Bible Reading

HOW TO READ YOUR BIBLE by Dave Corlew

Get a readable version.

• Sometimes people get scared off from reading their Bible because they don’t have a modern translation free from antiquated words and awkward phrasing. We highly recommend trying either the New International Version or The New Living Translation.

• If you do not have your own Bible and cannot afford to buy one – contact the ACC office and we will give you one!

Learn to walk before you run.

• If you are new to reading the Bible, I suggest you not make it your goal to read through the entire Bible in the next year. Start off slower, more realistic – make it your goal to simply read through the New Testament or pick out a few New Testament books and read through them numerous times; let me suggest the books of Mark, James and Ephesians.

• Free tip: every Bible has a table of contents in the front. Don’t be afraid to use it to find your way around

Think quality, not quantity.

• There are no benefits to reading mass quantities of Scripture if you do not understand or remember what you are reading! Reading bite-size chunks in a thoughtful manner is definitely the way to go.

• Bible knowledge for the sake of Bible knowledge is pretty pointless. The key, once you understand what you read, is to put it into action. Be a doer of the word (with God’s help!); let God’s word affect your relationships, values, habits, thoughts, words and priorities.

Don’t be intimidated.

• Often people who have never read the Bible assume that it will be either “really hard to understand” or “really boring.” Let me address these two fears:

  The Bible is “really hard to understand” –

  • Don’t believe everything you hear! The truth is that the average adult can easily understand most of the Bible.

  • Admittedly some parts of the Bible can be pretty difficult to follow; that’s why a Bible reading novice should read primarily in the New Testament or possibly the Old Testament books of Psalms or Proverbs.

  • When you do come across something that stumps you – do some research! Yeah, I know, some of us haven’t broke an intellectual sweat for years, but why not stretch yourself and take it upon yourself to look for answers? Two ideas: Ask a Christ follower that you know has a lot of Bible reading experience and/or check out: http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php. It is a very helpful website – spend some time there learning your way around.

  The Bible is “really boring” –

  • Again, admittedly some parts of the Bible can seem to be irrelevant or tedious but most are very engaging and thought provoking.

  • Most people who say the Bible is boring have never read it for themselves. Either that or they approached it with a bad attitude. Expect to be bored and you probably will be. Read with an excited, expectant attitude, and you will not be disappointed!

Don’t get weird.

• If you miss reading for a day or two (or three or fifteen) don’t get discouraged and give up. Just start up again and keep going – it’s not an “all or nothing” proposition!

• Don’t set a standard like you need twenty minutes of uninterrupted time to read or else you won’t read at all. Five minutes while on coffee break or in a noisy study hall or while your pre-schooler is tugging on your leg is better than nothing!

Ask God to teach you.

• God is delighted when you take the time to read his word. Take a few moments before you begin and humbly ask God to teach you. Remember, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ the author of the Bible lives inside of you!
  

Get into the Bible and let the Bible get into you, and I promise you’ll never be the same!