Spiritual growth has very plenty to do with our closeness to Jesus Christ and His truth. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), and that we are to grow in our relationship and understanding of Him. One of the best ways to do that is to grow in our Bible reading and devotions.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The Bible is an effective tool to help us walk with Christ, demolish strongholds that keep us apart from Jesus, understand God's purpose for us and help others follow Jesus.
To grow in Bible reading, it's good to have tools to guide us as we go through God's Word. Here are five questions that can be great tools in growing in our Bible reading.
"What does this passage tell me about God's character?" The Bible is more than just a collection of stories, poems and letters. It is the spoken word of God. Through it, God reveals His character and the person of Jesus Christ. When reading scripture, it can be transformational to seek God before seeking ourselves.
"How did Jesus fulfil this passage for me?" In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, ""Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them." Jesus was the fulfilment of the law for us. As we read the Bible, we can easily find how Jesus fulfilled certain laws for us that we may now walk in God's promises by faith.
"Is God commanding me to do something here?" While Jesus has become the fulfilment of the law for us, that doesn't mean that we just slack off and wait for God to "butler" us. We are now still under His Lordship and He calls the shots. What is God commanding you to do to bring more honour to His name?
"How does this scripture relate to my present circumstances?" The Bible may be old, but that doesn't mean it's out-of-date. Many of the principles that it shares are still applicable today such as principles on finances, leadership, governance, family and personal integrity.
"How can I apply this word to my attitude and behaviour?" The Bible is a wonderful mirror that exposes the dirt on our faces so that we may be able to change things in our lives that do not bless God and others. When used for self-reflection, we can experience a lot of personal growth when we allow God's Word to teach us how we are to think and behave.
