Week 2 - John 15:5

I keep thinking about this footnote from Psalm 1 that was posted last week:

Just as a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we also are to soak up God's Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God. To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God's Word in our hearts.

For about the next 30 weeks or so, all of the verses that we will be learning are to ESTABLISH us in our faith.  We will be like the tree, putting our roots down deep.

A Bible teacher we heard recently explained it this way:  Once we are evangelized, we must be established.  After we are established, we are equipped for ministry.  Oftentimes, people are evangelized but never get established in their faith.  Whether you are a new Christian, a mature Christian or somewhere in between, these verses will be great to hide in your heart, both for your own establishment and for use in ministry.

Colossians 2:6-7 says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."


Week 2 - John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

This may be a familiar verse for some!  If this is one you already have committed to memory, you can use this week to really dig into this verse, chew on it some more and see what God has to tell you about it.  God's Word is living, he may have something new to show you!

Again, this is the old NIV version but you can learn any version you like.  I have a NIV study Bible that has all my notes and highlights in it and I want to learn a version that is going to be familiar when I'm reading in it.  I also like the ESV a lot and will always look up the verse in that translation as well.  So I encourage you to look up the verses in different translations for study purposes and choose which one you will memorize. 

I hope each of you has had a great week in the Word.  We have had lots of reciting, some good study time and meaningful conversations.

Continue to DELVE in 2012!