<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scripture: Proverbs 2:6 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are different ways to read the Bible.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes we read devotionally, listening for encouragement, wisdom, or insight. Sometimes we read to share or teach, which means we need to be more careful and check how others have understood the passage. Sometimes leaders read for doctrine, studying deeply to help the church stay faithful to core beliefs.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of us will read the Bible devotionally most of the time. That is good. We do not need to be Bible scholars to meet God in Scripture.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But humility matters. If we are sharing Scripture with others, we should be careful. We can ask wise leaders, read trusted commentaries, and learn from the Christian tradition. This helps us avoid making the Bible mean only what we want it to mean.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Careful reading and open-hearted reading belong together. We listen for the Spirit, and we also respect the text.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A commentary can sometimes help us understand culture, history, or words we do not know. It does not replace the Holy Spirit, but it can support wise reading.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, ask God for humility as you read. Let Scripture shape you, rather than forcing Scripture to fit your ideas.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflection questions:<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have I ever used a commentary or asked someone for help understanding Scripture? Did it help?</li><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can I grow in both openness to the Spirit and carefulness with the Bible?</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God, give me wisdom and humility as I read Your Word. Help me listen to the Holy Spirit and handle Scripture with care and respect. Amen.

Most of us will read the Bible devotionally most of the time. That is good. We do not need to be Bible scholars to meet God in Scripture.

4.Reading Carefully and Humbly

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4.Reading Carefully and Humbly

4.Reading Carefully and Humbly

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