A voice says, ‘Cry out.’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures for ever.’
Isaiah 40:6-8 NIVUK
STUDY IT
One key element that took pride of place in my revised quiet times when I was a student was Bible study. I benefited the most from this.
However, for a while I struggled with not really knowing what I was doing. I was getting a lot out of it, but I was often missing details that would have enriched my experience.
Until, however, I was at the student conference where I heard the illustration about regurgitated food.
You see, the speaker was not there to just teach us how carnivorous creatures weaned their young. No, he was there to teach us a Bible study method that I have used more times than I can remember. It has made a profound difference to me and my knowledge of the Bible. It's fancy name is the Interrogative Bible Study Method. We could just call it the Six Questions:
* WHO?: Who is talking, writing, doing something in these verses?
* WHAT?: What type of literature are these verses? Is it a poem or song? A proverb? Historical literature? Apocalypse? Letter? Or is it from the Gospels?
* WHEN?: When is it happening? What else is happening around then?
* WHERE?: Where is it happening? What's the place like: its geography, history, culture?
* HOW?: How is it happening? What events are taking place? How is the writer making their point?
* WHY?: Why did it happen? Why do we think God allowed this to be in the Bible? What message is God trying to communicate through it?
This might seem to be over-simplified, but I would challenge you to try it, and write the answers down when you do.
If you think asking questions about the Bible sounds a bit strange, read this verse:
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Acts 17:11-12 NIVUK
There is absolutely nothing wrong with investigating and researching and studying Scripture. In fact, it is absolutely commendable and a noble thing to do.
Of course, this is not a quick shortcut to hearing from God. It's not a 'cheat' or a 'hack'. It's nothing more than a framework. We still need to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). It's simply a method of ensuring that we understand Scripture correctly and in its proper context. And when we do, fired and inspired by the Holy Spirit in prayer, we can experience the Word of God in a really special way.
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