Studying the Scriptures is a common practice that we share as Christians. One of the reasons we gather is to study Scripture and nurture a faith that seeks understanding.
As Christ-followers, we aren’t just one-time converts, but are life-long learners, ever-growing and transforming in the likeness of Christ and in the wisdom of God, led by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The church is gathered to be schooled, to be discipled.
A disciple by definition is “a follower or student of a teacher” – and for us that teacher is Jesus.
And we do this by committing ourselves to study God’s Word. We open ourselves to transformation by the Spirit and submit ourselves to the mentoring & training of others.
We study the Scriptures both corporately and privately.
Corporate Study looks like:
- Sunday Services | Expressions of corporate worship and receiving the Word of God as a Church
- Ekklesia | Learning through the Spirit through Word and sharing life with one another. Breaking bread and extending God’s acceptance to one another.
- Advances | Deeper dives into specific areas of study with experienced guides and fellow travelers.
- Orthopraxis | Learning the art of discipleship through becoming accustomed to the ways of God, life and the local church.
Private Study looks like:
- Reading the Bible frequently and coming to the Word daily and often.
- Reading the Bible in small and large portions. A lot of us watch movies through YouTube clips. While it’s nice to watch parts of a movie in five- minute clips, it’s not the same as watching it in its entirety. While you learn about the story in bits and pieces to digest it, we also need to read scripture in larger swaths, going through, for example, the entire book of Acts.
- Making a plan: Be intentional!
How do we get schooled in the Will and Way of our Lord?
- We commit ourselves to the study of God’s Word
- We open ourselves to the transforming work of the Spirit
- We submit ourselves to the mentoring and training of others
Through the Holy Spirit, we have the capacity to change, to be more Christlike. Let’s open ourselves to ways the Spirit of God can transform us, through the renewing of our minds and the disruption to our former patterns, values, and ways of being and seeing others.
The humble will surrender to the Spirit and discover, learn, grow, hear, regard no one from a human point of view, see God’s redemptive work all over the place, including in our own lives! The proud will resist, critique, presume, lack redemptive imagination, and be self- reliant and self-righteous.
Submitting to the church is a vital part of our discipleship. You know if it’s your church if you are able to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21).
Another way we can practice Study is to follow Christ’s commands to take His yoke.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Study allows us to frame our understanding of the truth of God’s Word. It helps us to take Jesus’ yoke upon ourselves and find rest for our souls.
Some questions you can ask as you reflect:
- What are ways I can implement study (corporate or private) in my daily life?
- Who are the mentors and trainers in my life?
- Am I teachable and humble? Do I readily invite people into my life to teach and mentor me?
- Am I open and listening to the Spirit working in me?
For more discussion and behind the scenes of this sermon in the Common Series, listen to our new podcast: The Common Podcast. We upload new episodes every Wednesday!
Stay tuned every Sunday as we continue to learn the Common practices that keep us united as Christ-followers.