Study Working with God
A Workman Approved
Gone are the days when a Christian could be a spectator to other peoples' ministry. God is calling every believer to play a role in the gathering, nurturing and teaching of others
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15.
You are a workman with God. But every workman needs tools. The main tool you have been given is the "word of truth". The word of God is described as a sword (Ephesians 6:17), but a sword needs to be handled properly.
When correctly handled, the word of God is anointed by the Holy Spirit to do a deep work in a person's life (Hebrews 4:12). But before you can teach the living word of God, you must first allow that word to do a work in your own life. We can only truly teach what has become real for ourselves.
Four Traps to Avoid
As we study the Bible, we must be aware of four subtle traps:
The Ever-Learning Trap
"...always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth" 2 Timothy 3:7.
It is not good enough just to read the Bible. Head-knowledge doesn't bring real change.
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" 2 Timothy 4:3.
The Bible-Centred Trap
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me..." John 5:39.
It is not enough to be Bible-centred. The Pharisees were the most Bible-centred people in Jesus' day. We must be Christ-centred. The Bible has been designed by God to be the foundation of a Christ- centred life. The purpose of studying God's word is to be better equipped to walk with God.
The Hear-But-Don't-Listen Trap
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear" Mark 4:23.
Man-made traditions can make our ears dull of hearing. We can nullify the word of God through empty religion - a cultural Christianity that gives only lip-service to the words of Jesus.
"...Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition" Matthew 15:6.
The Hear-But-Don't-Do Trap
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" James 1:22 (see also James 1:23-25; Luke 11:28; 1 John 2:5).
God's purpose is to conform you to the likeness of His Son (Rom.8:29). This is why He has given you His word. He wants you to gain "the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness" (Titus 1:1) so that you will not be "ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8).
Four Essential Ingredients
Four things must accompany the hearing of God's word:
Hunger
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" Matthew 5:6.
Spiritual hunger is the beginning point of a work of God's Spirit. Ask the Lord to give you a hunger for knowing Him.
Revelation
"I keep asking that [God]...may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better" Ephesians 1:17.
When the Holy Spirit takes a truth in His word and makes it alive to you, this is called revelation. As you read Project 21, ask the Lord for a revelation of His truth (read 2 Cor.4:6).
Faith
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" Romans 10:17.
Faith is our response to a revelation of God's word. Faith must be mixed with the message for it to have an effect in our lives.
"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith" Hebrews 4:2.
Repentance
Obedience to the God's word involves action (read Acts 2:37-38). We turn from that which displeases the Lord and align ourselves to His will.
Multiplying God's Word
"But the word of God grew and multiplied" Acts 12:24 (NKJB).
This manual has been designed with a multiplication effect in mind. It is not just meant to be read, but to be taught to others.
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others" 2 Timothy 2:2.
Copyright © 1981,1996 Paul, Bunty and David Collins. All rights reserved. This study may be freely used and reproduced, wholly or in part, by the Christian Church for the non-profit purposes of study and training only, provided copyright and contact information is included.