If you've ever asked this question, you're in good company! I remember asking things like;
"How can an ancient book be relevant to my life today? How can I trust what it says? Where do I begin and HOW do I read it?"
If you've ever asked similar things, I would love to show you what has helped me (and I'm still in process...so I'd love to hear what has been helpful for you, too!).
First of all, it has helped me to learn that the Bible is not one single book. It is actually a beautiful collection of 66 books, written over a span of 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents, by 40 different authors. Most of these authors never knew one another (they were kings, prophets, shepherds, fishermen, doctors, and more), and yet their writings share a common thread; CREATION, FALL and REDEMPTION. It's a story about the supernatural, perfect LOVE of God that longs for restored releationship with His creation.
Secondly, for all of this to be woven together so wonderfully, the Word must be INSPIRED.
"All scripture is inspired by God, and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" - 2 Timothy 3:16
Finally, when I realized that The Word of God was ALIVE, meaning that God's Spirit breathes on it and it has the supernatural ability to create transformation inside of me, I knew I needed to lean in!
"For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than a two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." - Hebrews 4:12
So, HOW do we read this INSPIRED, LIVING, TIMELESS collection of books?
We allow the Bible read us!
Come like a child
I grew up in a Christian home, going to church and vacation bible school. I used to learn bible stories from flannel graph boards (anyone?). Somewhere along the way, I got too "grown up". I tried to approach The Word from a cerebral place instead of like a child. But Jesus tells us that we get to enter the Kingdom of God like a child, and he often illustrated what the Kingdom was like using parables (stories). One of my mentors taught me to "Think in Pictures". Now, when I approach the Bible, I always try to imagine a flannel graph board or a film playing out. When I get a picture, I can better relate to the story and allow it to speak to me in a more relevant way.
2. Become a disciple
I was in my 30's, running on anxiety and performing to please others. I was desperate for LOVE, JOY, peace... you get the picture. I remember the day I purchased a new bible. I didn't need a new bible, but I needed it to feel like a fresh start. I opened the crisp pages and said "Ok, Jesus...pretend I know nothing! Start from scratch with me. I want to be one of your disciples. You be my teacher." I began in the book of John. I imagined myself being called by Jesus to follow Him. I imagined myself in the crowds and at the tables with him. I payed close attention to the red letters (the words of Christ) and allowed him to teach me. I just listened and received. Disciple means "learner". I commited to always being teachable and never getting to a place where I felt like I didn't have anything else to learn. This posture transformed my life. Once I discovered who Jesus really was, and that he was the visible image of the invisible God, I wanted to dive into more of His Word.
3. Become more like Christ.
We become like that which we behold.
The whole point of reading the bible is to empty ourselves of our SELVES and to be filled, and led by the Spirit of God. We are being inundated and influenced by other spirits daily, hourly, moment by moment. When I read the bible, I see that the message of The Bible is completely contrary to the messages of the world and of the enemy of our souls. I need to read the Bible so that it can expose and cleanse me of my SELF, the World and the voice of the Accuser. I need the Bible to cut through the noise and read my life like a book. I need it as a mirror to point out how I can better look like Christ Jesus. I submit and humble myself to this process. His presence is JOY and Peace. Any suffering, persecution, hardship, sorrow or pain identifies me with Christ and helps me to become more like him. I'm continually led to confess, repent and trust Him again with my life. I need to be influenced by the Spirit of God, so that I can become more and more like Jesus - until I meet him face to face. Therefore, the Bible is absolutely relevant to my life every single day.
Below are some simple tools that have helped me in reading the Bible and allowing the Bible to read me.
The S.O.A.P Method (feel free to print this and keep it in your bible)
The James Method (link)
Watch this short video to see how The James Method has been a wonderful tool.
I'm also a HUGE fan of new FILAMENT enabled Bibles. There are several "fringed", available and ready to ship on my website now! www.livinginthefringe.com These take studying the Bible to another lever! Be on the lookout for an email about all that the FILAMENT app has to offer, coming soon!
Thank you for continuing to pursue THE WORD with me! He is WORTH every minute!
In His LOVE,
Amy
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