Study Material

"The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts."
—George Muller

How is God's Word described?
1. John 6:63
1. Heb. 4:12
1. Jer. 23:29
1. Eph. 6:17

1. What promises are ours if we continue in His Word? (John 8:31,32)
1. What do you think it means to "continue" in His Word?

"The Scriptures were not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives."
—Dwight L. Moody

What is God's Word able to do?
1. II Tim. 3:15
1. James 1:21

In Psalm 119:9 we learn that a person may make his life clean by (Select correct answer.)
Turning over a new leaf.
Obeying God's Word.
Believing that the Bible is God's Word.

"The Glories of God's Word" is a title often given the 119th Psalm. Nearly every verse of the Psalm speaks of His Word, and most give practical application for daily living. Underline your favorite verses of this Psalm and meditate on them for further insight on doing God's will.

What did Paul tell the elders of the Ephesian church that the Word of God could do for them? (Acts 20:32)

Hebrews 5:13,14 says (Select correct answers.)
One should live on the easy portions (the milk of God's Word) indefinitely.
We should progress from milk to a more meaty diet.
Experience and obedience help a person mature spiritually.
Christians who are spiritual infants are often skillful in using the Word of righteousness.

What promises and warnings does Christ give us about His Word?
1. John 15:11
1. John 16:33
1. Matt. 24:35
1. Rev. 22:18,19

What attitudes toward His Word does God commend?
1. Psa. 112:1
1. Psa. 119:167

"I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women; but … a knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible. Everyone who has a thorough knowledge of the Bible may truly be called educated, and no other learning … no matter how extensive … can form a proper substitute."
—William Lyon Phelps

The "how" of learning and applying the Scriptures to life is something every Christian should know. The rest of this chapter covers the five ways to make the Bible yours.

What kind of heart will best hear and use the Word? (Luke 8:15) (Select correct answer.)
A sincere and virtuous heart.
An alert and cautious heart.
An open but indifferent heart.
A well-trained, scholarly heart.

Most Christians hear the Word of God preached regularly at church, but only a few learn the profit of conserving what they hear. To retain and use what you hear preached and taught, take notes on the Scriptures used and on the main points of the sermon.

• A daily reading program which will take you systematically through the Bible is something many Christians use as a regular part of their daily devotional time.

• If you don't yet have a reading plan, start with the Gospel of Mark or John—at the rate of two chapters a day you can complete the New Testament in 19 weeks.

Dr. Harry Ironside, when 14, was concerned over not having read through the Bible as many times as he was years old. By the time he was 21 he had caught up. Later in life he was far ahead.

Study is more than just careful reading—it requires writing down what you discover. Reading is faster than study and gives you the overall picture. But study helps you think—and remember.

"Thoughts disentangle themselves
—passing over the lips
—and out through the pencil tips."

Studies in Christian Living are designed to help you make regular Bible study part of your life. Keep pushing ahead a book at a time until you're launched into a method of exploring the Bible on your own.

In your own words state what God wants us to do about His Word.
1. Deut. 11:18a
1. Prov. 7:3b

In Matthew 4:4,7,10
1. How did Jesus three times overcome Satan's temptations?
1. Do you see any way you might apply this example to your own situation?

In Colossians 3:16, what do you think "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly" means?

"I know of no form of intake of the Word which pays greater dividends for the time invested than Scripture memory."
—Dawson Trotman

After 24 hours you may accurately remember
— 5% of what you hear,
—15% of what you read,
—35% of what you study,
But you can remember 100% of what you memorize.

MEDITATE ON IT

Compare the five methods of learning from the Bible to the five fingers of your hand. If you hold the Bible with only one or two fingers, it is easy to lose your grip. But as you use more fingers your grasp of the Bible becomes stronger.

This is also true spiritually. If a person memorizes, studies, reads and hears the Word—and meditates on it, his grasp of the Bible becomes firm and part of his life. As the thumb is needed in combination with any finger to complete your hold, so meditation combined with hearing, reading, study and memory is essential for a full grasp of God's Word.

What promises are made to the person who continually meditates on the Word of God?
1. Psa. 1:2,3
1. Josh. 1:8

Psalm 1 itself is a good passage for meditation. Ponder the differences between the godly and the ungodly man—as to habits, stability and future.

Consider Luke 6:45. Do you think meditating on God's Word can affect your speech and actions? If so, how?

Besides being diligent in learning God's Word, what else should we do in order to understand it? (Psa. 119:18,73,125)

Meditation is prayerful reflection with a view to understanding and application—giving prayerful thought to God's Word and to your life, with the goal of conforming your life to His will.

Asking these two questions will help you meditate:
1 What is the real meaning of this verse?
2 How should this verse affect my life?

This kind of meditation on God's Word can be done
…as you hear the Word preached;
…as you read the Bible in your daily devotional time;
…as you pray and reflect on what you are studying;
…as you go over verses you have memorized.

What does the Lord want us to do about such things as those in Philippians 4:8?
1. Meditate on this verse and consider its real meaning.
1. Ask yourself, "How should this affect my life?"

For further instruction and blessings from meditation, consider Psalm 119:23 and 24, 59 and 60, 97-100.

Are the 168 hours in your week being invested well? Should you make any changes?

This chart is to help you analyze your habits for making the Bible yours. As you fill it in, pray about setting any needed new goals.

Method of Intake | My Present Weekly Program | New Goals and Plans
1. Hearing the Word
1. Reading the Word
1. Studying the Word
1. Memorizing the Word

"I cannot too greatly emphasize the importance and value of Bible study … in these days of uncertainties, when men and women are apt to decide questions from the standpoint of expediency rather than on the eternal principles laid down by God Himself."
—John Wanamaker

Book 4, Character of The Christian
will be on its way to you as you complete this book—
if you send for it now.

Chapter 3 - God's Word in Your Life