When it comes to studying Scripture, you get out of it what you put into it. Jonathan Edwards clearly put much more into it than most could ever aspire. That should not dissuade us common folk, though. Our only real competition is ourselves.
When running the race to win, aspire to continually raise the bar you previously set. Seek to replace the best there is with something better still. For me, that’s the driving intention behind this resolution: to continually better our foundations of wisdom so we may be living examples of God’s promises.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 28
Edwards’ Resolution #28 (in my modernized language) To intently study God’s word so I can’t help but grow just as intently in my wisdom.
Studying Scripture through Bible Study
Many folks prefer to read books by contemporary thought-leaders over reading the God-breathed scripture of the Bible. I get it; it’s easier to consume and quickly understand. It’s (generally) not a mish-mash of allegory, poetry, commands, and dialogue. I have my personal favorites (Mark Batterson, Daniel Fusco, Mark Buchanan, Chuck Tate, Julie Lyles Carr, Ken Blanchard, etc.). But we must be mindful of the fact that they are words of mere mortals seeking to make a buck.
Yes, they are trying to teach us. However, they are also subservient to the publishing world who is going to suggest changes to make their content more consumable and likable. In other words, more marketable. It is content that is provoked by and/or inspired by scripture, but it is not real scripture.
Opening your Bible – or a Bible app and dig in. Just read it. Don’t try to follow footnotes, understand the totality of it, or even process it. Just read it. You can then get familiarity with it and begin studying it more deeply later.
Studying Scripture by Discussing with Others
Once you feel you have a good foundation of scripture, consider joining a Bible study group. Many churches do this as part of their regular Sunday School and there are many groups that meet at coffee shops all over the country. Start looking and I am sure you find one.
When you are REALLY ready to get deep, consider leading a group Bible study. I promise you, the time and effort you put into preparing one will teach you more than you ever thought possible. There are many ways to choose a Bible study. Here are a couple ways of choosing a Bible study that I wrote about some time ago.
Here it would also be good to look for spiritual mentors. Trusted people you can go to ask questions, dig deeper, or even express confusion over interpretations. They should be well-grounded in the Word and able to be spoken to in confidence that there would be no judgement.
Studying Scripture in Prayer
Many of the scriptures are actually prayers. As John Piper notes about prayers in scripture,
Paul has got numerous prayers that he prays for the people that he is writing his letters to. And every time we read that, we should pray with Paul. And a great portion of the Psalms are prayers, and Jesus gave us some prayers.
Something I have recently been introduced to is the act of meditating on scripture (stay with me). This is probably not the type of “meditation” you are thinking. This involves a much more in-depth analysis of reading scripture and allowing God to bless your devotional times. We often say things like “let God speak to you” or “encounter with God” or something like that. Meditating the Scripture is a way to experience those things.
Jan Johnson provides more explanation and why it’s an important act in her post, Why Meditate on Scripture? I also highly encourage you to pick up her book, Meeting God in Scripture: A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina. I’ve seen first-hand how Johnson’s guidance has helped even strong spiritually grounded folks to take their understanding to a higher level.
Perhaps it will for you, too!
Blessings, and thanks for reading.