Growing up in a Christian home I was taught that being a Christian included reading my Bible and praying. However, the questions of HOW to study the Bible, pray, and connect with God practically and effectively were never truly answered for me. I believe this has kept my relationship with God somewhat shallow for many years. After seeking answers from different sources, nothing seemed to satisfy me. Today I started attending a class at my church called "Reveal". I had heard how beneficial it was for many people, and felt led to take the step to learn how to deepen my relationship with God. We talked about how to study the Bible step by step in very practical ways. We were given questions to ask ourselves and God as we read a passage of scripture. This quote made so much sense to me: "The Bible wasn't given to increase our knowledge; it was given to change our lives." I have spent too long trying to build Bible knowledge without realizing it wasn't getting in deep to change my life. I read my Bible, but I am usually so distracted that I can't focus on what God is trying to say to me. No time is taken to sit, wait, and listen to hear from God. I would rush to be done, because I didn't understand the importance of reading, pondering, studying, and application. I used to find reading my Bible a duty as a Christian, not a privilege to grow in my relationship with Him. All of this is going to change with God's help. In a simple exercise we did in class, I felt God proving to me that there is so much more He has been waiting and wanting to reveal to me through His Word! Before we left, we were challenged to make a commitment by setting specific times to dive into God's Word and be accountable for following through. As we proceed through the next few weeks, I am excited to see how God continues to open my eyes and heart to the incredible deeper relationship I've longed to have with Him.