In terms of how I ‘do’ my reading - I tend to read quickly for shape, then reflect and reread to see what I’ve missed, or could improve my understanding. This isn’t a quick process, so I find reading ‘comfortable’ editions of texts helpful - print size easy to read, or the text laid out in a helpful way (I love 'Immerse' for exactly this reason).

I was so relieved to read this chapter by Nicola Slee and have this approach of reading and rereading validated or affirmed! The videos from the bible project also spoke about rereading to understand. In terms of coping mechanisms, I think I can support this by allowing time and space for this reading process, and relax into it a bit. I think I can also use making notes for myself to help support me to recognise what I have learned or understood, and where there are gaps.

Reading is a very central part of my Christian faith and practice. I tend to sit and read an entire book in one sitting before reflecting and praying about one specific section, theme, or lesson. I find the patterns and context that emerge across each book helpful to engaging more closely. Quite often I'll spend the next week after doing so engaging with commentaries, or seeking out Christian books about what I have read.

I am not very good at remembering specific verses, and quoting them as is frequently done to trigger ideas. Instead, I associate many different themes and ideas with each Biblical book, and use these as a map to find verses, or more frequently passages, as required.

I suspect I will need to pay attention to this style of reading when studying. It is not an efficient use of time, or perhaps a focused enough approach.

Writing

I have a journal Bible that I scribble down the many thoughts, prayers, life references, and many other things that come to mind as I read and pray. Sometimes these are deeply personal reflections, and sometimes they are as simple as noting a structure or theme repeating.

I find this type of writing a great way to engage with what I am reading. I find if I try to force writing then it feels meaningless, but quite often I feel drawn to or moved to engage closely with specific sections.

Again, this writing is not structured at all. It feels more like an ad-hoc conversation with God through his Spirit, trying to hear what he needs me to and engage with it.

Writing about scripture, and expressing my thoughts out loud to others is something that still feels very alien to me. I need to pay attention to building this skill. I feel I am often lacking the vocabulary, language, and style of writing (and speaking) that so many other Christians do more naturally.

John 14:2-3

New International Version

² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

The way that, at our first seminar, and the Amos Yong Learning Theology book, the Bible is shown to have an interwoven wholeness feels important for me to understand more deeply. Luke writing about Mary's song was a great way to learn about some of the ways of looking into the Bible with exegesis. The way the Bible can hold different truths in creation passages for example, and leave meaning undefined often, for me gives light to the clarity and pattern there all the more clearly in its advice no to fear and that spiritual love is for each one of us?