A Vision for Bible Study at Calvary Chapel Oroville.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-2 Timothy 3:16-17
Our God, who wants to be known, has given us His Word to study. We know it to be infallible, inspired, and useful.
-
Profitable for doctrine - Through the Word, we gain an understanding of the Spiritual aspects that we cannot sense with our physical senses. God also wants us to know about Him as we know Him.
-
Profitable for reproof - We know we are in the wrong when what we are thinking, saying, or doing goes against the teachings of the Bible. If we don’t have the measure of the Word of God, our hearts would constantly lead us astray.
-
Profitable for Correction - We need to be corrected when we are wrong. In addition to what the Bible tells us not to do, it also tells us what to do instead.
-
Profitable for instruction in righteousness - It’s not enough to correct wrong actions. We also need to learn what God calls righteousness and live that out in our own lives.
The purpose of Scripture is to make us complete. The Word provides everything we need to live a life for God. If we are reading, understanding, and living our the Word of God, we will always be prepared for the trials and sufferings that this world offers.
So our Bible Study will be Inductive. Through a series of questions, we will read, study, and understand what the Bible says and what God wants us to do.
-
Observation - What does the Word of God say?
-
Interpretation - What does the Word of God mean?
-
Application - What can I do in my life to live out the Word of God?
I know of no better way to communicate with God than to pray and read His Word. His Holy Spirit helps us understand what God wants us to know and it is up to us to desire to put it into practice. And when we decide that we want to, the Holy Spirit helps with that too.
-Jonathan Dow