Welcome, Friend!
We hope you’re as excited as we are for our first study of 2020. We’ve created this study with the intent of learning methods of studying the Bible that will hopefully lead us to deepen our relationships with God.
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired, inerrant Word, given to us so that we may know Him and know how to honor and worship Him. We want to not only read His Word, but we want to be doers of the Word. We want it to change us and shape us to look more like Jesus and teach us how to live.
In order to do that, we need to learn to read it the way it was intended to be read. We need to study it in order to determine what the authors (both the Holy Spirit and the human authors) were writing to the original audiences.
Draw Near is going to look different than many of our other Love God Greatly studies. (Don’t worry, we’ll be back to what we’re all accustomed to in our next study.) The study journal will look the same, giving you space to read Scripture and apply the SOAP method. The daily devotionals will also look the same, providing guiding insights to help encourage you in your daily walk.
What will look different will be our Monday, Wednesday, Friday blog posts. These blog posts will function like a workbook. Our hope is that you’ll use these blog posts during this study to dive deep into Bible study methods – especially the SOAP method. We’ll walk through techniques and tips for effective memorization, observation, interpretation, application, and prayer.
This week, we’ll walk through the importance of studying God’s Word and an overview of the SOAP method. Next week we’ll begin looking at techniques for effective observation.
Your study journal is the perfect place to work through the new techniques and methods we’ll be learning. We’ll be here along the way to encourage you, and, we’re learning right along with you!
Time spent in God’s Word is never wasted.
While Scripture is living and active, it takes discipline and commitment to understand it. As we embark on this journey together, let’s commit to making the intentional study of God’s Word a priority in our lives.
Together, let’s make a commitment and a plan to study His Word with intention and purpose. You won’t be disappointed!