Sunday, February 10

DEVELOPING AN APPETITE FOR GOD'S WORD

A day doesn't go by when we get physical urges for something to eat. In like manner, as we mature in the Christian life more and more we will have daily urges to read and absorb God's Word. In our fifth in the study Growing to be Like Jesus we will look at practical steps to do just that. Are you hungry?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:3-11

In our small group discussion today we are going to look at the Philippian scripture in three ways; observation (what are the facts), understanding (what always is true), and application (what the point is for me). As a small group be honest about your sturggles to make God's Word a regular part of your life. May student and leaders be challenged to develop this appetite.

Start with general thoughts about the following:
Describe how important the Bible is in your home. What do you think of the Bible? What place does it have in your life right now?

Observation: (read the passage several times, check out the context in verses before and after the passage)
Who is involved in the passage?
What does Paul say about each of these people?
Who? What ? Where? When? Why? questions
What doesn't make sense?

Understanding: (identify the introduction and conclusion, compare and contrast elements, cause and effect, definitions, repetition)
What are the eternal truths this passage is communicating?
Are there any Bible verses that contradict your answers to the previous question?

Application: (if the opportunity came your way how would you teach these truths to someone else?)
Basesd on our study of this passage, what does this mean for your life? How should you be different?
If you only had one hour to give to God, would it be better to spend tht hour studing the Bible or telling others about the good news in the Bible?

Further study: Mt. 11:29, Romans, 12:16, 2 Cor 8:9