This week I would like to focus on the questions on page 20.
1. What similarities do you see in Hosea and our world today?
2. What effects have you seen from having a knowledge of God and his word in your life, your family, or your country?
3. What effects have you seen from a lack of knowledge in these areas?
4. Most important, how will you take what you have learned and apply it to your life?
Feel free to answer any or all! Just click on comment below! Love you all :)
Some general comments:
ReplyDeleteI have never done an inductive bible study, so I am excited to learn something new. Lana and I have enjoyed it so far.
I was pleased with how the book started, “How Critical is Knowledge.” I think our culture embodies the “ignorance is bliss” mindset and it has carried over into believer’s lives. It is easy to claim Christ, but to learn and study His Word so that you can pattern your life after Him and allow Him to refine you is difficult. If I don’t know the Bible calls lying sin, I can’t justify my actions when I tell even a little “white lie”. With knowledge comes understanding; with understanding comes wisdom; with wisdom comes conviction.
What if God told you today, “Ask anything and I will give it to you”, what would you ask for? Stop reading and seriously think about what you would ask for. Did you stop reading? Haha. What was it? Was it material – a new house, a better job, wealth, no debt, etc.? I can’t help but to think of Solomon when he was faced with this question. In 1 Kings 3 Solomon responded to God asking for “an understanding mind to govern [His] people” and “that [he] may discern between good and evil.” Solomon asked for divine wisdom. God was so pleased with Solomon’s response in that he didn’t ask for wealth or honor, He gave him the wisdom AND the wealth and honor. We are truly blessed to live in a time period that has full access to the complete Word of God. Solomon did not have the ability to just pick up his bible and read - he had the Pentateuch and that was it. We don’t have to plead for God to supernaturally grant wisdom to us – although He still can. He has given us His Word and it is completely sufficient! “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Reading through scripture, it is impossible for anyone to make a case for ignorance. Proverbs 16:16 says “how much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” If we truly believed wisdom was more valuable than gold, would you even hesitate to read your Bible? To study His Word? To pursue it vigorously, meticulously, and systematically as we do our jobs (to gain wealth)?
Knowledge is key. Knowledge is important to God—so it should be important to us!
Short answers to your questions:
1) A ton.
2) It is the source of my confidence and strength I need to lead my family in the paths of righteousness.
3) Indecisiveness, anxiety, poor attitude.
4) Knowledge is important.
Dana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts! I love that you brought up Solomon and his desire for wisdom! We see his heart in 1 Kings 3, that he wasn't seeking wisdom for his own glorification but instead so that he would be able to discern good from evil and know how to govern God's people, like you said above! Solomon was humbled by God steadfast love to him and by the position God had put him in. To be over "a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude". In the same way, I must remember how great my God is, the creator of the heavens and earth!!! And just as we see in 1 Kings, when we realize how small we are and how great God's steadfast love is for us, how can we not long to have understanding of Him and His desires for our lives!
I also found it so interesting how God has allowed us to receive wisdom through the book of Proverbs that Solomon mostly wrote, of course fully inspired by God! Like you mentioned in Proverbs 16:16 above, it's so cool to see that the man who had wealth and wisdom confirms that, Yes, wisdom is MUCH BETTER than gold! For more on wisdom check out Proverbs 1-3!
Thank you for sharing with us and encouraging us to continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness! I am so excited you and Lana are going through this with us! We got your Christmas Card today and are loving it! You all look amazing!
Much Love!