Calvary Baptist Church Preaching Podcast

How To Learn The Word Of God

·43 min·4 clips

A pastor launches a 30-minute Bible study on Nehemiah 8 to reveal how to truly learn the Word of God.

The episode is a sermon-style Bible study delivered by Pastor Pope at Calvary Baptist Church. He begins by announcing a focused study on Nehemiah chapter 8, aiming to keep it to about 30 minutes. The speaker reads verses 1-8, noting the detailed list of names and emphasizing that every word in Scripture is intentional. He opens with prayer, asking for hunger for God's Word and the Holy Spirit's help in understanding. The first main theme is the teaching of truth, derived from Nehemiah 8. The speaker points out that the entire story revolves around a book—the law of Moses—and laments America's drift from biblical centrality. He highlights three aspects: the teaching time was well-attended, with 'all the people' gathering, indicating a hunger for God's Word; it was well-prepared, with a pulpit designed to exalt truth, not the man, and personnel like Levites appointed to help understanding; and it was well-received, with people responding with 'amen,' lifted hands, and worship, even weeping at God's words. The second theme is the technique of teaching. The speaker explains that in Nehemiah 8:8, they read 'distinctly,' which means separating or rightly dividing the Word, referencing 2 Timothy 2:15 and Dr. J. Vernon McGee. He uses an analogy of builders needing precise cuts and a humorous story about misusing Bible verses to warn against lazy study. Next, they 'gave the sense,' focusing on understanding, crucial for former captives unfamiliar with God's law. The speaker shares that 60% of Gen Zers say they'd attend church if invited, prioritizing feeling loved over music style. Finally, they 'caused them to understand the reading,' meaning truth moved from head to heart, leading to action, as seen in Nehemiah 8:12-17 where people celebrated the Feast of Booths after understanding. The speaker references Acts 17:10-13, where Bereans studied Scripture daily, leading to belief and persecution, illustrating that living God's Word invites opposition. He concludes with a story about Bible scholar James Gray, who read Ephesians 15 times in one afternoon and felt transformed, urging daily personal Bible study with prayer for the Holy Spirit's guidance. The episode ends with an altar call, inviting commitments to salvation and deeper Scripture engagement.

As heard by us

A brisk Nehemiah 8 study on learning Scripture and responding when it reaches the heart.

Nehemiah 8 is treated as a practical lesson in learning Scripture, with the host moving through the passage as a Bible study on how people receive the Word of God.

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Why you'd press play

You want Bible study that treats learning God's Word as something the church gathers to receive and answer back to.

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