Saturday, April 24, 2010
An apology from a member-myself
Almost a year ago, the ladies of the church gave our daughter a baby shower, a beautiful baby shower. Jessica was so very grateful for all of the love and genorisity that was shown to her. She wrote beautiful thank you cards and gave them to me, her mom, to hand out. I found some in my purse and some scattered in my van. I want all of you to know that she did write them and gave them to me to hand out and I dropped the ball! Humbly, Robin
Monday, September 21, 2009
30 years of service
Our pastor, Jerry and his wife, Martha, have served our community and church for 30 years. They are a Godly couple that I am proud to say are my friends.
If you want to recieve a blessing you need to come and attend a service at First Baptist Church in Bull Shoals.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Baby Shower for Jessica next Sunday
There will be a baby shower for Jessica Bardin Skrapates on Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Bardins home. Please email Robin at Robin4350@yahoo.com, call Robin or Debbie Woods. Lets all have have fun and celebrate this new life.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Alert luncheon
The guys that are involved in the Alert program served lunch today after church. It was very enjoyable to spend some time with my church family. From what I understand, this will be a monthly event.
Inductive Bible Study-Step 4
OK, folks, you're not holding me accountable with this. It has been awhile since I posted last and I need to hear from you to let me know that I am not keeping my end of the bargain. So, here is the fourth step in the inductive bible study method, read on.
Step four is to "scrutinize" the passage in question. Ask yourself, "what does this mean?" It is very important here, to let God have His way with you. Ask God to open you before Him, to allow yourself to go beyond your culture, experience, and education. In other words, ask Him to put aside any pre-conceived notions and deal with you. Your study, after all, is about you.
What is God telling you? We must know of our weaknesses and limitations because of sin. Be focused on Christ, not yourself, and be keenly aware of the context the passage is in. You might also paraphrase the passage for yourself. This may add clarity to what God wants you to understand.
Also ask, how am I strengthened and encouraged? Make an emotional identification into the text. What is actually being said? Write down your questions and consider nothing insignificant. What is your duty? How is the character of God displayed here?
Above all, accept what the bible says. This is God's holy, infallible, perfect and complete word, after all, He knows what He is talking about and what He wants for you, so listen to Him.
There are three more steps to this coming up. However, with these first four, you are well on your way to some very enlightening study that will bring unspeakable joy and excitement to your relationship with Christ.
One thing I must repeat. Notice that we have not used writings from outside authors, in the least. God's word can speak mightily for itself, so let it do so. Other writings are fine, don't misunderstand me, but the word of God must, absolutely, be the final authority, period.
So, take what you have learned, thus far, and try it out. Men, I encourage you to try it with you family, be the leader. This is what God has called us to do. With that in mind, I am going to try, once again, to read the scriptures more with my wife and children. I fully expect you to hold me to this, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.
Have fun in God's word.
Scott
Step four is to "scrutinize" the passage in question. Ask yourself, "what does this mean?" It is very important here, to let God have His way with you. Ask God to open you before Him, to allow yourself to go beyond your culture, experience, and education. In other words, ask Him to put aside any pre-conceived notions and deal with you. Your study, after all, is about you.
What is God telling you? We must know of our weaknesses and limitations because of sin. Be focused on Christ, not yourself, and be keenly aware of the context the passage is in. You might also paraphrase the passage for yourself. This may add clarity to what God wants you to understand.
Also ask, how am I strengthened and encouraged? Make an emotional identification into the text. What is actually being said? Write down your questions and consider nothing insignificant. What is your duty? How is the character of God displayed here?
Above all, accept what the bible says. This is God's holy, infallible, perfect and complete word, after all, He knows what He is talking about and what He wants for you, so listen to Him.
There are three more steps to this coming up. However, with these first four, you are well on your way to some very enlightening study that will bring unspeakable joy and excitement to your relationship with Christ.
One thing I must repeat. Notice that we have not used writings from outside authors, in the least. God's word can speak mightily for itself, so let it do so. Other writings are fine, don't misunderstand me, but the word of God must, absolutely, be the final authority, period.
So, take what you have learned, thus far, and try it out. Men, I encourage you to try it with you family, be the leader. This is what God has called us to do. With that in mind, I am going to try, once again, to read the scriptures more with my wife and children. I fully expect you to hold me to this, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.
Have fun in God's word.
Scott
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Inductive Bible Study-Step 3
Now we start to get to the meat of things. Now we begin to get more in depth. We have covered the first, and most important, part and that is prayer. Keep in mind that you should be seeking God through out the process.
Step three involves observation. You must observe that which you are reading by asking yourself, "What does this passage say?" It is important to ask this question before you begin other questions like, "how does this apply to me?", or, "What does this mean?"
Give the book the "looks". Notice repeated phrases, the purpose being expressed, the point, who is involved, the time, the events, etc.
Always remember, and this is VERY important, scripture interprets scripture. Look for relating verses and similar verses in other parts of the bible. I recomend "The Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge".
Take note of any promises being given.
Notice, carefully, underlying principles and implications being given.
What about the life, work, and teachings of Christ? Are they present in what you are studying?
Do this and God's word will literally explode for you! Keep up the good work, we're all in this together.
Look for step four in about a week. Until then, take some time to "bathe" your family in God's word.
Step three involves observation. You must observe that which you are reading by asking yourself, "What does this passage say?" It is important to ask this question before you begin other questions like, "how does this apply to me?", or, "What does this mean?"
Give the book the "looks". Notice repeated phrases, the purpose being expressed, the point, who is involved, the time, the events, etc.
Always remember, and this is VERY important, scripture interprets scripture. Look for relating verses and similar verses in other parts of the bible. I recomend "The Treasury Of Scripture Knowledge".
Take note of any promises being given.
Notice, carefully, underlying principles and implications being given.
What about the life, work, and teachings of Christ? Are they present in what you are studying?
Do this and God's word will literally explode for you! Keep up the good work, we're all in this together.
Look for step four in about a week. Until then, take some time to "bathe" your family in God's word.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Some Thoughts On Bible Study
I was just reading an interesting article in a homeschool magazine today. The author mad a couple of comments that I thought I'd share with you. First, let me preface this by saying that some may say that I am completely anti-commentary, anti-concordance, anti-audio, anti-study bible, anti everything that is not the bible. I am going to go on record by saying this is not the case-entirely. Some of it is true, as I will explain.
The comments the author of the article were relating to bible study, and since we are learning how to study the bible for ourselves, I thought they were rather timely. The first comment made was that , "I have never been content to set my bible aside, grab some commentary and take someone else's word for what God has to say...".
The author went on, "I don't want to learn His truth 'through the grapevine'...I don't want to have a hear-say religion that goes something like this, 'Matthew Henry said that Jesus said that John said...', I am more inclined to say, 'LORD you spoke some amazing truths to those men, way back when, let me sit here with you awhile and listen to Your heart as well as your Words..."
Very well chosen statements and very timely. You see, this is my heart. All too often, believers take the "gospel" written by man over the Gospel written by God. We tend to put our bibles aside and take another man's word for it, so to speak. My friends, this ought not so to be. The writings by man have done more to damage and and cause division than they have helped. It has happened in our church, recently.
Are those things listed bad and not to be fooled with? No, not at all. Commentaries and the like should be taken with the same scrutiny as any thing else you might read. We are to be "Berean" about the teachings of man. The only way you can be sure of your favorite author's opinions and insights, is to weigh them against scripture. Go ahead and use them, just know that they were written by man, not God.
For example, I like Michael Pearl a great deal. I trust him and what he teaches. This trust is only because I know what he studies and how he studies and teaches. I have listened to him for years and found the he is right much of the time, because I have weighed it with scripture. Does this mean I agree with everything he says? Of course not. But, nine time out of ten, I do.
As we traverse the scriptures, learning about God, through our own study, let us seek to listen to the heart of God and to His words. When we pray, let us pray the He rules the day and our study. I promise that you will be enlightened and richly blessed. I am looking forward to applying this lesson to my own study, as well. Hey, I'm not perfect, but God is working on that.
Scott
The comments the author of the article were relating to bible study, and since we are learning how to study the bible for ourselves, I thought they were rather timely. The first comment made was that , "I have never been content to set my bible aside, grab some commentary and take someone else's word for what God has to say...".
The author went on, "I don't want to learn His truth 'through the grapevine'...I don't want to have a hear-say religion that goes something like this, 'Matthew Henry said that Jesus said that John said...', I am more inclined to say, 'LORD you spoke some amazing truths to those men, way back when, let me sit here with you awhile and listen to Your heart as well as your Words..."
Very well chosen statements and very timely. You see, this is my heart. All too often, believers take the "gospel" written by man over the Gospel written by God. We tend to put our bibles aside and take another man's word for it, so to speak. My friends, this ought not so to be. The writings by man have done more to damage and and cause division than they have helped. It has happened in our church, recently.
Are those things listed bad and not to be fooled with? No, not at all. Commentaries and the like should be taken with the same scrutiny as any thing else you might read. We are to be "Berean" about the teachings of man. The only way you can be sure of your favorite author's opinions and insights, is to weigh them against scripture. Go ahead and use them, just know that they were written by man, not God.
For example, I like Michael Pearl a great deal. I trust him and what he teaches. This trust is only because I know what he studies and how he studies and teaches. I have listened to him for years and found the he is right much of the time, because I have weighed it with scripture. Does this mean I agree with everything he says? Of course not. But, nine time out of ten, I do.
As we traverse the scriptures, learning about God, through our own study, let us seek to listen to the heart of God and to His words. When we pray, let us pray the He rules the day and our study. I promise that you will be enlightened and richly blessed. I am looking forward to applying this lesson to my own study, as well. Hey, I'm not perfect, but God is working on that.
Scott
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