Engaging the Bible

Aug 24, 2022 |

  SPIRITUAL PRACTICES - Personal disciplines we need to engage to connect with God and become empowered to live a spiritual live.

The Bible is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity. Within it we have the written accounts of God’s movement in the lives of people and how they responded. Some were “faithful” and others were rebellious in their response, but the Bible is an inspired account to give us wisdom in our lives. In this discussion you will unpack the significance of the Bible and learn some practical insights to truly mine biblical principles and foundational truths for today.1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

discussion #1: God's RevelationDiscussion #2: The Call of Believersdiscussion #3: Scripture is ValuableDISCUSSION #4: Scripture is Freedom Discussion #5: Scripture and SanctificationBONUS: How to Practically Engage the Bible through the Inductive Bible Study Method


DISCUSSION #1: God’s Revelation

The Bible is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity. Within it we have the written accounts of God’s movement in the lives of people and how they responded. Some were “faithful” and others were rebellious in their response, but the Bible is an inspired account to give us wisdom in our lives.  In this module you will unpack the significance of the Bible and learn some practical insights to truly mine biblical principles and foundational truths for today.

Today’s discussion will surround God revealing himself to us, therefore we have an imperative to respond to his revelation by engaging in the Bible.

MY STORY | Starting Place

What has your experience with the Bible been up to this point? What has engaging with Scripture looked like in your life? 

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, Colossians 1:15-19

Who is the “he” spoken of in this passage? 

What is God doing through Christ according to Paul in this passage? 

The ultimate and complete revelation of God resides in the person and work of Christ. In what other ways do you think God has revealed himself? 

If God actively and intentionally reveals himself, what is the responsibility of the believer to that revelation? 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

If Scripture is “breathed out” by God, how did God accomplish this? (2 Peter 1:21 holds the ultimate answer to this question)

If Scripture has been inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit, what kind of confidence does that create in you to rely on and know Scripture? 

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

How can this group encourage and help one another faithfully and diligently engage the Bible? What is some wisdom each of you can share regarding how you do this in your own lives? 

In our modern age, what are some practical ways one might engage the Bible?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Ask for help choosing a place in the Bible to start reading Scripture. Commit to 15 minutes three times a week. Experiment on the time of day and environment to find what creates excitement in you to keep up this practice. 

Below are some great APPS that can help you engage a Bible reading plan:
YouVersion Bible APP
ReadScripture APP
One Minute Pause APP
If your prefer to go through the Bible in printed form, The One Year Bible, published by Tyndale, is a helpful resource. 


Discussion #2: The Call of Believers

The Bible is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity. Within it we have the written accounts of God’s movement in the lives of people and how they responded. Some were “faithful” and others were rebellious in their response, but the Bible is an inspired account to give us wisdom in our lives.  In this discussion you will unpack the significance of the Bible and learn some practical insights to truly mine biblical principles and foundational truths for today.

This discussion will focus on the biblical truth that believers are called to know and rightly handle Scripture. 

MY STORY | Starting Place

What is a bad interpretation of Scripture you can recall being alarming to you when you encountered it? Maybe it was a sermon, video, or book. What was it about the sermon or teaching that you knew wasn’t quite right? 

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

“Do your best to present yourself to God…” What is the role and responsibility of the believer according to this verse regarding not just with Scripture, but with all of God’s revelation? 

How are you actively participating in “knowing” God’s truth? Is this important to you? If it is, how does it show in your life? 

“...rightly handling…” What do you think this means? What does it look like and what are the criteria for rightly handling the word of truth? 

What does it look like to wrongly handle the word of truth? What do you think the consequences might be for wrongly handling the word of truth? 

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

If correct and proper interpretation and application of Scripture is an imperative for the believer, how can this group hold one another accountable to accurate conclusions and applications? How will this group do that with grace and truth? How will it be healthy and loving in the endeavor?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

How would you assess your own heart disposition regarding reading, interpreting, and applying Scripture? Are you humble? Do you listen to feedback and are you open to correction? 

If you HEAR something that sounds like error, what do you do? Do you engage or disengage? What does it look like to engage in a healthy way?

There are two positions of engaging truth. The first is in humility, being open to correction from the Bible or insights of others (not assuming one personally holds all authority to discern right and wrong). The second is intentional engagement, where we graciously lean into and actively participate in discerning, defining, and defending truth. 

Where do you fall on this spectrum? What is an area of growth for you? 


DISCUSSION #3: Scripture is Valuable

The Bible is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity. Within it we have the written accounts of God’s movement in the lives of people and how they responded. Some were “faithful” and others were rebellious in their response, but the Bible is an inspired account to give us wisdom in our lives.  In this discussion you will unpack the significance of the Bible and learn some practical insights to truly mine biblical principles and foundational truths for today.

In this discussion we will establish the truth that Scripture is of utmost value for the believer and the Church. 

MY STORY | Starting Place

Based on your interaction with Scripture throughout your life, how would you rank its importance to you? 

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why do you think God gave the Church Scripture? How is it beneficial to both individuals and the Church? 

Paul gives a list of reasons Scripture is “profitable” for the believer. Define each of his reasons. 

“...equipped for every good work.” What do you think these good works are? For what is the believer to be equipped?

What do you think Paul means by “complete?” Can a believer be equipped without being strongly rooted in Scripture? If not, how does your life reflect this truth? How are you rooted in Scripture in order to be complete? 

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

As a community group, you will discuss and share many things. But what does/should it look like for your group to value Scripture (as opposed to Christian books, popular pastors, podcasts, or other literature) the most as your source of encouragement, correction, and instruction? 

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Write out a few points this week on what would need to change or shift in your life to reflect the importance of Scripture. What can you change in order to align with truth on this subject? Make a plan to begin implementing some of those changes. 


Discussion #4: Scripture is Freedom

The Bible is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity. Within it we have the written accounts of God’s movement in the lives of people and how they responded. Some were “faithful” and others were rebellious in their response, but the Bible is an inspired account to give us wisdom in our lives.  In this discussion you will unpack the significance of the Bible and learn some practical insights to truly mine biblical principles and foundational truths for today.

This discussion will unpack the fact that Scripture reveals to us the truth of God, which is a source of freedom in the believer’s life.

MY STORY | Starting Place

Can you describe a time you experienced the “truth setting you free?” In other words, was there a time you experienced truth to be freeing and refreshing? 

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32

What do you think it means to “abide” in Jesus’ word? 

How does Jesus use the word to determine who is a disciple and who is not? 

Why do you think it is important to “know” the truth? Why was this important to Jesus? 

What are the values of a true disciple?

Would you describe yourself as a true disciple of Christ? Why or why not? 

“...and the truth will set you free.” What do you think it is like to experience this freedom? Will it always feel good, or can encountering truth be abrasive or unpleasant (similar to the power of Scripture described in Hebrews 4:12)? Explain. 

Is knowing truth worth sacrificing our own ideas or assumptions of right and wrong? Explain. 

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

How can your group encourage one another in the truth today? How can this group be distinctly allegiant to truth as God defines it? 

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Taking the question of who is and who is not a true disciple, use it as a mirror this week and honestly evaluate where you rank in terms of true discipleship based on your commitment to truth. 

Then ask yourself, what needs to change in my life in order to align with Christ in this area? Ask for help and accountability making and executing that plan. 


DISCUSSION #5: Scripture and Sanctification

The Bible is one of the greatest gifts given to humanity. Within it we have the written accounts of God’s movement in the lives of people and how they responded. Some were “faithful” and others were rebellious in their response, but the Bible is an inspired account to give us wisdom in our lives.  In this discussion you will unpack the significance of the Bible and learn some practical insights to truly mine biblical principles and foundational truths for today.

This discussion will dive into Scripture as it forms the believer in the process of sanctification, thus producing faith, character, and Christ-likeness. 

MY STORY | Starting Place

Describe an encounter with Scripture that was memorably transformative. What impacted you and what truth led to genuine, consistent change in your life? 

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17: 14-17

What do you think it means when Jesus said, “I have given them your word…?” Of what is he speaking? 

If Jesus is praying for believers, who know truth as they exist on earth, what does that say about the battle between truth and lies? How do you see this in our culture today? 

Sanctification: the process of being conformed to Holiness, Christ-likeness, and all righteousness. In other words, the movement away from sinful acts and desires to that of holiness or Godliness.

What does “sanctify” mean in this context? How does truth sanctify a believer? Do you view sanctification as increasing in faith? Why or why not? Would increasing in faith be required of someone in keeping from the evil one?

How would you describe Jesus’ view on the war between truth and lies? Is it light or intense? Active or passive? 

What do you think is the responsibility of the believer in this battle? According to Scripture, are believers allowed to be ignorant of the war between truth and lies? Explain why or why not. 

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship

Take the final 5 minutes of your group discussion time to outline 3-5 values that will guide how you all read and interpret Scripture. (ex., We will seek out the true message of Scripture in light of or despite our personal preferences.)

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action

Is there a person in your life who keeps away from the Bible because they are intimidated by it, or simply feel insecure reading it for themselves? How can you come alongside this person and help them engage the Bible with the points made throughout this series of discussions? 

BONUS: How to Practically Engage the Bible through the Inductive Bible Study Method

The Inductive Bible Study is a method that begins with observing what the text says, then bases interpretation on the actual data of the text and applies the passage only in ways the text demands and allows. 

“The goal in Methodical Bible Study is to come as close as we can to understanding the text’s meaning, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.” - Dr. Matt Jones

Inductive Bible Study identifies the meaning of a Bible passage through a historical, grammatical, literary and contextual study of the passage.

    1. Historical - when was this written?
    2. Grammatical - how are the sentences constructed and logically connected?
    3. Literary - what genre is being used?
    4. Contextual - how does this passage fit within the book?Study of the passage.

The steps begin with first, OBSERVATION: What is there?

  • Who? - List and identify persons referred to in the text and identify antecedents.
  • What? - List and define the verbs (actions) and identify objects stated in the text.
  • Where? - List and identify place names in the text or close context.
  • When? - List dates or time references stated in the text.'How? - List explanations of actions stated in the text or those implied.
  • Why? - List the reason for actions or ideas stated or implied in the text. Ask “why” regarding the actions or ideas.

Second, INTERPRETATION: What did the writer intend for his reader to understand?

  • What does this text mean?
  • Does my conclusion make sense?
  • Does it fit with the theme of the chapter and book?
  • Does it disagree or contradict any other biblical statement or doctrine?
  • Does it fit within my previous understanding of God’s word?
  • Is this conclusion verified and affirmed anywhere else in the Bible?

Third, APPLICATION: What does this passage mean I should do?

  • What would a person do if he/she took the passage seriously?
  • Does this application naturally and logically flow out of the passage?
  • Is the application commanded, demanded, suggested, or urged by the passage? 
  • How is the Holy Spirit leading me to respond to the passage?

“A Christian lives by what the Bible actually says, not by what we wish, hope, want, believe, think, suppose, imagine, have heard, or always thought it says. The FIRST step in biblical living is discovering what the Bible actually says. The best way to do that is through Inductive Bible Study.” - Dr. Matt Jones

*Adapted from the New Testament 501 Study Notes (Colorado Christian University), by Matt Jones.

1For further reading, exploration, and research here are deeper resources: 
Fee, Gordon D. and Douglas Stewart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 4th ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014). 
Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020). 
Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg and Robert L. Hubbard Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007). 

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