I have always had a hard time with quiet time, devotionals and Bible studies. I tend to move from subject to subject quickly and will quite literally get up to go do whatever was on my mind. Example: I will sit down to do a study, realize I'm thirsty and get up to get a glass of water. While I'm in the kitchen I will think the dishes need to be done so I start doing that. Then halfway through I realized that I never returned to my original task. I got distracted. This became more common once I had my boys because children are extremely good at interruptions and distractions. I also tend to get bored when there's a lot of reading (I swear my attention span gets shorter as I get older) or the same point is being made again and again. If I have to really think about a question or I'm perplexed, I tend to want to put everything on pause and move on to something else.
When I am able to focus on what's in front of me, I start doubting myself, especially with Bible studies and other people giving their responses. "Oh wow, her handwriting is really pretty and looks great in the book. Yuck, mine is sloppy and now my Bible study looks messy. I can't keep writing in this, people are going to notice my messiness and that's not a good Bible study person". "Oh, that was a great answer. My answer is probably wrong and makes no sense. How do they get these answers? Are they really good at listening to God and He supplies them with the 'correct' response?" I went to a Christian high school & college. I had Bible classes and papers to write on verses, context, etc. I still struggle with having the right answer, instead of being okay with writing down what I got from a specific verse or passage.
I have been letting so many things stop me from really opening my Bible and learning God's Word. There's a quote by Renee Swope (Proverbs 31 ministries) that encouraged me to try again at having a quiet time and go through the Bible.
I used to think being a godly woman meant getting up early to read my Bible and pray every morning.
The only problem is I don’t process thoughts or words early in the morning, so I’d beat myself up for being distracted and groggy. One day, God interrupted me with this thought: Renee, I made you. I know you are not a morning person. I know you like variety. I created you, so work with Me.
I felt like God was telling me to spend time with Him but not to put so much pressure on myself.
From that point on, my time with God has been more adventurous and enjoyable. Some days I sit with God and read or pray. Other days I go running and listen to my Bible on my iPod. Then I’ll pray and talk to God while I am walking back home.The point is I’m free now to spend time with God in ways that fit my personality, and I love it!
I loved this because I have always felt guilty for not having quiet time in the morning. I would read a devotional from She Reads Truth or Proverbs 31 ministries on my phone before I got out of bed, but I am half asleep and not fully taking in or comprehending what I am reading. It became a check list item - "read devotional. check. I'm a good Christian".
I found out that She Reads Truth was releasing a Bible study called Open Your Bible. I ordered it, somewhat on a whim, and really liked what I was reading as I looked through it. The writing style and how the authors have laid everything out makes this study enjoyable. I now look forward to doing a Bible study and I am opening my Bible.
Now, I am not doing this study first thing in the morning. I am not even doing it every day. I have found that right now, in my current stage of life, three mornings a week is what I strive for. I drop Lucas off at preschool, put Noah down for a nap, get my coffee and do the study. It is the only time when there are no interruptions, I am wide awake and able to enjoy the study and having quiet time.
The study is designed mostly as a group study, with four days of independent study. You may read that and inwardly grown "But I just don't have time". That was always what I thought too, especially since I tend to think of the Beth Moore studies. Those studies - really good, but definitely time consuming. There is a lot of thinking involved with those and my poor brain just cannot handle that right now!
Open Your Bible is short but still thought provoking. It is a great place to start if you are simply just wanting to dig into the Word and unsure of how to start.
'Is the Bible really for me? Are you longing to hear from God, aching to know who He really is? The beautiful truth is this - we can encounter the living God today and every day in the pages of His Word.
Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or struggle to keep up with studying Scripture, Open Your Bible will leave you with a greater appreciation for the Word of God, a deeper understanding of its authority, and a stronger desire to know the Bible inside and out.
The Bible is sufficient and true. God's word is for you and for now. '
-- back cover of Open Your Bible study
If anyone is interested in doing this study with me, I would love to have you join me. This is not going to be a rigorous, you must do this or else study. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel "ugh. one more thing to add to my schedule when I am already so busy". I get that. I have been there. It is not enjoyable if it feels like an item to check off your to -do list. I want this to be a study that you genuinely want to do and look forward to it. Think on this, pray about it. Please let me know if you are interested. I promise, it will be relaxed and flexible. My goal is for this to be enjoyable, fun, getting into the Word and connecting with others. With all the holiday craziness, this study will not be starting until January. (I do not have time for a group study right now y'all, just keeping it real!).
Here is the link to look at Open Your Bible. If you order this in the next week from this link (before December 1st) you get a free Open Your Bible companion notebook and free shipping along with the study. Open Your Bible <-- click on this.
It is also available on Amazon Prime - although it is currently out of stock at this time (November 23rd) and there is no free notebook from ordering through Amazon Prime ... I think. I ordered through Amazon Prime and I didn't get one :( You can still order it & it will be shipped when they have the study in stock again.
Email, text me or send me a Facebook message to let me know if you'd like to join. I am looking forward to diving deeper into the Word & getting to know you ladies better!
