40 Day Bible Feast: Preparing the Menu

Since the title of this 40-day challenge suggests food, it seems fitting to go with that theme as we begin to prepare for those 40 days. If this is the first post regarding the 40 Day Bible Feast that you are reading, please click here for the background.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the importance of approaching the Bible feast like I would any other much anticipated culinary gathering (think Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter). Though turkey and gravy won't be on the menu, we will be dining on something much more satisfying.

I was also thinking that it might be tempting to stop at cutting out all recreational reading during this time and filling it with other things (TV, Internet, chores, hobbies, etc.) instead of adding in the feasting on God's word part. This is where I'll pick up the food analogy.

What is the first thing we do when we know the time of a feast is approaching?
Answer: we plan the menu!

Take some time to ponder this...what are some of the emotions, thoughts and actions do you experience when planning out a menu.

[Reserved for some thought time :)]

For me, it's hard not to get excited and hungry when thinking about all the good things we'll have on the table. I think anticipating the day fuels this appetite as much as the food. (I'm seriously getting hungry just as I write this post!)

Now back to our Bible Feast...over the next 21 days, let's take some time to plan the meal for our 40 days of feasting.

Here are some questions as you plan your menu:

• Often, our holiday meals feature foods we normally do not place on our table and probably include more choices than you normally see on your plate in the everyday. I believe this adds to the anticipation. How can you apply this concept to preparing for your Bible Feast?
• The mainstays of holiday feasts are the main course, side dishes, and, of course, the desserts. If feasting on God's Word seems overwhelming because it is so broad, how can "break down" your menu so it feels more manageable and comprising myriad flavors.
• Rarely are our holiday feasts one person affairs. How can you use the idea of family or community to heighten your anticipation of the 40 day feast?

And some tips:

• Preparing menus takes careful thought. For our feast, spend time in prayer asking God to lead you to a selection of His choicest Words for you.
• Writing out our menus helps us make sure we're not overlooking any special dish or food group. Consider writing out what you would like to read during this time.
• There are infinite ways to approach reading God's Word, which is why is can seem daunting at times. To avoid feelings of overwhelm: depending on length, choose one or several books of the Bible to read; choose a theme to study based on what you are currently experiencing in your life (e.g. waiting, celebrating, uncertainty, fear, loss), choose a word or words to guide your study - you'll need a Concordance for this, which I'll elaborate on in a future post (e.g. faith, Spirit, love, mercy, life, anger, forgiveness, light), study the names and characteristics of God (if you're interested in this one, please leave a comment with your contact info and I can get you more information for this approach).

A few last thoughts...

I can't stress the importance of prayer enough when it comes to this feast. Pray God would give you encouragement during this time of preparation and in the 40 days. Pray He would guide you to specific places in the Bible that He has prepared for this season in your life. Pray that He would heighten your anticipation of this time.

To encourage the feeling of community and help us be accountable to one another, please consider leaving a comment with this post outlining what you are planning to read. God has a way of bringing others alongside us when we need encouragement, which is why this opportunity to share is invaluable.

For God's glory,

Andrea