Becoming Like God...In His Word (Part 1, Post 2)

If your growth in godliness were measured by the quality of your Bible intake, what would be the result?

This question may make you feel guilty. But that is the past. You can't change the past. Consider Paul's philosophy in Phil 3.13 – But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Ultimately, his forgetting was about his qualifications as a Jew, but whether our past is good or bad, our future can be better. But we must be disciplined, and partner with the Holy Spirit, if we are to become more godly.

So what's the next step in Becoming Like God? BEGIN

Some of you are already hearing, reading, and studying...so what is your next step? In yesterday's post, I formally introduced the 4L Discipleship Model. This model will be used to provide options for each of us regardless of where we are on the JOURNEY. Each is simply a  potential next step for each person. Consider which of the 4 L's applies to you regarding hearing, reading, or studying and focus your attention there.

Learn:

• Hear – find a source to listen to God's Word proclaimed regularly – radio, tv, Bible on cd, web
• Read – find a Bible reading plan that might work...don't worry that it is late January just start wherever
• Study – look in the back of your Bible for a concordance and look up all passages of a word

Live:

• Hear – commit to hearing God's Word at least twice per week – once might be here, then web
• Read – begin reading a little every day...one the first of each month, increase your time until you are at 15 minutes per day. For instance, since it is almost February, start with 5 minutes, and on February 1st, increase to 6 minutes. You will be reading 15 minutes per day before the end of the year.
• Study – Look up some of the passages mentioned in this blog and study the individual words and phrases

Love:

• Hear – find a couple of preachers who teach the Bible that you enjoy listening to their teaching
• Read – ask God to increase your passion for Him as you read His Word
• Study – Take your daily reading and write down some thoughts about it. Then find other parts of the Bible that cover similar aspects. Determine where similarities and difference exist and try to account for the differences (study the culture, etc).

Lead: This is the big one. It is the level that takes the most commitment. Some of you are not ready for this, but others are. God may be tugging at some of you, but you are resisting.

• Hear: Others need to hear you teaching God's Word.
• Read: Who, in your life, could use you reading them aloud the Word of God? (rest home?)
• Study: Who, that you know, needs to know how to study the Bible better? How can you help?

As I close, let me tell you something I have heard many times (and have said myself). When you lead others, you will get the blessing. Why? Because you are fulfilling Christ's command to make disciples. Consider this, the only way that people can learn and live, is for the people who love to lead the others to develop their walk with the Lord.

Wherever you are in the process, I encourage you to take the next step in hearing, reading, and studying the Word of God. Let it come alive in you through the power of the Holy Spirit.