How To Read The Bible: Part 2
Today’s Passage: Romans 12:1-2
I have had a few coaches, who every now and then would yell, “Get engaged Collum!”
Remarkably, their booming voice worked, snapping me back to the situation at hand.
In the world of Bible reading, where we are reading as a discipline for transformation, the same idea applies—get engaged!
Yet Scripture engagement cannot be commanded by someone barking out your name. (If it could, imagine all the Pastors who would be yelling!)
Instead, we each need to figure out the best way for us to become engaged by and with God’s Word.
The great news is that once you think about this process, there is a pretty straightforward path for each of us. Today, I will give you some links with practical help to get on this path.
I have earlier laid out a three-step process for reading the Bible. In one of those steps, I indicated the need to sort out the best way for you to engage Scripture.
Dr. Fergus Macdonald from Taylor University’s Center for Scripture Engagement defines Scripture engagement as a reader interacting… “with the biblical text in a way that provides sufficient opportunity for the text to speak for itself by the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling readers and listeners to hear the voice of God and discover for themselves the unique claim Jesus Christ is making upon them.”
That definition sets a “high bar” for Scripture engagement. Attaining that high level requires understanding how, as adults, we each can best be drawn into the text. It is no surprise the “best” method varies based on the individual. Some of us like to journal, others of us like to draw, still others of us like to ponder, and still others of us…well you get the idea.
And here is another little tidbit. If you are told to do it “one way”, that way in fact could turn you completely off. Consider, how many times you may have been told to journal Scripture. What if this is not your method? Well, the answer might be that you stop reading God’s Word.
Researchers have identified up to 13 different ways people engage our Sacred Text. Here is the link that further explains this idea—and the 13 different ways!
For me, I write about Scripture. These reflections I write is the way God gets me to chew on the text. I try to be transparent, and let you know what question the Holy Spirit is challenging me with.