
help
The Bible is
personally for you. Bring all your problems,
struggles & needs along with you into the
reading of GOD’S WORD. Be
Christ-focused. But know that the scriptures
are ready to supply amazing & relevant
answers.
Reading the Bible is not mere academic exercise, or a way to attain general
intellectual understanding. Or become like a
spiritual know-it-all. Rather, the Bible is a
repair manual. For our broken lives.
Go to God for personal
problem-solving, comfort, help, hope &
encouragement.
Approach reading the Bible aiming to
listen to God's voice speaking to you
personally
Read GOD’S WORD listening to what the Lord is saying to
you. Make the message personal. Often
personalize the scriptures you read.
Approach
reading the
Bible
looking to connect to God's Presence & experience God
Christianity is not a spectator sport. Or an academic
classroom. Look to experience what you are
reading in GOD’S WORD.
Dive into its pages, looking to
experience God, to walk with the Lord, to be touched
by Jesus & for the Holy Spirit to work in your
heart in a real way.
Approach reading the Bible humbly, reverently,
respectfully, seriously, fearfully
Don't ever take God's Word lightly, flippantly or frivolously. Realize Who is speaking to you. Treat the King of kings with
reverence. Read
GOD’S WORD in the fear of God, ready to obey what the scriptures
say, personally apply them. Take
God's Word to heart - every Word.
Seriously fear the consequences for sin. Deal with sin
honestly & humbly. Confess, repent & turn the
other direction. Thank God for His forgiveness with
real gratitude.
"The fear of the Lord is beginning
of wisdom." - Proverbs
People who don't fear God never get very far along on
the path of wisdom.
Approach reading the Bible in a
God-centered way, not a self-centered way
Don't assume
self-centered meanings to scripture. Ask
yourself what was God really saying? What does the scripture mean from
a God-centered perspective?
Applying scripture to
ourselves let's the scriptures be
understood better if we set aside a self-centered perspective. And stop thinking of life & spirituality as being
about ourselves. Or to make our life better. Or accomplish our own goals.
I am not the center of the universe. God
is. Self is described as a big problem in the
Bible. The main sin people exhibit is
self-centeredness. The Bible was
not written to exalt self or teach human-centered
living. We are to do God's
will & live for the glory of God.
Scripture is often describing Who
God is. And urging us to become
Christlike. To deny ourselves
& live for God's purposes.
We should not read the Bible each day with the
attitude: "OK, God, what's in this for me?
(What can I selfishly get from
you, God? How can I
obtain spiritual knowledge to proudly show everybody how religiously good I am?"
We need to read the Bible in a God-centered way, not a
self-centered way. The Word of God
is not about what I can get from God, because I want & glorify
myself. Rather, life is
about doing God's will. When you read the Bible, first ask:
"What does God want me to do? How can I
change or obey the Lord's direction?
How can my life better glorify God & my
character & attitude become more like Jesus?
Trustfully read the Bible
The Bible is all about faith.
Romans 10:17 "Faith
comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God."
Read
GOD’S WORD realizing that Jesus & all scripture is God-breathed. The
Words of the Bible are trustworthy &
reliable to teach & train us.
2 Timothy
3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness, 17 that
the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
Proverbs 30 "Every
Word of God is flawless."
The Bible is truly God’s perfect, flawless & inspired Word.
When you read the Bible, each time, remember God has something personal to say to you.
Some
good ways to digest & grow from scripture reading:
A. Read, Observe, Interpret, Compare, Study further, take notes, journal
B. Application, Prayer response
C. Action
D. Share with others (ministry)
The Bible is like food. We need to ingest
it (read, listen), chew on it (digest, meditation), partake of its nutrients (receive strength, energy
& grow)
OBSERVATION
Read the scriptures aiming to understand
what the verses are talking about?
Notice relevant questions like: Who,
what, when, where, why, how?
What does the passage say? What are the
verses describing? Who is God/Jesus speaking to here?
To whom does the Lord address this message? What is
the topic, problem, sin or issue the passage is
addressing? Or how is faith or good character exemplified in this Bible character?
What does God say about this person or topic?
How does God's message apply to today's world? To me?
Questions we can ask when reading the
Bible:
•
Who is Jesus? What is Jesus
like? How does this scripture
explain Who Jesus is?
Every chapter in the Bible, in some way, contains a revelation
about Who God is.
First & foremost, focus in your
Bible reading on discovering the revelation of Jesus
What do these scriptures reveal about Who Jesus
is? Who God is? The character & ways
of God?
What does the passage reveal about Who Jesus wants
to be in my life? To help my family? To minister to others around
me?
• What does this scripture/this chapter tell
me about the character of God?
Who God is?
i.e. Faithfulness Holiness
Merciful Kind Good Loving Forgiving Patient
• How does this scripture correct my
wrong ideas or wrong thinking?
• Is there a command
from God to obey?
• Is there a promise from the
Lord I should believe & claim?
• Does this scripture reveal sin we need to
confess?
Why is (what this scripture describes) a sin? Why is
this behavior or action problematic? WHY is it wrong?
Sin means to "miss the mark." Is
there an attitude, behavior, action or habit I need to change?
• Is there an example
here I need to follow?
The Bible is full of examples, people who
walked with God & set an example for us to follow.
MEDITATION
Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8
GENERAL INTERPRETATION
Understanding the scriptures:
interpreting what is said in a GENERAL way
(principle, moral standard, doctrine)
General interpretation: What does the passage mean to
everyone, to mankind, to all Christians? To this country? To the
world?
Ask the question: How does this passage apply to people or
Christians in general?
PERSONAL approach:
Understanding how
the scriptures apply to you personally:
interpreting what is said in a PERSONAL
way
Personal interpretation: “What does the passage mean
to me personally?”
GENERAL APPLICATION
Ask the question: How does this passage apply to people
or Christians in general?
PERSONAL
APPLICATION
Ask the question: How does this passage apply to me
personally?
What actions, changed attitudes should I pursue in response to
this? What is God saying to me?
How should I pray about it? Ask God for grace & the
help of the Holy Spirit to be a doer of the Word, not a hearer
only.
Come up with a PERSONAL action RESPONSE. Pray & move
toward an action in response to scriptures you read.
Don't just read the Word & forget what they said.
Put God's Word into practice Matthew
7, James 1
Discussion
Explain a scripture you read recently which spoke to
you. How did it apply to you personally? And
change you?
PERSONAL
PRAYER RESPONSE to scripture reading
We should not jump into application
only with self-effort. After reading the scriptures,
turn instead to prayer. Ask God humbly, seriously
& directly to enable you to do what His Word
says. Ask for grace & the work of the Holy
Spirit. John 15 says: "If you abide in Me
& My Word abides in you, you will bear much fruit to
the Father's glory." The purpose of the Word is to
bear fruit (not just understand things or get knowledge)
Move from the scriptures into an
Intercessory PRAYER RESPONSE
Pray the Word
& intercede for yourself & others (stand in the gap
for all Christians, present & future). Pray in
line with what God's Word says.
Pray for your enemies.
Action
"Be doers of the Word, not
hearers only." James 1
Share,
encourage, minister to others - share
your faith, share the scripture
treasures you discover
Text it, post
it, put it on Facebook, Twitter, call & share what
you learned to a friend, write it,
publish it, make a
website
Go have a
conversation with others about
spiritual things.
FURTHER
STUDY: Compare, Study further, take notes, journal
If
something the scripture says is especially relevant to you, consider going deeper
into further study.
Compare the chapter or verse you
are reading with cross References to get a
better understanding
Look up verses about the same keyword(s) in a
concordance or BibleGateway.com
Study a whole topic throughout the New Testament
Interpret scripture with (other) scripture(s)
Practice reading selected
chapters from the Bible in ways like those above.
Primary
reasons why we need to read the Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the
Bible?
1.
Through the Bible we can Learn Who God is, know Who Jesus is
Reading the Bible is all about WHO JESUS is, from Genesis to
Revelation, each chapter, each verse
The main point of scripture is to reveal Jesus (Who God is)
"The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit
of prophecy." Revelation 19:10
Each chapter & verse in the Bible, utmost & foremost, is
about Who Jesus is.
When you open the Bible look, first & foremost, for a
shadow, glimmer, hint or parable explaining who the Lord
is. Let the illuminated Word make God real to you.
Primary reasons why we need to read
the Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the
Bible?
2. The Bible prepares us to Experience Who
God is
Experiencing God:
Luke 7:21-22
21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and
evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said
to them, “Go and report to
John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive
sight, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are
raised up, the poor have the
gospel preached to them.
How can we harness supernatural power from
God's Word?
How can we involve ourselves with the
scriptures so they bring us close to Jesus
& transform our lives?
Question: What does this passage
explain about how to experience God?
How were the people in this passage experiencing God? I
want to experience what they experienced.
Dina shared this point:
We read the Bible to deepen in love for God's Word and love
for God Himself
As we grow & get more in love with God's Word & deepen
in our love for God, then we want to take what we've learned
& share His Word with others - we want others to
experience the love & goodness of God which we have come
to know.
Reading the Bible tells us about God's LOVE & forgiveness
Reading the Bible is about LOVE for God:
"Love the Lord with all your heart,
soul, mind & strength." Mark 12
"Return to your FIRST LOVE." Revelation
Primary reasons why we need to read the Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the Bible?
3. The Bible teaches us
right from wrong & helps us grow toward Christlikeness
Morality, Ethical behavior, how to rightly respond to situations
like Jesus would, Christlikeness, the fruit of the Spirit,
Godliness, God's absolutes, absolute standards
Read & study the Bible so:
• Changes us into Christ's image & transforms us to a life
that is fruitful for God
Romans 8:28-31
28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he
predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If
God is for us, who can be against us?
Example: The ten commandments
Question: What does this passage explain about right &
wrong, Christlikeness, the fruit of the Spirit, Godliness, God's
absolute standards, God's ways (different than the world's ways)
Did the people in this passage do what's wrong or do what's
right?
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is God-breathed
However, some scriptures give us bad or wrong examples to teach
us what NOT to do 1 Cor. 10
Behavior change, becoming more godly, living by God's standards
& following His ways
A. Repent of sin
B. Grow in the fruit of the Spirit, increase in
Christlikeness
Primary reasons why we need to read the
Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the
Bible?
4. We
read the Bible with a heart ready to hear God's Voice.
And the Lord will make Himself real to us. And provide
us with wise direction & divine guidance.
John 10:27-30
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and
they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is
greater than all; no one
can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.’
When we read the Bible, we should ask:
What is God saying to me personally through these
scriptures?
What is the Holy Spirit speaking to me?
The Bible helps us
discern Personal guidance & direction
Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my
path.
Read
& study the Bible so:
• The Living Word of God directs & guides your
steps, helps you navigate personal & important
decisions
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own
understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths
straight.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the
Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD
establishes his steps.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD
determines his steps.
Testimony/personal experience
Tell us a story of how you had a question, needed direction or
had a decision to make? Explain how God brought a
scripture to you to teach you the way to go?
Primary reasons why we need to read the
Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the
Bible?
5. We
need encouragement, inspiration, hope, love &
affirmation, truth & purpose
The Bible is a wonderful source of encouragement, inspiration
& hope. We desperately need to drink of the love
& affirmation, truth & purpose the scriptures make
available to us.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For
I know the plans I
have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come
and pray to
me, and I will listen to
you. 13 You will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found
by you,” declares the Lord,
“and will bring you back from
captivity. I
will gather you from all the nations and places where I have
banished you,” declares the Lord,
“and will bring you back to the place from which I carried
you into exile.”
Encouragement, hope, confidence
to face difficult situations
Inspiration to trust, pray & believe God to intervene in
situations, trials & needs
Question
What Bible verse has God spoken to you
which brought you renewed hope?
Primary reasons why we need to read the
Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the
Bible?
6. The
Bible teaches us how to pray, directs our steps & helps
us rightly synchronize our intercession with God's will
The scriptures guide, energize & form the basis of
our prayers. One of the most powerful ways to bring
a petition before the Lord is simply to pray the Word of God!
1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if
we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if
we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have
what we asked of Him.
“Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of
His willingness.” - Martin Luther
Primary reasons why we need to read the
Bible?
What should we look for on each page as we read the
Bible?
7. The Bible helps us
grow, mature, learn, bear fruit & multiply - enables us
to seek & serve God
• The scriptures equip us to be used by the Lord to minister to
others
• The scriptures transform us so we become an example &
inspiration to strengthen, love & build up others
• The scriptures make us into true followers of Christ who
are effective in prayer & influence others toward spiritual
life & godliness.
The Word of God changes us & gives us maturity & wisdom
so we can become spiritual guides to the blind.
Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along
unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness
into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These
are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 49:10
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them
beside springs of water.
Isaiah 61
Conclusion
We love to read & study the Bible because:
• The scriptures help us know God.
• Help us know & do God's will
• Enable us to become more like Jesus & set an
inspiring example to others.
- brother Jeff
Practice exercises in reading selected chapters from
the Bible
Exercise 1: Pick a random chapter from the Bible
Exercise 2: Read the Lord's prayer from Matthew chapter 6
Exercise 3: Read one of the Psalms
Let's try to read some verses from the selected chapters in this
manner:
Pick some passages.
Go through examples.
Question: How does this passage explain Who God is?
What does this passage tell us about God's character?
About His ways, His Name(s), His attributes, His promises?
Who He is?
What do these scriptures instruct me to do?
- brother Jeff
How to read &
approach studying the Bible?
by CCC, Campus Crusade for Christ
Follow-Up CCC-4 how to read & study the Bible - the
importance of God's Word
The following section is word for word from a teaching module on
this topic by Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) & was
originally put together by Bill Bright & his ministry
associates.
Beginning your Life in GOD’S WORD
The Bible is God’s inspired Word to man. He has something to say
to you. Much of the adventure of the Christian life comes from
discovering through the Bible more of what God is like and what
His plans are for you.
Throughout history, God has desired to communicate with the
people of His creation. Before Jesus came, God spoke to and
through the committed people of the Old Testament who recorded
His Word. God sent His Word to earth personally, in the person
of Jesus Christ. (John 1:14) While Jesus was on earth, as well
as after His death and resurrection, God again directed
committed men to record the words and ministry of the Son of
God. The result of their faithfulness and availability is the
New Testament. The Bible is the entire record of God’s
communication to us. It has been given to us by God who desires
our fellowship and worship.
This topic will help to explain how to understand and enjoy the
Bible.
LEARNING TO LISTEN TO GOD
The Bible is the most important book one could read. Many people
do not know how to listen to what God is saying to them in His
Word. A meaningful relationship with the Lord is dependent on
hearing and understanding what He is sharing with us. Following
are some hints to help you begin your study of God’s Word.
Understand that reading the Bible is not like reading any other
book. The Bible is God’s inspired Word to man. In this book, God
has something to say to you. Therefore, read with the attitude,
“ Lord this is Your personal letter of love and instruction to
me. Help me to understand and obey Your counsel and commands.”
PREPARATION
In addition to the Bible, you will need a pen or pencil, paper
and a quiet place to study. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to
guide you in your study.
Your study will normally involve three steps: Observation,
Interpretation and Application.
OBSERVATION
In this step you observe in order to find out what the passage
says. You may need to read the passage several times or you may
wish to write out the passage concentrating on “What does the
passage say?”
INTERPRETATION
The second step involves the question, “What does the passage
mean?” Ask, “What does it say about God and man?”
APPLICATION
In this step you ask the question, How does this passage apply
to my life?”
Practice
exercises in reading selected chapters from the Bible
