Foundation for Spending Time in God’s Word

When I was a freshman in college, I remember watching a man who loved the Bible and was so knowledgeable about God’s Word and thinking “I want to be like him.” When I read the Bible, I didn’t feel like I was understanding anything. He knew God’s Word and he was so passionate about it. It set me on this journey to learn what it meant to intentionally study and spend time with God in His Word. 

I have come to understand that this is a journey that requires God’s grace through prayer and discipline to meditate, share, and obey what you’ve read. I want to share with you something that was shared with me that will help you start your journey to more intentionally spending time with God in the Scriptures. 

First and foremost, every time you open God’s Word, pray for understanding and for God to reveal His word to you. Secondly, I would work through a book of the Bible, and for whatever I am reading that day, work through these questions.

1.   What verse or verses stood out to me as I read? Why?

2.   What do I learn about God? (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

3.   What do I learn about people? (humanity in general, non-believers, believers)

4.   Is there a sin to avoid?

5.   Is there a command to obey?

6.   Is there a promise to trust in?

7.   Is there an example to follow?

Thirdly, meditate on what you’ve learned throughout your day. Read over it again. Treat the Scripture like we treat gum, and keep chewing on it! Fourthly, pray specifically for the Lord to give you wisdom as to how you will live in light of what you’ve learned or been reminded of.

These questions will guarantee that you will always learn or be reminded of something when you spend time in God’s Word. What you will find is that this is not a book full of lifeless words, but God’s Word that is “living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Love you, church!

Pastor John