Sure, it’s a risk mashing up Star Trek, Clash of Clans, and Methodist figure-heads.  The Means of Grace (TMG!) are the ordinary channels that Christians use to grow deeper in love with God and neighbor.  Today, we explore Searching the Scripture!, the act of piety (loving God) that can be done alone or with others.  Scripture is the primary authority for Christians, but it requires deep and constant digging in community with others to discern what God has done in the past, what God might be up to these days, and where God might be leading all of us in the future.  Christians have wide opinions over certain issues, using Scripture to back up completely opposing views.  The scripture really is like a field with buried treasure…it can take a lot of searching to discover the beautiful truth hidden in the scripture.

Here’s John Wesley on searching the scripture…Read it in God’s presence (meaning, with a prayerful heart).  When it doesn’t make sense, pray for God to help you understand, and compare it to other scripture, especially the teachings of Christ.  Meditate, meaning focus and prayerful think about it.  Read books and essays from others who have already thought about it, especially the church fathers and mothers who have gone before you.  And then the point of learning is not just to keep it to yourself, but to teach, to share with others.

Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: “Lord, is it not Thy word, ‘If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God’? Thou ‘givest liberally, and upbraidest not.’ Thou hast said, ‘If any be willing to do Thy will, he shall know.’ I am willing to do, let me know, Thy will. ‘ I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.” (Preface to Sermons)