Knowing God's Word #4

Chapter 4: We Have a Teacher

When we met last week, we dug into Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary for Hebrews 5:12-14. More importantly, we talked about Jesus' promise to send us a Teacher, a Counselor, who guides us into all truth.

We begin our Christian walk as newbies, spiritual babes needing to learn the basics. But as we grow and mature, we long for solid food. "We start with the input of truth, exercising the principle of readiness for learning. We gradually implement the principle of practice for retention of truth. Consistent and persistent practice of truth results in growth to maturity" (p. 45).

Through our Hearts Above spiritual journey, we are learning new study tools so that we can gain a better understanding of Biblical teachings as we are guided by the Holy Spirit.

Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts

I received my copy of Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, Third Edition as I was preparing a Bible study lesson on Biblical resources and reference books. After only a few minutes of flipping through the colorful pages, I was excited to share this book with the other women in our group.

The two major sections are Old Testament and The New Testament. Each book of the Bible has its own chapter and these are appropriately grouped. For example, the first five books of the Old Testament are under the heading of “The Pentateuch.”

Between the two major sections is a brief section called “The Intertestamental Period.” It shows four maps that illustrate the “shifts of political power over Palestine” between 750 B.C. until 63 B.C.

The chapters for each Biblical book contain a survey of the book which includes authorship, date written, themes and literary structure, and an outline. Important events recorded in the book are discussed. Charts and maps provide additional information.

The chapter on 2 Samuel, for example, includes a map that shows the locations for important events in the life of King David and a genealogy. Two charts list “David’s Triumphs” and “David’s Troubles.”

The New Testament section opens with charts on “The Miracles of Jesus Christ” and “The Parables of Jesus Christ.” It also includes a “Harmony of the Gospels,” Herod’s family tree, “The Plan of Herod’s Temple,” and a chart showing the “New Testament Political Rulers.”

Photographs, such as the East gate of Jerusalem and Ephesian temple ruins, are scattered throughout the text.

The easy-to-read chapters provide a wealth of historical and cultural background. Bible study leaders and Sunday School teachers will appreciate the many charts and maps, which are reproducible and can be downloaded. But anyone who wants a deeper appreciation and understanding of what they are reading in Scriptures will find this book an invaluable resource.

(NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

Knowing God's Word #3

Chapter 3: Reading vs. Studying

We explored Acts 17:10-12 on our spiritual journey this week, particularly verse 11: "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

The Greek word for "noble," eugenes, appears only four times in the New Testament: Acts 17:11; 24:3; 26:25; and 1 Corinthians 1:26.

But the English word "noble" is also found in some translations of Philippians 4:8 -- "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, . . ."

So we pulled out the Greek New Testament and the Strong's Concordance (with a lot of laughing) and found this Greek word is actually "venerable" or "honorable."

To get the most out of Acts 17:11, we also looked up "received," "readiness," and "searched." From our study of the Greek definitions, we know that the Bereans were highly esteemed people who deliberately accepted Paul's message with mental eagerness and scrutinized the Scriptures to find out the Truth for themselves.

May we be as deliberate, as eager, and as discerning in our own studies.

Knowing God's Word #2

Chapter 2: Tools of the Trade

Resources, resources, and more resources. On our spiritual journey this week, we used study and topical Bibles, concordances, commentaries, and expository dictionaries to delve into the deeper meaning of 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Online references helped those of us who don't have access to all these types of reference works. We especially benefitted from Bible Gateway and Vine's Expository Dictionary.

The middle of our hostess's dining room table was piled with all kinds of references including favorites such as Strong's Concordance and Haley's Bible Handbook. We got to flip through an archaeological Bible and the brand new Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts.

We're blessed to live in an age of multiple and easily-accessible resources to enhance and deepen our study of God's Word.

What's one of your favorites?

For whatever life holds for you and your family in the coming days,

weave the unfailing fabric of God's Word through your heart and mind.

It will hold strong, even if the rest of life unravels.

Gigi Graham Tchividjian

Knowing God's Word #1

Chapter 1: Will This Be on the Test?

On our spiritual journey for the next twelve weeks or so, we're studying Knowing God's Word, a Women of Faith Study Guide (foreward by Luci Swindoll). Through studying this book, we will:

• understand the reason we need to learn Scripture by heart and recall it every day;
• learn what's important in life and what isn't;
• be encouraged to have goals that are not only right, but also righteous (p. vi).

Chapter One Memorable Quote:

Bibles are "so commonplace, so readily available, that I think we sometimes forget just what we hold in our hands" (p 13).

Very First Bible Study Tool -- Cross References!

John 1:1

• John 17:5
• 1 John 1:1
• Revelation 19:13

John 1:3

• Colossians 1:16-17
• Hebrews 11:3
• 2 Peter 3:5
• Psalm 33:6

Ponder & Pray (p. 18)

• a heart prepared to learn
• God's leading as we read the Scriptures
• an inquisitive nature
• to learn, not an accumulation of facts, but how to change our hearts

Hearts and Minds on Things Above

This is a brief outline of our Tuesday night Hearts Above Bible study.


“Set your hearts on things above”

The verb translated “set” in the NIV is the Greek word zēteō which means “to seek.”

Romans 2:7 “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (NIV).

1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV).

Our Hearts

Psalm 119:10-11, 14-15
Psalm 139: 23-24
Proverbs 4:20-23
Proverbs 27:19
Matthew 5:8
Matthew 22:37

“The things that make God dear to us are not so much His great big blessings as the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us; He knows every detail of our individual lives” (Utmost, June 3rd).


“Set your minds on things above”

The verb translated “set” in the NIV is the Greek word phroneō which means “to direct one's mind to a thing” (Blue Letter Bible).

Matthew 16:23 “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men’” (NIV).

Romans 8:5 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (NIV).

Our Minds

Wisdom created before the earth
• Proverbs 8:1, 22-23
• Romans 11:33-36

Seek wisdom

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (NIV).

James 3:13-18 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (NIV).

Romans 12:2
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Philippians 4:8


Mind and Heart Intertwine

Utmost (Sept 22nd)
• God fathoms the remotest abyss of my heart, and satisfies it
• God meets and solves every perplexity and problem of my mind

Note: Utmost refers to Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.