Pastoral - How to Read Your Bible Pt. II

HOW TO READ YOUR BIBLE PT 2

As we walk through our series “Loud and Clear” our prayer is that our entire church would develop a desire to open their Scriptures and make the Bible a part of their daily routine. By daily routine, we don’t want you to think “rigid and lifeless.” There are a number of things in our daily routine that we become numb to. Most people, except maybe dentists, don’t wake up eager to floss and brush their teeth. Most people aren’t anti-teeth-care either, but I assume most simply do what needs to be done. Our desire is that the routine of reading the Scripture would be a joy and a desirable time in your day. Moms, think nap time for your child (you finally get to rest for second!). Guys, think your favorite hobby (Sunday afternoon round of golf or Texans game!)

In order for reading the Scripture to be enjoyable, we must take advantage of the gifts and tools God has provided for us. Sometimes even enjoyable tasks can become immediately less enjoyable when you don’t have the right tools or equipment. Think about a golf game with only a putter or trying to create a piece of art in a room with no lights or windows. God has not left us without the appropriate tools to not only make reading Scripture a benefit to our souls, but also a deep joy.

THE ROLE OF PRAYER (PETITION & ADORATION)

As we approach time in the Word, it we must remember that this book is unique. We are not picking up Harry Potter to get some light fiction in. This isn’t Car and Driver or a blog about cloth diapers. This is the Word of God, timeless and ageless, speaking to our very hearts. Without the help of God the Holy Spirit, our attempts to glean from this book will be futile.

There are two major ways that I like to pray before I read. First, I like to petition the Lord for help. After thanking him for the opportunity, I acknowledge before him that I cannot access the spiritual knowledge necessary for understanding apart from his grace. Without a true understanding of our need, we will bring our pride to the Scripture and end of twisting it to suit our own desires. Is there anything more scary than being a man/woman that makes God’s Word say what you want it to say rather than submitting to what he has already said?

Secondarily, after the Lord has graciously opened my eyes to the truths of Scripture, I try to take a moment to spend time meditating on that truth through prayers of adoration. Thanking God for who He is and what He has done must become a staple in our devotion time in the Word. God is not merely to be theologically studied, he is to be known, enjoyed and worshipped. More on this in a bit.

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY (ACCOUNTABILITY & COLLABORATION)

The reading and study of Scripture was never meant to be a solo endeavor only. Some of the most harmful and dangerous false doctrines have been developed by men and women who decided that their own private interpretation was more accurate than anyone else’s. Their pride and arrogance then led them away from accountable relationships and into error.

Our home group is going bowling this weekend. I remember the first time I was introduced to bumpers at a bowling alley. It was great! I thought, “how awesome is this! You literally can’t fall into the gutter!”

We live in community with one another to hold one another accountable, collaborate together, and most importantly to never let anyone fall into the gutter. There are times that we can we all over the lane in the discussion at home group. People don’t always land in the same theological buckets. However, we never want to let a brother or sister fall into the gutter of false teaching. Community is a gift from God to ensure that we never get too theologically liberal that we lose sight of the gospel or too theologically conservative that we exclude the world we are trying to reach.

Inspect Paul’s words to the Ephesian church below. Notice how he discusses the role of leaders and saints (members) in the community and how their function serves to both protect from theological error and develop maturity among the entire body of Christ.

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16

THE ROLE OF WORSHIP (OVERFLOW & EXALTATION)

Now to perhaps the most important piece of reading your Scripture that is often neglected. At Providence we continually assert that our mission is to “make the gospel unignorable in our city.”  We believe that by exalting and displaying the gospel of Christ we fulfill what God has called us to do as his church.

John Piper has a wonderful quote that gives light to the purpose behind a mission like this. He says

“Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”

Such a simple line that packs a punch. In essence he is saying that mission statements like ours exist (along with all mission in the church) for one reason; Missions exist because there are people in the world who don’t worship and honor the God who made them. Until every knee bows and confesses, we will have a mission in the world as God’s children.

When we read the Scripture, we must not forget this ultimate goal that permeates the universe. We are meant to worship God. Worship is an overflow of a life redeemed, renewed and restored by the grace of God. We worship in word and in deed.

When you read the Scripture, ask the Lord in prayer “what am I meant to do with this truth Lord? How can I apply this in a way that brings you glory?” When we read the Scripture we are meant to be moved to grace-driven action and worship. This worshipful attitude is meant to permeate our entire lives.

This is also why singing and worshipping in song is so important at the end of each gathering. We are providing an outlet for exaltation. The Word of God has been proclaimed and taught. Our hearts have been stirred by the Holy Spirit. Our minds have been engaged by the truth of Christ. Now, as Paul says, we must “bow our knees before the Father” (Ephesians 3:14) and exalt him in song. It is a natural outflow of the heart to exalt that which your heart finds precious and valuable.

We naturally do this in our everyday lives. Parents, when your child does something that gives you delight, you praise them (when they are younger we use awkward high pitched voices and clap). When you watch a good movie and walk to your car you can’t help but talk about and relive each scene. You might even post on Facebook about it. When you see a beautiful sunset, you post it on Instagram. We are natural exalters and worshipers.

The Bible is meant to lead us to worship and when it doesn't and we fall short of this final step, we greatly miss out on the joy and satisfaction that is found in exaltation. C.S. Lewis says it like this:

But the most obvious fact about praise — whether of God or anything — strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honour. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless . . . shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it.

The world rings with praise — lovers praising their mistresses [Romeo praising Juliet and vice versa], readers their favourite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favourite game — praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. . . . Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere, praise almost seems to be inner health made audible. . . . I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: “Isn’t she lovely? Wasn’t it glorious? Don’t you think that magnificent?” The Psalmists, by telling everyone to praise God, are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about.

My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what indeed we can’t help doing, about everything else we value.

Bible The Bible is a book that leads to praise because it is ultimately a book of praise. It is riddled with worshipful doxologies and songs. It is a book that with great big shouts and small still whispers communicates the greatness and grace of God in Christ. Therefore, to simply read and not respond is a great travesty.

Try utilizing these three tools as you approach your daily devotions this week!