It’s that time of the year when we charge into our list of personal resolutions! These are goals to improve our living in so many ways—whether through fitness, weight control, or financial know-how. Plans abound everywhere we look for ways to make us “better” than we were last year.
But when it comes to our spiritual health, how do we grow in this area of life? Does church attendance alone take care of this check-off list for personal discipleship? Or, is more required for ultimate well-being as a Christian?
The short answer: yes—through daily Bible study and prayer time with the Lord.
How to begin
When it comes to Bible study resources, sometimes more is simply more! There are literally thousands of options available. Bookstore shelves are overflowing with incredible study tools, and discipleship content is equally abundant online.
And if you have difficulty deciding which of these resources to use, you can be certain your kids do as well! But it doesn’t need to be this difficult.
Why not consider this “old school” twist on your Bible study devotion time? This method allows you to study Scripture content at your desired pace and length, apply the biblical principles to your life, and then determine ways to express these truths with those closest to you.
The great news is that your children can benefit from using this very same approach—on their level of understanding! Yes, it’s that easy!
3 simple steps to conquering the daily devotional dilemma
Here’s a method I have found to be simple and sustaining! Just three steps involved that I refer to as: Read. Restate. Relate.
- Read
This is where you read a verse, passage, or perhaps a whole chapter in your Bible. I use a chronological Bible that’s dated for daily reading, so it’s easy to know where to begin and end each day. For others, it may work best to go through a book of the Bible and then switch to another book. Some prefer alternating between the New and Old Testaments with this book-by-book approach. It’s really up to you where you choose to start your reading. The point is to read something each day. Children and teens can use this same approach—simply read the amount that’s doable for their level of attention and understanding.
- Restate
This step has to do with using a journal—or simply a spiral notebook—to log daily notes from your Bible reading. When you read, try to remember (or highlight) specific promises, teachings, instructions the Bible verse/passage is stating. Here is an example. After reading Colossians 3:23 I would restate in my journal, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Your journal for the day might have one listing or several. Each day will be different according to length of reading.
- Relate
The final step is fun because this is where God begins speaking to you through His Word. After writing down one or more statements pulled directly from Scripture (as you did in the restating step), you will now write these down so as to relate the Bible promises or instructions to yourself. Here is an example using the verse from Colossians 3:23 again. I would relate it by writing, “God wants me to work at things for His pleasure more than trying to please people. I am to serve the Lord!”
Since using this approach to my daily devotional time, I have been able to see more clearly how God provides direction for my life, understanding of His Word, and hope for the future.