To Experience God: Reading and studying the Bible.
Whether you begin or end your day with a time alone with God in a place you have set apart, take a deep slow breath. You are stepping on holy ground - a place of rest and surrender. You can start with a prayer to enter this holy place of prayer and His Word, where God has chosen to reveal himself and speak to us. Maybe say, “Lord, thank you for Your Word. Show me what You want me to hear and apply. In Jesus name.” Or you can just be silent as you tune in to His presence, His light.
Many people will start with a devotional - reading someone else’s experience of God. Some will go straight for Scriptures - perhaps Bible roulette, where you just open The Book and see where your eyes land. There are a several schedules for reading through the Bible in a year. Some have an Old Testament reading and a New Testament reading. Others include Psalms. Many people will study in groups (Community Bible Study, a neighbor or a church group) and focus on one book at a time. You can choose a verse in your devotional or one of God’s names or all that you are in-Christ. Some people will start with a word scan like anger to get an overview of what the Bible has to say about that.
Reread the same verse, section, or chapter several times and see what stands out for you. Where is the Holy Spirit leading you? Take a word or a phrase and sit with that in silence. Wait to see what God has to say to you.
Here are a few resources for understanding what’s in the Bible.
a. Commentaries on individual books in the Bible are a great way to get more background detail and also the big picture. Some authors are better than others for specific books or they have different takes, i.e. William Barclay is known for his commentary on the Gospel of John.
b. Bible Translations – some have commentaries and devotionals or small essays on a topic in the translation. They are called study Bibles. Some have cross-references to other verses in the Scriptures to augment understanding. Many have the history of the process of translation and sources used.
c. The Synopsis of the Four Gospels – that’s where I look up a verse say you found in Luke and see how it reads in Matthew, Mark and John.
d. Devotionals – especially Jesus Calling, are more about relationship and help you to focus; perhaps tap into someone else’s experience of God and hopefully you can identify part of it with your own experience.
and lastly –
e. an academic source – Introduction to Biblical Interpretation 1993 – Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard.
I would just read slowly and read the context – part of the chapter before and after the verse since originally the material was written without chapters, verses or punctuation. The reading will possibly flow more. Then spend some time in prayer and reflection. Perhaps journal on what you sense God is saying to you - comfort, love, a clear direction or even one word. Mid-day and again at night reflect to see where you have seen God show up. How did you respond to his teaching? What do you want to write down and remember – come back to another time? I hope you find these practices a delightful experience and begin to connect to the One who made you, loves you and is forever true.
