Okay, so imagine with me you’re on a first date. The conversation goes like this:

“So where do you work?”
“McDonalds.”
“Do you have family in town?”
“No.”
“What do you like to do for fun?”
“Read.”

Et cetera. No added information from them. No follow-up questions from you asking for more details. No reciprocating questions.

You’d run out of topics really quickly. And you wouldn’t learn much about each other.

Sometimes that’s how we read the Bible, like it’s just a textbook to get through. What if we started seeing it instead as the key to knowing God, and really explored it? We would start discovering God himself in its pages.

We’re about to launch our study in James together. Before we do, here are some basics to help develop some healthy habits in our times with God.

First, pray.

This is God’s word. He calls it his revelation to us – where he discloses his truth to us. So ask him to do that. To make it come alive. To speak to you through it.

Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes, that I may see wonderful things out of your law.”

God, I’m about to open your word and read. Will you meet me here? Will you show me something new about yourself today? Will you teach me what you want me to hear? Open my eyes, God, I pray!

Then, read.

And reread.

Ask questions.

Notice things.

Here’s a sample list of questions to ask yourself:
What do these verses say about God? Who is he? What is he like? What is he doing?
Are there any promises here I can claim from God?
Is there anything about sin here that I should avoid in my life?
Are there any commands to obey?
Whose example should I follow or not follow from this passage?

Take notes. Buy a notebook or journal to keep with your Bible. You remember things better when you write them down. Or takes notes on your phone or iPad or [fill in the blank with your electronic device].

You’re gaining information – pieces to the puzzle of who God is. Just like once you find out your date works at McDonalds, you might ask follow-up questions like
“How long have you worked there? Do you enjoy it? Is that something you see yourself doing long-term?” and learn much more about them.

Read the Bible the same way.

Don’t stop with information.

Now that you’ve learned some things from God’s word, pray again. Be honest with him and with yourself. Ask some more questions.
Do I live like this is true about God?
Do I believe these promises?
How does my heart line up with what God calls sin, or what he asks me to do? Am I willing to change?

Then take the steps you need to take to truly follow Jesus. It doesn’t do any good to take what he says and leave it there in the Bible. Take action!

Take the time. 

It’s up to us how much time we spend with God. The point is that we DO IT. Often. Little by little, we can and will grow closer to God as we communicate with him back and forth through his word and prayer. It’s good stuff, friends. And it’s worth it.

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