Food for Thought: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

eXchange : relationship series begins

Tomorrow begins my sermon series on Romans chapters 9-11 entitled, "eXchange : relationship." I am excited to delve into the riches of Paul's teaching concerning Israel. These chapters are not easy to understand but are worth every minute of study. In them we discover God's past election of Israel, Israel's present rejection of the Messiah and future restoration. The passage for this week, Romans 9:1-13, we learn how God is faithful even when our circumstances are telling us otherwise.

5 Ways to Dig Deeper

Personalize the meaning. When God speaks to us through the Scriptures, we must respond. A helpful habit is personalizing the Bible through application. Ask, “How can my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?”
Capture the big idea. God’s Word communicates big ideas. Periodically ask, “What’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, or chapter?”
Ask and answer some questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down some thoughts on how you would answer these questions.
Put it into your own words. Read the passage or verse slowly, then rewrite each phrase of sentence using you own words.
Underline or highlight key words or phrases in the Bible passage. Use a pen or highlighter to mark new discoveries from the text. Periodically review your markings to see what God is teaching you.