Ever since I was a youngster most everything I’ve done has been fast and furious. It’s my temperament. I walk fast, read fast, and most of the time, make decisions quickly. It’s an asset and liability.
As I’ve grown older, wisdom has taught me the value of slowing down, listening more, and waiting on God. The past eight years have been a time of fresh discovery as I have taken more time just to sit before the Lord, listen for His voice, and obey what He tells me to do. The result has been a deeper fuller walk with God.
David expresses this well, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14, NKJV)
A few months ago, I decided to do a “slow study” of the Bible. I think it was God’s idea for me.
The vision is to slowly read every verse in the Bible. It doesn’t mean I will spend a long period of time in each verse, but I am slowly studying the verses God accentuates to me. No agenda; no hurry; no time frame. Every morning I just wake up, get some coffee, and slowly read the Bible, listening for God’s voice.
I started in Genesis and currently I’m in Deuteronomy.
The idea for a slow study came out of my research into progressive Christianity and the reimagining of Scripture permeating some evangelical churches. Rather than rely solely on my knowledge of morality, history, and systematic theology I thought it was most helpful to go back to source material, the Bible.
Thus, my slow study of Genesis revealed again what scholars have agreed upon for thousands of years on such issues as the creation of man and woman and marriage. It is Genesis (especially chapters 1-6) that has birthed our Judeo-Christian understanding of God’s divine order for marriage and family.
Exodus provides a study on the key elements of liberty and tyranny. Leviticus reveals the holiness of God. Numbers gives us insight into the value of leadership. And now, I am slowing studying Deuteronomy.
Let me challenge you to consider a slow study through a book of the Bible. I have found delight slowly studying the Bible with no agenda, fresh eyes, and no time frame.
Pastor Steve
