Daily Family Bible Studies - Year 1

We ought to be thankful for and obey everything in God's word

Gary Henry
03/07/22 - Daily Family Bible Studies - Year 1

DFBS 101 – We ought to be thankful for and obey everything in God’s word

The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105). When we recognize the many benefits and blessings that come to us through God’s word, we should be grateful that He has chosen to impart His truth to us. And even when the truth hurts our conscience and shows us where we ought to be doing better, it is still true that we ought to be thankful for and obey everything in God’s word. Far from being a burden, God’s word is a great blessing we are privileged to enjoy.

Many of us have been learning from the Bible since childhood, and we know a great deal about God’s will. So our main problem is often not a lack of knowledge, but rather a resistance to the knowledge we already have. Like the foolish man who built his house on the sand (Mt. 7:26,27), we hear the Lord’s words but don’t do anything about them. And while this may seem like simple negligence, such unresponsiveness to what we know of the Lord’s will is actually a worse problem than that of the person who has not even heard what the Lord’s will is (Lk. 12:47,48).

Ultimately, how thankful and respectful we are toward God’s word is judged not by what we say but by what we do. Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Lk. 6:46). We must not be selective or picky about which parts of God’s word we’re willing to obey. As the Lord’s people, we need to develop an attitude of eagerness for divine truth as a whole — an obedient thankfulness for all that God has said. And not only is eagerness to obey important in itself; it’s the key to growing in our understanding of God’s will in the future.

People in the world around us have no real respect for the Bible. Many people simply don’t care what God may have said. So it’s very important that we instill in our minds (and in the minds of our young people) an attitude of gratitude and receptiveness with respect to the truth contained in the Scriptures. We need to have tender, teachable spirits that are easily moved by divine instruction, eager to hear everything God says. This week, let’s meditate on the goodness of all that God has revealed. Let’s concentrate on increasing our responsiveness to God’s word, whatever it may have to say. Let’s learn to love the truth and eagerly receive it!

Monday: 1 Samuel 3:1-18

Key Idea: We should always be ready to listen attentively to God’s word.

Questions for Family Growth: What was the name of the priest whom the boy Samuel helped as a servant? What did he tell Samuel to say when God called? How does God speak to us today? In what manner should we listen?

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 1:1-6.

Tuesday: Psalm 119:97-104

Key Idea: Without God’s word, we can’t grow in understanding and obedience.

Questions for Family Growth: What does it mean to “meditate” on God’s word? How sweet did the writer say God’s word was? In v.104, what did he say he received through God’s precepts? In your own words, what does that mean?

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 1:7.

Wednesday: 2 Kings 22:8-20

Key Idea: Even when God’s word shows that we have sinned, we still ought to listen.

Questions for Family Growth: What did Hilkiah the priest find in the House of the Lord? What did Josiah the king do when this writing was read to him? In v.19, what did God say about Josiah’s attitude toward His word?

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 1:8,9.

Thursday: Jeremiah 36:1-3,20-26

Key Idea: It is wrong to disregard and disobey what God says.

Questions for Family Growth: Where did the scroll come from that was read to Jehoiakim the king? What did it say? What did Jehoiakim do to the scroll as it was read to him? What attitude toward God and His word do you think was reflected in Jehoiakim’s actions?

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 1:10-19.

Friday: Psalm 119:9-16

Key Idea: Even when we are young, we ought to love God’s word.

Questions for Family Growth: What does v.9 say a young person can do by paying attention to God’s word? In v.16, what do you think these words mean: “I will delight in your statutes” and “I will not forget your word”?

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 1:20-33.

Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com