Women of Faith - Uncovering Gods Word

Copyright 2005 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Previously Published as Knowing Gods Word.

The publishers are grateful to Christa Kinde for her collaboration, writing skills, and editorial help in developing the content for this study guide.

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, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson.

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Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from The Holy Bible, The New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation (NLT). Copyright 1986 by the Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 60189. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Holy Bible, The Message (MSG), Copyright 1993. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Other books referenced in this work include NKJV Study Bible, Nelsons New Illustrated Bible Commentary, and the Believers Bible Commentary. Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Used by permission.

ISBN: 978-0-3106-8265-3

ISBN: 978-0-3106-8266-0 (eBook)

First Printing May 2016

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response Here]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

CONTENTS

At the age of ten I decided to run away from home. I remember that morning when I took a little suitcase off the top shelf of my closet and began packing it with what I needed mosta few clothes, a few books, a few toys and my favorite scrapbook from Momo, my grandmother. As I was making progress, my dad walked by the door, saw what I was doing and came in. He sat on the end of the bed.

Whats up? he asked.

Im leaving, daddy. I dont want to live here anymore.

He looked at me very calmly. Okay... but what happened that made you want to do this?, pointing to my suitcase. He was genuinely concerned... ever so sweet and eager to know what had upset me.

I never get to do anything my way. I dont like the food here. Im sick of always having to mind. There are too many rules. Its a bunch of stuff... so Im running away. My voice was cracking.

I see. But where will you eat? he asked. Who will love you when youre sick? What will you do when you run out of money?

I reminded him I had my $2.00 allowance.

Two dollars wont go very far, honey, he said. But, if youre determined to go, Ill help you pack. In fact, Ill go with you.

That was worse! Daddy wants me to go, I thought... or he wouldnt offer to help. It was a very confusing moment; I was stuck in a dilemma and needed something to change but I didnt know what. I just wanted relief from my childish predicament and thought running away would do it. After talking with my dad for a while though, and having him receive me where I was, I felt better and finally settled down and unpacked.

About fifteen years later I remember having those same feelings. Only, this time they were from the spiritual side of me, not the physical. I was sick of my life as it was tired of obeying the rules; unhappy with the food I was eating and never getting to do what I wanted. Truthfully, I thought of running away. But where would I go? I was twenty-five, a college graduate, in the work force and getting established as an adult, albeit an immature one.

Through a chain of events I found myself in a Bible class where I began to learn the truth of Gods Word. Four nights a week for two years I listened to a godly, knowledgeable, brilliant teacher explain the scriptures in a way I had never understood before. It was wonderful. Little by little, my life began to take on new meaning and depth. I stopped just reading the Bible and started studying it. I learned how to apply Gods promises to different situations; how to appropriate doctrine to my experience so I didnt have to make decisions based on feelings. I began a scripture memory program and immediately noticed the value of having Gods Word in my heart so it came to mind at a moments notice. In short, I was a sponge searching for the River of life... and when I found it in Bible study I sat down and soaked it up. Nothing in my lifeNOTHINGhas ever mattered to me as much as those two years of study. That teaching has come to my aid every day of my life since I was twenty-five.

This little book, Knowing Gods Word Study Guide is that kind of resource. It will help you understand the reason you need to learn Scripture by heart and recall it every day. It will tell you whats important in life and what isnt. It will encourage you to have goals that are not only right, but also righteous. It will start at the basics and lead you to maturity as a Christian. It will teach you theres a warm, loving home to go to when you want to run away. It will be the relief you need from lifes predicaments.

And most important, when youre fed up and ready to throw in the towel this Study Guide will show you how your Father... the God of The Bible... is there for you, loving you when youre sick, providing for you when youre broke, receiving you as you are and offering to go the distance with you all the way to the end.

Nothing is more important than knowing Gods Word. Its the River of life. Youre the sponge. Sit down and soak it up.

Luci Swindoll

For many people, the thought of studying brings back unpleasant memories of school. Those were the days when we were told what we needed to know. We endured lectures, library-time, projects, and pop quizzes. Homework was the scourge of our young livesdull, daily, and always due. We only learned what we needed to know for the test. We retained our knowledge just long enough to secure a passing grade, then promptly forgot it all. None of us really expected to need to know algebra outside of high school. And when we finally scraped our way through our senior year and across the graduation platform, we were determined never to open another textbook again.

Of course thats not everyones experience. But still, most people retain the notion that learning takes place in the classroom, and when youre through with school, youre through with book learning. And of course, thats not really the case. We can and do learn, and we neednt enroll in a class to do it. With a basic understanding of the tools we need and a willingness to apply ourselves to our studies, we can enjoy a lifetime of learning.