If you were to Tweet through the Bible one Tweet a day, it would take more than 60 years to cover all the verses. Obviously Scripture was not designed to be experienced 140 characters at a time, but this does bring up a question. How is Scripture meant to be experienced? Is there any single approach to the Bible that is better than the others?
While God didn’t prescribe a method of Bible study, He did give big hints as to how we are to connect with Scripture. The passages below represent some of these big hints. You’ll see some prompts and cues for each passage to help you focus on the hint about how we are to experience God’s Word. As you experience these passages, keep track of any clues you see regarding how we are to connect with Scripture. (You may want to jot these down on a piece of paper on in an edoc).Psalm 119:15, 27, 48, 97, 148
You’ll notice a repeated action the psalmist applies to God’s words.Proverb 2:1-11
Action words and analogies abound in these verses. Picture God speaking this passage to you about His Word. Especially because, well, He is speaking this passage to you.
Colossians 3:16
Depending on your version, you’ll see a word such as dwell or phrase such as make a home. These words convey a sense of familiarity, similar to your favorite pair of jeans or favorite smart phone app.
Hebrews 11:6
Notice the intensity of the seeking that’s happening in this verse.
The So What
We live in a world where the prominent ways of communication involve the words insta, snap and tweet. There is neither anything wrong with these modes of communication, nor is there anything wrong with experiencing Scripture with these apps. However, it’s obvious that God is calling us to more time, more depth; and more lingering than what insta, snap and tweet might convey.
The hints in the passages you just explored seem to say the more we push into God’s Word, the more payoff we receive.
Putting into Practice
Show God that you can take a hint. Think of five descriptive action words or phrases that capture the essence of how we are to approach Scripture based on the verses you just explored. Here are a few to get you started:
Dwell, linger, ruminate, chew
Now think about a small segment of Scripture you’d like to explore (e.g., Romans 8 or 12; 1 John 4; Ephesians 2) or words of Jesus such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), or a small book such as Philippians or Jude. Finally, apply your action words to your small segment of Scripture. You may be surprised at how frequently you find things that will make you say, “Wow!” Then do this: Share the wow. This may be the best use of the modes of communication that contain the words insta, snap and tweet.
