Covering Bible Studies/Devotionals (Updated)|Christian Blogger

Awhile back, someone told me that my Bible Summaries were dry. I’m assuming it’s because I’m mainly covering scripture in the posts and scripture by itself isn’t exciting or entertaining. Use less scripture and add a lot of sugar. Make sure it looks pretty and attractive. Christian Blogging 101…right?

The truth is I honestly shared the same mindset as a Christian Blogger for a time, so I do understand the perspective.. I thought Bible study posts were tedious and boring. I thought Christain Bloggers should present the material in a particular way. I still think there is a way to present scripture, but not as I once did. 

Added October 17th, 2021- I believe I used to view these types of posts as boring because my own Bible reading was inconsistent and rare. I spent more time on my personal interests and entertainment than on God’s word. I’m still working on learning more. But I can say the more time you spend with God and His word, the Holy Spirit will refine you, and help you. Enjoying the Bible and reading more can be an adjustment. Only those who have put their faith in the death  and resurrection of Jesus Christ can receive the Holy Spirit. To learn more please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)

I used to share the perspective it wasn’t about what we knew, it was about how we presented scripture. I recant this view, that’s ridiculous and silly.

The reality is we need to be well-versed, well-researched, and we need to know how to present a topic. Now, those posts may not be for everyone, that’s ok. 

But it’s dangerous to like posts simply because they sound good even though it’s bad theology. Most people like these types of posts because THEY also have bad theology. So, whether we are a blogger or not, we need to understand what we claim to believe in as Christians. We need to be able to discern well. 

And Christian bloggers, you need to know what you’re talking about for the above reasons, too. You might be able to provide insight that your reader may not be familiar with. 

My old post needed a major update, so below is the update and some references to things I viewed wrong in my prior post!

LET’S FACE IT! GOD DOES NOT NEED US! 

God’s word doesn’t need someone else to be the middle man. That’s why Jesus died and resurrected. Man isn’t good enough. We needed Someone pure to be our atonement sacrifice. When Jesus died, He then gave us the opportunity and ability to turn away from sins because of Him and His Holy Spirit that dwells in all who truly believe and pick up their cross. Through the Holy Spirit, we can repent from sin and grow in Him.

So, let’s get this right. It is God who speaks through His word, not us. He can use us to speak to others, but HE DOES NOT NEED US! 

(NIV) John 16:08, “When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” (Christ talking about the Holy Spirit being sent after He left. Notice it says HE, not any other person. Jesus opens our eyes to His truth, not man.) 

I think I was wrong in thinking that God couldn’t use those posts of others that were unpolished and “not up to par.” Who cares if people aren’t presenting scripture in an aesthetic way. The word of the Lord is beautiful on its own, He doesn’t need help, remember that! 

My initial concern was more on, “people are going to be turned away because of excessive scripture and lecturing.” Now, those two things CAN turn people away, but I realize now there IS a time and place for lectures and sounding preachy! 

WE NEED SOME BIBLE “SHOVING”

We need to hear the hard truth, and for a lot that’s going to sound “preachy” and shoving a Bible down their throat. Honestly, though, what do we think Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, Peter, and others were doing when they said, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!” Just saying that people sin and need to repent is enough for someone to yell, “STOP SHOVING A BIBLE DOWN MY THROAT!” 

The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) Hell is an eternal punishment where weeping and gnashing of teeth takes place. (Matthew 8:12, 13:42)

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY SALVATION AND SAVIOR! NO ONE AND NOTHING ELSE CAN SAVE US! But… because we live in a fast-paced society people don’t want to hear it and we must therefore “conform” to this measure. Watering ourselves down in hopes people receive Jesus isn’t going to help anyone. It’s not going to water down the punishment and reality of Hell for anyone!

Get over it! THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND! We are accountable to our King, Jesus. WE MUST SPEAK HIS TRUTH! We deny Jesus, He denies us. (Matthew 10:33)

Christian blogger, please understand this is why we must talk about Jesus as much as we can. This world is not for us to live our life the way we want, and our blog is part of that! It’s a conviction we must hold dear in order that we honor our King and point others to Jesus! Don’t think, “Well, I’m helping people. I’m showing kindness. That means my audience sees Jesus.” GIVE THEM JESUS! GIVE THEM HIS WORD! JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE NOT OUR REFLECTION OF HIM! Reflecting Jesus is wonderful, don’t get me wrong. But guess what, we can’t feed people, only Jesus can!

This mindset is like holding out a cup of water but never giving it to the thirsty.  

TIPS FOR WRITING DEVOTIONALS/BIBLE STUDIES

Here are a few things to keep in mind when covering Bible studies, devotionals, or sharing scripture in posts.

1. Some people share long portions of scripture, others do verse by verse. I personally usually use verse by verse (or 2 to 3 scriptures together max) for the hope that the reader actually reads it. HOWEVER, by no means does that you mean you can’t have large portions of scripture together! Consider the amount of scripture you want to cover beforehand and break it up in your post. Highlight particular parts of scripture that you want the reader to take notice of. If sharing large portions of verses together, consider NOT using faint/script/italics as it can be hard for people to read a lot of print in this form. Bold-face is a better option.
2. Help others understand how scripture connects to life! One major change I made to my Bible Summaries was I added What To Take Away at the end of my posts. Everything, including books like Leivictus or Numbers, we can connect to our life and Christ. This is actually part of what we are to do when we meditate on scripture.
3. Make sure to keep reminding and showing others why THEY need to take up the word of God on their own. Listen, it’s great we can show scripture and talk about it. But we need to push others to dig into His word more! Not only to seek His word through our posts or other devotionals, but to seek out His word in their Bible! Our posts will NEVER replace spending time in God’s word. Encourage others to spend time in His presence and word. We grow best through the Teacher.

I think the main reason people are struggling with the word of God and find it boring is because we are not reading it enough. We expect the change to desire scripture comes from ourselves, but it comes from the Holy Spirit. These words are God-breathed and God-inspired.

The Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out. It doesn’t matter if you are emotionally connected to scripture or not. God still speaks! LISTEN TO HIM NOT FEELINGS ON WHETHER WE “FEEL CONNECTED” OR NOT!

(NLT) Romans 12:02, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

(NIV) Ephesians 4:22-24, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

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