Spring Training 2023

“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Baseball players head south every year to connect with their team to work on personal and game disciplines for the season ahead. As believers, this life has a series of SPRING TRAININGS and seasons that prepare us for an eternal crown. As we gather to be better in prayer, evangelism, and studying, we invite you to our SPRING TRAINING. #2023 #topical

Starter

• When you approach reading and STUDYING the Bible what is your attitude? Why?

Pray

Lord we pray that we would love Your word because You are The Word. Help us remember the why behind reading and STUDYING Your word. May we learn how to STUDY it to grow closer to You and others. Amen.

Study Questions

READ Deuteronomy 6:4-12, Joshua 1:8

Deuteronomy 6:4-12 is the most quoted verse of the Jewish people called the Shema. It is the foundation of the rest of the first 5 books of the Old Testament called The Law or Torah. It is also, what Jesus re-quoted for us and summed up in Matthew 22:36-40 in love God and love people.

1. What in these passages is God asking His people to be AWARE of in regards to a relationship with Him and His word?
2. In the New Testament, we have been made AWARE that the land God is bringing us into is the new heaven and new earth. How does that change the perspective of these passages a little bit for believers in Jesus under the New Covenant?

READ Psalm 19:7-11

1. What are all the things God is telling us through this psalmist about His word?
2. Which ones do you struggle to believe and do? Why?

READ 2 Timothy 3:1-17

The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy his last letter to make Timothy AWARE of what is coming. Timothy would be taking over for Paul.

1. What are the specific things in this passage that Paul tells Timothy to look for in people that are not walking according to God’s word?
2. What does he tell Timothy to do in relationship to those people?
   1. Do you think Paul was wrong to tell Timothy, and likely us, to do these things? Why?
   2. Why is the scripture essential for us to make the decisons Paul is asking Timothy to make and teach?
3. All scripture is inspired by God. What does He say it is profitable for?
   1. Which of these profitable things do you struggle to do with God’s word? Why?

In the message, multiple practical things were laid out for being more AWARE of God through His word.

Bible translations

• Word-for-word= Formal/ Complete equivalence -KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, HCSB
• Meaning-to-meaning (thought-to-thought)= Dynamic equivalence - NIV, NLT
• Paraphrase= Idiomatic translation - Living Bible, The Message

Types of Bibles

• Plain text
• Study
• Cross Reference

The Hermeneutical Triad (Hermeneutics= the interpretation of language)

• The Bible is a historical book.
• The Bible contains many different literary genres.
• The Bible is a theological book.

Levels of Belief

• Conviction- We must have unity.
• Persuasion- We strive for unity, recognizing personal liberty.
• Opinion- We recognize liberty and live in humility.

1. Which of these do you find most helpful or that you want to explore more on your own? Why?