Won’t You Join Me at the Table?

Doctrine & Disciplines of the Bible

God invites us to:

Believe Him.

Trust Him.

Fear Him.

Obey Him.

Worship Him.

But most importantly…

Enjoy Him.

Day One:

As Christians, we are invited to delight in God and the things of God through spiritual disciplines. These practices are available to all believers, such as spending time in Scripture, prayer, worship, evangelism, serving, stewardship, fasting, or learning. The goal of these disciplines is not just to do them but to become like and abide by Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the purpose of Christian disciplines is godliness, to become a better reflection of Christ. We should not sit still but take action to grow in holiness. Spiritual disciplines are for our good, providing a pathway to receive God’s grace and know and enjoy Jesus Christ.

1. How can spending time in Scripture help us become more like Jesus Christ?

2. What is the ultimate goal of Christian disciplines?

3. What are some spiritual practices available to all believers?

4. Why is it important to take action to grow in holiness?

5. How can spiritual disciplines help us receive God’s grace?

Day Two:

The biblical way to become more like Jesus is through the rightly motivated practice of spiritual disciplines. If we want to know God and be godly, we must understand the Word of God. Self-control is necessary for godliness, and Christlikeness comes from a lifetime of consistency in Bible reading. The power and perfection of God’s Word are eternal, and it feeds the heart, mind, and soul. Eating God’s words means taking them in by hearing, reading, or studying. With consistency, hearing, reading, and studying Scripture, God’s voice becomes a joy and delight.

1. What are some spiritual disciplines mentioned in the text that can help us become more like Jesus?

2. Why is self-control necessary for godliness?

3. What is the role of consistency in Bible reading in developing Christlikeness?

4. How can we take in God’s words according to the text?

5. Why is hearing, reading, and studying Scripture important for hearing God’s voice?

Day Three:

The most accessible discipline is related to hearing God’s Word. However, we may only listen to it accidentally or unintentionally if we are not disciplined. Sadly, studies show that many Americans do not read the Bible regularly. As believers, we must develop regular rhythms and practices to engage with God’s Word. This can be daily, weekly, or monthly. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we learn that Bible knowledge is helpful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Therefore, we should develop habits to engage with God’s Word regularly for our growth and to help others.

1. How often do you engage with God’s Word?

2. What practices or rhythms can you develop to engage with the Bible regularly?

3. How has engaging with God’s Word helped your growth?

4. How can you use your knowledge of the Bible to help others?

5. Are there any obstacles or challenges preventing you from engaging with God’s Word regularly, and how can you overcome them?

Day Four:

God has revealed himself through his actions, words, and in person. The Bible records this revelation and aims to make us wise for salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ. Christ is the ultimate vehicle of God’s self-disclosure, and only in the Son can we meet the fullness of the revelation of the Father. The Scriptures allow us to meet and commune with our Savior. Timothy Ward writes that the shape of God’s revelatory and redemptive activity in the world is initially focused on his covenant people of Israel and comes to a climax in the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of his Son before spreading to the whole world through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Scripture primarily reports God’s great acts in redemptive history. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the ability to recall accurately the words and deeds of Jesus and to record and interpret them rightly.

Read the following passages:

– Luke 24:25-27

– John 1:1

– John 14:26

– John 16:13-14

– Psalm 119:105-112

– Romans 1:18-23

– Hebrews 1:1-2

Despite the rejection and rebellion of sinners, the Bible’s storyline still speaks today. Christianity is based on knowledge that comes to us from God himself, and his truth is far superior to anything we gain from our worldly analysis of situations, introspection, or observation of circumstances and the world around us. Christians follow the light of the Word as our guide and can trust it to give us life and delight until the very end of our days.

What internal or external influences hinder you from Bible intake? Are you listening to a voice that is not God’s? Do you place secular voices above God’s authoritative Word?

Day Five:

By man’s sinful nature, we are spiritually blind and dead. The light of God’s Word comes to us in our spiritual sickness and blindness, and Scripture provides God’s prescription for this spiritual illness. Ward emphasizes that the words of the Bible are a significant aspect of God’s action in the world and that the relationship between God and the Bible is about the activities God uses the Bible to perform. The Word of God is living and active.

Read the following passages:

– 1 Corinthians 2:7-13

– Ephesians 1:13

– Ephesians 2:1-5

– Ephesians 6:17

– Hebrews 4:12

– 1 Peter 2:2-3

Do you know someone who lives by the Word of God?
Is their life characterized by day-to-day consistency?
If so, how would you say this person is living out 1 Corinthians 2:7-13? How does this encourage you?
Where is the evidence that you are living out your salvation?

Sin-sick souls are invited to feast on God’s Word. Scripture works by way of the Spirit over the heart and mind, time and time again. It changes our attitude, outlook, and conduct. When we settle for poor intake of God’s Word (hearing, reading, and studying), we diminish the main corridor of God’s communication.

Read the following passages:

– Romans 12:2

– Philippians 1:9-10

– Colossians 1:9-10

If the Spirit strengthens the soul as we engage in the hearing, reading, and study of God’s Word, have you become weak?
Specifically, if you were to gauge your strength in numbers, where would it fall between 1 and 10?
Do you understand the Bible’s big story and its overarching theme?
Can you recall a situation or circumstance when the Bible has been instrumental in a life decision?

Further Study:

The Bible is at the center of providing an orientation to life, which directs us in all we do and helps us face life’s challenges. The believer should shape her life with the Word of Life. We see God’s faithfulness and consistency as He has worked in the lives of our spiritual ancestors in the Bible. We see how people of the Bible respond in different situations, so when we’re going through times of discouragement, we can react accordingly.

Read the following passages:

– Psalm 1:2

– Acts 20:32

– Romans 15:4

– James 1:22-25

Do your thoughts about the direction in discipline and orientation toward a Christ-centered life motivate you to implement practices that will shape your life with God’s Word?
Which methods (corporate or private) came to mind?
Do you foresee these practices turning into God-honoring lifestyle habits?
Why or why not?

Finally, as Christians, we read the Bible for breadth and study it for depth. Maturity is characterized by sound theology and, at least, in part, is measured by the embrace of sound doctrine and the rejection of false declaration. Accordingly, the Christian belief involves not just our head but our whole being: mind, emotions, will, motivations, attitudes, intentions, behavior, and words. Therefore, Christians should have a robust appetite for the Word for all these things. Won’t you join me at the table?