God’s Word should be the foundation from which you start developing your thinking skills. As Christians, you might think you have established your thinking patterns from the Bible, BUT how can you be sure?
It’s very likely that your thinking actually starts from the opinions and commentaries others. This is the most common way of learning today, and you might not know your doing it. Consequently, modern technology has shaped your ability to think.
So how can learning from other believers thoughts and opinions cause problems in your own ability to think, process and learn the scriptures.
How critical thinking can help you interpret and apply the Bible
Critical thinking engages the left side of your brain. Attaining relevant information comes from the ability to learn the context of scripture by utilizing timelines, cultural details, and how the Bible connects together like a puzzle.
As you start to piece the details of scripture together like a puzzle you are able to apply the scriptures to your own life for growth. Here are 3 questions you can ask yourself following your devotion time that will help you develop healthy critical thinking skills as you apply scripture to your life for growth. (download FREE PDF here)
How technology has shaped your ability to learn
In this day and age of technology you have the answer to every question you have at the click of a button! Simply google your question. The website, theologian or most popular pastor has the answer prepared for you. Someone else prepared the answer to your question. You did not have to think at all. Furthermore, that answer shaped your beliefs about your initial question.
Technology is a blessing and a curse for Christians today. Because it is great to find quick answers (and there are times that is necessary), having answers at your fingertips causes you to rely solely on someone else’s time in the Word. not only does this affect your own critical thinking skills, you miss the time with Jesus to grow spiritually.
Having the ability to think critically ensures that you can agree with what you have learned because it aligns with God’s Word! This involves a few extra steps most Christians will never take. To begin exercising your critical thinking abilities DO NOT start with what someone else learned, thought or believes. This is the habit you probably have cultivated!
What will it take to develop critical thinking?
Gaining critical thinking skills will require the ability to exercise your brain. First, you will need a structured plan of learning. Do not go at the scriptures without a plan to learn the Bible as a whole, rather than random stories or books. As you grow in your critical thinking skills it becomes easier to jump around the Bible, but start with a plan if you are working to create healthy thinking skills.
Second, you need time. The teachers, pastors or scholars you are learning from spend a dedicated portion of time in the scriptures. Having dedicated time to spend in the Word each week is vital to your growth as a Christian. Consequently, you are missing this much needed time in the Word if you are relying on others to do the work for you.
Taking the time to cultivate your thinking skills will help you:
- Learning the Bible
- Understanding the scriptures
- Interpreting passages
- Applying the scriptures to your life for growth
Critical thinking is the most important skill you need for growth in God’s Word, like wise you can enhance your learning with your creative thinking!
Creative thinking will enhance your thinking skills
While critical thinking uses the left side of your brain, creative thinking engages the right side of the brain. While it is likely you are either right or left brain dominant, learning to think creatively can help enhance your critical thinking skills. The two go hand in hand!
It is important to engage the left side of the brain (critical thinking) and the right side of the brain (creative thinking) when learning the Bible? Critical thinking and creative thinking is vitally important if you want to arrive at an “AHA” moment with the truth of Scripture.
Prayer is the key to biblical growth
But how do you do this at the same time? First of all, A LOT of prayer. Don’t skip this! Remember: God wants to completely transform your heart and mind as you learn from His words of life. Download our FREE Prayer/Gratitude page here.
Second, no matter what Bible learning plan you are using, it is possible to engage BOTH sides of your brain. This happens when you apply relevant information and creative application to your learning.
How Creative thinking can give you the skills to learn and understand the Bible
Creative application gives you a hands on way of expressing what you are learning in the Bible. One of my favorite hands on way of learning the Bible is through scripture writing! Handwriting is backed up by scientific proof! Did you know that you are five times more likely to retain and apply what you are learning when you write it down! What better reason can you find to include your creative thinking skills.
At iWrite Bible we are committed to giving you the tools you need to succeed at learning the Bible! iWrite Bible is a framework for learning the Bible through scripture writing. Our scripture writing plan gives Christians a way to establish a daily Bible study habit and a plan to use critical and creative thinking skills. See our devotions here!
If you are helping new Christians learn the Bible, or maybe working on your own Bible learning skills, we want you should feel confident in knowing that you are affecting the next generation with the power of the Gospel by learning to think for yourself and to teach others to do the same!!!
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