Bible reading tip #9 – Soap

Bible reading tip #9 – Soap

Posted on by Matthew Laker

 

bible5Bible reading is a discipine that is hard for many people.  One of the reasons to stay with it, is because of its value in helping the reader understand God and his or her self.

Today’s bible reading tip comes from Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion  He provides a good acrostic that can help our engagement of the bible.

 

 

Here is a summary:

S- Scripture

 

This is typically done with small portions of scripture. Read the passage you are reading that day.  What verse (s) stand out to you?  Write those down.

O- Observation

 

Write down what the verse is saying to you.  There is no rule here on how many sentences, but try to be clear. You could add observations on the passage, but if something stands out, focus on that verse or verses.

 

A – Application

 

Ask yourself to make an application to your life.  Wayne Cordeiro asks, “How will you be different today because of what you have just read?”  I would add what does this tell you about yourself and who God is?

 

P- Prayer

 

Write down something you are asking God to help you with.

 

There are many systems on engaging the bible. Perhaps this one can help you reengage for a season in a fresh way. Finding a system will increase your engagement of the bible. Remember little steps over time will take you a long way.

6 Ways Audio Bible can help

Posted on by Matthew Laker

The Wall Street Journal reported that some initial research points out that audio books are more “emotionally engaging than silent reading, particularly for men,” says Guy Story, Audible’s Chief Scientist.”

That may or may not be true for you. However, audio bibles can be a great way to help you engage scripture more.

6 ways using an audio bible can help you engage scripture:19149_Quiet_Time

 

1. Great way to first begin.

If you are new to the bible this can be a great way to start. It can even help with some of those crazy names you will read. Are you new to the bible, or know someone who is? Consider starting with an audio bible.

2. You’re not a reader

Many people just do not crack open books. This may be a great way to help “crack open” the bible.

3. Listen while you do other tasks

You could listen to scripture while you walk, have your morning coffee, do the dishes, or on the bus as you go to work. The more you hear the word in an active listening role, it will make an impact in your life.

4. Great for Auditory learners.

An auditory learner depends on hearing and speaking as their strongest way of learning. Some where I read that auditory learners make up about 30% of the population (I could be wrong though, so please let me know). If this is you, audio bibles can be a great tool. You can also listen when you cannot see. For example, you could try right before bed with the lights off. If you fall asleep, that is ok.

5. Hear it again with fresh ears

Listening to someone read the bible can allow us to hear things we may not otherwise hear. Perhaps the Book of Proverbs may be the hardest to listen through; however, many of the publishers are getting professional story tellers to read. Perhaps there are more, but my sixth way audio bibles can help you engage scripture more is:

6. Combine it

Listen to the bible while you read along. Take these two learning styles and work to get the best out of both of them.

Generally, for most of us the audio bible will not take us away from physically reading the bible, but it may for some.

If you want to freshen up or kick start your bible reading, then an audio bible is a great option in your bible reading.

 

What has been your experience with audio bible reading? Have you found better ones than others?

Bible reading Tip #4: Journaling for better Bible Engagement

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Journaling can help with better bible engagement. Journaling has so many benefits to the individual.  I also believe that it can have benefits to help us engage the Scripture for our personal growth.

Here are two reasons why journaling helps in bible engagement. Perhaps there are more, but let me give you my top two.

1. A place to process our thoughts

Generally, a journal can be used to process one’s daily or weekly life.  Why not do that with your Bible reading?  For example, let’s say you are sitting on a passage for a week.  Perhaps you will write down the one sentence or idea that seem to stick out for you each day, asking why and what the Spirit may be saying to you.  Generally, journaling can be used to simply process what you are reading in order that you may abide in God’s word.

2. A place to track what you are studying.

For example, I was trying to spend some extra time reflecting on the Second Coming of Jesus. I had a small book, where every time I read something around this topic, I would write in it.  In there was everything from thoughts from bible passages I was reading, and other books’ reflections on the topic.  This provided a place for me to go back to, and help in my reflection and study.

So how do we do it? How do we use journaling to help have better bible engagement?

How to use a journal for deeper bible engagement:

a. Write down the address of the passage you will be reading.  For example John 1:1-5.

b. As you read the passage write out a verse(s) or word(s) that stick out.

c. Write down what you think the passage is speaking about.

d. Why did you write the certain passage or word from part b?  What is it about that verse?

Start today using a journal to develop and engage scripture for your spiritual formation.

Looking for help in Discernment?

Posted on by Matthew Laker

holyspiritbibleRemaining in God’s word helps when we need discernment.  God’s word can shape our perspective on how to view the world, ourselves and God, and this gives help for discernment in our life.

Have you ever found yourself in a place needing discernment? Perhaps you have a choice to make? Perhaps there is someone in your life, and you are needing to know how to respond to them? In 1 John, the apostle John gives some instructions to his people to help with discernment.  In 1 John 2:25-27 there are two reminders that can help with discernment in our life. I will share one here.

John’s church is experiencing some challenges. One group is claiming a new understanding of Jesus.  John gives his church some advice, a place to start that will help them with discernment. Whether that be the need to discern a new spiritual teaching, or direction in our life.

1 John 2:24-25 “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.  If it does, you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.”

“Objectively John was teaching there are objective right beliefs rooted in recitation of the historic facts of our faith” (Burge, Gary. “The NIV Application Commentary: The Letters of John.” Michigan, Zondervan, 1996, p. 131).

However, it is not just the ability to repeat back what John wrote in his gospel.  It is about taking hold of who Jesus is and putting our trust in him.  Often it is when we have forgotten who Jesus is that we have forgotten who we are, and this makes choices even harder.  John is calling his people to not forget who Jesus is, and what they heard in the Gospel of John.

Remaining in God’s word is not just about reading scripture every day.  This is a good discipline, but the discipline does not save us.  Our spiritual disciplines position us to hear from God, and centre ourselves on Jesus.  To remain in God’s word is to let it also take root in our life, and embrace God’s promises and principles for our life.

If you follow Jesus long enough, you know of times when you need some discernment and so you open your bible and hope something comes out.  However, for many you only come out in the end with nothing.

I have observed in life, that through the regularly reflection/meditation of scriptures over time we gain better perspective.  God’s word can shape our perspective on how to view the world, ourselves and God, and this gives help for discernment in our life.

Remaining in God’s word will point us to Jesus, were we can find and live in the promise of eternal life (v.25)

Remaining in God’s word will help in discernment in life.

Bible Reading Tip #2 : Get A Plan, and Execute

Posted on by Matthew Laker

Finding a plan and running with it will help you in the development of the discipline of reading your bible. 19149_Quiet_Time b

Life has taught me that if you want to accomplish something, get a plan together.  This often can be hard for many, but to help with the disciple of reading the bible, a plan is often a great tool.  It is like following the GPS; it may not be the most efficient, but it will get you reading.

Executing is also just as important. Just because you have a GPS, you still have to drive.  This is often the hardest part of any plan, actually walking it and adjusting as needed.

Where to get a plan?

There are so many good resources and plans available.  Some printed bibles today even come with bible reading plans in the back.  If you are using an app like Olive tree or Youversion, there are more plans available then you have time for.  You can also search bible reading plans and go from there.

You can also create your own.  Pick a book and break it down over a calendar and start checking off as you read.  You could use your calendar on your phone and schedule the reading.

Many times I just read one chapter a day and have a book mark and pick up where I left off last time.

GET A FREE PLAN here on my resources page.

More Help to for executing the plan

a. Do not worry if you miss a day, just pick up where you left off

b. Think about when you have some down time or alone time and schedule it.

c .It is not a race for bible reading

d. Have some way of marking the progress.  For example, a check list (physical or electronic), or book mark your spot. This will help with your progress.

e. For beginners or re-starters, small chunks are better.

Finding a plan and running with it will help you in the development of the discipline of reading your bible.

What does your plan look like?  Any tips for developing one? Give me a tweet @matthew_laker

If you would like help, or email matthew@matthewlaker.com