begun to study, or even decide how to study. I am presently participating in a group of six men who have a goal of deeper understanding, spiritual growth, mutual support and prayer, through 'Bible study'. We have been using the book 'YBH ( Yes, But How? ) Getting Serious About Your Faith' by Doctor Vernon C. Grounds. Until now, we have yet to open our Bibles. But, that is not to say that scripture hasn't been quoted, on the contrary most of our discussion, even when about personal experience is citing and delving for truth in scriptural principles quoted from memory. We are using Doctor Grounds' book, and the ten principles he espouses, as a guide in our search for improvement in our walk. In our last session, we discussed the difficulty that we all experience, in keeping a regular daily predictable and meaningful devotion habit going. Just opening the Bible to read each day, duty bound, may or may not be meaningful. There has to be a ready answer, but a rigid schedule probably only works for those who are cloistered, or sheltered from outside stimuli. Our discussion at one point touched on the two styles of reading encountered in devotions. One member of our group, a pastor, said that there was academic reading and reading for personal application. 'Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary' defines academic as: "Literary, classical, or liberal, rather than technical or professional: as an academic course ... Theoretical and not expected to produce a practical result; as an academic discussion.". Based on that definition he is right. All through my life, I have approached learning with one question foremost in my mind. That question has been, 'How can I use this new information?'. If I didn't see any personal value, in what I was studying, I had difficulty gaining mastery over the subject and retaining the subject matter learned. I feel that most of us fit that same mold. Consider, if you will, the resistance to rote memorization of historical places, names and dates, that I and many others experienced in school. It wasn't until later in my life that I saw a value to history, not so much in the trivia, that was force fed, but rather in the cause and effect 155 ______________________________________________________________________________ of an historical event that keeps repeating itself. Turning once again to the dictionary, for the word 'study' we see, "Application of the mind to books, arts, or any subject for acquiring knowledge. Act or process of acquiring by one's own efforts knowledge of a subject.". Neither definition goes so far as to define the process as a very personal endeavor, and yet it is implied. To acquire something you gain possession of it. You own it. Once you own it, it is difficult to strip it from you. Yes, it can be stripped through brain washing, but ordinarily it is yours for life. But just as the medical profession has been saying about our physical status, 'you must use it or lose it'. So, we might look at study as either for personal ownership or for personal entertainment. Considering I John 4 we would have to say that II Timothy 2:15 is more interested in personal ownership study, from a stance of love, than study for study's sake. In the Old Testament we see in Psalm 119:9-16, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.". This passage ( Beth ) shows us that we should read scripture with a view to personal ownership, making it so dear to us, that we consider it to be treasure of the heart. That is, we go far beyond, just a casual acquaintance with the new knowledge, but are constantly bringing it to mind for further digestion as a cow chews her cud. If we meditate on the new knowledge long enough eventually the Holy Spirit will give more insight into it. With this process a continuing process, the scripture will blossom and become more beautiful and meaningful. As with anything extremely beautiful, or delicious, we can't seem to get enough of it. The same is true, with scripture. To 156 ______________________________________________________________________________ |
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