Bethesda Chapel 2002
SG Bible Study #6

You Need The Spirit To Read The Bible (Sunday message, 7 April 2002)

Warm up song
Select a song that is appropriate to the above theme

Quiet Contemplation (3 minutes silence – no need to share)
Individual preparation before the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who searches deep in the inner thoughts
and hearts:
(a)   Confess known sins, pray for forgiveness and inner cleansing.
(b)   Thank God the Father (Abba) for the forgiveness in Christ.

Warm up question (everyone should answer - 6 minutes)
Can you think of a time when you sensed the Lord speaking to you in a specific way through the 
Bible?

Sharing
Open topic (optional – limit to two or three)

Discussion questions
1.    ‘In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various
        ways,’ and ‘in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son’ (Hebrews 1:1-2).
(a)    If this is true, then why do we still need the Holy Spirit in order to hear God’s word?

(b)   Why do we need the written word (the Bible) if we seek to know the living Word (Jesus Christ)?

2.     In John 10:27 Jesus says, ‘My sheep hear my voice.’
(a)   Do you think he just meant the disciples who were with him at that time, or did he mean
       his followers of all later generations as well? (Hint: Look earlier in the same chapter.)

(b)  In your own words, describe what you think it means to hear Jesus’ voice today.

3.     James 1:21 says, ‘Humbly accept the word planted in you.’
(a)   Who plants the word in us?

(b)    In your own words, describe what you think it means to have the word planted in a person.

(c)    When James calls us to ‘humbly accept the word’, what kinds of actions or attitudes is he
        asking us to take up?

4.     Hebrews 4:12 says, ‘The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged
        sword.’
(a)    In your own words, describe what you think it means for the Bible to be living and active.

(b)    What does it mean for the Bible to be sharper than a two-edged sword?

5.     In John 16:14 Jesus says concerning the Holy Spirit, ‘He will bring glory to me by taking from
        what is mine and making it known to you.’ Do you think we can receive the Bible’s message
        without the Spirit’s active ministry?

Application question (everyone should answer)
In light of the Scripture passages we have discussed, is there a change you will make with respect to
your Bible-reading or sermon-listening habits? Explain.

Closing Prayer
Alternatively: Break into twos or threes and share one possible application and pray for one another,
and dismiss quietly.
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