Spend Time in the Word

July 2, 2025

We will start teaching on "The Big Four" of Prayer: communication with Father God, studying His Word, fellowship with Christian believers, and evangelism to a world in desperate need of Jesus Christ. This month, we will focus on "The Study of the Word of God." Last month’s blog discussed prayer. A deeper understanding of prayer involves knowing and hearing God, which requires having a conversation with Him. This conversation, combined with spending time in His Word, defines effective prayer. From my experiences in the church and seminary, I learned that the benefits of prayer extend far into the future. Therefore, I encourage you to ask God through your prayers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help you find tools on the internet, in biblical commentaries, literature related to prayer, and from other men and women who pray, to enhance your understanding of the Word of God.

The Gospel of John urges individuals to ask, as asking is a form of prayer to God that can lead to answers and revelations when you present your appeal to your heavenly Father. Bring your requests to God, and He can grant what you seek.

“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 clearly taught that, like all His disciples, we are to submit to the authority of God and His Word. " Consequently, they would receive answers and revelation knowledge. Essentially, what you ask in accordance with God's Word, Jesus will accomplish. 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 accurately interpreted, it serves as the objective foundation of authority. Since Jesus possesses this authority, all of us, as his disciples, can connect to this power as stated in Matthew’s gospel. This authority extends beyond and through all disciples to the nations or all individuals worldwide. The Greek word is (Ethnos), referring to all races and cultures of people. It is (ethnos infiltration) which is a penetration into the lives of every individual on earth. It is Jesus’ way of declaring that the world belongs to him.

Jesus is calling us to reclaim what Satan has taken. We have become instruments of His authority, transforming many lives or even just one life at a time. We now have a choice: to either sit in the church and listen to the word or to put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18) and take action. Will we make these actions impactful based on a clear understanding of God's word, which instructs us to make disciples of all nations (Ethnos)? Are we going to teach what the word says we can accomplish? Through faith, we can live and act on what we see, read, or hear in 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] 

Essentially, the Word is alive. The Greek term (Rhema) signifies a living, revelatory message, a divine direction directly from heaven. Rhema is received as a revelation from God’s word, whether spoken or read. When you understand what the words convey, the interpretation becomes very clear and will have profound impacts on you and your requests. There is a need for a revelatory, Rhema spirit of reciprocity between God and His creation so that disciples become influencers and fulfill the great commission as Ethnos Infiltration, which is the mandate to "go make disciples of all people, all nations" as reiterated in Matthew 28 and Mark 16.

The Greek term (Sozo) is crucial for believers, ranking just after rhema. To transform the world in dire need of salvation or discipleship, Sozo is the key term that signifies salvation, healing, and deliverance, occurring when one accepts the truth of the word. Reflecting on the word will yield Sozo outcomes. We don't merely express intent to act; we rise and take action, actively saving souls, laying hands on the sick with faith for healing, and performing deliverance. If it is written in God's word, then we are empowered to 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 concluded, the word of God is like a sharp two-edged sword. (Heb 4:12) We observe the connection that creates effectiveness when we believe, meditate on, and pray according to 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.