How can we ensure we are hearing "the word of Christ" regularly? The Foundational Passage “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” — Romans 10:17 Why Hearing Matters • Faith is not self-generated; it is sparked and strengthened when Christ’s words reach our ears and hearts. • Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) • Scripture is “God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Practical Ways to Hear the Word 1. Consistent Personal Reading • Set a daily time slot; treat it like an unbreakable appointment. • Use a reading plan that takes you through the whole Bible, so you don’t gravitate only to familiar passages (Acts 20:27). 2. Listening to Audio Scripture • Redeem commute or exercise time with an audio Bible. • Hearing the narrative read aloud mirrors the first-century church experience (1 Timothy 4:13). 3. Faithful Church Attendance • Prioritize gatherings where Scripture is read and exposited faithfully (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Expect the Spirit to speak through preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21). 4. Small Group/Family Study • Discuss passages with others; mutual exhortation keeps our hearts from growing hard (Hebrews 3:13). • Families: read a short passage after meals; even five verses a day plants seeds (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). 5. Scripture Memorization & Meditation • Choose key verses each week; speak them aloud morning and evening (Psalm 119:11). • Meditate like the “tree planted by streams of water” (Psalm 1:1-3). 6. Worship Music Saturated with Scripture • Songs embed truth in the memory and unite doctrine with affection (Colossians 3:16). 7. Journaling What You Hear • Write observations, applications, and prayers; the act of writing slows you down to listen (James 1:22-25). 8. Periodic Silence and Solitude • Turn off devices, step outside, and read a short passage repeatedly, asking, “What is Christ saying right now?” (Mark 1:35). Guarding Against Distractions • Evaluate media intake; endless scrolling muffles Christ’s voice (Psalm 101:3). • Keep a notepad nearby; jot stray thoughts so they don’t pull you from the Word. • Pray briefly for focus before reading: “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.” (Psalm 119:18) Encouragement to Persevere • Hearing today prepares you for trials tomorrow (Matthew 7:24-25). • Progress may feel slow, yet “in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) • The Lord Himself delights to speak; expect Him to meet you each time you open His Book (Jeremiah 15:16). |
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