The Bible has the potential to truly impact our hearts if we let it. Let’s read from Proverbs 4:20-23 to see how that plays out.
“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
For God’s Word to sink deep into our hearts, we need to do two things that may not come naturally: slow down and pay attention.
Why go slow? Brain science! The limbic system is the part of our brain involved in behavioural and emotional responses. When we rush or skim through a Bible passage, we don’t give our limbic systems enough time for our emotions to be impacted by what we’re reading. This is why it can be helpful to take some slow breaths before we read, and then go through a passage twice to let it sink in.
What if it’s a struggle to stay focused? We can shut out digital distractions by setting our phones aside and using a physical Bible. While it can take a bit longer to navigate, a physical Bible helps you scan and understand the overall message of each book, so you get a sense for how everything fits together.
Other great ways to focus attention are reading out loud and using a highlighter or a pen to jot down notes as you go.
Whatever helps you give God your full attention is worth doing!