Over the past few months, we have been studying the book of Revelation at our evening services. The letter begins ‘Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near’ (Rev 1:3). And the letter ends with a stern warning ‘I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book’ (Rev 22:18-19).

These ‘bookends’ are a timely reminder to us of the importance of God’s word; our need to READ it, HEAR it, OBEY it, and not add or subtract to it. So here are a few words of advice on how we can encourage each other to sit regularly under the Word of God (in no particular order!)

• buy a new Bible and make notes in the margin as you read.
• bring your own Bible to church so you can make notes in your Bible during a sermon.
• keep a journal of what God is teaching you through the Scriptures – regularly review to see how God’s word is changing you.
• podcast sermons. A great website is the Gospel Coalition, or re-listen to sermons from Church by the Bridge online.
• use daily bible reading notes. Personally, I find Matthias Media ‘Daily Reading Notes’ very helpful – they print out the passage and just ask a couple of questions. Or use books like ‘For the Love of God’ by Don Carson, or ‘By God’s Word’ by Phillip Jensen.
• use a Bible reading scheme:
a) at the beginning of the year, I circulated a ‘Read the Bible in a year scheme’.
b) use the One Year Bible Online.
c) use Robert Murray McCheyne’s scheme.
d) use John Piper’s plan.
• reading 1:1. Meet with someone weekly or fortnightly, and simply read a book of the Bible together. Spend 10 minutes catching up, 30 minutes reading and discussing a few verses, 20 minutes praying – and do it all in a lunch hour!
• note action points on your calendar. To prevent your Bible reading become too ‘intellectual’ / ‘academic’, why not jot down some ‘action points’ in your diary or on you calendar – get them to prompt you during the day as a reminder to ‘obey what God has taught you’
• get the Bible on your phone. A great free application for the iPhone is the ESV Bible!
• family devotions. Pick a Bible suitable for your age of kids, and spend 15 minutes round the dinner table reading and praying together. The Big Picture Story Bible is particularly good for younger children
• write sermon notes. Use the sermon note pads to jot down a few points from the sermon. And instead of leaving them in the pews (yes, we find many – some with great doodles!!), take them home and re-read, action etc.
• memory verses. Commit verses of Scripture to memory! Use the Navigators Topical Memory System or John Piper’s Fighter Verses, or just grab some post-it notes and write your own!

If we are truly convinced that the Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation, and it through the Word that God teaches, trains, rebukes and corrects us so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, then surely we will be like the man of Psalm 1 who delights in God’s word and meditates on it at every opportunity.

With love in Christ
Paul Dale (Senior Pastor)