Alone with the Lord
Wrestle with the Text, Be Blessed by God
Yesterday I wrote that Bible study tools are helpful, but they are not what make engagement with God’s Word possible. Today, I want to share how I guard against this in my preaching and teaching preparation.
The first thing I do when I get a text assignment is actually read the text. I know this sounds basic, but especially with familiar passages, there’s a temptation to jump straight into commentaries. I think putting my eyes on the words helps me make connections, even when I have a passage memorized.
My primary translation is the ESV, and I just sit with that one translation. I read and think and pray. It happens quickly, but it’s quite devotional. This is what any “regular” Christian can do during their quiet time, alone with a Bible.
By doing this first, I make sure I’m engaging the text itself before engaging what others have written about it.
Once I’ve wrapped my head around the text, I try to put some words around it. I outline the passage, identify the author’s primary intent, and formulate a big idea. Sometimes I type it out, and sometimes I just work through it in my head.
Finally, I think through some very basic applications. I consider very literal applications, and I think about how I need to apply the text to my own life.
Again, this does not take long. I engage with the text on a devotional and personal level before I consider it from a preaching and teaching angle. Once I jump into Bible study tools and commentaries, I’ll sometimes find better outlines, clearer big ideas, and deeper applications. But during that initial wrestling with the text, when it’s just me and God, I always come away blessed.
Christian Books for Women
Check out the Christian Books for Women collection at Westminster Bookstore! The ESV Women’s Study Bible is on sale at 66% off, and you can use code DIVEINDIGDEEP to save an extra 5% off your entire order always.
The ESV Women's Study Bible features over 523,000 words of study content, along with over 350 reflections connecting Scripture to life, book introductions and timelines, character sketches of key figures, detailed maps and illustrations, articles on important theological topics, and elegant artwork from artist Dana Tanamachi interspersed throughout. Contributors include best-selling authors like Jen Wilkin, Lauren Chandler, Ann Voskamp, Trillia Newbell, Kristyn Getty, and more.
More: Father’s Day Gift Guide at Westminster Bookstore
Crossway Podcast: The Path Preachers Should Take
I enjoyed this episode of the Crossway Podcast, where Mike Bullmore shares some encouragement and practical advice for preachers today, and how to keep the gospel central in all of one’s preaching. Bullmore is the author of The Heart of Preaching: The Functional Centrality of the Gospel in the Life and Work of the Preacher.
More: Prayer Poems
Endnotes
In Thirty Second Theology, Sinclair B. Ferguson uses a clear question-and-answer format to help young readers build and strengthen their faith. The book presents foundational Christian doctrines in a concise and accessible way. Giveaway and review.
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