Thoughts on starting to read the Bible

 

  1. The Bible is God’s word. Though the Bible was written by human authors, it is divinely inspired by God. These were not just any type of men who wrote the Scriputres, these were “holy men of God.” God’s love and sovereignty are such that the words we have are exactly what He intended. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16)

 

  1. The Bible is true. If God is the ultimate author of the Bible then we will see His character throughout this Book. Since He is perfect, pure, and unable to lie, the Bible is trustworthy and true.

 

  1. The Bible is important. What is God like? What does He think of me? What does He want people to do? Because God wants to be known, He has answered these questions in the Bible.

 

  1. The Bible is concerned with God and His people. The relationship between God and His people is the focus of God’s word. Biblical teachings have massive implications for individuals, but they are primarily addressed to the nation Israel and the church of Jesus Christ.

 

  1. The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ. After Christ rose from the dead, he explained to some of His disciples that th entire Bible spoke of Him. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

 

  1. The Bible is clear.Though some parts of the Bible are difficult to understand, far more of the Bible is plain. After all, in several places, God commands His people to teach the Bible to their children. We must interpret the more challenging parts of Scripture in light of the portions that are clear. The Bible is not only for those with high IQs or advanced degrees; the Bible is knowable to everyone.

 

7 Suggestions For Reading The Bible

 

  1. Pray before you read the Bible. Because the Bible is God’s word, we need His help to understand and benefit from reading it.

 

  1. Begin with the Gospel of John, read a Proverb daily for wisdom and teach them to your children. Read chapters of the book of Psalms when feeling stressed or downhearted.

 

  1. You don’t need to read the entire Bible right away. It is far more important to read carefully and slowly than to read quickly without understanding and meditating.

 

  1. Reread the Bible. Plan to read the Bible for as long as you live. We need to reread the Bible both because we forget what we’ve read and because each reading of the Bible offers more riches than the last.

 

  1. Read the Bible with others. Christians are God’s family and we are called into fellowship with each other. Seek out a Bible-believing church and people within the church with whom to read and discuss the Bible.

 

  1. Establish a habit. The sooner you can make regular Bible intake a part of your life, the better. Find a good time and place for reading the Bible, and try to read regularly. A habit like this doesn’t make you more precious to God, but it makes God more precious to you.

 

  1. Study the Bible. The Bible says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 While the Bible is knowable, it requires work to understand what it says. This is why the Lord gave the gift of a pastor / teacher to His church. Ephesians 4:11,12 states, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Matthew 6;33