The Problem: Two Polar Opposites
If you’re anything like me, when it comes to reading the bible, the pendulum of our experience with God in His word swings back and forth between two polar opposites:
Sometimes, reading scripture is a joy that we get to experience. We come to the Word to get Jesus. The Bible is the window through which we see and encounter God, and through it he whispers reminders to us over and over: “Look at how much I love you. Look at all that I’ve done for you.”
We are filled with a wonder and Holy imagination because we see Jesus sufficiency as the beautiful Savior he is. Its life giving. Transformative. We cannot get enough, so we stay up later than we normally would just to soak in a couple more chapters.
But sometimes that’s not what reading scripture feels like. Sometimes, reading scripture is a task that we must complete. We come to the Word to get information. Or worse, if we’re honest, to check the box of our reading plan for the day. The Bible is the tool we use to justify ourselves before God, and our “time in the word” is really a way for us to shout silent appeals to him: “I’m reading again – look at how much I love you! Look at how disciplined I am for you!”
We feel crushed by the weight of our self-justification because we know deep down it is insufficient – we are terrible saviors. Our hearts do not feel alive. Spiritually, nothing has changed. It seems like so much to read, so we skim over it really quick so we’re “technically not lying” when we tell the others in our group that we read.
The Solution: Two Simple Questions
What if we could stop the pendulum? Is it possible for our “time in the Word” to more consistently be life giving and transformative? Absolutely. It’s all about how we approach scripture.
In Mark 1:15, Jesus says “The time promised by God has come at last!...The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
The word for time in that verse is not the Greek word chronos, which refers to time as a measurable resource in minutes and seconds.
Instead, the Greek word is kairos, which means a fixed moment in time, or an opportune moment.
Every time we open our bible, we are opening ourselves up to enter a Kairos moment. We’re giving God the opportunity to break the Kingdom of God into our hearts a little more by bringing us to repent of our sins and renew our belief in the Good News.
Question #1: “What is God saying to me?”
Every time we get into God’s Word we can have a kairos moment. Even though at times His voice can seem louder than others, God is always speaking to us.
The first side of the Kairos circle is REPENT. Repentance is an internal change, which is a process. Here we ask ourselves the question, “What is God saying to me?”
As you’re reading, take the time to observe what the text is saying:
What does this passage say about who God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit is, or what He is like?
What does this passage say about what He has done, is doing, will do, or can do as Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit?
Next, reflect on that truth:
If that is true, what does that mean for you?
ware you in light of that?
Does your life’s patterns reflect a belief in that truth?
If not, what do you need to start, stop, change, believe, or reject in light of the truths in this passage?
Discuss your observations and reflections with trusted friends who are following God alongside of you.
Discussion is the hinge between repentance and belief, and the bridge that moves us from internal transformation to external obedience.
Question #2: “What am I going to do about it?”
Belief leads to external change, which is a process. Here we ask ourselves: “How do I respond to what God said to me? What am I going to do about it?
Have a plan.
What would the next day, two days, week, etc, look different if you lived as if you believed what you’ve reflected on?What would it look like to start, stop, change, or believe what it is you feel God is telling you to start, stop, change, or believe?
God shapes us best in community, so use the mechanism of community for accountability.
Share what God has said to you and what you’re going to do about it with your MC/DNA group members. Give them a simple question to ask that will remind you how you’ve decided to act in light of what God has said to you. When they ask it, they’re demonstrating they love you enough to remind you to conform your life obediently in response to God’s prompting. NOTE: If you are a group member, don’t just focus on the details of the plan when you circle back to your friend: I.e., “How many times did you pray this week?” Instead, get to their heart: “How has your heart’s desire for scripture been this week? Is it changing?” The goal isn’t self-led religious devotion, it is Spirit-led demonstrated faith!
Put Your Faith into Action
Now that you’ve observed what God is saying to you, reflected on how that applies to your life right now, discussed it with your MC/DNA members, articulated a plan, and sought accountability, the last one is simple: ACT!
Put the plan into action and step out in faith. In the next day, two days, week, etc., continually pray for the Spirit’s prompting, presence, and power as you seek to live obediently to what God is saying to you through his Word.. Self-initiated behavior change is incredibly unsustainable. You’ll burn out and shift back to neutral. But when the Spirit of God speaks to us through the Word of God, and empowers us to live in light of that – that's transformative and life changing!
By: Jacob Helmeczi
Diagrams and concepts taken from Building a Discipling Culture by Mike Breen.