"Lifting Your Bible Study"
Week 3 - LIFT
Gary Moritz
Part of LIFT—Elevating Your Spiritual Growth
January 20, 2023

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Introduction:

A New Year means new beginnings, and even though you desire to move forward, it can sometimes feel like you have fallen short of your goals and expectations. Whether it seems like life’s circumstances are piling up, your mind can’t get through a mental block, or your emotions are paralyzing you, you can pick yourself back up and move forward this year.


God can help you align your focus so that you can take your spiritual growth to the next level.

“The Lord helps all who fall; he raises up all who are oppressed.” —Psalm 145:14

This collection will help you reset your priorities for the new year. This collection of talks will include:

January 5th/8th Lifting Your Prayer Time
January 12th/15th Lifting Your Discipleship (Dr. David Nelms, TTI)
January 19th/22nd Lifting Your Bible Study
January 26th/29th Lifting Your Serving
February 2nd/5th Lifting Your Generosity
February 9th/12th Lifting the Vision: Super Vision Weekend


Text: II Timothy 2:14-16 (CSB, New Testament)

Today’s Takeaway: The Word of God gives you the will of God.

Week 3 - Lifting Your Bible Study

I. BIBLE STUDY IS A (2:15a)

A. God

us to study the Bible.

“Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength …” —Ecclesiastes 9:10a

B. Why should you

the Bible? (II Timothy 3:14-17)

  1. The Bible provides

    . (II Timothy 3:15)

    “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” —John 20:31

  2. The Bible is

    . (II Timothy 3:16a)

    “Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” —II Peter 1:20-21

  3. The Bible

    your life. (II Timothy 3:16b)

    “… his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” —Psalm 1:2-3

  4. The Bible

    your life. (II Timothy 3:17)

“Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation,” —I Peter 2:2

II. BIBLE STUDY IS A (2:15b & d)

A.

(2:15b)

“But as for you, be strong; don’t give up, for your work has a reward.” —II Chronicles 15:7

B.

(2:15d)

“Watch yourselves so that you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.” —II John 8

III. BIBLE STUDY IS HARD (2:15c)

A. You should view Bible study as

work.

“… much study wearies the body.” —Ecclesiastes 12:12b

B. You can get a

on studying the Bible in six ways:

  1. the Word
  2. the Word
  3. on the Word
    Think S.P.E.C.S. as you meditate on the Word:

    • S ummarize the passage

    • P romises to claim

    • E xamples to follow or avoid

    • C ommands to obey

    • S ins to confess

  4. the Word
  5. the Word
  6. the Word

IV. BIBLE STUDY BRINGS

A. You will be able to

the Bible correctly.

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” —Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)

B. You will be able to

others in the Bible correctly.

“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” —2 Timothy 2:2

CONCLUSION: What steps do you need to take to lift your Bible study?

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DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:

  1. Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. Which aspect of God’s Word is most needful for you right now?

  2. Think about a time recently when you needed God’s Word with another person. Did you have Scripture ready? Or did you come up blank?

  3. Are you working hard at Bible study?

  4. What do you need to do to make Bible Study a more integral part of your routine?

Upcoming Events at City United

1. NEXT 2023 Annual Offering: We are a contagiously generous church! November 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023
Be praying about how you can make an impact locally and globally through our NEXT Annual Offering. As we enter our second year of our church’s 5-year vision, we will be laser-focused on what is NEXT for us, staying outreach-focused and intentional on reaching people for a more significant Gospel impact in our community, New England, and around the world. For more information on our 5-year vision, visit www.cityunited.church/future. Over this next year, we will be focused on enlarging, equipping, encouraging, and executing a flexible plan to make a significant Kingdom impact. For more information on the ministry initiatives that this year’s annual offering will fund, visit www.cityunited.church/next.


2. Membership and Baptism Sunday, January 29: Membership Sunday is a time when we honor those who have taken their Next Steps and are ready to make City United Church their church home. We will be recognizing them at the end of our online and campus gatherings. If you would like more information on taking this next step, please email the church office at office@cityunited.church. We will have baptisms during the 10:30 a.m. on-campus gathering.
If you have questions or would like to sign up to be biblically baptized, visit cityunited.church/events, choose Baptism and click on the link.


3. Next Steps Open House February 5, 2023, 11:45am - 1:00pm
Are you new to City United Church? Are you ready to start serving at City United? Do you want to learn more about how you can get connected to the mission and vision of our church? If so, plan on joining us at our Next Steps Open House. During this 1 hour on-campus meet-up you will have the opportunity to meet some of the staff and leadership of our church, hear about how we got started and why we do what we do, and hear about ways you can get connected and be a part of what’s happening here. Lunch is provided! To RSVP, visit cityunited.church/events, choose “Next Steps Open House,” click “Register Now” and complete the form.

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