Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 7- The Beauty of Knowing and Loving God’s Word

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Read These Selected Scriptures

In lesson 6, we took a look at membership in the Body of Christ – both the church catholic, and the local church – and how that membership is part of our identity in Christ. Today, we’ll examine loving and being good students of God’s Word as a component of biblical womanhood.

Questions to Consider

1. Examine the Mark 12 passage. Verses 29-30 are often called what, according to the section title above the passage? What are the two main verbs (the two things we’re told to do) in The Great Commandment? (29-30) What does God command His people to “hear”? Why does the command to “hear” come before the command to “love”? How do God’s people today “hear” about the one true God and learn how to “love” Him?

What does it mean to love God with all your mind? Compare and contrast loving God with your mind to loving God with your heart, your soul, and your strength. Respond to this statement: “Pursuing God with our minds – studying the Word, learning theology, etc., – is one of the ways we love God.

2. Read the 2 Peter passage, focusing on what it says about knowledge. How has God “granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” – “through” what? (3) How do we get this knowledge? Where do we find God’s “precious and very great promises,” and what do we receive “through” these promises? (4) How does verse 8 sum up the goal of the knowledge of God in conjunction with the characteristics in verses 5-7? What does all of this teach us about the importance of pursuing the knowledge of God through His Word?

3. Who was 2 Timothy written to? By whom? For what purpose? (Choose a Bible Book Background, if needed, to refresh your memory.) Does that mean this passage is only applicable to pastors, or especially to pastors, but also to all Christians? Look closely at verse 15. Explain how you can “rightly handle the word of truth” in your own daily life and context. To whom does verse 15 say we either present ourselves as approved workers, rightly handling the word of truth, or present ourselves in shame if we are not? Is rightly handling the Word primarily for the glory of God, or for the good of man? What are the consequences for ourselves and others of not handling God’s Word correctly, according to 14,16-18?

4. Psalm 119 might be the perfect Scriptural example of the knowledge of God’s Word leading to a greater emotional affection for God. Instead of studying each verse of this psalm individually, read it as a whole unit, noting along the way the importance the psalmist places on the Word of God and what studying Scripture led to in his heart and his relationship with God. Notice also, his expression of emotion, and his love and affection for God.

As women, we’re sometimes prone to being ruled by our feelings, and we often rightly cite Jeremiah 17:9 as evidence that we should not trust our feelings over God’s word. What does Psalm 119 teach us about feelings, emotions, and affections that are fueled by God’s Word?

5. Explain why knowing and loving God’s Word is an integral part of biblical womanhood.

Homework

Many Christian women pit the idea of loving God with our minds (“head knowledge”) against the idea of loving God with our hearts/souls (“heart knowledge”), often leaving the impression that pursuing God intellectually is inferior to, different from, and sometimes even less feminine, than an affectionate, emotional love for God. According to the Mark 12 passage, is this a fair assessment or a false dichotomy? How can loving God with all your heart lead to loving God with all your mind, and vice versa? Evaluate your love for God in terms of how you love Him with your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength. Write down any weaknesses in any of these areas and ask God to strengthen you. Write down any growth you’ve seen in any of these areas, and praise God for growing you.