If you haven’t heard, Bible in Two starts tomorrow. If you are looking for a program where you read and you’re done, this is not it. Bible in Two is all about consistently reading the bible with curiosity and expectancy. I want you to learn and discover more about God. I want to ignite a passion for opening a physical bible and going beyond the words printed in black and white. There are no requirements. No checklists. No handouts. No hoopla. Just you and God. Daily.
There are three main questions you will ask yourself each day as you read.
What is the text saying? This is where your reading and study skills come into play. You want to read for context and determine what the text is saying. Not what it is saying to you - but literally what it is saying. To understand the context, you need to know and understand things like who the original audience was and what the history was. As you start digging, you will find lots of great information that will help you understand scripture better. I suggest using a study bible, but if you want, you can also use a commentary. There are a lot of free resources online, so there is no need to purchase extra books.
Caution: While I do encourage you to use a study bible and a commentary, I also encourage you to use your own brain first. Don’t automatically go to other resources without first thinking about the text yourself. This will take the bulk of your study time. There are a lot of interesting things in scripture, so I suggest you set a timer if you are like me with a curious mind and limited time. Also, use a journal and write down your questions and the things that intrigue you. You don’t have to have all the answers now. You have a lifetime of study. Pace yourself.
Where does it connect? Scripture is sort of like a puzzle. Take time to figure out where the daily text fits in the biblical narrative as well as where it fits in your life. Your story is part of God’s story, so look for those connections. For instance, think about how creation weaves itself into your daily life. I love a good sunrise or sunset. The beauty in the sky captures my heart and stops me in my tracks. Scripture tells us “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). When we look at the heavens and the earth, it should move us. The sky is one aspect of creation that does this for me.
Lastly, studying scripture means nothing unless we ask the question, How will I respond? Every single day as you read, look for that one thing that prompts your heart and ask God how he wants you to respond. Continuing with the example above, I might note how a sunset is majestic and provides a wonderful opportunity to express praise and gratitude at the work of God’s hands which are still active today.
Okay, keeping those things in mind, let’s dive into what you will study in week one.