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.