In January, many Christians start a Bible reading plan to read the Bible through in a year. But, sometimes, they become bogged down in difficult sections, get behind schedule, and give up. How can we stay on track with our Bible reading? How can we keep our devotions fresh and interesting?
Here are 3 helpful tips for Bible reading.
1) Read the Bible like a story.
Instead of reading a certain number of chapters every day, start at the beginning of a book, set a timer for 20 minutes, and read as far as you can. You’ll be surprised at how much ground you can cover! Watch how the story builds, and pay attention to how the characters change over time. Ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in this character’s shoes? What would I have done?”
Also, look for the role God plays in the story. Perhaps He works mighty miracles, or maybe He is busy behind the scenes. For example, the name “God” is not mentioned once in the book of Esther, but His hand is evident throughout the whole story. In the book of Esther, God miraculously intervenes to make Esther queen of Persia. Then, He works in the heart of her husband, King Xerxes, to spare her people from complete destruction and massacre. Reading the Bible in larger sections will help you gain perspective and fresh insights.
Reading Suggestions:
Esther
Nehemiah
Joshua
Ruth
2) Read the Bible in bite-size pieces.
With this approach, choose 1-2 verses, and dive deep into the text. Ask God the Holy Spirit to teach you what it means and how you can apply it to your life today. Ask questions, such as…
What are the key words in this verse? What are their definitions?
What does this verse teach me about God?
What does this verse teach me about people?
Does it describe sins to avoid?
Does it give me promises to claim?
Does it give me commands to follow?
Studying bite-size pieces of the Bible will allow you to deepen your understanding and give you practical wisdom for everyday life. Journal in a notebook or journal what you learn from God’s Word. At our prison ministries in Saskatchewan, we want to apply God’s Word to our daily lives.
Reading Suggestions:
Romans 12:1-2
Philippians 4:11-13
Isaiah 26:3-4
3) Read the Bible topically.
First, choose a topic you are interested in. Maybe it’s family relationships, the tongue, or how to handle money. Ask your pastor (or contact our prison ministries in Saskatchewan) for a list of Bible passages on that topic. Each day, choose 1-2 passages to study deeply, as we described in the last point. After reading the passage, consider what it teaches about the particular topic. Take notes on what you learn.
When you have finished your study, put all the pieces together and summarize what the Bible teaches on that topic. Either write down a brief summary, or tell someone else what you learned. This will help cement the concepts in your mind and encourage someone else, too!
Reading Suggestions:
Music (Start with Colossians 3:16, Psalm 92:1-3, Ephesians 5:19)
Money (Start with Matthew 6:19-20, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Timothy 6:10)
If you’ve been struggling with your current Bible reading plan, why not try something new? Try reading the Bible as a story, and ask yourself what you would have done in the characters’ place. Or read the Bible in bite-size pieces, and dive deeply into the text to learn as much as you can. Third, explore what the Bible teaches about a specific topic. With these 3 tips, your Bible study can become a daily delight!
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For more information, call (306) 940-9554 or email anchorofhopeheb@gmail.com
