Water

Good Wednesday to you,

Few things refresh the way a glass of water does. Though it is without color, taste or odor, or any nutritional value, we cannot live without it. On the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him (or her) come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within."

Food and water are essential for our physical survival. Jesus, the Bread of Life and the source of Living Water, is essential for our spiritual survival. Three days without physical water and we begin to die. How is it we think we can go longer without spiritual water and survive?

The religious leaders of Jesus' day tried to badger the people into "self-censorship." Challenge the orthodoxy of the day and be excommunicated. I find it painfully ironic that we Christians face a similar dilemma today. If we speak out against the prevailing "orthodoxy" of our day, we face social excommunication. The only way we can stand is to understand our times and be spiritually "well-fed." Spending time daily reading Scripture and in prayer are essential in not just surviving, but growing spiritually. Below, I have included a basic "Three Question Bible Study" for your consideration. If you want something more substantial, consider Bible Study Fellowship or Community Bible Study. These are two serious Bible studies available, but you will have to "cross the bridge" to participate. There are others in the congregation who already participate in such Bible studies. If you are interested, I can connect you with them.

Next week, we will continue with a narrative of the "woman caught in adultery." If you want a preview, read John 7:53-8:11.

I hope you enjoyed meeting our new Director of Children's Ministries, Adrian Pelser. As he stated on Sunday, we are in need of some help to strengthen our Sunday School program. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity to exercise your faith, send him (or me) and email at adrian@gmpc.org. 

We are down to four months before I retire. The time is going by quickly. Please join me in praying for the future of Graham Memorial. God loves this community more than all of us put together, but we still need to pray for God's choice to lead this ministry in the next chapter.

Stay tuned for information on a prayer opportunity coming to you soon!

Grace and peace,
Pastor David

Three Question Bible Study

Begin by reading the passage to be studied… If you have time, read it again.

Question one: What is the passage about?
            Write down the facts or content of the passage. For example: Who are the people, if any? What are they doing? Where does it take place? When? Write a brief sentence summarizing the content of the passage.

Question two: What do I learn from this passage?
            Ask yourself questions like: Is there a warning, a command or a promise in this passage? Is there an example to follow or not to follow? What is the main truth of this passage? Is there a lesson or a principle that is a universal truth? Why do you think this passage is in Scripture? Why might God have put it in?
            What does the passage reveal about the character of God (His attributes, ways of relating to people, emotions, His views about something, reasons to love Him more)? How does this passage point to the person and work of Jesus Christ? Are there specific things for which to pray? Is there a new thought to me? Is there an encouragement?
            (Note: Not all of the above things will be in every passage studied. You may have other questions that come to mind as you read. These are only ideas to get you started.)

Question Three: How can I apply what I learn to my life?
            Can you think of a current situation in your personal life, home life, church or work life that is similar to what you learned? In that situation, ask yourself a personal question that demands action. (Example: Not, will I spend more time in God’s Word, but rather how or when will I spend more time in God’s Word?)
            Write the answer to your questions by being specific, creating measurable and achievable goals (i.e: I will read for ten minutes each day) or whatever practical application you can discern from the passage.
 
This simple Three Question Bible Study will get into the Word in a meaningful way!