Hear God’s Word

In the last lesson we talked about the importance of taking time to read and study the Bible.

There are actually five basic ways for you to experience God’s Word:

1. Hear it

2. Read it

3. Study it

4. Memorize it

5. Meditate on it

Hearing God’s Word involves listening to it.

All of these ways to make God’s Word a bigger part of your life are important. It is important to use a combination of all five to really grow in your relationship with God. For the next couple of lessons, we will look at each one of these separately … specifically in this lesson–“Hear it”. Hearing God’s Word is the simplest way to get God’s Word into your life … and it involves listening.

What are the ways you currently “hear” God’s Word?

A:___________________________________________________

Whenever you hear God’s Word, attempt to learn what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you personally writing down your thoughts when possible.

There are many ways you can hear God’s Word: At your Church, in a Bible Study, from a teacher in a Bible school, on Bible tapes and CDs and DVDs, by attending Christian Seminars, through a friend, listening to Christian radio, reading Christian books … non-fiction as well as fiction, and by searching on-line Bible based web pages. It is important that when you are listening to anything that is not scripture, such as a Christian speaker, that you make sure that person is a reliable source of God’s truth.

Acts 17:11 says, “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth” (NLT).

Why do you suppose it is important to “search the Scriptures” res to see if what you are hearing is true?

A:___________________________________________________

Whenever you hear God’s Word, attempt to learn what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you personally writing down your thoughts when possible.

Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ” (NIV).

In what ways can your faith be strengthened when you hear the Word of God?

A:___________________________________________________

As disciples of Christ. We are committed to learning His truth and following His directions.

As Christians, we are disciples of Christ who are committed to learning His truth and following His directions. Ephesians 4:17-18 tells us, “As a follower of the Lord, I order you to stop living like stupid, godless people. Their minds are in the dark, and they are stubborn and ignorant and have missed out on the life that comes from God. They no longer have any feelings about what is right, but are to become Christlike in our character by renewing our mind with the truth of God’s Word” (CEV). Those are pretty bold words!

Romans 12:2 challenges us with a more positive approach with these words, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV).

Listening is the easiest way to get God’s Word into your mind, but it isn’t a totally passive endeavor!

Listening is the easiest way to get God’s Word into your mind, but it isn’t a totally passive endeavor! As you listen to God’s Word, you can use the following steps and questions to apply God’s truth in your life.

1. Receptivity

Receptivity is the step where you check your attitude! The question to ask here is: Am I willing to let God’s truth change me and my life?

Receptivity — check your attitude.

God will not push His way into your life. He is waiting to transform you, but He also is waiting for you to open yourself up to Him. If God sees that you are not really willing to obey Him, then there is no point in revealing more truth to you. Because He is your loving Father, He will wait, but He desires a humble and submissive attitude.

What is the most recent thing you heard from God’s Word:

A:___________________________________________________

On a scale of 1 to 10, how receptive were you to that specific truth?

A:___________________________________________________

Is there anything you can or should do to increase your receptivity to hearing God’s truth?

A:___________________________________________________

2. Comprehension

Comprehension — check your understanding.

Comprehension is the step where you check your understanding . There are several questions to ask when you are reflecting upon your comprehension: What new truth have I become aware of through reading my Bible, going to church and/or listening to other Christians? What does this truth mean in relation to what I think, say, and do? What are the consequences of not applying this truth to my life? What benefits will I experience from acting on this truth?

What is the most recent truth you have become aware of through hearing God’s Word?

A:___________________________________________________

What does this truth mean to you?

A:___________________________________________________

As you consider this truth, what consequences or benefits will you experience if you act or don’t act on this truth?

A:___________________________________________________

3. Conviction

Conviction — check your level of belief .

Here is where you check your level of belief . The question to ask yourself regarding your conviction is: Why am I convinced that it is important to apply this revealed truth to my life?

What do you think influences your conviction about God’s truth?

A:___________________________________________________

How is conviction measured?

A:___________________________________________________

Is there anything you can do to boost your conviction concerning God’s truth in your life?

A:___________________________________________________

4. Transformation

This final step is the place where action is required; it is the step where you check your commitment to application . There are several questions here that will help you evaluate your commitment: What steps must I take to apply this truth to my life? Am I allowing Satan to use fear or difficulties to prevent me from following through with these steps of application? Am I allowing other concerns or my desire for wealth or pleasure to distract me from following through with these steps of application?

As you consider this final step, are you often committed to the application of God’s truth to your life? Why or why not?

A:___________________________________________________

What is the greatest hindrance to the application of God’s truth to your life?

A:___________________________________________________

Transformation — check your commitment to application.

How can you overcome this hindrance?

A:___________________________________________________

What positive things have your experienced when you have applied God’s truth to your life?

A:___________________________________________________

James 1:22 encourages us with these words: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (NLT)

Application:

How can you “hear” more of God’s Word on a regular basis?

A:___________________________________________________

What are you currently doing with the Word of God that you “hear”?

A:___________________________________________________

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Hear God’s Word

1. Receptivity

2. Comprehension

3. Conviction

4. Transformation

Application:

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