grow not weary--challenge no. 1, day 2

These last few weeks of winter I’m putting together three weeks of challenges to keep up going until spring! You can go back and look at the past posts here.

This week my challenge is to “Sow to the Spirit.”

Yesterday I encouraged you to set up a time for your own personal study (or recommit to your current routine).

This morning my challenge to you is this: Establish a study method, pray for consistency in daily study, pray for accountability and seek out a mentor.

“Study every detail that you can ascertain concerning the Father and the Son; the minutest touch upon the canvas is worthy of a century’s study, so full is every point of deep mystery and rich instruction to the soul. And I am persuaded that, as you increase in knowledge of the Father, and of His Son, Jesus Christ, through the revelation of the Diving Spirit, you will also increase your fellowship with the Father and with his Son.” Charles Spurgeon

God’s word a rich and deep well and a lifetime would not cover it all. Every detail is worthy of our attention and not a second you spend in study could be considered wasted.

I use a method of study taught to me by a dear friend. I like this particular method because it is simple, I can do it anywhere and I don’t need any special tools or other books—just me, a journal, my favorite pens, and a Bible.

In my journal I write the date and the passage reference on the top line. If the passage is not very long I write it under the date/reference. Next I write these headings, leaving space under each heading for my observations:

Who is God?

What does He say/do/command?

What about man?

What should I believe?

Application:

Prayer:

So my paper looks something like this:

The method is simple:

1.   read the passage

2.   write it out
3.   fill in your observations under each heading
4.   application (usually these come in the form of questions to myself)
5.   prayer

When I'm done, I have something like this. Although I don't always have something for every heading.

When I am finished I re-write my “belief statement” on a post it and stick it on top of my notes. This is simply something that I am to believe based on this scripture. At the end of a study I write out all my belief statements in one place. Sometimes I only have one, other times the entire sheet is filled with stickys. It looks something like this:

I use this method on entire books of the Bible. Before I start on the first section I read the whole book. Then I start with the first chapter. I break up the chapter into manageable sections and study a portion each day. Each time I sit down to study I try to read the entire chapter first, before I look at the current section. I also try to go back periodically and read the entire book--how often I do this depends on the length of the book. For a book like 1 John I could easily do this once a week.

After I have studied a passage in this way I do often refer to a Strong’s concordance (via the Blue Letter Bible) for words that stand out to me or need further defining in my mind. I read commentaries like Matthew Henry or John MacArthur, and I often listen to related sermons while I do the dishes, fold the laundry or paint a piece of furniture. I also use the 1828 dictionary to help define any words I might be iffy on.

Don’t skip the application. God’s word is able to heal (Psalm 107:20); bring about saving faith (Romans 10:7; 2 Timothy 3:15); shatter the rocky places of our hearts (Jeremiah 23:26); teach, correct, and train in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16); and equip God’s people for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). And that's the short list. In your study, avoid gaining knowledge without application.

"Unless that knowledge is pure and unless it is applied so as to conform your life to Christ, it does nothing but fill your mind with facts. And that’s pretty dangerous because the more biblical information you receive and don’t apply, the more deceived you are about your true state of immaturity if it isn’t life changing, it becomes spiritual deadening.” John Piper

If you struggle with consistency or desire, find some accountability. Get a group of like-minded ladies together and start a Good Morning Girls study. Get into a small group Bible study at your church. Seek out a woman of faith to mentor you. Share your heart with your husband and ask him to encourage you.