The Bible is filled with knowledge, wisdom, and insights into God’s Love and his workings. The knowledge and wisdom found in the Bible is not trivia, but a wisdom beyond normal human understanding. Many churches encourage reading through the Bible each year, and this is commendable. However, reading does not automatically equate to learning. For many churchgoers reading is an exercise to accomplish to avoid guilt or nothing more than a checklist item.

The Bible was given by God to be meditated over, not for completing a checklist for the day. Many people begin a “Read thru the Bible in one year” every January and by the third week they feel defeated and stop. Out of despair, some do not open the Bible to read even a few verses a couple times a week, much less the 3 to 5 chapters a day required in such a reading plan.

I’m a slow reader and I know in my own reading another issue arises. Like many people my mind has a tendency to wander. At times I find myself reading and perhaps in verse three I realize something from that verse that pertains to me. My mind begins to wander regarding that area of life – though I continue reading. A couple minutes later, I realize I am on verse 11 but have no cognitive knowledge of anything in verses 4-10. I then return to verse three and begin reading that section again, sometimes only to wander off once more.

For me, I love to pray scripture, and this is how I have curbed much of my wandering mind. As I read scripture I personalize it and turn it into a prayer, praising God for His promises and His great works, asking for forgiveness where I have sinned similar to the Biblical personalities, and pleading for God’s divine intervention in my life.

I believe in the church we need to do better at leading people to learn from scripture as they read. Are we called to build trivia buffs? Is Discipleship made up of checklists?

True Disciples will have a burning desire to learn and to know what the Master knows. A true Disciple has a hunger to learn and digest all of the Master’s teachings. What options are in front of you to build a better Discipleship process in your life and church?

What in your Discipleship journey needs attention to gain greater learning and deeper understanding of The Master? What changes will you make this week in your own devotional life to both grow yourself and assist you in building other Disciples? Let me know some options you are trying.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.