recall reveal reflect Week 3: Scripture

Transcription

1 Week 3: Scripture recall Discuss Your Experience: Think about last week s teaching and your personal study of 1 Kings 19. How did your quiet time change during the week? Why? What do you think God was trying to Reveal to you personally through studying this passage? ICEBREAKER: Take a look at the attached pictures. What s the first image you see? Share with the group. Now take a closer look. Is there an impression you missed? In the first picture, do you see faces or vases? In the second picture, do you see a man playing a saxophone or a woman s face? In the photo, do you see a picture of Albert Einstein? Now take several steps backwards and look at the photo again. Do you see Marilyn Monroe? Studying God s word without seeking His insight is like glancing at a picture and only seeing part of the image. What we see initially is usually not all that was intended. In order to fully understand and apply God s truths to our lives, we must involve Him in the process. Before jumping in headfirst, we need to take a step back and ask God (pray) to Reveal to us His spiritual truths. We need His insight and guidance to give us the ability to apply those truths to our daily lives. FOCUS: Sometimes when you study Scripture, it can seem confusing, all jumbled up, difficult, or even impossible to understand. That is why we need to ask for God s help. God sent us the Holy Spirit to teach us in all things (John 14:26), so inviting Him into the process is critical if we hope to be able to comprehend and infuse His timeless truths into our lives. Pray for Guidance: Now take a few moments and ask God to help you understand, grasp and apply the spiritual truths of this week s selected Bible passage. Psalms 119:1-8 (HCSB) reveal 1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the Lord s instruction! 2 Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. 4 You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. 5 If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. 7 I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me. reflect FOCUS: Most Bibles contain tools to assist you in developing a deeper understanding of your focus passage. Check your Bible to see if it has chapter summaries, cross-references, or a concordance. If not, consider purchasing a good study bible, like the HCSB 17

2 Study Bible. Technology has made it even simpler to gain knowledge about the Bible. Sites like are user friendly and contain various interactive tools that increase and enhance your learning experience. Understand the Context: As a group, utilize your study bibles or on-line resources to help you answer as many of the following questions about the selected passage as you can. Keep in mind, these questions are intended to be a guide and you may not be able to find all of the answers or have time to address each one in the group. 1. Who? Who wrote the book and/or passage? Who was the intended audience? Who are the main characters in the story? 2. What? What are some of the key words and their meanings in the passage? 3. When? When was the book or passage written? What was historically occurring at the time? 4. Where? In what geographic location did the story take place? What was the setting? 5. Why? Why was this book or passage written? What was the main purpose? Note: Psalm 119 is an acrostic. The chapter is broken down into 22 sections of 8 verses each and arranged according to the order of the Hebrew alphabet. The first word of every verse in each section begins with that letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Why do you think the author wrote it in this way? recognize Know the Truth(s): Keeping in mind the context of the selected passage (see Reflect), read the Scripture as a group and carefully take note of the truth(s) and/or promises God provides. Look for God s promises, plans, provisions and purposes. 1. What did it mean? Read each verse individually, pausing at the end to note any truth(s) and/or promises that were intended for the original audience. 2. What does it mean? What are the universal truth(s) and/or promises and how do they apply today? 3. What meaning is unclear? Discuss, if any, problems you have encountered with the passage (i.e. what you don t understand, possible contradictions, or difficulties in applying the passage today). respond Take Action: You ve now prayed asking God to Reveal Himself and help you understand the selected passage; you ve Reflected on the context in which the passage was written; you ve Recognized God s timeless truths; and now you must Respond. To help determine your response, as a group, discuss the following questions: 1. Those of us who try to live our lives the way God commands are typically happier (blessed). What is it about living according to God s commands that creates happiness in your life? In what aspect of your life are you not experiencing true happiness or blessings? How might this be related to your obedience to God? Share one area with the group where you need to be more obedient. Take a moment and pray for one another. 2. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt ashamed about not obeying God s commands? Why? How does knowing and obeying God s Word produce boldness and guilt-free living? In what areas of your life can you be bolder for God? 3. Focus for a moment on Psalm 119:7. When you think of the word judgments, do you typically view it as negative or positive? Why? How many different uses or meanings can be applied to the word judgments in English? What other 18

3 words are used equivalently for judgments in the various Bible translations? After identifying these alternative words and meanings do you view verse 119:7 differently? If so, why? How should you now Respond? 4. Would you describe obeying God s Word as a burden or a blessing? What are some areas that you find difficult to obey? Does your worship, service, giving, studying, praying, sharing, etc reflect an attitude of I have to or I get to? What s the difference? How can you gain focus in your life so that you live in more obedience to, and joyful communion with, God? This Week: Your assignment is to spend at least five (5) days studying Psalm 119: 9-80, applying the five (5) spiritual learning steps (Recall, Reveal, Reflect, Recognize, & Respond). The following is a guideline to help you navigate this week s study: Monday: verses 9-24 Tuesday: verses Wednesday: verses Thursday: verses Friday: verses Copyright 2012 The Church on Rush Creek, All rights reserved. 19

4 20

5 21