If you used a depth finder during your daily Bible study, what kind of reading would you be receiving? Throughout my years as a pastor, I’ve observed that faithful followers of Jesus consistently demonstrate both breadth of obedience and depth of understanding—a clear indication of time spent with Him (Acts 4:13). As a master fisherman, Jesus Himself often emphasized the depth finder in His teachings.

Consider those who call Him Lord but don’t follow His commands—hearers but not doers (James 1:22-25). This shallow approach yields unfruitful outcomes. As James writes:

 

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:22-25, ESV).

 

In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus further illustrates this point:

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (ESV).

 

In the Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13:5-6), Jesus describes rocky soil with “no depth,” causing seeds to wither quickly due to shallow root systems. And later in that chapter, “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matthew 13:20-21, ESV). What a vivid and sobering picture of the importance of deep roots in our faith!

Exploring these passages, along with others like 1 Corinthians 2:10 and Romans 11:33, reveals the profound depth available in our relationship with God. The deeper we dig, the more we discover. Spiritual resilience and insight are directly linked to immersing ourselves in God’s Word. As Paul prayed for the Ephesians, “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19, ESV). Remember, the seed represents God’s Word. For the soul to flourish, there must be “toil in the soil”—it requires work to be in the Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal meaningful and life-changing lessons (John 16:13). The bottom line is that for your Bible study to be sweet, it will require some sweat. Grab your shovel.

Beyond the Spoon: The Power of “Dig Deep Daily”

I believe the key to spiritual success lies in three simple words: “dig deep daily.” Let’s face it: many devotionals are short, sweet, and shallow, offering a quick “spiritual snack” in five minutes or less. Is it any wonder a single verse, a brief story, a one-sentence prayer and a quick quote often leave us feeling spiritually anemic and undernourished? We are so busy with the demands of this world that we are unable to devote the necessary time to grow spiritually. Are we so naïve to believe we can maintain a strong walk with God with only five minutes of Bible reading each day? God desires for us to draw near to Him, and He promises that as we do, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).

The Word of God is often likened to food (1 Corinthians 3:2). Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4b). Peter encourages us to “…crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2-3). Jeremiah proclaimed, “Your words were found, and I ate them, And your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16, NKJV).

Imagine being spiritually starved and offered only a bite-sized devotional to satisfy your hunger? What would you do? You’d likely search for more substantial nourishment. While short readings can be a helpful practice, extended reflection in the Word is often missing. As Thomas Brooks wisely noted:

 

“Remember that it is not hasty reading but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet.”[1]

 

The same is true for the nourishing and flourishing of our soul—the act of growing vigorously, healthily and thriving. Maturing in our faith is not a passive activity. It requires intentionality, discipline and a hunger for God’s Word.

Charles Spurgeon emphasized the importance of meditation when he said, “A single text, well digested, is better than a whole sermon swallowed down whole.” He understood that true understanding and transformation come not from passively hearing or reading, but from actively engaging with the Word and allowing it to take root in our hearts.

 

Introducing Dig In! A Shovel, Not a Spoon

My library is filled with devotional books, treasures I’ve collected through the years. They are the most prized portion of my library. It was my mother who instilled in me a love for devotionals, and years ago she challenged me to write my own. While her request interested me, it was also an overwhelming challenge. Setting out to write a devotional book seemed like a daunting task. Where do you even begin to write 365 devotions? How could I possibly offer something fresh and meaningful each day?

As I prayed about this challenge, CMDA CEO Dr. Mike Chupp asked me one day in our weekly one-on-one meeting, “What are you writing? What is your next book?” In an immediate moment of inspiration, the Lord gave me the complete concept of this book that would be the difference between a spoon and a shovel.

Instead of spoon-feeding people a short devotional that served as their snack for the day, what if we gave them an outline, saturated in Scripture and a shovel to Dig In! and feast on God’s Word? I left Dr. Chupp’s office and immediately began pursuing the vision for this new CMDA resource.

Dig In! is more than just a devotional; it’s a guide to help you cultivate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God through His Word. It’s a tool designed to equip you to explore the riches of Scripture for yourself, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate your understanding and transform your life.

 

Why Dig In! is the Right Tool for You

 

• Scripture-saturated Content: Each day’s entry provides a carefully crafted outline filled with relevant Scripture references. This approach encourages you to go directly to the source, allowing God’s Word to speak for itself.
• Personal Discovery: Dig In! isn’t about passively reading someone else’s thoughts. It’s about actively engaging with the text, asking questions and discovering truths for yourself. The outlines are designed to spark your curiosity and guide you on a journey of personal discovery.
• Space for Reflection: Each day includes a dedicated space for notes, allowing you to record your insights, prayers and any additional Scriptures you uncover during your study. This gives you space to journal your own discoveries.
• Topical Index: The book includes a comprehensive topical index, making it easy to explore specific subjects and themes.
• Versatile applications: Dig In! can be used for personal study, small group discussions, Sunday school classes or mentoring younger believers. Its flexible format makes it a valuable resource for a variety of settings.
• Deeper Discernment: The more we discover, the more we can discern what it is to live like Christ.

 

Here is an example from the book. Editor’s note, I would recommend we use an actual page from the book with the outline and note section + graphics

February 17 The New Testament “Walk” Commandments

NKJV

• Walk in the light – 1 John 1:7
• Walk as Jesus walked – 1 John 2:6
• Walk in the truth – 2 John 1:4, 3 John 3-4
• Walk according to the commandments – 2 John 1:6
• Walk in the fear of the Lord – Acts 9:31
• Walk in newness of life – Romans 6:4, Romans 13:13
• Walk by faith – 2 Corinthians 5:7
• Walk worthy – Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
• Walk in love – Ephesians 5:2
• Walk carefully in wisdom – Ephesians 5:15

Before You Put the Shovel Down

Philippians 3:17

 

Why Healthcare Professionals Need Dig In!

In the demanding world of healthcare, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and neglect your spiritual well-being. Long hours, stressful situations and emotional challenges can leave you feeling drained and disconnected from God. Dig In! offers a lifeline, providing a daily tool for the garden of your soul to reconnect with your faith and find strength and guidance in God’s Word.

Here are some specific ways Dig In! can benefit healthcare professionals:

 

• Stress Relief: Spending time in God’s Word can be a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. As you meditate on Scripture, you’ll find peace and comfort during challenging circumstances.
• Ethical Guidance: Healthcare professionals face complex ethical dilemmas on a regular basis. Dig In! can help you develop a strong moral compass rooted in biblical principles, enabling you to make sound decisions that honor God and your practice.
• Compassion Fatigue: The emotional demands of healthcare can lead to compassion fatigue. Dig In! can help you replenish your emotional reserves and maintain a heart of compassion for your patients.
• Work-life Balance: Dig In! provides a structured way to prioritize your spiritual well-being, even when your schedule is packed. By making time for God each day, you’ll find greater balance and fulfillment in all areas of your life.

 

I hope and pray this resource will be a tool for you to use as you grow deeper in God’s Word. Remember, the deeper we dig, the more we discover, and the more we discover, the more we can discern what it means to live like Christ.

Don’t settle for a shallow spiritual life. Embrace the challenge to “Dig Deep Daily” and discover the riches that await you in God’s Word. Pick up your copy of Dig In! today at cmda.org/bookstore.

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About the Author

Pastor Bert Jones serves as Vice President of Missions & Member Care at CMDA. In this role, Bert oversees all the mission outreach ministries of CMDA as well as the Center for Well-Being. Bert also serves as chaplain and a coach for CMDA. Bert is a certified ACC Coach with the International Coaching Federation. Bert has co-authored two leadership books with Dr. David Stevens: Leadership Proverbs and Servant Leadership Proverbs, and he is the author of The Leadership Journal from a Leaders Journey. His latest book is called Dig In!, which is a devotional book.

 

Testimonials – these can be worked into the article layout if space allows

“For years I have been blessed by the preaching and Bible teaching of Bert Jones. Now, you can be too. With his Dig In devotional outlines, Bert leads us to scriptural insights pertinent to the spiritual questions we encounter throughout our lives. The format is a guide, inviting our participation. The results of this journey will be a greater understanding of God and His Word, as well as how they can shape our lives. My recommendation…Dig In!”

Gene Rudd, MD

Christian Medical & Dental Associations

 

“What a wonderful gift to my life this book is! Dig In gives me a front row seat and a way to learn on my own from sermons I didn’t get to hear delivered in person. Bert Jones has a wonderful way of distilling and compacting the ordered and arranged truths of God. That gift makes ‘digging in’ to God’s Word a delight. As you read and invest your time in these pages, you will see scholarship in hermeneutics and excellence in expository preaching. I’ve been a pastor for 56 years. I know what the words, the spirit-driven ideas and the outlines in this book represent. I get to enjoy the fruit of Bert’s labor of love over his many years of study and scholarship, now. Thank you, Bert, for this wonderful and exceedingly expensive gift, Dig In. I consider it, truly, the gift of a lifetime.”

Ken Jones

Certified Physician Life Development Coach

Pastor, Author of If I Should Die Before I Live

 

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[1] https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/biblical-meditation/