Christmas with Compassion - Day 23
Day 23 - Wednesday, January 03
Read 2 Timothy 3
Highlight
This chapter contains one of the great texts in the Bible about the divine inspiration of Scripture and what it is for. The word Paul uses is one of his own inventions (meaning that scholars have not found any other uses of this word in Greek earlier than this letter from Paul): theopneustos or ‘God-breathed.’ The term is genius, because it conveys the inspiration of God over all of Scripture while not denying that Scripture was written by human hands. God being the source tells us all that we need to know about Scripture because we know His character. He does not lie, so the Bible is true. He loves us, so His Word to us is for our benefit.
This is exactly what Paul says, pointing out that all of Scripture is useful because all of Scripture is from God. How is it useful? It’s useful for ‘teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training.’ In other words, it’s useful for both the positive and negative aspects of growth. Christian growth, as in child-rearing, entails both nurture and correction.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 2 Timothy 3
Highlight
This chapter contains one of the great texts in the Bible about the divine inspiration of Scripture and what it is for. The word Paul uses is one of his own inventions (meaning that scholars have not found any other uses of this word in Greek earlier than this letter from Paul): theopneustos or ‘God-breathed.’ The term is genius, because it conveys the inspiration of God over all of Scripture while not denying that Scripture was written by human hands. God being the source tells us all that we need to know about Scripture because we know His character. He does not lie, so the Bible is true. He loves us, so His Word to us is for our benefit.
This is exactly what Paul says, pointing out that all of Scripture is useful because all of Scripture is from God. How is it useful? It’s useful for ‘teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training.’ In other words, it’s useful for both the positive and negative aspects of growth. Christian growth, as in child-rearing, entails both nurture and correction.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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