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Even if you are not a Christian—or don’t consider yourself a spiritually-inclined person—the Bible is worth reading. Without question, it has had a greater impact on Western civilization than any other book published.
You can’t understand great literature, common metaphors, or cultural allusions without a basic knowledge of these ancient texts. (The plural is used because the Bible is actually a collection of books.)
But how do you start? The Bible is, after all, a big book! This post shares some tips on how to go about reading the Bible. It’s not the only way to do it, of course. But it might be helpful if you want to read it all the way through and partake of its treasures on a regular basis.
Read at a set time each day.
What gets scheduled gets done. Find a time that works for you regularly and make it a priority. Many people find reading the Bible first thing each morning is best, so they don’t get side-tracked by something else.
Distinguish between reading and study.
When you’re reading don’t try to do word studies, read commentaries, or chase cross-references. While this can be valuable, that is more Bible study—something which you can reserve for another time. HAving a good breadth of Scripture will sometimes help you make the connection to depth later, as well.
Use a balanced, Bible reading plan.
If possible, use a reading plan that utilizes parts of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs each day. This way, if you hit a dry patch in one passage, another will probably have a fresh one. Innumerable plans are available.
Read in an easy-to-understand translation.
Some may disagree, but a paraphrase is fine for Bible reading. The key is to use a translation that helps you to understand what you are reading. Even switching between translations can be helpful and keep the text from being too familiar.
Highlight or underline as you read.
Maybe the thought of marking in a Bible scandalizes you, don’t let it. It can help focus attention and get back to those passages that are particularly meaningful to us.
Identify at least one key take away.
Bible reading is not merely a way to increase knowledge; it’s meant to change lives (see James 1: 22–25). This begins by paying attention to what we are reading and marking those passages that seem particularly relevant to our current circumstances. A reading journal could also be utilized to respond to passages and see how they apply to the moment.
Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day.
This can be difficult for all the recovering achievers and a perfectionists. But it is essential if you are going to make progress. The truth is you are going to miss some days. It’s okay. It’s not the end of the world. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Just pick up the next day and keep moving.
The key thing is to keep the process simple. Don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be. Don’t get hung up on what you don’t understand. Like Mark Twain once said, “It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.”
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee
Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture by Joel B. Green
The Bible: How We Got It, Why It Matters, and How to Read It by Wesley Sanders
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Article adapted from http://michaelhyatt.com/read-the-bible.html
© 2024 Faithful Heritage Community Church
