Everyday Disciple #2 - Immersed in Scripture

What has been the biggest factor shaping your life? Your parents? Your friends? A mentor? The things you watched on TV or read in the paper? (I know I am showing my age). Today with social media, maybe it has been the influencer you are following or the podcasts you are listening to? What we feed in daily has a profound way of shaping our thoughts and our behaviour.

2 Tim 3:10-17

Immersing yourself in Scripture regularly four times or more a week will change you if you are open to the Word and Spirit

This week in the “Everyday Disciple” series, we look at being Immersed in Scripture and the impact Scripture has to mould us. 2 Tim 3:14-17 NIV

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, also that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Centre of Bible Engagement did a poll of 40,000 people in the US of 8 to 80 years olds. They looked at the difference Bible reading makes in several different areas of life. When we read only 1 to 3 times a week, fairly negligible difference. However, four or more times a week made a profound impact. Destructive habits decreased and positive habits increased. Those who engaged Scripture four or more times a week were 30% less likely to feel lonely, 32% less likely to struggle with anger issues, 40% less likely to experience bitterness in relationships, 57% less likely to struggle with alcoholism, 60% less likely to feel spiritually stagnant and 61% less likely to view pornography. On the positive side, 200% more likely to share your faith, 230% more likely to disciple somebody else and 407% more likely to memorize Scripture.

Immersing yourself in Scripture regularly four times or more a week will change you if you are open to the Word and Spirit and the stats give us that evidence. So, what changes can you make today— commit to a bible reading plan. Set aside time each day. Do it with someone to stay accountable, share the passages and spur each other on.

God bless.

Pastor Stephen