So, turns out being disciplined in study is actually very hard to do when restrictions are lifting and we are allowed to start seeing people again! Who knew?!
Anyway, I’ve done my best. I haven’t managed to read and take in a complete chapter of any book. (I’ve managed the whole ‘read the same line multiple times and still not understand it’ thing though…) I have read through Titus almost everyday, and read some of Tom Wright’s commentary on it. (If you are looking, Tom Wright writes excellent and accessible commentaries called ‘[book of the bible] for everyone’.) Its great because its so short (1 and a bit pages in my bible) which meant I could read and digest what it was saying. And being able to read it multiple times, I could unlock different layers within the writing (Shrek anyone?)
On first read through, it’s a book about leadership and teaching, and about integrity and goodness. 2nd read through, we should lead by example. 3rd read through: appoint leaders based on their actions not their words. Teach people to teach people, always point to God, and set an example. There’s a warning about divisiveness, we are saved by God’s grace, and we should encourage and help others on their own journeys. Then I dipped into the commentary and Tom suggests the reason the letter is so specific about leadership qualities is because it is better to not appoint a leader if the right person can’t be found rather than appoint a bad leader. It’s an interesting concept!
The bible app (Bible in one year): I didn’t quite manage everyday, but there are some great nuggets of wisdom in the 5 days I did do. One of the days, all of the passages linked with integrity in all areas of life and not compartmentalising. I really enjoy having the passages and wisdom from another to link them together, and I find I get more out of the passage than when I read it alone.
I’m going to spend a lot of time outside in the next week so thought I’d try out some of what Richard Foster calls ‘nonverbal’ books (nature, people etc). Maybe I’ll be more successful at that than in studying theological books!
The Reason for my Hope Blog 