The Word Is Our FoundationSampel

The Bible: Learning to Listen

If you had a life coach that you met with regularly, what kind of advice would you want to receive? I think most of us would want an honest critique to understand why we make our own choices - and ultimately improve our lives. In Hebrews 4.12, the writer reminds us that God’s Word is like the ultimate life coach. In fact, we get a glimpse of how effective God’s Word is at shaping us.

The Bible is like a surgeon's scalpel. It puts a spotlight on our hearts and minds so we can see clearly where our lives are operating out of faith-filled humility and where pride, selfishness, and fear are starting to creep in. God wants our trust in him to grow; He wants to keep upgrading our lives, so we become more and more like Jesus. And God’s primary tool for helping us become more mature is the Bible.

If we listen with open hearts to what God’s Spirit is teaching us, then the Bible helps us recognize attitudes that need to change and worldly and unhelpful thinking. God’s Word trains us in how to live by faith. God uses the Bible to refine us and build us; He speaks to us and brings transformation. Of course, we can just go through the motions and read the Bible out of a sense of religious duty, but that doesn’t bring life and hope. We need to become soft-hearted and attentive to God’s Spirit whenever we read the Bible, expecting God always to bring some kind of encouragement or challenge through His Word.

If you’re ever struggling to hear what God is saying through His Word, a couple of great questions might be helpful - whatever passage in the Bible you’re reading.

• What does this passage teach me about who God is? His character
• What does this passage show us about God’s heart? His priorities & values
• How does this passage show what faith should be like? Positive or negative examples
• What part of my life does this passage challenge me to trust God more with?
• How does this passage encourage me to build healthier relationships?

Don’t Just Listen - Do What It Says

When Jesus’ brother James was writing a letter to Christians about mature faith, he wanted to ensure that they didn’t fall into the trap of becoming Bible experts. He uses the analogy of a mirror to describe the very real danger of self-deception. If we listen to God’s Word but then don’t put it into practice in our lives, we’re as immature as someone who forgets their own face once they turn away from a mirror.

We can do a few things to make sure that we give God’s Word the time and space to shape who we are.

Make It Relational: Having a daily conversation with God about what we’re reading in the Bible is a habit that will bring enormous change to who you are and how you do life. Make the time to read and pray; don’t rush through religiously.

Read With Others: Discussing the things we’re hearing from God with someone else can help us avoid missing the point or misunderstanding God's words.

If you’re new to the Bible, you might find it helpful to meet someone who has a bit more knowledge and can advise you on the best places to start reading. They can try and answer any questions, or you can search for answers together.

Listen In Community: It’s great to read the Bible ourselves, but this is always balanced up by listening to messages where others explain the Bible. One of the gifts God gives His Church is the gift of teaching. When we listen to others, we get the benefit of what they’re hearing from God too, and their journey encourages us. In an age of global content on demand, it’s still better to hear from people whose lives are shared with us so we don’t get caught up thinking ideas are more important than lived faith.

Reflection Questions:

1. How much of my Bible reading is about really inviting God to speak and then listening?
2. How relational is my approach to reading the Bible?
3. How should I engage with others more as I listen to God's Word?