MinTs, Study & Meditation by Kenneth Tan 24th Feb 07
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Many of us learn a lot through bible study and quiet time (affectionately known as BS and QT). But to learn about BS and QT? Well, that's exactly what the YFers did on Saturday in the MinT, Study & Meditation, led by Kenneth.
Arthur and Joella led us in worship with songs and verses to tune our hearts and minds to the day's theme. When Kenneth took over, we had to -get this- read TWENTY EIGHT verses, which took up approximately 4 powerpoint slides. Now, if you don't think that's a big deal at all, turn to 1 Samuel 17:31-58, read it aloud, then close your bible (or web browser) and write out all of it you can remember, down to the last detail. Or, you can get someone else to read it for you and see how much of it you can retain. I'm quite sure you tuned out halfway through verse 46!
Even though it was a familiar passage (David and Goliath, if you don't know), majority couldn't be 100% sure of all 4 answers to the 'test' questions: What was the reason Saul gave for not wanting David to fight Goliath? Which city or town did David hail from? What did Saul clothe David with and whose was it? How did Eliab feel after David prevailed?
We learnt that in bible reading, we tend to switch-off, assume we know the passage, simply browse through without fully absorbing and thus missing many facts-something definitely preventable by simply spending more (quality!) time on bible study.
Here are more things we learnt:
BS and QT must be done deliberately, and one thing I took home was that we should set aside time for it and guard it jealously (hold me to this please!). QT need not be a mundane/routine activity: YFers and YAFers also do QT through singing songs and journalling. Other suggested ways to make QT more interesting include writing poems, discussions, and preaching to yourself.
Want to improve your bible knowledge and have a not-so-quiet QT without doing stuff like singing or praying aloud? A useful way is to meditate on God's Word, memorising it by repeating a verse/phrase with emphasis on a different word each time:
WITH emphasis on a different word each time.
With EMPHASIS on a different word each time.
With emphasis ON a different word each time.
With emphasis on A different word each time.
With emphasis on a DIFFERENT word each time...
For the month of March, you'll be missing a whole load of good stuff if you plan on skipping YF. March's activities are based on being more involved with the community, caring about God's fellow creations-Other People! So stop being selfish, leave your wet market boots behind and dress nicely for the first activity of the month:
"Poverty" by Jonathan Fuller from OMF. He's really good (Rachel says so), so feel
compelled free to invite your friends and yourself!
(...With emphasis on a different WORD each time.
With emphasis on a different word EACH time.
With emphasis on a different word each TIME.)
Blogged by Tricia