Church of The Open Door

How to Use the Bible

“The Greatest Misuse of the Bible”

2 Timothy 4:1-5

The greatest misuse of the Bible may be the failure to preach it.

1. What does it mean to “preach the word”?

        a. Biblical examples of preaching: announce, tell, proclaim, herald

        b. “preach”- to boldly communicate to others a message of great importance

                • Includes but not limited to a “sermon”

        c. “the word”- the message of Christ, the Gospel, God’s Word

        d. “preach the word” means “boldly communicate the message of importance”

                • applies to pastors and non-pastors

2. Why should you “boldly communicate the message of Christ”?

        a. God has sent us and is always with us!

        b. Jesus is coming back as King and Judge!

        c. People need the truth!

3. How do you “boldly communicate the message of Christ”?

        a. with eager readiness

        b. with loving patience and persistence

        c. with appropriate correction, rebuke and encouragement

        d. with teaching and explaining

4. While you’re “boldly communicating the message of Christ…”

        a. don’t get discouraged or reactionary

        b. endure hardship

        c. tell others about the Gospel

        d. fulfill your purpose and ministry

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Your Life

Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4. In our culture today, where do people go to find teachers or teachings that tell us what we want to hear, rather than "sound and wholesome teaching?"

Read Acts 8:1-4. Then review the way Pastor Jim defined “preaching the word” as “boldly communicating the message of Christ.” When you heard in the sermon that regular believers went out “preaching the word” and that you too can “boldly communicate the message of Christ” what did you think?

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-2. How are you “prepared” to share the Word/the Gospel with others? What specific steps do you take to prepare yourself?

Many Christians can go weeks, years or even their whole life without sharing the good news of Christ with others. Is this lack of opportunities or lack of preparation? What is a step you can take to begin to change?

Challenge: What is one thing each of you can do this week to “preach the word”? How can you lovingly hold each other accountable to do that?

Read 2 Timothy 4:5. Have you ever thought of yourself as needing to fulfill a ministry? You have work to do...what is it?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Trustworthy Steward of God’s Resources/Living Surrendered

“How the Bible Helps Me Grow”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

1. God’s Word is powerful and can change your life

            God-breathed

            Life-giving

            Authoritative

2. God’s Word is practical for every part of your life

            for teaching what is right

            for rebuking what is right

            for correcting to make right

            for training to live right

3. God’s Word will prepare you for what God wants to do through your life

            God has a purpose for your life

God uses His Word to equip you for His purpose

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives

Do you remember when you got your first Bible? Share with the group when it was, what translation it was and whether or not you read it after you received it.

Paul states ALL Scripture is “God-breathed.” Do you have doubts about the Bible? (*encourage honesty from your group…this is not the time to “shame” people). What do we do when doubts arise?

Read 2 Tim. 3:16 as a group in several translations and then review point 2 from the sermon outline noticing the 4 practical ways God uses Scripture to grow us. Choose one and describe how it has changed your life.

If Scripture is from God and therefore authoritative, why is Pastor Jim always telling us we should question what we read and “bombard the text with questions”? How do questions help us grow as followers?

Paul states the reason for Scripture in verse 17. What is it? On average, would you say the world see Christians as people who are “thoroughly equipped” to do good and make a difference, or as Bible thumpers judging and shaming people? What needs to change?

What are trainings and classes about the Bible you would want to attend at Church of the Open Door?  Send a quick email to [email protected] with some ideas.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer/Loving God

How to Use the Bible

“When You Feel Like Giving Up”

2 Timothy 3:10-15

In difficult times when you are tempted to give up:

      1. Remember what you’ve been taught from the Word of God

                From pastors, leaders and disciplers

                From family

      2. Remember people who’ve been shaped by the Word of God

                God designed the role of modeling in learning the faith.

                Discipleship relationships are essential for Christian growth.

      3. Continue in what you’ve learned in the Word of God

               Keep reading the Bible

               Keep meditating on the Bible

               Keep studying the Bible

               Keep living the Bible

      4. Continue drawing on the power of the Word of God

               To give you wisdom

               To strengthen you

               To equip you

Use the Word of God to shape your life and you will have the power of God in your life.

"Stay Alert"

2 Timothy 3:1-9

We Need to Know About Evil, Empty Religion

1. The Season of Evil empty religion (3:1)

2. The Seriousness  of Evil empty religion (3:1)

3. The Specifics of Evil empty religion (3:2-5)

4. The Sneak of Evil empty religion (3:6-7)

5. The Size of Evil empty religion (3:8-9)

6. The Substitute to Evil empty religion

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Truth to Our Life

Since we all tend to be blind to our own hypocrisy, how can we guard against falling into empty religion?

What does it mean to be a lover of pleasure rather than a lover of God? Is it wrong to enjoy pleasurable things or experiences?

Of the specifics of evil empty religion, which of the 19 is the one that you need to be on the watch for the most? which one is the least concerning for you? and why?

Since the Bible condemns self-love, how is it that it is so pervasive in the modern church? Is the opposite of self-love to dump on yourself? Why/why not?

How can you know whether to correct an erring Christian (2:24-26) or to avoid him (3:5)? When or should you break fellowship with someone (see 1 Cor. 5:9-13)?

Knowing that evil will be clear to all whom are christians what do to make sure it is clear to us?

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer/Loving God

What Are You Waiting For?

2 Timothy 2:20-26

It’s About Time…

    To Clean House

Be Made Holy

Be Useful to the Master

Be Prepared for Every Good Work

    To Flee Youthful Lusts and Pursue Christ

    To Pursue Christ Together

    To Stay Focused on Christ and Disagree Don’t Quarrel

    To Be A Servant of Christ 

Not Quarrelsome

Kind to everyone

Able to Teach

Patient when Wrong

Gently Correcting Those Who Oppose

    Holiness Comes From God -- Captivity  Comes From the Evil One

Christ Came to Set the Captive Free And Call Us to Lead a Holy Life

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

If you grew up in the church, did you ever go to a church that tried to be totally separate from the world (don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t associate with those who do)?  How did that work?  Why do we need balance in this area?  How does Jesus’s call to live in the world but not of the world encourage us in this area?  How does it challenge us?

Why is holiness a forgotten topic?  Do you regularly think about holiness and the pursuit of holiness?  Do you consider some pursuits in direct contradiction to your pursuit of holiness?  How do you rectify your decisions?

When you have a serious disagreement with someone where they are in the wrong, how would you rate your kindness and gentleness?

What are the lusts of your youth that seem to keep popping up in your life?  Do you seem to constantly struggle with the same things?

Why does quarrelsomeness seem to be such a focus of Paul’s here in this section?  How does your pursuit of holiness affected by your ability to get along with people and love people?

Are you one that gets pulled into arguments and quarrels easily?  How do you treat people in these arguments?  Are you burning bridges on social media while trying to make a point?

How will you pursue holiness today?

Core Christlike Characteristics: Connected to God Through The Word and Prayer, Spirit-Led Servant

“Uncommonly common”

2 Timothy 2:20-26

I have a special purpose

I am prepared for my purpose

My purpose is my pursuit

My purpose is productive

My purpose is uncommonly common.

LifeGroup questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Other than car keys and your wallet what are the top 2 items you carry daily that have a special purpose?

Mentally, do you resonate more with being a ‘common’ follower of Jesus or someone set apart for a special purpose? Explain your answer.

Community is a huge part of finding our purpose in God and staying committed to it. Who has been someone you PURSUE righteousness, faith, love and peace with? Describe some benefits of pursuing faith together.

What are some common religious or “churchy” arguments that often turn into quarrels? Are these valid arguments or foolish? Defend your answer.

Read 2 timothy 2:25-26. Has God used your instruction and/or your life to help someone repent (change their mind) and escape the trap of the devil? Share your story.

In what common way might God uncommonly use your life to help others?

Christ-like Characteristic(s): Connected to God in Word and prayer, Intentional Evangelism, Relates with other centered love, Spirit led servant.

“Useful to the Master”

2 Timothy 2:20-26

We are all vessels…

1 - What are you made of?

2 - What are you made for?

3 - What are you full of?

4 - What / Who is making you?

Run away

Run to

Run with

5 - What are you made to do ?

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

Begin with a few minutes of silence for each person to listen to God and invite Him into this moment, then open in prayer.

Share with the group what kind of vessel you are - are you gold or clay, silver or wood?  Have you always felt that way?  Why / why not?

What is your purpose as a vessel?  Has God made that clear to you?  If not, how have you found purpose in your life up to this point?

Shame can keep us from feeling that being cleansed is even possible.  How has shame held you back from seeking the cleansing that only comes in Jesus?

What are some of the things, people, habits, conversations, that you need to run from starting today?

How is running to the things of God (His character and desires for us) strengthened by also running with those who also call on Him from a pure heart?

Close your time praying for people in your life that need to be freed from the Devil’s snare - ask that God would grant repentance leading to knowledge of the truth!

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Loving People/Living Surrendered

“Heed the Warnings”

2 Timothy 2:16-19

** WARNING ** WARNING **

Extreme Danger Ahead

Warnings

#1 Godless Empty Talk

Result: Further Godlessness

#2 Biohazard: Contagion Present

Result: Death and Decay

#3 Abandoning the Truth

Result: Leading Others Astray

Promise

#1 God’s Foundation Will Stand

Result: The Lord Knows His People

Result: His People Turn From Wickedness

Will You Reject or Receive the Solid Rock of Christ?

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

1. Role play: You’re at Grand Central Station, NYC waiting for your train. Commuters are all over

the place. Like out of a movie, someone smashes a vile of an unknown but infectious disease

right in the middle of the crowd...What do you do? What’s going through your mind?

2. That’s what happens when you face literal disease, but what about when you face spiritual

disease, or spiritual attack? Do you fight and/or flee with the same vigor? Or say...it’s ok, it’s

no big deal?

3. Is your normal, everyday talk leading people into godliness or into ungodliness? Is it spread-

ing life or death? What are you producing with your words? How do you need to change your

words?

4. 20 years from now, how do you want people talking about you? What do you want them to

say, to think, to remember? Your critical grumblings or your edifying graces?

5. Where do we abandon truth (in both subtle ways or overt ways)? How do we train ourselves

to live surrendered to the truth especially when that truth flies in the face of the common

cultural tides of thinking?

6. What do you do when the bible says one thing, but you feel a different way? Do you change

what the bible says, ignore that part, explain it away, yield to the teaching, struggle, surrender,

or breed apathy??

7. What warning do you most need to heed? (Perhaps it’s mentioned here in todays passage or

elsewhere in the Bible) How seriously do you take the promises and warnings of God?

CORE Christlike Characteristic:

Relates with others-centered love, Connected to God Through Word and Prayer

“Using the Bible Correctly”

2 Timothy 2:14-15

1. Reminders for helping God’s People

a. Be constructive not destructive with your words

b. Work hard so you won’t be ashamed

c. Use the Scriptures rightly not wrongly

2. Principles for handling God’s Word

a. Ask God for understanding and insight

b. Diligently examine the text

c. Compare translations that are accurate and readable

d. Look at the immediate and broader context

e. Identify the genre of literature

f. Note the historical and cultural background

g. One meaning, multiple applications

h. Teach towards application not just information

Accurate interpretation plus obedient application = life transformation

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives

1. Tell the group of your own experience or a story you’ve heard of wrongly handling a power tool.

2. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to work for? What type of effort did you give? How long did it take you to accomplish that goal?

3. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being “I have no idea” and 10 being “I have been trained and feel extremely confident,” how would you rate your own ability to handle God’s word? What can you do to get stronger in this area?

4. Which of the reminders that Paul sent to Timothy do you find most helpful?

Be constructive not destructive with your words

Work hard so you won’t be ashamed

Use the Scriptures rightly not wrongly

5. Like Timothy, we want to correctly handle the Word of God (vs. 15). Which of the principles for handling God’s Word from the sermon were new to you? Which do you find the most helpful as you study the Word of God?

Ask God for understanding and insight

Diligently examine the text

Compare translations that are accurate and readable

Look at the immediate and broader context

Identify the genre of literature

Note the historical and cultural background

One meaning, multiple applications

Teach towards application not just information

6. The Bible talks about the power of the tongue in many different places, equating it with a tree of life on the one hand (Proverbs 15:4), and a consuming forest fire on the other (James 3:5-6). Can you remember a time when someone used the power of the tongue to build you up? Did they use the Word of God? Share one of these times with the group.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer

Strongsville

“Muscle Memory: How Remembering Makes You Strong”

2 Timothy 2:8-13

1. How to Remember

Recall- retrieving data from our memory

Reflect- thinking and pondering on a memory

Respond- action influenced by recalling and reflecting

Muscle memory is a vital part of discipleship.

2. What to Remember

Remember Jesus Christ

his humanity: birth, life and death

his divinity: resurrection and Lordship

his message: the gospel of salvation

Remember faithful followers of Jesus

Remember the promises of Jesus

Remember the faithfulness of Jesus

As we practice remembering Jesus, it will strengthen us to become more like Jesus.

Core CHRISTlike Characteristic: Connected to God through the Word and Prayer/Loving God

LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Life

1. Who in your family or friend group has the hardest time remembering where they put

things?

2. We need personal heroes in our faith. Who is someone in your life who has endured as a

“faithful follower of Jesus”? How has their example affected your life?

3. Pastor Jim challenged us to practice “biblical remembering” as we obey 2 Timothy 2:8 to

remember Jesus. This involves 3 acts: recall, reflect and respond. How have you applied this

since Sunday? Be specific.

4. Pastor Jim also challenged us to apply the muscle memory principle to following Jesus.

What’s one action step you could do to begin training for new muscle memory?

5. The social stigma to keep quiet as Christians is real. How has persecution (or fear of

persecution) silenced your commitment to tell others about Jesus? What is a first step you

can take to change that?

6. The promises of God are a comfort to His people all throughout the Bible. Which promises

of God do you remember in times of difficulty?