If you ever want to have an awesome conversation about real life stuff like how to process the word of God and apply it to your day to day life…just go and hang out with the interns and leaders of student ministry! That’s exactly what I had the privilege of doing. As we talked about our core practice of read and practice scripture, they shared some great insights.
Here are 4 Tips from Student Ministry to help you as you put this practice into action this year!
Engage the Word
Sometimes we can read the word of God without really digging into it! Whether you are studying the word alone or with others, make sure to take it to the next level. Ask questions. Wrestle with the passage. Think through your emotions. Meditate on the character of God. Ponder the principles He has laid out for your life. Integrate His truth into your circumstance.
Build Relationships
Relationships are key to reading and practicing scripture together. The interns and leaders have noticed over the past year that conversations have deepened with students as relationships grow. It requires time and energy but it is well worth it! Relationships make vulnerability, trust and accountability possible. These are key ingredients to help us grow in intimacy with God and others!
Cultivate Trust
Many people find reading and practicing scripture together intimidating. What if there are words you don’t understand? What if you have a question? What if you haven’t studied the Bible? What if you don’t believe everything it says? These are real life barriers regardless of age. Cultivating trust helps create an environment where people feel safe expressing their thoughts, asking their questions and raising their objections…all necessary aspects of processing the word of God and applying it to your life.
Journaling
More and more research is revealing how technology has interfered with our brain’s ability to think critically and creatively. As we type with our thumbs our brains are being left out of the process. When you write out your thoughts, different segments of your brain light up! The physical act of writing helps you to process and figure out how to integrate the Word into real life experience. Writing down what you’re discovering and how you plan to apply it is one more step in the process of remembering and changing. Purchase an inexpensive journal or spiral notebook to record your discoveries and insights as you journey daily with Him. Plan time each week, month and year to review all that God has revealed to you and the ways in which He has transformed your life. Celebrate all He has done!!!
This is one of the fundamental principles behind The Mix, Student Ministry’s own devotional journal. It has played a vital role in helping students dig into the Word!
As this new year begins, consider which tip is most helpful to you in your season of life. Do you need to be building relationships? Maybe you need to cultivate trust. Perhaps journaling will help you dig deeper. Find a friend and talk through how you want to grow in the core practice of read and practice scripture this year. Share your thoughts and make sure to check in with one another as the year unfolds!