Very few take all four steps. John’s purpose in writing is to help us believe, making it the ideal place to start. Keep doing it the rest of your life. 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. All humanity, followed by the Israelites, redefine good and evil and end up in Babylon. She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the religion section at Barnes and Noble. We read in communion with all the other members of the Body of Christ in all parts of the world and in all generations of time. She wanted to read the Bible; she hadn’t known there would be so many options. If you never read the Old Testament, you will never have a general knowledge of it. Yet very few people take all four steps. 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! 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." Ask God not to let your Bible be another man’s Bible, but your own Bible… What misconceptions about hell appear today and in church history? How to read the Bible: Read a little every day! Also, make sure you regularly attend a Bible-teaching church where you can get good instruction in the Bible. The Bible is a book written in many ways like any other, and can therefore be understood by anyone who is able to read. They are followed by Jesus, who takes a different path that opens up the way to a new creation. She looked even more relieved when I showed her where and how to start reading the Bible. That’s me. Learn more at http://biblein30days.com. You must become active in the process of deepening your knowledge. Many people read their Bible first thing in the morning, choosing to spend time with God before daily distractions get in the way. 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 … 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. Let us know in the comments below how you've been able to begin reading the Bible and what is has done for you! Some common reasons are: Prayer; Getting to know Christ better; Learning our Catholic Christian faith I rounded the corner and saw her. This book (the fourth book in the New Testament) is John’s eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. The key is just to start! Study the Bible 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. Her story is our story. If you read the Bible for five minutes a day, you will read the Bible over thirty hours a year! Chronological: Read the Bible as its events occurred in real time. May I reach across the computer screen and help you, too? Click to Download. Do with the Bible as the sick man does with the doctor’s prescription—follow it by personally doing what it bids you. Memorize one verse so that you can say it without hesitation. That is the ultimate goal. 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). The Bible in a Year reading plan contains 365 daily readings designed to help you easily read the entire Bible in just one year! Beginning to End: Read the Bible from start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation. 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. Smalley challenges us to meditate, think about, ponder, and recite Scripture until the Scripture becomes a path in our minds and hearts . If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is the Gospel of John. 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. “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). The first thing to know is that people read the Bible for different reasons. How Are Failures in My Life Still a Part of God's Will? . Many take one step. Read the Bible Start with the New Testament, people who start with the Old Testament almost never read the Bible all the way through. . Another letter in the New Testament notes how the Bible can touch the very heart of the issues we all face. This will help you focus your reading, and will keep you from getting bogged down. It’s been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble but when I think of her, I smile. 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. Most full-Bible reading plans focus on a year, which is a very reasonable amount of time to read through the Bible. This is the advice I would suggest to any Christian … 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. Start small—five or 10 minutes is better than none. Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every season of life. Many Bible students try to read at least a chapter a day, selecting the chapter in which is located the day’s text as … All rights reserved. Obvious, even, for those who have been Christians for a while. 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. Ask Him to use His Word to help you know Him and love Him. 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. The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into one book. Remember, the Bible is God’s Word; it is God’s love letter written to His people, which includes you. As one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John’s account is both riveting and informative. 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. How to Read and Understand the Bible in 4 Simple Steps. images. 2.2 Ask about phrases. Max was also one of the original team members with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. If you want to master the Word so well that the Word masters you, begin by reading it. Third, read the letters that Christ’s apostles wrote to His first followers—all who were new in their faith. “I never assume the Bible is inconsistent. Take time to digest what it says. Why Did Jesus say “It Is Finished”? 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. 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. How to Read the Bible … 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. www.thomasnelson.com. If you’re a beginner, I recommend the New Living Translation (NLT), or a study Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) or New International Version (NIV). 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. But if mornings aren’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Work your way through one book at a time, and you’ll never find yourself fumbling for where to read again. He provides resources and discipleship strategies at MaxAnders.com to help people grow spiritually. 3:16). To gain a depth of knowledge, you cannot be passive. It is only by covering a lot of territory in Scripture that you gain a breadth of knowledge. Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take … (Books of the Bible are typically listed in the front of the Bible.) Understand cultural differences. 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. All rights reserved. The letter known as Hebrews calls the Bible “the word of God” and says it is “living and active. Seems simple. It offers biblical advice on day-to-day life and experiences. Available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone and more. There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you. For example, Job lived sometime after the beginning of creation (Genesis 1) but before Abraham was born (Genesis 12). It is my prayer that this beginner's guide to reading the Bible will encourage you and help you reach your goals! And we all need someone to show us how. Her facial expression said it all: I have no idea where to start reading the Bible. Remember that the Bible is God’s Word. Do not read large amounts of the Bible in one setting. Rather than memorize a mile wide and an inch deep, it is better to memorize an inch wide and a mile deep. Scores of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. Then, and only then, will the Scripture migrate from information in our heads to deep, controlling beliefs in our hearts. (5 minutes × 365 days = 1,825 minutes divided by 60 minutes per hour = 30.4 hours!). My new friend looked visibly relieved when I asked if she’d like help choosing a Bible. First, I encourage you to start, even on a modified and very small level. When we know Scripture well enough to quote it immediately in response to life’s challenges, the Bible begins to take on a power that it did not previously have in our life. 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. In the book Change Your Heart, Change Your Life, Gary Smalley makes a compelling case for meditating on Scripture. And in knowing Jesus through the Bible, we would be set free from sin and death (John 8:31-32). Obviously, reading the entire Bible multiple times … Thirty hours a year! 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. Maybe, even now, you’re shaking your head in agreement, thinking, Yes. More seasoned Christians might be able to give you helpful suggestions as well. You might also find helpful information in Christian bookstores or online. To begin a mastery of the Bible, you must read the Bible. Or pass the book around and have each person read one verse or one line or even one word, if your children are able to connect to the Word in that way. Pause to let the message sink in because these words are God’s words to you. James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Make Bible reading a habit The context (the verses surrounding the verse you are studying) is very important. How in the world do I know where to start reading and making sense of the entire Bible? Choose one verse to memorize, and begin meditating on it. . Just as reading the Bible five minutes a day soon begins to accumulate impressive results, so does memorizing verses at a manageable pace. Taken from 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders. Some Christians do not read the Bible, or they only read snippets that are attached to daily devotionals. 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. Share Scripture with friends, highlight and bookmark passages, and create a daily habit with Bible Plans. Sometimes less is more, especially when reading less means you’ll actually remember more. Choose a Study Bible in a User-Friendly Translation. There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you: 1. 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. The Bible was never meant to merely inform us; the Bible was meant to transform us. How to Read the Bible: What is the Bible? This practice has cemented God’s Word into my thoughts in countless ways. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright © 2020, Christianity.com. Many take one step. After reading John, move on to the other gospels – Matthew, Mark or Luke. These are great tools for beginners and veterans alike. He states that what we think about all day long, over long periods, eventually seeps into our heart as controlling beliefs. So pick one book of the Bible and read a little each day, one chapter, perhaps. A good reading schedule is here. Read the Bible as a man reads his relation’s will—to find what legacy there is in it for himself. 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. Now protect it. 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. Some translations focus on being more precise and are best for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are great for devotions. Few of us can gain a depth of knowledge without sitting under skilled teachers. We say not “I” but “we.” We read as the members of a family, the family of the Orthodox Catholic Church. then ponder it some more until it becomes a four-lane freeway. 4. Then, memorize another, but link it to the first. Meditate on the Bible. 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. He is the Father of us ALL - Muslims, Jews, Christians, Atheists, etc., and He will always do what is … Take breaks often. Now, I realize it is much better to have fewer verses memorized very deeply—that is where the power comes from. Read the context of the verse. 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. If you only read the Gospels, or the Epistles, you will never have a basic grasp of the other sections of the Bible. 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. After all, isn't that the whole point of reading the Bible! Romans is jam-packed with essential doctrine. In addition, you will experience a peace and power in life and ministry that the Holy Spirit gives to those who meditate on and practice His Word. Capitalization in the KJB, aside from proper nouns, indicates the … Read God’s Word at anytime, anywhere using the YouVersion Bible App. The 39 books of the Old Testament are the story of God and his people before the coming of the Messiah—Jesus. 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. Know what capitalization means. You can also download a Bible app or read the Bible at biblestudytools.com. If you are a Christian, the author of Scripture—the Holy Spirit—dwells inside you, and He wants you to understand what He wrote. Sometimes I ask God to help me remember it when I need it. Perhaps no other discipline will provide a breadth of Bible knowledge more easily. This is episode 1 of an ongoing series that explores the origins, content, and purpose of the Bible. Yet the Bible is also unique, different from every other book, because it is inspired by God. These are my top suggestions for those wondering how to start reading the Bible. This will not get you where you want to go. Chose a time and place that’s convenient for you. Here’s the flat out truth: If we don’t understand it, we won’t read it. 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. Once you get started, it is easy to expand your efforts. Some take two steps. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by … Reading the Bible in one year is easier than you think when you follow a schedule! For maximum benefit, Bible study must have assignments that get you studying and interacting with the Bible on your own. 1: Read the Bible for Breadth of Knowledge. 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. About the Author: Dr. Max Anders is the author of over 25 books including 30 Days to Understanding the Bible. 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. Sometimes I keep the verse with me throughout the day. Copyright © 1988, 1994, 1998, 2004, and 2018 by Max Anders. 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. Then memorize a third one, but link it to the first two, and so on. When you start to read Scripture, it’s best to pick one primary reason. Pray that God helps you to apply truths that you read to your life. 3. Look for Jesus in all parts of reading the Bible. The average reader reads about 200 words per minute. Start by reading the Bible five minutes a day. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Meaning and Importance of His Last Words. 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. You've planned for your future. then ponder it some more until the Scripture becomes a road in our minds and hearts . Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. 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