All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
When we read the Bible we come face to face with the living God through the pages of Holy Scripture. We cross the barriers of time, language, culture and geography. The entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation has been given by God for our benefit. As this new year starts let us be a people of God that takes his Word seriously and make it a daily joy to read, study, ponder, prayer and apply the truths we read to our life.
CONTEXT & OVERVIEW. Knowing the context of the book you are reading is very important. If we misunderstand the context we can misapply the meaning. We must know its place in history and the people it was meant for. One example of correct context is when King David wrote Psalm 51. He wrote that Psalm after his immorality with Bathsheba. The story can be found in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. It is helpful to read passages that relate to the text we are studying. Reading through the book is also important. The chapter and verse divisions in Scripture are not part of the original text, but have been added to help the reader navigate through the Word of God. Reading an overview of the book you are reading can also be helpful. You can find a good overview of each book of the Bible in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, which is a good tool and blessing to the Church.
TAKE YOUR TIME. Most people like to read their Bible from cover to cover in one year. There is no time frame given by God’s Word in which you must read it. So, read at your own pace. It is better to read a few chapters a day and take in the truths of God’s Word than to read large sections and forget much of the text and blessings. Reading the Bible is not a “tick-box” activity, but a spiritual journey and discipline that ought to nourish your mind and soul. When we come across tricky passages and ones that really challenge us we should not just glance over them but pray about them and seek the Lord for wisdom and understanding. On the surface passages such as those long lists of family trees appear to offer nothing but a historical record of descendants. However, they offer much more than this. By reading the list we can see God’s faithfulness through the years. Nothing is more crucial to our soul than trusting the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, reveal and teach us about the Lord and Saviour.
APPLYING SCRIPTURE. The purpose of reading the Bible is not to impress or declare how good and spiritual we are, but to teach us the truths of God. There is no point or benefit in reading the Bible just for the sake of it. If we don’t apply the Word of God to our lives then it is a waste of time. The reading of Scripture is for the edification of our mind and soul. We cannot know God without the Bible. We cannot pick and choose the truths we like and dismiss the ones we dislike. A good way to help us to apply the Word of God is to ask ourselves questions when reading the Bible. What does this passage teach me about God? What does this passage tell me about myself? How can I honour God with the passage?
CONCLUSION. I hope by reading this short article today you have understood the importance of reading the Bible for yourself. If you have never read the Bible from cover to cover before then make 2024 the year you read God’s Word right through for the first time. There are countless blessings by reading, studying and applying the Word of God to your life. Life is a precious gift so do not waste it by reading and spending your time on vain and empty things to fill your free time. Use that time for the blessing, benefit and nourishment of your soul.
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