{"id":34350,"date":"2024-08-19T01:24:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T07:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/?p=34350"},"modified":"2024-08-19T08:07:19","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T14:07:19","slug":"a-simple-and-effective-way-to-feed-on-gods-word","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boundless.org\/faith\/a-simple-and-effective-way-to-feed-on-gods-word\/","title":{"rendered":"A Simple and Effective Way to Feed on God\u2019s Word"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click here<\/a> to listen to this article.<\/p>\n

I grew up in a church that cheerfully led us children to sing (of course with the motions) the popular Sunday school song, \u201cRead Your Bible, Pray Every Day.\u201d Spoiler alert: It\u2019s so you can \u201cgrow, grow, grow.\u201d Conversely, if you fail to read your Bible and pray every day, the song has a not-so-subtle warning that you will \u201cshrink, shrink, shrink.\u201d Yikes!<\/p>\n

Questionable motivational tactics aside, most of my Christian life I\u2019ve heard some version of the message in this song. \u201cMake sure you do your daily devotions.\u201d \u201cGet in the Word.\u201d \u201cHave your quiet time.\u201d \u201cCommune with God.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are more ways to have your daily time in God\u2019s Word than there are words to describe them, with countless reading plans, devotional resources, prayer books, workbooks and study guides available to help. I feel like at one time or another, I\u2019ve tried them all.<\/p>\n

But too often my heart quickly grows distracted and disinterested in God\u2019s Word, even with these helps. Despite my best intentions, it can be challenging to keep up a regular time with God.<\/p>\n

I believe an effective way to grow in the habit of feeding on God\u2019s Word daily (and actually enjoying it) is to boil your practice down to the essential elements that should be part of every meeting with God. If these are in place, it will drastically improve your time in God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n

1. Ask for the Holy Spirit\u2019s help<\/h4>\n

First, begin your time by approaching God in prayer. Remember, this is not a natural thing for us. Because of sin, we all tend to drift away from God and need the help of the Holy Spirit to draw near. We must remember the gospel: that we are desperate sinners in need of a Savior, but God sent Christ to earth to teach, to love and to die for us \u2014 and in so doing, to reconcile us to God.<\/p>\n

Pray with the psalmist, \u201cOpen my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law\u201d (Psalm 119:18)<\/a> I love this New English Translation<\/a>. Sometimes we think we can open our own eyes, or that if we simply read the Bible, our eyes will magically open and we will understand. But here the psalmist asserts his need to ask for God\u2019s help to see the truth of God\u2019s Word. Jesus taught His disciples, describing the Holy Spirit, \u201che will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you\u201d (John 14:26<\/a>). So, essentially, we are to ask the Holy Spirit to do exactly what Jesus promised He would.<\/p>\n

Praying before, during and after you read the Word can alone transform your time with God. Ask Him to feed you from His Word and He will. Come before God in His Word with humility. We need Him to open the eyes and ears of our hearts and to teach us all things.<\/p>\n

Sample prayer:<\/p>\n

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, help me now I as look to your Word. Teach me by your Word and illuminate my mind that my mind, heart and life might be conformed to that of Christ. In Jesus\u2019 name, amen.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Read a portion of Scripture (5-10 min)<\/h4>\n

Next, read a portion of God\u2019s Word that you can make it through comfortably in five to ten minutes. You may be used to reading for a longer period of time, and that\u2019s fine. But I\u2019d suggest the priority is retaining as much of the Word inside your heart and mind as possible, not making your way through so many verses or chapters.<\/p>\n

Read the passage slowly, working to keep your mind and heart engaged. Actively eliminate distractions, turning your devices off or putting them in another room. Don\u2019t let anything keep you from focusing on what God is saying to you through His Word. If you get distracted, stop and pray for help, and then keep going.<\/p>\n

Sample reading: John 15:1-11<\/a><\/p>\n

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

3. Meditate on what you\u2019ve read (5-10 min)<\/h4>\n

For too long in my daily quiet times, I skipped meditation; but it is an important part of our study of God\u2019s Word. We meditate by thinking carefully about what God is saying. One of the best ways to meditate is by asking good questions. Pretend you are having a conversation with God about this passage. Here are some questions you might ask as you meditate on any passage:<\/p>\n