How to Study the Bible Lesson 7 Reading The Bible as a Love Letter Bible Study Series Lesson 7 Reading The Bible as a Love Letter Pg. 27

Quick Review 1. Weve started with Observation The importance observing Scripture before attempting to interpret.

Quick Review Why should we study the Bible? Is there anything to gain? 1 Peter 2:2 (we spiritually grow) 1.Our Attitude (New Born Baby) 2.Our Appetite (Long For) Ps. 19:10 3.Aim (We might grow not know) How long have I been a Christian? How much have I spiritually grown?

Quick Review Why should we study the Bible? Is there anything to gain? 1 Peter 2:2 (we spiritually grow) Hebrews 5:11-14 Believers are suffering with a spiritual learning disability We have been bad stewards of TIME as it relates to our Bible Learning Maturity comes as a result of TRAINING

Can We Trust the Bible? 1.It is a Unit It is 66 books collected in one. 66 separate documents written over a period of over 1600 years, by more than 40 human authors, yet they all center around the theme of God and His relationship to humankind. Every book, paragraph and verse works together.

Can We Trust the Bible? The Bible is Gods Revelation – it is only through reading and understanding of the Bible we know what God wants us to know.

Can We Trust the Bible? The Bible is Inspired by God Inspired (1 Timothy 3:16-17) means God BREATHED 2 Peter 1:21 – men moved by the Holy Spirit

Can We Trust the Bible? The Bible is Inerrant (without errors) No mistakes Stood the test of science Some writings are figurative Matthew 4:1-11 and Matthew 5:17-18 Jesus referred to scripture (Mt. 8:4;10:15;12:17, 40; 19:3-5; and 24:38-39)

How then do I study the Bible? 1.I must have a strategy 2.I must have a method 3.I can not be lazy 4.I must have an openness to God 5. It will change your life (Romans 8:29)

Reading The Bible As A Love Letter Bible Study Series John 3:16-17

The Most Quoted Scripture in all the Bible talks about the Love of God

Lets Make it Personal For God so Love ______________, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son to ___________ to judge ____________, but that ____________ might be saved through Him.

If He loved them so much, what about you? the whole of human civilization the World The common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, He gave His Son to the World

Does this passage gets us to discuss Unconditional love? What is Unconditional love?

A feeling is something we get from someone, and when we stop getting it, we often change our behavior somehow. If we have to do something, or be a certain way, in order to receive love, that love is conditional. Instead, if you start thinking of love as the behavior itself, the reward becomes the feeling you get when you act a certain way, not when someone else acts a certain way. And you can continue acting this way all the time, regardless of how other people behave--it becomes an act of generosity.

ask yourself Always ask yourself, what is the most loving thing I can do for this particular person in this particular moment? Love isn't really one size fits all; what might be a loving act toward one person could be harmful to another person, in that it doesn't help them get closer to becoming a truly happy human being. Unconditional love is a new decision you need to make in every situation, not a hard and fast rule you can apply to everyone all the time.

Remember that love doesn't mean making sure someone is always comfortable. If you believe loving someone is about fostering their growth, most people acknowledge that pain and discomfort are part of growth, and if you shield someone from all pain or discomfort, you are not loving them.

Agape is one of the Koine Greek words translated into English as love, one which became particularly appropriated in Christian theology as the love of God or Christ for humankind. In the New Testament, it refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of ones fellow man. KoineGreek words translated into English as lovelove of GodChristNew Testament