Study Journal Check-In #4

Did you use your scripture study journal while reading Luke 4-11 this week?

Yes.

Share a picture from your journal this week (something that is not too personal). What was significant about this entry?

As I was reading in this section of Luke, I had a really cool experience of seeing things in a new light. Specifically, though I didn't write a lot for Luke 10:13, that verse led to me making really cool connections. As I was reading, I realized that when Christ is condemning the cities where he's done miracles, he is giving real life examples of the Parable of the Sower. The seed, in this case, is his miracles and the word he preached. However, all of the seeds that he planted seemed to fall on stony ground, where they couldn't take root. However, if he'd planted it in other cities, the seeds would have landed on more fertile ground. Then, I thought about Laman and Lemuel, and their many experiences with receiving "signs" (such as an angel). However, their hearts were stony ground. Thus, the "seeds" that were planted in their hearts never took root for long, leading to rebellion against God.

It was super cool to make all these connections from my reading. It definitely helps me to want to feast more on the word of Christ. It gives me motivation to keep going with my studies (something which can be lacking at times...).

Describe one additional resource that has enhanced your study and explain how.

Bible Gateway has given me an interesting perspective. It contains writings from those outside the Church, which has helped me to see things in a different light. Until I began to look into this, I didn't realize how much of what I observe in the scriptures, a lot of my interpretations, come from the Latter-Day Saint culture. There's certain ideas that are presented and repeated within the culture, or certain interpretations that are (unintentionally) put forward as the interpretation.

For example, when we look at Jesus feeding the five thousand, often we look at it as a miracle that shows his power and his compassion for those that he is teaching. However, from my readings in Bible Gateway, I realized that this story was also about Christ giving his apostles a chance to use their talents to involve themselves in serving others. That is something that I have never thought of before. But it helped me to realize how much God gives us the opportunity to serve when, in all reality, he could do it himself if he wanted to.