From September 27, 2026 Worship Service.

REFLECT

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105

“The most important question we ask of [a Bible] text is not ‘What does this mean?’ but ‘What can I obey?’”
Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book

“In particular, I had learned that intensity is crucial for any progress in spiritual perception and understanding. To dribble a few verses or chapters of scripture on oneself through the week, in church or out, will not reorder one’s mind and spirit, just as one drop of water every five minutes will not get you a shower, no matter how long you keep it up. You need a lot of water at once and for a sufficiently long time. Similarly for the written Word.”
Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

Questions for Reflection

• What can we learn from how the apostles handled Simon’s request?
• What role does correction play in effective teaching? How can we learn to receive it with humility?
• How would you describe your current relationship with God’s Word? How much space do you make for Scripture in your daily life? How might you make more space?
• In what ways do you personally interact with teaching, through listening, reading, discussing, or practicing? What study tools have been the most helpful in your spiritual growth?
• How was deep Scripture engagement part, or not part, of your family life growing up?
• How might you live into the idea of Scripture being “a light to my path” in daily living (Psalm 119:105)?

PRACTICE

• Begin with Scripture. Commit to reading Scripture each morning before checking your phone, email, or news.
• Take a next step in your study patterns. Journal the text, pray it, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the text and empower you to do the text, or add a commentary to your reading.
• Share what God is showing you. Take five minutes to share what God is showing you from the text with a friend or family member. Explaining what we learn is one of the best methods of retention.
• Explore a resource to grow in your ability to engage God’s Word:Pray the Bible Daily
  lectio365.comEssential Biblical Texts with N.T. Wright
  admirato.org/courses/15-essential-biblical-texts-groupThe Bible Project Podcast
  bibleproject.com/podcasts/the-bible-project-podcast/The Vibrant Faith Visual Faith Project
  vibrantfaithprojects.org/visual-faith-project.html

PRAY

Gracious God,

Thank you for your Word, which gives me life. Thank you for guiding my daily life and teaching me how to be faithful in my workplace, family, church, and community, not in my own strength, but by your power.

Help me, by your Holy Spirit, to behold you more often and intentionally!

Thank you for defining the church as your active body, calling us all into your daily mission. Thank you for revealing your love, your grace through Christ, and your invitation to relationship.

All praise be to you for your Word!

Amen.