On far too many days I read the Bible and don’t connect. It feels flat. Cold. Distant. The pages may contain timeless tales, but they feel boring. Flat. Stiff. They feel written endless miles away, in distant cultures, far off lands, a way of life I can’t relate to no matter how I try.
Some days I slam the book shut, hoping, praying the next time will be better.
Yet deep down inside I hunger to know God. Ever since The Organic God, you know that on almost a daily basis, I pray for spiritual hunger. I ask God to make me ache for Him, to hunger for Him above all else.
And the Bible provides the smorgasbord my soul craves. Scripture is the love letter that God hands us to know Him. When Scripture comes alive in our hearts, it doesn’t just inform us as much as transform us. We become more than good people; we become godly ones who walk, talk, and live different.
Scouting the Divine Book and Bible study are my pilgrimage to understand portions of Scripture that seem distant and dated, confusing and contradictory. It’s a spiritual journey from reading the Bible to being ushered into the story. To taste and touch, see and savor Scripture.
Sometimes to understand the Bible, you’ve got to get your hands dirty.
Grit underneath your fingernails. Sweat dripping from your brow. Squishy unmentionables beneath your feet. The Word may wash us (Ephesians 5:26), but experiencing the fullness of it requires us to get dirty.
I set off on a wild spiritual adventure. I spent weeks with a shepherd in Oregon, a farmer in Nebraska, a beekeeper in Colorado, and a vintner in California. With each person, I opened up Scripture and asked, “How do you read this—not as a theologian—but in light of what you do every day?”
Their answers changed the way I read the Bible. And I have a feeling it will do the same thing for you and your family during this Online Summer Bible Study.
[Tweet “Come along as we scout the divine—searching for ways in which the Creator reveals facets of Himself through His creation.”]
What do you say? Are you ready to get to know God and His Word like never have before?
We’ve been counting down the days until the start of the Scouting the Divine Online Summer Bible Study. And we are so.downright.excited to kick things off today. (Psst—it’s not too late to join us! Click here to learn how).
Each week, we’re going to dive into a session of Scouting the Divine book and Bible Study.
This week:
- Watch. Session 1: Encountering God as the Good Shepherd (8:48) on the DVD (see below for extra special sneak peek).
- Write. Respond to the introduction and first session of homework in the workbook (pages 9-31).
- Read. Wonderment – chapter 1.8 (pages 9-34) in the book.
- Interact. Share what ideas or phrases that catch your attention. What God is challenging or showing you through the material. How we can pray for you. And of course, you’re welcome to send in quirky questions, too, since I’ll be interacting with them throughout our time together. Leave your thoughts at MargaretFeinberg.com or on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using #ScoutingtheDivine.
- Gather. Invite your kids and grandkids in on the action. Set up a time to visit a petting zoo, reach out to someone in your community who is a beekeeper, visit a local farm. Set a time to meet with your small group face-to-face, schedule a Skype date with your long-distance friends, and join the online community on Wednesday, June 17th at MargaretFeinberg.com.
As an extra special gift to you and a sneak peek to what we can look forward to in the weeks ahead, below, you’ll find Session 1: Encountering God as the Good Shepherd from the Scouting the Divine DVDs:
(RSS Subscribers: Click here to watch Session 1 video).
To purchase the Scouting the Divine Kit (which includes a copy of the book, workbook, DVD, and interactive CD), click here. If you want a special coupon code to save $14.99, email jessica@margaretfeinberg.com and we’ll send you details!
*This week’s memory verse is John 10:14-15.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
As we gather for our first Summer Bible Study week, let’s discuss this question:
Love the video. A song keeps coming into my mind. “Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us.” I am so thankful that our good Shepherd leads me and is always caring for me. This evening, my husband and I visited family and they have a pond full of fish in their backyard. Dragonflies were landing on the flowers, frogs were croaking, and God’s blessings were all around us. We noticed that there was always one fish “leading” the others. That reminded me of our Shepherd, who leads us and knows what is best for us.
Funny, Melissa! I was rehearsing that song in my mind this morning, too!
Just went and listened to that song, Melissa. Thanks for sharing.
I forgot to answer your question. Silly me. On a scale of 1 to 10, I am a 10, wanting to know more about God every day. Even though I have been a Christian my whole life, I continue to learn from Scripture every time I read it. I want to be able to share God’s word with others and to show them His love and glory.
On a scale of 1-10 I would say a 10 as well. Like Melissa, I have been a Christian most of my life but only in the last 5 years or so have I prayed to increase my desire to know Him more. Those that make me hungry to know God and His word more are those that have overcome adversity and remained faithful and giving praise to Him through it all.
My desire is to know and do His will and that others may come to know Him and serve Him
I am currently reading The Organic God. I want to sit and drink coffee with you!
Awww, thanks, Danalee. Huge hug to you!
10, 10, 10, thanks to your continuous challenges to dig deeper Margaret! 2-1/2 years now you’ve kept my curiosity peaked…I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR HOW GOD USES YOU IN MY LIFE! ❤️
Thanks, friend!
I would like to rate 6