I would like to share another thought from one of the books I’m reading. There is a chapter in Love Does by Bob Goff titled, “Memorizing Jesus.” This chapter of all the chapters in this book resonated with me. I understood it. I knew what the author was talking about.

And yet, as I read through this chapter I was in shock.

In order to draw closer to God, the first thing Mr. Goff did was quit going to Bible study. He admits that he is a fact collector and memorizer. He’s an attorney and that is an important part of his job. But when he did the same thing in regard to God, something was missing.

So a group was formed and it was called “Bible doing.”

This is what Mr. Goff says about this group. “At our Bible doing, we read what God has to say and then focus all of our attention on what we are going to do about it. Just agreeing isn’t enough. I can’t think of a single time where Jesus asked His friends to just agree with him.”[i]

And here’s another idea about getting engaged from this chapter. “If you get engaged like that, you’ll be able to remember Bible verses better because you’re living them instead of just reading them.”[ii]

I’m not sure how this will change how I lead Bible study from this point forward, but I do know that it changes how I do Bible study personally.

If God’s Word doesn’t change us, affect us, touch us in some way, it’s just words. Time spent with God is meant to change us, transform us, mold us into something new. If we aren’t changed, we haven’t allowed God’s Word to penetrate our hearts.

In John 3, we see Jesus’ interaction with someone who was a Bible scholar and yet had not allowed God’s Word to penetrate his heart.

Nicodemus visited with Jesus at night. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling counsel and yet, he didn’t understand what Jesus was teaching.

And this is what Jesus said to Nicodemus. “You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (John 3:10-12 – NIV)

Nicodemus knew God’s Word, perhaps even had portions of it memorized, but he hadn’t allowed God’s Word to change him. I believe it was working on him however, otherwise he wouldn’t have visited Jesus for further instruction.

Jesus shared the Gospel (John 3:16) in its simplest form to Nicodemus and this late night encounter made a difference in his life. He didn’t just hear the words, but he encountered the Word.

We too have the opportunity to encounter the Word. We can be changed by the Word. We can live the Word.

Jesus ended His session with Nicodemus with words that can make a difference in our lives too. “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:21 – NIV)

When we come to understand the truth, we start doing. Truth is our motivator. Truth spurs us on. Truth we find in God’s Word will point us in the right direction. And everything we do must point others to God.

How is God working through you? What is He teaching you through His Word? Are you a doer of the Word or just a studyer? What do you need to do to make the change?

Like I said earlier, I do know this will change how I look at Scripture personally. God’s Word calls me to action. All I really need to do is accept the call.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna