Max Lucado - Becoming a Student of Gods Word

Copyright 2007 by Max Lucado

Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214.
Study Guide prepared by the Specialty Group of Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Excerpts from In the Word with Max Lucado, published by W Publishing Group.
Used by permission.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for
brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise marked, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible:
New International Version (NIV). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from The Holy Bible: New Century Version.
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by W Publishing Group, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are taken from the New Testament
in Modern English, (Rev. Ed.) by J. B. Phillips. Copyright 1958, 1960, 1972 by J. B. Phillips.
Reprinted by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, New York.

ISBN 978-1-59145-559-2
www.thomasnelson.com

CONTENTS

HOW TO USE
THIS STUDY GUIDE

Congratulations! You are making Gods Word a priority. These moments of reflection will change you forever. Here are a few suggestions for you to get the most out of your individual study.

:: 1::

As you begin each study, pray that God will speak to you through His Word.

:: 2 ::

Read the overview to each study, then listen to the audio segment, taking notes on the worksheet provided.

:: 3 ::

Following the audio segment, respond to the personal Bible study and reflection questions. These questions are designed to take you deeper into Gods Word and help you focus on God and on the theme of the study.

:: 4 ::

There are three types of questions used in the study. Observation questions focus on the basic facts: who, what, when, where, and how. Interpretation questions delve into the meaning of the passage. Application questions help you get practical: discovering the implications of the text for growing in Christ. These three keys will help you unlock the treasures of Scripture.

:: 5 ::

Write your answers to the questions in the spaces provided or in a personal journal. Writing brings clarity and deeper understanding of yourself and of Gods Word.

:: 6 ::

Keep a Bible dictionary handy. Use it to look up any unfamiliar words, names, or places.

:: 7 ::

Have fun! Studying Gods Word can bring tremendous rewards to your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind to the amazing applications each study can have in your daily life. n

INTRODUCTION
BECOMING A STUDENT
OF GODS WORD

To read the Bible is to stir questions of interpretation. For example: Jesus washed His disciples feet. He commanded that His disciples do the same. We, however, have no foot-washing ceremony... should we?

A woman must not wear mens clothing (Deuteronomy 22:5). Does that mean women should sell their jeans?

Paul commanded Christians in Rome to greet one another with a holy kiss. Are we disobeying if we dont pucker up? If we are to kiss, where are we to kiss? How often should we kiss? What if we forget to kiss? Can someone kiss for us in our absence?

How do we answer questions such as these? We begin by remembering that the Bible is Gods Word given in mans language. Scripture is a marriage of eternal truth with historical particularity.

It was written in another time.

It was written in another culture.

It was written in another language.

Our world is different than the world of the Bible. Our language, dress, and culture are not the same of those of ancient Israel.

It is my hope that this study, Becoming a Student of Gods Word, will provide you with the tools you need to better understand the Bible and apply it to your own life.

Do you know a book that you
are willing to put under your head
for a pillow when you lie dying?
That is the book you want
to study while you are living.
There is but one such book
in the world: The Bible.

JOSEPH COOK

LESSON ONE :
A MOST
PECULIAR
BOOK

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.

ISAIAH 40:8

The Bible is a peculiar book. Words crafted in another language. Deeds done in a distant era. Events recorded in a far-off land. Counsel offered to a foreign people. This is a peculiar book.

Its surprising that anyone reads it. Its too old. Some of its writings date back five thousand years. Its too bizarre. The book speaks of incredible floods, fires, earthquakes, and people with supernatural abilities. Its too radical. The Bible calls for undying devotion to a Carpenter who called Himself Gods Son.

Logic says this book shouldnt survive. Its too old, too bizarre, too radical.

The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed. Scholars have mocked it as foolish. Kings have branded it as illegal. A thousand times over the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave. Not only has it survived, it has thrived. It is the single most popular book in all of history. It has been the best-selling book in the world for three hundred years!

There is no way on earth to explain it. Which perhaps is the only explanation. The answer? The Bibles durability is not found on earth; it is found in heaven. For the millions who have tested its claims and claimed its promises there is but one answerthe Bible is Gods book and Gods voice.

What is the purpose of the Bible? Salvation. Gods highest passion is to get His children home. His book, the Bible, describes His plan of salvation. The purpose of the Bible is to proclaim Gods plan and passion to save His children.

Before reading the Bible, pray. Invite God to speak to you. Dont go to Scripture looking for your idea; go searching for His. The Bible is not a newspaper to be skimmed, but rather a mine to be quarried.

Dont be discouraged if your reading reaps a small harvest. Some days a lesser portion is all that is needed. What is important is to search every day for that days message. A steady diet of Gods Word over a lifetime builds a healthy soul and mind.

A little girl returned from her first day at school. Her mother asked, Did you learn anything today? Apparently not enough, the girl responded, I have to go back tomorrow and the next day and the next. Such is the case with learning. And such is the case with the study of Gods Word. Understanding comes little by little over a lifetime.

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and begin? Lets get started!

PART 1:
FOLLOW-ALONG NOTES

USE THIS WORKSHEET AS YOU LISTEN TO HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE, PART 1.