Ever since you became a Christian or first started attending a church, you have probably heard about the importance of getting into the Word. It may be something you’ve never done or it could just be the new aspects of motherhood seems to be getting in the way of your quality one-on-one time with God. Either way, if you’re struggling to establish regular times in the Word into your daily schedule then this post is for you.
Psalm 119 has a lot to say about the study of scripture. “Open my eyes that I may see, wondrous things from Your law” (18). “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding and I keep Your law; Indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart” (33-34). “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (104-105). “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (129-130). “Give us this day our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11) The list could go on and on with Psalm 119’s references about the importance of studying scripture and that’s just one chapter of the Bible! John starts his gospel with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). It all began with the Word. Everything we believe, everything we see, everything we live for began with the Word–God’s Word. Paul emphasizes the importance of studying the Word and it’s indication of a growing Christian: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:18). It is important to dig down in the scriptures; otherwise, you will become just like your newborn baby spiritually. If you are not growing with Christ, you’ll at the very least become stagnant if not backslidden. As the author of Hebrews states, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe” (Hebrews 5:12-13). If we are going to teach our children about Jesus Christ then we must first grow in His Word ourselves. Otherwise, how can we teach something that we do not know? And how can we live as an example if we do not understand?
In addition to the fact that the Bible strongly encourages the study of the Scriptures to discover for yourself the truth that will set you free, His Word also uplifts the soul. On those days when you feel utterly exhausted, you may just happen to read a scripture that says, “Why are you downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5). Or when you are in the beginning stages of disciplining your firstborn, you may read “A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them” (Proverbs 13:34, MSG). Or when you are struggling with your mate because you feel like you have nothing left to give, God reminds you, “….respect your husband” (Ephesians 5:25). God’s Word is alive and well. It is the truth that always prevails. It is the glue that will hold your life together when everything else seems to go crazy.
When it came to Bible Study this was one of the areas that started to wane whenever we brought home Peanut. There were baby books to read, sleep to be found, and playing with Peanut sure seemed to be more fun, but above all odds, I tried to maintain that minimum goal: one chapter a day. Every morning while feeding Peanut her first round, I’d sit with her in one arm and my Bible in the other. Together, I read her one chapter from the New Testament, Psalms or Proverbs. It kept me going even if I didn’t have time for anything else or felt that I couldn’t concentrate any longer than one chapter. Thus, now I can now honestly say that Peanut has been reading/hearing the Good News since the day I brought her home from the hospital. What could not be good about that?
Each person approaches their Bible Study time differently. Some use books as a guide. Others do an in depth precept study of a particular book or passage. Still others journal about what they’ve read. You may have yet other goals you’d like to accomplish during your Bible Study time. For instance, you may want to complete a Women’s Bible Study done with several of your friends at church, complete a read through the Bible in a year plan, do a topical study on something important to you, or read just a chapter a day like I did. Whatever you choose will be great. Just do something and do it every day. And don’t forget to engage yourself. It won’t do you very much good if what you read goes in one ear and out the other as you read out of habit instead of desire. Focus on what God is trying to tell you. Ask Him to reveal himself to you new every morning and you’ll be amazed at your discoveries and revelations.
Now that Peanut is one year old, we no longer have morning feeding sessions for me to read to her. Instead I sometimes read to her my daily reading from my Chronological One Year Bible while she eats breakfast or gets ready for bed. I also read to her from her “Bible” which has over 100 simplified Bible stories that introduce her to the main characters and stories in the Bible. When Peanut is napping I occasionally do some Biblical research on my own for this blog or a topic of interest to me. This is a constantly evolving discipline of mine. I’ve done everything from Beth Moore Bible Studies to topical studies to yearly reading plans and more. But, I have never tried to do them all at once. I set yearly and/or shorter term goals and accomplish them one at a time. Just choose some place you’d like to start and begin. Even if everything else falls to the wayside, try your hardest to keep this area a top priority. For, “all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work [as a mom, as a wife, as a neighbor, as a co-worker, etc.]” (2 Timothy 3:16). If you will let God equip you through His Word, you will be empowered to do whatever He has set before you starting with that first diaper change.
Bible Study Resources:
*Bible.org
*Bible Gateway
*Bible Study Tools
*Bible.cc
Next Post Topic: Spiritual Balance, Pt 2–Scripture Memory
Hi! Welcome to Cornerstone Confessions. My name is Kathy Gossen and I'm a full time homemaker learning about what it means to be a godly woman in the everyday. On Cornerstone Confessions I share my adventures in organizing, homeschooling, cooking, parenting, and more as a means to encourage other women in their quest to becoming a Titus 2 model in their homes and beyond.
