In Acts 2, we see that in order to grow in our relationship with Christ, with one another, and with Christâs work in the world we must devote ourselves to the study of scripture, intimate fellowship with one another, a life of prayer, and extravagant generosity.
Following the words of Acts 2, if I am to grow in my relationship with Christ, reading the Bible is something I need to challenge myself to do. Studying scripture has always intimidated me, but about two years ago it was on my heart as something I needed to try. The thought of tackling the Bible seemed like a task I would never accomplish. So many times I picked my Bible, read a few chapters, and then quickly put it down not being able to relate or understand what I had just spent time reading. How in the world would this help me grow closer to God if I donât understand how it relates to my life?
Hoping to feel a more meaningful connection I ordered a copy of The Daily Walk Bibleand began to read. With the goal of reading the Bible in a year, this version gave me a task of reading a few chapters a day along with commentary and resources to help me better understand the context of what I was reading. The most amazing thing happened! I started to understand how Godâs word applied to me and my life today. Not only that, I began to better understand the stories and the history as it applied to the time scripture was written. Many times while reading scripture, the words seemed to be written for exactly that moment in my life. I had constant feelings of epiphany, moments when I felt as if God was speaking directly to me through the scriptures on that day! These moments continued to affirm for me that the word is living and I am meant to read it often.
As I sat down to write this reflection, I flipped through my Bible and read many of my notes. Through the prompts and scriptures, I found the words guiding me in many life choices:  to join Leadership Team at Kairos and to pray about how to be more involved in Clarkston and make real connections there. I found notes of affirmation and underlined verses. In the margins I have memories written. I can see how reading the Bible has unfolded a great story for me!
I am certainly not a Biblical scholar. More often than not, I am not confident in my understanding of what scripture is saying, but one thing I do know, throughout my âyearâ of reading the Bible (which has actually turned into two years!), I have gained more insight and connection with Christ in ways I would have never thought possible if I hadnât picked up the Bible to begin trying to read and understand it.
– Megan Brown