Spicing Up Bible Reading
2014 Jean E. JonesI constantly change the way I read my Bible to make it interesting as well as focused on what I think God wants to teach me at the moment. I create plans that ensure I’m reading the entire Bible regularly, but I use different methods that enable me to uncover more gems than I could with any one method. Since I seldom repeat something I’ve done before, I’m always challenged.
Here are some of my favorite tips for dynamite devotions.
1. Expect insights.
Attitude is important, so I approach Bible study as a privilege, not a chore. It’s sitting down with the God of the universe to discover what he thinks is important for people to know. It’s a chance to know God better and to uncover how to be more Christ-like. I know God gladly gives wisdom to those who seek it from him, so I begin by praying over what I should read and asking God to show me what he wants me to know. Over the years, so many blessings and insights have come through reading God’s words that I eagerly anticipate what he’s got for me.
2. Seek quality.
Quality is more important than quantity. I don’t try to read the Bible through in a year. I set aside time each day and feel free to slow down my reading whenever I want to meditate deeply on a passage or look up cross-references. I might spend days unpacking a single verse like 2 Peter 1:5. If I’m reading a section with a lot of lists, I may read a few chapters, and then finish up with a Psalm.
3. Mark the TOC.
Although I’ve read the Bible straight through a number of times, I usually don’t. Instead, I choose a study method for the next read-through (for example, reading all the books of the Bible with all their commentary notes in a particular study Bible). When I complete a book using that method, I put a symbol next to its name in the table of contents. This lets me go in any order and allows me to vary what I’m doing without losing my place.
4. Intersperse memory refreshers.
My memory fuzzes quickly, so every few months I break from in-depth study and interject quick refreshers. For instance, I’ll quickly read through Paul’s letters or an Old Testament prophet before returning to whatever more in-depth study I’m doing.
Wenceslas Bible, 1389, from freechristimages.org
5. Read a gospel every Easter.
I began this tradition many years ago and love it. Two or three weeks before Easter, I begin reading a gospel, timing it so that I finish the gospel on Easter Sunday. It prepares my heart for Resurrection Day and fixes Jesus’ sacrifice in my mind.
6. Change views.
I like to alter my approach to individual books, especially my favorites. For example, I’ve read the book of Job many times in many ways. Once I made extensive notes on “How Not to be a Job’s Comforter.” Another time I analyzed each of his friends’ arguments for underlying beliefs. Since God said three of Job’s friends misspoke, in another study I listed their mistakes. Still another time I observed the flow of Job’s tumbling thoughts as he sought to make sense of hardship at a time when there was little written revelation, comparing them to my own thoughts when I’m searching for answers in a confusing time.
7. Get historical.
Often I’ll pick a time period and read all the Bible books concerning that time period in semi-chronological order. This historical perspective aids understanding immensely, especially for the prophetic books. Once I read all the books written during the Persian Empire while reading a history of Persia. Reading Paul’s journeys in Acts chronologically with his letters is insightful! Both chronological and study Bibles are big helps in putting together chronologies while Bible reading.
8. Ask questions.
As I read, I ask many questions. I try to uncover what’s important in the passage and what it should mean for my life. I look for themes. Additionally, I ask why it was important that what I am reading be in the Bible and what it tells me about God. When I read the Old Testament, I consider what New Testament passages relate to it; and when I read the New Testament, I ponder what Old Testament stories illustrate it. But most important, I ask what’s the most important lesson I should apply to my life today and how can I make it happen.
9. Research topics.
Asking questions often peaks my curiosity enough that I want to study a topic that’s mentioned in lots of places in the Bible, like heaven. Though I often study just what the Bible says about a topic, sometimes I investigate further; for example, when considering Bible references to yeast, I checked out a library book on yeast. Often, noticing a lack in my life will lead to studying how to meet it. For instance, in high school a friend told me I lacked tact; I didn’t know what the word meant, but when I found out, I decided to see what the Bible had to say (lots, by the way). More recently, I compared and contrasted the apostles’ methods for sharing the gospel with different audiences. Both Bible software and a good Bible concordance help greatly with topical studies.
10. Illustrate.
Visualizing greatly increases understanding. Study Bibles and commentaries often have charts. If I can’t find a chart for something I’m curious about, I make one. For instance, I’ve charted out all the kings’ relationships with God, their dynasties, and how they died (did you know nine of the northern kingdom’s twenty kings were assassinated?). I often create timelines so I can see how events relate or which descendants a patriarch likely knew. I sketch scenes to bring details to life. The archaeological photographs found in illustrated commentaries and encyclopedias help immensely; so do detailed maps.
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There you have it: ten tips for making personal Bible study tantalizing.
So what are some of your favorite tips?
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:7
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- My husband, Clay Jones, did a fabulous blog on how he studies the Bible here: How I Study the Bible and Love It
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- Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament
- Discovering Hope in the Psalms
- Discovering Joy in Philippians
Photo of Illuminated Bible is from freechristimages.org.
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Good stuff Jean E.!
I do the “Seek Quality,” “Change Views,” “Get Historical,” and “Research Topics” tips myself. I particularly like your advice on “Ask Questions.” I don’t do that enough, but plan to do it more. Here’s some stuff I do.
1) Slowing down and meditating on advice, particularly Pauline admonishments to be “gentle, humble, self-controlled.” Instead of just rushing past, i reflect on WHAT self-control means, and where I’m not using self-control. Checking Greek words helps, but is not that necessary.
2) Reading a different translation, particularly when doing more research study in a short book (Jude, Philemon, Nahum), and reading it through in one sitting. I gain a different perspective compared to being bogged down in a few verses.
3) An example of your historical approach, is what I’m doing in Jeremiah, which was written over the course of several Judean kings’ reigns. Jeremiah is not written in chronological order, so I re-arranged the order, and read the prophecies in tandem with reading Kings/Chronicles to get a better sense of how the prophecies relate to the time period and conditions of their proclamations.
I’ve found Rick Warren’s “Bible Study Methods” to be quite good. Also, a good book on the best Bible commentaries is one by D.A. Carson, “New Testment Commentary Survey,” copyright 2001. Helps to eliminate the field of commentaries, breaking them down as to quality and what their focus is (grammatical, historical, theological, etc.)
This summer I’m planning on teaching an adult Sunday School class on Better Bible Study, so I’ll include your advice (and try to implement it in my own life first) in my class.
Have you heard of the NET Bible? It’s available as a free download from http://www.bible.org. It’s in between the NASB and NIV, and has 63,000 notes, mainly Greek and Hebrew, explaining WHY translations choose the wording they do. Helps to keep from over-reacting to a different translation (“MY Bible doesn’t say that! Darned liberals!!!). It’s pretty technical, but helpful….plus it’s a FREE DOWNLOAD. Also available to purchase.
God bless,
Roger
Thanks, Roger. You have some good tips here! That’s a fabulous way to study Jeremiah–I’ve done that too, using the order suggested in the NIV Study Bible (that was before the NIV Chronilogical Bible came out and made things simpler). I’ve heard great things about Warren’s book. Carson’s commentary on commentaries is great. No, I haven’t heard of the NET Bible. Thanks for sharing, Roger!
Great tips; thanks for sharing them!
You’re welcome, Diane!