Concentration in Study

Week 15 Day 4

But still ye will say I can not understand it. What marvel? How shouldest thou understand, if thou wilt not read, nor look upon it? Take the books into thine hands, read the whole story, and that thou understandest, keep it well in memory; that thou understandest not, read it again, and again. If thou can neither so come by it, counsel with some other that is better learned. Go to thy curate and preacher; show thyself to be desirous to know and learn, and I doubt not but God - seeing thy diligence and readiness (if no man else teach thee) - will himself vouchsafe with his holy spirit to illuminate thee, and to open unto thee that which was locked from thee.

— Thomas Cranmer, Preface to the Great Bible, 1540.

This passage is tough and requires a whole lot of concentration. This isn’t something you just breeze through and get the gist of. It requires breaking it down, looking at some tough phrases and words, going to dictionary.com and figuring stuff out. Thus it is with scripture. We need to be free from distractions, and have time set aside to be alone with God and adequately concentrate on the word.

Reflection Questions

1. Look at the last time you spent with God. How focused were you? Were you free from distractions? Can you remember what you read/studied?
2. What are some ways you can improve your personal study time?

Take the Next Step

Without concentration in our study of the Bible, so much is lost. This is a serious spiritual discipline and one that requires serious concentration. Imagine the focus God has on your life and his relationship with you, let us do all we can to return in all the same.