Words of Growth

The Bible is God’s word, the same word that breathed life into people, the Word that is identified as Jesus himself. This word is not just full of information, it transforms and gives life.

What does the Bible say about how the Bible enables growth? -

1. Choosing God's word - Psalms 1
2. Source of life - John 15:1-8
3. God’s word enlivens - Psalms 19:7-11
4. Don’t neglect source - Deuteronomy 8:2-5
5. Penetrating Word - Hebrews 4v12

Choosing God's word

Psalms 1

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What choices are described in Psalm 1?
2. What is the outcomes for each choice?
3. What does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord?

Thoughts to consider

Meditating on God’s word is prayerfully thinking about the meaning from many different angles, what specific words mean, what is the big picture being described, what are the choices and outcomes being described. When we do this, God has an opportunity to enter our thinking and for us to engage with him about life.

Source of life

John 15:1-8

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What choices are described in this passage?
2. What do you think it means to remain in Jesus?
3. What practically would help you develop fruitfulness?

Thoughts to consider

Just as a vine cannot produce fruit if it is disconnected from the source of sap in the vine, so we cannot be fruitful in our lives if we are not being nourished by Jesus the true vine. That generally means through his Word and through prayer.

God’s word enlivens

Psalms 19:7-11

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. How are the words of the Lord described here?
2. What can the Lord's word do to someone’s life?
3. What practices do you have or could you develop for receiving God’s word?

Thoughts to consider

There is a quality of life that comes when I read the Bible with a prayerful attitude of asking the Lord to meet with me in it and a willingness for him to put his finger on areas of life for the sake of change. Somehow, when I read it is life giving.

Don’t neglect source

Deuteronomy 8:2-5

Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. Why did the people having need to go through the desert?
2. What does it mean that we don’t live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God?
3. How would you go about living on God’s word?

Thoughts to consider

One reason the Lord takes us through challenging times is to help us to learn that our needs are not just physical and that we need to depend on him and his word.

Penetrating Word

Hebrews 4v12

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What does it mean that the word of God penetrates our thoughts and desires?
2. Why would the word need to be alive and powerful to do this?
3. How do we know when the Lord has exposed our innermost thoughts and desires?

Thoughts to consider

When we are in a challenging situation, or when we are in a dilemma about what to do, it may be that the Lord will bring to mind a passage of scripture to give us his perspective on the decision at hand.

Overview question for reflection or discussion

1. What does the Word of God do in a person’s life?
2. Why do you think God would want to give life through the Bible?
3. How might you plan on receiving God’s word in your life?

Thoughts to consider

God’s word is both objective fact to read and learn from and it is a spiritual and emotional food that nurtures us and builds us up. Any input of God’s word will impact life. A regular and balanced input is especially good.

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