The Scripture Practice is the slow, prayerful, contemplative reading of Scripture with the goal of formation, not only information.
This week, our focus is not only on knowing Scripture but on understanding it deeply and applying it to the kind of people we are becoming in Christ. Studying the Bible is how we move from simply hearing the Word to letting it shape our hearts, minds, and actions.
We see this modeled in the life of Jesus Himself. In Mark 12:28–31, when one of the teachers of the law asked Jesus what was the most important commandment, He answered by quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and pairing it with Leviticus 19:18. Scripture flowed so naturally from Jesus that it was part of His immediate response—rooted not only in His mind but in the very core of His being. If we are to become like Jesus and do what He did, Scripture should likewise become second nature for us as His disciples.
We see this again in Luke 4 during the temptation in the wilderness. Three times, Jesus responds to the devil with Scripture—quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Deuteronomy 6:13, and Deuteronomy 6:16. His words reveal that God’s truth was not an occasional reference but a constant, guiding reality that informed every decision and interaction.
For us, studying Scripture may sometimes feel challenging—different translations, ancient cultural contexts, diverse authors, multiple genres, and the need to see the big picture can be intimidating. Yet, God’s Word remains accessible, alive, and able to reveal His wisdom when we approach it with a humble, seeking heart.
When we study the Bible, we are not simply gathering information. We are aligning ourselves with God’s truth so that, like Jesus, what we say and how we live naturally reflect His heart. The goal is not just to have Scripture in our minds but to have it rooted in our souls—ready to guide us in every circumstance.