If you’ve spent a long period of your time in the church or were raised in it, then you easily develop the habit of hearing the words of God and teachings of Christ, but not really engaging with it. The words sound familiar, and you know the message behind them, or at least the message you have been taught, but they don’t really reach you. It’s that your relationship with the Good Book, then it might not be giving you the spiritual fulfillment that it should. Here, we’re going to look at ways to make sure that you’re really engaging with what the Bible says in a way that challenges, assures, and strengthens your faith.
Understand that the Bible isn’t just one thing
It’s important to realize, first and foremost, that the Bible is a mixture of different kinds of writings, from throughout the ages. There is divine revelation, there are morality lessons, there are clear instructions to help us live more morally and spiritually, but there is also a historical record. Indeed, many of the writings about the life of Christ focus more on His ministry on earth and the course of events that led to His resurrection and ascension than His teachings. There are also various different ways to interpret the Bible, so it’s important to take every book and passage at face value, not trying to fit it in the context of a single text. The Bible has had many writers contribute over time, writing for different purposes and times.
Engage with those who engage with it
There is a growing online spiritual community and if you’re having a hard time finding the people who are really diving in deep with the Bible and how to live with it as a present part of their lives, then the internet might be the solution that you’re looking for. For instance, there are podcasts that cover each part of the Bible, episode by episode, looking at what we can glean about ourselves, about mankind, and about God for each part. Finding those who engage in it alongside you can shape how you start thinking more deeply about scripture, too.
Talk about it with those close to you
You may not want to go out of your way to start talking about the writings of the Bible to those who don’t want to offer up the room to hear it, but finding the other faith-driven people in your life to talk with about what you’ve read and learned can be deeply enriching, helping you more actively engage with the words written. Another excellent way to do this is by teaching your own children. They might not yet be old enough for everything in the Bible, but finding and teaching its most inspiring stories can help you learn to find the applicability of its many lessons.
As important as the book is to most of our lives, Biblical literacy is not taught nearly as widely as it should be. If you have to teach it yourself and your family, then that’s a role worth taking on.
If you’ve spent a long period of your time in the church or were raised in it, then you easily develop the habit of hearing the words of God and teachings of Christ, but not really engaging with it. The words sound familiar, and you know the message behind them, or at least the message you have been taught, but they don’t really reach you. It’s that your relationship with the Good Book, then it might not be giving you the spiritual fulfillment that it should. Here, we’re going to look at ways to make sure that you’re really engaging with what the Bible says in a way that challenges, assures, and strengthens your faith.
Understand that the Bible isn’t just one thing
It’s important to realize, first and foremost, that the Bible is a mixture of different kinds of writings, from throughout the ages. There is divine revelation, there are morality lessons, there are clear instructions to help us live more morally and spiritually, but there is also a historical record. Indeed, many of the writings about the life of Christ focus more on His ministry on earth and the course of events that led to His resurrection and ascension than His teachings. There are also various different ways to interpret the Bible, so it’s important to take every book and passage at face value, not trying to fit it in the context of a single text. The Bible has had many writers contribute over time, writing for different purposes and times.
Engage with those who engage with it
There is a growing online spiritual community and if you’re having a hard time finding the people who are really diving in deep with the Bible and how to live with it as a present part of their lives, then the internet might be the solution that you’re looking for. For instance, there are podcasts that cover each part of the Bible, episode by episode, looking at what we can glean about ourselves, about mankind, and about God for each part. Finding those who engage in it alongside you can shape how you start thinking more deeply about scripture, too.
Talk about it with those close to you
You may not want to go out of your way to start talking about the writings of the Bible to those who don’t want to offer up the room to hear it, but finding the other faith-driven people in your life to talk with about what you’ve read and learned can be deeply enriching, helping you more actively engage with the words written. Another excellent way to do this is by teaching your own children. They might not yet be old enough for everything in the Bible, but finding and teaching its most inspiring stories can help you learn to find the applicability of its many lessons.
As important as the book is to most of our lives, Biblical literacy is not taught nearly as widely as it should be. If you have to teach it yourself and your family, then that’s a role worth taking on.
This is a contributed post.