BIBLE STUDY
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY JANUARY 2008
Start the New Year with a Wed. PM Bible Study
NEW 6-WEEKS SMALL GROUPS BIBLE STUDY:
“Risky Creation” is a study on Genesis 1-9 focusing on
Adam thru Noah, using a dvd by Bob Russell. Our goal is to have one small
group on each Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday starting Feb. 17!
Pre-registration is requested so we have enough materials. Please sign
up after church, by calling the office, or emailing Kevin Able at kevinable@rivervalleychristianchurch.com if
you'd like to participate in this great study.
“A Life God Rewards”: - Study concludes February 6th
We will use the book, the Bible, and a DVD presentation to
launch discussion. Kevin Able will conduct the study!
 The
New Year's Resolution You Can Keep!
Bible Reading Plans for the next 90 Days- Let's encourage each other
to make a commitment from January 1 to March 31 to read the Bible for 90
days.
"I'm excited to see what God does in and
through our church family in the next 90 days as we seek together to hear
what
God is speaking
to us individually and corporately." -- Kevin Able
One of the most important essentials in the daily life of a Christian is spending
time reading God’s Word. "If you continue in my
word . . . you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Jesus
(John
8:31-32 NAS)
The Bible also says in Psalm
119:105 (NIV), “Your
word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” However, many
Christians don’t know where to get started or how to go about this seemingly
daunting undertaking. Bible reading plans are designed to help you go about
this task in a focused and organized way. Why not enrich your faith, life,
and understanding of God’s
plan?
Between January 1 and March 31 why not try one of these plans::
Why Read The Bible?
"I'm a busy person with a lot to do. Why should I spend time reading the Bible?
I don't have time to do all I need to do as it is."
"I already believe in Jesus Christ. I've already heard the Gospel." "Why should I read the Bible?"
The following Scriptures should answer these questions.
- JOHN 8:31-32 (RSV) Jesus then said to the Jews who had
believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and
you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
- JOSHUA 1:8 (Beck) "Don't
stop reading this book of the Law, but day and night think of what it says,
so you can be careful to do everything written in it; then you will
prosper and succeed."
- ACTS 20:32 (LB) …"And now I entrust you to God and his care and to his wonderful
words that are able to build your faith and give you all the inheritance of those
who are set apart for himself.
- MATTHEW 4:4 (NLT) … But
Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures
say, 'People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word
of God.' "
- JOHN 6:63 (ICB) … It
is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life.
The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life.
- ROMANS 15:4 (CEV) … And
the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us
by giving us hope.
- JOHN 14:23-24 (Rieu) …
Jesus replied: 'If anyone loves me he will cherish my word; my Father will
love him and we will come to him and make him our abode.
He that does not love me neglects my words. Yet the word you hear is not my
own but that of the Father who sent me.
- 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 (NLT) …16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to
teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens
us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17 It is God's way of preparing us
in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
- HEBREWS 4:12 (NLT) ….12
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest
knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires.
It exposes us for what we really are.
God's Word is alive! The more you expose yourself to it, the more it will
expose itself to you. To know God better you must spend time hearing
what He has to say. The Bible is His message to you. If you want Him
to listen to what you have to say, you should also listen to what He has to
say. Although God
can also speak directly to your heart, you need to know His written Word so you
can
judge whether God is speaking to you, or the enemy is trying to deceive you.
God will not love you more because you read the Bible. It's for your benefit
-- not something required to make God love you. However, without reading the
Bible, you will not grow spiritually, and you will be more easily deceived.
Prayerfully reading the Scriptures yourself is the only real defense against
being misled.
God's Word is truth (John
17:17). Don't you want to know the truth? Why
waste your time on lesser, unreliable things?
Your spiritual life is important. You always have time for what you consider
important.
Jesus taught that God's Word is a seed (Luke 8:11). Plant the seed of God's Word in your life and you will reap blessings.
The promise of Jesus in John 8:31-32 is for you. If you continue in the
Word of God, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free!
Only those who continue in God's Word come to the place of knowing called
faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
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