Reading and Studying the Bible

Dwight L. Moody suggests utilizing a pen and notebook while asking a series of questions. With the passing of time there should be evidence of change. Here are those top 10 questions to ask when discovering the truths and principles of God’s word

1. What person have I read about? And, what have I learned about them?

2. Can I relate from memory what I have just been reading?

3. Are there any parallel passages or texts that throw light on the passage?

4. What places have I read about? And, what have I read about them. Is the place mentioned, can I find out. Do I know it’s location on the map?

5. Have I read anything about God the Father, or about Jesus, or about the Holy Spirit?

6. What have I read about myself? What have I read about man’s sinful nature? What have I read about the spiritual new nature?

7. Is there any duty for me to observe? Is there an example for me to follow?

8. Is there any promise to claim? Is there any exhortation to guide me?

9. Is there any prayer that I can echo?

10. What is the key verse of the passage or chapter? Can I repeat it from memory?

Leadership, character and influence is not so much a result of age, gender or number of years of service as it is a result of identifying and practicing the attributes of Christ and the influential leaders mentioned and discussed in the Bible. “The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the strongest incentive to its practice”. W.E.H. Lecky. As we identify with the truths and principles we discover, and develop habits with purpose, the kind Christ can use to influence the lives of others, and commit to put them into practice, we realize we accept and maintain them more consistently. They become a reflection of our own core values.

Roles and responsibilities of Police and Correctional Officer Christian Fellowship

1. Use a story, quote or question related to our careers, assignments, interests or social concern as an opening hook.

2. Relate the point of the opening hook to God’s word.

3. Point out the spiritual principles and discuss how it applies.

4. Close with a question or ask if there are any comments.

Two or more officers meet and pick a topic or subject of interest. Let’s say “commitment”. Use a Concordance, Bible Dictionary and Bible and relate one or two scriptures and what it is that you learned about the principle of commitment. Together a general opinion is formed about commitment. Now, what can we do to establish a greater level of commitment in our lives and careers? Also, who is someone in the Bible who had a significant impact on someone else? Let’s say Saul. (former officer and government official) Use the same resources to form an opinion of Saul. Now what are the positive and negative influences surrounding Saul that we can adopt in our own lives and careers? What type of adjustments did other people in the Bible have to make in their thinking, actions and beliefs about God’s purposes?

Also organize applicable trips, (Police Memorial Week) training seminars (Pointman Leadership Institute) and conferences (Police or Couples weekends at Hume Lake and Camp at Old Mill-type venues.) or simply an overnight Friday and Saturday morning fellowship event with speaker and meals. Everyone doing something to serve one other – cooking, cleanup, music, testimonies, commissioning with prayer by a chaplain etc.