Linked UP Worship — August 2, 2026
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Foundation text:
Romans 10:17
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17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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Week 2: “Hearing the Word with Understanding”
Main takeaway:
God speaks clearly when we listen intentionally.
God speaks clearly when we listen intentionally.
Introduction:
Many Christians read chapters every day, attend church every week, listen to podcasts, and memorize verses, yet never truly hear what God is saying to us personally. Jesus repeatedly said:
Many Christians read chapters every day, attend church every week, listen to podcasts, and memorize verses, yet never truly hear what God is saying to us personally. Jesus repeatedly said:
Matthew 11:15
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15 He who has ears, let him hear.
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Today we’re going to discover how God still speaks through His Word, and how we can hear Him more clearly than ever before.
1. Hearing requires focus and reverence.
1. Hearing requires focus and reverence.
Nehemiah 8:1-8
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1 At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.
3 So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was standing above them all, and as he opened it, all the people stood up.
6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.
8 So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.
2 On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand.
3 So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was standing above them all, and as he opened it, all the people stood up.
6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.
8 So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.
BSB
Ezra stood before thousands of people and read the Word of God for hours. Notice the people’s response:
They gathered eagerly.
They stood while the Word was read.
They lifted their hands.
They worshiped.
They listened attentively.
The Levites explained the meaning.
They gathered eagerly.
They stood while the Word was read.
They lifted their hands.
They worshiped.
They listened attentively.
The Levites explained the meaning.
Luke 8:18
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18 Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
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Jesus didn’t simply say, “Take heed what you hear.” He said,“Take heed HOW you hear.” Our attitude and expectation determines what we receive.
Practical Application:
Create a place where you can hear.
*Put your phone away. (Remove distractions)
*Open your Bible.
*Pray first.
*Expect God to speak.
*Slow down.
Don’t rush through Scripture. Let Scripture read you.
Practical Application:
Create a place where you can hear.
*Put your phone away. (Remove distractions)
*Open your Bible.
*Pray first.
*Expect God to speak.
*Slow down.
Don’t rush through Scripture. Let Scripture read you.
2. Understanding Brings Transformation.
Nehemiah 8:8
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8 So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.
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Proverbs 4:20-22
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20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
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Notice the progression.
1. Pay attention.
2. Keep them before your eyes.
3. Hide them in your heart. Then…
4. “They are life…and health.”
Transformation comes through understanding.
1. Pay attention.
2. Keep them before your eyes.
3. Hide them in your heart. Then…
4. “They are life…and health.”
Transformation comes through understanding.
Acts 8:30-31
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30 So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
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3. The Holy Spirit Is Our Teacher.
John 14:26
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26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
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John 16:13-14
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13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.
14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.
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I Corinthians 2:10-12
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10 But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
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Natural understanding alone cannot grasp spiritual truth. The Holy Spirit reveals what God has prepared.
Practical Application:
Before reading your Bible every day, pray something simple like:“Father, thank You for Your Word. Holy Spirit, teach me today. Open my eyes to see what You want me to see. Help me obey what You reveal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” That simple prayer invites dependence instead of self-reliance.
Closing Challenge:
During this week of 40 Days in the Word, don’t just read the Bible. Listen for God’s voice. Approach it with expectation. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Write down what He shows you. Then obey it. Because every act of obedience opens the door for greater understanding. As Jesus said, “Therefore take heed how you hear.”
Practical Application:
Before reading your Bible every day, pray something simple like:“Father, thank You for Your Word. Holy Spirit, teach me today. Open my eyes to see what You want me to see. Help me obey what You reveal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” That simple prayer invites dependence instead of self-reliance.
Closing Challenge:
During this week of 40 Days in the Word, don’t just read the Bible. Listen for God’s voice. Approach it with expectation. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Write down what He shows you. Then obey it. Because every act of obedience opens the door for greater understanding. As Jesus said, “Therefore take heed how you hear.”
Weekly Challenge:
1.Practice the SOAP Method every day.
S – Scripture (choose one verse or short text)
O – Observation (what does it mean? When and who is it written to? What is God saying to me through this text?)
A – Application (How do I apply this to my life?)
P – Prayer (Ask God to help you obey Him and live what you studied in Your life today, in Jesus’ Name.)
2. Read one chapter each day from one of the Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) Watch how Jesus speaks, serves, teaches, and transforms lives.
3. Keep a “God Spoke Today” journal.
*Each day, write down:
*One verse that stood out.
*What God impressed on your heart.
*One action step you will take that day.
Over 40 days, you’ll have a personal record of God’s faithfulness and guidance.
1.Practice the SOAP Method every day.
S – Scripture (choose one verse or short text)
O – Observation (what does it mean? When and who is it written to? What is God saying to me through this text?)
A – Application (How do I apply this to my life?)
P – Prayer (Ask God to help you obey Him and live what you studied in Your life today, in Jesus’ Name.)
2. Read one chapter each day from one of the Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) Watch how Jesus speaks, serves, teaches, and transforms lives.
3. Keep a “God Spoke Today” journal.
*Each day, write down:
*One verse that stood out.
*What God impressed on your heart.
*One action step you will take that day.
Over 40 days, you’ll have a personal record of God’s faithfulness and guidance.
Key Takeaway:
When we approach God’s Word with reverence, seek understanding, and depend on the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes more than words on a page; it becomes the living voice of God, transforming our lives.
When we approach God’s Word with reverence, seek understanding, and depend on the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes more than words on a page; it becomes the living voice of God, transforming our lives.
