We are in a discipleship group at our church, Long Hollow. Our new pastor, Robby Gallaty, is passionate about discipleship. Jesus was too. In fact, before He left to go to heaven, He said in Matthew 28:19-20  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It’s really cool because Pastor Robby has encouraged our entire church to read through the Bible this year. The plan is called F-260 if you are interested. We read 2 chapters a day for 5 days each week. Then Pastor Robby preaches about what we have read each week on Sunday at church. He also encourages us to journal what we are learning each day as we read. It’s simple but powerful. He calls it a H.E.A.R. journal.

H-Highlight

Highlight a verse or two that stood out to you as you read the chapters that day.

E-Explain

Explain what those verses mean in your own words.

A-Application

How does what you read apply to your own life?

R-Respond

How should you respond to what you read?

 

I am really enjoying studying the Bible this way. I love reading what the friends in my D-group are learning as they read. And it has also been such a blessing to read what my husband is gleaning from scripture too.

As Christians, we learn and grow better together. We all have different backgrounds, perspectives, gifts, and experiences. We all read the Bible from different angles. Others see things in God’s Word that I don’t see.

I believe that reading and studying God’s Word with other believers is key to our spiritual growth. After all, that’s why the church is referred to in scripture as the body of Christ. We are all different parts working together to accomplish the same goals.

So with his permission, I want to share one of my husband’s H.E.A.R. journals with you today.
 

 

Guest post by Skip Stewart

H-Highlight

He commanded them, “You are to say to my lord Esau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob says.’ ‘I have been staying with Laban and have been delayed until now.’  You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’ ”  For he thought, “I want to appease Esau with the gift that is going ahead of me. After that, I can face him, and perhaps he will forgive me.” Genesis 32:19-20

E-Explain

The gift was sent ahead of Jacob so he could face Esau and be forgiven. What an amazing picture of Christ! God sent Christ ahead for us as a gift so we could be forgiven.

A-Apply

God’s love is evident in everything around us. We should find the correlation between the circumstances in our lives and our Redeemer.

R-Respond

I will seek the evidences of God in everything.

 

Read what Jacob said about Esau in Genesis 33:10, ” ‘No, please!’ said Jacob. ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.’ “