May. 31, 2007 - Variety is the Spice of Life
Do you ever feel sometimes like you get stuck in a rut with your daily Bible study time? That you do the same thing every day and the Word just doesn’t seem to be sinking in or you don’t seem to be growing in your relationship with God? I think it happens to all of us. We tend to feel guilty when that happens, don’t we? After all, the Bible should be the most important book in our lives. God has revealed to us how He wants us to live, and His Word is supposed to be our daily bread – something that nourishes us, that we can’t do without. I think that feeling of guilt is a good thing. It means we know we need to start doing something different in order to get more out of the time we spend with God.
There’s a saying that says variety is the spice of life. If you begin to lose interest in studying the Bible every day, if it starts to seem boring, then try adding a little variety. God’s Word is living and active. It is powerful, and there’s nothing boring about it. The only thing we may need is a change in our methods.
Here are some ideas I've come up with:
Use a new Bible marking system. Do you normally make notes in a notebook? Try making notes in your Bible instead. When I read a passage, I like remembering what I learned from it the last time I read it. With notes on the pages of my Bible, it’s much easier to read those than to go dig up an old notebook to remember what I learned before. This is also a great way to make a family heirloom. Someday you may be able to pass on your marked up Bible to your own children. Think of how they will treasure it all the more because you’ve written personally applicable lessons in it that God has taught you.
You could also start a Bible highlighting system, using different colored pens or pencils for different meanings of verses. For example, yellow for promises, pink for godly womanhood, blue for commands, green for wisdom, etc. It’s not necessary to mark every verse, only those that really stand out to you.
If you normally write in your Bible anyway, try using a notebook. Find a pretty journal to use or decorate a plain notebook yourself. This will give you all the space you need for writing out personal applications, prayers to God, praises, requests, important verses to you, and the like.
Use index cards! Write down one verse that jumps out at you in the morning and then work on memorizing it throughout the day. A note card is small and easy to keep with you.
Do you need something to help jumpstart your Bible study time? Try getting a book to help you. I really recommend the Balancing the Sword system, which is a fill-in-the blank study. We have to know what the Bible says before we can know what it means. In these books, each question comes with references allowing for further study.
Do you have a concordance? Most houses do. Do you use it? Even if you don’t have one, take advantage of the Internet resources available like Bible Gateway and Crosswalk. One fun thing to do is pick a topic like honoring your parents, grace, sacrifice, or the Sabbath and look up all the verses relating to that topic. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn, even if you think you know everything there is to know about a subject. Pay attention to slight alterations in words and phrases. Every word in the Bible is important. A slight word change in a different passage that’s on the same topic may help you understand something in a whole new way.
You could also study a passage appropriate to the season or holiday. I love reading the Psalms on warm, sunny days when the birds are singing and the sky is blue. On those days, it seems like all the earth is giving praise to God, and there are so many Psalms that rejoice in Creation, it just seems fitting. Study thankfulness around Thanksgiving and Jesus’ death and resurrection around Easter. I think you get the picture.
I admit there are days when I don’t feel like studying the Bible. Sometimes other things get in the way or I don’t have a lot of time. I have to remind myself not to be ruled by my feelings. No it’s not sinful to miss a day here and there, but we should desire God’s Word as our daily bread. When I pray that God would help me understand what I’m about to read and would give me wisdom from His Word, and when I really set myself to studying, I learn so much more than I would if I tried to rush through it. It’s not about just getting through your reading so you can check it off your to-do list. It’s about being open to what God wants to teach you and diligently searching the Scriptures. It’s about applying what you learn in your own life to be a Christ-like example to the world.
Comments
Jun. 1, 2007 - Hey
Posted by dixiebeauty
Girl, I have one thing to say to you and that is, you are my inspiration.
lots of love,
Jordan Lee
Jun. 1, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Luvs2Sing
Hi!
Thanks for the congrats! I did sing the National Anthem and, you got it, I sing, hence the name as you said. :-)
This is def. The busiest time of year, every year it's the same...May is always SO busy and then of course June is! :-)
Have a great day!
Elizabeth
Jun. 4, 2007 - Hee Hee
Posted by cherryblossom
Ummmmm I should have been more clear... The DANGEROUS ones :P like sharks and *shudder* jellyfish..and thats mostly it... hmmm im not really AFRAID of them but lets say I respect them more than other animals.. :p lol....
-Julia
Jun. 12, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by PumpkinsMomma
That is a great post. Thanks for thinking of ways to make studying the Bible deeper!
marie
