The Bible is the greatest book ever to exist, so reading it effectively is vital, especially for us as Christians. You may be thinking, how can I read the Bible effectively? Well, let’s start with what that actually means.
When you do something effectively, it means doing something in such a manner as to receive the desired result. So, what is this desired result when reading our Bibles? We read God’s Word to become more Christ-like, to improve our relationship with God, to allow us to learn more about God’s character and who He is, and to give us guidance on how we should live our lives in a way that brings God glory, honor, and praise.
There are various things you can do to help you read the Bible effectively. For starters, you can:
Pray before reading
Before you even open your Bible, pray, and give thanks to God, praise Him, and ask Him to give you wisdom and understanding as you read His Word. Ask Him to speak to you in a way you will understand, and then believe He will speak to you. (1 John 5:14)
Take your time as you read
Don’t rush through God’s Word as you may miss fine details or important things. Instead, take your time as you read a passage. Go through the passage slowly, and try and understand what is being said and why it is being said. Read with intent, and always remember, God loves spending quality time with you.
Store Scripture in your heart
We need to allow God’s word to dwell in our hearts. Psalm 119:11 says: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you”. We can read the Bible all we want, but the most important way to experience Scripture is to share it. However, it’s difficult to share God’s Word with others if we read it, then promptly forget it. We should memorize key verses that help discover the powerful truths of the Gospel, and then we can recite certain verses to help ourselves and others in times of struggle or blessing.
Do not over-read
Yes, spending time in God’s word is important, but just reading chapters and chapters so you can say you’ve read the entire Bible in a certain time frame isn’t a good idea. You should rather focus on what is happening in that chapter. What is being said? Is there a lesson to be learned? Is there something God may be trying to tell or teach you through that passage? Take all these things into consideration as you dive into His Word.
Read the Bible in context
When reading the Bible, we need to read it in context. What I mean by this is that we should understand and know what has happened before the section we are reading. This will help us more when it comes to understanding God’s Word and why each thing took place.
Read God’s Word when you’re most attentive
I’ve tried many different times during the day to read my Bible and I personally find that I read it more effectively in the morning before I start my day because all my focus is on God and His Word. My mind is not wondering about what I should’ve done that day or what I need to do tomorrow. What better way to start your day off than by learning about God’s word? However, while this may work for me, reading the Bible during the day or at the end of the day may work better for somebody else. In all honesty, all that really matters is that we make reading God’s word a daily habit and our number one priority. In saying this, though, reading Scripture is an essential element of a healthy relationship with God and should not simply be done as a task to check off a to-do list each day.
Have a plan in place when reading
There are countless plans out there that enable and equip us to read Scripture effectively. We should 100% take advantage of them while we still have the chance. With that being said, the Bible is a pretty lengthy book and can easily become overwhelming if you’ve never had any guidance in reading it. So if you’re unsure where to start, definitely reach out to us and we can help you begin your journey of diving into God’s Word!
Read the Bible in a version you find easy to understand
The Bible is written in many different versions and some are easier to understand than others. It is very important (especially at the beginning of your walk with Christ) to find a version that is simple to understand. This allows us to take in as much of God’s Word as possible without getting frustrated and giving up.
Have a quiet place with no distractions
Find a quiet place for you to spend time with God, be it in your room, outside in your garden, or when you’re on a walk. It can be anywhere that works for you, but it is essential to have a undisturbed place where you and God can spend quality time together.
These are just a few of many ways that you could read the Bible effectively. I would like to encourage you today to start the foundation of an amazing relationship with God by diving into His Word.