DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT WORKS YOUNG ADULT CELLS OCTOBER 2006

HOW TO BE BLESSED BY THE BIBLE

Member’s Notes

I. Introduction Objective:
At the end of this lesson, you
Many of us today own several copies and versions of the bible. Yet, will be able to:
many of us are still missing the blessing of what the bible can do in our 1. Remember 4 instructions
lives. This is because even if we own a bible or are reading it, it doesn’t we must take in
mean that we automatically receive anything out of it. You will only be approaching God’s Word.
blessed by the bible if you do what the bible says. The key verse in 2. Evaluate our walk with
today’s passage (Jas 1:19-27) is in v25. God on what might
hinder us from being
blessed by God’s Word.
The bible is called the perfect law because it is what we need. It meets 3. Memorize James 1:25
every spiritual and emotional need in our lives. It promises freedom and
blessing and James in this passage gives us four steps to be blessed by
the bible.

Q. In Luke 8:4-15 Jesus compared the Word of God to a seed planted in

the “soil” of our hearts. What was the condition of the soil of your heart
the first time you heard about Jesus?

II. We Must _____________ God’s Word 19My dear brothers, take note
of this: Everyone should be
Read James 1:19-21.
quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry,
The Greek word for “accept” in v21 is “welcome”. It is a hospitality word 20for man's anger does not
and means that we must be receptive to God’s word just like the seed bring about the righteous life
needing good soil. that God desires. 21Therefore,
get rid of all moral filth and
In this passage, James gives us 4 attitudes to prepare our heart when the evil that is so prevalent
we study the bible. and humbly accept the word
planted in you, which can
save you.
1.Be _________________. (Jas 1:19a)
Jas 1:19-21

2.Be _________________. (Jas 1:19b)

3.Be _________________. (Jas 1:21a)

4.Be _________________. (Jas 1:21b)

Why is v19 important in order for us to be blessed by the bible?

The word “filth” (v21) in Greek literally means “ear wax”. Why is it
important for us believers to rid ourselves of “all moral filth and evil”?
What are some practical ways we can do this?

James compares God’s Word to a mirror (v23-24). What does a mirror 23Anyone who listens to the
word but does not do what it
do?
says is like a man who looks
at his face in a mirror 24and,
after looking at himself, goes
away and immediately forgets
what he looks like.
Jas 1:23-24

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DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT WORKS YOUNG ADULT CELLS OCTOBER 2006

III. We Must ______________ on God’s Word

Read James 1:25
25But the man who looks
James gives us 3 practical steps to reflect on the Word of God. intently into the perfect law
that gives freedom, and
continues to do this, not
1.___________________ it. (Jas 1:25a)
forgetting what he has heard,
but doing it—he will be
2.___________________ it. (Jas 1:25b) blessed in what he does.
Jas 1:25
3.___________________ it. (Jas 1:25b)

James tells us to look intently into God’s Word (v25a). What does this
How to Reflect on God Word?
mean to you? What other words can be associated with looking intently?
Discuss. S – is there a ____ to confess?

P – is there a _________ to claim?

A – is there an ______ to change?

“Continues to do this” (v25b) means to look over God’s Word again and C – is there a _________ to keep?
again. The bible calls this meditation. What can hinder you from E – is there an _______ to follow?
meditating on God’s Word?
P – is there a _________ to pray?

E – is there an ________ to avoid?

T – is there a _______ to believe?

James tells us to not forget what we have heard. We must remember
S – is there ______________ to
God’s Word. Make a plan today to memorize God’s word that works for thank God for
you.

22Do not merely listen to the

word, and so deceive
IV. We Must ______________ to God’s Word yourselves. Do what it says.
Read Jas 1:22, 25. Read also Jn 13:17. Jas 1:22

Some of us have great knowledge of the bible. What do these 3 verses See above for v25
tell us about the danger of just having knowledge? What must we do to
be blessed by the bible? 17Now that you know these
things, you will be blessed if
you do them.
Jn 13:17

26If anyone considers himself

V. We Must _____________ God’s Word religious and yet does not
Read Jas 1:26-27. keep a tight rein on his
tongue, he deceives himself
and his religion is worthless.
James covered the following 3 things in greater detail in the rest of the 27Religion that God our
book that can show us if we’ve been a doer of God’s Word. Father accepts as pure and
faultless is this: to look after
1.__________________ mouth. orphans and widows in their
distress and to keep oneself
2.__________________ heart. from being polluted by the
world.
Jas 1:26-27
3.__________________ mind.

VI. Conclusion

James says “Do what it says.” Give an example of how your life has
been blessed when you put into practice something you learned from
studying the Bible. What are some practical ways you can respond to
what you’ve learned in this session’s study of God’s Word?

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DEVELOPING A FAITH THAT WORKS YOUNG ADULT CELLS OCTOBER 2006

Memorize James 1:25

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