Growing Disciples Monthly Reflections are written by a variety of leaders across our synod, as such the language reflects the individual's personal theology. We give thanks to Paul Baker for this month's reflection on studying.
My first recollection of reading a Bible verse on my own outside of church was when I was about 10 years old. At that time there was a man who would hold up a sign behind the goalposts at NFL games that had written on it: John 3:16. I shared a bedroom with my older brother and his Bible was on his dresser. So, I was curious about the John 3:16 sign and I found the passage and read it.
It was one of those moments in my life that I believe was guided by the Holy Spirit. God revealed Himself to me that day and I came to believe in Jesus. Since then, I have had a wonderful journey through the scriptures. I think that we all find our own method of studying scripture. I know many folks that follow a read the Bible in a year program and they get a lot out of it. I know others who will read the same passage from three or four different translations including in German. My method is unique to me.
I taught 6th grade Sunday School, and I would need to prepare a lesson every week so I would spend time every week studying. I teach an adult Bible study class every week now, so I am still studying to prepare for the class. I have been teaching an adult Bible study class for about 20 years. My main objective when I started teaching the class was for people to become comfortable picking up the Bible and reading it. We started the class with Genesis 1:1 and studied all the main stories chronologically and traced God's promises. It is very rewarding to watch the people in the class just become more comfortable moving through the Bible. I have used the NIV study Bible as my main study tool for more than 20 years and I also use Bible commentaries from the Working Preacher website.
Studying scripture over the years has formed me into the Christian I am today. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy that Scripture is useful to teach and train and to equip us for good works. A Pastor friend of mine told me once that when we pray and ask God for something that one of the ways that God will answer our prayer is through Scripture. The Bible is God's Word and He reveals Himself to us in Scripture and he speaks to us when we read and meditate on His word.
I encourage all of you to set time aside in your busy lives to open your Bible or go to a site like Bible Gateway and begin reading God's Word. Start out small and let reading a verse daily become a habit. Soon you will be looking forward to that time in your day when you have a chance to hear God speak to you through His Word.
