If you’re a Christian you probably know that you should be spending intentional time in God’s word, reading Scripture regularly. Over the years I’ve found the following four-fold framework for engaging with God’s word to be helpful. I make it my goal to make sure that I am setting aside time for each of these four at least twice in a given week.
1. Reading
When I say reading I mean simply that – reading. Like you would read a novel or other book you read for pleasure. This type of reading generally means consuming larger chunks of the text – a chapter at a time at least – with less depth. It’s about seeing the flow of the story through the whole of the Bible and through each individual book within it. When reading smaller books of the Bible it’s ideal to read them all in one sitting so you can get the full flow of thought. For larger books like Isaiah or Genesis that may mean breaking it up into 2-3 chunks.
My primary reading is done in an annual Bible read through (3-5 chapters a day, from Genesis to Revelation each year) and occasionally pushing myself and doing a 90 day read through (15 or so chapters a day).
2. Study
Study is the deep to reading’s broad. Whereas reading is about seeing the grand narrative of scripture, study is about understanding the nuances and challenging sections of God’s word. It’s generally done with a smaller chunk of text, reading deeply what the author has written and asking questions of the text. This means that a pen and a notebook are indispensable when studying so that you can note down your observations, questions, and discoveries.
There are two types of study, both of which are incredibly valuable. The first is the solo study – engaging your Bible alone with your pen, paper, and listening prayer. The second is group study, as you would do in a typical Bible study. For Threshingfloor’s DNA groups we use a method called Discovery Bible Study.
3. Meditation
Meditation is the practice of taking a portion of scripture and pondering it throughout your day, or setting aside a specific amount of time to meditate on a specific text. Whereas reading gives us the big picture of Scripture and study engages our mind to think deeply and analyze and learn, meditation is about engaging the heart with God’s truth. Truths like, “ the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:5) or “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) require the time of meditation to sink into our consciousness and change how we think, feel, and act.
My personal practice here is to attempt to come away from my times in reading and study with one key thing that I will meditate on throughout the day. I’ve had various tools for doing this – from writing down the verse or truth on a note card and carrying it with me to setting a reminder on my phone for 4-5 times a day. However you do it, meditation is key to integrating the Word into your everyday life.
4. Memorization
Psalm 119 makes the statement, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Memorizing God’s word is a powerful tool for fighting temptation, equipping ourselves with the armor of God, and giving ourselves spiritual food for those times when we aren’t able to sit down and read.
There are plenty of methods for memorization, and in reality it’s not particularly hard to memorize a verse or two. It simply takes time and repetition to lock Biblical truth into your mind. More often than not my memorization happens as a result of study and meditation on a specific text.
Do you practice these four ways for engaging God’s word? If not I’d encourage you to do so regularly. Reading, study, meditation, and memorization are all crucial for our Spirit’s growth. Let us be people like the Psalmist who wrote in Psalm 119,
“In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.”
Psalm 119:14-16
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