There are numerous completely different approaches to studying the Bible. I like to learn in large chunks, for instance. However I even have an issue. Typically, I learn my Bible too rapidly. Why? Typically I’m distracted. Different instances, it’s as a result of I’ve not managed my time effectively.
My greatest instances within the Bible are these once I decelerate. Once I can immerse myself in it, lingering over sentences, and meditating on its truths as I learn. (And I do know I’m not alone on this.)
I genuinely get pleasure from studying and finding out the Bible. It’s one among my favourite issues. So, as this 12 months has progressed, I’ve been contemplating how I would like my time within the Phrase to be completely different—to method it in mild of how I really really feel about it. So right here’s what I’m doing: As I learn, I’m writing out books of the Bible.
Writing to Honor and Obey the Lord
If that sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of it’s really an previous apply. The kings of Israel, for instance, had been commanded to make a duplicate of the Legislation for themselves:
Additionally it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a duplicate of this regulation in a e-book, from the one earlier than the monks, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall learn all of it the times of his life, that he could be taught to concern the Lord his God and watch out to look at all of the phrases of this regulation and these statutes, that his coronary heart is probably not lifted above his brethren, that he could not flip apart from the commandment to the suitable hand or to the left, and that he could extend his days in his kingdom, he and his kids within the midst of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:18-20 NKJV).
Why had been they commanded to write down the Legislation? To be taught to concern the Lord their God. To know him and honor him as God, remembering his deeds and his actions on his individuals’s behalves. Kings had been to write down, meditate, and bear in mind to humble themselves. They had been to know that no human king is bigger than his individuals. They too had been to watch out to obey God’s instructions, simply because the individuals had been.
I’m not king, clearly. I’m 99.9 % certain you aren’t both. Besides, the worth of this stays for us. In any case, who amongst us is exempt from the decision to obey all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:20)?
Who is just not known as have this thoughts amongst us: “…in lowliness of thoughts let every esteem others higher than himself,” searching not just for our personal pursuits, but in addition the pursuits of others, as Christ did for us (Philippians 2:3-5 NKJV)?
Writing to Keep in mind and to Marvel
Writing by hand engages our brains and our bodies differently than writing on a keyboard or display screen. Whereas there’s one thing to be mentioned about the way in which writing by hand makes use of our entire our bodies and creates a higher sense of situational consciousness vs typing, the important thing factor to know is that handwriting reinforces reminiscence because it “locks the motor and sensory programs collectively.” It creates a connection between phrases and actions, which, in flip, leads us to recollect them extra successfully.
(It additionally has the additional advantage of strengthening the standard of our handwriting, which is necessary for individuals like me who’ve a nasty case of left-handed dude.)
However that is the important thing: I wish to bear in mind—to meditate and take into account God’s Phrase extra rigorously. I wish to linger over it. Writing helps me try this. So the place am I beginning? John’s Gospel, whose prologue introduces us to Christ in his divine type: the Phrase who was with God and was God to start with, by whom all issues had been made (John 1:1-4).
As a result of I’ve solely not too long ago began doing this, I’m not very far alongside, only some verses, however I already discover myself extra successfully remembering these phrases describing who Christ is. Fascinated with the thriller of God’s nature as three-in-one, and that the One other than whom “nothing that was made was made” (John 1:4) got here into the world he made and dwelt amongst us. It’s astounding. How can we not be in awe of that?
I wish to surprise at God’s Phrase. That doesn’t occur once I’m attempting to examine off a field. It comes from lingering, meditating, and remembering. Writing helps me to try this. And if you happen to’re something like me, it would show you how to do the identical.
