Encounter the Wisdom of God within the Group

Nazarene Organic Church Network- Session 6

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”

Terms used by Paul are the ones typically used by those preparing for athletic tournaments

and what coaches used to prepare them

Importance of Biblical Study To Seek Divine Truth and Wisdom

Why does a coach teach/rebuke/correct/train?

How does Scripture do the same for us?

• Make connection between real life and God’s word: felt need

• Why do people fail when they are tempted?

Word Action Curriculum Four Fold Method for Bible Study

1. Engage

• Choose a passage that is a complete unit of related thought within the chapter.

• Read the passage at least three times before the church gathering.

– 1st reading: Record observations prior to the church gathering

– 2nd reading: Record observations and share with mentor

– 3rd reading: Revise observations and add further reflections

2. Explore

Word Action Curriculum Four Fold Method for Bible Study

• Role of hermeneutics: interpreting the Bible

• Start with original meaning, move to contemporary

Word Action Curriculum Four Fold Method for Bible Study

3. Examine

• How is it significant?

• How are they alike?

• How are they different?

• Compare and contrast; good with metaphors, multiple perspectives

• Take care to not enter into wild speculation

Good Questions for Interpretation

• Put the Scripture into immediate context, commit to practice, and then follow it.

• Return to 2 Tim 3:16-17 to give an outline of how to put Scripture into practice.

Word Action Curriculum Four Fold Method for Bible Study

4. Exercise Faith

• Inquisitiveness is an element of biblical holiness and discipleship

– 1 Thes 5:16-24

– Romans 12:1-2

• To test means to examine, scrutinize, approve, deem worthy.

• Disciples’ growth into Christlikeness needs to undergo difficult process of lifelong learning.

• Create an “ask-assertive environment” in which no question is off limits

• The desire to serve God is found in the sincere attempt to discover more about Who He is and What He can do in and through our lives.

Make Searching for Wisdom a Group Priority

• Reflective Christianity is the opposite of folk religion.

• It invites tough questions and has the courage to say “I don’t know.”

Being a Reflective Christian

• We can lead others to open up their

lives before God when we gather

together as the church.

• These questions show how we can begin

to take responsibility for our actions.

• Taking personal responsibility for the

spiritual lives of ourselves and others

• The word keeper is the Hebrew word

“shamar,” found in Cain’s question to

God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

• God wants us to “watch over” and keep

guard over others in prayer and concern.

Opening Up Lives to God

• Moving away from maintenance prayers (clichés) toward “frontline” prayer.

• To take down strongholds, seek repentance, demand personal involvement.

Engaging in “Frontline” Prayer

• Specific, direct

• Confident

• Persistent

• Responsive to immediate need

• Sensitive to the moving of the Spirit

The Church’s Gathered Prayer Reflects these Components of Frontline Prayer

Take a passage of Scripture and create a four-fold outline of study questions. Share and compare the results with group or mentor.

Incorporate one of the elements of opening up lives to God. Commit to holding each other accountable until the next session.

Session Challenge