As little as a year ago, if someone were to ask me how often they should read Scripture, I would have begun the conversation with something like, "Well, how often do you read the Bible now?" and then offered some suggestions for growing. If you are reading the Bible weekly, let's work on moving to daily, and so on. Now I am of a different mind.
If someone were to ask me today how often to read Scripture, I would ask them, "How often do you eat?" and encourage the same frequency for Bible reading as for eating. Every time you eat, every time you snack, match that with an equal time and frequency of reading Scripture. [You may actually want to track, just for one week, how much time you spend preparing and eating meals.]
I know it's daunting, that much Bible reading. But just as I would not encourage you to skip two meals a day, I don't think it is healthy for us when we regularly avoid digesting God's word. This food of Holy Scripture is more important, more dear to us, than even regular bread: one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD (Deuteronomy 8:3, cf. Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4).
Here are a few reflections and guidelines to aid in our feasting:
Fourth meal. What if you are an insomniac, like I am occasionally? Taco Bell advertises "Fourth Meal" as that meal between dinner and breakfast. Why not make a late night snack of God's word? Pray the Psalms.
Eat with others. Why not eat with others? Meals are always better with company, so why feast on God's word alone? Find a Bible study group that meets regularly and jump right in. Eat together.
Chew loudly. Try this practice if you have never done it before: read the Scriptures out loud for home devotions. The Word is meant to be heard. And try at worship to put down your bulletin and listen to the Scriptures.
Avoid junk food. All of what passes for devotional material is simply spiritual junk food. There may be a Bible verse but the reflections that follow often have little to do with the depth and breadth of God's word. Try lengthier passages of Scripture first, then good, solid food to supplement.
Snacks on the go. I imagine many of us have more than one Bible. Why not put one in different parts of the house, in the car, at the desk at work or school, etc.? This way God's life-giving food is always available.
Watch out. Daily engagement in the Word of God will transform us... making us over into the image of Christ. This can be a dangerous thing, loving our enemies, praying for those who persecute us...
Invoke the author. One of my favorite theologians suggests that reading Scripture is the second most dangerous thing a Christian can do, for when the Bible is opened the devil is nearby, whispering into our ears, tempting us. So when we read, we should invoke the name of the author, the Holy Spirit, to guide our reading and understanding. You may be wondering, what is the most dangerous thing a Christian can do? Not read the Bible.
Go online. One of the gifts of recent innovations in technology is that there are thousands of Bible reading plans right at our fingertips. Check the back of the Bible you have now; chances are there is a reading plan there.
Eat up, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
Other Events Coming Up...
Let's Talk About Sex
There are two opportunities to discuss recent decisions made by our denomination regarding human sexuality and standards for ordained ministers. The first one, with our synod Bishop, is this Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at First Lutheran Church, 109 E. Lincoln St., Findlay, Ohio. The second opportunity is here at Bethlehem, September 16 (Wednesday) from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm. You are welcome to join us for either, or both.
Church at Cherry's
We received an overwhelming response to our "Church at Cherry's" theological discussions, so we hope to continue those this fall. Tentatively, we will meet once a month (probably the fourth Tuesday: so September 22 @ 7 pm). If you have topic suggestions, please send them. Oh, and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible).
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