KNOWING THE WORD EFFECTIVELY

by | Jul 2, 2024 | Bible study outline

(Living seed Vol 9 No 4 Oct 2002)

Introduction

God’s major instrument of ministry (apart from the human vessel – the minister) is the Word of God. God’s Word is His weapon of changing men, bringing them into His divine will. It is His comprehensive equipment for preparing, furnishing and preparing men, and sanctifying them until they are fit for His use (2 Tim3:15-17). Every man God has called for His service has a divine command to “Preach the Word”; “Go ye and preach the gospel…” “ Rightly dividing the Word of truth…”. For us to fulfill our calling in God’s vineyard, our relationship with the Word, our attitude to the Word, and our competence in holding fast and holding forth the Word of truth must be correct.

Every one of us must seek divine unction and heavenly utterance under the anointing in order to affect our hearers and get them on their knees before God. Every revival has always been brought about by this ministry of prayer and of the Word. The manifestation of God’s power has to be backed up by the true knowledge of the Word, for it to last and not dissipate as mere magic. Men must be roasted in the furnace of God’s Word for them to last in the Church and be reproductive. Any move, not rooted in the principle of God’s Word, will soon disappear like mist. A genuine test of true revival is that “the converts continued in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayer” Acts 2: 42.

Note the order; “Apostles doctrines”; “Fellowship”; “Breaking of bread’’; and in “Prayers”.
Where men cannot endure sound doctrine, their fellowship is vague and shallow… prayers are not effectual. Most of such converts remain babes and “‘pray for me’’ Christians.
“And the Word of God increased; and the nurnber of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” Acts 6:7.
When the Word of God increased, the number of the disciples multiplied; even priests became obedient to the faith… No longer did they argue with the truth using their theological experiences.

But note again… “The Word of God increased”! What could that mean? Does it mean more Bibles were brought? Certainly not! Apostles devoted themselves to this ministry of prayer and the ministry of the Word… so, the Word of God can actually grow and increase in community, depending on the devotion and effectiveness of the ministers of the Word.
“ …But the Word of God grew and multiplied” Acts 12:24
“So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed” Acts 19:20
We all have the charge to “preach the Word” “Hold forth the Word of life”. If our world must change; if our congregation must be sanctified; if many in our communities will be obedient to the faith … the Word must be preached faithfully and effectively. In this Bible study, we are seeking God’s wisdom and mercy to show us how to handle the Word for maximum results. As we prayerfully consider few things concerning the ministering of God’s word; may the Holy Spirit Himself help us and make us flames of fire in Jesus’ Name!

“And the Word of God increased; and the number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” Acts 6:7.

This Bible study, which is in three parts:

(A) KNOWING THE WORD;

(B) RECEIVEING THE WORD, and

(C) IMPARTING THE WORD

shall by God’s grace be spread accross the next two consecutive editions of LIVING SEED.

SECTION A

KNOWING THE WORD
In order to minister the Word effectively, we ourselves need to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand) the WORD of God, in all its nature, purpose, integrity and effect. This knowing must first be heart knowledge rather than head knowledge; it must be by life and experience, not just theoretically.
A personal, functional, precise and correct, but ever growing intimate knowledge of the WORD is the first basic ingredient every man needs to proclaim the message (by his own life and emotions). In this part of the study, we will focus on the NATURE OF GOD’S WORD.

ITS NATURE

1. Discuss the nature of God’s Word and its implication for our lives, in line with the various forms it is likened to in the Scripture;

a. The Word as SPIRIT AND LIFE; John 6:63.

b. The Word as HAMMER; AS FIRE; Jer. 23:29

c. The Word as LIGHT; AND LAMP; Ps. 119:105;

d. The Word as THE SEED; Mark 4:14

e. The Word as MIRROR; James 1:22-25 

f. The Word as THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY; Ps 19:7, James 1:25

g. The Word as SWORD; THE TRUTH; GOD’S TESTIMONY; Heb.4:12, John 17:17, 19; John 8:32, Ps 19:7-1]

h. The Word as GOD’S MESSENGER AND INSTRUMENT; Ps.107:20, Isaiah 55:10-11, Luke 7:6-10

2. What is the relationship between God’s Word and the Bible? What is the difference between the LETTER and the SPIRIT WORD? 2 Cor 3:6.

What effect do these create on you personally? How can you distinguish between the two? Jer.23:18,29-30, 2 Cor.3:6.

3. When God’s Word has actually gone forth or encountered a man, what definite effect must we expect? Isaiah 55:11, Amos 3:4-8, Rom3:2-4, Matt 5:17-19.

IT’S INSPIRATION, INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION.

  • What is the relevance of understanding the interpretation behind God’s Word? 2 Tim. 3: 14, 17, 2 Peter.1:16-21.
  • How does this knowledge of Biblical inspiration affect one’s attitude to Scriptures and handling of God’s Word?
  • What then is the essence to look for in Scriptures whether the historical books, or prophetic books, the Pentateuch or the Gospel or Epistles? Jn 6: 63.
  • How, when and where do we apply the Word to our lives practically? James 1; 19-25.

God’s ultimate is for His Word to be made flesh in His men, written and engraved in the tables of flesh (human hearts) not on stones…

How do we go about this? The climax of ministry is when man speaks the WORD that has been made his life and can boldly say “LOOK at me!” “Imitate me as I imitate God” (Phil. 3:17).

THE RIGHT POSTURE TO BE MAINTAINED TOWARDS THE WORD.

  • Humility and Reverence James 1:21, Isaiah 66:2b, 1Cor2:9, 11, 14.
  • Thirsty, Hungry and Receptive: Matt.5:3, 5: James.1:21
  • Determined to know the truth and ready to obey it come what may. 1Cor.2:2-5; John 8:31-32, Hos. 6:3.
  • Broken, tilled and prepared hearts: Mark4: 1-20, Hos. 10:12

As we conclude this section, the challenges we are leaving with you as a person desiring to be used of God in ministering His Word to others are: How much of the Word of God do you experience personally? What is your attitude to it: something to ‘study’ and preach to others, or an indispensable material with which to build your own life with?

Your sincere and correct answers to these will determine to a large extent the quality of your life, and the extent of your usefulness to God! May God continue to reveal the nature of His Word unto you.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the hearts: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Ps. 19:17-8.

NOTE: To get maximum benefits out of this study, we suggest you read the book “WHEN GOD SPEAKS”, and listen to a series of audio tapes titled: “MINISTERING THE WORD EFFECTIVELY” both by Gbile Akanni.

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