Unbound: Releasing God’s Word

2 Timothy 2:8-9

Introduction

Scripture is like a lamp that shines in dark places. Often those dark places exist within us. While many of us would prefer to keep these dark places hidden, Scripture illuminates so we can be made Holy and enjoy fellowship with God. God “knows what is in the darkness” (Daniel 2:22) and uses His Word to correct us, to show us what is within our hearts, and to make us more like Him. Scripture is the recorded voice of God by which we can hear what He says. It is without error and perfect because it is from our perfect God. Therefore, we must view it as authoritative, not merely as a suggestion or idea. Because of the authoritative nature of Scripture, we must use it as the basis of all decisions in our lives.

Scripture activates the power of God’s Word because it is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). It can pierce the deepest parts of our souls. It has the power to divide the indivisible because it is sharper than “any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Scripture is like a CT scan or an MRI; it looks deeper than the external parts of us and separates what’s legitimate and illegitimate, what’s physical and what’s spiritual. God’s Word is the only thing that can divide what needs to be separated within us so that God’s Word can penetrate our core and make it possible for life to spring forth.

For Scripture to be released, we must practice obedience. Simply put, we must do what the Word says. We must welcome it into our hearts, minds, souls, bodies, and spirits partnering with it instead of rejecting it so that it can do its divinely designed work. We must believe in Scripture as God’s Word and not merely man’s word — another powerless human document to transform our lives. Instead, we must believe in Scripture as God’s inerrant, authoritative Word. Doing so will lead us to obey Scripture and live it out in our daily thought patterns and actions. By obeying and exercising Scripture, we can more fully know God’s power and purpose in our earthly experience.

Getting Started

1. When was the last time you experienced the loss of power in your home due to bad weather or a power outage? How did that affect your ability to operate in your home?
2. Besides God’s word, have you ever read a book that has changed your thinking and increased your knowledge of how to operate in this world? What was it about?
3. Do you use Scripture as authoritative? Do you consult it for all decisions in your life?

Let’s Get Personal

1. What is one way your thinking has been changed after reading the bible? What benefits have you seen by deciding to live out principles from the bible? Share your reflection with your group.
2. What are some ways you have seen others live out Scripture? How did this benefit their lives?
3. How has Scripture illuminated to you what’s inside of your heart? How did you allow the good, the bad, and the ugly to be addressed?

Take the Next Step

1. Where are you partially obeying Scripture in your life? What are some adverse outcomes you’ve seen in light of this disobedience?
2. What will you do this week to approach God’s Word differently in light of this message? How will you encourage others to do differently?
3. Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 4:4; Psalm 19:7-14; Psalm 119:1-176; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 10:34-36; 2 Peter 1:19-21; James 1:18-25; Isaiah 55:10-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; John 17:17; Colossians 3:16; John 15:7; John 8:31-32

Renew Your Mind

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, or which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”

2 Timothy 2:8-9