Spiritual Disciplines – Study

25_01_18 -Ep.347 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Study

 

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Susan’s New book – Parenting Manual

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Norman’s New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It’s a practical, quick read!

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**(28:00)**

Today we consider the Spiritual Discipline of Study.

 

Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together!

 

Thank you for joining me today! “If you’re new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”

 

**(27:00 – 23:00)**

Stages of Spiritual Growth – Questions to Ponder

1. Spiritual Infant

Loving God:

• Do you understand the Gospel and what Jesus has done for you?

Loving Others:

• Do you feel connected to a church family?

Making Disciples:

• Do you know what it means to share your faith with others?

2. Spiritual Child

Loving God:

• Are you developing a regular habit of prayer and Bible reading?

Loving Others:

• How are you learning to serve others in love?

Making Disciples:

• Do you understand why discipleship is important?

• What steps are you taking to grow in your ability to explain the Gospel?

 

 

 

**(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1**

Study as a Spiritual Discipline

1. Building a Biblical Foundation - Why Study

• Purpose of Study: To know God and grow in spiritual maturity.

  • Key Scripture:

    • 2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

    • Hosea 4:6a: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

  • Importance of Study:

    • Strengthens our faith (Romans 10:17).

    • Equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    • Protects against false teaching (Acts 17:11, Ephesians 4:14).

2. What to Study

• The Word of God:

  • Primary focus should be the Bible.

  • Key Scripture:

    • Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

    • Matthew 4:4: "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’"

• Supporting Resources:

  • Study guides, commentaries, and Bible dictionaries.

  • Church doctrinal statements and creeds (to understand Baptist distinctives).

• Key Topics to Include:

  • The nature of God, salvation, sanctification, and missions.

3. Who Should Study

• Every Believer:

  • Spiritual growth is the responsibility of all Christians.

  • Key Scripture:

    • Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

    • 1 Peter 2:2: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby."

• Special Responsibilities:

  • Teachers and leaders bear greater accountability in teaching and applying truth.

  • Key Scripture:

    • James 3:1: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."

**(00:00) END PART 1**

 

**(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**

4. How to Study

• The Grammatical-Historical-Literal Framework for Studying the Bible

1. Purpose: Understanding how to study the Bible to uncover its intended meaning.

• • Emphasize that Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and must be handled carefully (2 Timothy 2:15).

• Goal: Equip learners to study Scripture accurately and faithfully.

2. Overview of the Framework

• Definition:

  • Grammatical: Focus on the language and structure of the text.

  • Historical: Consider the historical and cultural context.

  • Literal: Interpret according to the plain meaning of the text, unless clearly figurative.

• Key Scripture:

  • Nehemiah 8:8: "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading."

  • 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

3. Step-by-Step Explanation

A. Grammatical Approach

• Focus:

  • Analyze sentence structure, grammar, and word meanings.

• Practical Tools:

  • Use concordances and interlinear Bibles to study original Greek and Hebrew words.

  • Recognize literary devices like metaphors, similes, and hyperboles.

• Example:

  • Study "love" in 1 Corinthians 13, noting the Greek word agape for deeper understanding.

B. Historical Approach

• Focus:

  • Understand the cultural, geographical, and historical context.

• Practical Tools:

  • Use Bible atlases, historical commentaries, and timelines.

  • Research customs and traditions relevant to the text.

• Example:

  • Explore the context of the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37) to understand Jewish-Samaritan relations.

C. Literal Approach

• Focus:

  • Take the text at face value unless the context suggests figurative language.

• Practical Tools:

  • Identify genre: poetry, narrative, prophecy, etc.

  • Compare Scripture with Scripture to clarify meaning.

• Example:

  • Interpret Genesis 1 as a literal account of creation, unless a figurative explanation is evident.

4. Application and Integration

• Combining All Three Elements:

  • Example Passage: Study John 3:16 using all three approaches.

    • Grammatical: Analyze "believe" in Greek (pisteuo) to understand its depth.

    • Historical: Consider Nicodemus’ Jewish background and understanding.

    • Literal: Take the plain meaning of God’s promise of eternal life for believers.

• Practice Exercise:

  • Assign a passage for group study, using the framework to break down its meaning.

5. Recommended Resources

• Concordances: Strong's Concordance.

• Interlinear Bibles: Available on BibleHub or Blue Letter Bible.

• Historical Context: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

• Commentaries:

  • For beginners: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.

  • For advanced study: The Expositor's Bible Commentary.

6. Conclusion

• Reiterate the value of accurate Bible study for spiritual growth and understanding.

• Encourage consistent practice using the framework to build confidence in handling Scripture.

• Close with 2 Timothy 2:15 as a charge: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

• • Key Scripture:

    • 2 Peter 1:20-21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

    •  

• Practical Steps for Bible Study:

  • Pray for Understanding (Psalm 119:18).

  • Read the Passage Repeatedly (Joshua 1:8).

  • Observe: Look for key words, phrases, and structure.

  • Interpret: Use cross-references and study tools for clarification.

  • Apply: Determine how the passage affects your life and obedience to God.

• Think – God given ability

• Recommended Resources for Beginners:

  • A good study Bible (e.g., NKJV Study Bible).

  • Bible dictionaries (e.g., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

  • Introductory commentaries (e.g., Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Bible).

  • Online tools like BibleHub or Blue Letter Bible for concordances and interlinear studies.

  • Logos Bible software

 

 

 

 

**(5:00 – 1:00)**

 

Doctrine of the Month -

The Church Defined

Edification and the Local Church

 

Outline: Leadership of the Local Church

Topic: A Baptist theological perspective on the leadership structure and responsibilities within the local church.

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1. Introduction (2 min)

• Key Idea: Baptists hold to congregational governance under the Lordship of Christ, with two biblical offices: pastors/elders and deacons.

• Purpose: To explore the roles, qualifications, and functions of church leaders.

Scripture Reference:
Colossians 1:18
"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."

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2. Christ as the Head of the Church (2 min)

• Christ is the ultimate authority, and leaders serve under His direction.

• The local church submits to His Lordship in all matters of faith and practice.

Scripture Reference:
Ephesians 1:22-23
"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

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3. The Role of Pastors/Elders (5 min)

• Definition: Pastors (also called elders or overseers) are responsible for shepherding, teaching, and leading the church spiritually.

• Key Responsibilities: Preaching the Word, equipping the saints, and providing oversight.

Scripture References:
1 Timothy 3:1-7
"This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

1 Peter 5:2-3
"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."

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4. The Role of Deacons (5 min)

• Definition: Deacons are servants who support the practical needs of the church to free pastors for their primary roles.

• Key Responsibilities: Serving the congregation, addressing physical and administrative needs.

Scripture References:
Acts 6:3-4
"Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

1 Timothy 3:8-13
"Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

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5. Congregational Governance (3 min)

• Definition: In Baptist churches, the congregation is the final authority under Christ.

• Members are responsible for affirming leaders, making key decisions, and maintaining doctrinal purity.

Scripture References:
Acts 6:5
"And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch."

Matthew 18:17
"And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."

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6. The Importance of Servant Leadership (3 min)

• Key Idea: Both pastors and deacons model servant leadership, following Christ’s example.

• Leadership in the church is about humility, service, and love for the body of Christ.

Scripture Reference:
Mark 10:43-45
"Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

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7. Conclusion (2 min)

• God has ordained pastors and deacons to serve and lead the church under Christ’s Lordship.

• Congregational participation ensures the church remains faithful to its mission.

• Call to action: Pray for your church leaders and actively support the work of the local church.

 

 

 

**(1:00)**

 

- “Thank you for listening today!

 

-If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.

 

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