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I SAW THE LORD PARTICIPANT'S GUIDE
A WAKE-UP CALL FOR YOUR HEART
By ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ Henry Blackaby Crawford Loritts John Tolsma Zondervan
Copyright © 2007 Anne Graham Lotz
All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-27520-6
Chapter One
SESSION ONE
Bible study Workshop
This Bible study workshop has a single purpose: to present an approach that will help you know God in a personal relationship and communicate with Him through His Word as you learn to listen to His voice. The following information is introduced in detail in the video presentation. Use this section of the participant's guide as your viewing guide and workshop material. Underline key thoughts and take additional notes as you participate in the workshop. (The passage used as the example in the video workshop is on pages 12-13; a sample of a completed study is on pages 14-15.)
What You Need for Bible Study
Bible Pen or pencil Notebook Time Prayer, open attitude
* * *
Steps to Bible Study
Step 1: Read God's Word.
Begin by reading the designated passage of Scripture printed in eachsession which is divided into days (if your group meets less frequently than once a week, you may want to extend your study time for each passage). When you have finished reading the daily passage, move on to step 2.
Step 2: What does God's Word say? (List the facts.)
When you have finished reading the passage, make a verse-by-verse list of the outstanding facts. Don't get caught up in the details; just pinpoint the most obvious facts. Ask yourself: Who is speaking? What is the subject? Where is it taking place? When did it happen? As you make your list, do not paraphrase, but use actual words from the passage itself.
Step 3: What does God's Word mean? (Learn the lessons.)
After reading the passage and listing the facts, look for a lesson to learn from each fact. Ask yourself: What are the people in the passage doing that I should be doing? Is there a command I should obey? A promise I should claim? A warning I should heed? An example I should follow? Focus on spiritual lessons.
Step 4: What does God's Word mean to me? (Listen to His voice.)
Though step 4 is the most meaningful, you can't do it effectively until you complete the first three steps. In order to complete step 4, rephrase the lessons you found in step 3 and put them in the form of questions you could ask yourself, your spouse, your child, your friend, your neighbor, or your coworker. As you write the questions, listen for God to communicate to you through His Word.
There are some challenging passages in this study. Don't get hung up on what you don't understand. Look for the general principles and lessons that can be learned. The introduction prior to the passages in sessions 2-8 as well as the examples offered in steps 2, 3, and 4 of this session will help you get started.
Remember, don't rush. It may take you several moments of prayerful meditation to discover meaningful lessons and hear God speaking to you. The object is not to get through it, but to develop a vibrant personal relationship with God.
Step 5: How will I respond to God's Word? (Live it out!)
Read the assigned Scripture passages prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for God to speak. He may not speak to you through every verse, but He will speak. When He does, record in the step 5 column the verse number (if applicable), what it is He seems to be saying to you, and your response to Him. You might like to date it as a means not only of keeping a spiritual journal, but also of holding yourself accountable to following through in obedience. God bless you as you seek to learn this simple yet effective method of reading His Word, that you might hear His voice speaking to you personally through it.
STEP 1
Read God's Word Mark 9:2-8.
v.2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
v.3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
v.4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
v.5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
v. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
v.7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
v.8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
STEP 2
What does God's Word say? List the facts.
STEP 3
What does God's Word mean? Learn the lessons.
STEP 4
What does God's Word mean to me? Listen to His voice.
STEP 5
How will I respond to God's Word? Live it out!
STEP 1
Read God's Word Mark 9:2-8.
v.2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
v.3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
v.4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
v.5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
v. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
v.7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
v.8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
STEP 2
What does God's Word say? List the facts.
v.2 Jesus led Peter, James, and John alone up a mountain where he was transfigured.
v.3 His clothes became dazzling white.
v.4 Moses and Elijah appeared.
v.5 Peter said, "Let us put up 3 shelters."
v.6 He didn't know what to say.
v.7 A voice spoke from the cloud saying to listen to My Son.
v.8 Suddenly they no longer saw anyone but Jesus.
STEP 3
What does God's Word mean? Learn the lessons.
v.2 We need to get away with Jesus-He wants to be alone with us.
v.3 When we are alone, He reveals Himself to us in fresh ways-we have a fresh vision of who He is-His glory.
v.4 Jesus is the focus of history-and eternity.
v.5 Sometimes we want to stay on the mountain.
v.6 If we don't know what to say, it's best to say nothing.
v.7 God speaks to us-commands us to listen to Jesus.
v.8 When everything passes away, there will still be Jesus.
STEP 4
What does God's Word mean to me? Listen to His voice.
v.2 When do I make time to get alone with Jesus?
v.3 What fresh revelation of Jesus do I have because I make time for Him?
v.4 What is my attitude toward the Old Testament? Where is my focus?
v.5 Why am I reluctant to go back to the valley?
v.6 When have I spoken when I should have been silent?
v.7 Will I be obedient to God's command and make the time to listen to His voice?
v.8 How am I investing in that which will last?
STEP 5
How will I respond to God's Word? Live it out!
As I begin this study, I need to commit to regular time alone with the Lord, listening for His voice to speak to me through His Word.
Wrapping Up
Have you had an aversion to reading the Bible? Have you thought it was boring or irrelevant or confusing? Then I want to invite you to climb up into the Lord's lap and let Him "read" it to you. Hearing His voice within its pages will transform your aversion into a lifetime of joyful discovery and keep you seeing Him ... always. I Saw The LORD, p. 194
Now that you've had a chance to practice this method, use it! Pick your favorite passage from the Bible and try doing the three questions (Steps 2-4) to unlock new meaning from the Scripture for your life. Enjoy the thrill of hearing God speak to you! Personally!
Preparing for the Next Session
First, read 2 Chronicles 34 in one sitting for the overview of the Scripture to be discussed in session 2. Then, in the time prior to your meeting, complete the four daily Bible study portions on pages 18-25. As you do, be prepared for what God will do as He reminds you and me that many of us are sleeping! It's time to begin the process of personal revival!
(Continues...)
Excerpted from I SAW THE LORD PARTICIPANT'S GUIDE by ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ Henry Blackaby Crawford Loritts John Tolsma Copyright © 2007 by Anne Graham Lotz. Excerpted by permission.
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