After Burn: understand (Week 3)

Last night we talked about how we should read the Bible to get to know Jesus.  There's a lot of thoughts and ideas about who Jesus is and what he's like.  And with so many different ways to get information (TV, computers, phones, tablets, video games, books, movies, music, etc.) we're going to get a lot of mixed messages.  Someone will say Jesus is one way and another will say Jesus is the complete opposite.  With so many conflicting ideas, how are we supposed to know what Jesus is really like?  And how do we know if we are getting to know the real Jesus?  I mean, if Jesus really does love me perfectly, and really died in my place, and rose from the dead so I can I have eternal life with him, I want to get to know the one who gives me life and not a fake idea.  So here's a crazy idea; why don't we see what God says about Jesus in the Bible? 

The second question when reading the Bible is, "What do these verses teach me about God (Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit)?"  (For more about the first question, read a previous blog post)  Here are some things to look for:  what does God like, what does God dislike, what kind of character traits does God have, what emotions does God express, how does God interact with people, etc.  While I'm considering what God is like, I find it helpful to write down things.  I'm old school and use a notebook, but you can use a laptop, a writing up, whatever.  The point is that writing it helps me process and remember what I'm thinking. 

So the challenge is to read the same verses, Genesis 22:1-19, Psalm 13:1-6, Mark 15:1-41, 1 John 1:1-10, and look for what it teaching you about God.  This is the good stuff.  As we see God better, then life around us tends to get clearer.  So hop to it. 

 

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