When I was young in the Lord (not in years, haha!), I had a difficult time following a daily Bible Study or reading. They're wonderful tools, don't get me wrong. However, I would find myself reading the content of the person's words but only glancing at the scriptures. I would glean a nugget here and there but I didn't gain enough to make a life transforming difference. I had to try something new.
In an attempt to get more Word rather than words, I landed on a Bible verse I had memorized for a decade but didn't quite live by. I wanted to know exactly what God meant when he spoke the words I tried to make a path by but never found comfort in. "I know the plans I have for you...". We all know it, right? It's the one teens put on their high school graduation invitations, the one we quote to someone when life seems to be going all wrong, the one we speak to ourselves when we don't know what to expect next. I found a super cool website that was new to me at the time and has since become a trusted friend. Click here to view. The goal for me was to reach back to the original context; the Hebrew or Greek. The goal was to truly read His words. I grabbed a journal and wrote the verse out in it's entirety as read in the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11. Then, I found the Hebrew and I re-wrote the verse in it's entirety as I relied on the Holy Spirit to highlight the words and meanings for me. This began my new Bible Study "curriculum" because I was able to understand what God meant, how to apply His Word to my life, and I was able to ingest and digest His full intentions for His people. Since that day, I have chosen or been led to several commonly used Christian Bible verses and have dug for gold in the original Hebrew and Greek. It's a great way for anyone who struggles with pre-fabricated Bible study curriculums to jump into the Word of God and draw from it. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. NKJV: For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. NIV: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Now written after going through the original word meanings in Hebrew: For I perceive, see, and discern the plans, purposes, and thoughts that I invent and make judgment upon toward you and I utter and declare them says Yehovah (Jehovah), plans, purposes, and inventions of completeness, safety, welfare, contentment, and friendship (with humans and God), not of bad, evil, unhappy, or ethically wicked, so that I can give and bestow upon you, appoint and designate to you hope and expectation, the things you long for, to the end. This version gives me much, much more joy and sets my heart steady to know that He really does have my best interests in mind. Personal story: This is the verse the Lord kept bringing to my mind every time I would ask Him if there was something specific I should read or cling to. For several weeks, this is the only verse that I would see in my mind's eye, hear in my thoughts, and have lingering in my heart. I kept waiting for something different to be the answer. For instance, "yes, Jenn, please read John 3:16 today", (said in the impersonated voice of God). But nothing changed. One late October evening I asked again and got the same answer. I rolled my eyes and told Him I didn't want to be "stuck" on this one verse FOREVER. Immediately, this answer came and I quickly repented: "This is My Word which gives LIFE and if this was the only verse I would have you read for the rest of your days, you will gain LIFE from it." Don't be disheartened when God won't let you move on. Take the time to "eat the Word" and let it sink into your heart for the days ahead. Disclaimer: Please do not take this post to mean that I am against Bible study books and/or curriculums. I'm not!
1 Comment
Paula
2/17/2016 05:29:19 pm
This information is helpful and relevant. When seeking the Lord's truths, any insight into different ways to study the Word is helpful. Also this blog is very well written, easy to read and interesting! Hoping for and looking forward to future posts!
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AuthorJenn is a mom of three children and wife of 10 yrs. She has been involved in ministry visual engineer. She has a Master's degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders and has worked as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist for 12 years. ArchivesCategories
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