The joy of scuba diving.

Have you ever noticed the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving? Snorkeling is fun, sure—you float on the surface, catch glimpses of beautiful fish, and maybe see the top of a coral reef. But scuba diving? That’s where the real adventure begins. You plunge beneath the surface, surrounded by wonders you would have missed from above. It’s the same with God’s Word.

I’ve recently had the joy of diving deep into the Gospel of John with a brother from our church, taking our time to explore the richness of every verse. There’s something truly powerful about slowing down, going beyond the surface, and really seeing what God is revealing through His Word. This intentional study has brought out layers of meaning that we would have missed if we’d just skimmed over it.

Our Young Adults group has also been on a deep dive, journeying through the Gospel of Mark since February. We’ve learned how to better understand the Bible, worked through life’s ups and downs together, and marveled at the picture of Jesus we see in God’s Word. Just this week, we finished with a fun recap of all the key passages we’ve studied over the year. It was a great reminder of how far we’ve come and how much God has shown us.

When you dive deep, God’s Word becomes alive in new and exciting ways. One resource that’s been a huge help in this journey is The Word One to One, which breaks down the Bible verse by verse, giving helpful insights and conversation points. Whether you're sharing the Bible with a friend or going deeper in your own study, this tool makes it easy and accessible. It’s relational, intentional, and brings a new level of understanding as we explore what the Bible says about Jesus.

Another fantastic resource is the book Dig Deeper by Nigel Beynon and Andrew Sach, which equips readers with 16 “tools” for understanding Scripture more deeply. It’s a simple, practical guide that’s perfect for anyone wanting to get more out of their Bible study.

So, here’s my encouragement to you: don’t settle for just snorkeling in God’s Word. Dive deep! Take your time to discover the treasures waiting beneath the surface. Whether it's with a small group, one-on-one with a friend, or even on your own, there’s so much more to explore.

Let’s keep growing together, church, as we go deeper into His Word and allow it to shape our lives.