Rejuvenate

Rejuvenate

Here is a simple idea that may help you rejuvenate or deepen your daily Bible reading.  Sometimes when we read Scripture we do not take the time to meditate on Scripture.  We simply do our daily reading, hope it sticks, and then move on.  While any reading of the Word is good for us, it is always better if we take the time to allow the Spirit to speak to our hearts as we read.  So try this next time you find yourself rushing through your reading.  Imagine that you have been asked to teach a group of 7 or 8 year old children the passage you just read.  Your task is to not only understand the main points of the passage but you must now put it in language that these young people will understand.  Don’t shortcut the process just because this is a made up exercise.  Have a desire to allow the Word to touch their hearts and so you must present these truths about God in such a way that they learn from the Scripture, they see their God, and they glorify him.  If you spend the day meditating on how to do that (make sure you do not rabbit trail far from the passage you have read as you meditate) then you will find that you understand the truths presented in a far greater way and they will stick with you a great deal longer.

One of the side benefits may also be that you become overcome by a desire to share these truths with real young people.  The Word is alive and powerful and meant to be shared.  When it grips your heart, you are driven to share it with others.

Here is some bonus advice:  Turn the radio off in the car and use this time to meditate; imagine questions that the children raise to challenge you; do not be afraid of speaking out loud to yourself – it helps to formulate good thoughts – just be careful where you do it; go back and read the passage several times because as you meditate you will drift away from the passage; think through illustrations that help teach the truth; challenge your whole family to do that same passage and the same exercise.