Questions - Week 7: How Should I Read the Bible?
Awake Us Now
Today’s question, “How should I read the Bible?” is often asked by new believers, church going people who’ve never read the Bible and those questioning what they’ve heard about the Bible. It is often stated this way: ⁃ Which is the best Bible translation? ⁃ Where should I start as I begin reading? ⁃ What schedule should I follow? ⁃ Where can I find extra help and resources? And the often not asked question, but should be asked: ⁃ What are...
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Rescued by Truth: Week 47
Awake Us Now
How do we deal with worry that threatens to overwhelm us? Be it money, job security, relationships, health, current events... the list goes on! How does a believer deal with these? There is clear guidance and Godly wisdom in the Scriptures. Scripture testifies to this truth: God cares for His Children. He calls on us to TRUST in Him, REJECT the lies of the Enemy, ACT on His promises, and GROW in the new nature He has given us through faith in Christ Jesus.
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Two Year Gospel Study Week 99
Awake Us Now
The Gospel of John Week 21 Scripture: John 16:1-5. This week we head into more of the final hours before Jesus’ arrest. We open with John 16:1-5 ““All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I...
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Real People, Real God - Zechariah: Faith
Awake Us Now
God's promises require faith on our part. But what does faith look like?
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Real People, Real God - Josiah: Revival
Awake Us Now
When King Josiah could have relaxed and coasted through the remainder of his life, instead he relentlessly pursued revival. Why?
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Real People, Real God - Hezekiah: Intercession (Part 2)
Awake Us Now
When under attack from enemies, is God our last resort... or our first resort?
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Kings & Prophets: From Solomon to Jeremiah - Week 11
Awake Us Now
Pastor beings today’s class with a Flashback to twelve years earlier from where we left off last week in order to take a look at the prophet Elisha. Elisha’s name means “God is my Salvation.” Even in this dark time of history, God uses Elisha to draw people back to Himself. Elisha’s Ministry ⁃ Moab revolts (2 Kings 3) against Israel. ⁃ Widow’s olive oil (2 Kings 4) God shows His love for individuals ⁃ Naaman healed (2 Kings 5) “The God of Israel is the God of the world!” ...
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Real People, Real God - Hezekiah: Intercession (Part 1)
Awake Us Now
When under attack from enemies, is God our last resort... or our first resort?
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Real People, Real God - Elijah: Angel Armies
Awake Us Now
Are we mere pawns of geo-political forces? Or is there more to this world than meets the eye?
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Questions - Week 6: Why Read the Old Testament?
Awake Us Now
Today’s question, “Why read the Old Testament” is often asked by church going people. It is often stated this way: ⁃ The Old Testament is so hard to understand. ⁃ I like the New Testament better than the Old. ⁃ God seems so angry and mean in the Old. ⁃ Hasn’t the New Testament replaced the Old? ⁃ All those animal sacrifices are a huge turn off. Why read the Old Testament? Here are four main themes which Pastor will use to answer today’s...
info_outlineToday’s question, “How should I read the Bible?” is often asked by new believers, church going people who’ve never read the Bible and those questioning what they’ve heard about the Bible. It is often stated this way:
⁃ Which is the best Bible translation?
⁃ Where should I start as I begin reading?
⁃ What schedule should I follow?
⁃ Where can I find extra help and resources?
And the often not asked question, but should be asked:
⁃ What are the essential things to remember?
The Bible is the Word of God and is self authenticating, speaking to every generation. There are difficult parts and very clear parts. The Scriptures speak the Truth from God, and they are practical and very beneficial.
Which translation?
There is no perfect translation. Each translation works to capture what was originally written down to convey it’s original meaning without translating word for word.
1. New International Version (NIV) - seeks to follow a literal translation
2. English Standard Version (ESV) - emphasizes word for word translation
3. King James Version (KJV) - a favorite for centuries - a language different than today’s modern day language, and is easily memorized
4. New Living Translation (NLT) - seeks to convey the thoughts of Scripture versus a word for word translation - more easily understood
5. New King James Version (NKJV) - attempts to keep the text and rhythm of the King James Version but in more modern language
Pastor shares an example of each translation using Matthew 5:17.
Where to start?
1. Start with one of the Gospels (1 of the first 4 books of the New Testament) where we meet Jesus. Listen to what He says.
2. Matthew - written from a Hebrew perspective - Prophesied Messiah.
3. Mark - shortest of the 4 - speaks in dramatic terms and talks about the active Son of God - Mark offers lots of details.
4. Luke (and Acts) - Jesus as the Savior of the Nations - Luke has a heart for the desperate.
5. John - an insiders view of Jesus’ ministry and teaching and covers what’s not covered in the other gospels. John’s focus is the Deity of Jesus Christ.
What Schedule?
1. Find a time that works for you
2. Consider your season of life - and don’t let the enemy trip you up or discourage you
3. A place to meet with God - it is beneficial to have a place to sit down and reflect on what God is saying in His Word.
4. Read a section of Scripture - important to listen to God as He speaks to us in sections: chapter, book.
5. Select a plan that will work:
• Chapter a day, one book at a time
• Gospel chapter and a Psalm every day
• Bible in a year - 3+ chapters a day
• Foundational books: Genesis, Exodus, Luke, Acts, John, Romans, Ephesians
• Read a section of scripture out loud
• Listen to the Bible with various platforms
Where to find help?
1. Use a study Bible - each of the suggested Bible translations mentioned at the beginning have a study Bible available.
2. BibleGateway.com a great place to go to take a look at the Bible in a multitude of translations and also a great way to listen to the Bible - completely free.
3. AwakeUsNow.com we have everything available free of charge: Sunday services, Tuesday Bible class, Bible in a Year, TV and radio and podcasts.
What are the Essentials?
⁃ Purpose - Read the Scriptures with the purpose of allowing God’s word to be transformative in your life, for the purpose of wanting to encounter the Lord Jesus, the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.
⁃ Approach the Scriptures with Prayer - talk to the Author, ask Him what He wants to say to you. Look at your time in God’s Word not as a class assignment but a time to draw close and closer to Him.
⁃ Ponder what you are reading, think on what you are hearing God say to you in His Word.
⁃ Practice what you read and learn from the stories you read.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God desires that we know Him, that we experience His goodness and forgiveness in Christ, that we experience the power of His Holy Spirit and that we be used by Him to be a blessing to others. He desires we share the news of the only One who can save. Jesus, our crucified, risen Lord who is coming back and coming soon. May we encounter Him daily in His Word.
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