Spend Time in the Word

July 2, 2025

As we have discussed, we will be teaching on “The Big Four” of prayer, study of the word, fellowship with believers and evangelism to a world and desperate need of Jesus Christ. This is month, number two, “Study of the Word of God.” In last month’s blog we shared about prayer. The true understanding of prayer is that if people are to know and hear God, it must be through praying to Him, coupled with this second tenet— spending time in His Word makes for effective prayer. It has been my experience in the church where I learned to pray, and in the seminary where I learned to interpret God’s word, the benefits are still far reaching. I’m not saying you have to go to a Bible college or seminary to get revelation knowledge to understand the word of God. There are so many tools today to help one understand the word of God. I want to encourage you to ask God through the Holy Spirit to aid you to find  tools on the internet, in Bible commentaries and in other forms of biblical literature. You can use them to your advantage in understanding the word of God, amen?

The gospel of John encourages an individual to ask, because asking is praying to God that can bring answers and revelation as you make your appeal to your heavenly Father. Take your request to God and He can give you what you ask for.

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” (John 14:13–14; 15:16; 16:23)

Jesus was clear in His teaching that the we like all of his disciples were to submit themselves to the authority of God and His Word.” As a result they would get answers and revelation knowledge. In essence what you ask, according to the word of God Jesus will do. In essence Jesus came to complete and fulfill what was written in the word of God.

Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets: I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them; for truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished" (Matt. 5:17-18).

The Written Word

When the Word is correctly interpreted it becomes the objective basis of authority. Since Jesus has this authority all of us as his disciples disciple's can link to this power is in what He said in Matthew’s gospel above. Since all authority on earth extends beyond and through all disciples to the nations or all individuals around the globe. The Greek word is (Ethnos) which is all races all cultures of people. It is (ethnos infiltration) which is a penetration into the lives of every individual on this earth. It is Jesus’ way of saying the world belongs to me.

Jesus is assigning us to take back what Satan has stolen. We have become the instrument of his authority and changing as many lives or just one life at a time. We now have a choice to either sit in the church and just listen to the word or we can put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18) and take action? Are we going to make those actions effective based on a clear interpretation of the word of God that says go make disciples of all nations (Ethnos). Are we going to teach what the word says we can do? By faith we can live and do what we see, read, or hear the word of God as Jesus said:

"If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).

From the orthodox perspective, what the Scriptures says is actually what God says, whether anyone reads, understands, or accepts them or not. On the other hand, the neo-orthodox perspective does not view revelation as communication of information, but as God Himself.^[1] In essence, the Word is alive. This Greek word (Rhema), means living, revelatory, a word of divine direction straight from heaven. Rhema only comes as revelation from God’s word whether spoken or read. The interpretation becomes very clear when you comprehend what the words says, it will have far-reaching effects for you and in what you ask. There is a need for a revelatory, Rhema spirit of reciprocity between God and His creation in order that disciples become influencers and make the great commission become Ethnos Infiltration, which is the mandate saying "go make disciples of all people, all nations"  reiterated in Matthew 28 and Mark 16.

The Greek word (Sozo), for the believer, is one of the most important words after rhema. If we want to see the world in desperate need saved or made into disciples, Sozo is that important word that means, salvation, healing, and deliverance and happens when one believes the word to be true. Meditation on the word will bring Sozo results. We don’t just say we will go; we actually get up and go, we actually go save souls, we lay hands on the sick and believe for healing, and we actually believe and do deliverance. If it is written in the word of God, then we can do it.

To the disciple, this Rhema becomes objectivity and revelation that is received from Jesus through the Word. Through the process of illumination from the Holy Spirit, the Word will convey to the reader the proper understanding and meaning God intends. The intention of the Lord is that the disciple goes into the world and make disciples of all mankind, i.e., ethnos infiltration. This necessitates being a good interpreter of the Word of God. Rightly dividing the biblical literature aids one's evangelistic thrust. This means understanding the Word from a personal point-of-view. Fellowship with God in this manner causes an individual to enjoy fellowship with his peers as well. Therefore, a very important aspect of the discipleship process is fellowship with God and fellowship with believers. An active prayer life coupled with study in the word of God the disciple's lifestyle fosters an opportunity to share revelation and receive meaningful feedback. We will discuss the intricacies of these concepts of prayer and the word of God as we link them with what we know as true fellowship.

REFLECTION

As we have surmised the word of God is a sharp two-edged sword. (Heb 4:12) We can see the connection that brings effectiveness when we believe, meditate and pray what is written in the word of God. (Jms. 5:16).

IN THE GROUP

1. As you think about ethnos infiltration, reaching across denominational, culture or racial barriers, what are your biggest concerns?

2. In what ways is the Word of God necessary to connect with people different from me?

3. Why would anyone want to build a bridge with someone beyond cultural or racial 

   barriers as stated in Matt 28:17-19?

PERSONAL EVALUATION

On a scale of 1-10 (1 being “I totally disagree” and 10 being “I totally agree), rate yourself in the following areas:

1. I am reading my Bible daily or on a regular basis. _____

2. Based on the Word I am reaching beyond cultural barriers. _____

3. I am demonstrating the power of biblical unity. _____

[1]Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids:

Baker Book House, 1989), pp. 252-253.