Recently, I met with someone who recommended a book with a noteworthy remark from the author: “If you’re just going to read this book without stopping to pause, reflect, and journal, then this book is a waste of time.”
It’s because the author intended his book to be more of something that is to be processed than to be consumed, simply for knowledge or information. Three big problems we encounter in our local context where we serve: people either don’t have access to the word, they don’t know the word, or they don’t know how to read it as God’s word.
Today I want you to evaluate your relationship with the Bible: God’s living word.
Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve spent intentional time in the word with God. Maybe you feel like you’re stuck in a dry season and reading the Bible seems a little stale.
I don’t want to bring shame if your relationship is a little inconsistent with the Bible, because it’s been a common theme for the people of God in the scriptures.
In Nehemiah 8, the Israelites, after returning from exile and rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, gathered to hear Ezra read the Torah. This wasn’t just a reading—it was a revival. The people were moved, their hearts stirred, there was both weeping and joy after being immersed in the story of God.
They were reminded of their identity. They were reminded of God’s kindness towards them. They were reminded how to live their lives again with an active faith.
Eat this Book
Eugene Peterson adds in "Eat This Book," “Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don’t simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus’ name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son.”
God’s word not only informs but forms the people of God.
Practical Steps to Engage with Scripture
It all points to Jesus
All of Scripture points to Jesus. In Luke 24:27, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus explained how all the Scriptures concerned Himself. He is the Word made flesh, the ultimate revelation of God’s love and truth. John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." By immersing ourselves in the Bible, we grow closer to Jesus. When we see the Bible as more than information, it turns into a relationship.
May this be a moment to renew your commitment to God’s word.
4 Go-To Resources for Learning How to Read and Love the Bible:
Knowing God by J.I. Packer This classic work explores the attributes of God and deepens readers’ understanding of His character through Scripture.
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart A comprehensive guide on understanding the different genres of the Bible and interpreting them correctly.
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene H. Peterson This book encourages readers to approach the Bible as a living conversation and guides them in a reflective reading process.
The Bible Project by Tim Mackie and Jon Collins An online resource providing videos, podcasts, and articles to help understand the Bible’s unified story. |
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