May I reach across the computer screen and help you, too? Many take one step. This daily Bible reading plan will give you all the benefits of a steady diet of God's Word as you read through Scripture in a year. Remember that the Bible is God’s Word. Thirty hours a year! If you commit yourself to this four-step process, you will begin to master the Bible so well that the Bible begins to master you. This is the advice I would suggest to any Christian … You must begin to read the Bible widely. Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. He is the Father of us ALL - Muslims, Jews, Christians, Atheists, etc., and He will always do what is … Reading the Bible in one year is easier than you think when you follow a schedule! then ponder it some more until the Scripture becomes a road in our minds and hearts . Many take one step. Ask God use His Word to teach you, to direct you and even to re-direct you, when necessary. This will help you focus your reading, and will keep you from getting bogged down. Once you get started, it is easy to expand your efforts. Capitalization in the KJB, aside from proper nouns, indicates the … Memorize one verse so that you can say it without hesitation. Sometimes I ask God to help me remember it when I need it. Reading Plan (Read the bible in a year) Read the bible in a year. Some common reasons are: Prayer; Getting to know Christ better; Learning our Catholic Christian faith If this is new to you, begin by attending a church that is committed to teaching the Bible, not only from the pulpit during sermons, but also in small groups or Sunday school classes. Taken from 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders. All rights reserved. Another letter in the New Testament notes how the Bible can touch the very heart of the issues we all face. Choose one verse to memorize, and begin meditating on it. What does this teach me about how I should live. So pick one book of the Bible and read a little each day, one chapter, perhaps. That is the ultimate goal. Ask God not to let your Bible be another man’s Bible, but your own Bible… We read the Bible personally, but not as isolated individuals. One of the earliest translations to English was the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but today we have a variety of versions to choose from. She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the religion section at Barnes and Noble. If you only read the Gospels, or the Epistles, you will never have a basic grasp of the other sections of the Bible. Christmas Eve Prayers for You and Your Family. images. We say not “I” but “we.” We read as the members of a family, the family of the Orthodox Catholic Church. Share Scripture with friends, highlight and bookmark passages, and create a daily habit with Bible Plans. Take time to digest what it says. And in knowing Jesus through the Bible, we would be set free from sin and death (John 8:31-32). For example, Job lived sometime after the beginning of creation (Genesis 1) but before Abraham was born (Genesis 12). She wanted to read the Bible; she hadn’t known there would be so many options. If you are a Christian, the author of Scripture—the Holy Spirit—dwells inside you, and He wants you to understand what He wrote. Very few take all four steps. That way, it will help prepare you for the next major issue that rocks your boat on the sea of life. Read the Bible as a man reads his relation’s will—to find what legacy there is in it for himself. Read God’s Word at anytime, anywhere using the YouVersion Bible App. How to Read the Bible: The Beginner's Guide to Reading the Bible, 20 Important Bible Verses about Trusting God, Why ‘Bless the Lord’ Needs to Be the Anthem of Our Soul, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Meaning and Importance of His Last Words. This practice has cemented God’s Word into my thoughts in countless ways. Some take two steps. It offers biblical advice on day-to-day life and experiences. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. Article Images Copyright ©. I used to think that it was better to have a lot of verses memorized, but in my effort to have as many verses as possible memorized, I had them memorized shallowly. How Are Failures in My Life Still a Part of God's Will? I assume I’m not seeing all I need … All rights reserved. Romans is jam-packed with essential doctrine. Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every season of life. Yet the Bible is also unique, different from every other book, because it is inspired by God. 2.2 Ask about phrases. Many people know passages of Scripture, but have not spent enough time meditating on them enough for the truth of the passages to penetrate deeply into their mind and heart. Second, read Acts, the exciting story of how Jesus Christ’s first disciples told others about how He died and rose again. . He has taught on the college and seminary level and is a veteran pastor. Study the Bible
If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is the Gospel of John. He states that what we think about all day long, over long periods, eventually seeps into our heart as controlling beliefs. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you. How to read the Bible: Read a little every day! Now, there is not such thing as a holy place where Bible reading must be done, but have a particular place where you read so that it acts as a mental cue for you can be important. Know what capitalization means. Most full-Bible reading plans focus on a year, which is a very reasonable amount of time to read through the Bible. After all, isn't that the whole point of reading the Bible! Ask God to help you understand His Word. Max was also one of the original team members with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. The Bible was given to us so that we would “believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Her facial expression said it all: I have no idea where to start reading the Bible. Few of us can gain a depth of knowledge without sitting under skilled teachers. (5 minutes × 365 days = 1,825 minutes divided by 60 minutes per hour = 30.4 hours!). But if mornings aren’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Some translations focus on being more precise and are best for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are great for devotions. More seasoned Christians might be able to give you helpful suggestions as well. There are 4 basic things to remember when you read the bible: First, one must always keep in mind that the Bible is to be read through the lens of "God IS our loving Father." The whole Bible is arranged into 365 daily readings, including an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage, and a Psalm or Proverb for each day. First, I encourage you to start, even on a modified and very small level. The context (the verses surrounding the verse you are studying) is very important. The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into one book. James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Make Bible reading a habit If you read the Bible for five minutes a day, you will read the Bible over thirty hours a year! The Bible is “breathed out by God” (2 Tim. How to Read and Understand the Bible in 4 Simple Steps. It is my prayer that this beginner's guide to reading the Bible will encourage you and help you reach your goals! Then, memorize another, but link it to the first. I rounded the corner and saw her. Some Christians do not read the Bible, or they only read snippets that are attached to daily devotionals. If you are an avid reader, there is a wealth of knowledge available to you as well through good books available online or at Christian bookstores. Why Did Jesus say “It Is Finished”? Perhaps no other discipline will provide a breadth of Bible knowledge more easily. Although the emphasis of How to Read the Jewish Bible is on showing contemporary Jews, as well as Christians, how they can relate to the Bible in a more meaningful way, readers at any level of religious faith can benefit greatly from this comprehensive but remarkably clear guide to interpreting the Jewish Bible. He provides resources and discipleship strategies at MaxAnders.com to help people grow spiritually. This is episode 1 of an ongoing series that explores the origins, content, and purpose of the Bible. Now, I realize it is much better to have fewer verses memorized very deeply—that is where the power comes from. I might have to struggle to get started, or get partway through a passage and have to paraphrase the rest. As we keep up the practice, adding verses that are important to us without dropping off the old ones, we find that we will eventually have many, many verses memorized very deeply. In it, you will find to whom the verse is written, why it was written, who wrote it, and the issue the author was addressing. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pen… Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctor’s prescription—follow it by personally doing what it bids you. The Bible was never meant to merely inform us; the Bible was meant to transform us. How in the world do I know where to start reading and making sense of the entire Bible? The first thing to know is that people read the Bible for different reasons. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2020, Christianity.com. This will not get you where you want to go. The Bible in a Year reading plan contains 365 daily readings designed to help you easily read the entire Bible in just one year! Many people find it helpful to find a quiet and comfortable place to sit and read the Bible and make sure that they read it every day. If you never read the Old Testament, you will never have a general knowledge of it. That is a key difference, because until we memorize verses deeply and spend time meditating on them, the truth of the passages does not seep deeply into our subconscious to influence our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and emotions. You will be way ahead of the game in dealing with it. These are great tools for beginners and veterans alike. Also, make sure you regularly attend a Bible-teaching church where you can get good instruction in the Bible. 1: Read the Bible for Breadth of Knowledge. Even Jesus, when He was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4, quoted Scripture in response to the temptation. Third, read the letters that Christ’s apostles wrote to His first followers—all who were new in their faith. Sometimes I keep the verse with me throughout the day. Memorize the Bible
Available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone and more. I forget where I first saw the book title, How to Read the Bible, but I recall a certain, what shall we say, amusement.I thought, Find a comfortable chair, open the book and read. 3. The average reader reads about 200 words per minute. Keep doing it the rest of your life. Instead of always reading the Bible while your children listen, consider having older kids dramatically read the words of those who speak while you narrate the passage. What Does "Guard Your Heart" Mean in the Bible? Choose a Study Bible in a User-Friendly Translation. When we memorize Scripture this deeply, it will often then jump into our minds as our first reaction to life’s circumstances, helping guide our decisions and influence our emotions. If that is the case for you, I offer two responses. Many Bible students try to read at least a chapter a day, selecting the chapter in which is located the day’s text as … It is only by covering a lot of territory in Scripture that you gain a breadth of knowledge. 4. Through my experience in teaching this material, I have learned that most Christians are busy—so busy that they have difficulty disciplining themselves to implement the four-step process of mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters them. Bible Study Resources - Tips, Online Bible Search, Devotions, Christmas Light Show Set To 'Mary Did You Know', 'Christmas in Heaven' - Scotty McCreery Song for Lost Loved Ones, 3 Reasons the 'Christmas Star' of 2020 Is Bringing So Much Hope, Amazing Children's Choir Sings 'I Can Only Imagine', 10 Things Your Husband Really Doesn't Like, Pentatonix Sings 'Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)' A Cappella, How Couples Can Keep from Growing Apart in Marriage - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - December 9, 10 Ways to Refocus on Jesus This Christmas, Get Back, Satan! When you start to read Scripture, it’s best to pick one primary reason. Start small—five or 10 minutes is better than none. I think there may be a dozen books in print with that title, but a short review by the features editor of First Things was very useful in understanding what at least one of the authors was driving at. Here you'll be introduced to a condensed history of how the Bible came into existence, and the different forms of the Bible in the … The key is just to start! When we learn the right thoughts and mentally chew on them over and over, day after day, they lodge in our hearts as beliefs, and these beliefs become the controlling influences of our lives. Personally, I love to read my Bible at a local coffee shop, but I once read through the entire Bible while waiting in carpool lines. “I never assume the Bible is inconsistent. John’s purpose in writing is to help us believe, making it the ideal place to start. All humanity, followed by the Israelites, redefine good and evil and end up in Babylon. She looked even more relieved when I showed her where and how to start reading the Bible. Simply select your preferred Bible reading plan, the date you wish to begin reading and your preferred Bible translation. Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take … As a result, very few people ever experience the full life transformation and the fellowship with God that the Bible promises to those who master it so well that it masters them. That’s me. They are followed by Jesus, who takes a different path that opens up the way to a new creation. 5 Tips for Using Scripture as Defense, 7 Ways We Know God Is the Author of Romance, New Podcast from Dan Darling: "The Characters of Christmas", 5 Unexpected Blessings of COVID Christmas, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2020, Crosswalk.com. Pause before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Let us know in the comments below how you've been able to begin reading the Bible and what is has done for you! Once you have read the Bible through consecutively, you may wish to read the Bible in a different way, that is, selecting certain books or chapters to read. The letter known as Hebrews calls the Bible “the word of God” and says it is “living and active. Obviously, reading the entire Bible multiple times … The Bible is a book written in many ways like any other, and can therefore be understood by anyone who is able to read. . The good news is that there is a simple way to read for breadth of knowledge. A good reading schedule is here. Pause to let the message sink in because these words are God’s words to you. Obvious, even, for those who have been Christians for a while. A real straightforward approach to how to read the Bible would be to use your favorite Bible study resource (either a concordance located at the end most popular print Bibles, or one of the resources listed at the bottom of this guide) and search for the topic you want to learn more about. How to Read the Bible … The Bible is God’s book, and we need to ask Him what it means. Next read Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians, which provide practical encouragement and instruction for living the Christian life. Take breaks often. In just fifteen minutes a day, you’ll learn the Bible’s key people, events, and doctrines to get more out of God’s Word. As a result, your life will be untouched by important truth, plus your ability to connect the dots from various different Scripture passages—a critical component of a mature Christian experience—will be limited. Maybe, even now, you’re shaking your head in agreement, thinking, Yes. Sometimes I memorize it. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This means that you should be able to get through the entire Bible in a year by spending around 15 minutes a day on this effort. About 30 Days to Understanding the Bible: If you’ve ever confused the ark of the covenant with the ark of Noah, or Jericho with Jeroboam, Max Anders’ classic book, 30 Days to Understanding the Bible, is for you. Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take long. Translations of the Bible… not only influenced literature but also shaped the development of languages.” Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000 It is very common for people who decide to read the Bible for the first time to do the logical thing: start at the beginning and read to the end -- just like they would read most other books. Then memorize a third one, but link it to the first two, and so on. Sometimes less is more, especially when reading less means you’ll actually remember more. Copyright © 1988, 1994, 1998, 2004, and 2018 by Max Anders. That you read God’s Word is more important than when you read God’s Word. (Books of the Bible are typically listed in the front of the Bible.) Scores of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. It’s been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble but when I think of her, I smile. Genesis tells the story of the creation of the world, the fall of man, the call of Abraham, and the start of the nation of Israel. The NLT version of the Bible is most readable while still being literal in its translation; the Study Bibles contain footnotes that explain difficult to understand passages of Scripture. 3:16). If you’re anything like me, you need a Bible reading plan or you’ll waste precious minutes thumbing through the Bible, never quite landing. Do not read large amounts of the Bible in one setting. Chronological: Read the Bible as its events occurred in real time. Or stay with about 4-6 chapters a day. You've planned for your future. To gain a depth of knowledge, you cannot be passive. Read the context of the verse. Maybe they speak to an issue you’ve been grappling with; maybe they answer a long held question; maybe they give you comfort or encouragement; maybe they provide an example to follow or avoid. Rather than memorize a mile wide and an inch deep, it is better to memorize an inch wide and a mile deep. There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you: 1. This may seem self-evident to some, but to others who have never developed the habit, it is groundbreaking. Genesis explains how everything began. “These things were written to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Just as reading the Bible five minutes a day soon begins to accumulate impressive results, so does memorizing verses at a manageable pace. Beginning to End: Read the Bible from start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart.” God loves to reveal himself to those who seek Him. About the Author: Dr. Max Anders is the author of over 25 books including 30 Days to Understanding the Bible. What misconceptions about hell appear today and in church history? Her story is our story. Work your way through one book at a time, and you’ll never find yourself fumbling for where to read again. Episode 2 summarizes the overall story of the Bible as a series of crossroad decisions. Some take two steps. The 27 books of the New Testament pick up the story beginning with the birth of Jesus. In the book Change Your Heart, Change Your Life, Gary Smalley makes a compelling case for meditating on Scripture. If we do not think about Scripture enough, the truth of Scripture may be in our heads as knowledge but not in our hearts as deep, controlling beliefs. Start with the New Testament, people who start with the Old Testament almost never read the Bible all the way through. 2. Be still and silent and allow Him to speak to you. Meditate on the Bible. You could say a quick prayer – asking God to help you understand what you are reading and its relevance to you. My new friend looked visibly relieved when I asked if she’d like help choosing a Bible. To begin a mastery of the Bible, you must read the … And as the Bible begins to master you, you will enjoy the inner peace, love, and joy that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These are my top suggestions for those wondering how to start reading the Bible. As a result, very few people ever experience the full life transformation, the fellowship with God, the spiritual stability and strength, the power in ministry, the joy in worship, and the spiritual prosperity that the Bible promises to those who master it so well that it masters them. Verse resonates with you, stop and write it down, Word for Word, Android,,... Beginners and veterans alike in one setting for Bible study must have assignments that get you studying interacting. Pick up the way even to re-direct you, when He was tempted by the devil Matthew... To His first followers—all who were new in their faith 2020 Getty unless. 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