Wesleyan Rooted: Read Faithfully Devotional Guide
Day 1: The Bible as the Living Word. Hebrews 4:12
Reflect on how the Bible is more than a rule book. It is a living, dynamic guide that speaks into our lives in varied and profound ways.
•How is the Bible more than a rule book?
•What does it mean to say the Bible is the “living Word of God”?
Choose a passage from Hebrews 4:12. Read it slowly, asking God to give you a word to focus on. Sit in silence for 5 minutes, repeating that word as you breathe in and out. Write the word somewhere visible for the day. In the evening, repeat this practice.
Day 2: Comfort and Challenge. Psalm 119:105
Consider how the Bible brings both comfort and challenge to our lives. It is a guide that illuminates our path, even when that path is difficult or unfamiliar.
•How does the Bible comfort you?
•How does the Bible unsettle you? What parts of the Bible do you wrestle with?
Reflect on Psalm 119:105. Ask God to speak to you through this passage. Sit for 5 minutes in silence with the word God has given you. Write it down and reflect on it throughout the day. In the evening, revisit it with the same practice.
Day 3: Living in the Mystery. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Embrace the mystery that the Bible invites us into. Understand that not all answers are immediate or clear, and that is a part of the journey of faith.
•How does the Bible invite you/us to live in the mystery of God?
•Why do you think reading and studying the Bible is an important Discipleship practice?
Contemplate 1 Corinthians 13:12. Read it slowly, asking God for a word. Sit in silence for 5 minutes, focusing on that word. Write it down and keep it with you. Repeat this practice in the evening.
Day 4: Faithful Interpretation. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Reflect on John Wesley’s guidance on interpreting Scripture with the understanding that God is love. Let this perspective shape how you read and understand the Bible.
•John Wesley once preached, “…No Scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works.” What does this teach us about reading the Bible faithfully today?
•What do the life and teachings of Jesus teach about how to interpret Scripture?
Meditate on 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Ask God to speak to you through this passage. Sit in silence for 5 minutes, repeating the word you receive. Write it down and reflect on it during the day. Repeat in the evening.
Day 5: Dynamic Engagement. James 1:22
Think about how engaging with the Bible is not just about reading but also about application. Let the words shape your actions and decisions.
•How is reading/studying the Bible a regular practice for you?
•How can you become a “doer” of the Word in your daily life?
Read James 1:22 slowly. Ask God for a word to focus on. Sit in silence for 5 minutes, repeating that word. Write it down and keep it visible. In the evening, revisit it with the same meditative practice.