Igniting your Spiritual Passion is our current series. As we talked about last week, it begins not with something we do, but receiving the love God has for us.
Today we look at two different people groups and how they each responded to Paul's preaching. When Paul went to Thessalonica, he reasoned in the synagogue for 3 Sabbaths. Several responded to the message and began to follow Christ. Out of jealousy, the Jewish leaders rounded up a mob and got them all kicked out of town.
Paul and Silas then went 19 miles west to Berea. They responded differently. First, they were open minded, they received his message with eagerness, they examined the scriptures every day and then as a result, many believed. Why? Because they searched the scriptures.
Studies have shown that no matter where you are in your walk with Christ, the number 1 activity or discipline that helped you grow was reflection on scripture. The goal of studying scripture is not for information but transformation.
How do you read scripture for transformation?
1) Come with a longing for God. I need you God more in my life. Speak to me.
2) Observe (What does it Say?) - The fun of studying God's word is being curious. Observe the what, when, where, how and why from the text.
3) Interpret (What does it mean?) - What did the author mean to say originally?
4) Application What does it mean to me?) - Perhaps a change of thought, change of behavior.
What is my next step?
If you want to grow in your relationship with God, God's word is the primary way that God speaks to us. Grow your hunger for God's Word.