Scripture

What is it & where do we see it in scripture?

Learning to abide in God’s Word

The spiritual discipline of Scripture is the intentional practice of reading, studying, meditating on, memorizing, and obeying God's Word so that we may know God more deeply and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. While the Bible gives us knowledge, its ultimate purpose is not just information but transformation. Through the Scriptures, God reveals His character, His will, His gospel, and His purposes for His people.

When we practice the spiritual discipline of Scripture, or reading the Bible, we actively engage ourselves with the written, spoken, and living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). David Watson says, “God’s Word to us spoken by His Spirit through the Bible, is the very ingredient that feeds our faith. If we feed our souls regularly on God’s Word, several times each day, we should become robust spiritually just as we feed on ordinary food several times each day, and become robust physically. Nothing is more important than hearing and obeying the Word of God.” The discipline of Scripture is more than reading the Bible, it is learning to hear God's voice through His written Word, meditate upon it, and obey it through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When we read and practice Scripture, we also see God’s Word at work in the lives of others, in the church, throughout history and in creation. We not only hear God’s word, but we meditate and obey it, as James says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves…But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:22, 25).

When we read and meditate on Scripture, we prayerfully focus upon it, allowing its meaning to emerge and form us as God works in our hearts and minds, making us more like Him. When we engage with Scripture, let us pray that God would meet with us and speak to us through His Holy Spirit, the author of Scripture. Practicing the discipline of Scripture also means positioning ourselves under the teaching of God’s Word by gifted teachers who can lead us deeply into the Word making us more capable of fruitful study on our own.

Jesus emphasized the necessity of God's Word when He responded to Satan's temptation, saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). The psalmist celebrates the beauty and sufficiency of Scripture saying, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). God's Word gives wisdom, direction, comfort, conviction, and hope. It shapes the way we think, exposes sin, strengthens our faith, and teaches us how to walk faithfully with Christ and our role within the Church. Paul reminds Timothy of the divine origin and purpose of Scripture saying, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Jesus taught that abiding in His Word is one of the defining marks of genuine discipleship saying, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). God's primary means of sanctifying His people is through His Word, the truth (John 17:17). As we consistently submit ourselves to Scripture, the Holy Spirit renews our minds, reshapes our desires, and produces Christlike character within us making us become like Jesus!

How do we do it?

Good Questions to Consider: "How is God's Word shaping the way I think, love, and live today?" “Who is God? Who am I in Christ?” “God, what do you want to say to me today?” These questions when we wake up in the morning are great to ask yourself to resist the pressure and anxiety of the world, while allowing a daily immersion in Scripture to form us into our true identity in Christ while reminding us of the gospel.

Our culture constantly forms us through social media, entertainment, news, and countless competing voices. Every day, we are becoming like whatever most shapes our minds. God's Word reorients our hearts around His truth and reminds us who He is, who we are, and how we are called to live.

Here at Grace Point Church, we encourage every disciple to cultivate a daily rhythm of abiding in God's Word by:

Daily:

Read a portion of Scripture before reaching for your phone.
Ask, "What does this passage teach me about God?"
Ask, "How should I respond in obedience today?"
Pray through the passage you just read.
Write down one truth to remember throughout the day.
Asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the text.

Weekly:

Participate in corporate worship and the preaching of God's Word.
Study a passage more deeply using trusted resources.
Discuss Scripture with your bible study group, Community Group or family.
Memorize one verse or short passage.
Journal how God is using His Word to shape your life.

Regularly:

Read through an entire book of the Bible.
Follow a Bible reading plan. Like The Bible Recap, or Lectio 365.
Read the Bible with another believer.
Use Scripture to encourage and disciple others.
Evaluate whether your life is increasingly conforming to God's Word.

Methods to Read Scripture

The REAP Method (Read, Examine, Apply, Prayer)

READ

When studying the Bible, the first step is to simply read the passage you’re studying. Read it plainly one time through just to get a sense of what you’re reading. Then read it again more closely, asking the Holy Spirit to speak and guide you, taking it verse by verse or thought by thought. Make note of the flow of argument, significant words or figures, and important thoughts. It may be helpful to underline or circle certain words or phrases that stand out to you, or are repeated. If you have any questions about what’s going on, write them down so you can come back to them in the next section. Once you’ve worked through the text in a more detailed way, then read it again to make sure you have a good understanding of what the text is communicating.

EXAMINE

After reading the text several times, it’s time to dive deeper. This is where study notes, footnotes, and cross references will be helpful. You may also want to consult trusted resources like commentaries or theological dictionaries if you need clarity on what certain things mean. Ask questions and try your best to answer them. Sometimes the answers may not come immediately and that’s okay; give yourself time to grow.

Look back at any notes or questions you made when reading this passage. What is significant about the words or themes? Consider asking several questions about the passage you’re studying. What does this passage say about God? How does Jesus fulfill or inform this passage? What does this passage say about God’s people? How have they sinned, suffered, obeyed, and/or worshiped? What does this passage mean in context (in the chapter, in the book, and in the whole Bible)? What did this passage mean for the original audience? What does this passage mean in light of the cross and resurrection of Christ?

APPLY

After reading and examining the passage in question, consider how the Lord is leading you to respond. Do you need to confess and repent of sin? Do you need to reach out for help in some way? Are there conversations you need to have with friends or family? What do you need to stop doing? What do you need to start doing? Consider thinking in the short term, what needs to happen today or this week? Also consider longer-term patterns or rhythms, where are you headed in the next year or decade?

Consider what the Father intends to communicate with this passage. Consider what the death and resurrection of Jesus means in light of this passage. Consider what the Spirit is leading toward in light of this passage.

Write down several next steps, both in the immediate future, and in the long term. Who can help you with these things? How has God already helped you, and how has He shown himself faithful?

PRAY

After reading, examining, and applying God’s Word in your life, spend time in prayer. First, praise God because he is worthy to be praised. He is holy, he is righteous, he is mighty, and he is the King of kings. Worship him in prayer, and rejoice in him. We do this regardless of whether or not we feel like it; we do this because he is worthy. Next, thank God for his Word and for the time to study it. Thank him for saving you, for the work of Christ on your behalf, and for the acceptance you have in light of Jesus’ sacrifice. Thank him for sending the Spirit to you, and for leading you to a deeper understanding of his Word.

Then confess any sins you have committed, or any needs that you have. Tell him how you are hurting, what brings you joy, what grieves you, and what you’re confused about. He is the God who sees, hears, knows, and acts. Pray to him because he listens and answers. Finally, pray for wisdom, peace, confidence, and guidance as you pursue the steps you wrote down in the Apply section. Ask him for things, and pray specifically. He delights in you and he loves to hear your prayers. He is our Father, and he provides us with good things, so pray to him. Pray for your friends, your family, for our church leaders, for coworkers, for those in authority over you, and for whoever comes to mind.

The OICA Method (Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, Application)

In this method, you will learn how to study the Bible methodically, observing, interpreting, correlating, and applying Scripture, to discover truth firsthand, avoid common pitfalls, and grow in love for God.

Observation asks and answers the question: “What do I see?” In observation, you will learn the art of careful observation—how to truly see what Scripture says through repeated, thoughtful, prayerful, and purposeful reading, leading to accurate understanding and life transformation. Approach the text with specific questions in mind: Who, What, When, Where, Why, Wherefore?

Interpretation asks and answers the question: “What does it mean?” In interpretation we look at how to interpret Scripture faithfully, understanding what God meant by what He said, by bridging cultural gaps, practicing sound hermeneutics, and discerning divine intent with humility and care. Interpretation is concerned with discerning the meaning behind the text, specifically what God intended to communicate through the Scripture.

Correlation asks and answers the question: "Where does it fit?" In correlation we look to correlate Scripture with its context, see where it fits in the story of Scripture, extract timeless principles, develop a clear Big Idea, and craft balanced outlines that communicate God’s truth for life transformation. In correlation we are building a Bridge from “Then and There” to “Here and Now”.

Application asks and answers the question: “How does it work in life?” In application we learn the vital difference between hearing and doing God’s Word, how to observe, interpret, correlate, and apply Scripture, and how self and awareness of others enhance meaningful, Spirit-led application. We are also determining how the truths apply in our lives today.