At the two extremes, you either sit down to study the Bible because you want to (
Desire-led
Bible Study) or because you should (
Discipline-led
Bible Study). Effective Bible study involves both
Desire
and
Discipline
but it is important which one you lead with. Bible reading is not like doing a homework assignment in school.
is sufficient motivation to acquire facts, but not for changing a heart.
motivation is described in the Bible as your
"First Love" (Rev 2:2-5)
and is God-given. Uncovering it, nurturing it, and learning how to keep from suppressing it is the subject of half of this book.
The other half demonstrates Bible study is not just for smart people or for people that were good in school. Bible study uses skills that everyone learns as part of their daily life. Once the connection is made, the skills are organized into a few simple steps with examples. The first letter of each step spells
FLCR (Facts, Lessons, Challenges, Response)
and is pronounced
"Flicker."
The practice passages start out where you are at and gradually develop your skill while strengthening your confidence. Enough structure is provided to know where you are going, but not too much to kill your
to get to know God better.
God has given us a supernatural
for Him--the Ferrari within. But some of us settle for the tricycle of
only. If you uncover your
"First Love"
and lead with that
while strengthening your Bible study skills you will build an enjoyable time with God. If you like your time with God, you will do it again; And if you keep showing up, God will change you.