The honest truth is that we can set aside time, read our Bible fifteen minutes every day, and check all the boxes in our Bible study plans, but if we don’t yearn to connect with God intimately, it won’t do a bit of good.
The new year is upon us, and you know what that means, right? New Year’s resolutions! As we wave goodbye to this year, it’s as if it softly whispers for us to reflect on the year all while reminding us that the adage, "the days are long, but the years are short," appears to be ever so true.
As we ponder back over the year, we become quickly immersed and filled with memories and moments when God drew near, maybe answering a long-awaited prayer or bestowing an unexpected blessing. Yet, taking a trip down memory lane may also resurface hurt in the form of grief or an anxious heart moving forward into the unknown. And here we are once again, peering into a new year, wondering what we are going to do with what lies before us.
Well, my friend, here is my question for you: What are your New Year’s resolutions? Do you have any? Or… are you a little more like me and tend to think making resolutions just endorses the fact that by mid-January you will slip right back into your normal routine and indulge in the chocolate that you hid in the back of the pantry? Ugh.
If I were being completely honest with you, I am the worst when it comes to making resolutions. Believe me, I have tried, and I have actually made some really good ones over the years too. A few years ago, I was planning on learning French because my husband and I had planned to go to Paris for our twentieth wedding anniversary, but when those plans fell through, I sort of lost the desire to learn. I’ve also tried to stick to the usual resolutions such as exercising more regularly or abiding to a healthier diet. But that became rather challenging around Valentine’s Day, as I am a sucker for chocolate-covered strawberries and sugar cookies. And, let me just say, I don’t know how to have “just one.” Sigh…
As believers, we may hold different sets of resolutions, such as being more diligent in our prayer life, being more intentional about serving others, or striving to be a peacemaker. While these are all great things to attain, maybe you also have a goal of digging more regularly into the Bible, or making your quiet time more meaningful, and would love a plan to help you do just that. However, you aren’t sure where to begin or feel a bit intimidated, wondering if you will stick to it.
Oh friend, as a fellow resolution-breaker, let me tell you how much I can relate. I have tried many study plans only to fail mid-way, growing frustrated, and then shaming myself for not carrying them out fully. So, can I offer you a simple solution?
Try a Bible study plan that will allow you the space and grace you need to dig into His Word, all while granting permission to ride the waves of this life. While the days are long and can easily be filled with endless distractions and demands that will pull us away, let God meet you where you are. If you slip and fall off track, pick yourself up, and start again. In other words, let’s not see this time in His Word as something to do and check off our list, shaming ourselves when we fall short, but rather a time we eagerly anticipate, knowing that opening up His Word will give us a fresh perspective on this life.
So, are you ready? If so, let’s get back to the basics and fall back in love with His Word by approaching it in the simplest form. The four steps (which I call the 4 R’s) will help you dig into His Word and discover a message to apply to your life. That’s it!
Start with Prayer
The honest truth is that we can set aside time, read our Bible fifteen minutes every day, and check all the boxes in our Bible study plans, but if we don’t yearn to connect with God intimately, it won’t do a bit of good.
So, before you start to open up His Word, open up your heart. Let Him in. Ask Him to meet you on those pages and reveal a message that you need to hear. Take a deeper look at your life at this point. Is there a battle you are facing? Is there a relationship that is hurting? Are you struggling with a sin you can’t release? Hand that all over to Him and ask for Him to reveal His truth to you.
Read
Where to start? Such a valid question when we begin a Bible study plan. Do we read from cover to cover starting with Genesis and going straight through to Revelations, or should we do more of a roulette-style and just pick a book and go from there?
With this Bible study plan, you can honestly start wherever you see fit. The bottom line is that we understand that all sixty-six books of the Bible share the same message – God is real, and He reveals Himself to us through His creation, promises, prophecies, and a personal relationship with Him. When we read His Word, any part of it for that matter, we learn more about His love, character, and nature, connecting more intimately with Him.
Still not sure where to start? Start with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Some other great books to start are Proverbs, Psalms, and Acts. The letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians are also great reminders for us as believers of how to walk in a way that honors God.
Whether you use a chronological plan, read one book of the Bible at a time, or choose to find a topical study that applies to you, the most important thing is to just dig in and read! Start with 2-4 chapters a day and go from there.
Respond
There are so many ways to respond to God’s Word. I had a friend who gave me these really cool highlighters that I used for a while, but in all honestly, it overwhelmed me, and my sensory overload got a little shocked when I opened the Word to those pages. Now I just use a pencil and underline, circle, or take notes of things that stand out to me.
How you respond is essentially up to you. Whether you use beautiful highlighters, pencils, or even jot notes in a journal, respond to what you are reading by asking yourself five essential questions:
Who is the text about?
What is happening in this part of the text?
When (or about when) did the events take place?
Where is this narrative taking place?
Why is this included in the Bible and how does it relate to other stories?
Reflect
As we read and respond to the stories and text in the Bible, we can quickly become overwhelmed and consumed with the names or events that we lose sight of the whole narrative and meaning. Other times we may be eager to just jump right to the point and ask God, “What is it that you want me to do or learn here?” Skimming or glazing past parts of the Bible may seem like a natural thing to do, but we must remember if God put those words in there, we must take the time to reflect on what it is that He is trying to tell us. At this point, you may consider looking at various translations to see if one version speaks more clearly to you than another.
In the end, just be patient with yourself as you reflect on the meaning and realize that the Bible is a book that you will re-read time and time again, gleaning more and more from it each time you open it up. As you thoughtfully look back over the passage you read, pray and ask God to reveal to you the message He wants you to learn and know from this part of His Word. Allow this reflection time to be a way to grow closer and more intimately to God.
React
So, you have read a passage, responded to it, and have reflected upon it, now what? Now is the time to ponder upon it throughout the day and see where you can put it into practice and apply it to your life.
Reread the passage if needed, look at your response and reflection, then write out a memory verse or outline the passage if needed and place it somewhere to remind you of the purpose or takeaway that you plan to carry out. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. This is where it all comes to life through you!
The beautiful thing about the Bible is that there is a very close connection to reading His Word, reflecting on it, and then allowing it to be used to spread a message of hope to the world. Joshua 1:8 tells us that the Book of the Law should always be on our lips, and we should meditate on it day and night so we can live a prosperous life. We have the distinct opportunity to share this hope with others, being a ray of light in a world that so desperately needs it (Matthew 5:14-16)!
When we allow God to come into this beautiful quiet time we have with Him, He will proclaim truth over our lives, bringing about conviction while covering it in His amazing grace. In time (His time) we begin to see this world differently. We may begin to love others differently, including ourselves. We may yearn for things that are just, right, and pure. We may learn ways to serve others better, show a little more kindness, or strive to be a peacemaker. All those other New Year’s resolutions have now become a little clearer as we read His Word.
As we head into another year that will probably slip by just as quickly as this one, let’s choose to dig into His Word in the simplest form. As you make a Bible study plan, whether you use this one or another that meets your needs, cherish this precious time with the Father, giving Him all your praise, worship, and adoration. May this be a beautiful year of spiritual growth for us all.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
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