Discover Joy in Study
(5 Minute Read)
By Naomi Lorenzin
“The purpose of the spiritual disciplines is the total transformation of the person. They aim at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits. Nowhere is this purpose more clearly seen than in the discipline of study” (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, pg 62).
Here we are, considering the fourth and final of the inward disciplines Richard Foster shares with us in his book Celebration of Discipline.
Jesus tells us when we know the truth, we will be set free (John 8:32). Renewing our minds, changing the way we think, and seeking a deeper understanding of the truth plays a major role of our freedom in Christ. Sometimes it means being brave enough to dig into the truths that don’t sit well with you, study them, to consider what makes it truth – tradition, or the Word of God?
Study is not the pursuit of knowledge or wisdom but of truth and transformation. When our minds focus on something we tend to move toward it, hence the encouragement from Paul in Philippians 4:8 to focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy. As Foster writes, “The mind will always take on an order conforming to the order upon which it concentrates” (pg 63).
Four steps to study
Foster lays out four steps involved in the discipline of study; repetition, concentration, comprehension, and reflection. Repetition of thought can scientifically reprogram our minds creating new neuro pathways. When we are intentional in our repeated thoughts, we can ensure the pathways created are desirable. When our thoughts are changed, our behaviour soon follows.
Repetition involves concentration, which “centers the mind…with singleness of purpose, we center our attention upon a desired object of study” (pg 65).
After time spent concentrating, or centering, on a specific truth we begin to naturally move into the third step of comprehension. “All of us have had the experience of reading something over and over and then, all of sudden, we understand what it means…. It leads to insight and discernment.” Comprehension clarifies the ‘what’ of our study, which takes us to the last step reflection, the ‘why’ of our study. “When we ponder the meaning of what we study, we come to hear and see in a new way” (pg 66). We come closer to seeing things from God’s perspective.
Although we can study books, nature, and even people, I appreciate the importance Foster brings up in recognizing the intent behind studying Scripture. There are times of study when we seek to understand the culture, who is being spoken to, and understanding what is actually being said.
There are also times for devotional study which is done more with the purpose of hearing what is being said to me. When we prioritize hearing what’s being said to me, however, without a true understanding of the context in which the words were written we can have massive misunderstanding and development of false truths (2 Peter 3:15-16).
Tips to get started
There are many online options that make it easy to choose a course that interests you. Allow yourself the time and finances to practice the discipline of study with a bit more depth. If free is what you’re looking for, choose one book of the Bible to dig into using a study Bible and online commentaries to gain more context to the Scripture. Read the book through several times. Ask questions like ‘What is the author saying/what does he mean’, ‘To whom is he writing’ and ‘What’s happening for them’? Once you have a grasp on the history and purpose of the letter/book then you can begin asking God, ‘How does this apply to my life or current situation’, ‘What do I do now’?
Invite others into the process. Find a group of friends or colleagues to study with. Talk about what you’re learning, share ideas and ask questions. We’re looking for that inner transformation, having a few opinions will help broaden the scope, getting us closer to God’s perspective.
For a devotional focus, Richard Foster suggests choosing a smaller book of the Bible and read it through once/day for a whole month. Notice the flow and the structure of the book, without categorizing it. A lot of Bibles have the letters put into subtitles. If it’s helpful, re-type the passage into a document so it’s like an actual letter. Reading it in a different layout, and different translations, might open up something you’ve never seen before! Keep a journal handy to record thoughts and questions that arise.
Where to from here?
What do you feel the tug to understand more deeply? What topics interest you? What questions are you currently asking? What questions are your kids asking? I encourage you to practice the discipline of study this month, expand your understanding and knowledge of the truth, and experience joy in the freedom!