In a day and age when everything we do is pushing towards automation and the use of digital data, I find my approach to bible study hangs in a precarious balance between paper and laptop. Because pastors are busy people, economy of effort and efficiency in execution is vital. And the computer is the tool of choice for quickly accessing information. It’s a matter of survival, not just convenience.

Get organized

Nowhere is this more evident than in the massive undertaking of sermon preparation. To make things simpler, I’ve created templates, pre-formatted just the way I like my notes to look. My library shelves are organized in a way that makes for the easiest access to the books I use most. I’ve even prearranged different ‘work spaces’ in my Accordance Bible software based on each type of teaching I need to prepare for. I also have one for my seminary homework and my Greek and Hebrew grammatical studies. There is no need to set up those tools each time, saving me a good 20 minutes per day.

Get on the slow boat

While all of this makes sense, I still find that when actually navigating the living waters of scripture for the message I am preparing, I need to make sure I don’t miss its grandeur. Backing off the digital diesel lets the current move me along gently. This is an essential part of the process, and for this reason, I intentionally push away from my computer so that I can get on the ‘slow boat’. I go to a quiet room, leaving behind all but a pad, pen and my bible. Flipping through the pages of my ‘paper’ bible and writing notes by hand causes me to be more reflective because I am forced to slow down. This takes longer but actually creates the time necessary to chew, taste and swallow what I have read. This is my time alone with the Lord when I can ask Him what His text means, and what He wants me to point out to His people (Mark 7:17). And it’s the most enjoyable part.

Firing up the power tools

Then comes the bulk of the hard labor. I fire up my power tools to dig, filter, dissect and discover more. Word studies in Greek or Hebrew, dictionary and encyclopedia articles, syntactical analyses, theological journals, atlases and historical-cultural studies as needed. Lastly, I make my teaching outline with the main points. Then, when the message is mine, I turn to the commentaries. Sometimes they’ll give me further insights, or corrections. Mostly, they confirm what I’ve already found. And that brings me great joy. They serve as a check and balance to my discoveries, but never should be a short cut.

Enjoy the journey

Look at it this way. Imagine hiking in the trails of the Dolomites. You could start at the bottom and work your way up slowly, observing their splendour and tasting the crisp mountain air. Or you could get in a helicopter and be dropped off at the top. The height of their peaks will still impress you, but you will not have seen anything in-between. It’s how you get there that makes the biggest difference.

(Books photo thanks to www.freefoto.com)