SOAP: man of the word

S - Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. — Acts 27:11 (ESV)

Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. — Acts 17:21 (ESV)

O - Bereans and Athenians. These people had different ways of shaping their worldview. Bereans were shaped by daily study of the Scriptures. Athenians were shaped by seeking out what was 'new.'

A - I am struck by the way that I, and other Christians, can be so easily swayed by the 'new' ideas about Christianity and how to read the Bible without actually studying the Bible. This week I have been lax in studying the Bible daily. I have scanned daily reading, but rarely reflected deeply or returned to what God was saying. I want to be a man marked by an eagerness to study the Bible to see if 'these things were so.'

P - Lord, forgive me for treating your word lightly this week. I'm thankful for the multiple opportunities to study the Bible with people each week. Increase my eagerness for your word. Help me return to your word to shape me and my view of the world.