It is a new year, and optimism drives us to do better in the coming year than in the past. Christians often commit to reading the Bible through in the coming year. It’s a noble idea that will surely build your faith in Christ. But it is also a bigger challenge than we expect. As a result, our good intention shatters upon the rocks of reality. We get behind and soon just give up. A year later our faith and knowledge are little improved from 12 months before. Maybe these tips will help.
Stop Reading Your Bible, Study the Bible,
Any time spent in God’s word is profitable and brings new understanding, needed reproof and exhortation (2 Timothy 3:16). Have you ever looked at your daily Bible reading plan, seen the required readings for the day, looked at the late hour on the clock, seen the soft, warm bed awaiting, and then rushed to do your readings so you could mark off a successful day? Sure you have, we all have been there! What did you get out of that quickie read? Not a thing!
God’s word is not a Big Mac® to be devoured but a fine, medium cooked, prime rib to be savored. Every word is from the mind of God and aimed squarely at your heart (1 Corinthians 2:1-13). Do not be concerned with checking off passages. Instead, strive to know those passages and mine the depths of God’s thoughts. To be sure, we ought to be reading the word every day, but do not be afraid to read and re-read passages to drink in their power
Stop Reading Your Bible, Live the Bible
Knowledge of God’s word means little if we do not live it in our everyday lives. It is through wisdom that God’s message finds its way into every nook of our lives.
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
For the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:13-15)
No other life pursuit brings the value of Godly wisdom. This is not the same as human wisdom. It is taught not by men but by the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:13). The spiritual person, that is, the one possessing the wisdom that comes from the Spirit, grows and prospers in his faith because of Godly wisdom.
Stop Reading Your Bible and Apply These Tips
- Begin with a plan. The basic plans move you through the entire Bible in a year. Other plans are more aggressive and take you through the Bible faster. A plan is a starting place only. It will launch your studies into specific areas.
- Don’t ignore something that pique’s your interest. Stop, meditate, pray and research until your satisfaction is satiated. Do word studies, run cross-references and keep digging. You may get behind on your plan, but you are gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in God’s word.
- Improve the mechanics of your study. Have a set time and place for your work. Keep a special notebook only for your studies and a separate file folder for your notes. Over time you will develop a folder for every book of the Bible. You will also need a Bible (wide-margins are good) that you can mark in. The more notes you make in your Bible itself, the better!
The idea is that Bible study is more like a marathon than a sprint. You are in this for the long run, not the dash. Develop good habits now, and you will profit beyond your wildest dreams!
