Get in the Word

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

Colossians 3:16a

As a mom of adult children, I’m still learning when it’s time to listen and when it’s time to give a sermon. When I get that wrong, my daughters let me know. “I don’t need a sermon right now, Mom.” That’s when I lean in, listen, and sometimes give a loving sermonette anyway.

In Hebrews 13:22 the unidentified author of the book says, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. Granted it’s fairly short and in letterform, but let’s call it what it is: It’s a sermon. It’s a sermon that exhorts and encourages its readers to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). It’s a book that prompts us to quit playing with matches and go feed the fire!

One of the ways we grow up in Christ and become mature in our understanding of Him is to get in the Word. Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t need a sermon about studying the Bible more. It’s all I can do to read the few verses I’m reading.” The writer of Hebrews leans in and gives us the sermon anyway.

Pay careful attention to the Word. We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away (Hebrews 2:1). Get in the Word. Listen intently when it’s being read, read it slowly when you’re studying it for yourself, and apply its truth to your life. If we neglect the Word we’ll drift, and there’s nothing passionate, zealous, or mature about drifters (Revelation 3:15-16, Romans 12:11).

Eat the Word. Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:13-14). “Milk” is the basics of God’s Word, the elementary teachings of Christ that must be learned when we come to Him. Although we always treasure the milk of God’s Word, we must add “solid foods” to our diet. Get in the Word. Dig deeper than you have in the past. Let it be training grounds to differentiate between right and wrong. Training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) comes by constant use (Hebrews 5:14). ­If we’re not constantly in the Word, we’ll be as immature as infants, instead of doing what ought to be done – teaching others the elementary truths of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:12).

Let the Word penetrate your life. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Get in the Word. Prayerfully read it and allow God to reveal your true spiritual condition. Listen, obey, and let it shape your life.

PASSION Step: Get in the Word.

Do not be surprised when the world around you rips away the Word of God. Sometimes we don’t even listen.

Jon Bushnell

Written by Lenae Bulthuis, Staff Training Manager, GEMS Girls' Clubs