Reading the Bible as a christian (all ages)
Reading the Bible as a christian (ALL AGES)
The Bible is the holy book of the Christian faith, this makes it clear that it is very important. There is a difference between reading the Bible and studying it. I will explain what it means and how to study the scriptures in the steps I follow when reading the Bible later. So please note, ‘reading’ and ‘studying’ will be used interchangeably in this post.
I will make this post the first post of a two to three part series. There is just so much that I know is so important with regards to the Bible. So I hope you will be back to read more once I have gathered as much information as possible.
For this post I will focus on the importance of the scriptures in our lives and how we can effectively read the Bible. Let’s jump into it!
Why should I read the Bible as a christian?
I’ve heard a few of my peers say things like “I’m christian but I don’t read the Bible.” And I think it’s so detrimental to make this a normal way of thinking within the christian community. This is in no way to judge those who believe this, but to correct the indifference to the Word of God. The Bible also isn’t just a book recollecting many stories and historical events. 2 Timothy 3v16-17 says “All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
To see the Word of God as a necessary tool for the Christian, I believe, begins with the understanding that the human being is limited and is not equipped to walk in holiness. And this is because of the sinful nature. Because of the fall in the garden of Eden, we all have an inherited brokenness and a sinful nature that is instinctive to follow. God designed a perfect creation but because of sin we are wired to do all that is bad in God’s sight, heading straight for destruction.
John 3v16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” When we believe and thus proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are also saying we will follow Him. God also gives us the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and helps us.
Jesus lived a perfect and holy life while He was on the earth, He modeled perfect righteousness. It’s very clear that not one of us can live the way Jesus did (follow Him) with our own understanding, wisdom, strength or capacity. So when the Apostle Paul writes that the Word of God is breathed out by God and ultimately makes us complete for every good work that means a great deal to us!
Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God wants us to walk in ways of holiness and righteousness and goodness and he gives us all we need to do so. To be a Christian is to believe in Jesus, His death and resurrection and to walk by faith and follow Him. It’s not enough just to say it. We must live it.
We are living for a God who saves us, gives us Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit who helps us AND gives us the scriptures He breathed out to live according to. All so we can live in the ways He has called us to…it’s too good not believe.
“The Bible contains the mind of God, the state on man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and [joy] of believers… Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you… It’s the traveler’s map, soldiers sword…”
-The Gideons
In Romans 12v2 instructs: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” And before this we are told to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. We make ourselves living sacrifices when we offer every single part of ourselves to God. And our minds are a crucial part of that. This is where the scriptures come in.
The Word of God renews our minds.
When we read the Word of God we are filling our minds with the scriptures, which the Holy Spirit uses to convict and direct us by way of rememberance. John 14v26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Okay but should I read the Bible everyday?
There is a passage of scripture that so beautifully answered this question. Matthew 4v4: But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” This is when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness after 40 days and 40 nights of fasting.
It is so significant that Jesus uses bread in comparison to every word that comes from the mouth of God. We should be eating everyday, so the body can function normally. The Word of God is, in the same way, sustenance for our spiritual and eternal bodies. We live by it.
Jesus also says this while the devil is tempting Him in the wilderness, demontrating one of the ways scripture should be used. In spiritual warfare, Jesus quotes scripture. There’s no coincidence in that. If Jesus read and ingested the scriptures so much that He could use them to push back the enemy’s schemes (despite physically weakness), we are to do the same. We are followers of Jesus.
So now, to the dear young christian. Yes, you. The Bible isn’t ony read by old people who need hope or have nothing better to do. The physical book can’t fend off scary dreams from underneath your pillow at night. It’s the scriptures inside that have been breathed out by God. The Bible is relatable and true. Daily bread (Mathew 6v11).
I hope that has been enlightening. However, now that we know that reading the word of God is imperative, it surely matters that we do it right. Right?
How do I read the Bible?
The first step is to set a time everyday to spend time in the Word. Speaking from experience, it’s hard to stick to a specific time, daily, to spend in quiet with the Lord. School, extracurricular activities, work, friends, family and the list could go on and on. The secondary priorities and distractions are ALWAYS going to be there. Yours, however, is to make the choice to place God as the biggest priority in you life, in your day.
It’s best to stick to the same time daily, if your schedule is consistent enough. And if you can, stick to that time. Commit to spending time with God in the Word everyday at that time. It is also advised that you select a general area that is free from distractions to spend time with the Lord. We’ll call this time and place the secret place.
Additionally, a shift that can really change our perspectives toward this discipline is a simple change in thinking. Think of it less as reading the Bible, but rather studying the scriptures.
I have found that having more than one translation of the Bible has helped broadened my understanding and insight into the scriptures. Whether you’re starting out or are more advanced, a selection of 3 translations that vary in difficulty is great. I ,for example, have and English Standard Version bible as my primary translation, and complement it with the Contemporary English Version and the New Living Translation bibles. I occasionally go online to find more translations or read in my home language (siSwati). You are not limited!
Confession: when I started reading the Bible I went straight for it. Arrogantly. One of the first books I read was the book of James. I read it like I already knew all there was about Christianity and was only reading to make sure I was right. This is WRONG. Don’t do what I did, no matter how long you’ve been at it. We have to acknowledge that God’s ways are not our ways and that His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isiah 55v8). We have to be eager to seek God’s face, His character and heart, and His will in the scriptures and to lean on Him.
Working off of the S.O.A.P study method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) I discovered a method that worked for me.
Steps I follow when reading the Bible:
- Get into right posture by praying. God has given us the Holy Spirit and He helps us. Pray that He will help you to understand the scriptures by His wisdom and ask Him to transform you as you read the word. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart up to the word of God. (Your mind to the right thinking and understanding of God and your heart to the right valuing of God.) Pray that God, by His Spirit, may help you to stay focused and attentive during the time of studying the word. Assuming you have selected the scripture, gather all your study material; Bibles, notebook, pens, highlighters etc.
- Read the passage of scripture/book you’re reading, and try to understand by conducting research. I suggest getting an easy to use commentary on the bible to help you in this(optional). A very necessary disclaimer is to take heed not to value commentary above the scriptures. Commentaries are useful, helpful and good ones lead us back to the word of God and don’t disagree with it. We need not depend on them above the scriptures themselves. Read the scripture and study the face of God in it, then read the commentary. Since all scripture is God breathed, all scripture reveals Him in some way or another. Ours is to observe and try to understand, through the Holy Spirit.
- Meditate on the passage you have read. In the S.O.A.P method this is titled application. This is where you sit with the scripture and apply it to your own life. A video on Godly meditation I find very clear is this one by the late Dr. Charles Stanley. Ask questions such as: What is God saying? What do I need to change? What does this scripture reveal about God, what He likes/loves, what He doesn’t like/hates, His character and His heart? How can I apply this to my life? What verse can I memorize today? Essentially, this is the time of this whole activity where you should be the most still and patient. This is the time to shut everything out, and focus on God, believe what He says and absorb it.
- Close this time off with prayer. After that time of quietness from the previous step, you will now speak what you have learnt back to God. And what I mean is to agree with God with whatever He has said in Him word. Confess sins that you have realized and ask for forgiveness, thank Him for blessing and promises He provided or ask Him for strength to fully believe, obey, and apply what you have read. The word of God is profitable for reproof and correction, so there are going to be some difficult feelings to work through. So be honest and earnest in your prayers to God. He cares about you.
I pray this post has been helpful to you for your journey in reading the Bible. I will be back again shortly to upload a post defending the holy manuscripts, their relevance and significance.
Untill then, live conscious of the kingdom of God and it’s King, which is not on earth but in heaven. Child of God, this is your reality.
