"The F-260 encourages believers to read less and to keep a H.E.A.R. Journal. Here is a sample H.E.A.R. entry. While many plans for memorizing Scripture are effective, a simple system has been effective for me. All you need is a pack of index cards and a committed desire to memorize God’s Word. It’s easy: write the reference of the verse on one side of the card and the text of the verse on the other. Focus on five verses at a time, and carry your pack of Scripture cards with you. Throughout the day, whenever you have a few minutes, pull out your pack of Scripture cards and review them. Read the reference first, followed by the verse. Continue to recite the verse until you get a feel for the flow of the passage. When you are comfortable with the text, look only at the reference side of the card in order to test your recall. The H.E.A.R. journaling method promotes reading the Bible with a life-transforming purpose. No longer will your focus be on checking off the boxes on your daily reading schedule; your purpose will instead be to read in order to understand and respond to God’s Word. The acronym H.E.A.R. stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. Each of these four steps contributes to creating an atmosphere to hear God speak. After settling on a reading plan and establishing a time for studying God’s Word, you will be ready to H.E.A.R. from God." ----Robby Gallaty
So today we are reading Genesis 1 & 2 - before reading the text, pause to sincerely ask God to speak to you. It may not seem necessary, but I always try to ask God’s guidance in order to understand His Word. I try to remember to ask Him to open by eyes to understanding, so that I may comprehend and gain knowledge and wisdom.
David prayed in Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law (God's Word).
Gallaty teaches in his H.E.A.R. technique, after praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, open your notebook or journal, and at the top left-hand corner, write the letter H. This will remind you to read with a purpose. While reading, one or two verses will usually stand out and speak to you. After reading the passage of Scripture, Highlight each verse that speaks to you by copying it under the letter “H”. Write out the following: (twist up crayons are great to mark in your Bible!)H -HIGHLIGHT
The name of the book - Genesis
The passage of Scripture - Genesis 1 and 2
The chapter and verse numbers that especially speak to you - (verses 3, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 25) - multiple times during the re-telling of the creation we are told "and God saw that it was good", then in verse 31 "and behold, it was very good"
The passage of Scripture - Genesis 1 and 2
The chapter and verse numbers that especially speak to you - (verses 3, 10, 12, 18, 21 and 25) - multiple times during the re-telling of the creation we are told "and God saw that it was good", then in verse 31 "and behold, it was very good"
A title to describe the passage - Creation
(This practice will make it easier to find the passage when you want to revisit it in the future.)
After you have highlighted the passage, write the letter “E” under the previous entry. At this stage you will EXPLAIN what the text means. By asking some simple questions, with the help of God’s Spirit, you can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. This can be short or as lengthy as you feel led to journal at this point! Here are some sample questions you may want to ask yourself:
Why was this written? To whom was it originally written? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Why did the Holy Spirit include this passage in the book? What is He intending to communicate through this text?
E - EXPLAIN
This is to give us a recording of the creation of the world. It didn't just happen by accident. Genesis was written by Moses for us to have a recording of the beginning of history.
After writing a short summary of what you think the text means, write the letter “A” below the letter “E”. Under the “A”, write the word APPLY. This application is the heart of the process. Everything you have done so far culminates under this heading. As you have done before, answer a series of questions to uncover the significance of these verses to you personally. Sample questions: How can this help me? What does this mean today? What would the application of this verse look like in my life? What does this mean to me? What is God saying to me?
A - APPLY
God created everything and it was good! He placed man in a position to care for all of it. We need to take care of the people and world He has placed around us until He calls us to our eternal homes. We are created in His image so we should act as much like Him as possible.
These questions bridge the gap between the ancient world and your world today. They provide a way for God to speak to you from the specific passage or verse. Answer these questions under the “A”. Challenge yourself to write between two and five sentences about how the text applies to your life.
Finally, below the first three entries, write the letter “R” for RESPOND. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You may describe how you will be different because of what God has said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you are going to do because of what you have learned. You may respond by writing out a prayer to God. For example, you may ask God to help you to be more loving, or to give you a desire to be more generous in your giving. Keep in mind that this is your response to what you have just read.
R - RESPOND
R - RESPOND
We should imitate Him, not the fallen world around us. It was good...do we reflect GOOD in our daily walk? I will strive to reflect GOOD, VERY GOOD, every day. I want to be the salt and light that I am called to be!
Notice that all of the words in the H.E.A.R. formula are action words: Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. God does not want us to sit back and wait for Him to drop some truth into our laps. Instead of waiting passively, God desires that we actively pursue Him.
Notice that all of the words in the H.E.A.R. formula are action words: Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. God does not want us to sit back and wait for Him to drop some truth into our laps. Instead of waiting passively, God desires that we actively pursue Him.
Jesus said, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek,
and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).
What is God going to speak to us in 2019? I'm not sure, but I know if we spend time in His Word and put forth effort to learn from it, we will end 2019 with more knowledge and wisdom than where we are today! Jump in on this journey with me and start F260 and your own HEAR journal today! Also, try to memorize the weekly Bible verses...I know it's hard, but we can do it!
WEEK 1 MEMORY VERSES: Genesis 1:27 and Hebrews 11:7
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen,
in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.
By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness
that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7
The H.E.A.R. journaling method promotes reading the Bible with a life-transforming purpose. HEAR entry F260 Day1.
