From pastor’s desk 11 March 2012
At the launch of our SLE Bible Reading Plan (BRP) some weeks back I briefly outlined how we can use our Bible reading for the day as the basis for doing our ‘quiet times’ (QT). R.E.A.P. stands for Read, Explain, Apply, Pray. It is a simple method, but one that can bear much fruit. It is something that you could do for 15 minutes and for substantially longer if you so desire.
Read: Read the passage for the day (e.g. the chapter for the day in our BRP) with an open heart, praying and being open to the teaching, encouragement, correction and rebuke of the Holy Spirit.
Explain: Spend some time reflecting and writing about what you’ve read. Initially you may want to focus on a verse or two and write down what you think the main point of these verses are and what they mean to you. As you are able to, commit more time to this and reflect and respond to more of what you read.
Apply: From the reflections above, come up with some concrete applications. Consider these questions: What can I be more thankful for or be in more awe of? What do I need to confess and repent (change)? What new attitudes or actions should I live out?
Pray: Write down a prayer in response to the passage and your application. In addition, you could also include prayers for family, friends, the church, current affairs, etc.
Here’s an example of a ‘short’ QT from today’s (10/3/2012) reading:
Read: Genesis 21, focus on 21:1-4
Genesis 21:1-4 The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Explain: The LORD is utterly faithful in fulfilling His promises to Sarah and Abraham. It happened exactly as the LORD said. In response, Abraham obeyed all that he had been commanded – naming of son Isaac and circumcising him on the eighth day. As the Bible goes on, we know that the LORD is utterly faithful to all the promises He makes.
Apply: Based on God’s utter faithfulness I can and must trust Him utterly. Thank God for fulfilling all promises in Christ! I know God is faithful… how have I responded to Him? Have I been obedient to Him in response?
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I want to praise and thank you for being an utterly faithful God. Thank you that you have fulfilled all the promises you have made in your word. We know this because all your promises find their ‘yes’ in Jesus (2 Cor 1:20). And because of this we are so richly an eternally blessed. Help me to respond to your faithfulness by being faithful to your word and obedience to your instructions. In Jesus name, Amen.
From time to time, I’ll post up some of my R.E.A.P. quiet time notes.