“How Much do You Read your Bible?” Convicting Thoughts Inspired by RT Kendall

How Much do You Read your Bible? – RT Kendall Ministries
— Read on rtkendallministries.com/how-much-do-you-read-your-bible

I’ve recently discovered Dr. RT Kendall through listening to a podcast. I’m now reading a few of his books and online blog posts. A week ago I read Word and Spirit and I’m currently reading Holy Fire: A Balanced, Biblical Look at the Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Lives. Kendall pastored Westminster Chapel in London for 25 years and was the pastor who followed and was personally mentored by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Dr. Kendall’s passion for the Word of God is encouraging! I’ve only read a few articles and the above books, and I’m seeing that he uses several of the same stories throughout his work that I’m finding to be encouraging. Some may say, “he’s already used those, I wish he’d find some new ones!” I find this helpful and instructive! The points are being made, driven home, and I’m better able to apply the principles to my own life for application.

One of his repeated points/principles is the application of God’s Word in our lives. In Holy Fire, Kendall says, “the average church leader today spends four minutes a day in prayer.” (p37) Four minutes! When he retired from Westminster, he was asked to give a 10 minute sermon to 100 ministers at the Holy Trinity Church in London on prayer. He said, “I took the whole ten minutes to urge every minister there to spend at least one hour a day in prayer. Two hours is better.” (p120)

Lloyd-Jones and Kendall both followed Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible reading plan. They rightly believed that both the Word and Spirit are needed for formation and growth. Regular prayer allowed one the time to spend with the Father to learn from and listen to the Spirit and regular Bible reading formulated one’s Biblical mind toward correct doctrine and theology-a way to keep within the spiritual bounds. MLJ said, “The Bible was not given to replace the miraculous, but to correct abuses.” (p153)

I was listening to Dr. Craig Keener the other day while driving and his words struck me. I couldn’t get them out of my head. He said that when he came to Christ out of atheism, he got serious about God’s Word and started reading 40 chapters of the New Testament A DAY! He was reading the NT through once a week! God has gifted Dr. Keener in an incredible manner. One of the reason’s he can explain, share, and encourage through God’s Word so heartily is his love of reading God’s Word. One of my friends and mentors, Dr. Tom Johnston, posts a picture of his Bible reading each day on Facebook. One of his favorite things to do is to handwrite scripture. Deuteronomy 17:18 says, “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.” A good friend of mine uses the YouVersion Bible app and allows it to help them through a scripture reading plan. Early this year I started using the BibleTracker app to remind me where I am in my personal reading.

I love the picture of the man reading his Bible above. Do you see how actively he is reading? He looks like he woke up ready to read! I want a heart toward the Lord that says, “here I am. Your servant is listening. Speak to me through your Word. Allow me to listen to your Spirit throughout the day.” May this be our heart and desire as we open God’s Word with expectancy. Who are you reading/watching/listening to that is encouraging you in Bible reading? Do you use any helps/tools to keep you in God’s Word? Do you find it helpful to read with a friend, study group, or whole church?

You can listen to me speak about this topic on my podcast at Anchor.fm.