CHAPTER 2 bible reading how is it it changing changing me? To encourage the reading of Scripture so that others can discover the way of salvation, and find biblical truths to equip them to move to a Christ-centered life. Reading the Bible is essential in order for us to discover who God is and the way of salvation. This practice may begin with reading the Gospels, then the New Testament, the Psalms, Proverbs, and eventually the Bible in its entirety. Some basic background information or resources, such as a Study Bible, may assist. The desired outcome is regular reading of the Bible in a reflective way that leads appl to life application and transformation. Background Passage: scripture Passage: Memory Verses: 2 TIMOTHY 3 : 1 0-1 7 2 TIM OTHY 3 : 1 4-1 7 2 TIM OTHY 3 : 1 6-1 7 The Scriptures show us the way of salvation, which is through faith in Jesus (v. 14-15). All Scripture is inspired by God ( God breathed ) (v. 16). The Bible is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training for righteousness (v. 16). The Scriptures equip you for every good work (v. 17). page 18 bible reading All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
PREPARING TO TEACH How important is spending time in God s Word? Recall your own journey as a believer and how you came to value the truths, the teachings, and the triumph found in the ancient words of Scripture. Jot down specific verses that have been especially meaningful to you through the years. Work to memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Your example will be encouragement to those in your group. Invite God to equip you as you study. Keep in mind that some people in your group may be unfamiliar with the Bible or they re not sure how to begin this spiritual practice. Work through the lesson in the Venture In Travelogue so you can fully participate with other group members. Bathe your study in prayer, asking God for wisdom as you lead the people in your group. TEACHER HELPS Don t assume that everyone in your group owns a Bible. If possible, provide copies of the Bible in an understandable and accurate translation for those who don t have one. Remind the class that all Scripture passages quoted in the Travelogue text are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted. TEACHING SUGGESTIONS GET CENTERED Display a variety of Bible translations, including mobile apps and online Bibles. Place a blank index card in each chair. Write these two questions on the board: What occupies the majority of your thoughts, energies, and emotions? What most influences what you say, where you go, and how you spend your time and money? Greet learners; point out and discuss the various Bibles. Direct attention to the questions on the board. Instruct learners to record page 1 9 bible reading
responses on the index card provided; assure them the cards will not be shared with anyone. Comment: These questions may cause you to pause and reflect on some tough realizations. Ask: What does your life revolve around? Call attention to page 22 of the Venture In Travelogue and the exercise for determining what s at the center of your life (children, calendar, clock, church, work, worries, health, relationships, finances, and so forth). How do we possibly keep all the pieces of life functioning properly? Say: There is no substitute for a broad understanding of the Bible and its content and message. In the Scriptures we learn the nature of who God is, how we can be in right relationship with Him, and do His revealed will. Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal the value of His Word. Challenge learners to keep their responses to the two questions on the board in mind as we study today. Go online to locate images of the solar system (see Travelogue, p. 21). Enlist a learner who has recently completed a solar system project; ask him or her to give a brief explanation to your group. Tie this illustration to the study of Bible reading. Call attention to the ME and CHRIST boxes (Travelogue, p. 23). Emphasize the goal of today s study is to help each person rearrange priorities so that Christ is at the center of our lives. Call for three volunteers to read aloud the following quotes on page 23 of the Travelogue: 1. No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God s Word. Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. 2. The very practice of reading [the Bible] will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart. Let nothing take the place of this daily exercise. Billy Graham. 3. Hands down. No contest. When it comes to spiritual growth, nothing beats the Bible. MOVE What 1,000 Churches Reveal About Spiritual Growth. page 2 0 bible reading
Guide a discussion of these quotes by asking learners why they agree or disagree. Ask this rhetorical question: If you agree with these statements, how is your life demonstrating your belief? Emphasize the value of knowing the Scripture. Say: The apostle Paul was the epitome of a Christ-centered man. He based his ministry on Scripture and resolved never to rely on his own brilliance of speech or wisdom (1 Cor. 2:1) and to say nothing else about the Messiah s suffering, death, and resurrection than what the prophets and Moses said would take place (Acts 26:22). BIBLE READING IS CRUCIAL Ask: Who first taught you or showed you the value of Scripture? Point out that Timothy first learned about the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5). Say: Paul affirmed their teachings but stressed to young Timothy that God s Word was vital during every stage of life for anyone seeking to live a life that pleased God. Tell the class what Bible translation you are using and read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 from your Bible; then call on at least two others who have different translations to also read it aloud from their Bibles. Teacher Helps For additional insights into 2 Timothy 3:14-17, go to Biblegateway NIV commentary on the Internet. Call attention to the phrase but as for you in verse 14 (Holman Christian Standard Bible, New International Version, and other translations). Briefly explain that words such as but as for you or therefore typically indicate some instruction earlier in the passage. Say: As you discipline yourself to be a Christ-centered person who reads God s Word, take time to look back in Scripture to see what those phrases refer to. Direct learners to record their response to the question (Trav- page 2 1 bible reading
elogue, p. 24) that begins, If Paul had been writing to you Say: You may be a new believer who is unfamiliar with the Bible or a seasoned follower of Christ who has neglected the gift of Scripture. Regardless of the past, your future spiritual health requires the pivotal foundation of God s Word. One sure way to get what you need is to read the Bible. Ask learners to identify the five benefits of reading the Bible that Paul emphasized in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (salvation, teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness). Use comments from the Travelogue (pp. 25-27) as needed. Guide a discussion of these benefits by asking: Salvation What Scriptures helped you realize your need for a personal relationship with Christ? (Ask learners to read some of the verses aloud.) Teaching How does God s Word help you know and understand Him better? Rebuking How does God s Word reveal what s wrong in your life? Correcting How can God s Word get you back on course? (Share the GPS illustration on page 27 of the Travelogue.) Training in righteousness Why would a seasoned believer need additional training from God s Word? Group members into five teams to explore these benefits Paul mentioned (salvation, teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness). Direct them to use their mobile devices to find definitions of their assigned benefit. Point out the brief explanations in the Travelogue (pp. 25-27). Instruct teams to share the definitions they found and to share an example of how they have seen that benefit at work in their lives or the lives of someone else. BIBLE READING IS ASSUMED AND EXPECTED Assign each of these Scriptures to a group member and ask them to read the verses aloud: Matthew 12:3,5; Matthew 19:4; Matthew 22:31; Mark 12:10,26; and Luke 6:3. Call attention to this statement page 2 2 bible reading
from page 28 of the Travelogue: Jesus obviously assumed God s people would read the Scriptures because He knows they are not just meaningless words to us but they are our life. Ask: What have you discovered from reading the Bible? READ IT ALL/HERE S WHEN AND HOW Invite a volunteer to read 2 Timothy 3:16. Ask: What part of Scripture did Paul say was inspired by God and profitable? (Travelogue, p. 28) Guide a discussion of ways to begin and maintain a daily Bible reading journey. Ask learners to share what works for them. Emphasize how to make this discipline an integral part of your day instead of another chore on your to-do list. Share your own plan for daily feasting on the riches of God s Word. Ask some of the following questions to emphasize the value of reading the Bible: How does the Bible give you encouragement? How does the Bible help you become more like Christ? In what ways does God s Word give you guidance? What are some promises in the Scriptures that give you hope or strength? How does the Bible answer your questions about who God is? Be prepared to share personal responses to these questions as needed to stimulate discussion. Go to the Internet to locate a list of the books of the Bible. Print copies of the list and distribute to learners. Also search online for a simple books of the Bible song; either audio, video, or combined, that is designed to help people memorize the books. Be prepared to share the song. Encourage learners to memorize the books to become more familiar with their Bibles and to be able to locate Scriptures more quickly. Share the song, encouraging the class to learn the song as an easy way to memorize the books of the Bible. page 2 3 bible reading
If time permits, conduct a Bible drill. Don t embarrass anyone concerning their lack of knowledge or skill. Make this time fun and use it as a good exercise in reinforcement. Call out various books of the Bible (Psalms, Genesis, Revelation, Luke, Ephesians) and verses of Scripture (John 3:16; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 11:28; Joshua 1:9). Congratulate the first one who finds the books and call on the first person who finds the verse(s) to read it aloud. CONCLUSION Summarize today s study: Reading the Bible is essential in order for us to discover who God is, learn the way of salvation, and live a life pleasing to God. Read this quote from page 25 in the Travelogue: Spiritual practices are not just for our personal fulfillment and spiritual satisfaction, but for others benefit as well. When we read, learn, and live by the Scriptures, we influence others to do so as well. PRAY Share these words from a children s song: The B-I-B-L-E, Yes, that s the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God: The B-I-B-L-E. Close in prayer, asking God to give us a hunger for His Word and to strengthen us to stand alone on the Word of God. FOLLOW THROUGH Follow up with anyone who needs encouragement in pursuing the study of spiritual practices. Arrange to have coffee and discuss their anxieties. Pray daily for each group member. Text or email group members and encourage them to work in their Travelogue as preparation for the Lesson 3 study on prayer. page 2 4 bible reading