Bible Boredom?

Fri, Sep 4, 2009
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The Word of God is alive, powerful, sharp—and neglected. Most of us intend to read the Bible, but we rarely do. And even then, God wants us to do more than read; His Word was written to be obeyed. This issue explores practical ways to fall in love with the Bible again, from the discipline of Bible meditation to the daily joy of praying Scriptures back to the Lord.

Articles In This Issue

Unleashing the Power of the Bible
Article
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Byron Paulus
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Bible Boredom?

Unleashing the Power of the Bible

A  woman was publicly executed in North Korea recently. Her crime? Distributing Bibles.

It's noteworthy that a book most Americans take for granted and rarely read was worthy of death in a far corner of the world.

So what makes the Bible that dangerous to an evil regime? What makes it the most feared (and the most revered) book in history?

The Bible has power to change lives. It delivers cultures from the grasp of evil. It transforms nations. It revives churches. It spawns spiritual revival and awakening.

Yet while we in the West have more Bibles available than ...

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Why I Need You to Study My Bible
Article
Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Del Fehsenfeld III
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Bible Boredom?

Why I Need You to Study My Bible

Never before have we been so alone. That seems impossible in a world of e-mail, Smartphones, and Facebook. But while technology and mobility connect us to more people than at any other time in history, they have actually made us more isolated, not less. Most Americans now manage thirty different social networks—different spheres of relationship—like work, their children's schools and sporting events, other hobbies, church. But usually the only common denominator between all of these relationships is the individual (i.e., the people at your work don't know the people at your church, who don't ...

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Getting Into the Word
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Dr. Howard Hendricks
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Bible Boredom?

Getting Into the Word

The greatest problem in the church
today is that we have an increasing number of Christians who are under the Word of God but not in it for themselves. Being under the Word of God should be a stimulus—not a substitute—for getting into it for yourself.

Why should we study the Bible?


1. Growth In 1 Peter 2:2 (NASB) we read, "Like newborn babies, [develop an appetite] for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow." The Bible is the primary means for receiving spiritual nourishment. Just as the newborn baby grabs ...

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Getting the Word Into You
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
F.B. Meyer
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Bible Boredom?

Getting the Word Into You

The advantages of a deep knowledge 
of the Bible are more than can be numbered here. It is the storehouse of God's promises. It is the sword of the Spirit, before which temptation flees. It 
is the all-sufficient equipment for Christian usefulness.
It is the believer's guidebook and directory in all 
possible circumstances. With this in mind, here are a few simple rules to help you study God's Word for yourself.

Make time for Bible study.

The Divine Teacher ought to have fixed and uninterrupted hours. He deserves our freshest and brightest thoughts, and we must give ...

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Praying the Scriptures
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Tom Nesbitt
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Bible Boredom?

Praying the Scriptures

I've discovered an easy way to get my family into God's Word while getting God's Word into my family. Very simply: I let Scripture set the agenda for our prayers. After all, the most powerful prayer unit in the world is you, praying with your family, in line with the will of God. And there's no better way to make that happen than to use the Bible itself as the outline. It's not just powerful during family prayers. During my years leading a Life Action summit team, I often called morning prayer meetings—not to ...

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So What?
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
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Bible Boredom?

So What?

I know of a preacher who, partway through his
message, invariably says, "That's the what; now, what's the so what?" "So what?" Those two words take us beyond mere head knowledge and into the realm of heart and life transformation. That's when we ask questions like, "Does this passage have any promises I should claim? Any
commands I need to follow? Any truths I must believe?" In the West, we have so much access to the Word of God. We're in Bible studies at church and at home. We have Christian radio, Internet, and television. But ...

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Biblical Meditation
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Donald Whitney
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Bible Boredom?

Biblical Meditation

In August of 1989, I found myself in the bush country of East Africa, living in a tent in front of 
a mud-and-sticks church building, six miles from the nearest settlement. As one who had been involved in
mission trips before, I had learned to anticipate swallowing
with difficulty some of my American expectations (not to mention a few other things!). But one thing that shocked me was the lifestyle of the professing Christians I encountered. Lying, stealing, and immorality were generally accepted, even among church leaders. Theological understanding was as scarce as water, and doctrinal errors as common as ...

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ViewPoint Q&A: The Bible Changes Everything
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Life Action
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Bible Boredom?

ViewPoint Q&A: The Bible Changes Everything

Revive asked Bob Creson, president of Wycliffe Bible Translators, about the impact of God's Word and the task of providing it to the least reached people groups on earth. Bob is part of a team that oversees the Last Languages Campaign: a historic, full-sprint effort to start Bible translation projects in every language group that needs one by 2025.

What is the heartbeat of Wycliffe Bible Translators?

Bob: The thing we get most excited about is our vision: seeing God's Word made accessible to all people in the language of their heart. Every man, woman, and child ought ...

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A Lifetime Investment
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Kevin Adams
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Bible Boredom?

A Lifetime Investment

What would a small-town parish need with a man who had devoted twenty years of his life to theological training? In sixteenth-century North Wales, William Morgan quietly led a life of deep study, much more than necessary for his modest ministry post. His investment, however—years of learning Hebrew and Greek—was only appreciated in the centuries following his death. The fruit of Morgan's training was first seen in a
book published in 1588, the year the Spanish Armada was defeated. From his humble study, Morgan produced the first full translation of the Bible into Welsh. This became
a ...

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We Read the Bible . . . You Can Too!
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Carrie Ward
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Bible Boredom?

We Read the Bible . . . You Can Too!

I've made many attempts to have a faithful devotional life, but they were always short-lived. I suppose I expected the discipline of Bible study to be easy for a Christian. When it was difficult and overwhelming for me, I felt discouraged and defeated. In the process of a family struggle, I cried out to God for help, and He did something I wasn't expecting at all. He revived me. He placed in me a hunger to know Him more intimately, along with a deep desire to read His Word. I was thrilled. I couldn't wait to delve ...

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How Do I Apply the Old Testament to My Life?
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Dr. Richard Fisher
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Bible Boredom?

How Do I Apply the Old Testament to My Life?

Can a 2000-year-old book—the holy Bible—provide counsel that directs our lives today? And what about those portions that are even older, going back to the O.T. world of pharaohs and patriarchs? Despite our skepticism that the Old Testament
may not be as helpful to us as the New, Paul wrote, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV). Paul illustrates his process of applying the text when he answers questions posed ...

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Real World: Bored with the Bible
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Life Action
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Bible Boredom?

Real World: Bored with the Bible

A strong, faithful believer in Christ confesses that his devotional life has lost its flavor and the Bible has lost its page-turning appeal. Will he ever enjoy God's Word again?

The Scenario


The joy I once felt in reading the Bible is gone. It's not that I don't still try to apply biblical principles to my life; I do. But it feels old to me, or maybe distant is a better word. When I read it, I still gain value, but the thirst for it isn't there. When I pick up the Word, I secretly look ...

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Making it Personal: My Commitment to the Bible
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Life Action
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Bible Boredom?

Making it Personal: My Commitment to the Bible

Download this Making It Personal worksheet to help personalize this topic of Scripture. Download PDF  

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Start Right Now
Article
Mon, Sep 14, 2009
Dan Jarvis
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Bible Boredom?

Start Right Now

I'm like a lot of Americans—I need to get in shape. And, ironically, I know exactly what to do to make that happen. In fact, from all the books and articles I've read, I'd probably make a decent health-and-wellness counselor. (My most important advice: Do as I say, not as I've done!) It's strange, but with all that know-how and strategy, I'm not where I want to be health-wise. I need to grow in that area (shrink, actually) if I am to be a faithful steward of the life God gave me. So ...

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Additional Online Resources

Hiding the Word
Podcast Episode

Hiding the Word

You are in for a treat this week as you listen to a man of God quote Scripture! John Piper, pastor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will infuse us with passion and urgency regarding the need to hide God's Word in our hearts.

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Getting Into the Word

Getting Into the Word

Dr. Hendricks speaks regarding the difference between being "under" the Word of God and "in" it, encouraging those teaching the Word to know the reasons for studying it.

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Getting into the Word and Getting the Word into You

What one thing can you do that will make the biggest difference in your life? Discover the transforming power of a daily devotional life. Nancy shares practical suggestions for making your time in the Word more meaningful.

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Having a Holy Hour
Podcast Episode

Having a Holy Hour

It's easy to get discouraged when looking at the prayer lives of great men like Martin Luther. What does God really expect from us in prayer? This week Steve Canfield will give us some practical methods and encouragement for our prayer lives.

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Power Over Sin
Podcast Episode

Power Over Sin

A former state trooper, Tom Harmon is a gifted and passionate communicator God has used in countless camps and churches across America. His love for the Word is evidenced by the large portions of Scripture he has commited to memory. This week you'll hear his testimony and how God birthed in him a commitment to memorize the Word.

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Inductive Bible Study Method

Inductive Bible Study Method

God's eternal, inerrant Word is your guidebook for all of life, and inductive study gives you the key to understanding that guide. Download this helpful, hands-on introduction to an inductive Bible study method.

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