Thank you for expressing your desire to know God more intimately, “I notice I use the phone more than read the Bible. As a 14-year-old, how can I get into the Bible more and have a relationship with God?”
The modern technology can be a blessing and also be a distraction. The Ipad or cellphone are neutral objects. It is what we do with them and how one uses them. Your observation of texting on one’s cell phone or playing games on it is a very common struggle that adults struggle with as well. You are not alone.
Here’s are some suggestions for you that may help you:
A. Download a Bible app of your choice.
I use “YouVersion” which has a Bible verse for the day and things that one can do on that application. I make it a priority to open that app and to read the verse for the day. I try to meditate on the words or even read the chapter that the verse is from. There are devotional thoughts, places where one can make prayer lists, etc. This helps me to set my day with the Lord.
To be honest, I have to be careful that it is not another to do list for me. I don’t beat myself up for missing a day. I use my cell phone for it is more convenient for me since I have it with me most of the day.
B. Establish a reading program.
Many Christians are actually illiterate as to what the Bible says. Reading through the Bible in one year is very difficult for most Christians. Selective reading is better since it may give you an overview of the Bible.
I suggest this reading program for the Old Testament Books:
Begin with Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, I-II Samuel, I-II Kings, Daniel, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah. If you make it through that far, you will have a good grasp of the Bible. You have a historical time line.
Psalms and Proverbs for personal edification.
I suggest this reading program for the New Testament Books:
Begin with Matthew, John and Acts. This will enable you to understand the teachings of Jesus and who Jesus is in the Gospels. Acts helps with spread of the Gospel in the first century.
Ephesians, Philippians, James, I Peter and I John for Christian growth.
Romans and Galatians for understanding salvation.
Once you make it through those books, then you can add other books into the reading program.
C. Write down questions that you have as you read the Bible.
If you read Genesis 1 through 9, you will have a ton of questions. Write them down in your computer. Select one or two and do a research on that question, reading pros and cons on that subject.
D. Listen to dates by apologist as Bart Erhman and Daniel Wallace online.
As a Christian, you will face questions about one’s faith. Listening to debates will allow you to grasp both sides of the issue. One may have to do one’s own reading and further research. Realizing that you are a teenager, you have limited time since you do have homework and house chores. Set aside a time like an hour three times a week to read and be educated.
You may even ask your parents to take you to a Christian books store or go on line to CBD (Christian Book Distributors) to find something that you can use again as a reference. Ask them to buy that book for your Christmas gift or birthday gift.
All of the above will fill you mind with knowledge of the Bible, but not the heart. God calls us to worship him in Spirit and in truth. This requires that one has a salvation experience from God. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I suggest reading the Gospel of John first of all. Try underlying the word, believe, and reflect on what one reads.
Once one has experience the grace of God in salvation, then God desires that his children be transformed to be more like Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28–29). The Holy Spirit wants to change your attitude and actions to be more Christ-like. This is not easy since we are self-centered individuals. Remembering God’s love for you and Jesus’ love for you will keep one from being enmeshed with our world. Reminding ourselves that one is not to love the world or the things of this world and to lay up treasures in heaven will enable one to guard one’s heart.
Every Christian sins so I John 1:9 is very applicable in confessing our sins. When we walk in the light of God, we have fellowship with him. Jesus promises that if any person opens the door of his life to him, he will come in and fellowship with him. One will experience the presence of Jesus in one’s life and the Spirit guiding you into all truth. He will guide you and fill your life with joy. This does not mean that one doesn’t have problems. It is more likely that you will have more problems since the Devil/Satan doesn’t want you to be a follower of Jesus.
As you grow in your Christian faith, God may use you in your youth group to be more than just a social group. There will be others who desire to take explore or to take their new life in Christ more seriously. That is a less travel road, but one which is worth it for God becomes real to you and not an adherence to a religious belief.
SUMMARY: If you seek God with your whole heart, you will find and experience him.
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