Am I In The Bible?

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Over the last few years, I have had many conversations with people that are new to their faith.  They have shared that they have struggled with reading and understanding the bible.  Some have expressed wonder at how a book written about events thousands of years ago could be pertinent to their lives now.  Some have asked, “Can I apply it’s teachings in today’s world?”

Over the first four-plus decades of my life I would episodically pick up the bible.  I would try to read it and simply couldn’t understand what I was reading.  Out of frustration, I would put it down.  I had a lot of people speaking to me about their faith.  I would be curious about the bible at times, but the curiosity just didn’t take root.  Then, to consider the different translations of the bible – that’s a topic for a different column.

The bible began to come into focus when I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ just about four years ago.  This is not to say this is how it happens for each of us; but, I began to really understand the writings and teachings of the bible as I approached it from a place of humility.  It was during this time that I also began to regularly attend church services, bible studies, and Sunday school classes.  I would hear someone preaching or teaching about particular scriptures. I then would spend time reading about those particular passages.  Not only did I read the scripture, I began to meditate on what was written.  I would read and re-read scripture placing myself in the story.

For instance, Galations 6:3 (NLT) reads, “If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”  I will re-read this verse replacing the pronoun ‘you’ with the pronoun ‘I.’  “If I think I am too important to help someone, I am only fooling myself.  I am not that important.”

This helps me to internalize what is written and apply the message to my life and faith journey.  I insert myself into the stories of the bible.  As a result, I have discovered application for lessons and messages written long ago and the applicability for my life in the 21st century.  An important message in the bible is that we are not only to be hearers of the Word, but we are to be doers of it.  What purpose does the bible serve if I merely read it and maybe memorize a few verses of it.  I must apply it to my life.  And to apply it, I must understand it.

Spend time in prayer as you begin to read the bible.  Use a daily devotional as a means of focusing on a particular aspect of the bible.  Reflect on a recent preaching or teaching that you have heard to meditate on it further.  Consider the use of a Life Application Bible and/or study bible.

If you have questions about what you are ready, seek the counsel of someone that you trust – your pastor, an elder or other church leader, etc.  Raise a question for discussion during a study group.  Above all, trust the Holy Spirit to lead you and reveal truths about your reading.  If you are new to this, consider reading for just five minutes in the morning.  Before you know it, your five minutes will grow to fifteen minutes and beyond.

Reading, learning, and applying the teachings of the bible will result in spiritual growth for you.  It is a process known as sanctification.  You will increase your understanding and desire to do that which glorifies God.

Also know this; revelations from God’s Word can come anew.  You might read a scripture in the bible today and based on your maturity and growth, studying the same scripture months later may produce a fresh understanding.  The bible is most certainly for each of God’s children in today’s world.  As you read it, I hope you will find yourself in the stories of the bible.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) reads:  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…