A Shelter of Faith: A Foundation on the Word (Part 2)
This week, we are diving into Part 2 of our four-part series of building a spiritual shelter. In the last post, we addressed prayer as the blueprint for our shelter and we considered how we should pray. This week, we’ll address how we should approach the Bible and how we can read the Word in a meaningful way.
While the concept of “reading the Bible” is simple enough, we can often get lost in the simplicity. Let’s explore a few ways we can approach the Bible.
Reading the Bible vs. Studying the Bible
As we mature in our faith, we should also expect our knowledge of Him to mature. When asked about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37, Jesus responded that we should “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” What does it mean to love the Lord with all our mind? Pastor John Piper addresses this exact topic here and keenly notes the importance of devoting our minds to the pursuit of the Lord. But how can we do this? We devote all our mind to the Lord when we continuously pursue Him in the study of the scripture. We know that every word in the Bible is divinely inspired and teaches us how to walk in obedience (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Is it wrong to simply read the Bible without studying the text? Absolutely not! When we read segments of the Bible, we are more able to see the larger picture and catch overall themes that we may miss when we study a passage word by word. Similarly, different seasons in life may make the study of scripture challenging. For example, in the days of motherhood with four kids three and under, I was stretched so thin that I relied solely on reading the Word. As I tried to keep my eyes open in the middle of the night nursing twins, I’d read the Word on my phone. As we drove around from appointment to appointment, I would listen to the Bible on audio (a common feature in most Bible apps). In that season, I learned that we all have little snippets of time throughout the day that we can devote to the pursuit of finding Him in the scripture.
Bible Study vs. Topical Devotional
As we pursue a deeper knowledge of the Bible and the One who authored the words, there are a few different ways we can approach the study of the text. My personal recommendation is to go through a Bible study that walks you through the actual biblical text line by line, word by word. When possible, pursuing a Bible study in community is incredibly beneficial. Proverb 27:17 reads: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another;” this is especially true when interpreting scripture together. When we openly discuss how we interpret a certain verse, our filters and opinions are all aired out. When we study in community, we can identify our unbiblical ideologies or erroneous perspectives that may influence our interpretation of scripture. I am currently studying through Romans with a few ladies in my Connection Group and I have been astounded at the different ways we have all interpreted scripture. All of the different viewpoints and ways we approach scripture have yielded an incredibly rich and rounded view that I would not have gained on my own.
I would also emphasize the importance of going through a Bible study rather than starting with a topical devotional. While a devotional may focus on a particular spiritual discipline like prayer or a “spiritual way of life,” topical devotionals often miss the grittier, meatier parts of the Bible. To get started with a foundational Bible study, check with your local pastor about trusted resources and studies to guide you along your journey. Your local church may host an ongoing Bible study, which would be a wise start. For any other ideas, check out the Resources section for some of my personal favorite Bible studies.
Why Should I Read My Bible?
Most Christians would verify that we should read the Bible, but why should we read the Bible? Put simply, the Bible is the foundation for everything else. The Bible is where we glean doctrinal values, where we learn about our triune God, and where we learn to be like Him. The Bible is the standard for everything we see and hear and is the ultimate test in discerning truth from falsehood. By reading and studying scripture, we are allowing Him to fill us with truth that cannot be confused or swayed. By filling our minds with Scripture, we also invite His words to speak truth to us in our everyday moments.
As we tearfully sang Sammi to sleep in the hospital, the words of John 11:35 swirled in my mind: “Jesus wept.” I knew that as I wept, He was right there, weeping with me. As we entered numerous battles that week, the words of Isaiah 41:10 comforted and reminded me that He will strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with His righteous hand.
The Foundation
As we learn to pray and study the Word, our foundation is set. As the outline of our shelter starts to take place, we are investing in a shelter that will weather the storm. As we build a relationship with the Father, we are investing in a relationship that won’t leave us to fend off the elements on our own.
How have you historically interacted with the Bible? Have you found a joy in reading and studying the Bible?
In the next post, we’ll discuss the role of community and the local church - see you soon!
