Update: Just do it!

Well, it's Wednesday again and I thought I'd let you know how I did with my resolution to work on my Bible study a little bit at a time over the course of the week instead of leaving it all till the last minute.

While I can honestly say I made progress toward my goal, I also have to admit that there's still plenty of room for improvement.

I didn't start the study on Thursday . . . and I didn't start the study on Friday.  On Saturday I read through the scripture passage several times.  Sunday evening I read the passage again and did the questions for days 1 and 2.  This afternoon I finished up days 3, 4, and 5.

Even though I didn't achieve my goal, I was encouraged by some of the changes I was able to implement.

I really liked devoting one day to multiple readings of the scripture passage.  When I finally started to answer the questions, I was familiar with the passage -- the words, imagery, themes, and connections.  Things I might have glossed over in the first reading popped out at me the second or third time around.  I think this extended reading time definitely helped me to answer the questions more thoroughly. 

I also liked that I didn't feel rushed to finish the study.  Even today when I finished up with the last three days, I felt like I was able to take my time and give more thought to my answers.  I think my familiarity with the passage helped in that regard.  It also didn't hurt that the scripture passage for this week was substantially shorter than last week.

Over all I think my new approach is the best way for me to study God's word.  My goal shouldn't be to finish the study.  My goal ought to be to know and obey the Word of God.  If I'm just writing down answers for the sake of filling in the blanks, I might as well spend my time doing Sudoku or a crossword puzzle.

The time I spend in Bible study will help me grow closer to the Lord and cause me to conform more and more each day to the image of Christ.  And like other endeavors that are worth doing well, it will take time. 

I'm encouraged by the small steps I was able to take towards my goal this past week and I am confident that the Lord will enable me to take even bigger steps, see more progress, and experience greater blessing as I study His Word in the weeks to come.

I'll keep you posted!   : )