The Field Guide to the Bible Reading PlanSample

Why Should I Read the Bible?

Let’s be honest, the Bible’s not an easy book to read. Exploring the Bible can be as daunting as climbing a mountain, so it's normal to wonder ‘Why bother?’

Some people think that you have to read the Bible to ‘be a good Christian’, that it’s something you need to tick off on your Christian checklist.

The problem with this view is that it can make people feel guilty, or that God is frustrated with them for not ‘ticking the box’.

But God is not going to come down hard on you for not reading the Bible! God enjoys spending time with you and wants to be with you and talk to you. What makes the Bible special is that God uses it to speak to us.

Nothing you do or don’t do will make God love you more or less. So remember when you’re reading and praying, it’s not to impress God (or others), but to spend time with God and hear from him.

OK, even if I believe God wants to spend time with me, reading the Bible is still hard.

Yes, it is, but remember people don’t usually climb mountains by themselves. The Bible itself tells us that God gives us a helper – the Holy Spirit.

As you begin to read, it’s important to ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you’re reading and to talk to others about it.

Like mountain climbing, if you have the right equipment, gear, friends and most importantly a guide, you’ll enjoy the journey a lot more.

Action:

Get the gear together for your Bible reading journey. You will need:

• A Bible – any version, find one that suits you.
• A friend – to discuss what you're reading and bounce questions off
• A teacher – someone who has been reading the Bible for some time, maybe your church pastor.
• A journal – write down what you are reading and any questions that come up.