Studying God’s Word....

Studying God’s Word....

Sunday I was reminded, as the pastor spoke, of the basics of studying God’s Word...

Many years ago I had the privilege of working with a friend as we wrote Home Economics curriculum....we got together once a week for a year to write for our tiny fledging Christian school...there wasn’t a whole lot our there on that subject...my background was adult education in Home economics and hers was education...we taught on other days what we put together...it was such fun...

Then later, I worked with a wonderful team to write women’s Bible studies...those years were so etched in my heart and mind...we were mothers, wives, friends going through life’s experiences, praying for one another, listening to one another, bonding deeper with the Lord and one another...drinking deeply of the Word...trying to recreate that experience for the women who would later study what we had written...what a gift it was at the time and still resonates in my heart today...

Thank YOU for Word...

This gave way to another group at another place and time where a separate group put together another set of curricula for the women of that church...different from the previous,  but just as growth giving...

These were all for the purpose of studying the Word, making it come alive in our lives, knowing God, the Lord of our lives...we drew close to one another and closer still to Him ...I still love to do that...there is always something new...He never fails to teach or show me a new thought or thoughts, plan, concept to add to my life...what wealth there is in the Word...It is never too late to delve into its richness...

Read for observation...The who, what, when, why, how of the passage...

Read for interpretation...

Read for application...what is God saying to me...what do I need to change, do because of this reading...

The pastor shared this..another way to study...SPACE PETS...

S in to confess?

P romise to claim?

A ttitude to change ?

C ommand to obey?

E sample to follow?

P rayer to pray?

E rror to avoid?

T ruth to believe?

S omething to praise God for?

I challenge myself to read everyday...either a set path, with a guide, etc...there are several read through the Bible guides available on line, or booklets..I write in the margins on my 

Bibles, dates sometimes, events that may coincide with passages, names that the Spirit brings to mind for prayer...make it real...think about it ...God so wants to talk to us ...listen with your soul...

Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 

Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. 

The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. 

To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless. Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 

Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:89-98,103-105