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| THE JOURNEY How to read the Bible…and not get bored By Debbie Smith Here at Heartland, one of our core values is honesty. We seek truth within our innermost beings even when it feels awkward, such as when we acknowledge that reading the Bible can sometimes feel dry or overwhelming. Maybe you’ve opened it with the best of intentions, only to feel lost in lists, stuck in genealogies, or unsure how the Bible connects to your life today. The first time I worked my way through a ‘read the Bible in one year’ plan, I accomplished very little besides being able to claim the credential that I had ticked through the entire tome. My initial approach didn’t bear much fruit, because I engaged my ability to check the box more than I engaged my heart and hunger to know my creator. God promises that we will find him when we seek him wholeheartedly. He entreats us to explore his revealed word in order to build a relationship, not as an obligatory reading of a textbook. As we begin this series full of heart and hope that we will encounter Jesus more fully as we interact with the Bible through fresh eyes, we can enter the library of God with a new script, believing that the Lord’s words are alive and personal for each of us. Here are some ideas to get you started this week: Read less, but dive deeper. Instead of skimming a chapter, meditate on a verse. Ask yourself, What does this reading say about God? About me? Look for Jesus, even in the Old Testament. The entire heartbeat of scripture points toward the revelation of God’s love through Christ. Use variety. Try an alternate translation, a Bible app with daily devotionals, or listen to an audio version on a walk. If you find yourself bored with the Bible, ask God to meet you where you are today and give you a hunger for his words, to illuminate his library of books to you in a very personal way. You’re not just reading a book — you’re meeting the Author. Read through the book of John with us! We will be reading through the book of John together. It takes three easy steps to dive into Bible study: observe, reflect, and apply. In this process, we ask ourselves, “What is God saying to me?” and “What am I going to do about that?” We observe – notice what we are reading, the details of the story, and how it makes us feel or challenges us to think. We reflect – by pondering what God is saying to us in this particular story or passage. We pray – inviting God to be clear on what we are sensing. Then we go and do it. Grab your notes app on your phone, or a journal, and take notes of your Observe/Reflect/Apply thoughts. Practice reading and processing with a friend. Grab a coffee or go for a walk. We’ll model ways to do this each week, but you will get the biggest impact if you engage in these practices, too. So, jump in to John with us! If you need a Bible, stop by the Welcome Center for a free copy. [Monday, April 28] John 3:1-15 Nicodemus slipped out to visit Jesus in the dark, perhaps afraid or unsure. How do these verses explain the nature of being “born again”? When and how do you approach God with your own difficult questions? [Tuesday, April 29] John 3:16-36 Read God’s declaration of love for you in verse John 3:16, as if you’re hearing these words for the first time. Then re-read this verse within the context of the surrounding passages, and consider how you can approach reading the Bible from the vantage point of the God who sent his Son not to condemn you, but to save you. [Wednesday, April 30] John 4:1-14 Jesus spoke with the woman about “living water” in response to her request to meet a more basic need. In verse 10, what is Jesus offering the Samaritan woman (and us) that satiates more than our physical thirst? Where are you feeling spiritually dry in your life, and in need of the refreshment of living water? [Thursday, May 1] John 4:15-30 Jesus saw the woman completely, and didn’t turn away. She in turn let her story become a testimony. Notice how Jesus uses the reference to the woman’s husband (v.16) to take the conversation to a more personal interaction. What would it mean to let Jesus see all of you, and let your story become your testimony? [Friday, May 2] John 4:31-54 The disciples entreated Jesus to eat, and he responded by expanding the conversation about a meal to a deeper level. Study these verses with particular attention to the words directly attributed to Jesus; notice how he uses the disciples’ references to food to draw them in to the bigger picture. How does Jesus meet you where you are, addressing practical needs but asking you to shift your gaze to the greater story? {extra journey resources} CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE. CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project. CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading. The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others. The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages. Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference. Please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and share what you are learning, questioning or experiencing. 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