Lizzy was really honest when she shared that sometimes she finds herself bored with a passage of scripture, or unmotivated to read at all. In this episode, we'll explore some ways to read the Bible and really love it. As we fall in love with God through scripture, we'll find ourselves WANTING to read more, too!
Highlights:
Read to know and love God.
Pray and ask Him to help you crave, understand, and love the Word.(See 1 John 5:14 and Deuteronomy 11, especially verse 22).
Watch the Word for the hope you'll find in Him (see Ephesians 1:17-18 and Psalm 34)!
Check out John Piper's video "Do You Enjoy Reading the Bible" (link below) - WOW!!
Read to understand.
Try reading (and writing in) a real Bible and a journal.
Try different translations (I love ESV and NASB). See below for resources for how to choose a solid translation (see Jeremiah 33:3).
Try using study guides such as a concordance, Bible dictionary, or a Hebrew-Greek Bible
Try listening to the Bible.
Try taking notes.
Don't rush: Try meditating on a small passage of scripture (see John Piper's "Look at the Book" series and "How to Meditate on a Verse" - link in shownotes). See also Joshua 1:8!
Learn about the literature of the Bible by studying genres, authors, and looking for themes. Learn about things like descriptive versus prescriptive writings.
Read to Be Changed. (See Hebrews 4:12!)
God wrote the Bible so that it might be a tool He uses to change how we think and how we live. Want to really grow? MEMORIZE scripture (see Psalm 119:9-16).
Read often.
The more often you read, the more familiar the order, themes, stories and names will become.
Use a tool like a sermon, study, podcast or even movie to JUMP START REAL STUDY. Don't settle for someone else's version of the Bible, but let it spur you on to dig deep.
Set a time - the same time each day - and put it on your calendar.
Sometimes setting the environment helps; try setting up a Bible study basket and using scent and/or sound to enrich your experience.
Read the whole Bible.
As you work through all the parts of scripture, you'll start to see the threads running together (listen to Jennifer Booth on episode 11 about her Star Wars epiphany!). The Bible is one story, pointing forward and backward to Jesus and His glorious work!
Check out one of many one-year Bible reading plans - I love the M'Cheyne plan available at The Gospel Coalition or the YouVersion Bible App. For some of us, a checklist helps us stay focused and motivated!
Read with a friend. (See 1 Timothy 4:13.)
When we study together, we have accountability.
We can find deeper understanding when we study together.
It's always a good idea to seek out someone older/wiser to study with!
If you use the YouVersion Bible app, try the feature where you can share with others.
BUT EVEN BETTER: Meet in person!
Here's my prayer for each of us - Ephesians 1:13-21:
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."
AMEN!!!!
Resources:
How to Read the Bible and Understand It (episode 11 with Jennifer Booth)
Redeeming Productivity by Reagan Rose (affiliate link)
My favorite leather wrapped journaling Bible (or this more budget-friendly journaling Bible!) (affiliate links)
Which is the Most Accurate Translation of the Bible from Got Questions
Why Are There So Many Bible Translations, and Which is the Best? from Got Questions
YouVersion reading Plan: How to Love Reading the Bible
John Piper: How to Meditate on a Verse
Hebrew Greek Keyword Study Bible (affiliate link)
Interlinear Bible (affiliate link)
Do You Enjoy Reading the Bible? From John Piper
