Chapter One
SESSION ONE
Bible study Workshop
This Bible study workshop has a single purpose: to present an approach that
will help you know God in a personal relationship and communicate with Him
through His Word as you learn to listen to His voice. The following information is
introduced in detail in the video presentation. Use this section of the participant's
guide as your viewing guide and workshop material. Underline key thoughts and
take additional notes as you participate in the workshop. (The passage used as the
example in the video workshop is on pages 12-13; a sample of a completed study is
on pages 14-15.)
What You Need for Bible Study
Bible Pen or pencil
Notebook Time
Prayer, open attitude
* * *
Steps to Bible Study
Step 1: Read God's Word.
Begin by reading the designated passage of Scripture printed in each session which
is divided into days (if your group meets less frequently than once a week, you may
want to extend your study time for each passage). When you have finished reading
the daily passage, move on to step 2.
Step 2: What does God's Word say?(List the facts.)
When you have finished reading the passage, make a verse-by-verse list of the outstanding
facts. Don't get caught up in the details; just pinpoint the most obvious
facts. Ask yourself: Who is speaking? What is the subject? Where is it taking place?
When did it happen? As you make your list, do not paraphrase, but use actual words
from the passage itself.
Step 3: What does God's Word mean?(Learn the lessons.)
After reading the passage and listing the facts, look for a lesson to learn from each
fact. Ask yourself: What are the people in the passage doing that I should be doing?
Is there a command I should obey? A promise I should claim? A warning I should
heed? An example I should follow? Focus on spiritual lessons.
Step 4: What does God's Word mean to me?(Listen to His voice.)
Though step 4 is the most meaningful, you can't do it effectively until you complete
the first three steps. In order to complete step 4, rephrase the lessons you found in
step 3 and put them in the form of questions you could ask yourself, your spouse,
your child, your friend, your neighbor, or your coworker. As you write the questions,
listen for God to communicate to you through His Word.
There are some challenging passages in this study. Don't get hung up on what you
don't understand. Look for the general principles and lessons that can be learned.
The introduction prior to the passages in sessions 2-8 as well as the examples offered
in steps 2, 3, and 4 of this session will help you get started.
Remember, don't rush. It may take you several moments of prayerful meditation
to discover meaningful lessons and hear God speaking to you. The object is not to get
through it, but to develop a vibrant personal relationship with God.
Step 5: How will I respond to God's Word?(Live it out!)
Read the assigned Scripture passages prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively
as you listen for God to speak. He may not speak to you through every verse,
but He will speak. When He does, record in the step 5 column the verse number (if
applicable), what it is He seems to be saying to you, and your response to Him. You
might like to date it as a means not only of keeping a spiritual journal, but also of
holding yourself accountable to following through in obedience. God bless you as you
seek to learn this simple yet effective method of reading His Word, that you might
hear His voice speaking to you personally through it.
STEP 1
Read God's Word
Mark 9:2-8.
v.2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James
and John with him and led them up
a high mountain, where they were
all alone. There he was transfigured
before them.
v.3 His clothes became dazzling white,
whiter than anyone in the world could
bleach them.
v.4 And there appeared before them
Elijah and Moses, who were talking
with Jesus.
v.5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good
for us to be here. Let us put up three
shelters-one for you, one for Moses
and one for Elijah."
v. (He did not know what to say, they
were so frightened.)
v.7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped
them, and a voice came from the
cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love.
Listen to him!"
v.8 Suddenly, when they looked around,
they no longer saw anyone with them
except Jesus.
STEP 2
What does God's Word say?
List the facts.
STEP 3
What does God's Word mean?
Learn the lessons.
STEP 4
What does God's Word mean to me?
Listen to His voice.
STEP 5
How will I respond to God's Word?
Live it out!
STEP 1
Read God's Word
Mark 9:2-8.
v.2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James
and John with him and led them up
a high mountain, where they were
all alone. There he was transfigured
before them.
v.3 His clothes became dazzling white,
whiter than anyone in the world could
bleach them.
v.4 And there appeared before them
Elijah and Moses, who were talking
with Jesus.
v.5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good
for us to be here. Let us put up three
shelters - one for you, one for Moses
and one for Elijah."
v. (He did not know what to say, they
were so frightened.)
v.7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped
them, and a voice came from the
cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love.
Listen to him!"
v.8 Suddenly, when they looked around,
they no longer saw anyone with them
except Jesus.
STEP 2
What does God's Word say?
List the facts.
v.2 Jesus led Peter, James, and John
alone up a mountain where he was
transfigured.
v.3 His clothes became dazzling white.
v.4 Moses and Elijah appeared.
v.5 Peter said, "Let us put up 3 shelters."
v.6 He didn't know what to say.
v.7 A voice spoke from the cloud saying
to listen to My Son.
v.8 Suddenly they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus.
STEP 3
What does God's Word mean?
Learn the lessons.
v.2 We need to get away with Jesus-He
wants to be alone with us.
v.3 When we are alone, He reveals
Himself to us in fresh ways-we
have a fresh vision of who He is-His
glory.
v.4 Jesus is the focus of history-and
eternity.
v.5 Sometimes we want to stay on the
mountain.
v.6 If we don't know what to say, it's best
to say nothing.
v.7 God speaks to us-commands us to
listen to Jesus.
v.8 When everything passes away, there
will still be Jesus.
STEP 4
What does God's Word mean to me?
Listen to His voice.
v.2 When do I make time to get alone
with Jesus?
v.3 What fresh revelation of Jesus do I
have because I make time for Him?
v.4 What is my attitude toward the Old
Testament?
Where is my focus?
v.5 Why am I reluctant to go back to the
valley?
v.6 When have I spoken when I should
have been silent?
v.7 Will I be obedient to God's command
and make the time to listen to His
voice?
v.8 How am I investing in that which will
last?
STEP 5
How will I respond to God's Word?
Live it out!
As I begin this study, I need to commit to regular time alone with the Lord, listening for
His voice to speak to me through His Word.
Wrapping Up
Have you had an aversion to reading the Bible? Have you thought it was
boring or irrelevant or confusing? Then I want to invite you to climb up
into the Lord's lap and let Him "read" it to you. Hearing His voice within
its pages will transform your aversion into a lifetime of joyful discovery
and keep you seeing Him . always.
I Saw The LORD, p. 194
Now that you've had a chance to practice this method, use it! Pick your favorite passage
from the Bible and try doing the three questions (Steps 2-4) to unlock new
meaning from the Scripture for your life. Enjoy the thrill of hearing God speak to
you! Personally!
Preparing for the Next Session
First, read 2 Chronicles 34 in one sitting for the overview of the Scripture to be discussed
in session 2. Then, in the time prior to your meeting, complete the four daily
Bible study portions on pages 18-25. As you do, be prepared for what God will do as
He reminds you and me that many of us are sleeping! It's time to begin the process
of personal revival!
(Continues.)
