I sometimes have to go back to basics of Bible study. I get caught up with chapter, verse and headings then forget, that while that is helpful for study, it is not part of the text. Oftentimes, I read a passage and don't pay attention to the context. I may start at the beginning of a chapter, or after a heading.
I found this today. I have a note to read and reflect on Hebrews 6. I opened my Bible to Hebrews 6. The first word is "Therefore". I recently heard that when you hear or read the word "Therefore" you should understand what it is there for....do you get it? Why does chapter 6 start with "therefore"? Therefore what? So I have to read the end of chapter 5 to understand why it says "therefore".
I bumped into this the other day too when I noticed that the 5000 were fed (a miracle), then Jesus walked on water, then they asked for another sign or miracle in what it appears to be in a two day period of time. Until the other day, I had never put those three events together. (see post "What more do we need") It reminds me that it is important to complete understanding if we learn about the context, customs of the time period, history of the peoples (Jews, Gentiles, Romans, Greeks, etc.) and anything else that reveals God to us.
I'm not saying we need to be Bible scholars. I'm suggesting that our experiences with God will be enhanced if we know more about Him and His faithfulness throughout the Bible in the setting where and times that the stories took place.
I also know that I get distracted by headings. Oftentimes, I try to read passages without even looking at section headings. My eyes are more open to see things other than what the heading tells me the passage is about.
My suggestion to you is to read the verses prior to and after the suggested verses of your devotional. Try to ignore the section headings (unless you are looking for a particular passage of course). Try to ignore chapter and verse notations. Ask God to assist your understanding before you start. Read to soak in what God has to say to YOU after you understand what his message was for those who the passage was about.
Now onto my time with Hebrews 6.
I found this today. I have a note to read and reflect on Hebrews 6. I opened my Bible to Hebrews 6. The first word is "Therefore". I recently heard that when you hear or read the word "Therefore" you should understand what it is there for....do you get it? Why does chapter 6 start with "therefore"? Therefore what? So I have to read the end of chapter 5 to understand why it says "therefore".
I bumped into this the other day too when I noticed that the 5000 were fed (a miracle), then Jesus walked on water, then they asked for another sign or miracle in what it appears to be in a two day period of time. Until the other day, I had never put those three events together. (see post "What more do we need") It reminds me that it is important to complete understanding if we learn about the context, customs of the time period, history of the peoples (Jews, Gentiles, Romans, Greeks, etc.) and anything else that reveals God to us.
I'm not saying we need to be Bible scholars. I'm suggesting that our experiences with God will be enhanced if we know more about Him and His faithfulness throughout the Bible in the setting where and times that the stories took place.
I also know that I get distracted by headings. Oftentimes, I try to read passages without even looking at section headings. My eyes are more open to see things other than what the heading tells me the passage is about.
My suggestion to you is to read the verses prior to and after the suggested verses of your devotional. Try to ignore the section headings (unless you are looking for a particular passage of course). Try to ignore chapter and verse notations. Ask God to assist your understanding before you start. Read to soak in what God has to say to YOU after you understand what his message was for those who the passage was about.
Now onto my time with Hebrews 6.
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