Acts 2:42 (NLT)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Only prayer has been covered more in these Back to the Basics devotionals than Bible study. Don’t blame me. I’m only writing these little lessons based off my notes from John’s messages. So blame him. Naturally, I’m kidding. I stand behind John and his hammering the importance of Bible study both to us as individuals and as a collective body. Coupled with prayer, it will determine our survival as believers and as a church body. Yahweh is such a powerful and glorious and creative entity that He speaks in countless ways. Many of us simply don’t know how to listen or get mixed messages in this convoluted and confusing world. Enter the Scripture. Nowhere short of Yahweh Himself can we find guidance, encouragement, correction, instruction, principles, and hope like we can here. In short, everything we need to be a new creation, a Christ follower, a Spirit-filled soldier, a disciple and mentor, a servant-leader, is found in these pages. And I understand I’m preaching to the choir (if you’re reading these devotions, you’re already studying the Word…and afford me this digression to say I’m proud of you. Continue to relish the journey.). But imagine if half of us Refugees did it! Lay aside the church a minute, just imagine the changes that would take place in homes, lives, workplaces, schools, and the community!
If you’re already studying the Scripture, continue to do so. When you grow weary of doing it this way, grab a different devotion or a methods book. Dig around (or ask me or John). There are resources out there to guide you through diverse ways to read and analyze the Bible. Growth sometimes requires a change. But once again, if you’re reading this you already know this. So I’ll use the reminder of my time with you this morning to share ways you can encourage others to blow the dust off the cover and pick up their Bible. I’m often asked, “How can I get my friends to read the Bible more? Or read it with me?” Some experienced observations:
1. Live it out. It seems it always comes back to this. When people see Life-Change in you, they will wonder how you changed. Now is your opportunity to describe the role of God’s Word on and in your life. This tends to go over much better than “preaching” to them about the importance of Bible reading.
2. Relate Biblical principles to situations. One of the ministries Jesus uses me in is working with recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. Many are lost in trying to follow steps that sound good but are backed up by no purpose other than trying to stay “sober.” This allows me the opportunity to share with them that the steps are based off of Biblical principles and if you go straight to the source, you find not only sobriety but a relationship with the Savior and Lover of our soul. You find more than hope- you find Jesus and all He entails. Usually this salvo leads them to search the Scriptures. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities like that. They happen all the time.
3. Simply ask. If you want to encourage a friend to read the Bible and try to live it out, pay them a visit. Or a phone call. Tell them you’re interested in going deeper in your relationship with Jesus and you chose them to go through the process with. They will appreciate being thought of, you will have encouraged them to study the Bible, and you will have accountability as well. You may even ask them to follow the LifeTogether devotionals with you (shameless plug). It’s a win-win situation.
