How to Read Your Bible 101Näide

Reading our Bible is a powerful, life-changing habit often missing in the lives of many Christians. While most Christians understand that, in theory, they should read their Bible many aren’t sure how or why. Life gets hectic and for many, Bible reading quickly gets accidentally squeezed out. Our goal with this plan is to help you grow in your love for the Lord and His Word and to be empowered with the tools to get the most out of your time spent in the Bible.

The Bible is an amazing gift from God to us. It's not a duty that we do to earn God’s love or grace. It's a gift from God, a way to get to know God, His story, His desires, and His ways for us. God’s Word isn’t meant to simply be information on a page, it's meant to reveal God to us and mold us into His image. God’s Word is to be our compass—the standard in our life for all we do and for how we live.

We live in a world that Jesus warned would try to distract us and take us off course. Jesus told a parable about a farmer sowing God’s Word and He warned that this life would be full of weeds (distractions and desires that would try to choke God’s Word out of our life) Matt. 13:18-23. Our culture wants to guide and direct us. It speaks so loudly, trying to define what is right and wrong. Every movie, social media post, and TV show are all trying to define what we view as normal. But God’s Word is meant to be our guide.

Romans 12:2 ESV - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Psalm 1:1-2 ESV - 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

We are warned that in the last days, there will be false teaching. There will be people saying whatever sounds good. The best way to recognize the lies is to know the truth. We know the truth by being full of God’s Word.

2 Peter 2:1 ESV - 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV - 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Paul commends the Jews in Thessalonica because they took everything he taught and checked the Word for themselves to see if it is true.

Acts 17:11 ESV - 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

How often should we read the Bible? That is a great question. Josh 1:8 says we should meditate on it day and night. In Deuteronomy, God gave instructions about being in the Word. It said he should keep a copy of God’s Word with him and that he should read it daily and be careful to do it. (Deut. 17:19). Ps. 1:1-2 says we should meditate on it day and night. God’s word should be a part of our every day.

As we get God’s Word into us, it is meant for more than just information we check off a list. It is meant to be God’s guidance applied and directing our lives. It is our compass in a world where all of the landmarks seem to be moving. Its importance grows more each day.

Challenge: Invite some friends to do this Plan with you because following Jesus and studying His Word is always better when we do it with other people. In addition to that, commit to completing this entire Plan. If you miss a day, that’s okay, just get back at it and keep going. Finally, before the Scripture reading for today, take a moment to pray and ask Jesus to show you more of who He is today.