Rabbit Holes & Meditations - Christian Bible Study

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good...
 
Genesis 1: 2-5 - Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
Psalm 115:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 2:10 - Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
1 John 1:6 - If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
Proverbs 4:19 - But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
Ephesians 5:8 - For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Matthew 5: 14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
 
 

The Bible is not meant to be read passively like a novel. It requires careful study, reflection, and a willingness to grapple with complex ideas.
Interpretations and Translations: The Bible has been translated and interpreted in numerous ways. Understanding the nuances of different translations is crucial for forming your own understanding.
The Role of Commentary: Commentary can be helpful, but it's important to remember that it's not scripture itself. Use commentary as a tool for understanding, but always return to the text and form your own conclusions.
Personal Engagement: Your relationship with the Bible is personal. Engage with the text, ask questions, and seek understanding through prayer and reflection.
God's Intentionality: The Bible presents creation as a deliberate act of God, imbued with purpose and intention.
This all suggests that God is not something you have to Wind up on Sunday (listen to: Wind Up by Jethro Tull). Your Pastor is one cog in the engine of knowledge. Some of my favorite ways to study the Bible include using online resources like Blue Letter Bible, which allows you to access many translations simultaneously. If you are confused about a specific passage, it is helpful to see the various translations, and collectively, you'll get a better and integrated understanding of the passage's meaning. And indeed, go down the rabbit hole. The Bible is an interactive work of non-fiction. You are one of the characters. Your mission is to understand your role in the creation, to understand how you can connect with God, the author of your story and how you can bring God into the story with you. Ask him for help - he is your best resource to understanding all this.

You are living your life as an interactive novel with God as the author and humans as the characters, highlighting the balance between God's sovereignty and human free will. Your journey is different from everyone else's. Each of us has a story. Let's explore why God wants to be part of that journey. 
 
Isaiah 46.10 - I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’
Deuteronomy 30:19 - This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...
Ephesians 1:11 - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will...
Psalm 139: 1-4 - You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 14.26 - But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Revelation 21:3-4 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[fn] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”