The 6th reason I have found in not being able to "get into" the Sacred Scripture is: we seem to relate and identify with things that are "short and sweet". We don't like to research, critique, verify, or simply "dig into" what the Scriptures are saying to each one of us.
It seems to me as we identify and mold certain philosophies into our lifestyles, our sources come from a one time momentary occurrence, and we tend to like that...because it requires little...from us.
I read in different blogs or on Face book of how one certain phrase greatly influences how a person looks at life, goals, and even God the Father Himself. Perhaps a bumper sticker, a 1/2 episode of Oprah, or a song can cause a person to have their whole outlook on life changed, simply based on what that "moment" meant to them, and the effect it has on their lives..all originating from one solitary moment.
Now I don't think it is necessarily wrong for someone to have a momentary experience that causes you to look at life from a different perspective... the problem is...it stops there.
Think about the Scriptures for a moment...or even our identity with God the Father Himself.
If you were totally honest with yourself, do you ever think of your relationship with God kind of like going to the doctor?...you know you have to see the doctor, but what a relief it will be when your done...you are in...and out.
Or how about the things we do...like reciting the Lord's Prayer. First, it is the Scripture...right? And really, it doesn't take that long to recite it....and it "covers alot of ground", and maybe if I can say it with enough sincerity...I will have a good week ahead!
Do you think that is why the Lord Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer...so we can have something to recite easily, whether we are alone or collectively, and we can get some Peace knowing all is well between God and ourselves?
Or how about church services that read the Scriptures in the service itself? I happen to attend a service that is liturgical in nature, and in our services we have a 1st and 2nd Reading...of the Scripture. When the Scripture is read, the reader then concludes by saying: "This is the Word of the Lord", and the congregation responds: "Thanks be to God". It doesn't matter whether you had "a clue" what was being read...the important thing is...it was Scripture being read and I gave "Thanks to God" for it...Right?
We just seem to stop...and go on to the things that do interest us in life.
There are 3 things I would like to take note of when it comes to the study of the Sacred Scripture:
1. The people of Berea. Berea is a Greek city in the Book of Acts in the New Testament approximately 65 miles from Thessalonica. Today Berea is called Veria.
The city at the time of the New Testament writings had a strong Jewish population and had a number of Greeks living there as well. Paul was deeply impressed with the attitude of the Bereans and the writer of the Book of Acts, Saint Luke mentions so. The Berean community's style of listening and reading of the Scriptures during that time has influenced the way Christian communities study the Scriptures...today. It is referred to as "examining the Scriptures".
A Gleaning from Acts 17:11-12:
" The Jewish people of the town Berea were more open-minded and generally more mature in attitude when Paul and Silas arrived to share the Good News. The Berean people themselves were ready...hearts being open, emotions not having rule in their decision making, nor did they want some "wild Jewish fairy tale" be delivered to them...as was quite prevalent during that time and era.
As Paul shared with them the Good News, the Bereans accepted Paul's Message concerning the need to receive Christ Jesus into their own hearts as the True Messiah. As they listened and received what Paul taught them, they (the Bereans) began to examine and study the Sacred Scriptures...for themselves...to see and know what Paul had shared with them...was actually true.
The Bereans made this a daily practice, and examined the Sacred Scriptures carefully and in detail. Because of this pursuance of the Scripture in this style and manner, many people within the Jewish community received Christ Jesus into their hearts as well, along with many prominent Greeks living in Berea, both men and women."
This practice of "Examining the Scriptures" to see if they were true has influenced Christians throughout history and even today. I think sometimes we get this false idea that God gets upset if we question what He has dictated in His Word, and that is far from Truth. The only way God would be upset to practice this "Berean style" of the study of the Scripture would be if we had a wrong attitude going about it. The Bereans were "noble in character", meaning they respected any and all regardless of their personal beliefs.
For me, it would mean doing something like this: Psalm 23 begins "The Lord is my Shepherd"... ok, you might ask yourself..."Why is the Lord...my Shepherd?" or "Why is the Lord called a Shepherd in the first place?" "What are the qualities of a Shepherd?" Take your time, examine carefully...so that you might come to know for yourself Christ Jesus is the True Messiah...and by the way, my study led me to believe...He is our True Shepherd!
2. Jewish children being taught the Law of Moses at an early age.
For approximately 10 years Jewish children are taught the Ancient Scriptures based from commands in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 32:7, Proverbs 3:1-2, and others.
In the teaching of the Jewish children, the older children would take time to interact and teach the younger, as well as the importance of parents not distracting children to perform other duties and be taken away from their time to...examine the Scriptures. I think the most impressive thing to me in reference to examining the Scriptures through their childhood years was the Hebrew language ability to "feel and get an understanding" as to what was being said in the Scripture.
For example, returning to Psalm 23, it begins: "The Lord is my Shepherd...". A child reared in the Jewish faith...this had real meaning...how a Shepherd thinks, how a Shepherd "feels" about his flock, and how a Shepherd depends on God for help and assistance.
Understanding the emotions that come when examining the Scripture is equally important to
reading the Scripture. Combine that with the settings and "pictures in the mind" of what the Scriptures describe...all of this had an important part in the examining of Scriptures.
That is why I am a believer in looking at the context of a passage of Scripture, and putting a "face and identity" to the people and the words they spoke in the Scripture. I have discovered when Peter walked on the water...Jesus wasn't putting him down by saying "Ye of little faith", or how the apostle Thomas is often referred to as "Doubting Thomas"....when Thomas was one of the most bold believers in Christ Jesus of all the original disciples.
3. I think as we give our hearts to the Lord Jesus, we have to apply our own examining of the Scripture like we would our favorite hobby or interest we may have. If you like to work on your home and do things like paint, lay a different floor, or put in new lights, then approach the Scriptures with the techniques you use to remodel your home. Take a verse or a passage of Scripture, remodel it so you have an understanding of what you are reading (and no...I don't mean change what the Scripture reads), rather, study the words...find ways to recreate it so it is "pleasing to the eye" when you read its content. It could be a word, looking up its meaning or finding a synonym or word that says the same thing yet works for you better...in your own unique way.
If you like video games...make the study of the Scriptures a game...and create ways to win at understanding Scripture that you might have been previously lost at trying to even read let alone understand.
Along with this, take your personal interests...and apply techniques to the examining of the Scriptures...whether it be a verse or an entire chapter.
And above all, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to increase your hunger in a creative way...a way just for you that will help in...examining the Scriptures.
It can be done! It may take some time...but it will be worth it! Be patient, do a little at a time...try to be consistent, and find someone to share your Examination of the Scripture...for the Scriptures will "do you right"...just give them a chance to work their way into your heart!
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It seems to me as we identify and mold certain philosophies into our lifestyles, our sources come from a one time momentary occurrence, and we tend to like that...because it requires little...from us.
I read in different blogs or on Face book of how one certain phrase greatly influences how a person looks at life, goals, and even God the Father Himself. Perhaps a bumper sticker, a 1/2 episode of Oprah, or a song can cause a person to have their whole outlook on life changed, simply based on what that "moment" meant to them, and the effect it has on their lives..all originating from one solitary moment.
Think about the Scriptures for a moment...or even our identity with God the Father Himself.
If you were totally honest with yourself, do you ever think of your relationship with God kind of like going to the doctor?...you know you have to see the doctor, but what a relief it will be when your done...you are in...and out.
Or how about the things we do...like reciting the Lord's Prayer. First, it is the Scripture...right? And really, it doesn't take that long to recite it....and it "covers alot of ground", and maybe if I can say it with enough sincerity...I will have a good week ahead!
Do you think that is why the Lord Jesus gave us the Lord's Prayer...so we can have something to recite easily, whether we are alone or collectively, and we can get some Peace knowing all is well between God and ourselves?
Or how about church services that read the Scriptures in the service itself? I happen to attend a service that is liturgical in nature, and in our services we have a 1st and 2nd Reading...of the Scripture. When the Scripture is read, the reader then concludes by saying: "This is the Word of the Lord", and the congregation responds: "Thanks be to God". It doesn't matter whether you had "a clue" what was being read...the important thing is...it was Scripture being read and I gave "Thanks to God" for it...Right?
We just seem to stop...and go on to the things that do interest us in life.
There are 3 things I would like to take note of when it comes to the study of the Sacred Scripture:
1. The people of Berea. Berea is a Greek city in the Book of Acts in the New Testament approximately 65 miles from Thessalonica. Today Berea is called Veria.
The city at the time of the New Testament writings had a strong Jewish population and had a number of Greeks living there as well. Paul was deeply impressed with the attitude of the Bereans and the writer of the Book of Acts, Saint Luke mentions so. The Berean community's style of listening and reading of the Scriptures during that time has influenced the way Christian communities study the Scriptures...today. It is referred to as "examining the Scriptures".
" The Jewish people of the town Berea were more open-minded and generally more mature in attitude when Paul and Silas arrived to share the Good News. The Berean people themselves were ready...hearts being open, emotions not having rule in their decision making, nor did they want some "wild Jewish fairy tale" be delivered to them...as was quite prevalent during that time and era.
As Paul shared with them the Good News, the Bereans accepted Paul's Message concerning the need to receive Christ Jesus into their own hearts as the True Messiah. As they listened and received what Paul taught them, they (the Bereans) began to examine and study the Sacred Scriptures...for themselves...to see and know what Paul had shared with them...was actually true.
The Bereans made this a daily practice, and examined the Sacred Scriptures carefully and in detail. Because of this pursuance of the Scripture in this style and manner, many people within the Jewish community received Christ Jesus into their hearts as well, along with many prominent Greeks living in Berea, both men and women."
This practice of "Examining the Scriptures" to see if they were true has influenced Christians throughout history and even today. I think sometimes we get this false idea that God gets upset if we question what He has dictated in His Word, and that is far from Truth. The only way God would be upset to practice this "Berean style" of the study of the Scripture would be if we had a wrong attitude going about it. The Bereans were "noble in character", meaning they respected any and all regardless of their personal beliefs.
For me, it would mean doing something like this: Psalm 23 begins "The Lord is my Shepherd"... ok, you might ask yourself..."Why is the Lord...my Shepherd?" or "Why is the Lord called a Shepherd in the first place?" "What are the qualities of a Shepherd?" Take your time, examine carefully...so that you might come to know for yourself Christ Jesus is the True Messiah...and by the way, my study led me to believe...He is our True Shepherd!
2. Jewish children being taught the Law of Moses at an early age.
For approximately 10 years Jewish children are taught the Ancient Scriptures based from commands in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 32:7, Proverbs 3:1-2, and others.
In the teaching of the Jewish children, the older children would take time to interact and teach the younger, as well as the importance of parents not distracting children to perform other duties and be taken away from their time to...examine the Scriptures. I think the most impressive thing to me in reference to examining the Scriptures through their childhood years was the Hebrew language ability to "feel and get an understanding" as to what was being said in the Scripture.
For example, returning to Psalm 23, it begins: "The Lord is my Shepherd...". A child reared in the Jewish faith...this had real meaning...how a Shepherd thinks, how a Shepherd "feels" about his flock, and how a Shepherd depends on God for help and assistance.
Understanding the emotions that come when examining the Scripture is equally important to
reading the Scripture. Combine that with the settings and "pictures in the mind" of what the Scriptures describe...all of this had an important part in the examining of Scriptures.
That is why I am a believer in looking at the context of a passage of Scripture, and putting a "face and identity" to the people and the words they spoke in the Scripture. I have discovered when Peter walked on the water...Jesus wasn't putting him down by saying "Ye of little faith", or how the apostle Thomas is often referred to as "Doubting Thomas"....when Thomas was one of the most bold believers in Christ Jesus of all the original disciples.
If you like video games...make the study of the Scriptures a game...and create ways to win at understanding Scripture that you might have been previously lost at trying to even read let alone understand.
Along with this, take your personal interests...and apply techniques to the examining of the Scriptures...whether it be a verse or an entire chapter.
And above all, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to increase your hunger in a creative way...a way just for you that will help in...examining the Scriptures.
It can be done! It may take some time...but it will be worth it! Be patient, do a little at a time...try to be consistent, and find someone to share your Examination of the Scripture...for the Scriptures will "do you right"...just give them a chance to work their way into your heart!
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