Am I quick to hear the Word of God?
Yesterday
We began LOOKING at True Faith Does the Word of God?
Today
We want to LOOK closely at ‘how‘ we are to respond to the Word of God.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Get Started With Prayer
Lord, we come to You, asking You to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go. Today, may we have ears to hear Your will and ways. Oh, grant us the understanding we need, (Psa 32:8).
LOOK at What God Says
Let GODcha lead you in your discovery.
Where will you begin?
Begin By Reading
Let’s read James 1:19-27 again asking the 5W’s and H,
Remember you are learning one of the most critical skills there is when it comes to seeing what God says.
Focus on verses 19-20.
Consider CONTEXT 
Context Tutorial >1. Do you remember v18?
How did God bring us forth?
By the Word, therefore we have experienced it’s power.
What place will the Word now have in our lives?
‘The Word of God‘ becomes the focal point of our lives.
2. Then, James says, in v19, ‘This you know’…
What do we know?
We know ‘the power of the Word’ that caused us to be born again.
3. What does James say everyone is to ‘do’? How are we to respond to the Word?
THINK, make this practical!
In trials, you and I need to run to the Word of God that meets that trial and brings comfort. Be receptive to what God says!
In temptations, we need to run to the Word that gives us the strength to resist the temptation. Be receptive to what God says.
LISTEN…
Who or what do I listen to?
Am I quick to hear the Word?
Am I a good listener?
Am I willing to receive what God says?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
Unlock the Meaning 
What words are 
Key?
Let’s unlock ‘be quick to hear’.
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning
Quick, tachús; Quick, swift, nimble. In the NT, figuratively, quick, swift, with the meaning of ready, prompt (James 1:19).
Hear, akoúō; To hear. (IV) To obey. Here belongs the phrase “he who hath ears, let him hear,” i.e., give heed, obey. (VII) To understand, comprehend. . .James 1:19; 2:5; 5:11.
NOTE: the Grammar for ‘be’: quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger are all imperatives – commands.
These are NOT optional!
TIP: Remember, take the definitions back to the text.
“But everyone must be quick [ready, eager] to hear [to understand and heed].”
Truth Explains Truth
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
Let’s check out some of the Cross References about responding to ‘the Word’.
1. What do Mark and Luke warn about hearing?
a. Take care ‘what‘ you listen to. (Mar 4:24)
b. Take care ‘how’ you listen. (Luk 8:18)
LISTEN…
Am I taking care to ‘what’ I am listening to?
Who am I listening to? God, or man?
If man, how do I know if he/she is speaking Truth?
Am I taking care to ‘how’ I am listening?
Why must I take care to ‘what’ and ‘how’ I listen?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
2. According to Matthew and Hebrews, what can be the problem with hearing?
a. Many hear BUT do NOT understand. (Mat 13:13)
Context: Jesus went on to say blessed is the one who hears and understands – they are responsive and receptive showing their faith is real, v18.
b. Hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (Heb 5:11)
LISTEN…
Do I lack understanding? Why?
Am I dull of hearing? Why?
Do I have a hard time accepting the Word?
Do I resent hearing the Word?
Or, am I responsive to the Word? Do I hear and understand?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
3. According to John, who hears the Word? What is the result?
Jesus said – my sheep hear my voice and follow Me. (Joh 10:26-27)
THINK: the Word is what engages us to commune with our Lord.
LISTEN…
Can I hear the Lord’s voice?
Do I listen, and then follow what He says?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
4. What do you know Mary did?
Listened intently. (Luk 10:39)
LISTEN…
Do I sit at the Lord’s feet and listen intently?
5. What does Peter say our attitude is to be towards the Word?
Long for [intensely crave] the pure milk of the word. (1Pe 2:2)
THINK: like a baby you don’t have to teach a baby to long for milk. All the way through life there is a hunger, an appetite.
Being brought forth by the Word, there is a longing for the Word.
LISTEN…
Do I long for, intensely crave, the Word?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
5. Who doesn’t hear?
Those who are not of God can’t understand and don’t want to hear. (Joh 8:43, 47)
LISTEN…
What is my attitude about listening and hearing the Word?
Do I struggle understanding because I can’t hear; because I am not of God?
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
6. What do those who DON’T want to hear do?
Suppress the Truth in unrighteousness. (Rom 1:18)
LISTEN…
Do I suppress the Truth by my unrighteous lifestyle? (Rom 1:29-32)
Respond to God. . .LIVE it out!
What Did We LEARN
Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
Those Who Know the Power of the Word
Respond to God’s Word
Are quick to hear
Heed what they hear, and how they hear
Hear and follow Jesus
Long for the Word
Are of God
We LEARN:
Those Who Don’t Know the Power of the Word
Don’t Respond to the Word
Do not understand
Are dull of hearing
Not of God
Suppress the Truth in unrighteousness
Let’s Call It a Day!
“I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your Word,” (Psa 119:15-16).
Chew on every morsel of God’s food about having ears to hear Him through His Word.
Why are you here on this journey?
Are you willing to hear, to receive Truth?
NOTE and SAVE What God Has Taught You!
Perhaps Note ‘Receive God’s Word’, and as we dig deeper, you can always come back and add later.
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
Put what you have LEARNED today not only in your Notes but also in your hardbound Bibles next to Jam 1:19.
This is such important Truth to know, remember and live out!
Let’s Bow Before the Father in Prayer
Perhaps. . .
OH FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, thank you for Your Word of Truth. Father, help us to see how necessary and powerful Your Word is for our lives. Increase our hunger and thirst for You and Your Word. For in Your Word You speak to us! Give us a willingness to hear Your Word, and hear it correctly, understanding and comprehending what You are saying to us. Forgive us for the times we have not been quick to hear, even became angry when Your Truth convicted us. Forgive us for the times we have not heard correctly, and mishandled Your Word making it say what we wanted it to say. Oh Father, help us to have ears to hear and eyes to see, may we commit this day to obey this command, receiving Your Word and doing what You tell us to do. We praise You and thank you, asking these things in Jesus name. Amen!
Praising God you crave His Word. Thank you for being faithful and diligent to hear His Word!
Next: We will LOOK @ James 1:21-22.
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