Seven Suggestions for Improving Your Bible Reading

This past Sunday, we walked through an overview of the entire Bible, and I closed with the following seven suggestions for improving your reading this year. I mentioned that I would post them, so here they are. These aren’t mind-blowing, but perhaps they’ll be of some help:

#1 Make a plan.

The adage “Fail to plan; plan to fail” applies to much of life, including our Bible reading. Make a simple plan for when you’ll read, where you’ll read, and how you’ll go about it. You will be far more consistent with a plan. If something doesn’t work, then keep tweaking.

#2 Ask for insight.

Before you read, pray for the supernatural sight needed to understand. After all, God’s Word is spiritually discerned (Lk. 24:45). Pray with the psalmist, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Ps. 119:18).

#3 Read relationally.

Read to relate personally to God; to commune, not merely study. Yes, there are things we need to understand. Yes, lack of understanding can hinder our relating. However, increased understanding is not the end, but means to the end of better knowing God. So, when we come across a promise, we say “Wow, Lord, that’s amazing; help me to live in light of that today.” Or, when we’re convicted of sin, “Lord, this convicts me. I do this and it needs to go. Help me change.” Or, when we come across models of exemplary faith, “I love this, Lord! Let my life be marked by such faith!” Relational reading is what changes us.

#4 Always apply.

This is related to the above. Our goal is not merely to read, or check a box, but for what we read to transform our lives (Mt. 7:24). God repeatedly calls us to be doers of the word and not hearers only (Jas.. 1:23). So, look for at least one gospelicious encouraging truth to nourish your soul for the day, asking “What is there for me to know? Be? Do? Promise to claim? Sin to avoid? Example to follow? Sin to confess?” There is always something. Find at least one point of application. Consider writing it down so that you can return to it.

#5 Know where you’re at.

Read the Bible with the whole story in mind. So, as you read, know where you are in the story. This will cause the Bible to come alive in new ways and bring more depth to your reading.

#6 Expect resistance.

There is a reason that many followers of Jesus find it a challenge to regularly read their Bibles. Yes, we can be lazy or lack conviction. But, we also have a real enemy who does not want us to know and grow in our relationship with God. Understanding this can help us be more aware of what’s at stake.

#7 Give yourself grace.

Learning the Bible is a lifelong endeavor. We’ll have questions. At times we’ll be confused. We’ll forget what we once knew. Some parts will be difficult to understand (2 Pet. 3:16). That’s ok—and very normal. Don’t be discouraged. Just keep making progress (Phil. 1:25; 1 Tim. 4:15). Jesus’ riches are unsearchable, so we’ll never get to the bottom of them—there’s always more (Eph. 3:8).

RECOMMENDED READING:

God’s Big Picture, Vaughn Roberts
Knowing Scripture, R. C. Sproul
Reading the Bible Supernaturally, John Piper