TITLE: Growing Through God's Word

INTRODUCTION
God’s Word is more than just information; it has the power to change our lives. As we study the
Bible, we should not only understand what it says but also let it shape how we live. When we pay
attention to the details in the Scriptures and apply them personally, our thoughts and actions can be
transformed. In this study, we will look at how we can focus more deeply on God’s Word and make
it personal, so it can bring real change and growth to our lives.

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINES

1). Pay close attention to every word in God's Word as you read/study: One of the major effects
the word of God should have on us is “a renewal (change) of the Spirit (attitude) of our minds”.
This is beyond just learning spiritual truths from the Bible rather, we must embody whatever truths
we must have learnt from God’s word to the end that these truths become or form the basis and
principles on which we live by. Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:7 EASY talks about certain individuals
who consistently learn new things but never grow to recognize or discern God’s true message.
When the attitude of your mind changes, what get’s affected is not only your thoughts, but how you
think that changes, and this change affects everything about you because your whole life is a result
of not just the contents of your thoughts, but the character of your thoughts so, when reading God’s
word, be sensitive to any word, phrase, story or pattern that reveals God’s higher perspectives to
life’s issues i.e look out for advertisement of God’s philosophies and ideologies concerning things,
men, life and issues. For instance, reading 1 Peter 2:24 AMP 'He personally carried our sins in
His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we
might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for
righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.' You’ll obeserve that as
believers, we are meant to be immune from the penalty and power of sin, we are meant to live for
righteousness and also not be under the bondage of sicknesses because the Lord Jesus personally
carried our sins on the cross. As a matter of fact, He willingly carried our sins, offered His sin
plagued body on the cross as on an altar of sacrifice therefore after reading this, we are supposed to
have a renewal of mindset towards sin, penalty of sin, righteousness, sickness and diseases.

It’s worthy of note that with the renewal of our minds comes the needed change of our thoughts,
how we think, which in turn changes everything about us.

2). Internalize or Personalize God’s word 1 Cor 14:28b: Scripture says in Psalms 119:89 that
“Forever, O Lord , Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable].” the
implication of this scripture is that whatever God says is done or settled and it will comes to pass.
As you read God’s word, there are certain portions (e.g portions that gives expression to the new
nature and the advantages that we have Christ) you shouldn’t gloss over like the others (e.g places
where great emphasis were laid on curses). These portions of the scripture should stimulate you into
spiritual engagement, either of worship to God or repentance or affirnations to yourself of the truths
therein. For instance, the Apostle Paul in his writings would suddenly switch from second-pronouns
to first pronouns when he got to some phrases, because these portions are prime realities which
offer much spiritual advantage to our earthly existence.

A prime example is Romans 8:1, which was presented in a collective tone “There is therefore now
no condemnation, to THEM which are in Christ Jesus...” Notice “THEM” but in verse 2, he said
“For the law of the Spirit of life hath made ME free from the law of sin and death” The question
which begs to be answered is why didn’t Apostle Paul say “THEM” here? The answer is not far
fetched. If you don’t personalize and internalize God’s word (i.e put yourself in the context to God’s
word), it will not carry much weight to you – it will just be a theory in your head. Apply the word of
God directly to yourself when you get to prime truths of our advantages in Christ. God’s Word is a
voice-activated force. You must give voice to God’s word to make it active.

It’s worthy of note that though Psalms 119:89 says that “Forever, O Lord , Your word is settled in
heaven [standing firm and unchangeable].” it is your word that settles whatever God has said
concerning you on earth Job 22:28a AMP says “You will also decide and decree a thing, and it
will be established for you”
3). Be addicted to doing the Word of God James 1:22, John 13:17: All Spiritual teachings you
have heard and will ever hear won’t have much impact in your life until you consistently put them
into practice. This many times has proven to be the reason why many sincere believers haven’t
experienced any tangible growth since they received the life of God. Addiction to doing God’s
Word mostly is the missing link of many believers’ spiritual growth. You cannot grow by the Word
until you act on it again and again. The real blessing in God’s Word is activated when you act on it
consistently. The power of God’s Word works only for the doer of God’s word who is consistently
does God’s Word. Every deliberate effort put into practising God’s Word will eventually be justified
when the harvest comes. Keep being faithful in doing God’s Word you will reap! Gal. 6:9

One critical system to put in place to make practising God’s word easy is to always write out action
points when listening to a sermon. Each sermon you listen to is God’s Word for a season given to a
man of God for God’s Children and it is not meant to leave us the same way we were before we
listened to it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1). How can paying close attention to God's Word help change your thoughts and attitudes?

2). Why do you think some people, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:7, keep learning but never truly
understand God’s message?

3). 1 Peter 2:24 talks about being free from sin and sickness. How does this change the way you
view your life as a Christian?

4). What does it mean to make God’s Word personal, and how can that help you grow spiritually?

5). In Romans 8:1-2, why does Paul shift from “them” to “me”? How can applying Scripture to
yourself strengthen your faith?
6). Psalm 119:89 says God’s Word is settled in heaven, but how does speaking it out help bring it to

pass in your life here on earth?

7). What are some practical steps you can take to ensure God’s Word becomes a part of how you
live, not just something you read?