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V2-C103 How to Study the Bible - 02 - Focus on Practicing God's Word (3)

2025-08-18 4 103 Course - Intermediate Bible Study

I. Core Principle: Focus on How to Act on God's Word

  1. The core of this lesson is to teach how to focus on "acting on God's Word", rather than dwelling on theory or criticism. This is what the Chinese Mingding Doctrine dislikes most – no playing the critic, no fault-finding in others, but instead, emulating.
  2. Regarding figures in the Bible who pleased God, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, our basic principle is to strive in every way to emulate them, rather than casually criticizing them, because criticizing them may invite a curse.

II. Jacob's Case: Revelations from Genesis Chapter 32

Jacob's Four Practices for Receiving Blessings:

1. Knowing How to Speak

  1. When Jacob sent messengers to Esau, his wording was extremely humble and wise, addressing Esau as "my lord" and himself as "your servant," and expressing that he had prospered and was sending word to find favour in Esau's sight.
  2. The art of speaking allows Jacob to make a name for himself in officialdom, business, and the entertainment industry. Christians must also learn to speak wisely, instead of giving people the impression of being "indebted from a previous life." Be humble when speaking to people, and emphasize God's promises when speaking to God.

2. Knowing How to Pray

  1. In fear, Jacob prayed to God, reminding Him of His promise to make his descendants as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and asking God to save him from the hand of Esau.
  2. Prayer is not about making deals with God, but about boldly emphasizing God's promises to oneself, believing that God is willing to listen and fulfill these promises.

3. Still Needing to Use One's Head to Think of Solutions

  1. After praying, although Jacob did not immediately hear God's response, he proactively thought of solutions, dividing the gifts into three groups and sending the servants ahead, and then sending his wives and children across the river.
  2. When facing difficulties, in addition to prayer, we also need to use our brains to think of concrete solutions. The Bible does not deny that man's fear, this "cowardice," and actual faith are real and have biblical basis, which is more substantial than empty "fearlessness."

4. Holding Firmly to God's Blessing

  1. At the Jabbok ford, Jacob wrestled with God (the angel), holding onto the angel's leg and saying, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." In the end, his thigh was crippled, meaning he could no longer rely on his own legs to escape, but could only completely rely on God's blessing.
  2. Jacob prevailed in wrestling with both God and men because he wanted to obtain benefits and blessings no matter what.
  3. When a person is forced to the stage where they can only rely on God's blessing, that is when things "get real."
  4. God's blessing is extremely miraculous and useful. We should not "foolishly" reject God's blessing, but instead, hold onto it firmly like Jacob.

III. Conclusion: How to Read the Bible and Live Out Destiny

  1. Through Jacob's case, we learn how to focus on "acting on God's Word", embodying it in daily communication, prayer, problem-solving, and complete reliance on God's blessing.
  2. Do not be foolish, but understand how to hold firmly to God's blessing.

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