People of the Word

What good is it to hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate if we don’t live out the Word of God?

James 1:23-25 (NIV)
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

The goal of the Word of God is to make our lives become open books that will reveal God’s will and heart to others.  We cannot be forgetful hearers and readers.  We need to apply God’s Word into our lives.  

I’ve noticed that at the end of the day, it requires obedience.  We read things and we say, oh wow, I wish my mother-in-law would read this or that my spouse would.  We hear a sermon and we say, I wish Luke was here to hear this.  We read passages that challenge us but ultimately we have to put them into practice.  This takes obedience.  

Many of us wish we could cut out the parts of the Bible that are too hard for us.  I wonder how much we would keep in there?  We have to obey all of it.  Yes, the parts that say we have to forgive; yes, the parts that say we have to share the Good News with others; yes, the parts that say we have to be generous; yes, the parts that say we have to love those who persecute us.

1 John 5:3 (NIV)
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome

May the Spirit of God help us in obeying His Word, which brings life, freedom, and joy.  Spirit of God, we need you, give us the desire and love to do God’s will and live out His Word.

I want us to invite you into a process of memorizing Scripture and a simple practice called the Discovery Method Bible Study.  You can download both resources below.  

Let me explain the Discovery Method Bible Study:

In the first column, write down this passage…
Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.

In the second column, prayerfully write it down in your own words.  How would you explain this passage or a portion of this passage to others?  Contemplate what the Lord is speaking to you today through this passage.

In the third column comes the good part.  How are you going to apply it in life?  What are some practical things you can do to live out this Scripture this week?  Ask God to reveal things you need to add to your life, take away from your life, or change in your life to obey this passage. Be specific by writing “I will” statements.

Now share it with someone.  What did God reveal to you and what are you going to do this week?  In a Connect Group setting, there would be accountability each week and this is where growth happens.

By Jimmy Reyes
jimmyreyes@valleyvineyard.org