Engaging The Scriptures
Pastor Dave Pretlove

A. CONSUME it through READING, HEARING, and STUDY.

“God please REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME in this passage.”

2 Timothy 3:15-17 MSG

There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

B. INTERNALIZE it through MEMORIZATION and MEDITATION.

“God please ROOT YOUR WORLD DEEP into my heart and mind.

C. PERSONALIZE it through APPLICATION?

“God - PLEASE CHANGE ME through your word.”

Scriptures to meditate on:

2 Timothy 3:14-17 MSG: But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Psalm 1:1-3 MSG: How well God must like you—
you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats,
you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings,
you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.

Resources:

Book: Celebration of Discipline by Richard J Foster

Questions:

1. Why do you read The Bible?

2. Do you find it hard to incorporate a daily rhythm of scripture reading into your life? Why or why not?

3. Are there resources you find helpful when you are studying the Bible? What are they?

4. How does meditating on scriptures change you?

5. Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. How does reading scriptures prepare you for the tasks God has for you to do?

6. Can you think of the time when you were in a stressful or difficult situation and scriptures came flooding back to your mind? Please share.

Something to think about:

A week ago, I was in prayer needing some clarity from the Lord, and it was clear to me that He was asking me to consecrate my mind. I had Facebook and Instagram on my phone, and I deleted them. I will still reach for my phone to mindlessly scroll through Instagram, but when I realize it is not there, I have been clicking on my Bible app instead. This simple thing has caused me to be in the Word many times a day. It has been so good for my soul. Another really sweet thing, God, in His faithfulness, gave Dusty and I the clarity we were needing.

A lot of times we will feel God’s leading but we also need to act upon His leading and obey. My encouragement to you all this week is to fight for ways to spend time in His Word. Get radical! Anything you need to do to carve out time to meditate on scriptures and spend time in prayer, do it! It will transform you. His Word is alive and is powerful! I am praying for you all this week as you spend time with Him. Praying for breakthroughs and transformation and that you will fall more in love with The Father. Blessings, Christie Braun