Have you ever dissected something? High school biology? Perhaps college anatomy? If you’ve been following Alive and Active Life, you know you can dissect Scripture, too. Thankfully, I’m not talking about heavy–duty, theological stuff. Rather, this is a lighter approach to dissect something meaningful – with practical action steps for your life.
Much like you command a kitchen knife, you must learn how to wield your Sword – the Scriptures. So, why not dissect something meaningful with me today?
Tear Into It – Dissect Something Meaningful
First, I suggest – check out our initial content that launched Scripture Dissection materials: Tear Into It. That article explains how and why we introduce Scripture dissection exercises periodically.
Strategically, let’s look at a powerful message of instruction and hope today. Essentially, this small portion of Scripture gives critical pieces, chopped into bite sizes, to live a credible Christian life in a rather broken, confused world.
Perhaps you’ve never pictured yourself dissecting Scripture. Nevertheless, you can – and should – every day. Afterall, you need this to live an Alive and Active Life.
Let’s Tear Into – Dissect Something Meaningful
There are always four categories we explore in Scripture dissection:
- What Does It Say?
- What Does It Mean?
- Make It Personal.
- Make A Commitment.
1. What Does It Say?
One of the best ways to dissect Scripture in a meaningful, life-changing way – is to tear into each phrase. 
Then, picture what it looks like in your daily life. Essentially, that’s meditating on God’s Word.
So, now look up 2 Pet. 1:3-4 in your Bible. Here’s a bullet list of points.
- His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life . . .
- Through our knowledge of Him . . .
- Who called us by His own glory and goodness.
- Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises . . .
- So that through them you may participate in the Divine Nature . . .
- Having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2. What Does It Mean?
Phrase 1. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life . . .
This phrase states clearly – you have already been given absolutely everything you need to live a godly life. In other words, you lack nothing. Plus, you have a complete guarantee from God of His unlimited divine power.
Taken seriously, this means: the power that created everything out of nothing is yours for managing daily life issues. Perhaps you haven’t found this power yet. Equally, you may be unsure how to apply it each day. Regardless, you can live a godly life.
Why not learn how to dissect something meaningful each day?
Phrase 2. Through our knowledge of Him . . .
Your access to God’s amazing power comes by getting to know Jesus. So, how does that work, exactly?
To know Christ takes intentional, pro-active investment on your part.
First, choose to love God who first loved you. Next, focus on what God says is important. Then, get into God’s Word with discipline each day. And finally, practice resolve to carry out what you find in Scripture.
And one more thing. Communicate with God! It’s called – prayer. Afterall, He wants you to know Him well. This is a “win-win” relationship.
So,
- Love God back.
- Focus on God’s ways.
- Discipline yourself to get into His Word. Then, get His Word into YOU!
- Resolve to practice what you learn from Scripture.
- Pray for God to grow you, change you, and strengthen you.
All these steps help you know God better: Love, Focus, Discipline, Resolve, Pray – from your heart! These steps equal transformation.
To know God is a bit like a grocery shopping spree when you’re hungry for a good meal. First, you go to the grocery and fill your cart with supplies. Then, you go home and assimilate your supplies into a meal. Finally, you eat that meal. But, you get hungry again. So, you go back to the store, load up again, and head home to create another nutritious meal.
So – load up each day. Get to know God with all your heart. Let Him satisfy your hunger.
Phrase 3. Who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Jesus calls you to Himself in two ways.
The first is by His glory. Interestingly, this is His very essence – who He is. The big words are:
- Omnipresent – God is everywhere.
- Omniscient – God is all-knowing.
- Omnipotent – God is all-powerful.
By the way, these big words express God’s glory. Simply put – He’s incredible! Remarkably, God wants to share Himself with you. So, do you want to share yourself with God?
The second way God calls you to Himself is by His goodness. Now, this is what He does. Because He’s good, everything He does is flavored with goodness. In summary, He intends to pour His goodness into and through your life.
You can enjoy God’s glory and goodness even in times of suffering.
Phrase 4. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises . . .
Yes, we just explored God’s glory and goodness. Essentially, “who He is.” Plus, “what He does.” Remarkably, God makes promises from that platform.
Listen to His strong words describing His own promises – very great and precious. God has a definite opinion about His promises. Incidentally, they are exactly what you need. Plus, when you claim them in practical issues, God releases power and purpose into your life.
Claim God’s very great and precious promises for YOU!
Phrase 5. So that through them you may participate in the Divine Nature . . .
I cannot emphasize how stunning this invitation is. Incredibly, it’s through God’s very great and precious promises you can literally participate in God’s Divine Nature. Wow. Equally, God wants to share Himself with you so you know Him intimately. Inevitably, as you trust and obey His Word, you literally participate in His life.
So, let God’s Divine Nature change your nature.
Phrase 6. Having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
You become and remain holy through Christ. Actually, you are “hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) Essentially, this is how you escape corruption, punishment, and death. Since Jesus did His part, your part is to “work out your salvation with awe and reverence.” (Phil. 2:12) Basically, bring everything you think, say, and do into alignment with God’s ways.
To sum up, stay safe in Jesus and stay out of the world’s corruption. Be in the world, but not of it.
3. Make It Personal
Phrase 1. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life . . .
Do you apply this power to your daily situations?
Phrase 2. Through our knowledge of Him . . .
Are you hungry for God? And, do you load up your cart each day to know God more?
Phrase 3. Who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Are you responding to God’s gracious invitation to live inside His glory and goodness?
Phrase 4. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises . . .
Are God’s promises your greatest treasure? Equally, do you share His opinion that they are very great and precious?
Phrase 5. So that through them you may participate in the Divine Nature . . .
Why not participate in God’s Divine Nature? It’s a faith decision.
Phrase 6. Having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Are you letting God’s Word transform your life?
4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts
As you commit to tear into Scripture on your own, here are steps to help dissect and apply Scripture in practical ways. Truly, applied from your heart, these steps make God’s Word Alive and Active in you! In essence, you are transformed into Christ’s glory and goodness.
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First, pray God will open your understanding as you read His Word.- Then, read and ask good questions about each phrase. Questions like – who, what, when, where, why, and the most practical question – how does this apply to me?
- Next, Meditate. Picture in your mind how to apply what you dissected. Perhaps record thoughts in a journal.
- Commit to obey God as you visualize Scripture applied to your life.
- Additionally, memorize the verse if it’s short, or at least the concept. Then, record application in your journal.
- Pray again that God will bless Scripture to your life as you begin to apply it.
- Finally, commit to practice what you dissected and learned. Basically, let God’s Spirit challenge and inspire and change you.
Now For Some Questions
- Do you believe God has given you everything you need for a godly life? (Phrase 1)
- How well do you know God? (Phrase 2)
- So, have you answered God’s call into His glory and goodness as your life purpose? (Phrase 3)
- How often do you claim God’s very great and precious promises? (Phrase 4)
- Do you daily participate in the Divine Nature? (Phrase 5)
- Strategically, what boundaries should you put into place to escape corruption of this world? (Phrase 6)
- Finally, how will you effectively engage others through God’s mercy, grace, and love?
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