Category — Bible Studies

Five Tips to Get the Most from Reading the Bible

1. Always read God’s Word expecting to meet with him. Approach God’s Word relationally. Listen for his voice. What is he saying to you personally? What do you see from his Word that reveals God’s character and ways? Where do you need to align your life with his character and ways?

2. Set aside a regular time to read God’s Word. I don’t know about you, but I need the discipline of a schedule. It helps knowing that I always spend this time listening to and conversing with God. Self-discipline is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We do not cultivate self-discipline by always being spontaneous or only reading and conversing with him when we feel like it. [Read more →]

The Bible is truly an amazing book that offers us a rich source of knowledge about God, wisdom, history, prophecy and right-valued living. In fact, when studying the Bible it’s easy to become lost in the depths, intricacies and mysteries cached there. The words of Scripture are aesthetically beautiful, intellectually stimulating and timelessly relevant.

One time Jesus was speaking to a group of zealous Jewish people of whom he acknowledged, “You diligently study the Scriptures . . .” On the surface this sounds noble and good. Yet in the same breath Jesus said to them, “You have never heard [the Father’s] voice . . .” (John 5:37 & 39) How is this possible? How can one read, let alone diligently study God’s Word without hearing his voice? [Read more →]

A few days ago we looked at Abraham’s ever increasing faith in God in spite of the ever dwindling likelihood that he and Sarah would have a child. We saw in Romans 4 that this acount was written for our benefit.

Just a few verses further Paul writes, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:1-2 NLT) [Read more →]

Paul writes this amazing letter to the Roman followers of Christ because he cannot restrain himself from proclaiming the Good News of God! Look at all Paul reveals to us about this Good News of God in first few paragraphs of his letter. (Romans 1:1-17 NLT)

• Paul was chosen by God to proclaim His Good News—1:1
• God promised this Good News long ago through His prophets in the holy Scriptures—1:2
• The Good News is about God’s Son Jesus, who is both a descendent of King David and the one and only Son of God—1:3-4
• God intends His Good News for all nations everywhere, that people might believe His Good News, obey Him and bring glory to His name—1:5
• Paul’s calling, passion and privilege is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ—1:15-16
• The Good News of Jesus Christ is God’s power at work to save all who believe—1:16
• This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight—namely through faith in Jesus—1:17 [Read more →]

In Mark 4:35-41 we find an amazing story with far more impact than first meets the eye!

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’
They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:35-41) [Read more →]

We don’t typically view the study of the Word relationally, but more intellectually, scientifically, grammatically, culturally and historically. To be sure, all of those disciplines come to our aid in understanding the meaning of the text for the original reader and then for us. However, because the Bible is God’s Word—his communication to us—we cannot rightly approach the Bible apart from relationship with its Author. This viewpoint is not optional but foundational for studying God’s Word.

I would further add, that if we come to God’s Word with a purpose other than getting to know him better, we may be studying it for the wrong reasons. Even a life time of study will not unearth all the gems that God’s Word has to offer us. But those gems are not merely “nuggets of knowledge” but jewels of God’s character and works through which we can know, love and enjoy him better.

(To continue reading this post, please click here.)

Uncommon Cents is a personal study and small group curriculum that will introduce you to tools and concepts that will help you deal with issues and questions like:

• “Am I on track with God in my finances?  What does he want or expect of me in this regard?”
• “How do I determine my financial health?  And how do I improve it?”
• “How do I get out of and stay out of debt?”
• “How do I know how much to give to God?”
• “Why is it we never seem to have enough money to make it until the next paycheck?”
• “I make enough money and have money to spare, but I sense there is more God wants me to do and that it has to do with my finances.”

[Read more →]

Relationship with God stands at the core of biblical Christianity

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

This is an amazing truth—that the God who created the universe and everything in it—created you and me for relationship with him. Let the magnitude of that truth sink in! God went to great extremes in order to restore our relationship with him even when we were still in rebellion against him. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:5 NLT) [Read more →]

Quest Summary

Quest was originally a sermon series designed by Karl Clauson, Dan Jarrell and Rob Fischer at ChangePoint church in Anchorage, Alaska. Thousands found the message of Quest dramatically life-changing as it propelled them forward in their walk with Christ. Now Quest is available in book format.

You will find Quest ideal for personal spiritual enrichment or as an interactive small group experience. (Each chapter includes personal projects and small group discussion questions.) With nine short chapters under a hundred pages Quest is easy to read yet spiritually challenging! Expect to meet with God and let him change you!

[Read more →]