A Practical Method of Bible Study for Ordinary Christians
Consider the classic definition of “thinking Christianly” formulated by Os Guinness and notice the central relationship the Christian mind has to the Word of God:
Thinking Christianly is not simply thinking by Christians, nor is it thinking by Christians about Christian topics, nor is it thinking by Christians about or in order to develop a ‘Christian line.’ Thinking Christianly is thinking by Christians about anything at all in a profoundly Christian way. Where their minds are so informed and influenced by the truth of God in terms of their principles, perspectives, and presuppositions that they begin to see as God sees, though it will be in an imperfect way.
Or, as Steve Garber puts it, “our minds must be steeped in the Scriptures, like tea is steeped in hot water, until the word of God permeates our minds, our hearts, our imaginations, our very consciousness.”
The blessed person, the psalmist tells us, is not only to avoid the pattern of the world (1:1), but to delight in God’s law, and meditates on it day and night (1:2). The wise believer, then, is the woman or man who desires to be blessed of God will seek to spend unhurried time in the Scriptures. The relationship of God’s word to the renewed mind is so central that it can be stated simply: regular and serious Bible study is foundational to significant and sustained growth in Christian discernment.
John Stott defines a “Christian mind” as “a mind which has firmly grasped the basic presuppositions of Scripture and is thoroughly informed with biblical truth.”
This is why Ransom Fellowship places such a high emphasis on Bible study and on training in study skills. We encourage believers to plan rigorous and disciplined study into their schedules and to include regular times of corporate study, since the Scriptures are addressed to the people of God.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the sear of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2 ESV)
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