Bible Study: Day 2 Of “Encounter The 3D Bible” By Dr. Susan Michael
Purchase Your Study Materials:
Day 2: Is God's Word Alive?
"For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Study Tip:
I don’t know about you, but I’m an underliner. I like to underline the words of any book I read with the intent to learn (vs. not doing it when I read for entertainment). I like to keep my instructional books to go back and reference, where my underlining the important things helps me when I refer back to it, allowing me to find what I’m looking for easily. I only bring this up because it helps me and it might help you to better retain the information you are reading.
(Only do this if you OWN the book – do not do this for something you get from the library or borrow from a friend.)
Affiliate Link Notice
Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. This simply means that we get a referral bonus if you click our link and place an order. The company rewards us for the referral – but it doesn’t cost you anything extra over the cost of the products/services that you decide to purchase (plus any shipping fees and taxes). The payment is sometimes in monetary form, sometimes in discounts, sometimes in store credits, sometimes with other types of rewards. By using our links, you are supporting a small family business and helping our little farm.
To learn more about affiliate links, please read our Legal Terms & Conditions.
Bible Study Disclaimer
This study series reflects my personal notes and observations while working through Encounter the 3D Bible by Dr. Susan Michael. These posts are not a substitute for the book or study guide. I encourage you to purchase the materials and study alongside me.
Primary Bible Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Revelation 19:11-16
Hebrews 4:12
Opening prayer
Heavenly Father,
As I open Your Word today, quiet the distractions in my heart and mind. Give me discernment to understand what You desire to teach me. Help me read with humility, wisdom, and an open heart, allowing Your Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts. Reveal truths I may have overlooked before, strengthen my faith where there is uncertainty, and help me apply what I learn to my everyday life. May this study draw me closer to You and deepen my love for Your Word.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Study Overview
Today’s study challenged me to think about why God’s Word is worth studying and what it means when Scripture says it is “God-breathed.” It also encouraged me to consider how easily doubt can take root when we spend more time listening to the world’s voices than to God’s.
Rather than simply reading the Bible for information, today’s lesson reminded me that spending time in Scripture is spending time with God Himself.
Day 2 Notes
Who?
Paul wrote 2 Timothy to Timothy, a young pastor serving the early church. Near the end of Paul’s life, he encouraged Timothy to remain faithful to Scripture despite false teachers and increasing opposition.
People Mentioned
- Paul
- Timothy
- Eve (Genesis 3)
- The serpent
- Jesus Christ (Revelation 19)
Cultural Context
The early church faced constant pressure from false teachers and competing philosophies. Paul’s encouragement to remain grounded in Scripture remains just as relevant today, when many people question whether the Bible can be trusted.
What?
Today’s primary passage comes from one of Paul’s pastoral letters. Rather than telling a story, Paul is teaching doctrine and encouraging faithful living.
In today’s reading, one verse that Dr. Susan Michael quotes in the book stood out above the rest:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction, and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16 – 17, NIV)
Did you catch that part? the Word of God is described as being “God-breathed” in the NIV translation. In the King James translation it says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” which Dr. Susan Michael explains that the word “Inspiration” in Greek means “God-breathed”. (ref: page 15)
When reading the Bible, start thinking about an infusion of God’s breath into your soul and spirit. What does Genesis 2:7 say about God’s breath? – it says it gives LIFE, which means His breathed-out Word is also living and active, so when you read the Bible, you are infusing yourself with the living Word of God. The breath of God then starts to move through you, becoming an integral part of your very being.
When?
Historical Context
Scripture Study: Paul wrote 2 Timothy while imprisoned in Rome, likely around A.D. 64–67, shortly before his execution. These were difficult days for Christians. Persecution was increasing under Emperor Nero, making Paul’s encouragement to remain faithful even more significant.
Related To My “Encounter The 3D Bible” Book Notes: In Genesis, where doubt first entered through the serpent’s temptation, stands in remarkable contrast to Revelation, where Christ returns as the victorious King. From beginning to end, Scripture tells one continuous story that stands as relevant today as it did back then.
Where?
Geographical Context
Scripture Study: Paul wrote this letter from Rome.
Related To My “Encounter The 3D Bible” Book Notes: Genesis begins in the Garden of Eden. Revelation records John’s vision while exiled on the island of Patmos.
Although today’s study briefly mentioned Israel, there wasn’t enough information in this lesson to explore the geography in greater depth. As this study progresses, I expect Israel’s landscape, history, and archaeology will become much more central.
Why?
God did not give us His Word simply to increase our knowledge. Scripture teaches, corrects, encourages, equips, and transforms us. Today’s study reminded me that reading the Bible is more than completing another task on my to-do list. It is an opportunity to spend intentional time with God and build a true relationship with Him.
Digging In Deeper
The Greek word translated “God-breathed” in 2 Timothy 3:16 is theopneustos, a word combining Theos (God) and pneō (to breathe). Rather than suggesting God merely inspired good ideas, Paul describes Scripture as having its source in God Himself. For me, that realization gives greater weight to the authority of the Bible; how does this knowledge hit you?
Cultural Context
One illustration from “Encounter The 3D Bible” (ref. page 14) that resonated with me compared learning the Bible to children first learning their ABCs before they can read fluently. Just as children build one lesson upon another, understanding Scripture requires learning foundational principles that help us interpret it wisely. Make sure to get your own copy of the “Encounter The 3D Bible” and the accompanying study guide to learn more about Dr. Susan’s take on this.
Scripture Cross References
- Genesis 3:1–6 – The first seed of doubt.
- Matthew 17:20 – Faith as small as a mustard seed.
- Hebrews 4:12 – God’s Word is living and active.
- John 1:1–14 – Jesus as the living Word.
- Isaiah 55:10–11 – God’s Word accomplishes His purposes.
My Reflections
Application To Life On The Homestead
One image stayed with me throughout today’s study—the idea of planting seeds. Dr. Susan Michael shows us how the serpent planted a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind. That small seed eventually grew into distrust and disobedience. But I know that faith grows the same way. Every day we choose which seeds we water.
This lesson reminded me that doubt rarely appears all at once. Much like weeds in a garden, it begins small and grows if left unattended. The same is true of faith. Every time I open God’s Word, pray, or choose to trust Him despite uncertainty, I am planting seeds that I hope will produce a harvest of deeper faith.
Do we continually feed fear, doubt, anger, and discouragement or do we nurture faith by spending time in God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with Him? A harvest never appears overnight. Neither does spiritual growth. Choose the seeds you plant wisely so your future harvest helps to build the life you really want.
God’s Timing
Another thought that struck me was the timing of me reading this chapter. The author mentioned America approaching its 250th anniversary, and I happened to read those exact pages on July 4th—our nation’s 250th birthday. It felt like a small reminder that God’s timing often has a way of making certain truths more meaningful.
Relationship Building
Finally, today’s lesson reminded me that Bible study isn’t about finishing another chapter or checking something off your list of to-do’s. It’s about drawing closer to God and being filled with His Holy Spirit through the living, breathing Word of God Himself.
Planting Your Seeds This Week:
Read 2 Timothy 3:14–17 and ask yourself:
- “What is God trying to teach me today?”
- “What seeds am I planting and caring for so I can get the harvest I need in the future?”
- “How is God’s living, breathing Word moving in my soul and spirit?”
Study Tip: I always wanted to read the entire Bible from cover to cover and I tried so many times and couldn’t achieve that goal until I purchased the “NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible” (shown above). I colored and read from cover to cover in less than 6 months! Since then, I’ve read 2 other versions from cover to cover and I’m working on reading the “Evidence Study Bible” right now. If you are struggling with reading the Bible, I HIGHLY recommend “Beautiful Word Coloring Bible”.
Questions I Still Have (Because I'm Human)
- “How do we confidently answer people who claim the Bible has been changed or corrupted?”
- “What role did the Dead Sea Scrolls play in confirming the reliability of Scripture?”
- “If there are many Bible translations, how do I choose which one to study?”
- “How should we understand difficult passages involving the treatment of women while recognizing the difference between what Scripture records and what God desires?”
These are questions I hope to continue exploring throughout this and future Bible studies we do on this website.
Other Tools For A Great Bible Study Experience
Purchase Your Study Materials:
Closing Prayer
Father,
Thank You for giving us Your living Word. Thank You for preserving it throughout history and allowing us the freedom to read it today. Help me to recognize the seeds I am planting in my own heart. When doubt begins to grow, replace it with trust. When I become distracted, draw me back to Your truth. Give me a hunger for Scripture and the wisdom to understand it more deeply each day. May my faith continue to grow as I spend time in Your presence, and may my life reflect the truth of Your Word.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Affiliate Link Notice
Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. This simply means that we get a referral bonus if you click our link and place an order. The company rewards us for the referral – but it doesn’t cost you anything extra over the cost of the products/services that you decide to purchase (plus any shipping fees and taxes). The payment is sometimes in monetary form, sometimes in discounts, sometimes in store credits, sometimes with other types of rewards. By using our links, you are supporting a small family business and helping our little farm.
To learn more about affiliate links, please read our Legal Terms & Conditions.
Bible Study Disclaimer
This study series reflects my personal notes and observations while working through Encounter the 3D Bible by Dr. Susan Michael. These posts are not a substitute for the book or study guide. I encourage you to purchase the materials and study alongside me.
References:
