Week 1 – Encountering God through the Bible

Theme
I can encounter God through the Bible.

Prayer
God, let me experience your loving presence and power through the Scriptures.


“The Bible is Divine Revelation. God’s own word to us. It reveals who God is, who we are and why we are here. Through Bible study we gain insights into God, human nature and creation. Studying the Scripture can equip, guide and reveal how to live in life-giving ways that deepen our friendship with God and others.” – Adele Calhoun.

The Old and New Testaments encourage study, devotional reading, meditation, and Scripture memorization. While study tends to focus on gaining information and applying the truth, devotional reading focuses on the relationship. Devotional reading engages not only the head but also the heart, emotions and imagination. We read slowly and pay attention to what He is saying by savoring each word, much like we are reading a love letter.
 
How we come to God’s Word is vital. Coming to God’s Word with an open, prayful heart is needed.  It is the Holy Spirit after all who opens us up to the Word. We seek to pay attention to what God is saying to us personally. And we come with a willingness to obey what we hear. Then we no longer are reading words on a page, instead we are encountering the Living God.

What could be more exciting than hearing a personal word from God? Won’t you consider encountering God through the Bible?


Daily
Review:  In your journal, review how you have experienced God since your last journal entry.

Read:  After repeating the theme several times, use the prayer to initiate your time with the passage.  Consider reading the passage several times, pausing between each reading.  After reading and meditating on the passage, record your summary in Section 2 of your journal.

Respond:  Take time to respond to God. Write your response in Section 3 of your journal. 


Day 1
Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Joshua 1:8
Describe the benefits of being in the Scriptures on a regular basis.

Day 2
Hebrews 4:12-13; Psalm 119:36, 97,103, 105, 111
Meditate on how to approach the Bible.

Day 3
Luke 24:1-33
How did Jesus use the Bible with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? How did they respond to the Bible?

Day 4
Mark 10:46-52
Read the story and imagine you, being aware of your needs, call out to Jesus. Suddently He calls for you. Face to face with Jesus, He turns to you and asks, 'What do you want me to do for you?' How do you respond?

Day 5
Isaiah 55:6-12

Day 6
Luke 5:1-11
Imagine yourself sitting in the boat with Jesus and Peter. In what ways do I resist his instruction? What would have to change in you for you to say, like Peter with “Because you say so I will….”

Day 7
Review all six days by reading your journal. How have you encountered God this week? Write a summary of your experience. Consider sharing your insights with someone else.