Building Our First Love

What happens when the world causes us to drift away from God? Here are practical ways to connect with Scripture meaningfully.

In the first three chapters of Revelation, John writes to seven churches, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Instructions to Ephesus, the first church mentioned, offer us much to apply to our daily lives. 

John acknowledges the good works of the Ephesian church, yet remarks, “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). 

This “first love” is related to the excitement we all feel about understanding God’s plan and truth. It describes that intense feeling of love for God, His way of life and His people. Usually, during this period, there’s a strong yearning for understanding, leading to fervent study of God’s Word. John explains that the church in Ephesus once had this passion, which helped them overcome many of life’s struggles.

So, how can we generate, or maintain, that “first love” in our lives?

1. Personalize your Bible study

Bible study isn’t just slapping the Bible down on a table, opening it to a random page and reading it. Here’s a good question to ask yourself: What is it about reading the Bible that gets me excited, the same way I get excited about other activities I look forward to? 

Fostering a curiosity about Bible topics, asking questions and diligently studying to discover answers can be helpful. Writing marginal notes and Bible journaling can also be engaging tools to use during your study time.

2. Create a more effective Bible study routine

If you’re just reading your Bible every single day, you may need to shake things up. Rote Bible reading isn’t always the most effective way to study.

My favorite method includes identifying two or three topics I’ve been wanting to learn more about. I rotate through them every day, trying to find new resources to help me understand each topic better.

If that feels intimidating at first, you can always break it down into one topic per day and use a variety of resources throughout the week to avoid feeling overwhelmed. What matters is that you find the Bible study methods that work best for you.

For Bible study tips, read “How to Study the Bible.” 

3. Be aware of what distracts you

Sometimes, without realizing, we put things before God in our daily routine. The Bible tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) and to “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Reflective journaling can help us gauge where we are and where we want to be. Write a weekly evaluation of how well you felt your Bible study went, including what worked, what didn’t and how you can improve. This simple moment of contemplation can help you recognize what is holding you back from being closer to God.

4. Recognize that you can’t create Christian habits on your own

God helps us through everything. He wants to build us up and mold us into His children (Isaiah 64:8). If we recognize that we’re falling short in our spiritual walk, we must take that to God in prayer and ask for help.

As James 1:5 states, if we lack wisdom, we should ask for insight and clarification! God always wants us to be close to Him. If we have a genuine yearning to learn more, God will open opportunities for us to grow in the Spirit.

Use Bible study as a way to grow

Bible study is a tool God gives to help us continue our walk and focus in a distracted world. Having constant connection with God demonstrates how seriously we take our relationship with Him.

While habits are hard to grow and maintain, we must “run with endurance,” as Hebrews 12:1 encourages. Our God is patient and wants us to succeed. With His help, we can persevere in the “race that is set before us.”