Reading PASS

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says,
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

As we prepare for our Sr. High Summer camp in San Diego, we are taking the time to discuss spiritual training in a believers life.  We'll be discussing the habit of prayer this Sunday, but last Sunday we talked about studying the Bible.  We compared spiritual training to physical training.  Most physical training is done for the potential benefits in mind; health, energy, attitude, etc., but a lack of physical training can lead to training out of necessity because of the potential consequences of neglect; poor health, no energy, low body function, etc. 

It seems that we often consider participation in spiritual training only because of the potential consequences rather than the potential benefits.  This can often be very shallow motivation.  Just doing enough to not feel bad, rather than being motivated for the benefits.  The benefits are clear in 2 Timothy 3...being thoroughly equipped for every good work.  Let that be your motivation to read, study, and meditate on God's Word.

An easy process to help you get started is the acronym P.A.S.S.  Pray, Ask, Seek, Study.  Pray for God to help you understand and apply His will and Word.  Ask for help from others in what to study and read.  Seek the answers and become more and more familiar with the content of the Bible.  Finally, study what you read.  Develop study habits to help you gain wisdom from your reading.  Use your reading PASS!

Tim