If Biblical Literacy is reading your Bible can it stop there?
Study
Memorization
Meditation
Application
Reading and listening to God's Word is the first step
Informational vs formational
"Doing violence to the text" - distortion of meaning or intent
Reading it with a specific outcome in mind instead of opening your mind and heart to what God wants to show you through His Spirit
Talked about this in the Biblical Worldview episode (Episode 1 with Lee Kemp and Cole Penick). - are you shaping your worldview based on what the Bible says or are you reading into the Bible based on a worldview you've already formed?
Study
Find a method that works for you
Pick a time and have your tools ready
Give time to the Holy Spirit before you give time to a commentary (1 John 2:27 - But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.)
Memorization
Psalm 119:11 - Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. (NASB)
Find a tools that works for you
Write it down
Draw picture
Memorize it word for word with reference
Accountability
Meditation
Difference between Eastern and Christian meditation (emptying mind vs filling mind)
Whitney mentions 17 methods (Spiritual Disciplines)
Favorites - pray through the text and rewrite it in your own words
Application
First, what was the immediate application at the time?
Second, what is the larger application for all believers?
Finally, what does this mean for me in my current context?
James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Important to remember that none of these are done in isolation.
Deep study naturally leads to memorization which leads to meditation which leads to application.
And it all starts with reading.
It can be overwhelming so start simple but effective.
Example: Read through a book a chapter or passage at a time. Pick a small section or one verse to really study. Read that verse over and over as you study and memorize it. Think about that verse throughout the day and how that verse applies to you.
And remember what Caleb said, Trust Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
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