What Are DTs and Why Do We Do Them?
Some of our past DT books. But what are DTs? And what’s the big deal about DTs?
Reading the Bible on a regular basis is essential to Christian life. So what does that look like here at Gracepoint Boston?
Starting the day off with God’s word
Devotional times, more commonly referred to as “DTs,” happen every weekday and usually take about an hour. For many of the mentors at Gracepoint, including me, DTs happen bright and early at 7am before the workday starts. That way, we can dedicate the first hour of the day to God’s word before the day gets busier and it gets harder to find the time to squeeze in solitude time in God’s word. According to Psalm 1, someone who delights in God’s word and meditates on it on a regular basis is blessed. By reading the Bible every weekday, we can experience being blessed!
“Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Getting the most out of God’s word
Our devotional books include a space for journaling for each day. To me, journaling is an opportunity to write about the things that are going on in my mind and in my life in preparation for how the day’s Bible passage might address those things. It’s like breaking up the rocks and pulling out the thorns to make my heart more like the good soil in Luke 8 for the seed of God’s word!
After reading and writing about the day’s Bible passage, I usually spend some time sharing with others insights about the Bible passage and different verses or points that stuck out. I find the sharing times very helpful as I get to hear from other people on how the passage addressed them in their particular stage of life and different circumstances to which that passage can be applied. This is one of the benefits of using the same devotional books! During sharing times, I can also open up about what’s going on in my own life and get a glimpse of what’s going on in the lives of others.
The devotional books that we use include a space for journaling for each day.
The devotional books also include a space where you can write down a prayer.
Doing DTs through 2 Samuel
“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?””
For the past few months, we’ve been doing DTs through the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel. As we wrap up the book, I’m amazed at how the message of the gospel is reflected in the life of King David. King David rejected God by committing adultery and by behaving passively toward his children. His sin was not isolated; as the story unfolds, we see the consequences of King David’s sinfulness on the people around him and on Israel. However, through all of the calamity and ripple effects of his sins and failures, he also experiences God’s grace and mercy. After God promises to bless David and his descendants, David expresses his gratitude with a humble posture.
God was gracious to bless David and his descendants, even though he did not deserve those blessings. In a song towards the end of the book, King David remembers how God has been faithful in his life.
“He sent from on high, he took me;
he drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.”
— 2 Samuel 22: 17-20
God rescued King David from his enemies, from Goliath, King Saul, and in the many different battles that he fought. Though it might look like a different context now, still in the same way, God has rescued us. Although we are sinners, God was gracious and merciful towards us by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, thus rescuing us into eternal life! Doing DTs reminds me of truths like those of the gospel message and helps me start the day off on the right foot.
After the passage from 2 Samuel, the devotional book includes reflection questions to help you start thinking about and applying the passage.
Join Us for DTs!
Are you interested in joining a DT group? If so, talk to one of the mentors at our church and sign up here! We recently started a new devotional book through the book of Acts. You can find the devotional book that we use at our book table on Sundays, and let a mentor know if you have any questions about DTs.
Look out for the book table on Sundays! You’ll see the new devotional book that goes through the book of Acts soon.
Want to see more from Gracepoint Boston?
- More blog posts!
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Check out our Gracepoint Boston website
- View photos on Flickr
