Bible Study?
It was after Bible study the other day, and a large gaggle of women went to a nearby café to lunch and visit together. I had just wrapped my teaching on the beliefs of the LDS Church (Mormon), and comparatively looked at several of the essentials of a biblical Christian doctrine.
The informal lunch gathering allows for great conversation and the opportunity to grow friendships, and have further discussion. And so it happened. Probably what was meant to be the main reason I went to lunch and not home to lie down with my sore back. What happened? 'A most meaningful conversation with Sarah. Sarah is from the UK, and has been attending Women of Passion for probably five months now. I enjoy her British accent and keen mind as she is on a fact-gathering mission about Christianity, clearly considering 'Is it viable? Is Christianity worth giving myself to?' You see, she has a mental tug-o-war, being raised by her mother, a 'strong Christian,' and her father, a committed atheist.
At one point, she said something that went straight to the cortex of my brain -
"I would really like to do a Bible study."
I thought, 'Do a Bible study? Isn't that what we are doing?' "Huh, what does that look like for you?" I queried. "Is it looking up a scripture passage and then answering questions about it in a booklet? Please let me know what Bible study means to you, and I will make it happen."
The conversation has pinged around in my head ever since. So, please permit me to say this about that: for eight and a half years, I have written Morning Briefings, in an effort to address exactly what I think my friend Sarah is after.
So, right now, in addition to investigating other popular religions in our culture-an important thing for Christians to know - I am also getting us back in the wonderful, informative gospel of Matthew. Archives of Matthew studies: http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=1449
What is in a Morning Briefing, and why is it "Bible study"?
>we look at a particular passage of scripture
>consider the context in which it was written
>including to whom it was written
>and carefully consider how it applies, (if it applies)
to us today, and what we can take from it.
>there are always sources cited that can be further studied
The Morning Briefing format allows folks, no matter their education, understanding of the Bible or location in the world, to learn about the Bible and God's heart for them.
study |ˈstədē| the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation
Note: the definition of study includes devotion and time.
Here's the rub of the Morning Briefings format-perhaps it is just too easy.
Folks lie in bed, read each day from their phone, or listen on the way to work, and it is just one of 10 other things coursing through their brains at a given time. Many days, folks skip reading, so as to miss continuity. So, some of God's Words land, some hit their mark, but many are missed.
>The fact is, any time we want to get the most out of scripture,
we must be willing to give it our full attention.
These 'briefings' contain the holy words of God, plus a lot of study and thought to explain them. But they come in daily-size pieces and sound bites so that all can take and use them. Please note: not a blog, not a devotional . . . each Morning Briefing is meant to be used as one's personal encounter with the holy Word of God - a daily systematic study of scripture.
Pray before reading or listening, 'God, help me understand your Word, and whatever fits, to apply it to my life. Change me-change my heart and character-by reading or listening to your Word.' And then study.
You see, the Bible is inspired, God breathed1, and as we work through it chapter- by-chapter, verse by verse, there is so much that is meant to inform how we think and live. Indeed, God's word is alive and active2, and frankly, it is amazing!
So we find ourselves in Matthew chapter 5, looking in brief at the Beatitudes, which Jesus taught to his disciples-his main twelve men-and a whole crowd who had gathered in behind them to hear more from the Son of God as he taught. And again I say, 'O to have been there!' "And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying" (Matthew 5, verse 2)...first, "Blessed are the poor in spirit" - those of us who are humble enough and wise enough to know we need God, and second, "Blessed are those who mourn" - because God himself is our comfort.
Tomorrow, Matthew 5, verses five, six and seven . . . Matthew 5.5-7
'Want something further to meditate upon this day?' For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.3
1 - "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3.16-17
But wait! I supplied the verses for you - did that make it too easy, too accessible? Would you have looked up these verses in your Bible, or on your computer, had I not included them?
2 - Hebrews 4.12 - "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." NLT
3 - Psalm 100.5 NLT
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