October 10 Show Yourself Approved

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. ~Proverbs 23:12

My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. ~Proverbs 23:15-18

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. You, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. ~2 Timothy 2:15-16

This is actually a good follow up to yesterday. Yesterday, I talked about the benefits of laying a good foundation, as a child of God, to be able to stand firm in the faith gained through His Word. Today, I would like to give some practical tips about how to study, so you get the most out of what you read in His Word, or hear in a sermon. First of all, I just need to say that it is wise to have an approach to God’s Word. It’s good to try to read a little of it every day.

There are many different Bible reading plans that you can benefit from. If you read the Devotional “Our Daily Bread,” that has a recommended reading plan. Kathy reads through the Bible in a year chronologically. She explains that the Chronological plan that she has found does a really good job of piecing scripture together so that it is more of a story and that has really helped her get a handle on the overall message. I know that in other churches she led a Bible study with that approach and they also found it helpful.

Some plans have you going through the Bible in two years. Some have you go through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. Some have you reading the book of Proverbs through once a month. Different plans work for different people, depending on your bent. There is no right or wrong. Most Bible reading plans will ask for about twenty minutes of your time to keep moving forward. I like to think of doing this as similar to your basic drive to Cadillac and back each day.

When I drive to Cadillac, it’s not necessary that I memorize every landmark along the way. However, as I continue to drive, landmarks begin to become more familiar and eventually, when I think I’m getting to know my way pretty well, I begin to notice other things; a new business going up, an interesting tree, an eagle flying overhead. I’m getting comfortable with it. It’s something I have to do, but I start noticing other details as I go.

Then, there is more of an actual study. Think of that as pulling into one of the interesting stops along the way to take a closer look and examine the details of at what is there. Maybe you’ve always been curious about that landmark, so, you make the time to investigate it further. Maybe it’s an interesting house. You’ve always been curious about who lives there. Perhaps it’s a view. You wonder what the view will look like. Have you ever noticed the billboards for The Mystery Spot, along U.S. 2 in the Upper Peninsula? Are you curious? That’s when you stop to study. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Perhaps it’s one verse. Maybe it’s a theme.

Have you ever explored all of the “One anothers,” in scripture? It could be a longer passage or a book. Studying the characters in scripture is really fascinating and eye opening. So many of them have had similar experiences to ours and they become worth learning from.

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” When you have picked your subject or topic, now it is time to begin. Read the passage as many times as you like. Don’t approach it with a “one and done,” attitude. Sit with it. Pray for understanding. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you into His truth. What questions do you have about what you are reading? Start with: Who? What? When? Where? Why? Write down your observations and other questions that arise. You may find more questions the more times you read. That’s okay. Keep track of all your questions and, if your questions get answered as you continue to study, record the answers as well.

Here are some other good general questions: What is the context of the passage? Can you discern a back story? If it is a narrative, can you imagine yourself in the story? Which character do you relate to? What would you see, hear, and smell? Next, again, if it is a narrative, try to see the event from each character’s point of view. If it is not a narrative, can you identify the main point or points? Write them down. Why is this point or points important? What have you learned?

“My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.” Too many today like to voice their opinions about what they think the Bible says or what they wish it said or what they think it should say or mean, instead of what it actually says. They are not taking the time to study the Word itself. That requires time and, sometimes, very hard work, especially if, through study, one is convicted that something needs to change, either their opinion or their behavior.

People who don’t study God’s word may use the excuses that are popular today. I don’t have time. The Bible is too hard to understand. The Bible contradicts itself and is confusing. I’ve got Jesus and that’s the important thing. The interesting fact about that last quote is that Jesus not only created The Word, He also knew it thoroughly and He expected the same of His followers. In fact, it could easily be said that if you don’t take God’s Word seriously, then you really don’t have Jesus. You only think you do.

God gave us His Word as the window to His heart. He wants to be fully known by us. He has promised that we will find Him if we seek Him out. “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” You will know what pleases Him and gain understanding of just how much He truly loves you.

Prayer: Father, Your Words are ancient but true. Your stories tell us so much about Your Love for us! Your Wisdom shows us how to live and love well. This is good. Thank You, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Song: Ancient Words