When we personalize the text, it reminds us that the Holy Spirit is speaking directly to us, and that God’s promises are for us. For example: “He who began a good work in will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). IT ALLOWS FOR DEEPER PERSONALIZATION AND APPLICATIONĪs we write out the text, we can personalize it by inserting our names in the verses. The simple act of pen to paper can grow our understanding of God’s Word and help us remember it more fully.Ĥ. Science has proven that handwriting, even more so than typing on a keyboard, increases retention. As with any printed material, when we engage with it slowly, our understanding increases. But have we really understood and retained what we’ve read? Long form reading is becoming less and less popular because it takes time and concentration. Most people skim articles for the headlines, blog posts for the lists, and social media for one or two sentences that catch their attention. Skimming written content has become the norm in our day. When we are not rushing through a reading of a passage, we have time and space to think deeply about the truths found there, which leads us to meditate on God’s Word.ģ. Writing each word is a focused activity that eliminates distraction. Even when we get into the habit of daily Bible reading, many distractions-both internal and external-often prevent us from fully engaging with Scripture. He uses it because it’s highly effective. One of the primary strategies Satan employs against the children of God in our day is distraction. IT FREES US FROM DISTRACTIONS AND ENABLES US TO THINK DEEPLY We can meditate on the words, imagine the scene, and carefully consider the truths as we write.Ģ. Details we previously missed spring to life in vivid color. This expanded time allows us to digest the material in deeper ways. Since handwriting requires more time than simply reading, copying Scriptural text naturally forces us to slow down and think about what we are writing. Have you ever read something and moments later you cannot recall what you’ve read? This happens to me, and I’ll sheepishly admit that it even happens while reading the Bible. IT FORCES US TO SLOW DOWN AND NOTICE DETAILS There are so many spiritual benefits to Scripture writing, but here are just seven that I hope are an encouragement to you:ġ. The practice of handwriting the Word of God serves to imprint it on our hearts, leading us to awe and worship. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. In fact, the ancient Israelite kings were required to write a copy of the Law on a scroll so it would be imprinted on their hearts and so they would learn to fear the Lord all the days of their lives. Handwriting Scripture is not a new practice. This practice is absolutely life-giving! I started with the letter of Ephesians a few years ago and have continued handwriting many other books with the ultimate goal of handwriting the entire Bible. Over the years, I’ve developed a habit of Scripture writing-simply copying Scripture word for word in an ordinary spiral-bound notebook. Although these are not journals, they are filled with pages and pages of my handwriting. I have a stack of notebooks from the dollar store beside my Bible.
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