One of my favorite types of Bible study is the personalization of Scripture. It takes the message of the written word of God from a epistle for everyone (which it is) to an epistle for me (which it is). For me, personalization really makes Scripture come alive and it helps me take ownership of the truth in His word. Part of the personalization process involves reading other translations and breaking down the verbage, so for a lover of words and their meanings, that part appeals to me, too.
How to personalize Scripture (for this example, we’ll look at Ephesians 6:10-18)
1. Pray and ask the Lord to teach you and to show you HIs perfect and personal word for you.
2. Read a passage of Scripture to yourself.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
3. Read it aloud.
4. Underline words or phrases that really catch your attention.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
5. Read some different versions and use them to gain deeper understanding of the text.
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. 16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God. 18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
6. Copy the text as written.
7. Re-write the text in first person.
I must be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. I will put on all of His armor so that I will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. I am not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, I will put on every piece of God’s armor so I will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle I will still be standing firm. I will stand my ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, I will put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that I will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, I will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. I will put on salvation as my helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
I will pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. I will stay alert and be persistent in my prayers for all believers everywhere.
8. Expand the text.
- Write alternate meanings for words/phrases
- Write it out in your own words
- Write it as a personal prayer
I must be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. There is no one stronger than Him! All He possess, I possess through His Spirit. I will put on all of His armor so that I will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. It is possible to stand firm! That’s what His word is saying – it is possible! I am not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. I am fighting the devil himself.
Therefore, I will put on every piece of God’s armor so I will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. I WILL be able to resist his schemes. Then after the battle I will still be standing firm. I will succeed! I will triumph victorious! I will stand my ground; I will not waiver; I will not be moved. I will put on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, I will put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that I will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, I will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil, because they WILL come…but can be prepared. I will put on salvation as my helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Is there a more powerful weapon than He?
I will pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. I will stay alert and be persistent in my prayers for all believers everywhere.
9. Pray through the passage.
Oh, you guys…even just taking these few minutes to run through this passage simply and quickly has sooooo ministered to my heart. Reading and re-reading and expanding and making it my own just brings so much understanding – and not just regarding the text – but about the Author of the text…and isn’t that the point? Intimate fellowship with Him as we study His word and apply it to our life = the key to Biblical study, and personalization does just that.