Bible 101 – January 12, 2025
Pastor Jeremy Mayol
Psalm 119:19 (CSB)
19 I am a resident alien on earth; do not hide your commands from me.
Psalm 119:19 (MSG)
19 I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
Three Practices to Observe When You Read the Bible
1. Pray for Illumination.
Ephesians 1:17-19 (CSB)
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit, of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.
1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (CSB)
9 But as it is written, What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived —God has prepared these things for those who love him 10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except his spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’ Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
2. Search for Information.
Acts 17:11 (CSB)
11 The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Hebrews 4:12-13 (CSB)
12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
3. Live out Transformation.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (CSB)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Romans 12:1-2 (CSB)
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Three Questions to Ask When You Read the Bible
1. Who is writing and who is their original audience?
James 1:1 (CSB)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.
2. What are they saying about God?
James 1:2-5 (CSB)
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly— and it will be given to him.
3. How can I apply this to my life?
James 1:6-8 (CSB)
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
Psalm 119:1-3 (CSB)
1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’ instruction! 2 Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.
Study Bible Recommendations
Book Recommendations
- How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
- Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren
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