How to Study the Bible?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All Scriptures is useful for:
1.
Teaching
2.
Rebuking
3.
Correcting
4.
Training (in righteousness)
5.
Equipping
James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
While we walk through Acts, continue to ask yourself, “What
difference should this passage make to my life? How should it make me want to
think or act?”
If you have trouble finding relevance in passage, use SPECK
as a guide. While scripture reading look for:
SPECK
|
ACTION
|
|
S
|
Sins to confess
|
What sin will I avoid?
|
P
|
Promises to claim
|
What promise will I trust?
|
E
|
Examples to follow or not to
follow
|
What will I do or not do?
|
C
|
Commands to keep
|
What is God telling me to obey?
|
K
|
Knowledge obtained
|
Through this scripture, how is my
knowledge of the Lord increased (not just awareness)?
|
Some passages may have several aspects of SPECK. Some
passages have only one.
Each aspect of SPECKs also requires prayer. Pray as you
study. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the strategies and tactics for the
ACTIONS. He should be your guide and empowerment. The scriptures cannot be
reenacted in your own strength.
Read Acts 1:12-26
about when Matthias is chosen to replace Judas as an Apostle.
Acts 1:25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
Ministry (diakonia)
·
Means SERVICE
·
Originally service at a meal table. What does
this mean for you?
o
Side note: diakonia
is the root of the English word deacon. Traditionally, in Western churches,
deacons serve the Lord’s Supper. Serving Communion is symbolic of offering the
redemptive power of Jesus to people.
·
Christian work of all kinds
·
The Example: Mark 10:45.
Jesus came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in
exchange for many who are held hostage. ACT!
Acts 1:26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Cast lots
·
Method for discerning God’s will for a decision
·
Proverbs 16:33 states believe that God, not
chance, determined the outcome when lots were cast.
·
How should we accept new members to the team?
·
Is adding new members to the team a “gamble”?
As new people come, pray for God to search YOUR heart. If
someone makes you uncomfortable, perhaps you have the issue and not them. God
may have chosen that person to be in your life. Therefore, the prayer is not
for them, it’s for you.
Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
What can we learn from this prayer?
1.
No matter what comes out of our mouth, God knows
our heart.
2.
Prayer is dependent on revelation from the
Holy Spirit – “show us”
3.
God chooses who He wants in HIS ministry
When we want God to add something to or change something,
how can we apply the principles of this prayer?
1.
Prayer begins with a pure heart – Repent
2.
Effective prayer is effective dependency. –
Submission
3.
Prayer is a communication. Communication is a
two-way street. If you ask to be “shown”, then “look” or wait for the vision. During
a period of prayer, allot time for response. Don’t bark requests at God then
walk away. – Obedience
4.
God is in control. He alone has the answer. –
Trust
Applying the Right ACTIONS
Acts records what did happen, not necessarily what should happen or what will happen. We should not attempt to imitate everything.
Acts records what did happen, not necessarily what should happen or what will happen. We should not attempt to imitate everything.
For instance, we won’t be “casting lots” for accepting new
members. However, we do vote on new board members under the direction of the
Holy Spirit.
