Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!
We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!
The Passage
Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out Anchored Emotions!
Proverbs 3:5-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
The Questions
1) What is the difference between trusting God and leaning on our own understanding?
2) What does it mean to acknowledge God?
3) What does it mean that God will “make straight your paths”?
The Findings for Intention
1) What is the difference between trusting God and leaning on our own understanding?
To trust is to have confidence in something, to be sure about something. Sometimes, we trust in someone or something because we understand it completely. But we cannot always understand God completely—He is infinite, and we are finite. Trusting God can happen whether or not we understand what He is doing. But if our confidence is based solely on our own understanding of a situation, we may not be able to move forward.
2) What does it mean to acknowledge God?
Acknowledge means “to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of.” When we acknowledge God in all our ways, we are admitting that He is real and that He is present with us in our decisions and actions. We also acknowledge that He has authority in our lives, and this helps us in making right choices.
3) What does it mean that God will “make straight your paths”?
A straight path is certainly easier to follow than a winding one. The King James Version translates this phrase “He will direct your paths.” This means that when you trust the Lord, He will lead you in the way you should go. It may not be an easy road to travel, but God can give you the confidence that you are on the right path.
The Everyday Application
1) What is the difference between trusting God and leaning on our own understanding?
Anxiety awaits when we lean on our own understanding instead of trusting in the sovereign goodness, power, and plan of an almighty God. Knowing God better helps us to trust Him more. Commit to studying what the Bible has to say about who God is, so you can let go of your anxiety and trust Him.
2) What does it mean to acknowledge God?
Life gets busy, and we move from one activity to the next without pausing to recognize that God exists and that He is with us. He is moving all around us and in our hearts, orchestrating things as His sovereign will deems right. Make a conscious effort this week to acknowledge God in all your ways—in the big ways and the mundane ways.
3) What does it mean that God will “make straight your paths”?
We are faced with decisions on a constant basis. Should I take this ministry opportunity? Should we sign the kids up for this activity? Should I switch jobs? Should we move to another city? All of these decisions can get overwhelming, and we just want to know God’s will for us. These verses tell us that we only need to trust God and acknowledge Him, and He will direct us in the way we should go. Let’s focus on God and using the wisdom He has given us, instead of agonizing over decisions. He is faithful to lead us!
Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
I Can Do That!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!
The Community!
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Resting Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
The Tools!
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources. Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
The Why!
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.
Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Resting!