When I decided to write about spiritual disciplines this month, I knew I wanted to approach them differently. We know we’re supposed to pray, read our Bibles, meditate, and rest. But how do we make these practices something we want to do instead of something we feel obligated to do?

I hadn’t quite figured out how I wanted to approach Bible study until I attended the Brave Space Conference on Wednesday.

One of the presenters, CHRIS. Christopher Hearn, led a session where we listened to a song and identified lyrics that spoke to us about leadership. He gave us the written lyrics, played the song, and then repeated the words a cappella. It was a really cool exercise, but what struck me most was that I had done something similar just a couple of months earlier.

In August, I attended a gospel concert featuring Naomi Raine, Chandler Moore, and Tony Evans. It was an amazing experience, but I was also going through a difficult time. My cousin had passed away just two days earlier. I already had the tickets, so I decided to go.

As I listened to the music, certain lyrics kept speaking to me. Instead of just enjoying them in the moment, I started writing them down.

Now, I’ve been to plenty of concerts. I’ve seen Beyoncé more times than I can count, and I’ve attended gospel concerts before. But I’d never sat at a concert writing down lyrics.

At first, I felt a little strange doing it.

But I didn’t want to forget what I was hearing. I wanted to go back, sit with those words, and find the Scriptures that supported them. I wanted to know whether what I was singing and hearing aligned with what God had actually said.

And that’s when I realized something.

This could be Bible study.

What if, instead of approaching Bible study the same way every day, we found creative ways to engage with God’s Word?

What if you turned on your favorite gospel song, listened closely to the lyrics, and wrote down the words that stood out to you? Then you could open your Bible and search for Scriptures that support, explain, or even challenge what you heard.

You might discover a promise you’ve overlooked, a passage you want to understand better, or a reminder of God’s character that you desperately needed.

And just because a lyric sounds good doesn’t automatically mean it’s biblical. That’s part of the beauty of studying. We get to examine what we’re hearing against what Scripture actually teaches.

Bible study doesn’t always have to look like sitting in a quiet room with your Bible, a notebook, and a highlighter. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that approach. I love a good traditional Bible study. But it isn’t the only way to engage with God’s Word.

The goal isn’t simply to check Bible study off our to-do list. The goal is to connect with God.

And the more meaningful that connection becomes, the more we desire it.

Maybe you have 30 minutes. Maybe you have 15. Maybe all you have is five minutes and one song.

Start there.

I’m actually thinking about trying this with the new Kirk Franklin and GloRilla song. The original song they remade was definitely popular during my college party days! I’m curious to hear how they’ve transformed it and explore how the lyrics connect to Scripture.

That’s the beauty of studying God’s Word. There are so many ways to approach it, and sometimes the most meaningful moments begin when we’re not even expecting them.

So this week, I want to challenge you to try something different. Pick a gospel song you love. Listen to the lyrics. Write down what speaks to you. Then open your Bible and explore what God says about those words.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

Reflection Question: What is one creative way you could engage with God’s Word this week that would make Bible study feel less like an obligation and more like an opportunity to connect with Him?

Until next time,

Dominique