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 asked myself, “Is this 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?”
In this series 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. Aida B. Spencer if she would share her thoughts with us.
1. How do you spend your devotional time with the Lord?
Even though I regularly study the Bible as a professor, I read through the Bible every weekday morning about half an hour. I have set the Bible in basic chronological order. Then I pray through any topics raised and pray for the day. Whenever I get an urgent prayer request at that very moment I pray for it. Sometimes in the devotional time, I read the Bible following some theme and taking notes on that theme.
2. How do you practically seek to deepen your love for Christ?
An attitude of gratitude greatly helps to deepen my love for Christ. I am grateful for the many things that Christ has done and does now for me and my family. Reading and studying the Bible also deepens my love for Christ as I learn anew all that Christ has done for me and for humanity.
Dr. Aida B. Spencer is Senior Professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She has written commentaries on both 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy and Titus (NCC) and James (KEL).
Thank you, Dr. Spencer!
Other Scholars’ Devotions
- Andrew Abernethy
- Michael Bird
- Craig Blomberg
- Darrell Bock
- Gerry Breshears
- Denny Burk
- Andrew Das
- Stephen Dempster
- Jason DeRouchie
- Kyle Dunham
- James Edwards
- Matthew Emerson
- David Firth
- Stephen Fowl
- Norman Geisler
- Ben Gladd
- Joel Green
- Sigurd Grindheim
- Robert Gundry
- Nijay Gupta
- Jim Hamilton
- Matthew Harmon
- Charles Lee Irons
- Dru Johnson (a fan favorite)
- Dru Johnson Redux (the extended edition)
- Craig Keener
- Edward (Mickey) Klink
- Melissa Kruger
- Tremper Longman
- Ernest Lucas
- Ken Magnuson
- David Moffitt
- Jonathan Moo
- B. J. Oropeza
- Amy Peeler
- Nicholas Perrin
- Patrick Schreiner
- Tom Schreiner
- Brandon Smith
- Douglas Stuart
- Frank Thielman
- Robert Wall
- Bruce Ware
- Rikk Watts
- Trevin Wax
- Cynthia Long Westfall
- Ben Witherington
- Kevin Youngblood
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