My Study

OK - this is where I get to "geek out" on the bible.

I really try to keep my posts short and to the point. To discuss my approach to understanding the bible and spending time with God, I need to go into more detail. This one page will be long and maybe complicated...



The Beatitude Pattern

A couple of years ago, I started to study the Beatitudes in earnest. After a while, I realized that this first documented sermon from Jesus was more than a set of great concepts. Together, they form the process that God uses to bring about change. I started to see the same pattern all over the bible, starting with the creation story in Genesis.

Here is the pattern:

• The first three beatitudes are about God blessing us in chaos or evil
• The second three beatitudes are about God blessing us in growth or filling
• The third three beatitudes are about God blessing us as we partner with Him and create peace

Within each of these sets:

• The first is about our hearts
• The second is about our relationships
• The third is about our influence

Here is how it looks (one way of looking at it):

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 - Our hearts are lacking
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 - Our relationships are broken
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

 - Our influence is small

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 - Our hearts will be filled with good
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

 - We will do good in our relationships
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

 - Our influence will be good

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

 - Our hearts are set on seeing others come to peace
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 - Our relationships are under attack because we pursue peace
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me

 - People will use their influence to stop us from pursuing peace


The Creation Pattern

The creation pattern is aligned to the beatitude pattern:

• The first three days are about forming the structure of creation out of chaos
• The second three days are about filling the creation so it can grow
• The seventh day is about rest and peace

Within the first two sets

• The first is about night and day
• The second is about the water and sky
• The third is about the land

The seventh day has three statements about God

Here is how it looks:

First day - God separates day from night

Second day - God separates water from water to make sky

Third day - God separates land from water

Fourth day - God fills the day and night with sun, moon and stars

Fifth day - God fills the water and the sky with fish and birds

Sixth day - God fills the land with animals and man

Seventh day - God rests, blesses the day and makes it holy


God's Pattern for Change

Once I observed these patterns, I started to look at other passages in the bible to see if it occurred elsewhere - and I found it in many places. I have come to see this as God's pattern for change. That being said, it's only my observation, and I'm in no way saying this is the only way God works.

Starting with the creation story, I see God taking things in chaos and moving them toward stability, and eventually peace. By peace, I mean there is rest, growth and fruitfulness.


My Approach

Each week, I take a passage or topic in the bible and look at how it fits - or doesn't fit - the pattern of change. As I work to understand what God did, I try to see how it applies to me. My goal is to see what God wants me to learn and change in myself.

Why blog and not just write it down for myself? I like the openness and feedback. It helps keep me on track. In doing this, success is focusing on who God has revealed himself to be and what he want's from me. Failure is focusing on others and how they need to change. I'm asking people who read this to help me stay the course.