Bible Study? Information or Transformation?

II Timothy 3

I love this passage. It starts in a deep dark valley with a very accurate description of what is going on today and sometimes going on in me! But it ends with a stake in the ground. The Word of God is from God and is worthy to form us in a Jesus like manner.

Not only is the Scripture, Bible, Word of God profitable showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way (Message) but it is the body of truth that is able to shape us into the work God has for us.

I spent four years in an academic institution studing and being tested on this book. I wrote papers, defended positions and honed my understanding of fine theological positions. Then I experienced life!

After some painful soul wrenching life I picked up the Bible and began to read it-- Not study and pick it apart. Not dissect it to find the hidden meaning but read it as if God had written to develop a relationship with me.

Through tears, I wrote of my experiences and God's truth in countless notebooks, illegibly I might add! It was this trip through the Bible that I experienced what Paul is telling Timothy.

I found a book that began to shape my soul. My first trip through I was interested in gaining knowledge that I could control and use. My second trip through I was interested in letting the truth control me.

This book is God's Love Letter to us. Larry Crabb just wrote a book to that effect which I am reading at the moment.

Everything changed in me when I looked at the words in the Bible as a forming tool for my soul rather than information in my mind. When my question went from being "What does it me?" to "What does it mean to me?" The Bible took on its God Breathed role in my life.

Father, please don't let me tire of reading the story of stories. Every word, every sentence is from your mouth, may I feel the warmth of your breath as I read about you invasion of earth to capture my heart for your purposes.

Created over 2 years ago