Let’s Get Into It!

“Get into it” has to be one of my favorite sayings, next to “Its the ____ for me”. I do not know who started these responses, but I find myself always using them. Especially, when I am referring to one of my girls posting a bomb picture on Instagram. Okay sis, let’s get into it!!!! This post is not about my friends pictures on Instagram though. I want to talk about getting into the Word of God. The Bible.

There is no denying that this is a big book and can be intimidating from the outside (sometimes even in the inside if I’m honest). You may have overcome the fear of how big the book is, but find yourself lost when it comes to what you are reading or where to even begin. We are always taught to read a book front to back, obviously. When it comes to the Bible though, there really are no rules. Want to start in Revelation (the last book) go for it. Want to close your eyes and run your finger up and down the table and contents and read whatever your finger lands on the count of 5, go ahead sis. Or, I even challenge you to spend time in prayer and ask the Lord is there a specific book He wants you to dwell on. The choice is totally up to you and the beauty of it all is, you will experience God wherever you start.

If we are being real, when it comes to reading the Bible, “Let’s Get Into It!!” is not the energy. We make excuses on what else we have to do or what else we could be doing that would be “better” than reading the Bible. I remember looking at it as a task that I just needed to check off my to-do list. This also created an idea that if it did not get done, God would be angry with me. All of these reasons, ideas, and excuses are the lies of the enemy. Reading the Bible is not a chore, and should not be seen as such (free yourself from that mindset right now). It is when I read my Bible that I not only discover God, I realize so much about my self as well. You think you’re reading the Bible? Honey, the Bible is reading YOU! Everything that you are going through can be found in this book with direction on how to handle it. Let’s not forget about the tea either. There is baby mama drama, fighting, relationship issues, and Jesus even flips some tables. While all of this is great stuff, seeing the characteristics of God/Jesus is my favorite. In every story He reveals himself in a way that helps you to understand who He is.

The whole purpose of CiGodInMe is to find God and to find you. The way to do this is to read the word. Excuse me, not just read but get INTO IT. This means that we aren’t just skimming the words or reading one scripture and calling it a day. It is time to begin meditating on what we read and applying it to our lives. “Okay Ci, this all sounds good, but idk how to do that.” No worries! I will show how I study the Bible and tips that I have, along with other studying options that may help.

How I Study the Bible

**How I study, is not THE way to do it. These are just suggestions that have helped me personally.**

1. Choose a Book of the Bible : If you are new to reading the Bible a good place to start is the books of the Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). These 4 books can be found at the beginning of the New Testament. I always suggest starting here because these books show the life of Jesus and the Disciples.
2. Have your tools ready : No tool box or hard hat necessary. These are just some writing accessories that help you to engage in the word. I suggest having colored pens, highlighters, a pack of sticky notes, and a journal. (A Bible with wide margins is also a plus but not necessary.)
3. Create a Highlighting Key : I use a sticky note to write out the things I want to bring awareness to while reading. I place it on the title page for the book of the Bible I am about to start and refer to it as I am reading. For example, I typically like to highlight when God speaks, characteristics of God, promises of God, commands on how to live as a Christian, and even when I see moments of faith and moments of sin, etc. I will pick a specific color that I pair with each of those things and write that out on the sticky note. This just helps to organize what I am reading and keep me engaged.
4. Pray : It is important to invite God into the time of reading His word. I like to pray that the Holy Spirit will come and speak as I am reading. This helps to get in the presence of God and create an awareness to hear what the Lord wants to speak to you. (I like to play gospel music sometimes to help set the atmosphere, but not a necessity either.)
5. Take it Passage by Passage : I will read a passage first with out highlighting or writing anything. This allows me to take in what is happening and just enjoy reading with out the thought of highlighting and using my pens. Once I read it all the way through, I then go back and begin to bring awareness to everything I mentioned in my highlighting key. I personally have a bible with large margins, so I write in them what I notice and take aways that I can apply personally. If you do not have large margins this is a great time to use sticky notes. It just gives you a colorful way to write out your thoughts or what God is speaking to you about that passage. I repeat this method over and over for each passage.
6. Reflection : This is the time to sit and think about what you read and give thanks. I like to write about how I can apply it to my life, what I learned about God in the passages that I read, major verses that I want to add to my memory bank, write out prayers, and just give thanks for the Word.

There are several study tips that you can find online, but those are just a few to begin with. My prayer is that you are encouraged to grow your relationship with Christ, through His word. Make it fun, become engaged, and discover what He is trying to speak to you! Be Blessed, Sis.

Love, Ci