[The Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica;
they received the Word with all eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Acts 17:11
God’s word commends the Bereans for one thing. It’s not because they were smarter than other people or more active politically. It was because they were willing to engage the Scriptures personally in order to determine the truth of what they were being taught! They were willing to put forth the effort to get as much out of the preaching of God’s word as possible. They weren’t just passive hearers hoping to “get something out of the service.” They were active listeners who came prepared to get as much as possible out of God’s Word.
If you’re on our church email service (called “Rockportnews”), you may have noticed I’ve been sending out notes each week with suggestions for how you might study ahead to familiarize yourself with the passage we’ll be looking at. The reason I’m doing this is I want you to get as much out of God’s word as possible. The more you engage it yourself and think about it, the more powerful it’s impact will be on your life. So I want to challenge you to come prepared each week. Read the passage ahead of time. Think through the questions I send out. Ask questions of your own and try to answer them. Expect God to speak through His word to “transform you by the renewing of your mind” week after week! And do the same with our study of 2 Peter, whether you attend a D-Group or not. Read each week’s passage several times. Think about what it means and how God would have you respond to what it says. Are there promises to believe? Commands to obey? Prayers to pray? Truths to comprehend so they can shape your mind and form your heart more fully around God? Why not take personal responsibility for engaging God’s word as thoroughly as possible each week for the benefit and blessing of your soul and the souls of your children.
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind with God’s Word!
Pastor S. Scott