Falling in Love With the Bible | Mike MacIntosh

Mike MacIntosh. Falling in Love With the Bible. Cook Communications, 2005. 224 pp.

The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for a theologian to swim in without ever touching the bottom. —St. Jerome

All of us—whether two years old or a hundred and two—should retain a sense of wonder, awe, and surprise about life. I think this was what Jesus was getting at when He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3 NKJV). He wants us to delight in Him as a child delights in each new discovery. . . .

As a pastor, father, and grandfather, I have noticed that young kids gravitate to the Scriptures naturally and easily. They love the Bible stories of courage and heroic deeds, such as David taking on Goliath. And they enjoy vivid characters like Jonah and Noah. Children also love to memorize Scripture, since their minds are like sponges, ready and able to soak up everything.

What’s more, it is stimulating to have an adult read to them. As a daddy, I know that little boys and girls love to sit alone with Mom or Dad and read. If you are the parent of young ones, you have a tremendous field waiting to be planted. Don’t waste their tender years without placing the Scriptures firmly into their hearts. You will not regret it when they become teenagers, believe me. As the Bible says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

The simplicity of learning the Bible is the same for an adult as it is for a child. It is the childlike attitude that heaven encourages. We must become like little children–teachable, enthusiastic, and wide-eyed. . . .

If You’re Not a Scholar, Don’t Sweat It

It is true that God made some people to be geniuses–people with big brains and vast understanding. We can thank God for each of them. Though I definitely am not one of them, I appreciate them. All the amazing technology, medical science, and schools of higher education wouldn’t exist if brilliant minds hadn’t been put to good use.

But the truth is, the majority of us are not geniuses or scholars, and God doesn’t expect you to study, think, or act like one. He just wants you to enjoy the Bible and learn to live by it. We do not need to make the Bible so complex that we don’t love it. Remember, it is God we love and not pages or concepts or doctrine. It is the Lord Jesus Christ we serve and thank for our salvation. It is the Holy Spirit we learn to trust and who leads us by the Scriptures.

Don’t avoid the Scriptures simply because you’re not academically inclined or struggle with “book learning.” God loves everyone the same–mathematicians and mechanics, CEOs and secretaries, bill collectors and trash collectors. You are unique, and God wants you just the way you are. He is gentile and kind, so be patient with yourself. Whatever you are, wherever you are, He’ll speak to you in a manner that you can understand. . . .

Find a Teaching Shepherd

The Bible tells us that God has gifted certain people to teach the Bible: “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV). Notice that pastor-teachers are a gift from God to equip you for the work of the ministry. Teaching and pastoring are the ministry of the ministry. Find a church that teaches the Bible, and find a congregation that has a pastor with a shepherd’s heart. . . .

As you consider how to deepen your understanding of the Scriptures, remember to make prayer a top priority. Without a doubt prayer is the most important and easiest of all ways to understand the Bible. As you read the Scriptures, also pray over them. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the matter to your heart. When you pray, speak to God from your heart.

I included the suggestions in this chapter in hopes that you will fall in love with the Bible. For if you do, you will surely fall in love with God. As I said in an earlier chapter, the Bible is all about growth, progress, and advancement. Your life will keep getting better and better with the help of God and His Word. My friends, I commend the Holy Bible to your life with the hope that you will fall in love with the message of the Scriptures and fall deeply in love with the God of those Scriptures.

© 2005 by Mike MacIntosh. Falling in Love with the Bible. Used by permission. To order, www.cookministries.com. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.

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