The purpose of this article is to provide some suggestions to help you improve your Bible reading skills for this year
- Read the Bible like any other book My first piece of advice is to embrace what I call "a better way to read the Bible." In short, a better way to read the Bible is to read it like any other book, which means we read the full text. Think about the last time you read a book that you really enjoyed and benefited from. Did you read everything or only part of it? Did you only read a few sections, or did you work from the beginning until the end? I'm saying the obvious, but to really understand a book, is it best to read it in its entirety?
- Read the Bible like any other book My second piece of advice is to pray...before, during and after reading the Bible. This is one of my favorite Bible reading prayers: "Open my eyes, that I may see wonders in your law" (Psalm 119:18). The word "law" can mean "instruction" or "teaching". God's Word contains God's teachings and teachings that no other book can match. While the Bible is to be read like any other book, it should also be read like any other book, because no other book can be like the Bible. This is the only book God wrote and we need his supernatural help to understand it.
- Get an Overview When you read the Bible, always remember that Jen Wilkin said so succinctly, "The Bible is a book about God." My understanding of this is that the Bible is primarily or primarily about God. This is his autobiography. Until a few years ago, this was a new idea and a tough pill to swallow for me, so I know it might surprise some people. But like life itself, the Bible is not primarily about us. Of course, we are in it too, and the Bible has a lot to say about you and me. But we are not the focus. God is So every time you read the Bible, ask a question: "What is this teaching about God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)?" Then ask, "What is my answer to this teaching about God?"
- Write down your thoughts In Tip 3, write down your answers to both questions. Keep a Bible reading journal. It doesn't have to be fancy. Record your thoughts in a word processing document or spiral notebook. I always learn and retain more information by interacting with the material I read. Don't just read and pray. Whenever possible: read, pray and write. Even better: pray, read, pray, write and pray.
- Commit to reading the entire Bible (or at least the New Testament) Yes, I'll go back to Tip #1 - To understand a book, the best way to understand it is to read it in its entirety. There are many resources to help you with this. A Bible reading plan is a good place to start, so search online and find one you like. Then do it! By the grace of God, and for the glory of God, it can be done.