Study Habits

In school, I would dread studying for a test  (ahem …cramming) and find that my preparation was not enough. The ultimate doom would be the essay test.You see, essay test requires that you know your topic well enough to explain it, compare it or apply the concept.  Multiple choice questions allow you to eliminate the wrong answers. You can guess and have 25% or 33% chance of getting it right.  With an essay, you either know it or you don’t. Sure you can fluff your way to a decent answer for one or two questions.But when the application in- depth question comes, you are done and you know it. I sometimes wonder if we as believers live life the same way. Do we know just enough of the Word to just get by?  Do we know the foundations of our faith? I read an article that stated we as believers are on a downward trend of biblical literacy ( you can read it here ).  In other words, we  “kinda” know what we believe.   Kinda knowing what you believe leaves you open to accept and agree with something that is contrary to the word of God. I would label it dangerous. There is so much out in the world of social media that you could easily be swayed into believing something that has  is not in line with God

Throughout the Bible, it has been stressed that we should study the Word of God. It should become part of our everyday life. Paul told his predecessor Timothy to study to show thyself approved(2 Timothy 2:15). In Joshua 1:7-8, God told Joshua to meditate on the word day and night so that he may not turn to the left or to the right( get off track).  These instructions were given because there is a  protection in knowing what you believe. There is a protection in knowing what God has said. Not only that,  it also helps you in formulating your answer when asked why you believe. In the last post, we discussed how your experience is important in giving an answer. When brought together with the knowledge of God’s word, it makes you a stronger witness. Most of the time when asked about our belief, there are follow up questions about the bible. There are questions of” why does it say this in the bible” or “I don’t understand this about Jesus”.  Being equipped to answer the basics of the word of God is helpful when witnessing.

Becoming biblically literate takes intentional time. I use the word “intentional” because our lives are filled with so many things that we will have to be intentional about studying.If not it could get lost in our everyday routine. The goal is to have it become an important part of our everyday life. Here are some tips that could help you become biblically literate.

1. Attend weekly Bible study – The Bible study that is offered during the week is usually focused on the teaching of the word than preaching. In this setting, the  Pastor is able to do more in-depth teaching of the Bible. This is not a replacement service for Sunday. You still should go to regular service on Sunday. 🙂
2.  Attend a weekly Small group- A Small group is a gathering that meets regularly for the purpose of discipling people in the Word of God.  This setting is much smaller than a  Bible Study. It is also more involved. This setting is more like a small inclusive community. As stated in the last point, you still should go to regular Sunday service.
3.  Set a non-negotiable time of day to study. – Setting a non-negotiable time of the day  to study  helps you in creating the habit  of studying the Word of God
4.  Have a set place to study –  I do my prayer and studying in my prayer closet. I  know others who use the car as a study place. The place that you pick should be quiet enough that you can concentrate on the scripture. Having a place to study is like having a secret place that you and God meet.
5. Journal your thoughts as you study – Journalling helps you to collect your thoughts and revelations as you read the Word. It helps you to
6.  Find a Bible study reading plan. – There are so many apps available with study plans that you can close your eyes and point to one. One of the more popular apps, the Bible App, has about 100 or more study plans that you can use to  build literacy

My prayer is that we all take steps to become more biblically literate. Your knowledge of God’s word could bring someone to Christ. Let’s Pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are God Almighty. You Father are the Most High and we praise your name.Father, we come to you now thanking you for calling us out of the darkness and into the light of knowing you. We thank you for your love, grace, and mercy. Father, we ask for forgiveness of not taking the time to get to know you through your word. We ask that you help us to rearrange our schedules so that we can fellowship with you. Helps us to become students of your word. We ask these things in your son Jesus name.Amen

If you have any questions, leave a comment or drop us a line at toreachtheone@gmail.com

God bless,

L