MISSIONAL WOMEN
  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
      • Beholding Him Freebie
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop
Picture

Is the Bible Boring, Or is it Just Me? (Part 1)

4/17/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
From a very young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of daily Bible reading.  Like flossing, it was one of those things that I only stuck with for about 2 days at a time.  Sometimes I got really spiritual, like on New Year's Day when I would resolve to read the entire Bible in one year.  No one else does that, right?  ;)

The single greatest reason I struggled in the discipline of Bible reading was because I found it utterly boring.  If I tried to read the Word, I'd get stumped on the genealogies or the Levitical laws or the confusing imagery in Revelation. Sure, there are some pretty awesome miracles, scandal, sexual indiscretion, and lots of murder.  Yet, I still found it lifeless. 

It has only been in adulthood that the words have begun to fly off the page.  Now, I can say that I have actually read entire books of the Bible!  I have yet to read it cover to cover, but I'm getting there. 

So, what changed?

I discovered that the problem wasn't the Bible.  The problem was me.  

I wish I could say God implanted a microchip in my brain whereby I could make all kinds of obscure connections, a robotic concordance of sorts.  Or, that I suddenly had the wisdom of Solomon.  Or, even that I found THE best version of the Bible, with a customizable cover.  

But, what really happened is that I started growing my mind.  

I began to study spiritual things, mostly through reading, but also through dialog with friends.  

Previously, I assumed that I could come to the text and gain enormous spiritual insight via osmosis.  And, while I do believe wholeheartedly that spiritual wisdom is authored by God, I also believe that He expects us to put in some effort ourselves.  

I wasn't completely aware of how this change came about, until a dear friend recommended that I read the book "Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul" by J.P. Moreland. The author shares that:

"A life of study can give us a constant source of new categories and beliefs that will lead to fresh new insights and stave off intellectual boredom.  Many people become bored with the Bible precisely because their overall intellectual growth is stagnant.  They cannot gain new insights from Scripture because they bring the same old categories to Bible study and look to validate their old habits of thought." (p. 80).

As you read that quote right there, do your eyes glaze over?  Does the idea of studying bring back memories of SAT's and pulling all nighters?  Guess what?!  It doesn't have to be that way!  There are all kinds of ways to grow your mind as an effort to grow your faith.  

Come back next week, when I'll share some of the methods I employ to make studying more doable and even exciting.  
::
Have you ever found the Bible boring?
Picture

About Keri

Picture
Most days Keri can be found cruising in her Swagger Wagon, reading a good book, or laughing with friends over large cups of coffee.  She finds great fulfillment in serving those who might not walk through the doors of a church, but still desperately need the Hope that only God can give.  She also enjoys learning about God through unorthodox means, and occasionally blogs about it at Pop Parables.  She also gets in touch with her creative side at BringingCraftyBack. Keri lives in the Greater Seattle area with her husband, their three boys, and 2 weiner pups.

Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs.
2 Comments
Cliff Balaon link
4/18/2013 01:32:12 am

Keri: Thanks for your post it affirms my believe that God progressively reveals His word to us as we are prepared to receive it. You can read a verse today and celebrate its meaning and tomorrow be celebrating the same verse for an entirely different result. The main thing I take away from all encounters with our amazing God is that He must be glorified. Praise Him every day! God bless you. Cliff

Reply
Keri
4/19/2013 03:06:53 am

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Cliff! And, yes, I agree-God constantly reveals new things to me through His Word and His Presence. He is LIVING God. :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    New here? Head on over to the Home page to see what we're all about. 

    Two Free eBooks for Subscribers 


    Picture
    Picture
    Join 11,000+ others and get Missional Women  updates and two FREE eBooks. 

    Subscribe


     Are you new to our site? Check out our HOME page to get a better idea about the Missional Women ministry.
    Picture

    Popular Posts

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



































Missional Women a ministry of Master Plan Ministries
 
Contact
Newsletter
Photos used under Creative Commons from lisahumes, VinothChandar, Eran Finkle, antoshik, See-ming Lee 李思明 SML, tacit requiem (joanneQEscober ), Mr. T in DC, 111 Emergency, *saipal, Jean Bal, snigl3t, swimparallel, jakuza, Artotem, mjkimmel, dmealiffe, madmolecule, blumenbiene, Silveira Neto, carterse, archer10 (Dennis), humbert15, d.a.n.n.y.c <busy>, Nathan O'Nions, sailboatescape, Vincent van der Pas, The California National Guard, Mary Trebilco, torisan3500, Tambako the Jaguar, tsuacctnt, PaRaP, striatic, √oхέƒx™, zaxl4, Marion Doss, aussiegall, Kris Mouser-Brown, дзроман, Torpe, Chad and Kellye, Pink Sherbet Photography, TheGiantVermin, a.drian, aimeewenske, RodrigoFavera, ohsarahrose, philip.bitnar, spettacolopuro, Terje Asphaug, OakleyOriginals, Kara Allyson, archer10 (Dennis), Maria Keays, alexphotocamera, laura dye, *Jeffrey*, Keoni Cabral, Lawrie Cate, Arry_B, Sam Howzit, lorenzwalthert, schnaars, daita, SylviaSchade, shanon wise, Caselet, vastateparksstaff, lalinlu, ChrisK4u, red hand records, kelp1966, Sam Howzit, InterContinental Hong Kong, lisahumes, abbilder, Ed Yourdon, cking, bhollins, Manel, isfullofcrap, poplinre, jonwick04, www.photographybyjoelle.com, Caza_No_7, urbaneapts, Stig Nygaard, holisticmonkey, kckellner, echiner1, edanley, storyvillegirl, brainchildvn, craigemorsels, Kara Allyson, http://snow.ipernity.com, Pink Sherbet Photography, Samuel Mann, kate at yr own risk, woodleywonderworks, epimetheus, barryskeates, Travis Isaacs, Rachel Elaine., JKD Atlanta, allyaubry, Brett Jordan, quinn.anya, Laram777, pizzodisevo, gbaku, egorkorotkov
  • Home
    • Ministry Resources for Women >
      • Beholding Him Freebie
    • Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
  • Blog
    • Ministry >
      • Evangelism {Win}
      • Discipleship {Build}
      • Living Missionally {Send}
    • God's Word >
      • Bible Study
      • Prayer
      • Devotionals
      • Bible Studies
      • Apologetics
    • Relationships >
      • Marriage
      • Singleness
      • Dating
      • Family
      • Friendship
    • World >
      • Social Justice Issues
      • Internet & Social Media
      • Politics
      • International
      • Science Revealing God
    • Life >
      • Image & Idenity
      • Health
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Organization
  • Bible Study Resources
  • Prints
  • Stickers
  • Quiet Time Journals
  • Courses
    • Discover God's Calling
    • Women's Ministry Training Promo
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Women's Ministry Training Course
    • Growing in Your Faith Mini Course
  • Retreat
  • Video Bible Studies
    • Matthew
    • John
    • Galatians
    • Philippians
    • Know your Purpose
    • Creation Reveals
    • Ministry
    • Heart Growth
  • You Are Unshaken Book
    • Unshaken Groups
    • You Are Unshaken Paint Party
    • Unshaken Freebies
  • Shop