The Long Stay

I am in the book of Proverbs for six months. I know - sounds like a long time. But lately I have become dissatisfied with my personal bible study. It's that word "study." I read my Bible - I read through the Bible. But, I desire more. The people that I counsel desire more. "How can I help?"

"When the student is ready, the teacher doth appear" -- old, ancient saying. The Holy Spirit is near to answer the question for me and for the people I desire to help.

I want to KNOW the Bible - to KNOW the author - my God. I want the Bible to read through me. Change me. Extend motivation in me. Equip me to move others toward Jesus.

Therefore, a new plan - stay in one book for six months. I started Proverbs in July. I have a notebook and Proverbs and for now, that's it. A commentary later, but much later. I am outlining the chapters at the rate of . . . it's slow. But that's good for my soul.

I know - six months IS a long time to spend in one book. But, I figure if I study two books a year, in 33 years I will have studied the Bible. Studied. Thought. Chewed. Reflected. Know Jesus better.

Do you know that feeling of having arrived at a good friend or family's house? Greeting scene. Lugging suitcases. Unpacking. Settling in. And that feeling of euphoric joy that you are at the BEGINNING of a weeklong stay with someone that you completely love and cherrish. That was the feeling overwhelming me on day one, Proverbs one. Settling in with my Bible, a "wild exposition into the heart of God" --Dan Allender.

Why Proverbs. I don't know. Just seemed like a good place for me to start.

Prov. 1.1 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
David’s son, Israel’s king—
2 Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
to understand what life means and where it’s going;
3 A manual for living,
for learning what’s right and just and fair;
4 To teach the inexperienced the ropes
and give our young people a grasp on reality.
5 There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
6 still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women. (MSG)