RECOMMENDATIONS FOR READING THE BIBLE

Recommendations for Reading the Bible

 

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16

 

As you approach scripture:

  • Clear away any distractions: TV, kids, laundry basket, phones, Facebook, e-mail, texting, work tasks, and hunger.

  • As you open your Bible, invite God and His Holy Spirit to be with you as you read.

  • The Bible is our primary source and the Holy Spirit is our primary teacher. John reminds us that the Spirit abides in us in order that we might be enabled to distinguish truth from error.

  • John teaches that the Spirit of God, living in each believer, is our personal, private tutor. To be sure, God has given us human pastors and teachers for our edification (1 Corinthians 12:28), but remember that they are in addition to and not a substitute for the Holy Spirit. And so the humblest believer in Christ may be taught of God through His Word, even when human teachers are not available.

  • "And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him (in context referring to the Holy Spirit) abides in you, and you have no need to have anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him" 1 John 2:27.

What if you don’t get it?

  • Just because you pray for guidance and study hard doesn’t mean you are going to understand everything in the Bible. Since the Bible is God’s Word, and because there are things that are a mystery, it is inevitable that there will be things in scripture that you won’t understand. “There are secret things that belong to our Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendents forever, so that we may obey these words of the law.” Deuteronomy 29:29.

  • Rather than focusing on the things we don’t know, we need to cherish and obey the things God has revealed to us.

  • With God's Word as your map and His Spirit as your compass, you're sure to stay on course.

  • Be patient.

  • God may choose to reveal something read in scripture that morning or later that day. Your group discussions through Bible study will also give insight. Try to remember that God’s view of time is different than our view of it.

  • This is a process.

God is most pleased by our obedience to read and grow in His Word. He promises to make Himself known through scripture. Because the Bible is God’s “living word,” God will continue to teach you things over the years, even from passages you have studied before.


“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart, mind, and soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29