Be Open Minded

 

Please excuse me for the long post. This has been on my mind for a long time and I just need to get it out.

Obesity is a global problem responsible for huge medical costs because of the so many conditions it is a harbinger of. Poor diet and lack of physical activity are highlighted as the two biggest contributory factors. So, special efforts are made to encourage people to eat healthy and stay active. Are we winning in the war against the obesity pandemic? I am not so sure. Not with many fast-food joints springing up all around us. It does not appear as though the situation is likely to get better any time soon with eating out being considered in some places as a sign of affluence and less people wanting to cook their own meals. Cooking good wholesome meals often takes time – a commodity which no one seems to have.  Everyone wants something that can be popped into the oven or microwaved for a few minutes and voila food is ready!  No one cares that these foods maybe unhealthy. The main thing is that they are quick to prepare and taste yummy. People cook less at home; kitchens are getting smaller, and no one likes to clean up. So fast food looks like the way to go for now for most people. I once heard someone refer to this generation as the ‘microwave generation’ because we want everything prepared and ready in a few minutes.

As bad as a regular diet of fast food is for us, it is unfortunate that we apply the same method to what we feed our spirit man. Let me ask you a direct question – when last did you have a personal Bible study? No, I am not asking about a Bible study group (although I’ll be glad to know you attend one, or that one exists in your church), a devotional or a Bible plan on an App. No, the question is when last did you sit with God to study His word all by yourself? I enjoy using Bible Apps and Reading Plans; they are so valuable and contribute greatly to my growth as a Christian. I am eternally grateful for the people who continue to make them available to build the body of Christ. God bless them all.

However, early this year, it dawned on me that by continuously using Bible plans, I deny myself of personal engagement with the word of God. You see, whatever we receive from devotionals and reading plans is knowledge or rhema that people received in their own personal study time and have graciously shared with us. Just like fast food – pre- prepared by someone else and one that we have no control over the ingredients and preparation process. Many have fallen victims to wrong doctrine because of this. Many charismatic religious leaders would have disappeared long ago from the stage or platform of deception if half of their followers had taken the time to read the Bible themselves. As good as prepared Bible study notes are, we need to make a habit of studying the word of God ourselves – waiting on the Holy Spirit to teach us Himself.

Studying the Bible on our own can be daunting, no doubt. We have no idea where to start, we don’t understand what we are reading, and it just seems like a time-wasting venture. It is easier to pick up a plan and have someone explain what it means to us.  The argument is that at least we are engaging with the word of God. Right? Wrong! We all can be taught by God if we make ourselves available. It is interesting that various Bible versions describe the Berean Christians in Acts 17:11 as open-minded, noble or honourable because they did not just take the preacher’s word for it but studied to see if what they were taught was true. How different the times are now! Randomly ask ten Christians to quote ten Bible verses and you will be shocked at the blank you will draw. In these times of

Here are a few suggestions for getting started. 

1.    Keeping at Bible study can be tasking, so why not get a friend or your spouse to join you? Decide what to study, commit to waiting solely on God to teach you without prepared study notes and meet about once a week or every fortnight to discuss what you are learning. Remember the power of two.

2.    Get a Bible written in the language you are most comfortable with. There are so many versions. Visit the bookstore and spend time looking at what is available to see what suits you.

3.    Consider a study Bible – they have valuable background information and commentaries that may give some context to what you are reading.  They may be pricey but listen to Solomon in Proverb 4:7, ‘The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.’

4.    You may also want to consider reading different versions for comparison.

5.    Call me old fashioned or Before Computers (BC), but nothing feels good like holding the good old paper in my hands. I love to scribble notes, jot questions, underline and highlight passages as I read. I know there are digital Bibles that allow one to do all these, so if you are tech savvy, please go ahead and use that type. The main thing is to engage with the word of God.

6.     Realise that without the Holy Spirit this can become a mere academic exercise. Make it a habit to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read.

7.    Take note of what you feel God is saying to you; write it down. Most importantly, obey if God brings to your attention something you need to pay attention to in your life.

8.    Where you begin is entirely up to you. There is no book of the Bible without a message. The common advice, however, is to begin with the Gospel of John. You may begin with the book of Genesis if you love history or decide to study women in the Bible, or any topic of your choice. Whatever you decide, a good place to start is looking at the concordance at the back of your Bible. It lists topics alphabetically and you can study the topics by reading the Bible passages listed under each topic. As you get more comfortable studying the Bible yourself, you may wish to get a resource like The Strong’s Concordance Bible but the one at the back of your Bible is a good place to start.   

 

As we celebrate Easter and reflect on the sacrifice of the Lord for us, let’s aim to know Him in a more personal way.

Happy Easter.

 

I Bi Dem