For many years now I have had a desire to study the Bible – not just at church or at Sunday school, or with our small group – but for myself, decisively, daily, completely. I had actually begun such a study when the girls were young, but dropped out when I went back to work. My lame excuse was that we were too busy and it was hard to find the time. I shudder when I think about it now! No time for God’s Word?! As the girls were finishing up high school and heading off to college, I planned to begin again, and this time finish, what had been put on the back burner for so many years. I was largely inspired by my daughter, Janel, who from the time she was very young, read her Bible daily. Her depth of knowledge, understanding, and application always amazed me and left me feeling a bit ill equipped to be the spiritual mentor I should have been.
This week I completed a seven year study through Bible Study Fellowship. BSF is a comprehensive inter-denominational Bible study program that uses a four-fold approach: daily questions and personal Bible study, discussion groups, challenging lectures, and study notes. The studies included John, the history of Israel and the Minor Prophets, the Acts of the Apostles, Genesis, Romans, Matthew, and the life of Moses. Without a doubt, this has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys I have ever embarked upon. Praise God for helping me persevere and for growing me in the areas of humility, obedience, and trust.
The study solidified my core beliefs in a reasonable faith and deepened my understanding of God’s character and my purpose. Spending time in God’s word has been food for my soul. I don’t know everything or claim to have all the answers. I am in process and looking expectantly to the future nuggets that I will discover and apply to my life as I continue to spend time reading, studying, praying.
So what are your priorities? Where are you looking for truth? When are you looking? Are you making God and the Bible fit your ideas, or are you allowing God to mold your heart to be aligned with His? Your choices have eternal consequences. I encourage you to dive into God’s Word, examine the evidence, believe the truth, and be transformed! There is a BSF class near you!