A Scholar’s Devotion with Denny Burk

Going through seminary, students are taught to study the Bible and uphold its doctrines about God while also being encouraged not to neglect their devotional times with God. Yet during my own devotional time I, and probably many others, often ask, “Is this approach the best way to grow spiritually, or is there a better way? What could I do differently? Should I incorporate my studies with my devotions?”  

Each week, I ask a different scholar two questions about how he or she spends time with the Lord and continues to love him with all their mind, strength, and heart. While no one method or style is “the only way,” we can draw on one another’s experiences. 

This week, I have asked Dr. Denny Burk if he would share his thoughts with us.

1. How do you spend your devotional time with the Lord? 

In the morning, I like to read through scripture according to a Bible Reading Plan. You can read about it here. For prayer, I also make daily use of The Valley of Vision. It’s not the only thing I pray, but it is usually where I start.

2. How do you practically seek to deepen your love for Christ? 

There is no substitution for the ordinary means of grace that God has given us. Transformation into Christ’s image is not a solitary effort. The church is the matrix for our sanctification, and it is there that we find and are transformed by the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

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Dr. Denny Burk is the Professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he is the President of the Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood. He wrote the chapter on the Pastoral Epistles in the ESV Expository Commentary series, Transforming Homosexuality, God and the Gay Christian, and What Is the Meaning of Sex?

Thank you, Dr. Burk!
Twitter: @DennyBurk.

Other Scholars’ Devotions

• Andrew Abernethy
• Michael Bird
• Craig Blomberg
• Darrell Bock
• Andrew Das
• Stephen Dempster
• Jason DeRouchie
• Kyle Dunham
• James Edwards
• David Firth
• Stephen Fowl
• Norman Geisler
• Joel Green
• Sigurd Grindheim
• Jim Hamilton
• Matthew Harmon
• Charles Lee Irons
• Dru Johnson (a fan favorite)
• Dru Johnson Redux (extended edition)
• Craig Keener
• Edward (Mickey) Klink
• Tremper Longman
• Ernest Lucas
• David Moffitt
• Jonathan Moo
• Amy Peeler
• Nicholas Perrin
• Tom Schreiner
• Brandon Smith
• Douglas Stuart
• Frank Thielman
• Bruce Ware
• Rikk Watts
• Trevin Wax
• Cynthia Long Westfall

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