click on the link for the video, devotionals, and a summary. See the Pastor's Blog page for a Discussion Guide.
https://app.sermonsend.com/sermon/minden-epc/has-familiarity-with-the-bible-left-you-bored-and-jaded
Many Christians who grew up in the church experience a peculiar spiritual challenge: becoming so familiar with Scripture that they no longer feel its impact. This numbness isn't a reflection of spiritual maturity or one's relationship with God, but rather a natural consequence of deep familiarity. The advantages of knowing the Bible well include navigational ease and understanding the overall narrative, but the disadvantages can be profound—emotional disconnection, academic detachment, and difficulty seeing beyond traditional interpretations.To overcome this Bible fatigue, we must first acknowledge it without shame. The Bible isn't God, and admitting our struggle doesn't diminish our faith. Several practical approaches can help reignite our engagement: asking God directly to illuminate the text before reading, exploring different translations that break familiar patterns, experiencing Scripture through audio or visual media, and reading passages from the perspective of different characters. When we place ourselves within the narrative and consider how the original audience would have received these words, we move beyond intellectual understanding to emotional connection.The Bible was meant to be experienced as a living text that shapes our minds and hearts as we follow Jesus. By approaching familiar passages with fresh eyes and an open heart, we can rediscover the power of Scripture to transform our lives. Whether through listening to an audio Bible during our commute or reading a familiar story from a minor character's perspective, these practices can help us experience God's Word as truly alive and active.
