Digging In

A couple of weeks into our journey, and you discover the need for stamina.  It’s not as though we have asked you to sweat blood, but there is a commitment involved beyond showing up each Wednesday.

Setting aside time for personal Bible reading, Scripture memory, and Bible study requires several hours a week, but the rewards are well worth it.  I heard from a professor once that it takes 30 repetitions of something to make it a habit.  If you can hang in there and establish a routine of these disciplines for 30 days, you will have established a habit.  That doesn’t mean the habit is unbreakable, but it becomes more natural.  You become more inclined to do it than not do it.

Memorizing Scripture is one of those most difficult habits to establish because it is so foreign to our lifestyles.  We don’t intentionally memorize anything else in life.  But perseverance in this will yield huge dividends.  If you have trouble with memorization (some do), don’t despair.  Relaxing and relying on hearing yourself say it over and over will do more than trying to cram it into your head like study for a final exam.  We learn best when we are most relaxed and enjoying the moment.

One more thing – and I will try to remind you of this often – the disciplines we are learning to establish are never an end in themselves.  Disciples of Jesus are not defined merely by their spiritual habits, but primarily by their character.  Children of God are known by what they are, not just what they do.  That is not to say that behavior is unimportant.  We use disciplines to create the mind, spirit and heart of Christ in us.  If we focus on growing the character of God in us, the behavior will flow naturally.

The spiritual disciplines (Bible reading and study, prayer, Scripture memory, etc.) are habits that create an environment in which God can form us.  Always seek the transforming process of giving attention to the Bible, of prayer and of Scripture memory.  We are not seeking to fill our heads only, but our hearts.

We will meet next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Bonnie’s.  Continue your Bible reading and journaling, review 1st John 5:11-12, memorize John 16:24, and do Study #3 in Priorities.  Click here if you need the introductory comments on John 16:24.

The Open Road

Thanks for another great meeting last night.  I want to encourage you all to view this year together as a journey through a new land.  It is not a rushed journey.  It is a journey in which we will take time to stop at many places of interest, explore, engage, and become familiar with the unfamiliar.

On such a journey we may find ourselves intimidated at times because of what we don’t know, or what we don’t know how to do.  Try to lose that inhibition.  We will share the adventure together and learn as we go.  None of us has it all figured out.  I give ALL of us permission to fail gracefully.  And I insist that we become passionate about encouraging each other as we struggle to get back on our feet and resume the journey. . .  together.

I am encouraged by your openness to share doubts and questions.  This reveals a hungry spirit.  Continue to ask questions as you study and read.  I do not promise to answer all your questions – partly because I don’t have a lot of the answers, but also because allowing you to search and find the answers is a part of learning and growing.

We meet next Wednesday at Cindy’s at 6 p.m.  Do Study #2, continue daily Bible reading and journaling, and review, review, review 1st John 5:11-12.

The “I’ds” of March

Thanks for a great meeting time last night.  And thanks to Ginnie for opening up her home for us.

Today is the “ides of March.”  The “ides of March” is known worldwide from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar as the time of the Emperor’s assassination in 44 B.C.  But the term “ides” simply means “half division.”  It refers to the middle day of the month.  Americans are more apt to beware of the ides of April.

As we begin this journey of developing the disciplines of a Jesus-follower, there are some “I’ds” we must learn to overcome.  You know the sort.

“I’d read my Bible every day if I could just find the time.”

“I’d have done my Bible study, but this week has just been too hectic.”

“I’d have that memory verse down if I had a moment to myself and a better memory.”

I have fallen prey to the “I’ds” often in my life.  Be assured that I am praying for you all.  Pray for each other.  And if you drop the ball one day, pick it up the next day and move forward.  Don’t let the guilt induced by the “I’ds” dominate you.

I realize that we haven’t even begun our first study yet, but I’m already looking ahead to our next one.  The plan is to definitely do a six-week study on the basics of Bible study after we finish the six-week study on priorities, but the book I originally planned to use doesn’t seem to fit this group as well.  A better option seems to be “Times and Places.”  Click the title to read more about it and let me know what you think.

Let our group know what New Testament book you are reading in this week.  Just click “Comments” below and leave a note.