1. “Do You Understand What You Are Reading?” Acts 8:30

2. Do you understand what you are reading?
Acts 8:26-40, Philip joins the eunuch and asks the question.
Philip begins with the passage and preaches Jesus to him
The eunuch obeys the gospel
Do you understand what you are reading?

3. Do you understand what you are reading?
Are we incapable of understanding the word of God by ourselves?
Can God’s word be understood?
Do you understand what you are reading?

4. God’s Word Can be Understood
Eph. 3:3-5
Eph. 5:17
2 Tim. 2:15
1 Pet. 2:1-2
God’s Word Can be Understood

5. We CANNOT understand His word
He is the author of confusion
The Bible is Irrelevant
WE cannot know how to be saved
WE cannot know how to please God!
True unity cannot be achieved IF
We CANNOT understand His word

6. HOW to understand what you are reading

7. to understand God’s word
Realize we CAN understand it! Eph. 5:17
to understand God’s word
How

8. to understand God’s word
Approach your study with proper motives
to understand God’s word
How

9. to understand God’s word
Improper motives:
To validate what you already believe
With emotions over truth
Appealing to human authority
to understand God’s word
How

10. to understand God’s word
Improper motives:
With apathy and indifference
As a hobby
to understand God’s word
How

11. to understand God’s word
Proper motives:
To learn to fully please God
Colossians 1:10
1 Thess. 2:4
1 Thess. 4:1-2
to understand God’s word
How

12. to understand God’s word
Proper motives:
To make sure your salvation
2 Pet. 1:10
1 John 5:13
Eph. 1:17-18
to understand God’s word
How

13. to understand God’s word
Proper motives:
To be better equipped to teach others
1 Pet. 3:15
Do we want to share our hope with others? Will we make sure we have the truth – Jas. 3:1
to understand God’s word
How

14. to understand God’s word
Desire to learn!
A craving to be right
Matt. 5:6
Matt. 13:45-46 – the pearl
2 Tim. 2:15
2 Pet. 1:10
to understand God’s word
How

15. to understand God’s word
Study! Study! Study!
To consider or weigh the meaning. To put forth effort to understand and acquire accurate knowledge.
to understand God’s word
How

16. to understand God’s word
Study! Study! Study!
There is a difference between reading and studying
2 Tim. 2:15
Phil. 4:8 – meditate on these things
to understand God’s word
How

17. to understand God’s word
Study! Study! Study!
Acts 17:11, search the scriptures daily
Psalm 1:2, In His law he meditates day and night.
to understand God’s word
How

18. to understand God’s word
Study! Study! Study!
Utilize resources – word studies, concordances, cross- references, personal notes, commentaries, comparing versions, etc.
to understand God’s word
How

19. to understand God’s word
Respect its boundaries
1 Cor. 4:6 Rev. 22:18-19
Keep it in context
Division occurs when we go beyond! (2 John 9)
to understand God’s word
How

20. to understand God’s word
Intend to obey!
Matt. 28:19-20
1 John 5:2-3
Prov. 23:23 “Buy the truth and sell it not”
1 Tim. 4:16 –take heed
to understand God’s word
How

21. to understand God’s word
Accompany your study with prayer
James 1:5
Matt. 7:7-8
to understand God’s word
How

22. Are all things easy to understand
No! 2 Pet. 3:16 – not “impossible”
Bible study is NEVER exhausted!
Some things we may never understand – Deut. 29:29
Are all things easy to understand

23. Sometimes we can learn from others, but weight it with what the Bible actually says – Eph. 4:14, Acts 17:11
What about the Eunuch?

24. With the Eunuch the New Testament not yet complete
Inspired men delivered the message
The prophecy had only recently been fulfilled. Not all knew about it!
We HAVE the completed word – Jude 3
What about the Eunuch?

25. Are you obeying God even in this?
Yes we CAN understand God’s word.
Prov. 2:1-5
Are you obeying God even in this?