Engaging with the Scriptures
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
OH MY GOSH WE ARE READING THIS VERSE AGAIN!
I know what you’re thinking. But we’re going to get it. Go with me.
The NUMBER ONE contributor to spiritual growth, as shown from the Move survey of over 1,000 churches, is engaging with the Bible. For all the stuff we can do and plan and invest, the number one thing that will grow us as a church, spiritually, is reading our Bibles.
So let’s talk about it. The more we talk about it, the more we want to read. The more we want to read, the more we’ll read and the more we’ll grow.
Deuteronomy 6:6–9
[6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Maybe you’re a notecard person. Write down this passage on some notecards and tote it around all day. Or on Post-it® Notes. Or print out verses and hang them on the fridge, the dashboard, or the locker. To “engage” with scripture means to interact, dialogue, and maybe even wrestle with it.
The scriptures can handle it.
We don’t read out Bibles and pray every day to get into Heaven. Jesus already bought the ticket. Instead, we are craving spoilers to build up our hope for Heaven.
Read through that section of Colossians over and over again for this Thanksgiving Weekend. Make it the start of your scripture engagement to get a leap on your New Year’s Resolutions. God wants to show off and grow in you, and He’s already given you the tools to do it.
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