While gathering tools and resources are going to help you while you study you want to be careful. Bible Study isn’t just about knowledge. Knowing what scriptures say is only a fraction of the formula.
We must always prepare our hearts and be open to a heart check while we study. Everything we do flows from what’s in our hearts. That’s why God has always been most interested in our hearts so this step is all about your heart. Scriptures tell us a few things very clearly:
- He wants us to love Him with all of our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:5)
- He searches our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7)
- We are instructed to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23)
- Without faith it is impossible to please God. Our faith in God is demonstrated by our beliefs (that’s the stuff our hearts are made of). (Hebrews 11:6)
Our hearts are so important to God that the word “heart” is mentioned in the bible approximately 876 times (depending on which translation you’re reading and whether or not you’re counting the plural form of heart).
So, what does it mean to “prepare your heart”? Here are a few suggestions:
- PRAY and invite God into your devotional time. You don’t just want to know historical facts, you want to connect with the heart of God
- When you pray EXPECT Him to meet you; leave a little quiet space for God to speak with you
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give you REVELATION; ask what it is that God wants to show you today. Scriptures tell us that the Holy Spirit will teach us!
- As you begin to understand what the text is saying and you hear God nudging you about what you are reading and how it relates to your life you may want to pray a prayer of confession and reconciliation, releasing sin (and the guilt that comes with it) and start fresh.
To read the full article, 5 Practical Ways to Start Connecting with God’s Word, click here.