Ministers Desk February 5

The psalmist says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Ps 119:11).  Later in Psalm 119:105 he says “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Scripture points towards its own effectiveness in leading us deeper into the way of Christ.  I am aware that many members of our congregation have a significant, daily encounter with God, through the scriptures.  As they read and reflect on scripture they allow God’s Spirit to use scripture to teach, rebuke, correct and train them (2 Tim 3:16) for their life of discipleship.  A daily practice of reading scripture should not be about completing a task, but allowing scripture to form the people that we are and the way that we live in this world.  A clear sign of a growing disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who sees scripture clearly as a gauge and mirror for everything they say and do.  Our engagement with scripture should come in many encounters.

Each day we should be reading and reflecting on scripture through our daily devotions.  Many people in our congregation make use of notes such as “With love to the World” or publications provided by Scripture Union.  There are many different series’ of daily reading notes available on the information desk, please help yourself.  My preferred daily reading practice is to simply read a passage and then think, write and pray about what it says to me.  I have used this method of journaling for many years and find that I continually receive fresh challenges from scripture that speak into my life at the present moment.  I encourage you to find your own rhythm of daily reading.

Weekly and fortnightly we should be reading and reflecting on scripture as we meet in our explore groups.  In an explore group we have the time and space to look at a passage of scripture and discuss what it means and what its implications are for our lives.  We do this with respect and vulnerability, acknowledging that we don’t all have the answers and that we can learn from each other.

Weekly we learn from scripture during our worship services.  This happens primarily through the sermon, but at other times scripture is used, and will be used more often in the future.  Bringing and using our own bibles in worship allows us to become familiar with the language of our preferred version and the layout of the books and passages. 

At many other times people and groups in our congregation share in reading scripture.  Many families will have family devotions.  Many engage groups and meetings start their gatherings with a short devotion.  At Church Council and Elders meetings we reflect on scripture as we come to decisions on the issues before us.   

I encourage you to continue your practice of scripture reading.  As you do develop a second habit of asking yourself, “what does scripture say about this” in every situation.  This way we live life not in our own wisdom, but from the wisdom and leading of Jesus Christ who is the Word of God, revealed to us in scripture.