Views From The Pews – Sunday, September 28, 2025

My Dear Brothers & Sisters,

SUGGESTIONS AND THOUGHTS ON REFLECTING ON GOD’S WORD by Dr. Chuck Davis

Everyone “reflects” in one way or another on one topic or another. Maybe it is a reflection on life as each birthday rolls around. Or maybe it is the college to attend or the vocation to follow. Major choices in life will usually cause all of us to reflect on the decisions we make and think through what the ultimate outcome will be.

For the Christian reflection on what God says to us through His Word, the Bible, should be an absolute priority. After all, when God speaks, it is placed in written form, and is made available to us. But when we say we should reflect on God’s Word, what do we really mean?

Reflection is often thought of as the action of giving serious thought or consideration to a matter. It means the action of bending or folding back things in order to see things better; like a cover on a package.  Reflection is often an exploration and explanation of events, thoughts, or statements. All of this is or can be involved in biblical reflection. 

In reflecting on the Bible, whether a verse, chapter or passage of Scripture, we should ask ourselves some questions.  “What does God want me to know from what I have read?”  “Is there an application in this portion of the bible for my life now?”  “How does God want me to respond now to what I just read?” More questions will come to mind as you take time to explore or “uncover” the bible verse or portion of Scripture you have just read. 

Reflection takes time. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will reveal instantly what He wants you to glean from the Word of God you just read. But real reflection on what you read may take not just a moment of time but some extended time. In fact, you may end up reflecting on the Word throughout your day as you go about your daily activities.

The ultimate outcome of real reflection on God’s Word is that our life will change; our actions will change. Many people rush through reading the bible just so they can say they have read their bible even though often they can’t remember what they read and no life change comes about even though they read the bible.

The bible says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says,” (James 1:22 NIV). Reflection on God’s Word should result in a response to God’s Word that leads to godly behavior. Spiritual growth for the Christian is tied to reflection on the Word of God and the application of the life principles found in the Word. The more we “fold back the cover” the more we will see  God’s truth and lessons for our life. As you begin your daily bible reading and reflection time, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time in the Word and teach you what He wants to give you for the day that will help you to be a better “doer of the Word” and not a hearer only.