How do YOU do devotionals?

[EatingPie]

My devotional life changed just over a year ago when I committed to listening to J. Vernon McGee on Thru The Bible every day.

I've read the Bible through (in one year, which was stupid), I've read books alone, I've read passages. But I'm like the OP, overthinking things or getting confused and unsure. Dr. McGee puts things in the historical and cultural place, and gives great explanations and examples to help us (me) understand the truths of God's word.

Now, Dr. McGee is not God, so it's okay to disagree with him. He is, however, a knowledgeable and accessible Bible teacher. And by committing to listen, I am in the word (almost) every day, and I have grown a ton in my relationship with God.

I try to pray beforehand that the Holy Spirit would guide and enlighten me with His Word.

They're at ttb.org, and they have apps for iPhone, Android and Kindle.

May God bless your quest to draw closer to Him!

-Pie

 

[John Hyperspace]

/ daily "quiet times"? I mean like picking what to read, how you study it. I know I need to read more and I'm trying to read straight through the bible in order but I have so much trouble focusing or overthinking things and getting myself in trouble so how do you decide what to do?

Bear in mind that I've been at it for 30 years, so things have changed over the years. I've read the bible through multiple times, and these days English translations don't do much for me. For years I've spent my time in the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek; and have done exhaustive studies on virtually every concept in the scripture. So these days I just use things like this forum to guide me into what I'm going to ponder over; a thread topic will cause me to return to certain concepts and re-examine them. Sometimes new information or perspectives will be put forth and I'll contemplate them, and skim relevant passages. Then I'll sit around "digesting" what I'm pondering, from various angels. I don't spend much time dwelling on any specific thing, but give it's time, then let it flow around with everything else to allow any form of increase that may come of it at a later time. I'm also working on a translation of my own, so the specific passages I'm translating will be a form of study on their own just in the process of translation.

 

[DeerGlow]

Bear in mind that I've been at it for 30 years, so things have changed over the years. I've read the bible through multiple times, and these days English translations don't do much for me. For years I've spent my time in the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek; and have done exhaustive studies on virtually every concept in the scripture. So these days I just use things like this forum to guide me into what I'm going to ponder over; a thread topic will cause me to return to certain concepts and re-examine them. Sometimes new information or perspectives will be put forth and I'll contemplate them, and skim relevant passages. Then I'll sit around "digesting" what I'm pondering, from various angels. I don't spend much time dwelling on any specific thing, but give it's time, then let it flow around with everything else to allow any form of increase that may come of it at a later time. I'm also working on a translation of my own, so the specific passages I'm translating will be a form of study on their own just in the process of translation.

Modern Greek and Hebrew or ancient?

 

[John Hyperspace]

Modern Greek and Hebrew or ancient?

Biblical forms in all regards to the reply (specifically block and paleo-Hebrew forms).

 

[Frank Lo]

/ daily "quiet times"? I mean like picking what to read, how you study it. I know I need to read more and I'm trying to read straight through the bible in order but I have so much trouble focusing or overthinking things and getting myself in trouble so how do you decide what to do?

The Bible is not to read like a normal book. Ask the Holy spirit what to read. get a devotional like the one from Guillermo Maldonado if you need help

 

[Paul Yohannan]

/ daily "quiet times"? I mean like picking what to read, how you study it. I know I need to read more and I'm trying to read straight through the bible in order but I have so much trouble focusing or overthinking things and getting myself in trouble so how do you decide what to do?

Chiefly the Jesus Prayer. In Orthodoxy we also use prayer books to some degree. Most people use only one; I have a large collection, although there are three I tend to use the most.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I use the "Our Daily Bread" devotional. Its online and in paper form every month. There is a devotion for every day. And it also includes verses to read every day. I believe they said if you follow them each day, you can read the bible in a year!