Journal 1: Required Attitudes for Effective Bible study

It has been said that attitude can alter every aspect of a person's life, including their education. It has been discovered that student attitudes on learning will determine their ability and willingness to learn. In fact, when I was young I was told repeatedly that attitude affects learning. 

The Bible tells us some of the attitudes one needs to have when reading and studying God’s Word. 

Desire

One needs to have the desire to know and understand God’s Word. Psalm 119 states, “Oh how I love your law!”

When I was dating my wife, Roxy, I would send her “love” letters. Part of the reason was because we were living in different states for a while. She shared with me that she would read what I sent her, over and over because they made her feel close to me and she could sense the love that I had for her. That was over 46 years ago. To this day she still has those letters.

The Bible is a love letter from God to us.

Decide

I was told when I was given my first Bible the following, “Jim, just because you have a Bible does not mean that you are going to read it. You must decide to do so, and once you do, decide to also have an open mind to discover what it has to say to you. Psalm 119:169 says, “May my cry come before you, O Lord. Give me understanding according to your word” The Psalmist was saying he wanted to have an open mind as he read God’s words. 

Determine

The Bible is not just meant to be read like it is just any other, ordinary book. It is God’s word to us. Therefore, we are to read it to discover what God plan for us is. Once we know what it is, we must “ Determine ” to obey what we have learned. The Psalmist said, “ I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart…” Psalm 119:33-35. One can sense his determination to be obedient to God’s commands.

Depend

Psalm 51:13 says, “ I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you”.  We are to take what we have learned from the Bible and share it with others. In other words, we are to instruct others. But we do not need to do this alone. We are told that we can depend on God to show us what we are to teach and even direct us in how we are to teach others.

Instructions

For this activity, 

1. Read the “Intimate message from God”
2. Respond to the following prompt in your journal:  “According to this letter, what are some ways God says He loves me?  Do I really believe He loves me? Explain.
3. Submit your journal using the submission option below.