 | Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.
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Religion
2013-05-29 10:16:46
How to read the Bible
Q-In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How
does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding
what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?
A-The reason the Christian church urges the reading of the Bible is because it is believed to be the very word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16 it is “God Breathed” or “inspired” by God; not like a song writer is inspired to write a musical from his emotions. Rather, Scripture is not from the will of man nor is its interpretation, but all of it is from God. {1 Peter 1:20-21} The writers of the scriptures were given God’s message through the Holy Spirit who taught them and superintended their writings, using the writers’ personalities and styles, but the very words of God. The Bible evidences its uniqueness because it was written by 40 different authors, over a period of 1500 years with chilling historical accuracy. It is truly amazing because it is the only book of its kind in the whole world.
But it is more to us than just a cool book. It is the supreme and ultimate authority for faith and life! It is not a book of man’s thoughts about God. It is the very words of God for us to humbly live under. It is called the “Canon” or “the rule” or “measuring stick” for all of our lives. It is God’s final word and no matter what men think of it, or what opinion polls say about it, or how many disagree with it; {Isaiah 55:9-11} in the end what matters is only what God thinks about it, because that’s forever! {Matthew 24:34-35}
It is very real and practical. Real, because it covers people, like you and me, especially in the Old Testament, who dealt with the same problems we have, tempting and challenging us; everything from adultery to worry. And it gives us insights in how to overcome by faith in God. {Romans 10:17} It tells us what God wants from our lives {Exodus 20:1-17} and how we are to live them. {Proverbs 3:5-6} It is a light to our path {Psalm 119:105} and gives us the plan to build strength in the Lord {Ephesians 6:10-18} The Word does surgery on our souls {Hebrews 4:12} and is a great tool we can use every day for knowing God’s will; a spiritual check-up, correction and training for the job He has for us. “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” {2 Timothy 3:17 NLT} Beyond that, the Bible gives us the Gospel (or good news), that God gave His only Son for us out of His love, to die and forgive our sin, to save us from eternal death with His eternal transaction and to empower us to live abundant lives on earth while living in us, assured of heaven. {John 3:36}
Now, how does this happen? First, begin by getting a Bible you can understand when you read it. For first time readers I suggest the New Living Translation (easy to understand translation) or even The Living Bible (which is a paraphrase from an English Bible, written by a dad who wanted his kids to understand the message of the Bible). Second, pray and ask God to send His Holy Spirit so you can understand and apply what you read to your life. We want more than information. We want God’s transformation to take place in our lives. Third, begin with a simple passage like Matthew chapter 5,verses 13 through 16, the Sermon on the Mount. Read it several times and then ask first; what is Jesus teaching His disciples or the people around Him? What does God want them to know? Then, ask yourself this set of questions to understand what God is saying to you. 1. Is there a promise to claim? 2. A command to obey. 3. A sin to confess? 4. A sin for me to avoid? 5. An example to follow? 6. Is there a new thought about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit or the devil? Next, ask how do I apply this to my life. Make a specific and achievable goal. Make it personal. Write your thoughts and goals down. Pray for God’s help in doing what He told you to do in his word. Share it with a Christian friend who can ask you about it later for accountability. Every day do this and watch God change you by His word, through the Holy Spirit. Make this time with God an everyday part of your schedule, like a meal that you need for nourishment. Make it at a specific time and a specific place where there are no distractions. I find this in my car, in the park, with my phone off. Plan what you are going to read, like a work out. Know what you are going to do before you get to the gym. (If you want a plan, email me and I can send you the break- down of the Sermon on the Mount and also other important verses to study.) Also, keep a little pad handy with a pen because when you slow down enough for this quiet time with God, your mind may get flooded with all the things you need to do or didn’t do. Write them down so they don’t distract your mind, and you can be free to pick them up at a later time.
This pattern of quiet time was what Jesus did during His earthly ministry {Mark 6:46; Luke 9:28}. God’s spiritual giants have come to know their quiet time is their source of His strength. {Psalm 1:2-3}. Come to His table to enjoy His sumptuous meal with the bread of life who satisfies {Isaiah 55:1-3}, Pastor Dave.
