EquippedMama

Okay. So you agree that you want to get more serious in studying the Word and learning the character of God. Maybe this year has highlighted for you the importance of growing in your Faith as you have been shaken by the craziness of the times. But where do you start? How do you start?

There is a little song that I learned in Sunday school that seems an appropriate answer to this question. The opening lines go something like this: “Read your Bible Pray every day and you’ll grow, grow, grow”. It is easy to disregard children’s lessons as trite, yet there is profound truth in this simple song. Read your Bible, pray every day, and you will grow.

But how does that work out practically? If you are a mama of littles, your days might be jam-packed with nursing, potty-training and unending laundry. If you are mother of older kiddos, somehow you stay just as busy, even though they can take themselves to the bathroom and forage for food. The point is, that as long as “Mom” is on your list of daily duties, there will seldom be an easy opportunity for you to spend time in the Word. It simply must be a priority (but more on that later).

If you’re new to the habit of a daily quiet time, consider a few hints to begin.

Find a translation of the Bible you understand (some of the older translations use words not readily apparent in our vocabulary) and buy yourself a nice notebook and pens. This notebook shouldn’t share space with your grocery list, and, if at all possible, should be spared from the attacks of a two-year-old with a love of art. Put these together somewhere you know you can reliably find them.

Second, find a time when you can be alone. This can be a tall order, but it can be done. Perhaps your “alone” time is feeding a child late at night, or perhaps you squeeze in moments of silence during your lunch break. It doesn’t actually matter when the time is, but seek it out, and protect it. If you can’t find time, consider getting up half an hour earlier to open a new timeslot. When needed, disregard dishes, push aside (reasonable) responsibilities, and if at all possible, turn off your phone to minimize distractions. Make time to have time with the Lord.

Read the Bible rather than Christian books.

Yep. This sounds hypocritical for someone who has launched a Devotional for Young Moms but if you are truly strapped for time, ditch the commentary and cut straight to the real thing. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Through the working of the Holy Spirit you can learn far more from the Bible itself than from other teachers.

Where do you start?

There are many different plans to read the Bible. One that I particularly like helps you span the content of the Bible in 2 years, simultaneously working through the Old and New Testament. Many people suggest starting in the New Testament and reading through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)- as these outline the life of Jesus Christ and the culmination of the Gospel. This can be a great way to start, but reading the Old Testament side-by-side with the New Testament helps set up the context for Jesus’ coming to earth. There is vital background information which the Old Testament provides, where we are able to learn much about the character of God and His plan for the world.

Whether you start in the book of Matthew or Genesis, or both, or somewhere completely different, simply start. Come to your time of study eagerly, expecting to learn about the Lord and to grow in your walk with Him. Come prayerfully, asking the Lord to teach you from His word (Psalm 119:18). Come humbly, acknowledging any sins that might be keeping you from walking closely with the Lord. Take time to prepare your heart to learn from the Lord.

Then read. If you’ve never had a quiet time, consider asking yourself these questions as you read a passage:

In what context was this passage written? (This might require some digging, but if you have a study Bible or read the footnotes you might be able to figure it out.)

What does this passage teach me about God?

Is this passage teaching me something God might want me to learn? To do?

How does this passage fit into the “Big Picture” of the Bible?

Read your passage, and then, as time allows, read it again. Write down your answers to your questions or future questions you might need to research. Journal a prayer to God, list prayer requests, praises, or insights you gained in your time. Allow your journal to serve as an aid, rather than busywork.

Then pray.

When the Lord shows you something about Himself, worship Him for it. When you are convicted of sin, repent. Bring your requests before the Lord and take time to sit silently, meditating on the truths you have learned and resting in His presence. This is a habit which does not come easily in our business-crazed culture but is a discipline worth developing.

As you have time, add reading books by Christian authors. Perhaps you might incorporate Christian praise songs into your quiet time. Maybe you will find that you can focus better when you walk and pray. These things are all helpful aids, but remember that as you seek the Lord, your authority for all “extracurriculars” should be only His Word.

This is the journey of a lifetime. What a privilege to get to know the Creator of the Universe and enjoy fellowship with Him. Do not exchange it for the cheap substitute of business or noise.

Start experiencing the grounding power of a vibrant walk with the Lord.

Resources

Don’t know where to find a good Bible? There are many charts that help you understand if the Bible you are considering using is a literal translation (word for word) or more of an interpretation (thought for thought) or paraphrase. Talk to your pastor about what Bible he might suggest, or contact us using the contact us tab for any questions you might have!

Bible Study Tools- a good commentary is super helpful, but there are several online (free) resources which can help you understand the text in context. Two of my favorites are here and here. You might also want to consider downloading a free Bible App like this so you can have it available on your phone.

Several authors have written helpful works on how to study the Bible at greater depth. One helpful, accessible work is Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. John Hendricks also wrote a thorough guide on how to study the Word called Living by the Book.