What and Why
A thirst for knowledge brings young people to the university. The quest to know more about physics, psychology, computer programing, and history led your colleagues into the greatest transition of their lives.
The Apostle Paul embarked on his own quest for knowledge. He said it this way – “I long to know Christ, the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His sufferings.” (Phil 3:10) Paul sought a different kind of knowledge, one that appeared to be foolishness to the sophisticated Greeks. His pursuit brought him to a true knowledge of God. Vital to Paul’s quest was God’s Word.
Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16) When we think about people who modeled being “equipped,” Paul is an inspiration. God worked through him to launch movements in multiple provinces of the Roman Empire. He built spiritual movements and built them well.
We pursue what Paul sought – a deeper knowledge of Christ. Some believers find it. Others don’t. For instance, suppose you met someone yesterday who had been a Christian for 5-6 years. You observed that they enjoy their relationship with God and are a fruitful witness. Then you met another person. They also came to Christ 5-6 years ago. However, you don’t see evidence of their growth. They struggle with the same questions and doubts they had when they first came to Christ. Because of their doubts and uncertainty, they are not talking about Jesus. Why is there such a contrast between the two?
Though the factors might be many, one key distinction is that the first person began to consistently read, study and apply God’s Word. The second person didn’t. It matters a great deal how we pursue the quest of knowing God. God reveals himself through his Word. He grows his children to be mature through its instruction. He equips us for good deeds in the school of Scripture.
Taking Action
Get ready to embark on a great adventure of interacting personally with God through the pages of his word! D.L. Moody was a man who loved God’s Word and encouraged believers everywhere to learn to be “self-feeders,” that is, people who can go to God’s Word themselves and get spiritually nourished. D.L. Moody once said:
“What we need as Christians is to be able to feed ourselves. There are too many Christians who seem helpless and apathetic, hungry for spiritual food, looking to someone else to feed them, while the Bible is a feast prepared, into which they never venture.”
Let that not be true of you! Commit to feeding yourself from God’s Word. If this idea is new to you, realize that it takes time and consistency to establish a new habit. Here are some suggestions on how to become a “self-feeder” from God’s Word.
1) Pick a consistent time when you will spend time with God in his Word.
2) Pick a place that is quiet and free from distractions.
3) Choose a book of the Bible to study. (If you need a suggestion, Ephesians would be a good one.)
4) Select a few verses to focus on each day and make it your goal to study through an entire book of the Bible.
Use the following questions to guide your daily time:
• What observations do you make in this passage?
• What was the message that was given to the original hearers?
• What is God saying to you about your attitudes, thinking and actions that need to change in order to live out the message of this passage?
• How did God encourage you through this passage
Passing it on
In your interaction with God in his Word, you will begin to learn amazing things about God, about yourself, and about what God is doing in the world today. Don’t’ keep it to yourself!
Take the initiative to share with another person something you have learned from your Bible study time. Be a blessing to someone else!
Share with them the process you are using to become a self-feeder. This can become a part of your ministry of spiritual multiplication – helping someone else learn to become a self-feeder too.
Have a great time!
