Lesson #07

Bible Perspectives: How to Study the Bible for Yourself — Part I
Lesson #07
Are you Listening?

• Spiritual Diary Discussion and the Personal Concordance
• Homework Discussion: ABC Bible Study  [To go to the homework answers — for the teacher]
• Col 2:1-23
• Outline and Summary

• Class Lesson: How to Know When You Hear God’s Voice

• Jesus said His followers would know when they hear His voice. (Joh 10:4)
• Then, where is the problem? Why do so many Christians not know when they hear His voice?
• It is because we do not want to hear. If we hear, we are responsible to obey it.
• It is because we hear from many sources and we must distinguish between them.
• =1= We hear from other people.
• Others tell us what we should do, but how do we rule out their advice from God’s direction, when, at times, God uses other people to speak to us?
• Usually God first speaks to an individual directly. When the individual does not respond, then God reveals his will regarding the life of that Christian to someone who is close to the Christian. If the individual still does not respond, God reveals His will in a broader circle, and finally, using circumstances He gets the Christian to respond. It is better not to completely rely on other people for God’s direction for you because they can be wrong. They can be influenced by Satan.
• You can rule out the advice of other people if you want to hear from God directly by meditating on the Word and immediately responding in obedience.
• =2= We hear from our flesh nature.
• Because we have our own feelings and desires, there are some people who think that if it feels good and right, it must be from God. However, you must remember three things:
• =A= Man’s heart is incurably wicked (Jer 17:9)
• =B= The way of a fool seems right in his own eyes (Pro 12:15)
• =C= The believer is to live by faith and not by sight (or feelings). (2Cor 5:7)
• Therefore, if we cannot trust our feelings, how can we rule them out?
• Pray Pro 3:5-6 and 2Cor 10:3-5, that God’s will be done before you seek God’s direction.
• –Resign yourself to God’s perfect will and trust him to do what He thinks is best for you.
• =3= Satan
• Satan seeks to imitate God’s voice and guidance in order to deceive the believer into following Satan’s evil plan.
• Read Jam 4:7
• If you first submit yourself to God in prayer, you leave no room for Satan to interfere.
• Read Eph 6:11, 14-18
• It is important to pray in faith before you seek God’s direction.
• My Comments:
• Usually the biggest stumbling block to hearing God’s voice is our own self. We would rather do our own will.
• There is a way you can know if it is God’s will or your own will. Apply this test:
• =1= Does it glorify God?
• =2= Is it edifying to you?
• Does it enhance and build up your Christian life?
• =3= Does it increase knowledge of Him and His ways?
• =4= Is it in harmony with the rest of scripture?
• =5= Does it bring a response to God in prayer, praise, thanksgiving, worship, confession, and intercession?
• =6= Does it leave you with a sense of peace?

• Types of Bible Study Methods: #5 The Chapter Analysis Study

• This method of Bible Study is used to analyze a whole chapter of the Bible. It uses some of the same skills you have already learned, except they are now applied to a broader context of scripture.
• This method asks you to discover the “Central Lesson”.
• In other words, what is the basic idea of the message that the author wants you to understand?
• This study asks you to arrive at a general principle for making “behavior decisions”. (Question #12).
• This means that you will look for a broad principle. (This part is the most difficult for many people.)
• There are some behavior decisions that the Word of God speaks to directly. For example, the Bible says we are not to steal or commit murder. These are black and white areas where you can point to a specific chapter and verse in the Bible to tell you what is right and what is wrong, what to do and what not to do.
• However, there are many gray areas of life not specifically covered in the Bible.
• For example, the Bible obviously says nothing about movies and home videos. There is no chapter or verse that you can quote to guide you in your decision about movies or videos. How do you, then, make Godly decisions regarding these gray areas? You apply a broad principle.
• This study of 1Corinthias 8 will give you a framework of broad principles by which you can make behavioral decisions regarding those gray areas.
• Homework
• =1= Work on your Spiritual Diary for 15 minutes each day for 6 days.
• Add to your Personal Concordance.
• Pray that God will reveal to you His deep mysteries as you read.
• =2= Use the “Chapter Analysis Study” sheet.
• Day 1 = Read 1Cor 8
• Day 2 and Day 3 = Read 1Cor 8. Begin to fill out the sheet. (Do not be concerned if you do not find answers to fill all the questions asked on the sheet. Some of the questions may not always apply, but should always be considered.)
• Day 4 and Day 5 = Read 1Cor 8 and outline it.
• Day 6 = Read 1Cor 8. From this chapter, write one general principle. (in one or two sentences) on “a Christian’s criteria for making behavior decisions”.

 

• #5 Chapter Analysis Study

Scripture Passage: 1Cor 8 Date:

=1= What is the main subject?

=2= Who are the main people?

=3= What does it say about Christ?

=4= What is the key or main verse?

=5= What is the central lesson?

=6= What are the main promises, if any?

=7= What are the main commands, if any?

=8= What error should I avoid?

=9= What example is presented?

=10= What do I need most in this chapter to apply to my life today?

=11= Chapter outline: (on a separate paper)

=12= A General principle for Christian behavior: