BIBLE RESOURCES
Hello!
I’m so glad that you are here! You hold in your hands one of God’s greatest gifts to us, His Word. It is our prayer that within these pages you encounter the God who redeems, restores, and renews.
The Apostle Paul once wrote, 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We also know that reading and understanding the Bible, or simply knowing where to start, can be confusing. I hope that this page can be a helpful guide.
I’m so glad that you are here! You hold in your hands one of God’s greatest gifts to us, His Word. It is our prayer that within these pages you encounter the God who redeems, restores, and renews.
The Apostle Paul once wrote, 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We also know that reading and understanding the Bible, or simply knowing where to start, can be confusing. I hope that this page can be a helpful guide.
Below, you will find:
• A Simple Method to Hear from God through His Word
• Reading Plans
• A Simple Method to Hear from God through His Word
• Reading Plans
Getting Started:
Choose a Book of the Bible, then read a chapter in one sitting! After that, grab a journal and use the HEAR method for journal entry. Each entry can be a sentence or a paragraph. If you are new to the Bible, start with the book of John or Mark in the New Testament section.
HIGHLIGHT:
Pick a verse or section of verses in the passage that jump out at you while reading.
EXPLAIN:
In a few sentences, explain what is going on in those verses. A good commentary or study Bible can be really helpful during this part. We recommend using the ESV Study Bible. You can use these questions as a guide to help you in explaining it:
• Why was this written?
• To whom was it originally written?
• How does it fit with the verses before and after it?
• Why did the Holy Spirit include this passage in the book?
• What is He intending to communicate through this text?
• What does it mean?
APPLY:
This section is the heart of the process and where life change occurs! These verses will go from being words on a page or a historical text to speaking specifically to your life and what is going on with you right now. In a few sentences, write about how this text applies to your life. Here are a few questions you can use to help reveal how the verses may personally apply:
• In these verses, is there a truth to believe, a promise to remember, a sin to be warned of, or a command to obey?
• How can this help me live differently?
• What would the application of this verse look like in my life?
• What is God saying to me through this passage?
• How does the passage point to Christ?
RESPOND:
Now, it is time to respond to the Scripture you have been looking at. Responding can look different depending on the Scripture and what the Lord is laying on your heart. Write down how you are going to respond. Responding can be:
• A call to action—what do I need to do because of these verses?
• A call to repentance—what needs to change in my life because of these verses? How will I live differently because of the truth in this Scripture?
• Prayer—responding to the Lord in prayer
HEAR Example:
John 3
H: 3:36
E: John explains that whoever believes in the Christ has eternal life. A full life of joy, satisfaction, and peace in Christ is not simply viewed as a future reality. It is something that the believer possesses currently in many ways. Although it will be fully realized when all things are made new, it can be presently enjoyed by the believer. The reality for those that do not place their faith in Christ as the rescuer who has come have a very different fate. Instead of inheriting eternal life, they have the wrath of God remaining upon them.
A: There are two options for people presented here. There is no in between. The wrath of God shows how much God hates my sin. The present promises of abundant life in Christ prove that any thing I pursue other than Christ is a huge let down. It is actually much less satisfying than the eternal life of knowing and following Jesus.
R: Lord, protect my heart from seeking satisfaction apart from you. Guard me from moments that I forget your promises or do not believe them. Let the wrath of God against sin be a motivation for sharing your gospel and applying it to my own heart. I ask these things in the powerful name of Christ.
Choose a Book of the Bible, then read a chapter in one sitting! After that, grab a journal and use the HEAR method for journal entry. Each entry can be a sentence or a paragraph. If you are new to the Bible, start with the book of John or Mark in the New Testament section.
HIGHLIGHT:
Pick a verse or section of verses in the passage that jump out at you while reading.
EXPLAIN:
In a few sentences, explain what is going on in those verses. A good commentary or study Bible can be really helpful during this part. We recommend using the ESV Study Bible. You can use these questions as a guide to help you in explaining it:
• Why was this written?
• To whom was it originally written?
• How does it fit with the verses before and after it?
• Why did the Holy Spirit include this passage in the book?
• What is He intending to communicate through this text?
• What does it mean?
APPLY:
This section is the heart of the process and where life change occurs! These verses will go from being words on a page or a historical text to speaking specifically to your life and what is going on with you right now. In a few sentences, write about how this text applies to your life. Here are a few questions you can use to help reveal how the verses may personally apply:
• In these verses, is there a truth to believe, a promise to remember, a sin to be warned of, or a command to obey?
• How can this help me live differently?
• What would the application of this verse look like in my life?
• What is God saying to me through this passage?
• How does the passage point to Christ?
RESPOND:
Now, it is time to respond to the Scripture you have been looking at. Responding can look different depending on the Scripture and what the Lord is laying on your heart. Write down how you are going to respond. Responding can be:
• A call to action—what do I need to do because of these verses?
• A call to repentance—what needs to change in my life because of these verses? How will I live differently because of the truth in this Scripture?
• Prayer—responding to the Lord in prayer
HEAR Example:
John 3
H: 3:36
E: John explains that whoever believes in the Christ has eternal life. A full life of joy, satisfaction, and peace in Christ is not simply viewed as a future reality. It is something that the believer possesses currently in many ways. Although it will be fully realized when all things are made new, it can be presently enjoyed by the believer. The reality for those that do not place their faith in Christ as the rescuer who has come have a very different fate. Instead of inheriting eternal life, they have the wrath of God remaining upon them.
A: There are two options for people presented here. There is no in between. The wrath of God shows how much God hates my sin. The present promises of abundant life in Christ prove that any thing I pursue other than Christ is a huge let down. It is actually much less satisfying than the eternal life of knowing and following Jesus.
R: Lord, protect my heart from seeking satisfaction apart from you. Guard me from moments that I forget your promises or do not believe them. Let the wrath of God against sin be a motivation for sharing your gospel and applying it to my own heart. I ask these things in the powerful name of Christ.