LGC - A Better Investment Part 4

A Better Investment (Part 4)

Rhordan Wicks

INTRODUCTION

“Yes, Jesus loves me, for the bible tells me so.” This simple children’s hymn is a great illustration of conveying truth as well as the reason it is true. The truth is that Jesus loves us, and we know this because of the bible. The bible contains many other truths, but the question is how many of them are we familiar with?

A worldview is the summation of all the beliefs (and misbeliefs) that we have about ourselves, others, and how the world works. If God’s Word does not shape our worldview, something else will. Identifying and correcting misbeliefs in our worldview first requires us to better understand what the bible says as the standard of truth. Practising the truths we have learnt internalises them within ourselves. This will eventually lead to our adoption of the bible’s truths as our own, aligning our worldview with the Biblical worldview. Right information with regular application brings ready maturation.

This week, we look at the importance of Grow Time – invest time in studying the bible for transformation. The key to transformation is a teachable heart. We can have the best bible teachers to teach us, but if we are not teachable, all that we learn will be wasted. A teachable person is one committed to transformation.

DISCUSSION

What are some of the truths that form part of your worldview?
1. List down 5 beliefs you have in each category below:
  1. A belief about how you see yourself.
  2. A belief about how you should treat others.
  3. A belief about resisting temptation.
  4. A belief about material wealth.
  5. A belief about what happens after death.
2. Now test your beliefs against what the Bible says.

	You believe:	Bible says:
You are…		Psalm 139:14 Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11
Treat other people…		Mark 12:31 Matthew 5:38-40
Resist temptation by…		1 Corinthians 10:13 James 4:7
Material wealth is…		Matthew 6:19-21 1 Timothy 6:10
After death…		John 3:16-17 Psalm 23

c. A biblical worldview (or a Christian worldview) is a worldview based on God’s unchanging Word. From this simple exercise, how far are you from God’s truths?

2. Read 2 Tim 3.

1. What were the warnings that Paul gave to Timothy about the last days?
2. According to 2 Tim 3:14-17, why should believers abide in God’s Word?
3. The preacher mentioned that the key to spiritual transformation is a teachable heart. What does it mean to have a teachable heart (refer to Prov 12:1, 19:20, 26:12)?
4. Why are your family and lifegroup/small group/accountability group the best environment for you to practise applying God’s truths? Give an example of what it will look like?

3. Do you have a systematic approach to knowing God’s word? If yes, share your plan? If not, what prevents you from building a systematic approach to learning the Bible?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

How can you develop a systematic approach to studying God’s Word? Here’s our suggestion:

Select a book of the Bible to read through. Each day read through a passage or entire chapter. Then read through a second time and underline keywords and phrases.
Research on the background information relating to the book.
Make observations and write them down.
Find a key verse and research the keywords.
Identify the spiritual truth or principles in the passage you are reading that are applicable to your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Determine application from what you have learned

We recommend these resources for studying God’s Word if you need some handles.

‘Personal Bible Study Methods: 12 ways to study the Bible on your own’ by Rick Warren
‘Getting the most out of your Bible Study.’ Produced by FGA, this resource can be downloaded from the link below. You can do this with a bunch of friends or with your lifegroup.
‘An Introduction to Christian Worldview: Pursuing God’s perspective in a pluralistic world’ by Tawa Anderson, W. Michael Clark, and David K. Naugle.

MEMORY VERSE

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 (ESV)