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These notes are for group study and/or personal application.

Ian talked about our need to develop a greater appetite for God's Word.

Bible Reading:   Acts 17: 10-15

Understanding: [NB The section in italics is intended to 'set the scene' for the person leading a group study. You don't need to read it out the group, unless you think it would be helpful.]

In the last 50 years Christians have become increasingly;

• surrounded by ANTI-CHRISTIAN CULTURE AND VALUES;

• immersed in a society that rejects Biblical morality in favour of what most people do and think;

• infiltrated by popular culture so that (sometimes without realising it) we adopt patterns of speech and behaviour that belong to the World and not to Christ’s Holy and beloved Church. (Note how horribly our nation is like Israel as described in Hosea 4 : 1 , 2.)

This points to the urgency for plenty of solid Bible teaching and to be like the Bereans who RECEIVED THE WORD of God

• with great ‘eagerness’ (Acts 17 :  11), and

• â€˜examined the Scriptures every day’.

We need more than ever to be like the Thessalonians ( I Thess. 1 : 9) and

• RECEIVE the WORD of GOD,

• TURN TO GOD from the idols of this age,

• SERVE the living and TRUE GOD.

The ‘reception’ ( I Thess. 1 : 9) we give to the preached word and how we apply it to our lives is of fundamental importance.  The way they RECEIVED is what made the Berean Jews more NOBLE than those at Thessalonica.  Jesus spent much of His time TEACHING and the key to the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13 : 3 – 23 ) is how the WORD is RECEIVED (vv. 20, 22, 23).  Receiving and applying the preached Word is true Worship.

Paul instructs Timothy ( I Tim. 4 : 13) to devote himself to doctrine through:

• The public reading of Scripture,

• Preaching,

• Teaching, (See also I Tim. 4 : 16, II Tim. 1 : 13, Titus 1 : 9 and 2 :1.) and adds that he should

• Not neglect his gift.

Applications:

1   How can we as individuals / cell / church at RRCC apply this message that it is more noble to RECEIVE THE WORD of God with great ‘eagerness’ and examine ‘the Scriptures every day’ ?

2   Do you view the WORD read, preached and applied as the foundational part of WORSHIP (or would you prefer less teaching and more singing !) ?

3   Imagine you are the Apostle Paul, writing an Epistle to RRCC. What would you find to commend and what advice and instruction would you give ?