Up to 100 years ago, literacy was not predominant among the world, nor even in the US; only about 1 in 4 people could read. Those who could hard few choices in their native language if at all; the King James Authorized Version (1611) and the Catholics' preference of Douay-Rheims (1609-1610) translations from the Latin, which came from a Greek version being the predominant ones in the English language. Though in a time when most people could not read, we would have to admit that there were many faithful followers of Christ throughout the last 2000 years up to the 20th century. Yet if you listen to most people who teach about spiritual formation and growth, i.e. on how to become a better follower, a better disciple of Christ, the first--and sometimes main--spiritual discipline mentioned is to read the Bible daily.
I have read it daily. And I also read the Bible outside devotionals. I study scripture passages and scripture themes. I often ask the Spirit to explain some difficult passages to me, especially on how I'm supposed to apply them in my life, my behaviors, my values.
But the spiritual discipline I'm trying to make a habit is to follow Paul's admonition of "pray unceasingly" (1 Thess. 5.17) adialeiptos proseuchesthe, which is engraved on a ring I wear: to ask God more questions than bring requests, to seek His mind as Abraham, Joshua and others did. To follow not only the Christ's footsteps but also those who were faithful and may not have been able to read, but were able to listen to His whispering, small voice (1 Kings 19.12)
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