The Devotional Method of Bible Study

Here is a copy of the notes from the S.P.A.C.E. P.E.T.S lesson for anyone who may not have received a handout.

I.             Why should we study the Bible?

a.     We are commanded to do so:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

The Greek word translated Study in this verse is the word spoudázō, this word could also be translated: use speed; make effort; be prompt; labor; be diligent; endeavor. The NIV translates this word with the phrase “Do your best.”

b.     It is for our benefit:

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 competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

                                          i.    Scripture was given for:

1.     Teaching us

2.     Reproving us

3.     Correcting us

4.     Training us in Righteousness

5.     Making us competent

6.     To equip us for every good work

c.     It keeps us from error:

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

 Acts 17:11 (NIV)

II.           What do we gain by studying the Bible?

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;  the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;  the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;  the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)

From these verses we see that studying the Bible:

a.     Restores our soul

b.     Makes us wise

c.     Brings us joy

d.     Gives us enlightenment

e.     Warns us

f.      Gives great reward

Additionally, studying the Bible:

a.     Helps us to know God

b.     Shows us our sinfulness

c.     Teaches us what God expects from us

III.         The three parts of Bible Study.

a.     Observation: What does the Bible say?

b.     Interpretation: What does the Bible mean?

c.     Application: How do I put what I learned into practice?

Application is the ultimate goal of Bible Study:

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24 (ESV)

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:22 (ESV)

Howard Hendricks, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary warned, “Interpretation without application is abortion.”

IV.          Going from observation to application.

All you need is S.P.A.C.E. P.E.T.S.

S. Is there a Sin to confess or to avoid in this passage?

P. Is there a Promise that I can claim?

A. Is there an Action to take or an Attitude to change or avoid?

C. Is there a Command to obey?

E. Is there a positive Example to follow or to avoid?

P. Is there anything here that I need to Pray about?

E. Does this passage show me an Error that I need to avoid?

T. Is there some Truth here that I need to believe?

S. Is there Something here that I can praise or thank God for?

So now that we have the tools and know what we need to do, how do we put this into practice?

V.            Putting it into practice.

When I study I try to look first at the book as a whole in order to establish the context of what is being said. Once I think that I have a handle on the context of the book I will typically study it a chapter at a time. But even though I am looking at the chapter (and the book) as a whole I will typically study it a paragraph at a time.

Below is an example of how I used this method of Bible Study in studying the 1^st chapter of the Book of James. You will notice as we go through this that there are elements of both Observation and Interpretation here, but the ultimate goal is when this is completed to be able to write out a personal application that is: personal, practical, possible, and provable.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

James 1:1 (ESV)

James, who was the half brother of Jesus, saw himself as a servant of God. This is an attitude that I need to develop in my own life and an example that I need to follow.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

When I encounter trials do I view them with joy? If my answer is no then this is a sin that I need to confess.

Facing trials with joy is also a command, and it is something that I need to pray about.

Not facing trials with joy is an error that I need to avoid.

There is also a conditional promise in this paragraph. When I face trials with joy and endure in faith verse four says that I will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (For further study look up what it means to be perfect and complete)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5-8 (ESV)

Verse five contains another promise: God will give wisdom generously and without reproach to those who ask Him. Verse six make this promise conditional by saying that the one asking must ask in faith.

Verses seven and eight show me the negative example of one who is double-minded. In the MacArthur Study Bible Dr. MacArthur wrote:

A literal translation of the Greek expression that denotes having one’s mind or soul divided between God and the world. This man is a hypocrite, who occasionally believes in God but fails to trust Him when trials come, and thus receives nothing. The use of this expression in 4:8 makes it clear that it refers to an unbeliever.^[1]

Application: Pray daily for wisdom and trust that God will provide me with the wisdom that I need then trust Him completely without wavering in every situation that arises.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

James 1:9-11 (ESV)

Example to follow: Exercise humility (Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation).

Truths to believe:

1.     The humble have a high position before God (See Luke 14:11)

2.     Riches will not save: even the wealthy will pass away like grass.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:13-15 (ESV)

Truths to believe:

1.     God cannot be tempted by evil

2.     God does not tempt anyone

3.     My temptations are a result of my own lusts and desires

4.     Desire leads to sin, and sin brings forth death

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James 1:16-18 (ESV)

Command: Do not be deceived. What am I not to be deceived about?

The Greek expression refers to erring, going astray, or wandering. Christians are not to make the mistake of blaming God rather than themselves for their sin.^[2]

Truths to believe:

1.     Every Good and perfect gift is from God

2.     God is unchanging (This is also something that I can praise God for)

3.     God saved me (brought me forth) of His own will (Something that I can thank God for)

4.     Salvation comes though the word of truth

5.     Christians are a “kind of firstfruits of His creation.”

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:19-21 (ESV)

Command: Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

*Note for further study – this verse does not say “do not get angry.” This must mean that there is an acceptable anger.

Command: Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and humbly receive the implanted word.

Verse 21 says that the implanted word “is able to save your souls.” What does this mean? We see in Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, and Ephesians 1:13 the importance of hearing the word of God and its role in our coming to Christ. Is that what James is referring to here as well?

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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 (ESV)

Command: Be a doer of the word.

Example to avoid: Do not be like one who hears the word but doesn’t do what it says. This person looks at himself in the mirror of God’s word and then goes away forgetting what he saw; he hears the word but forgets what he heard.

Promise: The person who looks into the law of God, hears what it says, and then does it, will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:26-27 (ESV)

Sin to Confess: Not keeping my tongue bridled

Truths to believe:

1.     False religion – a religion that does not help others – is useless.

2.     True religion before God is to care for those in need and to keep myself unstained by the world.

Summary of James Chapter 1:

S.         Sin I need to confess: Being a hearer and not a doer of the word

P.         Promise to claim: The doer of the word will be blessed

A.         Attitude to avoid: Being prideful of what I have; I need to humbly use what God has blessed me with to help others

C.         Command to obey: Be quick to hear and slow to speak

E.         Example for me to follow: I need to always see myself as a bondservant of Christ like James did

P.         Things I need to pray about: My attitudes and my tendency to doubt. That the Holy Spirit would reveal to me any area where I am not being a doer of the word or any area where I am being deceived (either by myself or others)

E.         Error to avoid: Do not be a forgetful hearer

T.         Truth to believe: God is unchanging; therefore I can trust Him completely

S.         Something to thank or praise God for: I can thank God for giving me this warning. I can praise Him for His love, His faithfulness, and His word.

Verse to Memorize:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:22 (ESV)

Personal Application:

I have a tendency to approach the Bible as an academic pursuit, so starting today I will make it a point to see what God says in His word not as a way to gain knowledge but as a way to change my behavior. When God shows me something in His word I will look for a way that I can put it into practice instead of just trying to understand what it means.

---

^[1] MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 1:8). Nashville: Word Pub.

^[2] MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 1:16). Nashville: Word Pub.

Read more...

Halima's Story

As a young Muslim girl in Somalia growing up in an orphanage in Mogadishu, Halima knew she had no hope of Allah choose her to go to heaven. She had no family, no clan, and no opportunity to go to the mosque or to Mecca. She was doomed to do to hell after she left this life.
Her life in Somalia, as for millions of her countrymen, was a hell on earth. She had only known war, shooting, dead bodies in the street, never knowing peace in her country or peace in her soul. Blessedly she had “good mamas” until she was seven, but after that she lived out her life under the abuse of a hellacious “bad mama.” She had no hope, but God loved her and sent an Ethiopian teacher to her school.
Faith, that was her name, told her of Jesus who could get her into heaven. She dreamed she would someday find this Jesus. “I knew my life on earth was like hell and I didn’t think it would ever be better but maybe with Jesus I have the hope of going to Heaven.”
At 14 year of age the gunmen came to the orphanage and destroyed it killing many. The “bad mama” ran away with Halima and the other children to a village. They survived there until she was 17. People from the village agreed to take her illegally across the border to Kenya. It was Halima ‘s chance to find Jesus in this Christian nation. She then went on her own to find her Somali age-mates in Nairobi and was imprisoned and assaulted by two Kenyan men as she travelled alone. After a week she was dropped in the city at night, alone and scared. She found her way to some Somalis and eventually did meet up with her friends.
Still seeking Jesus, she knew even more than ever she was damned since for Muslims rape is the shame of the woman not the men. Then she was thrown out of where she was staying because the woman recognized Halima was pregnant. This realization was the final straw…her shame was public. She lost her voice and can only speak in a whisper. But God didn’t forget Halima in her pain and suffering. She met a young Kenyan woman.
Faith, that was her name as well, and she told her more about Jesus. She brought Halima to church where she encountered the love of Jesus in his people. She believed and was baptized by a missionary. Fearing for her life she went to a town outside of Nairobi with the missionaries and had her baby, Jessie, Beloved of God. When Jessie was 18 months old they came to the United Stated as refugees to live with the Pippens who she met in Kenya.
Halima now has hope. Life is not easy but she has the peace of God and is assured of Heaven.

Read more...

CHRISTIAN JARGON: Biblical Meanings of Frequently Used Terms

We, as Christians, have developed a language, a jargon, all our own. We use words and phrases frequently assuming that everyone knows what they mean. The truth is that while it sounds righteous, spiritual, and holy (note the jargon!) often many would like to have a better understanding as to their real biblical meaning. For example, how often have you heard someone speak of God’s grace as if it was some “thing” which God hands out or sprinkles on us like “fairy dust”?

In this and, from time to time, in subsequent posts, we will present some of this Christian jargon and provide a definition that fits scripture. If there are any terms you would like included please let us know!

1. Accept Jesus - In repentance, casting one’s self by faith totally upon Christ.

2. Atonement - To make right or to make up for the wrong which man has done to God. The very nature of man’s wrong and the very nature of who God is make it impossible for atonement to be accomplished by man. Only God can make right what man has made wrong.

3. Bless, blessing - Of God to man: The intervening of God in the life and character of a person to bring about the result desired by God. Also, for God to speak well of one.
Of man to God: To speak of, describe, sing and speak well of God, and the greatness of His attributes, actions and accomplishments.

4. Born again - In redemption, one is given spiritual life and a new nature by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus used the term "born from above" with Nicodemas.

5. Confess - To agree with or to “say along with God” that God’s assessment of some-thing is the correct assessment.

6. Faith, belief, trust - To accept totally as true and as a result to order ones life, attitudes, behaviors, and relationships thereby.

7. Glorify, glory -
Of God: The highlighting, making known, or spotlighting the moral perfection and total worthiness of God.
Of man: The highlighting of and making known the working of God in man that produces a reflection of God’s moral attributes and worthiness to rule.

8. Grace - God’s attitudinal disposition toward us from which He acts on our behalf for redemption and morally acceptable living.

9. Holy, saint, sanctified - Set apart. When applied to us, it means set apart to God, belonging to Him and exclusively for His use. When applied to God, it means set apart from all others, pure, without imperfection.
10. Justice - Receiving exactly, to the letter, what one deserves or has earned.

11. Justify, justification - To be made or declared right in one’s relationship and standing with God, lacking nothing for perfection and correctness.

12. Knowledge, wisdom - To know intellectually the content of God’s revelation and to discern by the work of the Holy Spirit what that information means in one’s life.

13. Leading of the Spirit - Subjective feeling that one ought to do a certain thing because God is saying so. Note: There is a deafening silence in scripture that this is a normal pattern for God’s working.

14. Mercy - acting toward one favorably. Touched with strong feeling and desire to help.

Read more...

Something to Think About

"How is it that many who profess and call themselves Christians, do so little for the Savior whose name they bear? How is it that many, whose faith and grace it would be uncharitable to deny, work so little, give to little, say so little, take so little pains to promote Christ’s cause and bring glory to Christ in the world?

These questions admit of only one answer. It is a low sense of debt and obligation to Christ, which is the amount of the whole matter. Let us daily pray that we may see the sinfulness of sin, and the amazing grace of Christ, more clearly and distinctly.”

J.C. Ryle

Read more...

Class News Letter for September 27, 2009

The Upper Room News Letter September 27, 2009

Praise
Halima is home in Louisville with the Pippens
Prayer

• Lost
  
• Unspoken
• Bill Smith surgery on the 16th(hip replacement)
  
• Emily Laden-H1N1 Flu-in critical condition
  

Announcements

• Class went to Pizza Hut for dinner
• Rick and Sherry Rowe graduate next Saturday, Oct. 3rd
  

Guest speaker,Dr. Byrd, spoke on chapter 4 of James

September birthdays and anniversaries
Greg Harler 9/14
Mary Payton 9/21
Sue Silvano 9/25
Jerry Harler 9/30
Linda & Mike Brumback 9/8
Please let me know if I've missed someone.

Read more...

Pictures of the New Families

Read more...

Home At Last

Praise the Lord for His grace and wisdom! Halima and Jessie are home at last. We arrived Friday after our long drive from Phoenix.

I had previously committed to a cat show so to honor that commitment I turned around and drove to Ohio. (Our kitten did very well!)

Halima and Jim slept late Saturday and as many of you know attended the Upper Room to hear Dr. Byrd's teaching on James. We are so grateful to Terry Payton and Dr. Byrd for their outstanding job filling in for Jim. Sunday we all went to Faith Class and the worship service. Then to a Cuban restaurant for lunch. Halima thinks all Americans do is eat because every time we turn around we are going to a restaurant and of course she is right! I'll cook something tomorrow and we'll settle into a routine.

We were able to SKYPE with Lise and Jessie this afternoon. Jessie was very excited to see Halima! She is doing very well in her new home and we praise God for her adjustment. They are coming to Louisville Sunday to for a visit so Halima can continue her relationship as Jessie's Mama while Lisa is her Mommy.

We are all exhausted still but thrilled to be home. We thank you all for your prayers and support in bringing them home. May God bless you all.

Read more...

Almost Home

We are Missouri and will be home tomorrow afternoon. We drove over 700 miles today! Jessie's picture are on my facebook now, I hope. Halima is doing better. More like her usually wonderful self.

Halima thanks everyone for their prayers for her and Jessie.

We'll see you this weekend.

Read more...

A Bit of a Black Hole of Communication

We are in Colorado Springs. We will be home this Friday if all goes as planned. Since nothing on this trip has gone as planned don't hold your breath! After a night and part of a day in the Grand Canyon we gave up on "vacationing" and turned toward home.

Communication in northern Arizona between reservations (Navajo) and no cell phone is non-existent. I did find a Texas horn toad who agreed to bring you all a message but I think he lied!

We spent the night in Cameron and then today across the reservation, through Pagosa Springs (where we used to live), and into the snow and 36 degrees of the mountains to yet another hotel in Colorado Springs whose wireless Internet doesn't work. Anyway I'm in the lobby. There here are some adorable photos of Jessie on Facebook (on my wall from Lisa). Halima seems relieved to be going home. We can't get there fast enough. Pray for us all.

See you this weekend.

Read more...

Bitter Sweet Senario

Sorry I didn't write last night. We are at the Canyon (Grand that is) and we don't have Internet in our room. Jim and I are in the lobby of the main motel now and can get online. Halima is sleeping. It was a long and painful day for her. Lorrie let us know that Jessie didn't cry when we slipped out and Lisa and Andy kept her attention. Halima wanted it the easiest for Jessie. They boarded the plane and Jessie slept throughout the flight on their laps. We haven't heard how things are this morning as she meets the 6 other children but we will by tonight's entry.

Halima is as you might expect, very sad and withdrawn. Our hearts ache for our daughter and wish we could make this love of her daughter not be so painful to the mama. Tonight hopefully we will be able to SKYPE. I keep remembering when David left for college and I was so sad for so long until he came come for the holidays and I experienced being a family even though he didn't live with us any longer. It's not the same but perhaps the principle is. When they reconnect Halima will know she will always be her mama and always be in relationship with her no matter where she lives. I pray that is so.

Please pray for Halima that God will give her comfort and peace as she goes through this grieving process.

Read more...

A Tender Day

This morning Lisa and Andy flew into Phoenix and we all went to church. It was a wonderful mega-church the size of SECC called Christ Church of the Valley. After we went and had a lovely lunch at Lorie and Bruce's. We spent a quite afternoon reconnecting. Andy had only met Halima and Jessie on SKYPE. Lisa spent two weeks with them in Nairobi but it had been about a month since she had seen them. It was a touching reunion.

Halima and Lisa packed up Jessie's things, we had done Halima's yesterday so they are ready to go.
We went out to Mexican again. Enjoying the delicious southwestern cuisine while we can.

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of their lives, a major turning point for both of them. It's good-bye to Phoenix tomorrow.

Read more...

Class News Letter For September 19, 2009

Praise

• Jim and Kathleen are in Phoenix with Halima and Jesse
• Dr. Larry Tyler (Sandy's cousin) back to teaching at Speed School

Prayer

• Lost & unspoken
• Jim, Kathleen, Halima, and Jesse
  
• Bill Smith surgery on the 16th(hip replacement)
  
• Floriene Byrd
• Emily Laden-H1N1 Flu-in critical condition
  
• Pauline (Payton's neighbor) severe infection
• Bill (Lee's brother) back in Oaklawn recuperating from shoulder replacement, infection, and 2 pins in hip
  

Announcements

• Class went to Cheddars for dinner
  
• Kathleen is posting their trip updates on our class blog

http://www.theupperroomabf.blogspot.com/

Terry Payton taught chapter 3 of James this week.

September birthdays and anniversaries
Greg Harler 9/14
Mary Payton 9/21
Jerry Harler 9/30
Linda & Mike Brumback 9/8

Read more...

Maternal Activities

Today we went shopping. Do you have any idea what American bathing suits look like to a former Muslim woman? Like something God will get you if you wore one! After much searching we found a modest one piece which we paired with a pair of sports shorts.

Halima is amazed at how fat and lazy Americans are! And agast at the restaurants and portions. Food, food, food....cars, cars, cars. African's have little food and no cars so lots of walking.

We met two Somali families that live in Halima's apartment complex.It is so neat hearing her speak Somali. Everyone is a refugee from all over the world. Most are from Thailand but just about every continent is represented. Zillions of children running about.

We ate at Aunt Chilada's and had great Mexican food. Very tired. Going to sleep. May God bless you all.

Read more...

Report from the Pippen Zoo

Most of you know that we have many animals. Though you might want an update on how they and their caretakers are doing.

Cody/Annie two five lb. dogs joined at the hip are staying with Mary and Terry who have a 7 lb dog named Savannah. All the dogs are trained to use wee wee pads. Now Cody being a boy will pee on any pad, he is not picky. Annie and Savannah being girls are very picky. Annie feels it is her roll in life to pee on every object on the floor that is rectangular in shape. Savannah feels it is beneath her dignity to pee on anything anyone else has peed on.

No Mary and Terry have been forced to write each dogs name of their own wee wee pad to avoid conflict. Mary is now teaching the dogs to read. Please pray for her.

Lovey/Grumman/Grace three 7 month old Birman kittens are staying with Karen who have many Birmans. Karen is a breeder and in a moment of insanity decided to breed all her girls at the same time. Now the kittens are out of their birthing boxes. Karen was last seen standing on her kitchen counter waving her litter scoop yelling, "bad kitty, bad kitty!" as 20 kittens stampede through her house with Lovey in the lead. Please pray for her.

Last is Trilly/Honeydew two Persian spays and Faith a Birman. They are at home with Susan coming over to visit them. She has the Bose playing classical music and is having precious moments with the Birman. Her full name is Faith-in-God so you don't need to pray for Susan.

Perhaps getting a Somali refugee and her baby and going cross country isn't so bad! More about Halima and Jessie tonight.

Read more...

Resting in the Home of Our Angel

Hallelujah! We have her after all this time and we are not going to let her go! We arrived late this afternoon and with screams and cheers we found Halima and Jessie. Jessie has grown so much in just 3 months and Halima is as beautiful as ever. We visited, went through her papers which all said Louisville, KY....so why are we in Phoenix??? Met a very sweet Somali lady and her parakeets.

Now we are at Lorie's. She's our angel and as wonderful as can be. So is her husband, Bruce. Yes angels do marry and have kids and grand kids. Bet you missed that in your bible study. Well I can attest that it is true.

Halima's apartment is full of stuff...lots of stuff...guess Catholic Charities likes to give the refugees stuff...like boxes of material scraps...two large boxes of material scraps. Now mind you Halima doesn't sew, doesn't have a sewing machine, or for that matter does even have a needle and thread, but she has two large boxes of scraps.

We are so blessed to be here with Halima and Jessie at last. We are resting in God's own angel he's sent to minister to us.

By the way Halima has had her texting phone for two days and has 176 texts on it already?? How do teenagers do this?

Read more...