Spiritual Hunger and God's Word

by Rice Broocks, from The Purple Book: Biblical Foundations for Building Strong Disciples

 We know the sound of God’s voice in our lives when we read His Word. — Rice Broocks

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me… Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path… I have put my hope in Your word. ~ David, Psalm 119:97-98, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:114

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ~ Jesus, Matthew 4:4

The Bible is more than an instruction manual or a rulebook. It is more than a random collection of stories, poems, and letters. It is the voice of God communicating with us. That is why the Bible is often referred to as “the Word of God.”

In Psalm 119, the Israelite king David shows us how we should approach the Bible. David saw God’s word as his source of life and hope. He delighted in it. He continually meditated on it. He understood that God spoke to him through it.

The bottom line?

We know the sound of God’s voice in our lives when we read His Word.

Lesson 1

The Authority and Power of the Word

“The Word of God” is a big concept to grasp. And no simple, one-line definition will suffice. As you’ll see in this lesson, the Bible refers to “God’s Word” as the driving force behind the creation of the universe. It’s also a term Christians use to describe the Bible.

Sometimes “the Word of God” refers in a more general sense to God’s message of salvation that the first followers of Jesus proclaimed to the world (for example, Acts 6:7 and Acts 8:14). And sometimes “the Word” refers to a person, as it does in John 1:14. In that amazing passage, we discover that Jesus is God’s word to us.

The foundation of any healthy relationship is communication. God’s Word — in all its fullness — is His way of communicating with usoundation of any healthy relationship is communication. God’s Word — in all its fullness — is His way of communicating with us.
 

- How does the Bible say the world was created (2 Peter 3:5)?
- What were the first followers of Jesus (His disciples) devoted to (Acts 2:42)?
- What were the top two priorities for the early church leaders (Acts 6:4)?
- What happened as “the Word of God” spread (Acts 6:7)?
- What was “the Word of the Lord” doing in Ephesus while Paul was there (Acts 19:20)?
- How were the Scriptures originally given to us (1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16)?
- What does John say about “the Word” (John 1:1)?
- Who is “the Word” (John 1:14)?
- What do the following passages teach about God’s word? Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:160, Isaiah 40:8, Isaiah 55:11, Matthew 24:35, John 17
- What does the writer of Hebrews say about God’s word (Hebrews 4:12)?
- What does Jesus say we will be judged according to on the last day (John 12:48)?

Application & Reflection

What does God’s word mean to you? Spend some time reflecting on this today.

Lesson 2

The Benefits of the Word

- What was God’s command to Joshua? What was His promise if Joshua obeyed (Joshua 1:8)?
- How does the Bible describe the person who meditates on God’s word (Psalm 1:1-3)?
- What are the Scriptures useful for (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
- How did Jesus overcome temptation and defeat the devil (Matthew 4:1-11)?

The idea is not that having a few “magical” memory verses will get us out of any situation. Rather, it’s that when we meditate on the Scriptures, turning to them for strength and guidance becomes second nature — as it was for Jesus when the devil tempted Him.

- How can God’s people experience victory over sin? Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:11
- What are some of the ways God’s Word benefits the believer? Psalm 119:98-100, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:165, Proverbs 4:20-22

Application & Reflection

What did you learn from this lesson? How will you apply it to your life?

Spiritual Hunger

Lesson 3

If someone is deprived of food and water for an extended period of time, his or her physical body will weaken and eventually die. There is a spiritual parallel. The word of God is our spiritual food and water. As surely as we will die physically without food and water, we will die spiritually without God’s word.

- What was David’s greatest desire (Psalm 119:81)?
- How did the sons of Korah describe the condition of their souls (Psalm 42:1-2)?
- What was the psalmist’s attitude toward God’s presence (Psalm 84:1-2, Psalm 84:10)?
- Who did Jesus say will be “filled” (Matthew 5:6)?
- What do you think it means to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6)?
- What did David say about God’s word and its importance in his life? - Psalm 119:72, Psalm 119:103, Psalm 119:127
- How would you describe Job’s hunger for God’s word (Job 23:12)?
- What did Jeremiah say about God’s word (Jeremiah 15:16)?

Lesson 4

Obedience

- What happens if we only listen to the word (James 1:22)?
- How does James describe those who only listen to the word without putting it into practice (James 1:23-24)?
- What happens to those who hear and act on the word (James 1:25)?
- How did the Bereans respond to the preaching of Paul and Silas? - How often did they read and study the Scriptures (Acts 17:11)?
- If we call Jesus our Lord, what should we do (Luke 6:46-49)?
- What happens to the person who hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice (Luke 6:46-48)?
- What happens to the person who hears Jesus’ words but does not put them into practice (Luke 6:49)?
- If we hold to Jesus’ teaching, what will happen (John 8:31-32)?
- What is the proof of our love for Jesus (John 14:21, 23-24)?

Application & Reflection

What did you learn from this lesson? How will you apply it to your life?

The Word of God (the Holy Bible) is the most definitive way we can know and hear the voice of God! When we read Scripture, we read about who He is and how much He loves His people. Let’s take time today to hear from Him by reading the Bible!