A New Perspective on Bible Study

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
John 5:39-40 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

For far too long I looked at reading my Bible as a to-do list check off item for my daily Christian duties. Sometimes I would randomly open my Bible and see where it landed for the day or read over a favorite Psalm. I was always that overachiever student who wanted a good grade but wasn’t as concerned about the actual knowledge that stuck with me beyond the test. I started to recognize that those same tendencies were affecting how I viewed Bible study. If I only looked at studying my Bible as success for the Christian achievement test or to fill my mind with Bible quiz trivia, I was completely missing the point.

A few years ago, I decided to read through the Bible in a year, but with a new perspective this time. I had a hunger for God’s Word and wanted to better know the God I serve. This time I was approaching my Bible with a desire to deepen my relationship with the Lord and see how it all pointed to Jesus. I wanted to grow in my understanding of God’s Word to better live out my faith. This perspective shift made all the difference!

In John 5:39-40, Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders. He calls them out on their study of scripture and how they’ve totally missed the mark. They may have filled their minds with knowledge, but never made the connection to how the very words they read reflected the One that now stood in their midst. They refused to find eternal life in Jesus and thought the words on the scroll would save them.

As you open your Bible today, I encourage you to first prepare your heart and mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His Truth to you through God’s Word. Be open to listening to the Lord challenge your heart. Allow God’s Word to transform you so you can bring the light of Jesus to our world!