A Journey With the Word:
Part 1: The Implementation Of The Bible – Applying The Principles To Your Life
Key Scriptures: James 1:22; Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 3:15
WHAT IS THE BIBLE? The Bible is the chief source for everything the Christian believer believes is, teaches, etc.
- The Bible is a book rich in Meaning, Power and History The Bible is a Love Letter from Our Lord to His People, that will help us “Walk Worthy of the Lord” fully pleasing Him (Colossians 1:10)
- There are thirty-nine books In the O.T., and Twenty-seven books in the N.T.
- All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- The Bible is Authoritative- It Is the Word of God (John 1:1)
- The Bible is Complete – Nothing can be added to it nor can be taken away from it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18 19)
- The Bible is Purposeful (John 3:16)
- The Bible Reveals to us the will of God for human life and His Church (Matthew 28:19-20)
- The Bible is Holy because God is Holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:15-17)
THE IMPORTANCE OF APPLICATION:
1. SCRIPTURE IS MEANT TO BE LIVED, NOT JUST READ
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James 1:22 NKJV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
As Jesus said, “In seeing they don’t see, in hearing they don’t hear. In other words, they’re able to hear words that the average person does, but they have no critical thinking.
• He taught the disciples to open up their minds to remove restrictions from their minds so they could think like God. So, you and I could think like God, we can think creatively, we can think innovatively, and we no longer think outside of the box.
- When Jesus poured into them, the Holy Spirit gave them the opportunity to be a tour guide; to take them within themselves to a place that they could not go by themselves.
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• The kingdom was not outside of them but inside of them.
You are a Problem Solver: The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
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2. TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS THROUGH OBEDIENCE
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Romans 12:2 NKJV And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
John 14:15 NKJV If you love Me, keep My commandments.
James 1:22 NKJV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN EVERYDAY LIFE: Questions & Thoughts That Lead to Application
Questions & Thoughts to Think About:
• God doesn’t speak to be heard He speaks to us to obey. Do I suppose to submit, react, and or respond?
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• What does this show me about the character of God? How can I hear God?
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The more I know Him, the better I hear him.
Application
• Something emerges as the primary point (focus, redemption, faith)
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• Every point points to what the passage says, what it means, and what it means to you.
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2. PERSONAL DECISIONS: ALIGN YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS WITH SCRIPTURE
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John 15:5 NKJV I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
The 5 P’s of Bible Study
1. Position Yourself– To Hear from God
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a. There is power in your posture Spiritually: This is your own quiet time
i. The position of your heart is eager to hear, expect to hear God speak
ii. John 10:14, 27-28 My sheep hear my voice (What my sheep does)
iii. God wants to cultivate a relationship with us to know who He is
iv. Ps 27:13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living. I’m anticipating, expecting
v. Habakkuk 1:2,4 How long, Lord (I’m vocalizing our concern, our frustrations) chpt 2 He expects God
to Speak. He climbs up to escape ground-level distractions.
b. Position Yourself Physically- Silence & Solitude
i. Nothing standing in the way of Hearing the King and Seeing (understanding what He is saying)
ii. Intentional, Proactive, Going in Early, Beat the Buzz
iii. Manifestation is a clear perspective.
c. You don’t have a specific place
i. Remember this is not to impress God, this is to anoint you
ii. The enemy always wants us to think we have to be extra (go to the bathroom, sit in the car, go in the
closet
2. Pour Over the Passage– Take a whole book and go through the chapters 1 verse at a time.
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a. Pour means to meditate two or three, read in different versions.
i. Put yourself in the text
ii. Think about the mind of this person.
iii. Its not about finishing, but experiencing His presence
iv. Look up words.
v. Joshua 1:7-8 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave
you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep
This Book of the Law is always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to
do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. God says be strong and
courageous
vi. Meditate on ponder, to press your mind on it
b. Paraphrase the major principles
i. For each verse, write a sentence or two on what this verse said.
ii. Close the bible
3. Pull Out the Principles
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a. I look at the spiritual principles in the paraphrase
i. What does the verse say? What does this verse mean?
1. Ask, and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find
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2. You’re asking the Holy Spirit to speak
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ii. It won’t always be mind-blowing
iii. What does this teach me about the character of God? What did he say, how did he respond, what did
he do, what did he not do
iv. We are learning God’s Character
b. We learn how to discipline ourselves when we learn what God says
i. The more you know God, the more you can expose the enemy.
4. Pose the Question– you turn this into a personal directive question
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a. Questions to ask:
i. Am I acting this way?
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ii. Have I submitted to that authority?
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iii. Am I standing still to see that salvation?
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b. Giving the Holy Spirit Room
i. 2 answers (God’s Answer & Your Answer)
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ii. Write down the answer
iii. Psalm 51:1-3, 10-13 Search me, Oh Go, have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your
lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my
transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy
Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
5. Plan Obedience and Pen Down a Date to Obey
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i. We plan for everything else except obeying God
ii. Examples of how we plan (saving, vacation, jobs), except honoring God
iii. What he asks you do is write it down on paper. It creates accountability
iv. Make a plan to obey God
3. RELATIONSHIPS: SHOW GOD” S LOVE, GOD” S FORGIVENESS, AND GOD” S HUMILITY
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RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF
• Self-Forgiveness
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• Self-Love
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RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS
• Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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• Forgiveness: Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
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• Humility: Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV
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4. COMMUNITY: BE SALT AND LIGHT
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• Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Be The Light
Acts 16:25-34 NKJV But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
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5. SHARING GOD’S WORD: ENCOURAGE OTHERS BY SHARING WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED
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1 Timothy 1:12-16 NKJV And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an [a]insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
6. BE PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER FOR YOUR FAITH
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1 Peter 3:15 NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
7. LET’S S.O.A.P. IT UP!
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Proverbs 119:105
The WORD is a lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path.
Throughout this Journey, we will use S.O.A.P. notes to engage deeply with scripture, facilitating a structured and reflective approach to Bible study. S.O.A.P. is an acronym for:
• S (Scripture): Select a passage or verse to study. Write down the scripture you’ve chosen.
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• Example: John 3:16
• O(Observation): Observe and note what the passage is saying.
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• What is God saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal
The will of God to you.
• What are the key themes, events, or messages? Key questions such as who, what, where, when, and why. Write the scripture in your own words.
• Example: “For God so loved the world…”
SCRIPTURE OBSERVATION
Matthew 28:20: Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you and behold, I am with you always.
• A(Application): Reflect on how the scripture applies to your life.
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• What lessons of truth can you draw from it, and how can you apply them? Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation, rebuke, correction or confirmation. Write it down.
• Example: “I can learn about God’s love for all people and try to show love and compassion to others.”
SCRIPTURE APPLICATION
Hebrews 5:13-14 AMP: For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant. But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.
• P(Process & Prayer): Write out how you will obey and a date you will obey. Write a prayer based on the scripture, your observations, and application.
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• Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say. The Word will speak His Word.
• Example: “Dear Lord, thank you for your incredible love. I confess the (sin or things that His light has exposed). Help me to live out this love in my daily life and share the good news with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
8. THE JOURNEY OVERVIEW: THE HISTORY AND CONTEXT OF MATTHEW
A) AUTHOR AND AUDIENCE
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B) STRUCTURE AND THEME, FIVE MAJOR TEACHING SECTIONS
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1) THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (CHAPTERS 5–7)
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Matthew 7:24-27 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
2) THE MISSIONARY DISCOURSE (CHAPTER 10)
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Matthew 10:5-8 5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city ofthe Samaritans.6 But go rather to thelost sheep of the house of Israel.7 And as you go, preach, saying,‘The kingdom of heaven[a]is at hand.’8 Heal the sick,[b]cleanse the lepers,[c]raise the dead, cast out demons.Freely you have received, freely give.
3) THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM (CHAPTER 13)
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Matthew 13:11-13, 53 11 He answered and said to them,“Becauseit has been given to you to know the[a]mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 53. When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.
4) THE COMMUNITY DISCOURSE (CHAPTER 18)
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Matthew 18:3-5 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
5) THE OLIVET DISCOURSE (CHAPTERS 24–25)
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Matthew 24:3 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 26:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
Matthew 1:22-23 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Application:
Reflect on how Jesus’ teachings fulfill God’s promises in your own life. How does recognizing Jesus as Emmanuel bring hope and clarity to your purpose?
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