Question:
ok, here goes..lately ive been getting further and further away from god and i dont like it. But when i try to get into it again i dosnt work i try to do bible notes but they dont really work and it becomes more like a chore. and whenever i go to church i just find it boring and i dont take any of it in...please can i have some advice
Answer:
What I sometimes do when reading my Bible feels like a chore is to sit down and read some of it (I generally find that reading quite a few chapters helps with this moreso than reading just a few verses) with absolutely no agenda or pretext of study or theologizing. God promises us that His Word is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the joints and marrow. He also promises us that His Word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish that which He purposed. I think all too often we try to force ourselves to come up with some great spiritual truth every time we read the Bible instead of simply allowing God's Word to do the work that it has been purposed by God to do. I'm not saying you should never study your Bible in any depth... far from it. What I am saying is that when study seems tiresome, reading the Bible as you would any other book (this is why I recommend more chapters rather than fewer) can sometimes help. Even Solomon said that too much study was tiresome, after all.
In short... read the Bible, but don't try to understand everything it is saying all at once or try to find significance in some mundane details. Read it for the amazing stories it contains and the wonderful literary richness it possesses, and trust that God did not lie when He said His Word was alive, powerful, and purposeful. You will find something interesting, believe you me.
In His love,
Nate
Answer:
Go out and evangelise. That doesn't have to be going to a street corner and preaching out loud or handing out tracts; but do something to cause the Kingdom of God to grow.
Answer:
but im quite shy..i wouldnt know what to do..and im one of the youngest people in our group at church and im nervous just being in that group!?
Answer:
Nate's suggestions were right on. Come to the Word of God as the Word of God and read it simply seeking to hear from Him. Try taking notes during the sermon and it will help you concentrate on the message. Also understand that you are not in this by yourself. I too sometimes have little desire to read or attend worship. Still I do both until my desire is restored. We go through valleys and mountaintop experiences, if we only had the mountaintops we would take them for granted. The valley is as much a blessing from God as the mountaintop. Trust Him to use this for your good. If nothing else you will be able to help others in your situation later because you have gone through it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by mlqurgw I too sometimes have little desire to read or attend worship. Still I do both until my desire is restored.
This reminds me of a C. S. Lewis quote that my brother often mentions. I think it's appropriate here. It's something along the lines of "The best way to become something is by pretending to be it." In other words, if you would like to read the Bible as if it weren't a chore, then read the Bible pretending that it is not a chore. If you would like to attend church and not be bored, then attend church and pretend not to be bored.
"Pretend" here is not a passive type of pretending wherein you simply sulk and don't say anything about how miserable you are, but much more like the childish game of dress-up where you do everything in your power to make yourself like the thing you desire to become. Read the Bible, and even it seems like a chore, tell yourself that you enjoy it and read it as if you enjoy it. Go to church, and even if it seems boring, tell yourself that you enjoy it and worship, fellowship, and learn like you enjoy being there.
In His love,
Nate
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thanks this has helped
Answer:
Try to find something that will cause you rely on God's provision. Nothing brings people together closer than taking on a challenge together. Take wilderness journeys. I know a lot of camps and institutes start off their time together with a camping trip or group challenge. It causes them to work together and rely on each other. I know a lot of times I get down because my relationship with God doesn't seem to go anywhere. And sometimes I want to grow with God, but I just don't know how. Somehow, when I do something that causes me to trust that God will provide, it's no longer work to allow growth with God. It just happens.
Sometimes it's hard to find things that make you trust God. I don't know where you're from (I know CGR is a multi-national forum), but I know that that's one of the problems with faith in America: most of the time we just don't need God. Life goes pretty smooth without Him. So I guess what I'm saying is, rock the boat a little bit. Do something that scares you or something that you would otherwise feel uncomfortable doing, and trust that God will come through (He will). If you're shy, trying opening up to people, trusting that God will make something good out of it. Get involved in stuff that will stretch you.
Answer:
Originally Posted by the sticks ok, here goes..lately ive been getting further and further away from god and i dont like it. But when i try to get into it again i dosnt work i try to do bible notes but they dont really work and it becomes more like a chore. and whenever i go to church i just find it boring and i dont take any of it in...please can i have some advice You aren't alone! I think that happens to every Christian at least once in their lives. I would not only try reading the Bible but praying, Just take it to God because he's on your side. I would also try listening to positive music (try Switchfoot, Audio A, etc.).
If the Bible seems boring I would try looking in different places. Honestly, I was feeling that way and started reading Ephesians and Corinthians and the letters Paul wrote. They have must encouragement and advice.
God Bless!