Spiritual Life & Disciplines

Part 7 – Spiritual Discipline #1 – Bible Intake - cont

The intake of the Word of God is the foundational spiritual discipline

But He 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." – Matthew 4:4

Reading God’s Word – How to have a quiet time

A designated time and place

• When is your best time of day?

• A time when you will not be interrupted (15-30 minutes is a good starting point)

• A place where you will not be interrupted

• A logistical A plan, B plan, and C plan

A flexible Bible plan

• A Bible-reading plan

• A specific book to study

• A devotional book to help your study• The MacArthur Daily Bible• A Study Bible• D.A. Carson, For the Love of God

• A topic that you are interested in studying

Know your Bible – read smart!

Reading different genres in Scripture mean different approaches to Bible reading

• Narrative (story) – usually you have to read much larger sections of Scripture to understand the biblical truths being communicated

• Prophecy – the heavy use of metaphor and symbolism makes more study necessary before application can come

• Psalms – knowing the historical background makes interpretation and application much easier

Know your Bible – read smart!

Reading different genres in Scripture mean different approaches to Bible reading

• Proverbs – often one verse (or even one half of a verse) is sufficient for meditation and application

• The Epistles (letters) – one verse may be enough for meditation and application. However, often there is a larger flow or argument which must be seen and understood as well

A notebook to journal

• Log what you read

• Interact with the text• Questions that you have• Things you’d like to study further• Points and principles that you learn• Draw out the flow, outline what you’re reading

A notebook to journal

• Specific application – how do I need to change in light of what I learned?• Encourage me?• Correct me?• Convict me?• Inform me?• How does what I have learned today intersect with my

life right now?• Write down one specific application for the day• Write down any verses you would like to memorize –

write them on an index card and keep it with you

A notebook to journal

• Specific application – how do I need to change in light of what I learned?• Share what you’re learning

Don’t forget about audio Bibles

An example

NT Plan – March 14 – Hebrews 9

MacArthur Study Bible – p.1879

MacArthur Study Bible – p.133

Another example

A study of Proverbs on “the tongue” (God-honoring speech)

www.blueletterbible.org